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Top Ten Films of 1999
Greetings, dear readers. This essay marks the first that I've written to you. Before I begin, I should explain a few things about it. First of all, I always make lists. This top ten of 1999 is simply the latest one. If you'll go to my webpage, you'll see a top ten of 1998; and in fact the headline of the page is the top 100 films. Despite all of this, I'm not very good at it. Me creating a list of ranking quality is just me trying (read: failing) to organize my thoughts and ideas in a cohesive listing. I fail horribly at that. However, I know a good movie when I see it, and I can't help but think about how it may compare to other things I've seen recently. Of course, logically I realize that some movies just don't compare with others. A movie is a movie is a movie. But I do it anyway! Below is what I feel are the ten "best" films of 1999. Basically, what I enjoyed most and why. These films were all so different in so many ways that one can't really objectively rank them accurately. So I not only have a top ten list, but I also have a list or runner up's. movies I loved, but maybe not quite as much. Keep in mind that not only can my order change drastically with a viewing or two of any of these movies. Hence, subjective opinion. Don't worry, dear reader. Such haphazard reviewing won't occur on my normal reviews!
1. The Blair Witch Project
Filmed by Eduardo Sanchez and Daniel Myrick, featuring 3 unknowns, this one quickly became what I've heard termed at a "cinematic phenomenon" (James Berardinelli). It was made for less that $½ million, and it's gone on to gross more than $150 to date. So why so many detractors? I was fortunate enough to view "The Blair Witch Project" without hearing much of the marketing expertly crafted by Artisan Entertainment, so I expected nothing. However, many other people were expecting a great deal more than any film could ever deliver. I've heard critics call it "the most terrifying movie ever", and I won't criticize them for saying it. Perhaps it was for them. Those expecting something like that would be severely disappointed. But the atmosphere of this movie was creepy, and occasionally genuinely terrifying. There are two moments I can think of that truly made me jump. The very style the directors shot this movie in resulted in this mood, and the authentic acting. Sure, you might be able to call it cheating. After all, the actors really were out in the woods alone, with no food, little water. And they were very, very cold. But it's the end result that matters.
The genuine emotions were not the only thing saving the film. Heather Donahue's performance in particular stands out in my mind right now. To this day, her tearful on-camera apology wells up previously unstirred emotions. The energy between the two actors played out so well to the climax. We learn to know them, warts and all. Heather's pushy. Mike is kind of antagonistic. But it's seeing these people as more than characters that makes that last shot of the film so terrifying.
There's more to this film than just what we see on screen. Generally, I look at a movie for what it is. An all inclusive piece of work. But it's difficult to ignore exactly what this means. This movie tells us, as viewers, that we don't need multi-million dollar budgets to create an adequate, or even great, motion picture. Recent leaps in digital technology, as well as the growing market of independent films, have made it possible for anyone to make a movie. "The Blair Witch Project" is proof.
2. Being John Malkovich
A comedy filled with sly wit, dark twisted paradoxes, and a style all its own. That's how I describe "Being John Malkovich." Film critic Roger Ebert began his review with "What an endlessly inventive film this is!" An endorsement like this is hard to ignore; and in this case it's even harder to disprove. John Cusack brings energy and wit to the role of a puppeteer who, on the demands of his wife (a heavily make-up'd Cameron Diaz), takes a job working on the 7½ floor of a building. While there, he discovers a small portal which turns out to lead into the head of actor John Malkovich. At the urging of a sex pot co-worker (Catherine Keener), he quickly exploits the portal for a profit, and soon Malkovich himself gets involved.
The entire cast works wonderfully, but I give my highest praises to Malkovich himself. It took both guts and skill to play such a role. He wasn't playing himself, but a version of his public persona; perpetually bemused with the world around him.
What more to say? Spike Jonze proves himself an adept comedic filmmaker, and he neither pulls no punches nor goes for any cheap laughs. See it. See it NOW!
3. The War Zone
Like Spike Jonze, Tim Roth is another first-time filmmaker. Roth proves himself a capable director in this story of a tight knit family seen through the eyes of its teenage son (Freddie Cunliffe); who discovers his father's extra closeness to his sister. I have nothing else to say about this film, except for this: be prepared to be shocked, and to not move until the final credits.
4. Eyes Wide Shut
One of the three most anticipated films of 1999 (Star Wars and The Blair Witch Project being the other two), this is a fine farewell from director Stanley Kubrick. The film begins with Dr. Bill Harford's (Tom Cruise) discovery of his wife's (Nicole Kidman) past desire to have an affair. He trusts her, and is naturally flabbergasted at this bombshell. What follows is a walk through an underworld of sexuality. Everyone seems to suddenly want Bill, and he continually says that he's a doctor; perhaps to remind the world that he is more than sex.
A major criticism of the film is that it's sterile. I'm probably going to hear something about what I'm going to say here, but it must be said. To see nothing but sterility is to miss the point of "Eyes Wide Shut", and perhaps all of Stanley Kubrick's work as well. The seeming sterility is the purpose. There is much nudity in this film, but no eroticism. The (in)famous orgy scene is filled with masked people. The most basic of erotic movements, the kiss, is prevented. The act of sex is reduced to nothing but self-gratifying animal acts. It might as well be masturbation. Second, it's not what you see but what you are led to see that is important! The film is filled with emotion, as is all of Kubrick's work. But it's not conventional melodramatic emotion you're used to seeing. Bill is confused, he feels cheated. He walks through the city in a haze of guilt and pain.
Well, I'll step off my soapbox on this one. Again, I recommend seeing it. In fact, it's a good idea to see it more than once. As I stated before, it's what's between the lines that's important. This is true for all of Kubrick's films.
5. Magnolia
While it doesn't possess quite the same energy as his last work, "Boogie Nights", Paul Thomas Anderson has shown us that he is capable to do what a film at its best can be; one day in the intertwining lives of numerous Los Angelinos. Those reminded of Robert Altman's "Short Cuts" will not be proven wrong. Jason Robards plays a television producer dying of cancer. The host of one of his most popular shows (Philip Baker Hall) is also dying of cancer. Both men have family they are disconnected from, and who they want to make amends with before death.
Sadly, I'm unable to give much in the way of specific information. As a college student, I'm not able to simply see this movie again any time I want. I saw this film several months ago, and some things are simply growing hazy. But I remember two things. First, the strength and power in Tom Cruise's role as a low-life stud (son of Jason Robards, if I'm not mistaken). Secondly, the role by John C. Reilly as a police officer, and his touching scenes with newcomer Melora Walters.
What more can I say?
6. Bringing out the Dead
Recently, I took a film class in which the film "Taxi Driver" was focused on. At the same time, "Bringing out the Dead" was in theatres. What a shame this film did as poorly as I remember it doing. Nicolas Cage is great as a paramedic living his days in a haze of alcohol and drugs, but also regret over his not being able to save the lives of those he is sent to save. John Goodman, Tom Sizemore, and Ving Rhames also turn in incredible performances as paramedics Cage is paired with on his various shifts. It's been nearly 6 months since I've seen this movie, and I'm still not sure which characters were more insane. Was it Cage, wallowing in his agony? Or was it any one of his partners?
7. American Beauty
While I don't think it's the best picture of the year, it's certainly a great film, with a great performance by actor Kevin Spacey. Of course, I could go on forever on how horrible the judgment of the Academy is, but that's for another time. Spacey is a man who is a zombie. Living in a world where he's unappreciated by his family, and unnecessary in his work, he finally recaptures his youth after seeing his daughter's friend at a cheerleading practice. He quits his job, blackmails his boss, and spends the money on a shiny new car. Soon he's lifting weights to impress the girl, who's obviously growing more attracted to Spacey, and working at a fast food place, a job he enjoys.
While the end of the film is superficially a downer, it's really not important. Forget about how he ends, remember how he lived.
8. Three Kings
While watching this film, I'm reminded of some cross between Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22" and "Apocalypse Now". The film is both dark and comedic, with 4 men in the gulf war traipsing along the desert in search of gold lost by the Iraqis.
The film is perpetually hyper, with a group of men who will do anything in their search for money. Is it the fighting that got them this way?
Sadly, it's been a while for this one too. Sorry. But see it now! I hear it's out on DVD real soon.
9. Man on the Moon
Jim Carrey establishes himself as a true actor in this role as Andy Kaufman. All that I can tell you in real accuracy is that this film is about Andy's life. There's no way to show you any real strife, because his entire life was about having fun. Similarly, we're given little inside information on Andy Kaufman's thoughts, because the real Kaufman was just as difficult to understand.
Carrey understands Kaufman's world, and as a result we don't see Jim Carrey in this movie. There simply is no Carrey. There is only Kaufman. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be on the set.
Director Milos Forman's previous film "The People vs. Larry Flint" was another strong cast-driven biopic, and "Man on the Moon" succeeds just as Larry Flint did, and also on whole different levels.
10. Boys Don't Cry
I almost didn't put this on the list. The reason for this is the same reason I loved "The Blair Witch Project" so much. I saw so much about this film, I was expecting something I really didn't get. To say this is "about" Teena Brandon would be inaccurate. It's really about the woman Brandon loved, and what she experiences with Brandon. Both Chloe Webb and Hilary Swank turn fine performances, and seeing them is reason enough to see this movie.
Despite the ads for this film, it's not a sociological study of gender issues in America. Rather, it's a love story. Two young lovers torn apart by tragedy and lies.
Oh well, not a bad film. I suggest it fully.
I promised you a runners up list. And here it is. All were great films. I place them in the order that I loved them most.
- An Ideal Husband
- The Talented Mr. Ripley
- Election
- The Green Mile
- The Insider
- On the Ropes
- Princess Mononoke
- The Hurricane
- Fight Club