Is there a film you saw that just blew you away?

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

Answers

I hope that before you saw Cruel Intentions, MaterialGirl, you saw Dangerous Liasons. Please tell me that you did. This new wave of remaking good films and adding a Fatboy Slim soundtrack makes me very nervous.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

Cruel Intentions is an awesome one!! It kicks ass! Message in a Bottle for your anniversary!

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

The Phantom Menace trailer 60 times in a row. That's about feature film length.

I enjoyed watching Seven this weekend. They need to make a sequel called "Ten" with a fanatical Bo Derek enforcing the lessons of the Ten Commandments with a series of killings. Charlton Heston could be the detective.

I watched the 60 minutes interview with George Lucas and reached an unpleasant conclusion: none of his future movies will ever be as good as his Empire Strikes Back. Slapstick humor made an unpleasant debut in Return of the Jedi (Ewok pratfalls! Wacky Stormtrooper hijinks!) and, judging from the small bits I saw of the Phantom Menace, will be even more prevalent in his future films. I would bet that since he started adopting kids (which was between Empire and ROTJ) he has made an effort to have more kid-pleasing scenes in the movies, hence the transition from giant rebel-stomping mechanical walkers to sling-whipping tribal teddy bears. Darth Vader was the samurai of death, Darth Maul just looks like an amateur special-effects artist's Halloween costume. Sheesh.I hope that the Emperor at least busts out with some fingertip-lightning action sometime during the movie.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

Just rented "Dream With the Fishes". I store movie titles in my brain after reading reviews but I forget what the movies are about. It was for the best this time - I had no idea what to expect, other than it was liked at Sundance in '97 for something. After watching the video the first time, I looked up reviews on the Net and was disappointed it was given average reviews. I must have read a really good one to have stored it in my Mental Movie Rolodex. Or my taste in movies sucks. I was swept into the story, pleased by the casting and haunted by the soundtrack. I know you like soundtracks...Weem, Waterboys, Patti Smith, Wilco, Sunvolt... And humor. There was humor.

Don't read the reviews first. Too much is revealed. As I watched it the second and third times, the tone was a bit different when I knew what to expect. David Arquette, Brad Hunt, Kathy Erbe, Allyce Beasley (from "Moonlighting", I think) - no spoken lines for her, though.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

Hey Katnip, now you've done it.

I hope that "Dream with the Fishes" really is good, because with a soundtrack like that, I'm surprised Eric isn't renting it right now.

I'm sure that's one that will be played on our cd player over and over.

It is a good title... but I think it always made me think of "Swimming with Sharks," and that's why I haven't seen it yet. That sounds like a really dumb reason...

I think I just forgot about it as a movie choice.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

I saw this awhile back but it was probably the last movie that blew me away: The Sweet Hereafter.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

~Ever After~ I saw it in the theater, and got it on DVD as soon as I could. I think Drew is awesome in this movie, and I am a real sucker for a good movie with a happy ending ~:)

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

I saw Elizabeth and actually preferred it to Shakespeare in Love. Don't get me wrong -- I dug the Bard, but Elizabeth was just deeper and more serious and just not as frilly. I mean, if I'm going to go to a costume drama, I want murder, sexual perversion, burnings at the stake. Shakespeare was wonderful, but best picture of the year? I dunno about that one. Rushmore rocked my world -- saw it thrice. A Simple Plan was excellent and deserved more awards. Out of Sight on DVD is da bomb, as is Pi. Next on my list is Life is Beautiful although I think this whole Roberto Benigni shit is getting a little out of hand.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

Well i did just see "Book of Life" by Hal Hartley. It wasn't very good, and all shot on video, extra-blurry, so my eyes were tired afterwards,although I did feel artsy. All the kids in the theater had small, hiply nerdy glasses, as did I. And I also saw "True Crime" with and by my man Clint. Which is quite good, especially Isaiah Washington. It's so overthetop suspenseful at the end that I got a headache. Actually, it was kinda emotionally whipping, but the acting is great. And James Woods looks much less hideous with silver hair. 24-7 is really good, by the way, if only for the ending. And it's full of cute english boys.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

Saw "Analyze This" on Sunday. It didn't quite blow me away, but had my boyfriend and I laughing quite loud for 2 hours. Except it bothered him to see DeNiro cry. He said it just didn't go with the mobster image.

I also watched "Love! Valour! Compassion!" a couple weeks ago. It was an assignment for my Human Sexuality class. I liked the movie, but I was more interested in seeing the reactions of the two straight guys that I watched it with. They walked away after the first heavy kissing scene. Said they were too disgusted with it. Yet, they were happy to watch "The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love". Twice. Go figure.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

I just saw Primary Colors, which I waited way to long to see if I still want to claim John Travolta as my first boyfriend.

Much hemming and hawwing by Eric until we started watching it, when he kept saying, "This movie is so good! Why wouldn't you let us watch it earlier?"

"I don't know, dear. I guess I'm just too overbearing," is really the only response that gets you a foot rub.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

Heartily agree on the whole remake thing, Pamie. What's even scarier is the surge of heavily marketing specific brands of fashion in movies. Rodriquez did it with the "The Faculty" and Tommy, now there are Levi commercials combined with clips from "The Mod Squad" (don't get me started- I mean it)and those weird numbers (# of times they hold up a Pepsi can while checking their button-fly in a Tower Records looking for the Fatboy Slim album?). Sure fashion and Hollywood go hand in hand, but can't they at least be a little more subtle? I know I ask too much. By the way, stay away from "Carrie 2". If you waste the time and money, you'll know what 'rage' truly is.

-- Anonymous, March 31, 1999

Hilary and Jackie...couldn't take my eyes off Emily Watson and Rachel Griffiths was great as well...

-- Anonymous, April 01, 1999

y'know what movie rocks? I rented 'Sonatine' over the weekend. I thought it would straight yakuza stuff, but it is FUNNY! (not always intentionally so). It's in Japanese, with subtitles, and it gets a little slow at times, but the chartacters are great! It has a typically inscrutable ending, as well.

-- Anonymous, April 01, 1999

Life is Beautiful. The Red Violin. (both subtitled, but certainly worth the extra reading if you're not already versed in Italian...I get about as far as "Grazie" and "Prego" and I'm done) They're both moody dramas....so see them when you're feeling serious or quiet.

-- Anonymous, April 02, 1999

Pamie, I'm sure you'll be distressed to know that I had the chance to see "Dangerous" on TV the other night (can I say that John M was kind of tasty? I don't usually like him in that way, but I found him very attractive with his George Washington hair) and I fell asleep 20 minutes in. I will watch it, though, just because you've shamed me for seeing "Cruel" first.

-- Anonymous, April 04, 1999

a good yet disturbing one is "Sleepers". Unfortunately someone in the casting department decided to hire Brad Pitt, but he's not in it for all that long. Has Kevin Bacon too. all i got to say about that movie is "eeeee". another good one is "farewell my concubine" if you're a foreign film person...this movie made my heart stop, good gooood film. "eat drink man woman" also good.

Oh, and that Mod Squad/Levi's thing with the numbers: Levi's designed some supposed "70s' styled" clothing for the film and are selling a limited amount. So the number like 75/900 is like that's the 75th shirt out of only 900. yay. collecters items perhaps? as if.

-- Anonymous, April 05, 1999

I've seen three films in theatres in the last three years. I do get out, but my film viewing days are limited to VHS.

Nothing good out lately, but here's my top five list:

1) Aliens 2 (Now those were guns! Nothing like the crap in Starship Troopers) 2) Man Bites Dog (Black and white, (Belgium)French w/ English subtitles, fiction filmed in documentary format. Tie for Funniest Movie and Most Disturbing Movie) 3) La Femme Nikita (The original!) 4) Long Kiss Goodnight (No, really. It was just cheesy enough to be good) 5) Anything with Jackie Chan or Nicholas Cage (If they team up, new number 1)

-- Anonymous, April 07, 1999

Just rented "American History X"... Amazing.

-- Anonymous, April 09, 1999

I don't know if this movie went over well with the critics, but I absolutely adored GATTACA. I just thought it was amazingly written, acted, directed and green. The whole movie is very green. I like green. But it realy is a cool movie. And it's ripe with symbolism. But the best thing of all is the cast. Ethan Hawke and Jude Law are terrifically yummy!

I would also recomend GROSSE POINTE BLANK. It's a very good black comedy. I liked it alot.

Katy

-- Anonymous, April 17, 1999

I found "The Matrix" to be an incredible movie that did indeed completely blow me away... I think I must have exclaimed in sheer awe, "Oh my god!" at least 7 times while watching it. Wow... it's great!! I've seen it 5 times, enjoying it immensely each time. It's a bit violent in some places, but the philosophy and special effects are supercool...

If you wanna enjoy it fully, don't let anybody tell you a thing about "The Matrix"... As Morpheus says in the movie, "Nobody can be told what the Matrix is, you have to see it for yourself."

BTW, very nifty site Pamie :)

-- Anonymous, May 07, 1999

I don't know if anyone goes back to read these things once they are this old, but I had to suggest that everyone see "What Dreams May Come". My B/f and I watched it last night and OH MY GOD...it was tear-city, but it was SOOOOO good...Must See!!!!

-- Anonymous, June 15, 1999

Although we've been talking about Austin Powers on the Will Smith thread, I thought I'd mention here that I saw "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels" last night and enjoyed it.

Like Trainspotting and Resevoir Dogs all in one.

After the first fifteen minutes, though, I hadn't really adjusted to the cockney yet and I leaned over to Eric who was all wide-eyed and beaming and I asked him, "So, I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand everything that's happening."

His smile didn't fade: "I don't understand a damn word. But I LOVE IT!"

Eventually you start to pick everything up and it's a lot of fun.

-- Anonymous, June 15, 1999

i was just given Mindwalk to watch by a friend of mine and it is wonderful. its directed by Bernt Capra and its a talker. let me warn you, that is all it is, just conversation but soo good. It was made almost 10 years ago and most of its ideas have sprung to life and mutated during this decade so its kind of a good way to see where we were and where we are now. If the coming millinieum (god I can't spell) has you thinking rent this movie!

-- Anonymous, August 01, 1999

Nobody has posted here in a bit but I am going to jump in anyway. First, I have to agree that Mindwalk is an excellent film! I loved it!

I adored the movie Boys Don't Cry and I think it's a really important movie for people to see. That's my most recent film.

Blowing me away -- American History X and Stonewall. Actually watched both in one evening and was amazed and speechless!

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2000

I was pleasantly surprised by Arlington Road. It had been recommended to me, but when I saw that the movie rental store only had one copy I was concerned. For a long time into the movie, I thought it was going to to be another formulaic Hero Saves the Day at the Last Possible Second movie with no real shocks, but it some very interesting twists. The only thing that disappointed me was Joan Cusack's role. I was excited to see that she was in it, but the character she played was super-blah. Anyway, the ending makes the whole movie worthwhile.

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2000

Toy Story 2- Very very fun and the graphics are incredible. The Black Mask- HIS pick, but a fun kung-fu type movie. Stargate- We just got the DVD. Still a good movie with great effects. Austin Powers 1&2- We did a double movie night over the weekend. Funny if you're easily amused by juvenile humor (like me). Being John Malkovich- Whoah.... Funny, but kinda deranged. Dogma- Hilarious. Lots of juvenile humor again. American Pie- Very funny. Glad I never liked applie pie in the first place. Pleasantville- Wonderful story. Great effects.

Well, I think those are the most recent movies I've seen, half on DVD. Does that still count?

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2000

Just watched "Seven Samurai" yet again, I do believe that it still is the best action film ever. Films that struck a chord-"Housekeeping" & "At close range" still remember the blurb, "like father, like son, like hell".

-- Anonymous, January 18, 2000

just watched whatever and then read your review of it. i thought you described it perfectly. it was a very good, almost accurate film, but you pinpointed its shortcomings very well. i agree with you that liza weil was by far the reason to see this movie. it almost felt like an interactive thing, where i was her going through the scenes in the movie, i identified with her so much. she was perfect in the role. i'm glad i came upon your website. i'll be back. ;)

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000