My Top 10 Favorite Movies of 1999

 

  Let’s travel back Twenty-Five Years ago … the year was 1999, it was the end of a millennium, with the 2000’s on their way, and at this time, I was in my early stages of Elementary School, but I was also branching out, discovering new things, and as far as movies are concerned, I feel confident in saying that 1999 was the year I really discovered my love and appreciation toward film. 

While I was still a kid, this was the year I found myself dabbling in pictures outside of children’s animation, including comedies, Science Fiction, adventure, drama, and even little splashes of horror. With so many of my own personal favorite movies turning twenty-five this year, I wanted to celebrate and rank my own personal top 10 favorite movies of 1999. 

Disclaimer … this was not an easy list to assemble, as there’s so many big titles that came out from this year, including “Eyes Wide Shut”, “American Pie”, “The Blair Witch Project”, “Office Space”, and of course “American Beauty”, which won Best Picture that year. As such, this isn’t a list of the objective best or most significant movies to come out, just the ones the mean the most to me.

 

#10 “Star Wars 1: The Phantom Menace” 

Despite being a movie with mixed qualities … and an even bigger mixed reception … I just couldn’t imagine this list being complete without this childhood favorite. Whether you loved or hated “The Phantom Menace”, I’d argue it was the biggest, and most hyped event of that year. Also, for both better and worse, this was the movie that rescued “Star Wars” from nearly twenty years of hibernation and is arguably the reason the franchise still exists today. 

Even though this isn’t one of my absolute favorites of the series, it’s still one I take a good deal of comfort and enjoyment from, and I’d only be kidding myself if I didn’t call it one of my favorite movie-going experiences from back in 1999.

 

#9 “The Green Mile” 

Following after the acclaim of the 1994 picture “The Shawshank Redemption”, it only made sense to adapt another one of Steven Kings novels, which also doubles as a prison drama. This marked my second favorite movie of 1999 to be nominated for Best Picture (my favorite will be coming up in a moment), and while I prefer “The Shawshank Redemption” overall … “The Green Mile” brought something different to the table, which gave it unique strengths all its own. 

This time, it’s a hybrid approach, of an emotionally grounded prison drama, but also a fantasy, with supernatural elements. Thanks to the solid direction, and first-rate performances from the cast, the two styles complement each-other quiet well, and of course, the late Michael Clarke Duncan leaves an unforgettable impression in his Oscar nominated performance as the lead prisoner John Coffey.   

 

#8 “Sleepy Hollow” (1999) 

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in general is one of the most classic ghost stories of all time, and has been retold in several new ways throughout the ages. The 1999 version directed by Tim Burton probably has the least to do with Washington Irving’s novel, but it’s the first one that comes to mind whenever I think of the Headless Horseman. This version plays like a supernatural detective case, and has the personality of an R-Rated Scooby-Doo mystery. For an extremely over-the-top and violent film, it sure has all the stuff I love in a good thriller. Every time I watch it, I’m blown away by its haunting atmosphere, and it’s visually a marvel to look at. 

Tim Burton’s direction gives it a creepy yet magical dreamlike quality. The cast fill their respected roles very well, and the Headless Horseman thrills when he’s on screen. While this obviously isn’t a movie for everyone, I personally think it’s one of Tim Burton’s best films, and it’s one I make a tradition of re-watching around Halloween.

 

#7 “Galaxy Quest” 

Both a clever satire of “Star Trek”, and a loving tribute to fan-culture, this was one of those rare decade events that managed to find a life outside of its target audience. The cast is wonderful, each perfectly capturing the charm of their respected archetypes, while also adding subtle layers, and the group has great chemistry. Everything else from the Sci-Fi adventure, action and comedy on display all hit the right notes without going too far. In short, what could have simply been a one-note spoof of a popular franchise went an extra step further in reminding viewers why we love our favorite genre’s or long running series, and to keep that love going. 

Many fans even place it among the best “Star Trek” movies, even though it isn’t officially part of the series … and that’s when you know a movie did something right.   

 

#6 Disney’s “Tarzan” 

The 1990’s marked the age of the great, animated Disney renaissance, and the studios final offering of the time has always had a secure spot among my personal favorites of their collected animated works. For a generation of kids, this was our introduction to the character of Tarzan, whose been an established icon in both novels and movies beforehand. Disney’s take on the character is just as exciting as an animated jungle adventure can get, as it’s fast paced and full of riveting action sequences, but it’s not devoid of the heart and substance of other Disney offerings. 

This film also marks the next big step in Disney animation, with memorable tree surfing sequences, and larger digital terrain to cover. Throw in a memorable soundtrack by Phil Collins, and “Tarzan” remains a suitably nostalgic peace of late 90’s animation, and took it’s time-tested story to an exciting new level.

 

#5 “Run Lola Run” 

If you were to remake “Groundhog Day” as a pulpy crime thriller, you wouldn’t be too far off from describing the brilliance that is “Run Lola Run”. With events set to a rousing musical score, we explore the multiple “what if Scenario’s” of how our female lead Lola will respond to a situation in which her boyfriend is desperate for money, and willing to cross the line in committing a bank heist. 

It’s a simple premise that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome … clocking in at eighty minuets … yet, the execution is so tight and engaging to watch, that it feels kind of perfect in it’s own simple way. With brilliant editing, style, imagery and a relentlessly engaging music tempo at the helm … you can almost call this a feature length music video, but one that can still be counted as one of the great crime movie pictures of the decade. 

 

#4 “The Sixth Sense” 

My favorite movie of the year to be nominated for Best Picture, and still one of my favorite horror movies that came out of the decade.  It’s a very different kind of spooky feature, as it can scare you, while also pulling some emotional cords along the way. While there are ghosts present, they’re also presented as victims who need help to move on, and it’s through the selfless courage of one boy that it can be done. It’s a movie that covers issues of pain, remorse, sorrow, regret, loss, and things that are generally more grounded, which has always landed this film as a step above traditional spooky house pictures. 

“The Sixth Sense” has all the markings and tones of a dramatic picture, yet it’s packed with all the chills and atmosphere of a modern horror movie. With standout performances, and a tight screenplay, this was a ghost story for the ages, and one that’s every bit as haunting as it is poetic.  

 

#3 “The Mummy” 

While not a traditional Horror movie, this was nevertheless the childhood experience that got me interested in viewing classic scary films like “Poltergeist” and “Jaws”.  As corny as it is to say, I view the 1999 remake of “The Mummy” as my own personal horror fountain of youth ... as it's the one that started it all ... and all these years later, it's still just as enjoyable as when I was a kid. It embraces its own corny adventure elements without being either too silly or too serious, the characters are all memorable, the scary material is more fun than scarring, and there’s no shortage of general entertainment. 

Just like how the 90’s was a transition period, I always look at “The Mummy” as the big film that ended the 90’s, and began the 2000’s. Personally, I think this film as aged in just the right ways, as it’s dated in parts to be sure, but it still holds up as one of my all-around favorite entertainment movies. It’s modern, but also has this enchanting old-fashioned innocence that makes it perfect Saturday afternoon fodder.

 

#2 “Toy Story 2” 

If you were to go back in time and ask childhood me what my favorite movie was, I would have said “Toy Story 2” without hesitation. The first “Toy Story” was already a favorite of mine, and a big game changer in terms of animation, and is a timeless classic for both its story, and well-rounded characters … how could you possibly top that? Well, surprisingly, you get a sequel that’s not only as good, but in many ways improves on the first. It one-up’s the entertainment, with funnier jokes, dazzling animation, yet also adds new layers to the characters, along with some surprising emotional backstories, and you have a near perfect film. 

Still to this day, “Toy Story 2” remains not only my favorite movie on Pixar’s roaster, but also one of my top 20 ... oh heck ... top 10 favorite films in general. The original characters are better than before, and joining them is arguably my favorite roundup of new characters from any of these instalments. It’s a movie I adored as a kid, and it’s stuck with me well into my adult years.    

 

Before I reveal my Number One favorite movie of the year, here are some quick Honorable Mentions that just couldn’t fit on the list …

“Fight Club”

“The World is Not Enough”

“Austun Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”

“The Iron Giant”

“Deep Blue Sea”

"Mystery Men" 

 

#1 “The Matrix” 

For some, this movie was a classic for its time, for others it’s a dated or even overrated product, but for me … “The Matrix” is one of my most important viewing experiences at a young age, as it propelled my overall love for movies, as well as the creativity and imagination that comes along with them. On the surface, it was a fun action movie with guns, cool black glasses, lots of combat, and awesome special effects. 

Beyond those tropes, if you like philosophy, superhero stories, Japanese Anime, Fantasy tails with a modern spin, martial arts cinema, or intriguing Sci-Fi, then this film might have something extra for you. I can’t pretend that "The Matrix" is a perfect film, or that the characters hold-up, but it is an experience that was more meaningful to me than most other movies I grew up with. To put it simply, “The Matrix” is a film that reminds me why I love movies, why I love to analyze and review them, and it’s inspired me to be imaginative. It’s still one of my favorite movies years later, and it’s personally my favorite movie of 1999.

Thanks for reading my countdown … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!

Escape from New York (1981) (Movie Review)

 

  When it comes to movies with a status of “cult classic”, there’s a reassurance that it’ll survive complete obscurity over the growing years. With that said, even the biggest cult classics can be overlooked by general audiences, which entices me to shine a spotlight on them when I can. John Carpenter's 1981 Sci-Fi thriller “Escape from New York” is one such film that has a secure place in the cult classic hall of fame but isn’t often discussed by casual viewers today. So, let’s take a look back and see if this early 1980’s Sci-Fi picture is worth preserving or dismissing. Here’s the set-up … in the latter half of the decade, crime has increased so drastically, that regular prisons can no longer contain all the convicted felons across the United States. To compensate, the island of Manhattan is converted into a giant maximum-security prison, to hold the nation’s most dangerous and lethal criminals.

  Our story begins in the futuristic setting of 1997, as we see that one such culprit named Snake Plissken has been apprehended and is about to be transferred to New York. Before that can happen, Air Force One is suddenly taken over by a lone terrorist, forcing the President to eject in a pod, and wouldn’t you know … it has the misfortune of crash landing in Manhattan, right in the middle of crime central. With the ultimate bargaining chip at their disposal, and a briefcase containing top-secret information on Nuclear Fusion, the inmate’s ringleader simply called “The Duke” begins an uprising. With this turn of events, a deal is made between the Police Commissioner and Snake Plissken … twenty-four hours to rescue the President, and if successful, he’ll receive a full Parden … fail, and a microscopic implant will kill him. Thus, it’s a race against time for Snake to infiltrate the crime inhabited island and retrieve the President before his literal deadline.

  While everything in this movie strains plausibility, the overall premise and set-up is ingenious. I love the concept of a giant location like New York being reduced to a land of anarchy, which, for a lone hero on a rescue mission, opens the door for all kinds of exciting set-pieces and encounters with interesting inhabitance. Writer and Director John Carpenter first came up with the idea back in the mid-70’s, following the Watergate Scandal of 1972. He initially had a difficult time getting a studio to back his grim concept of a popular American city being turned upside down but following after his success with the 1978 movie “Halloween”, he finally received the influence to begin production. Nick Castle, who famously portrayed Michael Myers in “Halloween”, co-wrote the script with Carpenter, and helped balance out the bleaker aspects of the film.    

  Before I get lost in the details, I need to address our main players, beginning with Kurt Russell, who leads the charge as Snake Plissken. 

I’ll be addressing some reservations with the film as I go along with this review … but Kurt Russell as Snake is not one of them. He absolutely carries this film as a stoic anti-hero with a cool eye-patch. Russell had previously worked with director John Carpenter on a TV production of “Elvis”, in which he portrayed the King himself, and would continue to star in many of his film’s afterwords. “Escape from New York” marked new territory for the talent, and while his performance is reminiscent of the stoic Western characters played by Clint Eastwood, he doesn’t come off like a one-note imitation. He brings his own unique “cool factor” to the table, and hints at layers beneath his tough-guy persona, like he’s a guy forced to fight for a nation he no longer believes in. Truthfully, if I could craft my own figurative “Rock Monument” of my four favorite movie characters who wear eye-patches, I’d have Kurt Russell’s Snake Plissken front in center, and at his side John Wayne’s Rooster Cogburn, then Akihiko Hirata’s Dr. Serizawa and Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury putting a bow on the picture. 

  Along the way, we meet a number of Manhattan inmates, including a woman named Maggie, who aids in the climactic rescue. 

She was portrayed by Adrienne Barbeau, who was a regular talent in Carpenter's films … although, I’ll remember her best as the voice of Cat-Woman from “Batman: The Animated Series”. The late Donald Pleasence, who was also a regular talent in John Carpenters movies, portrayed the President, and while he was always a welcome screen presence, he doesn’t get a moment to shine like he did in Carpenters previous 1978 classic “Halloween”. The late Isaac Hayes, famous for composing the theme from “Shaft”, and the song “Soul Man”, is also great as the tyrannical Duke, but he too feels underutilized, and I wish he could have gotten more screen-time. Oscar winning Actor Ernest Borgnine at least provides some levity as “Cabbie”, both with his charm, and just the thought of a crime ridden New York still using cab drivers is very amusing.   

  While the cast is solid, and the premise intriguing, I will admit that I like the ideas and potential, more than what the film actually delivers. Truthfully, I felt we could have had even more unique characters and exciting encounters, but the film only hints at what else can be on the island. Also, with all the potential for some white knuckled action, the film leans more on quiet suspense, and sneaking about, which is a fine direction to go … but still, with a premise like this, I feel like I need something to pop. There’s a gladiator style match in a boxing ring that’s kind of average, and even the climactic chase across the bridge to escape felt underwhelming. The final showdown between Snake and the Duke is especially short, but I do like that the villains demise came from the captive President. 

  All that being said, what the film lacks in conventional thrills, it compensates with atmosphere and lots of personality. The dystopian setting of New York absolutely feels like a character in-of itself, and there’s memorable imagery on display. Whenever I mentally think of Anarchy in the street, this movies depiction of gangs overrunning Broadway instantly comes to mind. 

Also, the Dukes car has chandeliers decorated on the outside ... that’s outstanding and is one of those touches that gives the film character. Both the production design and effects are dated by today’s standards, but quite impressive for the time, and the film looks fantastic overall. With the exception of a single scene on Liberty Island, the majority of the movie was shot in St. Louis Missouri, but I still feel like I’m submersed in a larger city when I view it. The film was lensed by the legendary Dean Cundey, who had an eye for making a setting come to life, and would be the Cinematographer of many classics, including “Jurassic Park”, “Back to the Future”, and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”.   

  Naturally, the music was composed once again by director John Carpenter himself, along with Alan Howarth. Some of Carpenter’s music overlaps in my mind, and many of his cues for “Escape from New York” remind me of his score for “Christine”, which came out two years later. 

Also, while John Carpenter knew he was directing a Science Fiction picture with “Escape from New York”, he went into the project with a mind-set like he was doing a Western … with a rogue hero entering a town over-run by outlaws, and there’s little details sprinkled through the film. I feel the casting of Lee Van Cleef as the Police Commissioner is no coincidence, as he’s famous for his Spaghetti Western roles like Angel Eyes in “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. Also, when our anti-hero Snake comes across various individuals, we discover he had a reputation, and everyone he greets assumed he was dead. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a tribute to John Wayne's character Jacob McCandless from the 1971 movie “Big Jake”, who had a similar reputation.

  In the end, “Escape from New York” has never been one of my personal favorites, and I find the viewing experience okay at best. That being said, I do feel the movie is worth preserving as a 1980’s genera classic and is enjoyable to look back on once in a while. It has a similar feel to many Sci-Fi pictures that characterized the decade, like “Highlander” and “Robocop”, so it’s hard for me not to enjoy it on some level. I wish the setting could have been explored in greater detail, and a premise this exciting could have benefited from stronger action sequences. All that said, I’d say this movie is required viewing for any fans of either John Carpenter or Kurt Russell, as this really is a bright spot in both their filmography’s. If you’re a fan of 80’s Sci-Fi, then maybe give it a chance … you might just discover something worth escaping into.

Thanks for reading my review of the 1981 Sci-Fi picture “Escape From New York” … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!