40 BEST FILMS & TV SHOWS MADE IN THE BENCHMARK YEAR 1999
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There have been many great years for films in the past, but 1999 stands out as a year that saw releases that were not just very good - they were groundbreaking and wildly original. Their influence can still be felt now, many years later, across nearly all genres. Plus there was an unusual amount of high quality releases in 1999 that became instant classics, as well as a large number of generally very good films. Even in TV a change could be felt, as the first episode of a little show called 'The Sopranos' aired in January 1999, which, along with some other titles, would usher in a new golden age for serialized drama on the small screen. And a number of promising young directors such as Spike Jonze, Sophia Coppola, Sam Mendes and Brad Bird released their debut feature that year, while the perhaps most towering figure of cinema, Stanley Kubrick released his final movie. As an avid fan of films from all over the world, I feel like every year is a good year for cinema, but '99 really was an outstanding year for cinema, and I seem to remember going to the movies at least twice a week. So here's my top 41 titles of 1999.
There have been many great years for films in the past, but 1999 stands out as a year that saw releases that were not just very good - they were groundbreaking and wildly original. Their influence can still be felt now, many years later, across nearly all genres. Plus there was an unusual amount of high quality releases in 1999 that became instant classics, as well as a large number of generally very good films. Even in TV a change could be felt, as the first episode of a little show called 'The Sopranos' aired in January 1999, which, along with some other titles, would usher in a new golden age for serialized drama on the small screen. And a number of promising young directors such as Spike Jonze, Sophia Coppola, Sam Mendes and Brad Bird released their debut feature that year, while the perhaps most towering figure of cinema, Stanley Kubrick released his final movie. As an avid fan of films from all over the world, I feel like every year is a good year for cinema, but '99 really was an outstanding year for cinema, and I seem to remember going to the movies at least twice a week. So here's my top 41 titles of 1999.
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41 titles
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsBrad PittEdward NortonMeat LoafAn insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.This film was a milestone; although it bombed at the box office, Fincher's cinematic language left a mark that can still be felt now, 15 years later, on many current releases. Despite the risky, 'cutting edge' nature of the film, Fincher got a relatively big budget for this and it shows: the camera effects and the whole production design are amazing. A landmark film whose status and reputation as one of the best and visually most inventive films still continue to build today.
- DirectorLana WachowskiLilly WachowskiStarsKeanu ReevesLaurence FishburneCarrie-Anne MossWhen a beautiful stranger leads computer hacker Neo to a forbidding underworld, he discovers the shocking truth--the life he knows is the elaborate deception of an evil cyber-intelligence.In structure, style and concept, 'The Matrix' was ground-breaking; it marked the first time the visual style of Manga comic books and Anime such as 'Akira' or 'Ghost in the Shell' had been successfully translated to a live-action film. Apart from 'Blade Runner', which has a totally different mood and pace (but is also a masterpiece and visionary film-making), there simply hadn't been anything even remotely like it. The jaw-dropping action sequences have such a raw, gripping energy they feel like an adrenalin overdose, but unlike most action films, they never overshadow the story; on the contrary - they enhance it and make complete sense within that universe. 'The Matrix' was a watershed moment in filmmaking – in every respect – and even though two inferior sequels have left a bit of a stain on the film, they can't distract from the quality of this uncompromising and hugely influential masterpiece.
- DirectorSpike JonzeStarsJohn CusackCameron DiazCatherine KeenerA puppeteer discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of movie star John Malkovich.Charlie Kaufman (script) and Spike Jonze (director) burst on the scene together with their collaboration on this crazy masterpiece. They pushed the limits of storytelling with their wildly imaginative film and showed that even the most surreal storyline could still be made entertaining if you didn't care about conventions and knew just what the medium film was capable of. Perhaps the most original release in a year that had so many original releases, the film's playful creative energy had an effect on screen-writers, directors, actors and producers that can hardly be overestimated. There had simply never been anything like it - and it was a success (3 Oscar nominations). For a couple of years, huge movie stars were queuing up for wild, un-orthodox films that therefore had a chance of being green-lit: at least for a while, daring to be original had become hip again. Later masterpieces such as 'Adaptation' and 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (both scripted by Kaufman) would most probably not have been possible without the success of 'Being John Malkovich'.
- DirectorDaniel MyrickEduardo SánchezStarsHeather DonahueMichael C. WilliamsJoshua LeonardThree film students vanish after traveling into a Maryland forest to film a documentary on the local Blair Witch legend, leaving only their footage behind.'Blair Witch Project' might not have been a masterpiece, but the huge impact it had and just how influential it's become is hardly up for debate. Almost single-handedly launching the "found-footage" genre (to be fair, 'Cannibal Holocaust' had - probably - invented that genre 20 years earlier), the film has spawned so many imitators and inspired many young filmmakers (as well as established ones) that it must - in its own right - be called just as important as the three movies above.
- CreatorDavid ChaseStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoNew Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.Although 'Oz' had been the first HBO-produced one-hour-per-episode dramatic TV-show targeted at adults, what really kick-started 'The Golden Age of Television' - as we now call it - was undoubtedly 'The Sopranos'. The show's huge popularity with audiences and critics alike showed networks that mainstream success with uncensored drama (that is not targeted at teenagers) is possible. Shows like 'The Wire', 'Game of Thrones', 'Breaking Bad' or 'The Walking Dead' would arguably not have been possible without 'The Sopranos'. To say this show was a 'game-changer' would probably still be an understatement.
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsTom CruiseJason RobardsJulianne MooreAn epic mosaic of interrelated characters in search of love, forgiveness and meaning in the San Fernando Valley.The music, the way the camera moves, the performances: this amazing ensemble piece took everything to the next level. Although the influence of Robert Altman and Martin Scorsese can be felt throughout the whole film, P.T. Anderson didn't copy them but merely used some of their trademark technics to create his very own, unique brand of film. There are so many creative ideas and standout scenes in this film: Just like filmmakers of Anderson's generation are citing films like 'Nashville' or 'Goodfellas' as an inspiration, the next generation of aspiring directors will be citing 'Magnolia'. Not "just" a masterpiece, but also hugely influential and an instant classic.
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsGeorge ClooneyMark WahlbergIce CubeIn the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War, four soldiers set out to steal gold that was stolen from Kuwait, but they discover people who desperately need their help.
- DirectorSam MendesStarsKevin SpaceyAnnette BeningThora BirchA sexually frustrated suburban father has a mid-life crisis after becoming infatuated with his daughter's best friend.
- DirectorFrank DarabontStarsTom HanksMichael Clarke DuncanDavid MorseA tale set on death row, where gentle giant John Coffey possesses the mysterious power to heal people's ailments. When the lead guard, Paul Edgecombe, recognizes John's gift, he tries to help stave off the condemned man's execution.
- DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsBruce WillisHaley Joel OsmentToni ColletteMalcolm Crowe, a child psychologist, starts treating a young boy, Cole, who encounters dead people and convinces him to help them. In turn, Cole helps Malcolm reconcile with his estranged wife.
- DirectorJohn LasseterAsh BrannonLee UnkrichStarsTom HanksTim AllenJoan CusackWhen Woody is stolen by a toy collector, Buzz and his friends set out on a rescue mission to save Woody before he becomes a museum toy property with his roundup gang Jessie, Prospector, and Bullseye.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsRussell CroweAl PacinoChristopher PlummerA research chemist comes under personal and professional attack when he decides to appear in a 60 Minutes exposé on Big Tobacco.
- DirectorBrad BirdStarsEli MarienthalHarry Connick Jr.Jennifer AnistonA young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy.
- DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsCecilia RothMarisa ParedesCandela PeñaA comedy-drama about a bereaved mother, and overwrought actress, her jealous lover, and a pregnant nun.
- DirectorTroy DuffyStarsWillem DafoeSean Patrick FlaneryNorman ReedusTwo Irish Catholic brothers become vigilantes and wipe out Boston's criminal underworld in the name of God.
- DirectorTrey ParkerStarsTrey ParkerMatt StoneMary Kay BergmanWhen Stan Marsh and his friends go see an R-rated movie, they start cursing and their parents think that Canada is to blame.
- DirectorMike JudgeStarsRon LivingstonJennifer AnistonDavid HermanThree company workers who hate their jobs decide to rebel against their greedy boss.
- DirectorMilos FormanStarsJim CarreyDanny DeVitoGerry BeckerThe life and career of legendary comedian Andy Kaufman.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppChristina RicciMiranda RichardsonIchabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of three people; the culprit is legendary apparition The Headless Horseman.
- CreatorDavid X. CohenMatt GroeningStarsBilly WestJohn DiMaggioKatey SagalPhilip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy, is accidentally frozen in 1999 and thawed out on New Year's Eve 2999.
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsRichard FarnsworthSissy SpacekJane Galloway HeitzAn old man makes a long journey by lawnmower to mend his relationship with an ill brother.
- DirectorNorman JewisonStarsDenzel WashingtonVicellous ShannonDeborah Kara UngerThe story of Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsTom CruiseNicole KidmanTodd FieldA Manhattan doctor embarks on a bizarre, night-long odyssey after his wife's admission of unfulfilled longing.
- CreatorPaul FeigStarsLinda CardelliniJohn Francis DaleyJames FrancoA high school mathlete starts hanging out with a group of burnouts while her younger brother navigates his freshman year.
- DirectorKimberly PeirceStarsHilary SwankChloë SevignyPeter SarsgaardA young man named Brandon Teena navigates love, life, and being transgender in rural Nebraska.
- DirectorJim JarmuschStarsForest WhitakerHenry SilvaJohn TormeyAn African-American Mafia hit man who models himself after the samurai of old finds himself targeted for death by the mob.
- DirectorLasse HallströmStarsTobey MaguireCharlize TheronMichael CaineA compassionate young man, raised in an orphanage and trained to be a doctor there, decides to leave to see the world.
- DirectorKevin SmithStarsBen AffleckMatt DamonLinda FiorentinoAn abortion clinic worker with a special heritage is called upon to save the existence of humanity from being negated by two renegade angels trying to exploit a loop-hole and reenter Heaven.
- DirectorAnthony MinghellaStarsMatt DamonGwyneth PaltrowJude LawIn late 1950s New York, a young underachiever named Tom Ripley is sent to Italy to retrieve Dickie Greenleaf, a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy. But when the errand fails, Ripley takes extreme measures.
- DirectorJames MangoldStarsWinona RyderAngelina JolieClea DuVallA directionless teenager, Susanna, is rushed to Claymoore, a mental institution, after a supposed suicide attempt. There, she befriends a group of troubled women who deeply influence her life.
- DirectorDoug LimanStarsSarah PolleyJay MohrScott WolfThe aftermath of a drug deal as told from three different points of view.
- DirectorAlexander PayneStarsMatthew BroderickReese WitherspoonLoren NelsonA high school teacher meets his match in an over-achieving student politician.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsSean PennSamantha MortonWoody AllenIn the 1930s, jazz guitarist Emmet Ray idolizes Django Reinhardt, faces gangsters and falls in love with a mute woman.
- DirectorMark PellingtonStarsJeff BridgesTim RobbinsJoan CusackA man begins to suspect his neighbors are not what they appear to be and their secrets could be deadly.
- DirectorJulie TaymorStarsAnthony HopkinsJessica LangeOsheen JonesTitus returns victorious from war, only to plant the seeds of future turmoil for himself and his family.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsNicolas CagePatricia ArquetteJohn GoodmanHaunted by the patients he failed to save, a monumentally burned-out Manhattan ambulance paramedic fights to maintain his sanity over three increasingly turbulent nights.
- DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsRyo IshibashiEihi ShiinaTetsu SawakiA widower takes an offer to screen girls at a special audition, arranged for him by a friend to find him a new wife. The one he fancies is not who she appears to be after all.
- DirectorDean ParisotStarsTim AllenSigourney WeaverAlan RickmanThe alumni cast of a space opera television series have to play their roles as the real thing when an alien race needs their help. However, they also have to defend both Earth and the alien race from a reptilian warlord.
- DirectorSofia CoppolaStarsKirsten DunstJosh HartnettJames WoodsA group of male friends become obsessed with five mysterious sisters who are sheltered by their strict, religious parents in suburban Detroit in the mid 1970s.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsTerence StampPeter FondaLesley Ann WarrenAn extremely volatile and dangerous Englishman goes to Los Angeles to find the man he considers responsible for his daughter's death.
- DirectorDavid CronenbergStarsJude LawJennifer Jason LeighIan HolmA game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.