The 100 Greatest movies of the 1990s 11. Unforgiven (32 Viewers)

[timschochet]

15. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore

Synopsis: Following the Normandy invasion, A U.S. Army Captain is tasked with rescuing a private who has lost 3 of his brothers.

This Ryan had better be worth it. He’d better go home, cure some disease, or invent a longer lasting light bulb or something. - Tom Hanks as Captain Miller.

This was one of the films I was referring to when I wrote earlier that there are a few left on this list that I don’t need to see ever again. This is one of the greatest war movies ever. The characters, dialogue, acting, are all simply outstanding. The opening battle scene at Omaha Beach is phenomenal. And I have no desire to watch it once more. That doesn’t make it any less great. (Though it may play a role in keeping this movie in the top 20 rather than the top 10, because every film in the top ten I can and do watch over and over and over.)

 

[JAA]

Movie police here ...

No Kids?, Sneakers, Basketball Diaries, Hunt for Red October? No GoldenEye?

At least you got Dazed and Confused!

This list needs some serious woooooooooork!

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Movie police here ...

No Kids?, Sneakers, Basketball Diaries, Hunt for Red October? No GoldenEye?

At least you got Dazed and Confused!

This list needs some serious woooooooooork!

there are still 14 movies to go! (not that any of those would be top 14 though)

there will be some good movies that didn't make this list

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

I've seen Saving Private Ryan like 3 times, it's great. I like Hanks a lot

 

[JAA]

30. As Good As It Gets

W: How do you write women so well in your stories?
M: Well, see ... I take a man, remove all reason and accountability

The actual scene which I butchered from memory

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[JAA]

I've seen Saving Private Ryan like 3 times, it's great. I like Hanks a lot

This is one movie I cant figure out how to like. I get the cinematography and story telling. However, the whole overplaying letting the prisoner go only to have him kill an important character? I hate that trope. Like hate it so much I hate the movie.

 

[Desert_Power]

16. The Matrix (1999)

Directed by: The Wachowskis

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving

Synopsis: [/B]A computer hacker discovers that humanity is trapped in a simulated reality.

There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.- Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus

One of just a handful of movies that encapsulate the 90s and that really is a commentary on society grappling with the expanding importance of technology in our universe. There are plenty of flaws to nitpick but the overall cultural impact and staying power of the franchise speaks volumes.

Trip's Official Ruling: Appropriately Ranked

Yes this is one of the most late 90s movies that exists. I was a senior in HS and one of the guys I worked with who was in college asked me if I had seen The Matrix and I hadn’t. His jaw dropped and he said “you have to see it. It explains everything.” He went on to tell me all the Deja vu and tastes like chicken stuff and he was truly convinced the movie was exposing our actual reality. I assume he hosts some kind of manosphere YouTube show now.

1999 just a crazy year for movies.

 

[JAA]

This movie better not make the top 15, so I will share. An excellent VHS rental which I loved to watch. Futuristic enough, compelling characters with a strong female supporting character. What is not to like?

Strange Days (film) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[JAA]

Another better-not-be-top-15

This is one I could watch over and over, which IMHO is 10x better than The Truman Show. Untouchable cast, appropriate storyline, and excellent ending bring all of this together in a movie which can be watched over and over.

EDtv - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[JAA]

One final better-not-be-top-15 for tonight.

Great cast, great plot even though the story falls apart IMO. Funny to watch because of how much of reality is reflected in it. I could easily see this at around 75.

White Men Can't Jump - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[General Malaise]

One final better-not-be-top-15 for tonight.

Great cast, great plot even though the story falls apart IMO. Funny to watch because of how much of reality is reflected in it. I could easily see this at around 75.

White Men Can't Jump - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Are you drunk or on drugs or Hipple's ghost?

 

[FarFromHome]

15. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore

Synopsis: Following the Normandy invasion, A U.S. Army Captain is tasked with rescuing a private who has lost 3 of his brothers.

This Ryan had better be worth it. He’d better go home, cure some disease, or invent a longer lasting light bulb or something. - Tom Hanks as Captain Miller.

This was one of the films I was referring to when I wrote earlier that there are a few left on this list that I don’t need to see ever again. This is one of the greatest war movies ever. The characters, dialogue, acting, are all simply outstanding. The opening battle scene at Omaha Beach is phenomenal. And I have no desire to watch it once more. That doesn’t make it any less great. (Though it may play a role in keeping this movie in the top 20 rather than the top 10, because every film in the top ten I can and do watch over and over and over.)

I don't think I'm in a better position to judge this movie better than anyone else. But for some perspective. I was a SGT in the military. I was stationed in Germany. I was in an actual war. Having said that, Saving Private Ryan is my personal favorite war movie of all time. Just some classic war story telling. That opening scene at Omaha Beach still gives me chills when I watch. Just war at its absolute worst. Just a great journey with a great cast and a gut wrenching ending. In the closing scene, you see the aged Private Ryan, with his extended family. Just gets deep into my feelings.

 

[JAA]

One final better-not-be-top-15 for tonight.

Great cast, great plot even though the story falls apart IMO. Funny to watch because of how much of reality is reflected in it. I could easily see this at around 75.

White Men Can't Jump - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Are you drunk or on drugs or Hipple's ghost?

Just the cast of the movie should put it into the top 100.

Foods which begin with the letter Q

cmon

 

[JAA]

15. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore

Synopsis: Following the Normandy invasion, A U.S. Army Captain is tasked with rescuing a private who has lost 3 of his brothers.

This Ryan had better be worth it. He’d better go home, cure some disease, or invent a longer lasting light bulb or something. - Tom Hanks as Captain Miller.

This was one of the films I was referring to when I wrote earlier that there are a few left on this list that I don’t need to see ever again. This is one of the greatest war movies ever. The characters, dialogue, acting, are all simply outstanding. The opening battle scene at Omaha Beach is phenomenal. And I have no desire to watch it once more. That doesn’t make it any less great. (Though it may play a role in keeping this movie in the top 20 rather than the top 10, because every film in the top ten I can and do watch over and over and over.)

I don't think I'm in a better position to judge this movie better than anyone else. But for some perspective. I was a SGT in the military. I was stationed in Germany. I was in an actual war. Having said that, Saving Private Ryan is my personal favorite war movie of all time. Just some classic war story telling. That opening scene at Omaha Beach still gives me chills when I watch. Just war at its absolute worst. Just a great journey with a great cast and a gut wrenching ending. In the closing scene, you see the aged Private Ryan, with his extended family. Just gets deep into my feelings.

How do you compare it to Full Metal Jacket? Me not having served in the military (thank you for your service) always gave me chills.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

While rude, GM is pointing out that White Men Can't Jump already made the list.

 

[Hastur]

Reading the wikipedia page

In 1996, the Wachowskis pitched the role of Neo to Will Smith. Smith explained on his YouTube channel that the idea was for him to be Neo, while Morpheus was to be played by Val Kilmer. He later explained that he did not quite understand the concept and he turned down the role to instead film Wild Wild West.. Madonna also turned down an undisclosed role, a decision she would later regret

Would this movie be as beloved without Reeves, Fishburne and Moss? Or would we rather have Smith, Kilmer and Madonna?

With Madonna it may have been higher on Tim’s list.

very astute observation

Imagine if it were directed by Woody Allen!

 

[JAA]

While rude, GM is pointing out that White Men Can't Jump already made the list.

DAMN THAT @General Malaise !

Though my stupidity, I did call it around 75 while it landed 74 saves me, lol!

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

A Madonna film directed by Woody Allen? Pure nightmare fuel

 

[JAA]

I've seen Saving Private Ryan like 3 times, it's great. I like Hanks a lot

I bet we could have an entire thread ranking Hanks movies. And The Burbs wouldnt make top 10!

1.01 Forrest Gump

 

[Ilov80s]

Ok firing up American Beauty for a rewatch after all the debate we had last week. It’s my old dvd, I found in storage in the basement which is cracking me up for some reason. Picture quality which I used to think was perfect looks pretty mid.

Let’s see how this thing holds up.

 

[FarFromHome]

15. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore

Synopsis: Following the Normandy invasion, A U.S. Army Captain is tasked with rescuing a private who has lost 3 of his brothers.

This Ryan had better be worth it. He’d better go home, cure some disease, or invent a longer lasting light bulb or something. - Tom Hanks as Captain Miller.

This was one of the films I was referring to when I wrote earlier that there are a few left on this list that I don’t need to see ever again. This is one of the greatest war movies ever. The characters, dialogue, acting, are all simply outstanding. The opening battle scene at Omaha Beach is phenomenal. And I have no desire to watch it once more. That doesn’t make it any less great. (Though it may play a role in keeping this movie in the top 20 rather than the top 10, because every film in the top ten I can and do watch over and over and over.)

I don't think I'm in a better position to judge this movie better than anyone else. But for some perspective. I was a SGT in the military. I was stationed in Germany. I was in an actual war. Having said that, Saving Private Ryan is my personal favorite war movie of all time. Just some classic war story telling. That opening scene at Omaha Beach still gives me chills when I watch. Just war at its absolute worst. Just a great journey with a great cast and a gut wrenching ending. In the closing scene, you see the aged Private Ryan, with his extended family. Just gets deep into my feelings.

How do you compare it to Full Metal Jacket? Me not having served in the military (thank you for your service) always gave me chills.

Full Metal Jacket basic training scenes were just epically great. The military has changed quite a bit, but 25 years ago for me at Fort Benning and definitely during that time era, basic training was brutal like they depicted. I thought once they graduated and went off to each soldiers duty station it tailed off a lot. So for me Full Metal Jacket started off awesome then got lame. Saving Private Ryan was awesome from opening scene until the the ending scene. Imo

 

[Ilov80s]

Ok so the thing that snaps Lester/Spacey out is 100% his teen daughter’s friend. He hears about the downsizing at work that day but doesn’t have any major reaction other than being mad about it. He’s a wimp at dinner, complains about having to go to the school bball game beside he wants to watch TV. Still same guy. He sees Mena Suvari perform at halftime and he sees roses come out of her top as he fantasizes and then makes a fool of himself when he meets her. That night as he lays in bed rose petals fall on him and he said he’s been awaken from a coma. Alive again and imagined Suvari laying naked in a bed or rose petals. Then the next day he decides to change his life. He calls Mena Suvari and just listens to her voice before he goes to work the next morning. So it’s definitely the teen girl that is the impetus for his breaking out of his dull ordinary life. Also I forgot the first dialogue of the movie is Thora Birch complaining her dad is a perv for ogling her friends.

 

[Skipdog77]

15. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Synopsis: Following the Normandy invasion, A U.S. Army Captain is tasked with rescuing a private who has lost 3 of his brothers.

This Ryan had better be worth it. He’d better go home, cure some disease, or invent a longer lasting light bulb or something. - Tom Hanks as Captain Miller.

Fun fact: A James Ryan holds the patent for the LED lightbulb.









ETA: Not really

 

[General Malaise]

While rude, GM is pointing out that White Men Can't Jump already made the list.

Are guys not allowed to bust balls anymore? JAA and I are old enough to remember a time when this was standard fare. Especially since he always wanted to see a set of balls that he was busting.

 

[Jayrod]

I would

Ok so the thing that snaps Lester/Spacey out is 100% his teen daughter’s friend. He hears about the downsizing at work that day but doesn’t have any major reaction other than being mad about it. He’s a wimp at dinner, complains about having to go to the school bball game beside he wants to watch TV. Still same guy. He sees Mena Suvari perform at halftime and he sees roses come out of her top as he fantasizes and then makes a fool of himself when he meets her. That night as he lays in bed rose petals fall on him and he said he’s been awaken from a coma. Alive again and imagined Suvari laying naked in a bed or rose petals. Then the next day he decides to change his life. He calls Mena Suvari and just listens to her voice before he goes to work the next morning. So it’s definitely the teen girl that is the impetus for his breaking out of his dull ordinary life. Also I forgot the first dialogue of the movie is Thora Birch complaining her dad is a perv for ogling her friends.

I think the most bizarre part of the movie is that Menu Suvari is portrayed as some sex symbol. She is, as the kids like to say nowadays, mid.

 

[JAA]

Ok firing up American Beauty for a rewatch after all the debate we had last week. It’s my old dvd, I found in storage in the basement which is cracking me up for some reason. Picture quality which I used to think was perfect looks pretty mid.

Let’s see how this thing holds up.

This is the movie which I struggle watching too many times. Loved it, loved the characters, but overall not the most enjoyable story to watch.

 

[General Malaise]

15. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore

Synopsis: Following the Normandy invasion, A U.S. Army Captain is tasked with rescuing a private who has lost 3 of his brothers.

This Ryan had better be worth it. He’d better go home, cure some disease, or invent a longer lasting light bulb or something. - Tom Hanks as Captain Miller.

This was one of the films I was referring to when I wrote earlier that there are a few left on this list that I don’t need to see ever again. This is one of the greatest war movies ever. The characters, dialogue, acting, are all simply outstanding. The opening battle scene at Omaha Beach is phenomenal. And I have no desire to watch it once more. That doesn’t make it any less great. (Though it may play a role in keeping this movie in the top 20 rather than the top 10, because every film in the top ten I can and do watch over and over and over.)

I don't think I'm in a better position to judge this movie better than anyone else. But for some perspective. I was a SGT in the military. I was stationed in Germany. I was in an actual war. Having said that, Saving Private Ryan is my personal favorite war movie of all time. Just some classic war story telling. That opening scene at Omaha Beach still gives me chills when I watch. Just war at its absolute worst. Just a great journey with a great cast and a gut wrenching ending. In the closing scene, you see the aged Private Ryan, with his extended family. Just gets deep into my feelings.

How do you compare it to Full Metal Jacket? Me not having served in the military (thank you for your service) always gave me chills.

Full Metal Jacket basic training scenes were just epically great. The military has changed quite a bit, but 25 years ago for me at Fort Benning and definitely during that time era, basic training was brutal like they depicted. I thought once they graduated and went off to each soldiers duty station it tailed off a lot. So for me Full Metal Jacket started off awesome then got lame. Saving Private Ryan was awesome from opening scene until the the ending scene. Imo

FMJ was basically 2 different movies. The first was brilliant. The 2nd was hackneyed and hard to follow.

This is why Platoon is the best Vietnam War movie ever made. It's a linear story that's easy to follow and portrays the full ugliness of that war in a way FMJ never did.

 

[General Malaise]

I would

Ok so the thing that snaps Lester/Spacey out is 100% his teen daughter’s friend. He hears about the downsizing at work that day but doesn’t have any major reaction other than being mad about it. He’s a wimp at dinner, complains about having to go to the school bball game beside he wants to watch TV. Still same guy. He sees Mena Suvari perform at halftime and he sees roses come out of her top as he fantasizes and then makes a fool of himself when he meets her. That night as he lays in bed rose petals fall on him and he said he’s been awaken from a coma. Alive again and imagined Suvari laying naked in a bed or rose petals. Then the next day he decides to change his life. He calls Mena Suvari and just listens to her voice before he goes to work the next morning. So it’s definitely the teen girl that is the impetus for his breaking out of his dull ordinary life. Also I forgot the first dialogue of the movie is Thora Birch complaining her dad is a perv for ogling her friends.

I think the most bizarre part of the movie is that Menu Suvari is portrayed as some sex symbol. She is, as the kids like to say nowadays, mid.

Oh, stop. She was a thing in the 90s and is very attractive. Don't age shame a person because they don't look like they once did. Otherwise Top Gun is an unbelievable movie because Kelly McGillis looks like your belly button.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Everything was interesting with the 1st movie because you were looking at everything through the lens of just finding out what the Matrix was.

There was no mind-blowing realization in the other movies, so they were reliant on story and character and emotional investment. How can one be emotionally invested when the lead character has no emotions?

This was a movie that didn't need sequels.

I guess the movie doesn't hold up to repeated viewing once you know the twist, but isn't that every surprise?

It's like rewatching a comedy special, and saying it wasn't funny the 5th time cuz you knew the jokes.

I guess my argument would be that great stand ups and movies survived those repeated viewings and still keep you engaged and laughing.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I tried to watch it for the first time like 15 years ago and didn't make it 20 minutes. I should probably try it again.

Every time I want to make fun of a take like this I remind myself that I'm not really much of a fan of Lawrence of Arabia, The Godfather, and Goodfellas...so I don't.

Yep, we all have those movies.

 

[Ilov80s]

I would

Ok so the thing that snaps Lester/Spacey out is 100% his teen daughter’s friend. He hears about the downsizing at work that day but doesn’t have any major reaction other than being mad about it. He’s a wimp at dinner, complains about having to go to the school bball game beside he wants to watch TV. Still same guy. He sees Mena Suvari perform at halftime and he sees roses come out of her top as he fantasizes and then makes a fool of himself when he meets her. That night as he lays in bed rose petals fall on him and he said he’s been awaken from a coma. Alive again and imagined Suvari laying naked in a bed or rose petals. Then the next day he decides to change his life. He calls Mena Suvari and just listens to her voice before he goes to work the next morning. So it’s definitely the teen girl that is the impetus for his breaking out of his dull ordinary life. Also I forgot the first dialogue of the movie is Thora Birch complaining her dad is a perv for ogling her friends.

I think the most bizarre part of the movie is that Menu Suvari is portrayed as some sex symbol. She is, as the kids like to say nowadays, mid.

I actually agree that I didn’t find her that attractive either.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I've never been a big special effects guy, but The Matrix is incredible. Great storytelling, very original for its time, and it has aged really well. Jaws were on the floor everywhere back in '99 when Trinity did that leap in the opening scene and then the camera spun around while the action paused (whatever the hell effect that is called).

I agree with this, but I also get a bit angry at the Matrix when waaaay too many action movies do the slo-mo action crap after it. The movie is great, but also to blame for a few things I hate in movies.

 

[KarmaPolice]

15. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore

Synopsis: Following the Normandy invasion, A U.S. Army Captain is tasked with rescuing a private who has lost 3 of his brothers.

This Ryan had better be worth it. He’d better go home, cure some disease, or invent a longer lasting light bulb or something. - Tom Hanks as Captain Miller.

This was one of the films I was referring to when I wrote earlier that there are a few left on this list that I don’t need to see ever again. This is one of the greatest war movies ever. The characters, dialogue, acting, are all simply outstanding. The opening battle scene at Omaha Beach is phenomenal. And I have no desire to watch it once more. That doesn’t make it any less great. (Though it may play a role in keeping this movie in the top 20 rather than the top 10, because every film in the top ten I can and do watch over and over and over.)

I don't think I'm in a better position to judge this movie better than anyone else. But for some perspective. I was a SGT in the military. I was stationed in Germany. I was in an actual war. Having said that, Saving Private Ryan is my personal favorite war movie of all time. Just some classic war story telling. That opening scene at Omaha Beach still gives me chills when I watch. Just war at its absolute worst. Just a great journey with a great cast and a gut wrenching ending. In the closing scene, you see the aged Private Ryan, with his extended family. Just gets deep into my feelings.

How do you compare it to Full Metal Jacket? Me not having served in the military (thank you for your service) always gave me chills.

Full Metal Jacket basic training scenes were just epically great. The military has changed quite a bit, but 25 years ago for me at Fort Benning and definitely during that time era, basic training was brutal like they depicted. I thought once they graduated and went off to each soldiers duty station it tailed off a lot. So for me Full Metal Jacket started off awesome then got lame. Saving Private Ryan was awesome from opening scene until the the ending scene. Imo

FMJ was basically 2 different movies. The first was brilliant. The 2nd was hackneyed and hard to follow.

This is why Platoon is the best Vietnam War movie ever made. It's a linear story that's easy to follow and portrays the full ugliness of that war in a way FMJ never did.

Ugh, not this again.



Too many of you don't give the 2nd half of Jacket it's due.

 

[Ilov80s]

About 30 mins in and we are on his 4th fantasy of Suvari. This last one he’s rubbing one out to her. It’s what actually causes the fight between his and his wife because she’s grossed out by it. Still hasn’t quite his job or anything else. Only plot so far is basically he wants to lose weight so she will sleep with him.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Ok firing up American Beauty for a rewatch after all the debate we had last week. It’s my old dvd, I found in storage in the basement which is cracking me up for some reason. Picture quality which I used to think was perfect looks pretty mid.

Let’s see how this thing holds up.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I would

Ok so the thing that snaps Lester/Spacey out is 100% his teen daughter’s friend. He hears about the downsizing at work that day but doesn’t have any major reaction other than being mad about it. He’s a wimp at dinner, complains about having to go to the school bball game beside he wants to watch TV. Still same guy. He sees Mena Suvari perform at halftime and he sees roses come out of her top as he fantasizes and then makes a fool of himself when he meets her. That night as he lays in bed rose petals fall on him and he said he’s been awaken from a coma. Alive again and imagined Suvari laying naked in a bed or rose petals. Then the next day he decides to change his life. He calls Mena Suvari and just listens to her voice before he goes to work the next morning. So it’s definitely the teen girl that is the impetus for his breaking out of his dull ordinary life. Also I forgot the first dialogue of the movie is Thora Birch complaining her dad is a perv for ogling her friends.

I think the most bizarre part of the movie is that Menu Suvari is portrayed as some sex symbol. She is, as the kids like to say nowadays, mid.

Oh, stop. She was a thing in the 90s and is very attractive. Don't age shame a person because they don't look like they once did. Otherwise Top Gun is an unbelievable movie because Kelly McGillis looks like your belly button.

He's saying that's how they describe average looking people these days. Not that that's how she looks these days.

And get character wasn't portrayed as being a sex symbol. Lester thinks she is. SHE thinks she is. But both Jane and Ricky point out the "truth" -

You've only been in Seventeen once, and you looked fat, so stop acting like you're ******* Christy Turlington.

Yes, you are. And you're boring. And you're totally ordinary. And you know it

 

[KarmaPolice]

Ok so the thing that snaps Lester/Spacey out is 100% his teen daughter’s friend. He hears about the downsizing at work that day but doesn’t have any major reaction other than being mad about it. He’s a wimp at dinner, complains about having to go to the school bball game beside he wants to watch TV. Still same guy. He sees Mena Suvari perform at halftime and he sees roses come out of her top as he fantasizes and then makes a fool of himself when he meets her. That night as he lays in bed rose petals fall on him and he said he’s been awaken from a coma. Alive again and imagined Suvari laying naked in a bed or rose petals. Then the next day he decides to change his life. He calls Mena Suvari and just listens to her voice before he goes to work the next morning. So it’s definitely the teen girl that is the impetus for his breaking out of his dull ordinary life. Also I forgot the first dialogue of the movie is Thora Birch complaining her dad is a perv for ogling her friends.

Correct. He was miserable before that, but it is seeing her at the game that gives him the "spark" to quit his job, turn into a stoner, and work out so he looks good naked.

 

[JAA]

About 30 mins in and we are on his 4th fantasy of Suvari. This last one he’s rubbing one out to her. It’s what actually causes the fight between his and his wife because she’s grossed out by it. Still hasn’t quite his job or anything else. Only plot so far is basically he wants to lose weight so she will sleep with him.

Isnt the opening scene him in the shower trying to rub one off?

 

[Ilov80s]

About 30 mins in and we are on his 4th fantasy of Suvari. This last one he’s rubbing one out to her. It’s what actually causes the fight between his and his wife because she’s grossed out by it. Still hasn’t quite his job or anything else. Only plot so far is basically he wants to lose weight so she will sleep with him.

Isnt the opening scene him in the shower trying to rub one off?

That’s the second scene before that it’s Birch talking to the neighbor with the camera saying how much she hates her dad and he offers to kill him.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

About 30 mins in and we are on his 4th fantasy of Suvari. This last one he’s rubbing one out to her. It’s what actually causes the fight between his and his wife because she’s grossed out by it. Still hasn’t quite his job or anything else. Only plot so far is basically he wants to lose weight so she will sleep with him.

You're making an assumption there. It isn't really even implied.

Anyway, that's splitting hairs. The argument isn't that he's not being lecherous. Of course he is. It's when it comes time to act it out that he realizes what an idiot he's been.

 

[Ilov80s]

Ok so the thing that snaps Lester/Spacey out is 100% his teen daughter’s friend. He hears about the downsizing at work that day but doesn’t have any major reaction other than being mad about it. He’s a wimp at dinner, complains about having to go to the school bball game beside he wants to watch TV. Still same guy. He sees Mena Suvari perform at halftime and he sees roses come out of her top as he fantasizes and then makes a fool of himself when he meets her. That night as he lays in bed rose petals fall on him and he said he’s been awaken from a coma. Alive again and imagined Suvari laying naked in a bed or rose petals. Then the next day he decides to change his life. He calls Mena Suvari and just listens to her voice before he goes to work the next morning. So it’s definitely the teen girl that is the impetus for his breaking out of his dull ordinary life. Also I forgot the first dialogue of the movie is Thora Birch complaining her dad is a perv for ogling her friends.

Correct. He was miserable before that, but it is seeing her at the game that gives him the "spark" to quit his job, turn into a stoner, and work out so he looks good naked.

When the discussion came up last week people were saying it was the threat of being laid off that sparked the new Lester. It’s his desire to have sex with a 16 year old that actually is driving everything. Even more than I remembered.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Saving Private Ryan has a good beginning and ending. The middle stuff is great to me.

 

[Ilov80s]

About 30 mins in and we are on his 4th fantasy of Suvari. This last one he’s rubbing one out to her. It’s what actually causes the fight between his and his wife because she’s grossed out by it. Still hasn’t quite his job or anything else. Only plot so far is basically he wants to lose weight so she will sleep with him.

You're making an assumption there. It isn't really even implied.

Anyway, that's splitting hairs. The argument isn't that he's not being lecherous. Of course he is. It's when it comes time to act it out that he realizes what an idiot he's been.

It is very clear. They show him dreaming of her in a bathtub and he goes up to touch her and we immediately see him laying in bed jerking off.

 

[KarmaPolice]

About 30 mins in and we are on his 4th fantasy of Suvari. This last one he’s rubbing one out to her. It’s what actually causes the fight between his and his wife because she’s grossed out by it. Still hasn’t quite his job or anything else. Only plot so far is basically he wants to lose weight so she will sleep with him.

You're making an assumption there. It isn't really even implied.

Anyway, that's splitting hairs. The argument isn't that he's not being lecherous. Of course he is. It's when it comes time to act it out that he realizes what an idiot he's been.

It is very clear. They show him dreaming of her in a bathtub and he goes up to touch her and we immediately see him laying in bed jerking off.

Yeah, that is crystal clear. And her in the bathtub is also the main pic used for marketing.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

About 30 mins in and we are on his 4th fantasy of Suvari. This last one he’s rubbing one out to her. It’s what actually causes the fight between his and his wife because she’s grossed out by it. Still hasn’t quite his job or anything else. Only plot so far is basically he wants to lose weight so she will sleep with him.

You're making an assumption there. It isn't really even implied.

Anyway, that's splitting hairs. The argument isn't that he's not being lecherous. Of course he is. It's when it comes time to act it out that he realizes what an idiot he's been.

It is very clear. They show him dreaming of her in a bathtub and he goes up to touch her and we immediately see him laying in bed jerking off.

Hmm. Well all right. It's a matter of degrees we're talking about. It's still fantasy versus reality. That's the other thing that was misstated last week - that it was actually having sex that "woke" Lester.

Anyway, it's supposed to be uncomfortable. That's what makes Lester's final moral choice so satisfying.

 

[Jayrod]

I would

Ok so the thing that snaps Lester/Spacey out is 100% his teen daughter’s friend. He hears about the downsizing at work that day but doesn’t have any major reaction other than being mad about it. He’s a wimp at dinner, complains about having to go to the school bball game beside he wants to watch TV. Still same guy. He sees Mena Suvari perform at halftime and he sees roses come out of her top as he fantasizes and then makes a fool of himself when he meets her. That night as he lays in bed rose petals fall on him and he said he’s been awaken from a coma. Alive again and imagined Suvari laying naked in a bed or rose petals. Then the next day he decides to change his life. He calls Mena Suvari and just listens to her voice before he goes to work the next morning. So it’s definitely the teen girl that is the impetus for his breaking out of his dull ordinary life. Also I forgot the first dialogue of the movie is Thora Birch complaining her dad is a perv for ogling her friends.

I think the most bizarre part of the movie is that Menu Suvari is portrayed as some sex symbol. She is, as the kids like to say nowadays, mid.

Oh, stop. She was a thing in the 90s and is very attractive. Don't age shame a person because they don't look like they once did. Otherwise Top Gun is an unbelievable movie because Kelly McGillis looks like your belly button.

I was talking about how she looks in the movie. Even her role in American Pie she was just above-average looking.

For Lester to go off the deepest end over her didn't make much sense to me.

ETA: I'd actually say she looks really good for her age now. She's held up very well.

 

[Ilov80s]

About 30 mins in and we are on his 4th fantasy of Suvari. This last one he’s rubbing one out to her. It’s what actually causes the fight between his and his wife because she’s grossed out by it. Still hasn’t quite his job or anything else. Only plot so far is basically he wants to lose weight so she will sleep with him.

You're making an assumption there. It isn't really even implied.

Anyway, that's splitting hairs. The argument isn't that he's not being lecherous. Of course he is. It's when it comes time to act it out that he realizes what an idiot he's been.

It is very clear. They show him dreaming of her in a bathtub and he goes up to touch her and we immediately see him laying in bed jerking off.

Hmm. Well all right. It's a matter of degrees we're talking about. It's still fantasy versus reality. That's the other thing that was misstated last week - that it was actually having sex that "woke" Lester.

Anyway, it's supposed to be uncomfortable. That's what makes Lester's final moral choice so satisfying.

Yeah I’m just trying to figure out how I feel about the movie now because I thought it was genius in 1999. The best scene in the movie is absolutely when Benning is getting screwed by Buddy the Real Estate King. That’s some funny stuff. Lester isn’t as funny as I remembered him.

 

[General Malaise]

15. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore

Synopsis: Following the Normandy invasion, A U.S. Army Captain is tasked with rescuing a private who has lost 3 of his brothers.

This Ryan had better be worth it. He’d better go home, cure some disease, or invent a longer lasting light bulb or something. - Tom Hanks as Captain Miller.

This was one of the films I was referring to when I wrote earlier that there are a few left on this list that I don’t need to see ever again. This is one of the greatest war movies ever. The characters, dialogue, acting, are all simply outstanding. The opening battle scene at Omaha Beach is phenomenal. And I have no desire to watch it once more. That doesn’t make it any less great. (Though it may play a role in keeping this movie in the top 20 rather than the top 10, because every film in the top ten I can and do watch over and over and over.)

I don't think I'm in a better position to judge this movie better than anyone else. But for some perspective. I was a SGT in the military. I was stationed in Germany. I was in an actual war. Having said that, Saving Private Ryan is my personal favorite war movie of all time. Just some classic war story telling. That opening scene at Omaha Beach still gives me chills when I watch. Just war at its absolute worst. Just a great journey with a great cast and a gut wrenching ending. In the closing scene, you see the aged Private Ryan, with his extended family. Just gets deep into my feelings.

How do you compare it to Full Metal Jacket? Me not having served in the military (thank you for your service) always gave me chills.

Full Metal Jacket basic training scenes were just epically great. The military has changed quite a bit, but 25 years ago for me at Fort Benning and definitely during that time era, basic training was brutal like they depicted. I thought once they graduated and went off to each soldiers duty station it tailed off a lot. So for me Full Metal Jacket started off awesome then got lame. Saving Private Ryan was awesome from opening scene until the the ending scene. Imo

FMJ was basically 2 different movies. The first was brilliant. The 2nd was hackneyed and hard to follow.

This is why Platoon is the best Vietnam War movie ever made. It's a linear story that's easy to follow and portrays the full ugliness of that war in a way FMJ never did.

Ugh, not this again.



Too many of you don't give the 2nd half of Jacket it's due.

I've seen it a number of times. I don't think I'm alone on FMJ or Platoon here.

Also thought Apocalypse Now lost its footing in the back half. It happens to great movies.

 

[General Malaise]

I would

Ok so the thing that snaps Lester/Spacey out is 100% his teen daughter’s friend. He hears about the downsizing at work that day but doesn’t have any major reaction other than being mad about it. He’s a wimp at dinner, complains about having to go to the school bball game beside he wants to watch TV. Still same guy. He sees Mena Suvari perform at halftime and he sees roses come out of her top as he fantasizes and then makes a fool of himself when he meets her. That night as he lays in bed rose petals fall on him and he said he’s been awaken from a coma. Alive again and imagined Suvari laying naked in a bed or rose petals. Then the next day he decides to change his life. He calls Mena Suvari and just listens to her voice before he goes to work the next morning. So it’s definitely the teen girl that is the impetus for his breaking out of his dull ordinary life. Also I forgot the first dialogue of the movie is Thora Birch complaining her dad is a perv for ogling her friends.

I think the most bizarre part of the movie is that Menu Suvari is portrayed as some sex symbol. She is, as the kids like to say nowadays, mid.

Oh, stop. She was a thing in the 90s and is very attractive. Don't age shame a person because they don't look like they once did. Otherwise Top Gun is an unbelievable movie because Kelly McGillis looks like your belly button.

He's saying that's how they describe average looking people these days. Not that that's how she looks these days.

And get character wasn't portrayed as being a sex symbol. Lester thinks she is. SHE thinks she is. But both Jane and Ricky point out the "truth" -

You've only been in Seventeen once, and you looked fat, so stop acting like you're ******* Christy Turlington.

Yes, you are. And you're boring. And you're totally ordinary. And you know it

My bad.

First time I've misunderstood in here. Weird.

 

[General Malaise]

I would

Ok so the thing that snaps Lester/Spacey out is 100% his teen daughter’s friend. He hears about the downsizing at work that day but doesn’t have any major reaction other than being mad about it. He’s a wimp at dinner, complains about having to go to the school bball game beside he wants to watch TV. Still same guy. He sees Mena Suvari perform at halftime and he sees roses come out of her top as he fantasizes and then makes a fool of himself when he meets her. That night as he lays in bed rose petals fall on him and he said he’s been awaken from a coma. Alive again and imagined Suvari laying naked in a bed or rose petals. Then the next day he decides to change his life. He calls Mena Suvari and just listens to her voice before he goes to work the next morning. So it’s definitely the teen girl that is the impetus for his breaking out of his dull ordinary life. Also I forgot the first dialogue of the movie is Thora Birch complaining her dad is a perv for ogling her friends.

I think the most bizarre part of the movie is that Menu Suvari is portrayed as some sex symbol. She is, as the kids like to say nowadays, mid.

Oh, stop. She was a thing in the 90s and is very attractive. Don't age shame a person because they don't look like they once did. Otherwise Top Gun is an unbelievable movie because Kelly McGillis looks like your belly button.

I was talking about how she looks in the movie. Even her role in American Pie she was just above-average looking.

For Lester to go off the deepest end over her didn't make much sense to me.

ETA: I'd actually say she looks really good for her age now. She's held up very well.

Yes. I understand that.


Now.