Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
Or just awful.
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The 100 Greatest movies of the 1990s #45. Apollo 13 (11 Viewers)
- Thread starter timschochet
- Start date
TripItUp
Footballguy
Not in my top 100....you would have to pay me to watch it again.
General Malaise
Footballguy
Maybe if they animated you haters would appreciate it more.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Ok... I guess I'm not on an island here, but there are very specific reasons why Life is Beautiful didn't resonate with me.
I've mentioned this before, but I lived in Italy for a bit back then and there was a particular style of Italian film and tv specific to that late 80s, 90s era where it was all cutesy but heavy handed schmaltz, mixed with heavier stuff. That mix of cutesy schmaltz and the Holocaust was just terribly unsuccessful for me- I walked out of the theater thinking, bleh.
I get why people enjoyed the movie- well made and interesting heart wrenching story with a wonderful actor at the lead (I loved Benigni in Down by Law, my favorite Jarmusch) and don't begrudge anybody for liking it.
I've mentioned this before, but I lived in Italy for a bit back then and there was a particular style of Italian film and tv specific to that late 80s, 90s era where it was all cutesy but heavy handed schmaltz, mixed with heavier stuff. That mix of cutesy schmaltz and the Holocaust was just terribly unsuccessful for me- I walked out of the theater thinking, bleh.
I get why people enjoyed the movie- well made and interesting heart wrenching story with a wonderful actor at the lead (I loved Benigni in Down by Law, my favorite Jarmusch) and don't begrudge anybody for liking it.
BLOCKED_PUNT
Footballguy
Life Is Beautiful is great I don't know what you guys are talking about.
timschochet
Footballguy
54. To Die For (1995)
Directed by: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Joaquin Phoenix, Matt Dillon
Synopsis: A housewife, aspiring to be a star newscaster, convinces two teenagers to kill her husband.
You’re not anybody in America unless you’re on TV….Besides, what’s the point of doing anything worthwhile if nobody’s watching? - Nicole Kidman as Suzanne Stone.
Loosely based on a true story this is a terrific black comedy that has a lot to say about our obsession with celebrity, The acting is absolutely superb, particularly Kidman (she may never have been better) and Phoenix, who demonstrates in an early role the skills that would make him a star. The documentary style of direction is pitch perfect.
Directed by: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Joaquin Phoenix, Matt Dillon
Synopsis: A housewife, aspiring to be a star newscaster, convinces two teenagers to kill her husband.
You’re not anybody in America unless you’re on TV….Besides, what’s the point of doing anything worthwhile if nobody’s watching? - Nicole Kidman as Suzanne Stone.
Loosely based on a true story this is a terrific black comedy that has a lot to say about our obsession with celebrity, The acting is absolutely superb, particularly Kidman (she may never have been better) and Phoenix, who demonstrates in an early role the skills that would make him a star. The documentary style of direction is pitch perfect.
zamboni
Footballguy
The basis was the Pamela Smart event in New Hampshire. What a wild story that was.
General Malaise
Footballguy
One of the better ending scenes to a movie as well - Illeana Douglass figure skating on the frozen lake to Donovan's "Season of the Witch". So good.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
So far the 90s seems the weakest movie decade tim has done.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
I think the 90s were a much better movie decade than the 80s (but would sit behind the 70s). Whether that bears out in Tim’s list, I guess we’ll see.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
I'd agree, but I'm just not impressed with most of this list so far.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Did you feel the same about mine and 80s' list?
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
No (I don't think so).
I actually liked most of tim's other lists as well - but this one seems way off to me.
timschochet
Footballguy
53. Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)
Directed by: Stephen Herek
Starring: Richard Dreyfus, Glenne Headly
Synopsis: High school music teacher inspires students through the years
Playing music is supposed to be fun. It’s about heart, it’s about feeling…it’s not about notes on a page. I can teach you notes on a page, I can’t teach you that other stuff. - Richard Dreyfus as Glenn Holland
It’s a plot as old as Hollywood itself: teacher inspires students to be passionate about a subject and it changes their lives. We all must have seen dozens of these over the years. But this is an especially good one I think. Dreyfus is great in one of his best performances.
Directed by: Stephen Herek
Starring: Richard Dreyfus, Glenne Headly
Synopsis: High school music teacher inspires students through the years
Playing music is supposed to be fun. It’s about heart, it’s about feeling…it’s not about notes on a page. I can teach you notes on a page, I can’t teach you that other stuff. - Richard Dreyfus as Glenn Holland
It’s a plot as old as Hollywood itself: teacher inspires students to be passionate about a subject and it changes their lives. We all must have seen dozens of these over the years. But this is an especially good one I think. Dreyfus is great in one of his best performances.
General Malaise
Footballguy
There's some real clunkers thus far but he's also listed some absolute gems, IMO.
The standouts for me so far:
Swingers
Se7en
The Fugitive
League of Their Own
Glengarry Glen Ross
Office Space
Misery
Scream
Jurassic Park
The Sandlot
White Men Can't Jump
Biggest miss:
Any Given Sunday
Movies I've not seen or can't remember seeing that I'd like to watch based off his list:
Defending Your Life
Reversal of Fortune
Guilty By Suspicion
Crumb
The Hurricane
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert
That Thing You Do
Standouts in what way? Shouldn't have been listed? Shoulda been higher/lower?
General Malaise
Footballguy
I'm singling those out as my favorites that he's listed thus far. IMO, these were great movies in the 90s and would be great to rewatch today.
I agree with most of your selections. I haven't seen GGR so no comment there. I saw both Swingers and Office Space way after they came out and neither lived up to the expectations based on the big hype surrounding both. They weren't bad or anything.............just not up to the hype.
culdeus
Footballguy
Meh. Very predictable writing and story. Good teacher helps kids to an orchestra. Covered no new ground and was in the era of Shawshank and others which showed how to spin a character arc.
General Malaise
Footballguy
It probably helped that the 90s for me was time where I watched *A LOT* of movies. I spent the first half in college and the 2nd half becoming an adult with plenty of free time. Traveled for work for 3 years, hundreds of nights alone in hotels/motels buying a 6 pack, ordering takeout and watching movies. So a movie like "Swingers" just resonated with me because I was their age, trying desperately to chase skirts, battling depression and loneliness but finding humor in life all the same. "Office Space"? That encapsulated what my brief career in a corporate environment felt like - I haven't worked a corporate job since 1998 and won't ever again.
So these are "sticky" movies. And they have held up for me. Too many movies I see now I forget about them by the time my head hits the pillow. Hell, I'm probably down to 5 or so movies a year tops, now. I didn't go to a movie theater for over 10 years.
Glenngary Glen Ross is essentially a play in movie form and it's sensational. Some of the best writing in the biz from David Mamet. Brilliant.
General Malaise
Footballguy
Stand and Deliver was a far better movie using this plot device. IMO.
TripItUp
Footballguy
Great feel good movie. A lot of cliche/formulaic design but it worked for me.
Trip's Official Ruling: Slightly overranked
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TripItUp
Footballguy
Never had a desire to watch again, but didn't regret watching it.
Trip's Official Ruling: Overranked
Hastur
Footballguy
Orale! What is 2 plus 2? You can do eet!
BLOCKED_PUNT
Footballguy
I did like Mr. Holland’s Opus. Haven't seen/heard some of these movies but I generally like most of the movies from this list but I mostly grew up in the 90's
Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
I doubt it. I skimmed it. It was way too long. (143 minutes) Needed at least thirty of those to disappear.I see Mr Holland's Opus has everybody buzzing.
IIRC, this was the film where I decided I'd had enough of Dreyfuss. Not terrible- but kinda trite story, imo told better elsewhere. or maybe I owe it a revisit.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
I guess I am in the minority, but I just love Mr. Holland's Opus to pieces. It is one of those films I have seen more times than I can count and its greatness never falters.
culdeus
Footballguy
The movie has a kid trying to seduce the teacher thing that is pretty ick. In today's era I doubt it holds up.
Plus the ending is pretty lol. A bunch of adults that haven't picked up an instrument in a decade+ all join up for the first time and play a new piece. Including the ick girl if I recall right.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Yup. Cringe. My kids saw it (without me) and were like wtf???? Didn’t like it when it came out, never had any interest in watching it again.
Poor writing and directing.
tri-man 47
Footballguy
I really like MH Opus. I suppose it’s because I was a band/orchestral percussionist and almost pursued that as my career.
Ghost Rider
Footballguy
Rowena (the ick girl, as you called her) is not there at the end, and while I agree that that part of the movie is a bit creepy, the rest is so good. Honestly, it feels like they could have mostly done the Rowena sequence and left that part of it out, as her being his muse still would have been just as strong without her trying to get him to go away with her. Overall, I think it was meant to show the power of music, that two people whom society would frown upon being together (for obvious reasons) have a super strong connection simply because of their love for music.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
In fact, GGR was a play first.
Fun fact: The Baldwin character and his scenes are not in the play; they were created for the movie. The licensing agreement for the play stipulates that you CANNOT perform the Baldwin scenes from the movie.
Bracie Smathers
Footballguy
timschochet
Footballguy
52. The Sixth Sense (1999)
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osmont
Synopsis: A child psychologist works with a child who says he can see dead people.
I see dead people…all the time. They’re everywhere. - Haley Joel Osmont as Cole Sear
So there’s a few films on this list that are extremely powerful when you watch them for the first time, because of the twist at the end. After that they lose a little of their power and though they are enjoyable the next time around some of the power is lost. That’s how I feel about this movie and a couple of others coming up. It is very well made though.
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osmont
Synopsis: A child psychologist works with a child who says he can see dead people.
I see dead people…all the time. They’re everywhere. - Haley Joel Osmont as Cole Sear
So there’s a few films on this list that are extremely powerful when you watch them for the first time, because of the twist at the end. After that they lose a little of their power and though they are enjoyable the next time around some of the power is lost. That’s how I feel about this movie and a couple of others coming up. It is very well made though.
Jayrod
Footballguy
Too low, IMO. That's one of the most memorable movies of my lifetime and it is very rewatchable even though you know the ending.
Not saying it needs to be top 10, but there aren't 51 better movies from the 90's.
timschochet
Footballguy
Yeah I get that the ranking may be unpopular for this and the other two “twist” films I am thinking of. I just disagree with you about the rewatchable part. I watched it a second time just to see what I missed knowing the twist. Then I had no interest. And for me that puts it below the classic films ranked above it, most of which I love to watch over and over.
Jayrod
Footballguy
Opposite for me.
When I re-watched it with my kids (after probably having seen it 3-4x's) it was a blast.
The scene where Cole tells his mom what his grandma told him is as moving a scene as there is in film. The room gets dusty every time I watch it.
It's a great movie and is the #1 plot twist movie of all time. Everyone that watches it remembers the OMG!! moment.
There is no way 51 movies of the 90's deliver that kind of impact.
Totally agree with this. It is immensely rewatchable even with knowing the ending. The movie hits different without the surprise but there is so much to enjoy on how the story unfolds and how well done it is. Every time I watch it I pick up on another nuance of the twist and how it plays to it and am amazed every time how well done it was. It would likely be top 10 for me.
Mr. Mojo
Footballguy
I couldn't agree more and consider it one of the finest scenes in movie history.
And Osment's acting in the entire film is the best kid performance I've ever seen.
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zamboni
Footballguy
He hasn’t aged well, physically or psychologically:
BLOCKED_PUNT
Footballguy
I see old people
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
I think a few otherwise good movies over the years could have used a good editor. I prefer movies of 2 hours or less.I doubt it. I skimmed it. It was way too long. (143 minutes) Needed at least thirty of those to disappear.I see Mr Holland's Opus has everybody buzzing.
IIRC, this was the film where I decided I'd had enough of Dreyfuss. Not terrible- but kinda trite story, imo told better elsewhere. or maybe I owe it a revisit.
BLOCKED_PUNT
Footballguy
don't look now but tons of newer movies are a bloated 21/2-3 hours long
zamboni
Footballguy
Unfortunately we can't see you back that well any more.
Mrs. Rannous
Footballguy
My favorite movie is Ben Hur, so I really don't have a problem with long movies. But those minutes better count. The bloat in MHO just killed it for me. The only part I really liked was when one of his students went to Viet Nam. That was very well done.I think a few otherwise good movies over the years could have used a good editor. I prefer movies of 2 hours or less.I doubt it. I skimmed it. It was way too long. (143 minutes) Needed at least thirty of those to disappear.I see Mr Holland's Opus has everybody buzzing.
IIRC, this was the film where I decided I'd had enough of Dreyfuss. Not terrible- but kinda trite story, imo told better elsewhere. or maybe I owe it a revisit.
timschochet
Footballguy
51. The Iron Giant (1999)
Directed by: Brad Bird
Starring the voices of: Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick, Jr., Vin Diesel
Synopsis: During the Cold War, a young boy is befriended by a 50 foot mechanical robot from outer space.
You are who you choose to be…Superman. - Vin Diesel as the Iron Giant.
I think this is probably the best non-Disney, non-Pixar animated movie of all time. At least of the ones I’ve seen. Great story, great look, very moving, extremely entertaining and exciting film.
Directed by: Brad Bird
Starring the voices of: Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick, Jr., Vin Diesel
Synopsis: During the Cold War, a young boy is befriended by a 50 foot mechanical robot from outer space.
You are who you choose to be…Superman. - Vin Diesel as the Iron Giant.
I think this is probably the best non-Disney, non-Pixar animated movie of all time. At least of the ones I’ve seen. Great story, great look, very moving, extremely entertaining and exciting film.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
Great movie - Pete Townsend album about the same story is very good as well.
It seems the 1990s may be the golden age of animation, according to this list at least.
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