1997: Movies Sorted By Tier
Submitted by jim on Mon, 06/07/2004 - 10:43
Tags:
Loved
Grosse Pointe Blank
In the Company of Men
... You won't find uglier behavior than that exhibited by the guys in this movie. Two middle manager types are assigned to a branch office for six weeks. Both mysogynists, both having been dumped, they make a pact to simultaneously romance an insecure woman and then dump her at the end of their six weeks. "She'll be reaching for the sleeping pills inside of a week." They look for a viable target and pick a deaf secretary. My first impulse when watching this movie was "nobody could behave that way", but that was just the idealist in me. I have to face up to the fact that some guys will watch this movie as a call to arms rather than an indictment. As hard as it was to watch, there are so many things to like about this movie. In particular, I thought they did a wonderful job making me wonder if either of the guys were developing geninue affection for their target. The interstitial music (the only music in the film, I think), was terrific. The performances were fantastic, and I would have guessed Stacy Edwards really was deaf (she's not). I can't recall at the moment a more Machiavellian villian than Aaron Eckhart's "Chad". Finally, a wonderful job illustrating not only malevolence, but the evil that can spring out of weakness as well.LA Confidential
... Everything a crime/mystery movie should be. Great performances, and it's particularly fun to watch the Good Cop (Guy Pierce), Bad Cop (Russell Crowe), In-Between Cop (Kevin Spacey) evolve over the course of the movie.Really Liked
Abre los Ojos
... The Spanish original behind the unjustly maligned Vanilla Sky. Watching this, it's easy to see why Cameron Crowe wanted to remake it. It's a great concept and one that's fraught with all kinds of Big Theme intonations without being preachy. I've also finally figured out that in the new crop of puzzle movies there are those that should be enjoyed as pure genre films, with no more expectation of emotional impact than you'd expect out of an Agatha Christie movie (Memento), and those that touch as well as confound (Mulholland Drive). While the second category is more desireable, this one probably falls in the first. Close, though.As Good as It Gets
Children of Heaven
... For every film culture I've sampled (not that many, and of those most quite shallowly), I like to think I can pretty readily identify movies that would be good entry points even for somebody who watched Hollywood movies exclusively. Not Iranian cinema though. I've yet to find an easy entrance. Sure, I've only tried a small handful, but they are of the ones that manage to pick up US distributors, and presumably they are picking ones they think are mostly likely to sell over here. Anyway, this may be my front runner. Like all the Iranian movies I've seen so far, the pace is slow, almost alien in its realism, and focuses in loving detail on daily life. The tragedies and victories are small, but small events loom large when you're so poor you pay to have plastic sneakers repaired rather than replaced. I watched the scene where the little girl chases the sneaker in the storm drain with my hands pressed to my face in concern, and I can't say that about a any car chase I've seen, ever.Contact
Face/Off
... A pretty good (if absurd) action movie that benefits quite a bit from the obvious glee Travolta and Cage take in playing each other when flip-flopping faces and personalities. Thank goodness they hammed it up.Fireworks
... Takeshi Kitano is certainly moving up the ranks of my favorite directors. From what I've seen, his films tend to be off-beat and slow, but leave a deep footprint in the mind. Be it gangsters in Sonatine or police officers here, his character arcs run at odd angles, but are still a joy to behold. Andhave to go down as one of the all-time great endings.Spoiler: Highlight to viewthose two gunshotsThe Full Monty
... About halfway through this movie I remember thinking that it was kinda slow (I saw it after hearing all the hype), but it finishes so strongly that it's definitely worth seeing. Actually, I feel this way about lots of recent UK films (Waking Ned Divine, Billy Elliot) - slow starters, strong finishers.The Game
... I feel like I'm in a minorty liking this movie, but I really enjoyed it. It was fun to watch Douglas as kinda a broken Gordon Gekko, and the twists-within-twists managed to get me all turned around.Gattaca
... Science fiction without blasters or explosions. An excellent story. If you could compare books and movies, I prefer this to Brave New World.Men In Black
... Tommy Lee Jones is the perfect straight man, and it's roles like this that make me think Will Smith deserves to dominate July 4th at the box office. Oh, and Vincent D'Onofrio is fantastic as well. Oh, so's Linda Fiorentino! The f/x and script were both good, but it's the acting that really makes this one take off.Princess Mononoke
... Is this Miyazaki's most sweepingly epic film? Hard to say, he's done war movies before, but this one is much more visceral, and keeping track of the various factions is quite challenging. I think perhaps for its grand scope it loses a little bit of the humanity his movie are usually so rich in, but I'm probably wrong. I've said it before, I'll said it again: nobody animates rain like this guy. This movie has one of my favorite Miyazaki rain scenes, as a few drops darken a boulder, then more, then the downpour comes and it goes all grey. Beautiful. Speaking of grey, I do love there are no black-and-white good guys/bad guys in Miyazaki movies, and this one is no exception (well, that one character is pretty bad, but is ironically one of the most likeable).Glad I Saw
The Apostle
Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery
... Viewed as a standalone comedy, this would do nothing for me. As a Bond spoof, it's wonderful.The Borrowers
... Solidly in the camp of kids-movies-you-can-watch-without-any-kids-around without shame. Quirky and fun. It has John Goodman and Jim Broadbent in it - what more could you ask for?Donnie Brasco
FairyTale: A True Story
... Amelia picked this when we gave her the run of the video store (G or PG-rated only). I knew nothing about it, so was quite surprised to find Harvey Keitel, Bill Nighy, and Sir Peter O'Toole working the joint. Not to mention the closing scene cameo by a really big star (). Obviously not a true story in many respects, it's still a compelling telling of the Cottingly Fairy photographs hoax from 1917. I'm going to try to get to bed early, so I leave you with this review, which does a much better job writing up both the events and the movie than I ever could (although it was quite disappointing to learn my favorite scene--between the girls and Houdini--was one of the fictionalized elements).Spoiler: Highlight to viewMel GibsonFast, Cheap, and Out of Control
... A documentary built on the premise that any niche is interesting if you can corner an enthusiastic expert, and that such experts actually have lots in common. How else to explain an 80-minute documentary about four unrelated specialists--a wild animal trainer, a topiary gardener, a mole-rat specialist, and a robot scientist--who become so interchangable by the end of the film that Errol Morris can set the work of one to the narration of another and it somehow magically fits?G.I. Jane
Good Will Hunting
... I really didn't care for the end of this movie. But I enjoyed it quite a bit otherwise, so I don't hesitate to recommend it.Hercules
... I'm pretty sure the animators were going for the amphorae look in the animation, but by Hera, what was up with the chins in this movie? In particular our hero's, which looks like some kind of alien subcutaneous slug. Chins and complete butchery of the source material aside, I kinda enjoyed this one. Much has been made of Disney's post-Lion King slide, but for my money the precipitous slide is a myth. Sure, they stopped producing truly great movies like we got in the early 90s, but except for Brother Bear and Home on the Range I've had few disappointments (I have yet to see Atlantis and Treasure Planet).Kundun
... It isn't often that I'd describe a film as "slow and engaging" but I will here. Kundun is a deliberate and beautifully shot rendition of the 14th Dalai Lama's life story. The performances are universally strong, and while much of the film feels somewhat muted, there are several scenes with emotional impact that lands like a sledgehammer.A Life Less Ordinary
... An enjoyable screwball romantic comedy. Bizarre without being overly dark.Lolita
... I've often heard Melanie Griffith lambasted, but I've never been able to relate to that until now. After all, she has Working Girl and Nobody's Fool under her belt. But man, she was bad here. I've never been so grateful for a character exiting a movie. Fortunately, the movie doesn't rest on her shoulders, it rests instead with the always-capable Jeremy Irons (who really has his game on here) and Dominique Swain, making an absolutely stunning debut. Every time I hear about someone like her, who bursts fully formed onto the scene with no acting experience whatsoever, I have to wonder how hard acting is, really? I imagine it depends on the role, and if you can basically play to your own natural mannerisms that makes it worlds easier. Still, she's simply amazing, and she and Irons make the pedophiliac relationship sufficiently complex to keep the story compelling and balanced.Mimic
The Postman
Rosewood
... I'm guessing the characters in this movie (including our hero) are entirely fictional contrivances pinned onto a historical event. Nonetheless, the movie alternates between packing a respectable emotional punch and delivering some good action. And as a bonus, it has Ving Rhames AND Don Cheadle in it!Scream 2
... See above, but for slasher sequels. Not quite as slick as the first, but still snappily written and clever.Smilla's Sense of Snow
The Sweet Hereafter
... A stark but ultimately touching movie about loss and redemption (or at least attempted redemption). Ian Holm is terrific as the apparent ambulance chaser who comes to a small town trying to drum up a class action suit after a bus accident claims all but one child in the town. His past, as well as the past and relationships of the locals make each character in this movie rich and interesting.Titanic
Tomorrow Never Dies
Winter Sleepers
... Immediately before his international breakout hit Run Lola Run, Tom Tykwer directed this interesting tale of five lives intertwinably changed by a car accident, even though none of the five knows the accident has intertwingled them. And those that think they know don't have the whole story. And the accident itself is interesting in that you see the drunk guy climb into the car, and you expect the cliche, but when it comes it's not cliche - it's ironic. Perhaps it could have done with a nip here and a tuck there, but Tykwer's still hasn't missed for me yet.Guilty Pleasures
Anaconda
Con Air
The Fifth Element
... I rewatched this in 2002, as I'd forgotten how much fun it is. It includes some very memorable futuristic scenes (the coolest being the floating noodle shop), some good action, and a goofy "save the world from ultimate evil" plot. When this was made Bruce Willis still had a sense of mischief about his characters that seems to have disappeared now. And I think I'm going to just have to give up and admit that I like Chris Tucker. Milla Jovovich was surprisingly good (although I'm not sure why I had any expectations about her one way or another), and Gary Oldman is always perfect in roles that are improved by being over-played.Starship Troopers
... A humorous and gory satire of a fascist human regime at war with a bunch of bugs from outer space. If that sounds like fun to you, you'll dig this. If not, stay away.Could Have Missed
Air Force One
Amistad
... Except when the British naval officer takes the stand, I thought this was a fairly unremarkable courtroom drama. A shame, given the source material. However, all the scenes that take place on ships are marvelous, and make the movie worth checking out. Unfortunately, they only comprise a small part of the film.Anastasia
The Castle
... A David-and-Goliath comedy from our friends down under. It's only mildly humorous, but the boundless optimism and friendliness of our heroic family is a bit endearing. I feel a bit lukewarm about this one, but Miramax dubbed and chopped lines, so maybe it's their fault. I'm perfectly willing to blame the Weinsteins for everything, right up until they start going toe-to-toe with The Giant Rat over this Fahrenheit 9/11 fracas.Chasing Amy
Conspiracy Theory
Cube
... A fairly unique horror movie about six people trapped in a seemingly endless series of booby-trapped cubical rooms. It kept my attention but was ultimately frustrating both for several weak performances and unsatisfying conclusion. I consider myself fairly cynical, but the view of humanity (and society (and perhaps God, metaphorically)) felt unrealistically bleak. I rented this one because Das Experiment has captured my interest, and a review I read compared it to a combination of that movie and Das Boot. Despite my reservations about Cube, it still sounds like a combination with possibilities.Dante's Peak
Fierce Creatures
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
U-Turn
... I had no idea how common finger-removal via pruning shears was in late 90s movies, this being the second movie I've seen in the past couple weeks to feature such an act. Didn't really care for this one - very bad things happening to very bad people. Although the diner scene where Claire Danes and Joaquin Phoenix are introduced was pretty funny, as was the running joke, "you should be more careful."Should Have Missed
Alien IV (1997)
... My wife was pregnant at the time, making this a TERRIBLE choice at ye olde multiplex. Watch the finale. Imagine first pregnancy. Enough said.Jackie Brown
... Need to rewatch this one before deciding if this is its final resting place.The Lost World
... After Jurassic Park I really wished for more dinosaurs. Should have known more dinosaurs would lessen their impact. The few scenes that started out gripping dragged on for far too long.Mouse Hunt
... Watch the preview, skip the movie.Murder at 1600
The Peacemaker
Photographing Fairies
... Our hero was wholly unsympathetic, and the ending was wholly unsatisfactoryThe Relic
The Saint
The Spanish Prisoner
El Sucko Grande
Beverly Hills Ninja
... I remember watching the trailer for this six years ago and thinking it might hit my comedy/kung fu sweet spot. Alas, it sucked. Even the stuff that I originally thought was funny in the trailer managed to be less funny in context.Batman & Robin
... I'm just grateful this didn't kill Clooney's career. It's a testament to his appeal.Bean
... Out of a country seemingly hard-wired for great comedy, we get Rowan Atkinson?Fools Rush In
Spawn
Speed 2
Unranked
Cure
... Oftentimes referred to a Japanese answer to Se7en, this movie is far more complex. And plodding. And not really a thriller at all. I was too tired when I watched this, and I was expecting a movie to keep me awake rather than one I'd have to struggle to keep my eyes open through. I suspect this was a thinking man's thrill-less thriller, but I'm in no position to say at this time.
Cloned From:
I'm assuming these are movies that were made in 1997, but you have viewed them at various times since.
Yup. And I'm sure there are lots of movies from 1997 that I haven't listed here yet. This is mostly stuff that I've seen since I started writing mini-reviews.
Hey! I see that low-balling of Jackie Brown. What the heck, eh?
>:?X <----Grumpy stook
Tallyho
:?)
Yeah, you and LBangs both. I went in expecting the witty banter, and was let down. Expectations are evil. I'm going to give it another shot some day.
:?| <---stook plans on wagging finger at Jim at some later date.
Tallyho
:?)
yes! A Grosse Pointe Blank Fan!! i love that movie, Cusack is great in it, as is Dan Akroyd. it has the syle of humour i like. great movie, with a Killer soundtrack.
If Starship Troopers is a guilty pleasure, I wonder what you think of Robocop, Basic Instinct and Showgirls... Not a Verhoeven fan, are you ?
I remember loving Robocop with very little guilt, although it's been awhile. I haven't seen the other two.
Well, Verhoeven's works are usually divided in two very basic themes : sex and violence... Robocop and Starship Troopers are guided by violence... the other two are rather about sex though Showgirls is probably about nothing except Verhoeven's pleasure as a european director in shocking the american Establishment with lots of gratuitous flesh and simulated intercourse attached to a one-page screenplay
Where is Boogie Nights? Isn't that a 1997 movie?
Yup, haven't seen it yet though.
I'm glad to see Children of Heaven here; I loved this movie. I agree with you about scenes such as the one where the little girl chases the shoe; there is just something so moving about these characters that few Western films can match. This is the antithesis of the tear-jerker; I never felt manipulated.
I also like Starship Troopers quite a bit (what a segue between these two films!), but I'm not sure it has to even be a guilty pleasure. I think it's one of the more intelligent sci-fi films of the nineties, but many people missed the satire that you point out.
Johnny Waco
Funny you should mention both movies in the same post, so I'll try to tie them together...
Most Iranian cinema makes me feel guiltier than Starship Troopers, but in a different way. I often feel like I should like the movies more than I do. Not Children of Heaven though, which is my favorite so far. I still wonder though if I'm latching on to the best of the lot I've seen, or merely the most accessible to my western eyes? I couldn't begin to know how to figure that out.
As for Starship Troopers, I hear ya, but it's hard not to feel guilt over bugs that basically defend their planet by farting into space. :-) The satire helps though, and I could see the possibility about losing my guilt upon a rewatch.
Now that would be an interesting double feature: have some friends over, and watch Children of Heaven followed by Starship Troopers. Or would it be more interesting with the order reversed?
Big fan of Grosse Pointe Blank here too, fantastic film