The MoFos Top 100 of the 90s Countdown - Redux

[seanc]

I watched Interview in the theater and came away the same way I do by most any vampire not portrayed by Klaus Kinski, ain’t for me but enjoy.

Sleepless In Seattle has two actors I care about doing things I do not. It’s pretty good though.

[KeyserCorleone]

Phew! I've seen both of these!

Interview with a Vampire was a beautifully Gothic tale with a good story and more than enough careful style and flair to keep going til the end. Getting Cruise and Pitt were interesting outsider choices considering the type of role, but hey, they weren't as bad as Reeves in Dracula. 91

Sleepless in Seattle was simply alright. Decent story, some sap, good acting, cute ending. 7/10, I forget the exact 0-100 rating.

Seen 6/10

[iluv2viddyfilms]

How could you have heard of 6 yet started 7?

Likely he is referring to having heard of them before this list, and maybe started to watch it blindly without knowing anything about it until now.

[CosmicRunaway]

Interview with the Vampire was on my shortlist, but was a very early cut. I haven't seen the film in awhile, and plan to keep it that way because it has a sort of nostalgia surrounding it that I don't want to break. I like the AMC series so much more that I feel like it would tarnish my opinion of the film if I were to revisit it, especially since I absolutely love the new portrayals of Daniel and Armand.

I haven't seen Sleepless in Seattle, and don't really intend to change that either.

Seen: 06/10

My List: 0

[Deschain]

I’ve seen Interview with a Vampire once and read the book, both back when I was in high school. I liked them but barely remember much. Love the premise of it though so maybe it’s time off a revisit, been hearing good things about the show too.

It’s funny something like Sleepless in Seattle is usually not my thing but I’ve been craving movies from the ‘80s and ‘90s because of the craft back then in response to how movies are made now that I’ve even been watching romantic comedies of that era. So while normally I’d never consider Sleepless in Seattle it’s something I’m looking forward to watching for the first time.

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

Vampire: Seen it. Honestly, I've never seen a vampire movie I liked and many I've despised. This isn't one I despise.

Sleepless: My #3. Yeah, sorry, I admit it. It's a sentimental favorite. When the internet is down, or when we are feeling down, it's one of the DVDs we haul out to cheer up and escape for a few hours. Funny, pleasant, with a perfect not-over-played ending. Particularly like the Jimmy Durante vocals. (Alas, You've Got Mail is cute but would never make any "best of" list.)

Seen: 5/8
Ballot: 2/25
Sleepless in Seattle: #91 / My #3
Office Space: #95 / My #23

[Harry Lime]

Could these two movies beeeee any more 90s? I'm not really a fan of either but I don't dislike them or anything. I like the idea of them existing. Is that fair? Does it make sense? Maybe. Anyway they belong here. Or at least the second 100, 200-101, which I am still holding out hope we have some kind of extended reveal or even better a second countdown.

[Citizen Rules]

Count me as a fan of Interview with the Vampire, though I've only seen it once years ago it's one of those few movies that staid with me. It's themes are more powerful than the usual vampire movie. I'm in need of a rewatch. Glad it made the countdown!


Sleepless in Seattle I've seen this a couple of time and it's fun as I've been to Seattle a number of times so I can spot stuff in the film I've seen, a number of times. Glad this made the countdown too.

[rauldc14]

This isn't nineties. This is travesty is what it is. Hopefully things turn around.

Sleepless in Seattle? I can think of at least 5 Tom Hanks movies alone from the 90s that are better.

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

Sleepless in Seattle? I can think of at least 5 Tom Hanks movies alone from the 90s that are better.

Me too. There are 90 more to go ...

[Wyldesyde19]

Seen both.
I actually read the book to Interview With The Vampire when I was probably 13? It’s better than the movie itself, in my opinion and I don’t remember much from the book. A recent rewatch didn’t change that much. Not stupid or dumb, but it just seemed…I don’t know, almost lifeless? (Haha).*
In all seriousness, I never really felt anything about it other than a few scenes.

Sleepless in Seattle is good. It’s Tom Hanks at his peak.

[Thief]

Woohoo! First one from my list shows up. Interview with the Vampire was my #11. Obviously, I would've preferred for it to be higher, but I'm glad it showed up. I rented the film back in the day and became obsessed with it. I then went and bought the first four books and read them all, but the film remained a favorite. I've seen it dozens of times and I'm always captivated by the story, the tragedy of this life that plagues all characters, Lestat's intensity that only hides his own tragic life, and Kirsten Dunst's impressive debut. It's also gorgeously shot. Love it.

I've never seen Sleepless in Seattle.


SEEN: 4/10
MY BALLOT: 1/25


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. Interview with the Vampire (1994, #92)
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

[Thief]

A 2-way tie between Sleepless and tomorrow's entry will be broken by most ballots (6 to 4)

Interview - Cruise's casting caused some controversy at the time, Author Anne Rice adapted her 1976 novel into a screenplay with French actor Alain Delon in mind for the role of Louis. Later on, when it entered the casting stage, British actor Julian Sands was championed by Rice and fans of the novel to play Lestat.



Yeah, I remember this. Rice was very hesitant to have him in the role, but the studio insisted. Her main choice was Rutger Hauer, though. The great thing is how impressed she was with his performance that she even wrote him a letter apologizing for doubting his talents.

It's also worth noting that Rice herself wrote the screenplay, which is great.

[Wooley]

Interview With The Vampire is a disaster of a film. Goes along fairly nicely until the studio says "You have to cut the run-time" and then it is abruptly gutted and just sort of suddenly ends such that there's an Act I an Act II and then Act III is just a sudden jarring climax and it's over. Re-watched it recently and liked it even less despite all of the things it does really well.
FWIW, despite having read the novel years before I actually really liked Cruise as Lestat.
Dunst is genuinely excellent.
Banderas was a wonderful addition, better than the book.
I do, however, consider this to be the worst performance of Brad Pitt's career.

[Robert the List]

Likely he is referring to having heard of them before this list, and maybe started to watch it blindly without knowing anything about it until now.

INCORRECT ANSWER

My statistics use a pre countdown datum.

[Miss Vicky]

This isn't nineties. This is travesty is what it is. Hopefully things turn around.

I don't know what you're talking about. These two movies are nineties AF. Especially Interview.

[SpelingError]

I haven't seen Interview with the Vampire.

Sleepless in Seattle is kind of just whatever. Not a fan.

[KeyserCorleone]

This isn't nineties. This is travesty is what it is. Hopefully things turn around.

Sleepless in Seattle? I can think of at least 5 Tom Hanks movies alone from the 90s that are better.

Tom Hanks IS the 90's.

[Thief]

Interview With The Vampire is a disaster of a film. Goes along fairly nicely until the studio says "You have to cut the run-time" and then it is abruptly gutted and just sort of suddenly ends such that there's an Act I an Act II and then Act III is just a sudden jarring climax and it's over. Re-watched it recently and liked it even less despite all of the things it does really well.
FWIW, despite having read the novel years before I actually really liked Cruise as Lestat.
Dunst is genuinely excellent.
Banderas was a wonderful addition, better than the book.
I do, however, consider this to be the worst performance of Brad Pitt's career.

Jesus, how can you be so right and yet so wrong?? :shrug: :D

[iluv2viddyfilms]

INCORRECT ANSWER

My statistics use a pre countdown datum.

In that case mattiasflgrtll6 is correct.

[I_Wear_Pants]

I've seen 271 1990s films. There have been ten movies revealed on this list. I've seen one of them, and I didn't even like it. I have a one-pointer as well. I don't think my tastes really line up with anyone else's.

[Citizen Rules]

I've seen 271 1990s films. There have been ten movies revealed on this list. I've seen one of them, and I didn't even like it. I have a one-pointer as well. I don't think my tastes really line up with anyone else's.That's my line:D

[Robert the List]

In that case mattiasflgrtll6 is correct.
I'd watched part of one but didn't know what it was called!

[I_Wear_Pants]

That's my line:D

Lol I didn't mean to steal your thunder, my friend. My tastes are eclectic. They always have been. And I'm fine with that.

[I_Wear_Pants]

I'd watched part of one but didn't know what it was called!

Doesn't that mean you've heard of it now? Or are you basing your fractions on pre-list knowledge?

[Robert the List]

Doesn't that mean you've heard of it now? Or are you basing your fractions on pre-list knowledge?
Yeah, line in the sand pre countdown commencement.

Because I have watched Gummo as well now but don't count it as watched in my fractions.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

https://ew.com/thmb/1aVujfjclaI7IuBcNtg87yg5kMk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/19831__interview_l-027b3038d3744ba9a68b9476be2b2b79.jpg

Interview With the Vampire isn't anywhere near as bad as its detractors would indicate, but it's certainly not the masterpiece its biggest fans and cult following over the years have avowed it to be.

I did not have it on my top 25 of the decade, however it was on my long list, but an early cut that was never in any real consideration. I absolutely love Neil Jordan and he's one of the most prolific Irish filmmakers imported to Hollywood who has gone semi-mainstream. I tried to balance my list out a bit, so of course I DO have ONE Neil Jordan film in my top 25, but Interview With the Vampire ain't it.

But the Anne Rice adaptation of her HUGE hit novel does works so very well, despite all the compromises made. I have only read a part of the novel, as I generally have little interest, but Interview With the Vampire fits into that category of a flawed film that is also very, very good despite the silliness and self-indulgence of the material. I would give it that B+/A- grade.

I love the setting and the environment of the late 1700's early 1800s New Orleans and the many shots of the bayou and the cinematography is some of the absolute best you will, especially the night shots. The mix of a vampire film/costume period drama work well for me and people forget that up until this point vampire films were either straight horror, which is inherently nonsensical or complete camp. Interview With the Vampire was the one film that really went into the psychology of the creatures, which is somehow the film's strength, but also its weakness. On one hand its trying to do something different with the genre and succeeds by showing the creatures with human emotions, guilt, lusts, planning and scheming and having interactions and relationships and distinct personalities. On the other hand, this material still IS a vampire film which is inherently rather silly. Sure it's not as fun as Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Fight Night which combined the stupidity of vampire films with the stupidity of 80's teen films and horror, but it sure works.

The best vampire film of that era is one that came out a handful of years before Interview, and that is Near Dark, a film which hit an absolute homerun in hybridizing two genres (the vampire flick and modern westerns... who'da thunk it?) and also perfectly hit the tone between camp, horror, seriousness, and action. For some reason Near Dark is a film that works perfectly and is one of those lightning strikes movies and what Katheryn Bigelow accomplished was remarkable.

Neil Jordan almost did something great with Interview With the Vampire with the horror genre, character drama, and historical period piece, BUT I think the studio likely got too much in the way. Yes, Tom Cruise IS miscast, but he's also wonderful in a role that doesn't really suit him well and should have gone to someone else. Brad Pitt underplays his part well enough NOT to become a problem, but on the other hand there's nothing remarkable or even good about his performance... it's just there. Christian Slater is fine, but meh. However the real knockouts of the film are Antonio Banderas and Stephen Rea in their bit parts and of course the MVP goes to Kristen Dunst - one of my favorite actress, who just absolutely nails that role and if we're being honest with ourselves, I don't think a person could have a conversation about the greatest child performances in cinema and not bring up her name in this film. It's that good and how she balances the childlike innocence with the trauma her character goes through and the realizations of what her life is... wow.

Also props to the great look and special effects crew led by Stan Winston who of course is a legend.

The film feels rushed and strangely edited and paced. There are scenes in the film that do take their time and let the audience warm up to them, and then suddenly we're propelled into an entirely different direction.

This could have been a great film, but instead it's just a very good flawed film

Glad it made the list and like I said, it was on my long list of considerations, but I had to go with a different Neil Jordan.

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

I've seen 271 1990s films. There have been ten movies revealed on this list. I've seen one of them, and I didn't even like it. I have a one-pointer as well. I don't think my tastes really line up with anyone else's.

That's great. Looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. It would be terrifically boring if we all agreed. I've already added a few titles to my watchlist and I'm sure there will be many more ...

[iluv2viddyfilms]

Oh and I have no use for Sleepless in Seattle. The films it was a loose remake of, An Affair to Remember and Love Affair are good enough for what they are, although neither are among my all time favorites, Sleepless in Seattle is the consummate 90's chick flick and Meg Ryan, for whatever reasons became the queen of that genre in the 1990's, along with maybe that Rene Zellweger (sp??) chick.

It has its moments, and while I don't think Sleepless in Seattle is a bad film, it's just not my type of thing. I would rather it not be on the list, but there's worse films out there. I will say this however. If Sleepless in Seattle made this list, then I hope the ultimate anti-chick flick chick flick of the 1990s makes the list. One chick flick of the 1990's I genuinely love and think is truly great because it satirizes the genre and recognizes how absurd the material is, while also embracing the whimsical nature of it all and the "life... if only..." aspect of it.

Yeah, you know the one, and it better show.

[KeyserCorleone]

I've seen 271 1990s films. There have been ten movies revealed on this list. I've seen one of them, and I didn't even like it. I have a one-pointer as well. I don't think my tastes really line up with anyone else's.

I took a tally recently. Now my list states that I've seen over 500, but so many of them are b-movies so I don't really think that's super impressive considering the types of movies I watch. Still haven't even seen the freakin' Boondocks Saints yet

[Wooley]

Jesus, how can you be so right and yet so wrong?? :shrug: :D

I'm gifted.

[MovieGal]

Yeah, line in the sand pre countdown commencement.

Because I have watched Gummo as well now but don't count it as watched in my fractions.

What did you think of Gummo?

[Wooley]

https://ew.com/thmb/1aVujfjclaI7IuBcNtg87yg5kMk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/19831__interview_l-027b3038d3744ba9a68b9476be2b2b79.jpg

Interview With the Vampire isn't anywhere near as bad as its detractors would indicate, but it's certainly not the masterpiece its biggest fans and cult following over the years have avowed it to be.

I did not have it on my top 25 of the decade, however it was on my long list, but an early cut that was never in any real consideration. I absolutely love Neil Jordan and he's one of the most prolific Irish filmmakers imported to Hollywood who has gone semi-mainstream. I tried to balance my list out a bit, so of course I DO have ONE Neil Jordan film in my top 25, but Interview With the Vampire ain't it.

But the Anne Rice adaptation of her HUGE hit novel does works so very well, despite all the compromises made. I have only read a part of the novel, as I generally have little interest, but Interview With the Vampire fits into that category of a flawed film that is also very, very good despite the silliness and self-indulgence of the material. I would give it that B+/A- grade.

I love the setting and the environment of the late 1700's early 1800s New Orleans and the many shots of the bayou and the cinematography is some of the absolute best you will, especially the night shots. The mix of a vampire film/costume period drama work well for me and people forget that up until this point vampire films were either straight horror, which is inherently nonsensical or complete camp. Interview With the Vampire was the one film that really went into the psychology of the creatures, which is somehow the film's strength, but also its weakness. On one hand its trying to do something different with the genre and succeeds by showing the creatures with human emotions, guilt, lusts, planning and scheming and having interactions and relationships and distinct personalities. On the other hand, this material still IS a vampire film which is inherently rather silly. Sure it's not as fun as Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Fight Night which combined the stupidity of vampire films with the stupidity of 80's teen films and horror, but it sure works.

The best vampire film of that era is one that came out a handful of years before Interview, and that is Near Dark, a film which hit an absolute homerun in hybridizing two genres (the vampire flick and modern westerns... who'da thunk it?) and also perfectly hit the tone between camp, horror, seriousness, and action. For some reason Near Dark is a film that works perfectly and is one of those lightning strikes movies and what Katheryn Bigelow accomplished was remarkable.

Neil Jordan almost did something great with Interview With the Vampire with the horror genre, character drama, and historical period piece, BUT I think the studio likely got too much in the way. Yes, Tom Cruise IS miscast, but he's also wonderful in a role that doesn't really suit him well and should have gone to someone else. Brad Pitt underplays his part well enough NOT to become a problem, but on the other hand there's nothing remarkable or even good about his performance... it's just there. Christian Slater is fine, but meh. However the real knockouts of the film are Antonio Banderas and Stephen Rea in their bit parts and of course the MVP goes to Kristen Dunst - one of my favorite actress, who just absolutely nails that role and if we're being honest with ourselves, I don't think a person could have a conversation about the greatest child performances in cinema and not bring up her name in this film. It's that good and how she balances the childlike innocence with the trauma her character goes through and the realizations of what her life is... wow.

Also props to the great look and special effects crew led by Stan Winston who of course is a legend.

The film feels rushed and strangely edited and paced. There are part of the pacing the do take their time and let the audience warm up to them, and then suddenly we're propelled into an entirely different direction.

This could have been a great film, but instead it's just a very good flawed film

Glad it made the list and like I said, it was on my long list of considerations, but I had to go with a different Neil Jordan.

I agree with almost all of this.
Forgot to talk about Jordan and how I do think he was absolutely the right person for this material and showed it again in Byzantium a vampire movie that also almost works.
Definitely meant to mention Stephen Rea but I am certain his best work in this film is on the cutting-room floor thanks to the studio.
Your point about the film feeling rushed and strangely edited and paced is what I am mostly referring to. I think that's studio interference. I'll bet Jordan made a really good movie that we'll never see.

[Robert the List]

What did you think of Gummo?
You were right. In the end it was a bit too freaky for me.
Still respected it though.

[pahaK]

Interview with the Vampire was my #16. I didn't rewatch it for the countdown, but I've seen it a few times. I think it's a good adaptation of a good book. I also think the casting works surprisingly well.



My List:
16. Interview with the Vampire (1994)

[I_Wear_Pants]

That's great. Looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. It would be terrifically boring if we all agreed. I've already added a few titles to my watchlist and I'm sure there will be many more ...

I wouldn't be surprised if only a handful of my ballot makes the list. Like you say, it'd be boring if we all agreed. I expect to see movies I don't like on the list, as well. I might like Porco Russo, or however the anime is spelt, but the rest don't interest me.

[KeyserCorleone]

I wouldn't be surprised if only a handful of my ballot makes the list. Like you say, it'd be boring if we all agreed. I expect to see movies I don't like on the list, as well. I might like Porco Russo, or however the anime is spelt, but the rest don't interest me.


Most of my ballot feels like shoe-in's at this point, and it makes me feel like a conformist. I hate that. It means my ballot isn't exciting in anyway, shape or form. Now if this were an albums situation, that would be a different story. I'd be more than happy to put up those Future Sound of London and Vangelis albums.

[I_Wear_Pants]

Most of my ballot feels like shoe-in's at this point, and it makes me feel like a conformist. I hate that. It means my ballot isn't exciting in anyway, shape or form. Now if this were an albums situation, that would be a different story. I'd be more than happy to put up those Future Sound of London and Vangelis albums.

Right now I want to keep my ballot confidential. I can't imagine most of it making the list though. I will say there's a Godzilla movie on it, and I can't fathom it got any other votes. There are two that would surprise me if they don't make it, and one or two that wouldn't surprise me if they did. Everything else I can't imagine got many other votes.

[stillmellow]

Yay! Extremely 90's additions to the list, and finally one in my list!


I like Sleepless in Seattle, even though the main love interests don't really even meet until the end of the Movie. It would've been good with our without Hanks, but his inclusion really added a lot of Comedy and relatability to his role. His inclusion made it a movie Men enjoyed as well as Women. A-, but it didn't quite make my top 25. To 50 certainly.


Interview with the Vampire is my #19. Arguably the best gothic/classic vampire movies ever made, and some of the best performances that many of the actors in the film have ever done. Bonus points to Tom Cruise, who plays WAY against type as the lovable sociopath Lestat. It's also elevated by taking only the best parts of the source material, and melding it into a story where we all start wanting to become Vampires, but by the end realize how terrible such an existence could easily become. Plus, Pitt and Cruise are a catty gay couple, and it's amazing.


"A"


Seen: 5/8


List: 1/25

[Thief]

Stats: Pit Stop #1

https://i.imgur.com/XeDfrrF.jpeg

-

Now that we've hit the first pit stop (90), we can leer lustfully at Jeff Fahey's 90's butt while we read some stats:

Decade Breakdown


1990 = 0
1991 = 0
1992 = 1
1993 = 4
1994 = 1
1995 = 1
1996 = 0
1997 = 1
1998 = 1
1999 = 1



1993 coming strong out of the gate with 4 entries, while the remaining 6 are evenly spread out. Will this remain, or will the tide change? Sooner? Later?

As usual, there's no point in doing a director breakdown cause there have been no repeats yet, but it's interesting that the list has been a bit all over the place genre-wise:


Drama = 2
Crime thriller = 1
Black comedy = 1
Crime romance = 2
Comedy = 1
Fantasy/Adventure = 1
Horror drama = 1
Romantic comedy = 1


Also interesting is that four of the 10 films are foreign. We also have one animated entry already! How many more will appear?

[LeBoyWondeur]

I've rewatched the vampire flick a few years ago and found Brad Pitt's big blow-dry Chippendales hair very distracting, but overall it's the source material that doesn't click with me, kinda like a bored housewife's horny vampire fan-fiction.
Nevertheless I'm not surprised to see that it's made the list.

[PHOENIX74]

92. Interview with the Vampire (1994) - The last time I saw this was only late last year. I wrote this on letterboxd : "Has the visual flair and imaginative art direction, make-up effects and set design of a real tour de force keeper - but unfortunately that young adult, snooze-inducing narrative keeps it from being a true classic for the ages. I'm split right down the middle regarding Interview with the Vampire." I did give it 3.5/5 as my rating, which is pretty generous. I remember seeing this at the movies with my friends when it came out, and while I give it another chance now and then I'm not a big fan.

91. Sleepless in Seattle (1993) - It's possible that I've seen Sleepless in Seattle, and if not I've definitely seen parts of it. I might catch up with it just so I can keep my 100% seen ratio going. I really didn't know it was liked so much by film fans that it would show up during this countdown. Oh well, we can't have When Harry Met Sally because it was made in '89 - and I wonder if there are more rom-coms due on this list of 90s movies. Four Weddings and a Funeral perhaps?

Definitely Seen : 9/10

[stillmellow]

bored housewife's horny vampire fan-fiction.



You say it like it's a bad thing. 😁

[gbgoodies]

I saw True Romance a while back, but I don't remember much about it except that I liked it more than I expected to, probably because of the cast.

I watched Porco Rosso, (I think for the Animated Films Countdown), and I thought it was pretty good, but not enough to consider it for my list.

I think I've seen Interview with a Vampire, but horror is one of my least favorite genres, so I don't remember much about it.

Sleepless in Seattle was #4 on my list. An Affair to Remember is one of my favorite movies, and I love this movie almost as much. I'm glad that it made the countdown, but I would have liked to see it a bit higher.


My list so far:
4. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

[mrblond]

Saw both, The Interview and Sleepless, when they came out and forgot about them the next day.
Kind of surprised these two made the list.

[Captain Quint]

6lists69pointsThree Colors: Red (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/110-three-colors-red.html)Director
Krzysztof Kie?lowski, 1994

Starring
Irène Jacob, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Frédérique Feder, Jean-Pierre Lorit

[Captain Quint]

5lists70pointsThe Crow (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/9495-the-crow.html)Director
Alex Proyas, 1994

Starring
Brandon Lee, Rochelle Davis, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott

[Captain Quint]

We have a 3-way tie this time, with the Crow and tomorrows entries, which was broken by most ballots (9, 6 & 5)

Off screen sadness is the theme of today's pairing.

The Crow was created out of tragedy (James O'Barr wrote the piece as a means to cope with the death of his fiancée, who was killed by a drunk driver) and its adaptation marked by tragedy with the on set death of its star, Brandon Lee. It is, however, visually stylish, well-acted and maybe better than the comic book it's based on if only for making Top Dollar (Michael Wincott) the main villain.

In an interview, O'Barr noted that the first meeting with a major studio didn't go well, as they envisioned it as a musical starring Michael Jackson. Later in the process, Christian Slater and River Phoenix were considered for the role before it was given to Lee.

Red - And I'm finally on the countdown, but I wasn't sure it was going to make it -and that surprised me as I expect it to be a slam dunk. But it was hanging on by its nails, about near to falling from the ranks of the 100, when Sendai's late list arrived and gave it some much needed points.

I had it 3rd on my list, highest among the balloteers.

Kieślowski's magnum opus (IMO) was nominated for three Academy Awards - best cinematography, screenplay and director, inexplicably it was not nominated in any of the best picture categories... The hell? It was Krzysztof's final directorial feature, and he died during surgery after suffering a heart attack, 2-years after its release.

The Crow was previously unranked, while Red was #54 on the last 90s countdown

https://youtu.be/mqgViC-yM_A?si=utJNKIzO5imamlpU

[Robert the List]

Official Query
Captain Quint

Why please Sir, is there a clip above of The Double Life of Veronique, when it has not been declared?

[John-Connor]

107066
In the early 90s Brandon Lee's career was about to take off to 'Keanu Reeves level' action stardom. His mysterious and tragic death was a massive loss. Love all of his 90s output; Showdown in Little Tokyo, Rapid Fire and The Crow. Very happy to see it show up today. Good job MoFos. :heart:👍

Seen 11/12
Ballot 00/25

[Captain Quint]

Official Query
Captain Quint

Why please Sir, is there a clip above of The Double Life of Veronique, when it has not been declared?

It's just a retrospective clip of the directors works (including Red) that I thought was beautiful, it's not a declaration of what will, or will not make it.

[Robert the List]

Aha! Got it. Thanks CQ.

Then in that case:

Heard of: 8/12
Started: 8/12
Finished: 1/12
In my ballot: 0/12

[The Rodent]

The Crow came in at 21st on the Comic Book Countdown :)

Didn't vote for it, but it's definitely one of the best comic adaptions of all time.
Makes me wonder if TMNT will make it.

[Holden Pike]

107067

Three Colours: Red was #54 on the original MoFo Top 100 of the 1990s and #53 on the MoFo Top 100 Foreign Films. The Crow was #100 on the first MoFo Top 100 plus #21 on the MoFo Top Comic Book Movies.

[I_Wear_Pants]

I am now at... 1/12 seen. Oh my... I find this highly amusing and highly sad and kind of odd. Did anything on my ballot even make the list? I'm starting to doubt.

[mattiasflgrtll6]

I attended a screening of The Crow for its 30th anniversary. It looks absolutely gorgeous on a big screen, and Brandon Lee's performance is riveting. He could have easily gone more over-the-top given his edgy makeup, but he shows restraint in his anger, making the rage and sorrow Eric Draven is experiencing feel more pent-up. He feels just as much like a foreboding threat as the villains.

Which speaking of them, every single one manages to stand out. They could have been nothing more than a bunch of useless thugs, but each of them are given distinct strong personalities. Especially Wincott, Tony Todd, Bai Ling and David Patrick Kelly's character.

Ernie Hudson is also terrific as Sergeant Albrecht, who starts to feel sympathetic towards Draven's plight despite ultimately disagreeing with his actions. He might be a bit too lenient at times, which slightly stretches suspension of disbelief, but for the most part I can let it pass due to how much I enjoy the chemistry between them.

A more major flaw however is Rochelle Davis. I did not enjoy her performance at all, and Sarah's role in the story felt very forced. She could have been cut out entirely.

Whatever issues it may have though, The Crow is filled to the brim with personality and set the trend for a lot of gothic comic book adaptations in the future.

[ueno_station54]

i remember really liking red but it's been far too long since i've seen it and i don't really remember anything about it. never seen the crow but i've seen some sting matches so that's close enough.

[Allaby]

Seen both. I thought Three Colours: Red was well shot and the performances were fine, but I was underwhelmed by it. I didn't find it very interesting or engaging. I rated Three Colours: Red a 6/10. I enjoyed The Crow and thought it was entertaining and well made. I rated it an 8/10, but that is not enough for it to make my list.

Seen: 11/12

[LeBoyWondeur]

The Crow was made in 1994? I had no idea it was such an old film.
I've seen it and never really thought about it afterwards until the remake was announced.
107068

[stillmellow]

I'm surprised the Crow didn't rate higher. It didn't make my top 25, but it was amazingly stylish and well performed. Like Interview with the Vampire, it used the best parts of the source material and adapted it in a way that improved the whole, even if it lost some of the artistic integrity. Then again, it also lost the amoral nihilism, so I'll take what we can get. <br />
<br />
Losing Brandon Lee at such a young age was so sad. And unlike other young stars that lost their lives to drugs, this was just random tragedy. It really makes you wonder what sort of career he could've had otherwise.

I've never even heard of Three Colors Red. I'll have to check it out.

Seen: 7/12
List: 1/25

[cricket]

Red is the first from my ballot to show, my #24. I watched the trilogy about 3 years ago and enjoyed it immensely. I have another higher on my ballot, the one I believe is the least popular so we'll see if it makes it.

Thought The Crow was a blast but it's been many years since I last saw it.

[Miss Vicky]

I finally watched the Three Colors trilogy back in 2021, after the DVDs sat unwatched and collecting dust in my collection for years. I liked them all to varying degrees and Red was definitely my favorite of the trilogy, but it was not one of my favorites of the decade so it didn’t get my vote. Also, because I let nostalgia dictate so much of my ballot and I was not watching foreign language movies in the 90s, none of them got my vote.

I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen The Crow. If I have it was so long ago that I don’t remember it so I’m just gonna say that I haven’t seen it.

Seen: 9/12
My Balllot:
12. True Romance (#94)
24. Interview With the Vampire (#92)
25. Untamed Heart (One Pointer)

[MovieGal]

I remember seeing The Crow in the cinema. I loved everything about it. It was a tragedy of what happened to Brandon Lee. I love rewatching the film. The soundtrack is amazing as well.

It was #12 on my ballot.

I have never seen the Three Colors trilogy.

[seanc]

Blue is the bomb (more on that later hopefully), White doesn’t do it for me, Red sits somewhere in the middle of that. No votes from me.

Watched The Crow once when it was released and that was plenty.

[rauldc14]

Oh no not The Crow. Yawn.

I haven't seen any of The Three Colors trilogy movies as Sexy Celebrity told me during the first countdown to not waste my time.

[Allaby]

So I forced myself to watch Gummo. I found it to be an unpleasant movie about unpleasant people doing unpleasant things. I can handle difficult or ugly content, but there needs to be a point or something of significant artistic value. This film felt absolutely pointless and void of artistic value. I wasn't impressed with the acting and didn't like the characters or the story. Sometimes ugliness is beautiful, but this was just ugly ugliness for ugliness sake. I've now seen 12/12 of the countdown. Now, I need a shower...

[Torgo]

I'm a big fan of Red and of the Three Colors Trilogy in general. It landed on #11 on my ballot.

It didn't make my ballot, but I'm a big fan of The Crow as well. Something I wrote about it a few years ago after watching it for the first time:

The Crow is a classic revenge tale that I'm very glad I finally watched, and it's about time, especially since I claimed it was my favorite movie when I was in middle school despite never having seen it (what can I say? It was the cool thing to do). There's a lot that sold me on this movie - the gritty look and feel, the grungy industrial soundtrack, the roster of "that guys," etc., but it's Brandon Lee's performance that really won me over. I've watched many movies about revenge, and while this isn't the best one I've seen, it's the first one in a long time to make me think about the worst way I could be wronged and how I would respond. Lee's passionate, vulnerable and, in spite of his costume and being impervious to harm, relatable performance has everything to do with this.

Storywise, it's not the most original movie of its kind - I know I've seen that cathedral finale in something else - and it reiterates the relationship between Eric and his bird companion a few too many times. Still, the movie does everything so well that these are just minor concerns, and besides, it does what a lot of movies like this one forget to do: make room for funny amidst all its coolness. I still chuckle at Eric saying "ow" after taking a bullet).

[KeyserCorleone]

The Crow was cool enough for a cult classic, boasting good direction and great action, but it was also pretty much a 90-minute music video. 80/100

Seen 7/12

[Raven73]

Every time I think of The World is Not Enough, I think of the Garbage video for it. As well, I'd have expected Dragonheart to make at least 3 points.

Sorry, just getting caught up on this discussion now.

Dragonheart was mine. It was my favourite movie of 1996. I highly recommend it if you like fantasy.

The cast is great: Sean Connery voices the dragon, Dennis Quaid plays a not-so-noble knight, Pete Postlehwaite is hilarious as Brother Gilbert, and David Thewlis is excellent as the villain, with a personality like Geoffrey Baratheon.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/18/Dragonheart_ver1.jpg

[KeyserCorleone]

Sorry, just getting caught up on this discussion now.

Dragonheart was mine. It was my favourite movie of 1996. I highly recommend it if you like fantasy.

The cast is great: Sean Connery voices the dragon, Dennis Quaid plays a not-so-noble knight, Pete Postlehwaite is hilarious as Brother Gilbert, and David Thewlis is excellent as the villain, with a personality like Geoffrey Baratheon.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/18/Dragonheart_ver1.jpg

Already seen it a couple times. 7/10.

[Raven73]

Already seen it a couple times. 7/10.

An interesting fact about this movie: the premise was taken from The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.

[Deschain]

I’ve seen both Red and The Crow years ago and neither left much of an impression on me unfortunately.

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

Red: Seen it. Beautifully shot and acted, but not on my list.

Crow: Seen it. Entertaining but also not on my list.

Seen: 7/10
Ballot: 2/25
Sleepless in Seattle: #91 / My #3
Office Space: #95 / My #23

[CosmicRunaway]

The Crow was one of the last films I cut from my list, even though I think it's probably better than a few of the other films that did make it. Those last 5 or 6 spots are always the toughest for me, and see the most change as I'm finalising the order. Looking at them now, I'd probably swap the film I have at #22 with it, but it's far too late for that haha.

I haven't actually seen any of the Three Colours trilogy.

Seen: 07/12

My List: 0

[Holden Pike]

Red is the first from my ballot to show, my #24. I watched the trilogy about 3 years ago and enjoyed it immensely. I have another higher on my ballot, the one I believe is the least popular so we'll see if it makes it.
Blue will definitely make the countdown higher, but you are correct in fearing that White will not. No way White got more votes than Red.

[Wooley]

Wow.
I really thought Red was gonna be Top-25 and maybe even Top-10.
Shows how well I know this forum.

[Citizen Rules]

Haven't seen and don't care to see The Crow, fantasy superhero stuff ain't my bag.
Haven't seen and ambivalent about watching Red.

[Thursday Next]

The Crow was my #4. Love that film and about as 90s as it gets. It can't rain all the time. How many of Michael Wincott's other iconic 90s bad guys will make the list, I wonder?


Red is also great but just missed my ballot this time. I like it best of the three colours although I know some prefer blue.

[Robert the List]

Haven't seen and don't care to see The Crow, fantasy superhero stuff ain't my bag.
Haven't seen and ambivalent about watching Red.
We need this in numbers though.

[Harry Lime]

The Crow is one of those movies we used to watch all the time when we were younger. For context my teen years were exclusively in the 90s. It was great, very cool movie, but to be fair while I watched it many times back then I don't think I've seen it since.

The Three Colours trilogy is brilliant as with most of Kieslowski's work and I think in the last 90s countdown I had it on my list but on a semi-recent rewatch I started leaning to another colour, which made my list, and I'm guessing will rank soon. Are three of the director's films going tot make the 90s countdown again like in the first one? Maybe although Red did drop a bit. But one of them won't be White.

[Harry Lime]

I started getting curious where The Crow ranked last time. Then I thought maybe I still had the spreadsheet saved. Then I remembered I posted it in the thread. Then while searching I found my fake #5 film Independence Day and I think some people believed it. Then I found the list. It was in the 120s. It's in a zip file on this page if anyone is curious: https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=32480&page=246 - I can't remember how to link to a specific post. Ignore the broken images in that thread. Stupid Photobucket ImageShack.

Edit: Also White didn't get any votes last time...

[Thief]

Some people surprised that The Crow didn't make it higher while I'm surprised that it placed at all. I'm a fan, but I just didn't think it will get that much love. It is an interesting film to watch from the perspective of what is and what could've been, mostly for how much you can see the seams in the final work. Still, Proyas makes the most out of the situation and Brandon Lee is, as someone else said, riveting. I also enjoy the hell out of Michael Wincott as the villain. The Sarah subplot is muddled and Ernie Hudson is a bit wasted, but I like it a lot even if it didn't make my list.

I've never seen Blue or any of the Three Colors trilogy.


SEEN: 5/12
MY BALLOT: 1/25


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. Interview with the Vampire (1994, #92)
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

[mattiasflgrtll6]

Dark City from the same director is even better. I hope it makes the list too.

[Thief]

Dark City from the same director is even better. I hope it makes the list too.

Dark City placed well (#24) in the recent Neo-noir countdown, so I'm pretty sure it will come up eventually.

[rauldc14]

I started getting curious where The Crow ranked last time. Then I thought maybe I still had the spreadsheet saved. Then I remembered I posted it in the thread. Then while searching I found my fake #5 film Independence Day and I think some people believed it. Then I found the list. It was in the 120s. It's in a zip file on this page if anyone is curious: https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=32480&page=246 - I can't remember how to link to a specific post. Ignore the broken images in that thread. Stupid Photobucket ImageShack.

Edit: Also White didn't get any votes last time...

Independence Day better make it this time!

[Citizen Rules]

We need this in numbers though.I'll leave that up to you my friend🙂 Me? I'm not a numbers guy, I'm more of a colors type.

[pahaK]

The Crow was one of the latter cuts from my list. It's a good gothic remake of RoboCop, but unlike Verhoeven's masterpiece, it has nothing to elevate itself beyond mere goodness.

[mattiasflgrtll6]

Remake??? What do they have in common exactly?

[Citizen Rules]

...Ignore the broken images in that thread. Stupid Photobucket ImageShack... I wasn't here for the 1st 90s countdown, but it looks like you did one heck of a fine job👍
It sucks those image are gone, images are such a big part of any countdown. But you could fix them. You can also add links to all of your post in the list of the 1-100 90s movies. Those old countdowns might be old but there not forgotten.

[LeBoyWondeur]

Haven't seen and ambivalent about watching Red.
And the Veronique film will undoubtedly rear its arty-farty head higher up in the list.
Be afraid, very afraid....

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

I see some folks doubting how many of their picks will score. With 88 more to go, I thought I'd go out on a presumptuous limb and predict how my picks will fare.

Good chance to place: 14
Fair chance: 8
No chance: 3

Note: the 2 already placed are included in the 14. If I'd done this earlier, I would have given Sleepless a fair chance and Office Space no chance. So I'm already batting above my class.

[Harry Lime]

I wasn't here for the 1st 90s countdown, but it looks like you did one heck of a fine job👍
It sucks those image are gone, images are such a big part of any countdown. But you could fix them. You can also add links to all of your post in the list of the 1-100 90s movies. Those old countdowns might be old but there not forgotten.
Maybe one day. Pretty sure I just posted the movie posters - likely whatever was on IMP Awards at the time.

[Harry Lime]

My guess is 19/25 from my list will place.

[MovieGal]

I see some folks doubting how many of their picks will score. With 88 more to go, I thought I'd go out on a presumptuous limb and predict how my picks will fare.

Good chance to place: 14
Fair chance: 8
No chance: 3

Note: the 2 already placed are included in the 14. If I'd done this earlier, I would have given Sleepless a fair chance and Office Space no chance. So I'm already batting above my class.

I know 3 of mine won't place. One of them only had 3 ppl voting for it, that i know of.

[mrblond]

The Crow is one more title that puzzled me how is that popular to make the list. Alas, the death of an actor, in all type of forms is such a great marketing tool.

Secondly, I thought that I've discovered well which are the all eleven European movies known in this locality: Couple of Fellini, couple of Tarkovsky, couple of Bergman, Amelie, Le Samouraï and ... The Three Colours trilogy. In addition, I've had the impression that the Three Colours trilogy is consensually the most known and loved European thing here.
Now, reading the above comments, it turned out that almost nobody has seen the trilogy, wtf...:shrug:

What do we count down then?

[MovieGal]

I consider The Crow a love story. Love lives on in death.

[rauldc14]

5 of mine will miss I'm guessing

[stillmellow]

Most of my choices are pretty mainstream. I'm going to be optimistic and say only 2 are going to miss the top 100.

[Miss Vicky]

I saw that The Crow was available on Kanopy and decided to give it a try.

This movie absolutely screamed 90s in both its look and sound and had I watched it when it was new, I might have liked it. Even then I wasn't too big on movies that leaned heavily into fantasy and style over substance but I certainly had much greater patience for it as a teen than I do now. So not surprisingly, watching it just now I was pretty bored by it. I wouldn't say I outright hated it and not sorry that I gave it a shot, but I don't think this is a movie I'll ever bother revisiting.

2

That brings my watched count to 10/12 so far.

[Citizen Rules]

I see some folks doubting how many of their picks will score. With 88 more to go, I thought I'd go out on a presumptuous limb and predict how my picks will fare.

Good chance to place: 14
Fair chance: 8
No chance: 3

Note: the 2 already placed are included in the 14. If I'd done this earlier, I would have given Sleepless a fair chance and Office Space no chance. So I'm already batting above my class.I predict half of my ballot will place which of course means the other half won't.

I'm not surprised at Office Space making it, it seems to create buzz here. Sleepless in Seattle I would not have guessed it making the countdown. I figured Gbgoodies might have liked it but I haven't heard much about that movie here. I like it fine myself but not enough to make my ballot.

[ueno_station54]

optimistically i'd say 4 off my ballot could make it but i wouldn't be shocked if it was just the one.

[Little Ash]

The Crow... is a movie I watched as a teen and recall liking. It is moody, dark, and probably raining a lot. I haven't given it much thoughts in the decades since and don't recall much about it.

Three Colors: Red: I haven't seen this since late college, I think. I remember thinking Blue looked astonishingly better than the rest, setting the rest up for some visual disappointment for me, but then really not liking the writing of Blue, not really feeling anything for White in any sense, and then liking Red story/plot-wise well enough, but the color-based visuals didn't blow me away like Blue did. Admittedly I probably also watched these on a 12" CRT TV.

At some point in the 2010's(?, late 00's?), they were showing the trilogy at a repertory theater, and I decided to give White another chance, just to see if there was something there I had missed (and also knowing it was the least loved of the trilogy). On the big screen and on second viewing... the white geometric designs visually worked for me in the movie, and the dark comedy of the movie came across this time. What I'm saying is, I think White is my favorite Three Colors movie now, and my second favorite is Red, which is not... the typical ranking. None of this matters since none of the trilogy was on my ballot. I'll try to remember to cut and paste this for when Blue shows up.

[Little Ash]

I expect my usual 12-20 number of ballot entires to end up making the countdown in the end, even if it often feels like it'll be less than 10. In my experience usually my two favorite blocks of ten movies in any countdown seem to have one close to the bottom, then my top favorites another in a cluster of 10 movies somewhere in the 30s or the 20s, and then I'll just generally be "meh" on most of the top 10 outside a title or two.

This then leads me to concluding my tastes are out of step with the forum, despite most of my movies making the countdown.

[dadgumblah]

Missed yesterday so playing catch-up here.

I've only seen Interview with the Vampire once but it's stuck with me for this long. Very good movie (never read the book) and I thought the whole cast (yes, including Cruise and Pitt) did a fine job. My favorite performance in the film is from Kirsten Dunst and she's continued to do fine work to this day. All-in-all, a good movie that I need to rewatch.

Sleepless in Seattle is good fun and a comfort movie that my wife and I like to watch whenever other film choices at the time are too dark. Didn't include but I do have Hanks represented on my list a couple of times.

The "Three Colors" trilogy is something I haven't seen yet but I love all the leading ladies in each so I'm intrigued to say the least. One day...or three. ;)

I love The Crow and saw it back when it was in the cinema. Not because of the tragedy of Brandon Lee's passing but because I liked him in general and was looking forward to this film. I love his Dad's films but this his chance to break out of the martial arts films and move into other realms of acting and I thought Brandon did a great job in his last role. The mood of the film was aces and the acting by all was fine and I especially loved how Eric went through the bad guys starting with the leader until he finished with the lowest scumbag on the ladder. Not your usual movie move of saving the bad guy till the
last.

No love for me yet on my list but I see the list representing what I consider 90s films starting up. C'mon tomorrow!

[Wooley]

Some people surprised that The Crow didn't make it higher while I'm surprised that it placed at all. I'm a fan, but I just didn't think it will get that much love. It is an interesting film to watch from the perspective of what is and what could've been, mostly for how much you can see the seams in the final work. Still, Proyas makes the most out of the situation and Brandon Lee is, as someone else said, riveting. I also enjoy the hell out of Michael Wincott as the villain. The Sarah subplot is muddled and Ernie Hudson is a bit wasted, but I like it a lot even if it didn't make my list.



I'm with you in the "surprised that it placed at all" camp but maybe for slightly different reasons. I saw it in the theater with a friend with some excitement because the graphic-novel was so good and... we were crushed. We were 21 years old and it was our first lesson in how Hollywood can totally ruin something perfect. I have seen it since to give it another chance removed from the text but my opinion did not change. I didn't know it was beloved. I begrudge no one for liking it but I just thought it was so silly and so very 90s.

[Omnizoa]

The Crow is the first from my list at #23.

The Crow is one more title that puzzled me how is that popular to make the list. Alas, the death of an actor, in all type of forms is such a great marketing tool.It really is a pretty generic superhero movie. I'm not enthusiastic about the villain or the side characters and in retrospect I feel a little guilty elevating it above some other significantly better produced movies...

But given the choice between rewatching The Crow or movies that are a bit heavier viewings, or just lack consistency, I think it's a solid choice. You definitely don't want bias to influence the rating, but, ironically, I frankly think Brandon Lee managed to evoke a similar experience to Heath Ledger's Joker; He chews a lot of scenery, he has some fun monologues, and of course he's just a walking disaster type character.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/15fec611323c6335d303b342f30f58c4/5f7923032709f34b-cc/s540x810/d3edce5e725797e2c05f141f76ff043895bb487e.gifv
(to say nothing of the white makeup)

It's just fun watching him screw with the rest of the cast. Where else can you see a revenge story featuring an invincible crow-themed protagonist mockingly quoting Nevermore by Edgar Allen Poe as he bursts through the front door of a pawn shop, says "You heard me rapping, right?", and then blows it up with a shotgun.

But here it is ranked up alongside French art films like Three Colors Trilogy and then there are silly conversations like this.

Never seen Three Colors, by the way.

[Wooley]

And the Veronique film will undoubtedly rear its arty-farty head higher up in the list.
Be afraid, very afraid....

Love that movie.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

https://images.amcnetworks.com/ifccenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/thecrow_1280x720.png


The Crow is amazing and one of those 1990's goth, suburban 14 year old Spencer's shopping 90's freshman in high school, MTV, ADD (before we added the H) whatever seems hip or cool or flashy at the time with a bit of John Woo gun-fu, when black eyeliner and face paint and long black leather trench coats were the thing... oh and all this set to a stellar soundtrack of stuff like The Cure and Nine Inch Nails and Rage Against the Machine. And to top it all off the zero logical sense of wearing sunglasses at night, but you're just not going to let the lack of sun stop you from accessorizing your black leather trench coat vibe going on.

The Crow is a film that wears 1990's on its sleeve complete unashamed and is unabashedly style over substance and in some odd way it works despite the embarrassingly bad preposterous nature of all this material. It's a live action comic book film, but there's a level of grittiness and fun to this material that is completely absent of comic book films these days, especially the fourth-wall breaking post-irony grimacing at the camera Marvel and Deadpool universe.

Because The Crow is a film that is what it is, and it doesn't give a damn if you like it or not. You can use your suspension of disbelief or not. And that's where people's mileage on The Crow varies.

The Crow works because the material is somewhat silly, BUT if you can accept this world, just like something with The Matrix or Blade or Dark City or Darkman or any of those films, you'll be fine and drawn in.

And yes Brandon Lee is great in The Crow and for anyone who enjoyed Heath Ledger's The Joker from The Dark Knight, I'd be hard pressed to believe there wasn't some inspiration in Ledger's performance and look from Lee's in The Crow. Also Michael Wincott is one of those actors who randomly shows up in 1990's films as the bad guy and the man is always memorable and has a screen presence.

The Crow is not a film I voted for, and it didn't even make my long list, but it's a film I enjoy, admire, and I appreciate how cheesy and lame it all may appear in 2025, but then I remember... oh yeah, the biggest films of the 2010s and 2020s are these MCU films that NO ONE will remember or care about in 40 years or less. Hopefully less, but I DO think people will still be watching a film like The Crow.

Also, as a self proclaimed "gun nut," I still can absolutely love and get sheer joy like a 13 year old boy out of watching the gun fights in The Crow, while also realizing how horribly bad so much of this material is and what we had to get through to get to a more realistic portrayal of how guns work such as in The Way of the Gun or more popularly today, the John Wick series.

I'm glad people voted for The Crow and glad to see it make the list, even though it wasn't on mine.

It's a wonderful film to just shut your mind off and enjoy and just accept this world for what it is... and at the end of the day, maybe that's what films do... they draw us into alternative worlds and dimensions and we just accept it and unlike the MCU films of today and the Deadpools, it doesn't have to constantly self reference itself as to apologize for the material while at the same time self indulging in it and it's also neat to know I'm not just looking at the product of a crack team of computer wizs, a CGI video game cutscene with actors in body suits whose main effort was hitting the gym only to stand in front of a green screen and smirk at the camera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-xdXQX3fMI

[SpelingError]

Three Colors: Red is very good, but it didn't make my ballot. I might've preferred Blue, but it's been some time since I've seen the trilogy. I even liked White quite a bit more than I expected.

I haven't seen The Crow.

[PHOENIX74]

I watched Sleepless in Seattle yesterday, just to be sure I've actually seen it - registers as an average movie, but that's not me putting it down. I'm very hard to please when it comes to romantic comedies.

90. Three Colours: Red (1994) - I saw this just over three years ago after going through Krzysztof Kieślowski's Three Colours trilogy. At the time I did note that I'd have to watch it again to absorb a lot of the mysterious details that inhabit the film. I rated it quite highly (4.5/5) and was especially pleased with the dramatic way Kieślowski' ties the entire trilogy together. A very mysterious and complex film - and because I haven't gone back for my second look yet, it didn't have a chance to make my ballot. I've been spending a lot of my time watching films I've never seen before - but I should set aside a certain amount for reacquainting myself with all the great ones I've only seen once so far.

89. The Crow (1994) - I've often wavered on how I perceive The Crow - the last time I watched it I had this to say on letterboxd : "I don't know if The Crow would have been more or less successful if it weren't for Brandon Lee's senseless death - it was certainly publicity. Watching it all these years later, I have to admit that despite a shaky beginning The Crow is rather good in an action sense and acting-wise. You can sense the meaningful imitation of the comic style-wise, if not narratively and it has a soundtrack that further enhances the grim gothic cyberpunk world it's set in. It's a completely enjoyable experience if you're into painful catharsis, and features a series of villains each more over-the-top and flamboyant than the last." At one time I rated it a 4/5 movie, so thumbs up regarding it showing here.

Seen 12/12

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

I predict half of my ballot will place which of course means the other half won't.

I'm not surprised at Office Space making it, it seems to create buzz here. Sleepless in Seattle I would not have guessed it making the countdown. I figured Gbgoodies might have liked it but I haven't heard much about that movie here. I like it fine myself but not enough to make my ballot.

I'm obsessing over the numbers. Of 80 lists, Sleepless was on 4, meaning there are 3 other fellow addicts among the group. I'm taking the title of this exercise rather seriously. It's "Mofo's Top 100," not "Top 100 of all Time." So I know there are "better" movies than the ones I've voted for, but I tend choose on "desert island" criteria rather than on raw artistic merit (which I'm not terribly qualified to judge on any account).

[pahaK]

Remake??? What do they have in common exactly?

Watch them both back to back and you'll see. They're pretty much the same movie.

[gbgoodies]

I watched The Crow a while back, and I thought Brandon Lee's performance was excellent, but the movie was just average. I think it's similar to the way the movie The Dark Knight became a huge success because of Heath Ledger's performance, even though the movie is just average.

I haven't seen Three Colours: Red.

[StuSmallz]

I’ve seen both Red and The Crow years ago and neither left much of an impression on me unfortunately.Haven't watched the former yet, but yup for The Crow, since, while it has a good imagination and a striking style, it's still one of those cases where it's style over substance, since the plot is so damn straightforward and repetitive; Eric tracks down one of the guys for revenge, kills him in some grisly manner, broods and talks to some supporting characters for a bit, rinse and repeat until the movie ends. It's not bad, but there just isn't enough meat on its bones, you know? Plus, the guy's almost completely invincible, which really hurts the tension in what is partially an Action movie, when you have a protagonist who's literally in no physical danger the whole time, you know?

[Citizen Rules]

I'm obsessing over the numbers. Of 80 lists, Sleepless was on 4, meaning there are 3 other fellow addicts among the group. I'm taking the title of this exercise rather seriously. It's "Mofo's Top 100," not "Top 100 of all Time." So I know there are "better" movies than the ones I've voted for, but I tend choose on "desert island" criteria rather than on raw artistic merit (which I'm not terribly qualified to judge on any account). I think most of us voted for our own personal favorites, I know I did.

[Captain Quint]

I think most of us voted for our own personal favorites, I know I did.

I voted for what I loved, but artistic merit is just naturally something I gravitate towards - the 90s arthouse boom, the wave of indie films (which began in 1989 with Soderbergh's "sex, lies, and videotape") - that's what I was into on the decade, it's what spoke to me and what I identify as "90s" cinema, more than I do a lot of the popular stuff. The Matrix for example, I recognize it as a big deal for most, but for me it was just a movie I saw; "shrug" - yup that was fine, that was alright... and moved on to the next.

[Captain Quint]

6lists70pointsMy Cousin Vinny (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/10377-my-cousin-vinny.html)Director
Jonathan Lynn, 1992

Starring
Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, Marisa Tomei, Mitchell Whitfield

[Captain Quint]

9lists70pointsTotal Recall (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/861-total-recall.html)Director
Paul Verhoeven, 1990

Starring
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin, Sharon Stone, Ronny Cox

[Captain Quint]

Recall Trivia - A sequel was planned, which would have retooled Dick's Minority Report, but Arnold didn't have much interest in this, and the funding never happened, then the studio went bankrupt. Eventually the Recall stuff was removed, and a Minority Report film was made in 2002.

Vinny - I remember Marisa's Oscar win came as a surprise, with some conspiracy theorists suggesting that Jack Palance was drunk and misread the winning name, the rumor was even teased by Tomei herself on SNL

https://youtu.be/QAXOpyUiYM0?si=_6q8YTYqinuuf60I

Recall was previously #50 - Vinny is new to the countdown

[ScarletLion]

Yay for Three Colors Red (my #7)

Yay for Porco Rosso (my #17)

Also had a one pointer (Soukoruv's 'Mother and Son')

[John-Connor]

107092

107093

The pleasant surprises keep on coming on this countdown, very nice! Both films are in my Top 150 of the 90s and both films feature an actress I had a crush on back then. :D

Total Recall is also on my favorite Sci-Fi films list top 50 and I had My Cousin Vinny at number 14 on my Comedy ballot.

Seen 13/14
Ballot 00/25

[Allaby]

I've seen and liked both My Cousin Vinny and Total Recall, but neither made my ballot.

Seen: 14/14

[mattiasflgrtll6]

This time I don't need to elaborately comment on what I thought of Total Recall, since I reviewed it a few years ago:

https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1901632#post1901632

Another worthy inclusion, but I'm really just waiting for one of my picks to show up at this point.

[Tugg]

My Cousin Vinny (1992) was #20 on my list.

[Holden Pike]

107094

My Cousin Vinny was #53 on the MoFo Top 100 Comedies while Total Recall was #50 on the first MoFo Top 100 of the 1990s and #19 on the MoFo Top 100 Sci-Fi Films.

[rauldc14]

Ok ok. This is definitely 90s. Neither are on my list but I can't deny the authenticity.

[ueno_station54]

two movies i've only seen recently because of my wife. neither had a shot at my ballot but i liked them both.

[cricket]

I always think of Total Recall as 80's, doesn't matter. It's kind of awesome but never been a favorite.

I really dig Marisa Tomei, don't care about her acting. Love Pesci, not so much here. Some good moments but never got the praise for My Cousin Vinny.

[Robert the List]

Heard of: 10/14
Started: 9/14
Finished: 2/14
In my ballot: 0/14

[MovieGal]

I saw both My Cousin Vinny and Total Recall at the cinema. I enjoyed both.

[The Rodent]

Cousin Vinnie is a fun movie... but I'm annoyed about Total Recall... I forgot to list it :(

Woulda been high as well, top 5 at least.

[rauldc14]

Seen 10/14

List:
16. Porco Rosso

Fallen Angels would have made my top 50 for sure though.

Third best for me so far? My Cousin Vinny I guess.

My 4 blind spots so far (with more to come):
Gummo
Interview with a Vampire
Office Space
Three Colors: Red

At least Jarman's Blue didn't make this ....yet.

[Miss Vicky]

I’ve seen both of today’s movies many times. I like both of them and own both on DVD, but neither was ever in consideration for my ballot. If I were to make my own top 100 of the decade, I would definitely consider them then so I approve of their inclusion despite having not contributed to it.

Seen: 12/14
My Balllot:
12. True Romance (#94)
24. Interview With the Vampire (#92)
25. Untamed Heart (One Pointer)

[Sedai]

Wanted to check in before this thing runs away from me!

The company I work for is the busiest it has ever been, so it's been really tough to hang out on MoFo during the day as I normally would.

Anyway, From this list so far...

100. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
99. Sonatine (1993)
98. The Celebration (1998)
97. Gummo (1997)
96. Fallen Angels (1995)
95. Office Space (1999)
94. True Romance (1993)
93. Porco Rosso (1992)
92. Interview with the Vampire (1994)
91. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
90. Three Colors: Red (1994)
89. The Crow (1994)
88. My Cousin Vinny (1992)
87. Total Recall (1990)

I have had one entry appear from my ballot, with Krzysztof Kieślowski's Three Colors: Red at #20. I wanted to watch all three again before the countdown, but only got Blue and Red in, but I recalled liking White the least back in the day, so I just had to decide which one I enjoyed more on the more recent viewings. I went with Red this time, while in the past I think I would have chosen Blue, which is perhaps the most cinematically impressive of the three. Its excessively melancholic tone sent it to second place this time around. That said, all three are fantastic films.

Of the remaining films, like most of them, but have still yet to see Sonatine, The Celebration and Porco Rosso.

[KeyserCorleone]

Total Recall was my #15. It was sci-fi cheese was maximum A-movie effort in the scripting, effects and overall essence. And of course, that ending question makes up for the lack of seeing Recall work, because them, what would be the point? Oh, and a puppet. A creepy, ugly little puppet.

Seen 8/14

Ballot

15. Total Recall

[seanc]

I have actually rewatched both of these fairly recently, considering I hadn’t seen either since release. My Cousin Vinny has some highs, but not enough to sustain it as anything more than okay for me.

Verhoven isn’t my bag, and my rewatch of Total Recall didn’t help. I just didn’t enjoy it in the least. His “satire “ is lost on me for sure.

[The Rodent]

Just quoting myself from the Paul Verhoeven Club thread on Total Recall...

Verhoeven in the DVD commentary says:

"It depends on the audience watching"
And a little while later he simply elaborates on it.
"A basic audience will see this as a dream, but others won't. Others will see it as absolutely real. And they're both right."


Paul also says "This is where we go back to Dr Edgemar saying he will end up lobotomised. The dream music playing as they kiss and we fade out, is Doug's dream coming to an end and at Rekall, he is now a vegetable"
So, Paul is saying at the end, he believes that it's a dream... and that Doug should have swallowed that pill.
Paul himself thinks it's a dream... and Doug is now lobotomised.

--

Thread can be found here: https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=49199

Verhoeven Club here: https://www.movieforums.com/clubs/paul-verhoeven.html

[Sedai]

Love Total Recall, btw. It was close enough to the 80s to retain some of the daft one-liner silliness of the era, was based of excellent P.K. Dick source material, and had Verhoeven's biting satire firing on all thrusters. Personally, I have reenacted the "pull the giant sphere out of your nose" scene not once, but twice after some brutal sinus surgery, where I was forced to yanks a massive packing out of my nostrils. At least Arnold only had to do once side. Not recommended!

The effects in this film have not aged well at all, but I still pop it on every once in a while, and it totally works, otherwise.

[The Rodent]

Love Total Recall, btw. It was close enough to the 80s to retain some of the daft one-liner silliness of the era, was based of excellent P.K. Dick source material, and had Verhoeven's biting satire firing on all thrusters. Personally, I have reenacted the "pull the giant sphere out of your nose" scene not once, but twice after some brutal sinus surgery, where I was forced to yanks a massive packing out of my nostrils. At least Arnold only had to do once side. Not recommended!

The effects in this film have not aged well at all, but I still pop it on every once in a while, and it totally works, otherwise.

I do the same thing daily... but with basic boogers tbh.

[KeyserCorleone]

Love Total Recall, btw. It was close enough to the 80s to retain some of the daft one-liner silliness of the era, was based of excellent P.K. Dick source material, and had Verhoeven's biting satire firing on all thrusters. Personally, I have reenacted the "pull the giant sphere out of your nose" scene not once, but twice after some brutal sinus surgery, where I was forced to yanks a massive packing out of my nostrils. At least Arnold only had to do once side. Not recommended!

The effects in this film have not aged well at all, but I still pop it on every once in a while, and it totally works, otherwise.

Considering the time period, the fact that it can't help but be a little cheesy is what makes it age perfectly. It's everything the Band brothers should want to make.

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

Vinny: Probably haven't seen it, or if I did it didn't leave an impression. Wouldn't mind giving it a spin sometime.

Recall: Seen it. Liked it a lot; might have made it into a top 50 list.

Seen: 8/14
Ballot: 2/25
Sleepless in Seattle: #91 / My #3
Office Space: #95 / My #23

[The Rodent]

Vinny: Probably haven't seen it, or if I did it didn't leave an impression. Wouldn't mind giving it a spin sometime.

Recall: Seen it. Liked it a lot; might have made it into a top 50 list.

Seen: 8/14
Ballot: 2/25
Sleepless in Seattle: #91 / My #3
Office Space: #95 / My #23

Vinny's worth a watch.
It's more a vehicle for Joe Pesci than anything.
I think most perceptions of Pesci are from either playing a psycho in gangster movies, or slapstick in Home Alone... but he shows he's actually exceptional at subtle comedy combined with genuine heart.
Pesci and Tomei are awesome together as well.
Good movie.

[stillmellow]

Vinny's worth a watch.
It's more a vehicle for Joe Pesci than anything.
I think most perceptions of Pesci are from either playing a psycho in gangster movies, or slapstick in Home Alone... but he shows he's actually exceptional at subtle comedy combined with genuine heart.
Pesci and Tomei are awesome together as well.
Good movie.


Couldn't have put it better. Great movie that just missed my list.


I think Total Recall is a little overrated and goofy/ridiclous (although having it definitely be a dream would clear up most of that), but it's still a very fun watch.


Seen 9/14
List: 1/25

[stillmellow]

Then again, if it's a dream, why do we have scenes where Arnold isn't present?

[Thief]

I've seen Total Recall. It's a fun film, but I've never been a big fan of it. I prefer other Verhoeven films, other Arnold films, and other PKD adaptations.

I know I've seen bits and pieces of My Cousin Vinny, but I don't think I've ever seen it whole. Maybe I should fix that.


SEEN: 6/14
MY BALLOT: 1/25


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. Interview with the Vampire (1994, #92)
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

[Deschain]

My Cousin Vinny made my list, one of the few movies I can’t think of anything wrong with it. Just an impeccable film. ****ing hilarious too.

Total Recall was in contention for making it but ultimately fell short. Top tier Arnie top tier Verhoeven.

[Citizen Rules]

Total Recall ...like Cricket and Sedai said, Total Recall seems like an 80s movie. It totally rocks dude, as long as I leave my memories of it in the the past...which is why I don't want to rewatch it, as I probably wouldn't like it nearly as much these days, it's not the 80s anymore.

[Citizen Rules]

My Cousin Vinny screened this in my living room one night. The characters were colorful as a neon painting on black velvet, but the caterwauling grated on my nerves like finger nails dragged across a stucco wall.

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

Total Recall ...like Cricket and Sedai said, Total Recall seems like an 80s movie. It totally rocks dude, as long as I leave my memories of it in the the past...which is why I don't want to rewatch it, as I probably wouldn't like it nearly as much these days, it's not the 80s anymore.

Same. One of those "best to leave well enough alone" type situations.

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

Vinny's worth a watch.
It's more a vehicle for Joe Pesci than anything.
I think most perceptions of Pesci are from either playing a psycho in gangster movies, or slapstick in Home Alone... but he shows he's actually exceptional at subtle comedy combined with genuine heart.
Pesci and Tomei are awesome together as well.
Good movie.

OK, I'm convinced. Looks like I can catch it on Hulu ...

[Holden Pike]

I believe I posted this back when My Cousin Vinny was revealed on the Comedies countdown, but still worth a watch...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1I7QBCHqng

[dadgumblah]

I own both of these on DVD and love them and was going to include one of them (Vinny) but that one is one of at least two that I wanted on my list but totally fell asleep at the wheel and didn't include and I'm angry at myself for that oversight. Gahhh! Saw both of these upon original release and loved them, even seeing both of them twice.

My Cousin Vinny is a classic comedy to me and I can watch it anytime and still be totally entertained by it. Pesci shows off his comic chops expertly and Marisa Tomei is great and totally adorable here. Special mention to Fred Gwynne as the irritable and befuddled judge, making me forget he was ever Herman Munster (not knocking that series, I loved it). A great supporting cast and great writing add to the overall greatness. I'm kicking myself that I left it off my list.

Total Recall is a blast and total (ahem) entertainment. Arnold is at his brawny and one-liner spewing best here. Some of the effects may look dated but I don't care, they add to the fun. Support from an ace cast that includes Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside and Ronny Cox gives it more cred. I loved it but I included another Arnold on my list.

Two good picks I was glad to see make it. Rock on 90s!

[Holden Pike]

Historically comedies have a tougher time placing on these decade lists. The original MoFo '90s had just ten. There are already three in the first fourteen reveals, and one of them (Sleepless in Seattle) was not on the previous '90s list nor on the MoFo Comedies list. Which makes me at least a little hopeful one or two of my newbies may make the collective. I have six comedies on my ballot, only three of which made the cut the first time.

The MoFo Top 100 Comedies had a healthy representation from the 1990s with eighteen titles, two of which have already shown: Office Space was #18 and My Cousin Vinny was #53. Of course The Big Lebowski was number one there and will probably be at least Top Five here. But that's, just, like, my opinion, Man.

https://64.media.tumblr.com/23604053f4a0b034772340e6a19314d8/d5864442467d6fbc-8c/s500x750/b213c425d7370e2820d7027e81778ab6dd41ddfc.gif

[Wyldesyde19]

Seen both. Liked both. Neither made my ballot.
7/14 seen.
2 in queue to be seen soon enough.

[Captain Quint]

Just banked the #67 write-up, which just means I have 66 more to do, Ha! but at least it's a good head start, I can slack off for a spell and still be set for the next 10 days.

The "First 25 Overview" is done, a couple of graphs ready to share. Feels good to be ahead of the game.

107102

Now, time for a nap? Mmm, maybe I can squeeze in a movie first. :)

[honeykid]

Makes me wonder if TMNT will make it.
You'd hope not. :D

Blue is the bomb (more on that later hopefully), White doesn’t do it for me, Red sits somewhere in the middle of that.
If this is where Red is neither of the other two are showing.


Blue will definitely make the countdown higher, but you are correct in fearing that White will not. No way White got more votes than Red.
Do you really think Blue will be higher? Red always seems to be the most favoured. Don't get me wrong, I'll be delighted to be wrong about this.

Red is also great but just missed my ballot this time. I like it best of the three colours although I know some prefer blue.
Only those who know better. :p :D


So the first from my list appears, as I had Interview With The Vampire at #4. For a good few years after release this was my favourite film and I really don't know how many times I've seen it? However many it is, it's many dozens. I love pretty much everything about it, in fact, all but one of the few things which has been praised, even by its detractors here; Stephen Rea's performence/character which just irritates every time he appears. For all the glory of this film though, it's all stolen by Kirsten Dunst and her immense, beyond her years, performance as Claudia in every scene she's in and that was the main memory and talking point leaving the cinema after seeing this for the first time.

Sadly, seeing this here and knowing how most feel about it, I suspect the chances of the more theatrical, gloriously costumed and magnificent vampire film of the decade, Bram Stoker's Dracula, won't be seeing the light of day here.

I really enjoy Sleepless In Seattle and would rarely object to it being on. Three Colours: Red isn't my favourite of the three, as you might've guessed, but it is, of course, fantastic. Just not as fantastic as the better one in the trilogy. :p :D I'm not surprised to see The Crow here (its peak 90's after all) but I am slightly taken aback how well spoken about it is here. I always found it quite simple and childlike, which suited the narrative very well and isn't a criticism here, but there's a lightness to its treatment of the material which is almost flyaway and it screams style over substance as a narrative film. Again, not a criticism with me, but usually this kind of thing doesn't feel like it flies too well with this crowd.

I really like My Cousin Vinny. It's fun and funny, which most comedies aren't IMO. It tells its story well and I thought Pesci did the fish out of water thing surprisingly well when I first saw it. It showed he could lead a film, too. As others have said, Total Recall feels so 80's and that's because it is. Obviously it was released in 1990, but everything about it is 80's, including when it was actually shot. :D

[The Rodent]

You'd hope not. :D


:D

Right, HK's on my sh*tlist.

I'm talking fans, hitting and poop... the lot.

[Citizen Rules]

Just banked the 67th write-up, which just means I have 66 more to do, Ha! but at least it's a good head start, I can slack off for a spell and still be set for the next 10 days.

The "First 25 Overview" is done, a couple of graphs ready to share. Feels good to be ahead of the game.

Now, time for a nap? Mmm, maybe I can squeeze in a movie first. :)Just feel lucky that you don't have to make the graphics everyday for the two movie reveals. That's how it was done in the olden days:eek:

[Captain Quint]

Just feel lucky that you don't have to make the graphics everyday for the two movie reveals. That's how it was done in the olden days:eek:

I've done it old school, way back when, so I'm very grateful for what Yoda's done here. The collecting and point gathering of the ballots (Oh, when I think of the time consuming old spread sheet method) and the presentation posts. Cuts the workload down considerably.

[The Rodent]

That's a thought... I did all the graphics for a couple countdowns, and one of them ended up with PhotoBucket ditching links so they're all broken now... :(

Been a nice job recently with the recent links and graphics to make it all tie together.

[Omnizoa]

I watched The Crow a while back, and I thought Brandon Lee's performance was excellent, but the movie was just average. I think it's similar to the way the movie The Dark Knight became a huge success because of Heath Ledger's performance, even though the movie is just average. I would disagree, while Heath Ledger certainly carries a lot of weight, I don't think he carries the whole movie.

You've got Nolan directing, a classic Zimmer soundtrack, memorable action sequences, very quotable dialog, an all-star cast, a whole fall-from-grace subplot... and unlike the first or third movies, there was a very strong recurring theme of duality and inversion; light and dark, order and chaos, and it was greatly exemplified by it's characters.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/be/b5/94/beb5944dca150b41566403dc3fea4390.gif


Heath Ledger just happened to be really ****ing good in it too and it was one of his last movies.

* * *

Didn't vote for or bother to rewatch Total Recall. I should probably see it again, but I mostly remember it for being gratuitously R-Rated. I'm just not pumped to watch Arnold's eyeballs explode out of his head, or pull an oversized prop out of his nose, or see a lady with 3 **** out, or some gruesome siamese twin character. If it were Countdown appropriate I'd have sooner rewatched The Running Man.

Haven't had a proper watch of My Cousin Vinny.

[seanc]

If this is where Red is neither of the other two are showing.:D

I will take that bet. I think Blue shows, White doesn’t.

[Holden Pike]

Just feel lucky that you don't have to make the graphics everyday for the two movie reveals. That's how it was done in the olden days :eek:
It was the part of hosting I liked the most. The Excel spreadsheet (now retired) hurt my pretty eyes, but I loved making those images.

But, different strokes and all.

https://www.movieforums.com/images/lists/westerns/number1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/TjNjjiO.png

[crumbsroom]

Blue is absolutely the most generally favoured of the Trilogy, even if Red is absolutely the best of them.


And White, as always, doesn't get nearly enough respect

[rauldc14]

Just feel lucky that you don't have to make the graphics everyday for the two movie reveals. That's how it was done in the olden days:eek:

Yep. My graphics weren't great but it definitely took quite a bit of time for it all. Also back then I hand tallied the scores there was nothing to help me.

[CosmicRunaway]

Total Recall contains everything I loved as a kid: a science fiction narrative, action set pieces, and occasionally horrific visuals. It is such an iconic and nostalgic film, but for some reason I keep dismissing it whenever I think about my favourite genre films. Perhaps someone keeps altering my memory? haha

https://64.media.tumblr.com/7608ea4786aefa3e044be60790a9f8d7/25dd218a1bbaaff6-8c/s540x810/b4077fde3f0dbecaed374bbf5abbef0c919a328e.gifv

While I did almost cut it from my shortlist a few times, I did eventually bump it up to #18, and I'm glad it made the Countdown. I haven't actually seen My Cousin Vinny, but I keep hearing good things about it.

Seen: 08/14

My List: 1

18. Total Recall (1990) - #87

[Robert the List]

I'm hoping that my finalised revised final G100OAT confirmation doesn't take too much of the attention of this thread in a few days' time.

[Citizen Rules]

I've done it old school, way back when, so I'm very grateful for what Yoda's done here. The collecting and point gathering of the ballots (Oh, when I think of the time consuming old spread sheet method) and the presentation posts. Cuts the workload down considerably.Yoda rocks! He's made it way easier on the host.

Spreadsheets what's that;) I've done two countdowns now and never have used a spreadsheet. I did all the calculations manually, just my head and a trusty calculator to triple check the sums.


It was the part of hosting I liked the most. The spreadsheet (now retired) hurt my pretty eyes, but I loved making those images. You make awesome graphics. I enjoyed making the images too, though towards the end of the countdown it got tiresome, some.

Yep. My graphics weren't great but it definitely took quite a bit of time for it all. Also back then I hand tallied the scores there was nothing to help me.I don't even know how to use a spreadsheet. I remember Silent Vamp use to message me when she was hosting the 1940s Countdown and she'd tell me how hard it was entering each ballot into the spreadsheet and how long it took. I'll say the method me and you used is faster than a spreadsheet, unless someone is an office software pro user, I'm sure not.

[Captain Quint]

Yoda rocks! He's made it way easier on the host.

Spreadsheets what's that;) I've done two countdowns now and never have used a spreadsheet. I did all the calculations manually, just my head and a trusty calculator to triple check the sums.

Oh cripes, now you're taking me back to my workdays, when I had to balance the books and cut employee checks, all by hand, armed only with a calculator and a faulty brain. Lord, that was cruel. Computer spreadsheets were a godsend by comparison.

And the Yoda method is even better.... hmm, too bad I didn't have a Yoda method for work, back in the dark ages.

[Robert the List]

You don't know how to use a spreadsheet? Loool.
****ing hell. And I thought I was crap at i.t.!!!!

[MovieGal]

You don't know how to use a spreadsheet? Loool.
****ing hell. And I thought I was crap at i.t.!!!!

Spreadsheets have nothing to do with IT.

[Wooley]

I'm obsessing over the numbers. Of 80 lists, Sleepless was on 4, meaning there are 3 other fellow addicts among the group. I'm taking the title of this exercise rather seriously. It's "Mofo's Top 100," not "Top 100 of all Time." So I know there are "better" movies than the ones I've voted for, but I tend choose on "desert island" criteria rather than on raw artistic merit (which I'm not terribly qualified to judge on any account).

I think Sleepless In Seattle is an All-Time Great Rom-com. It's a full step below WHMS but I think it nails the genre.

[Wooley]

Vinny's worth a watch.
It's more a vehicle for Joe Pesci than anything.
I think most perceptions of Pesci are from either playing a psycho in gangster movies, or slapstick in Home Alone... but he shows he's actually exceptional at subtle comedy combined with genuine heart.
Pesci and Tomei are awesome together as well.
Good movie.

I actually think it's a very good script too. And I think they handled it correctly in terms of the right tone for the material.
I actually put My Cousin Vinny way up there in my personal estimation, a movie that is sneaky-good, and I've seen it more than a dozen times.

[Holden Pike]

I think Sleepless In Seattle is an All-Time Great Rom-com. It's a full step below WHMS but I think it nails the genre.
I am a bit of a sucker for RomComs. Even so, Sleepless in Seattle would not be in my top five or six or maybe even ten of the decade, but there are certainly much worse out there and I don't hate it, nor begrudge it being on the list.

I have another Hanks/Ryan pairing on my ballot. But I'm a flibbertygibbit.

107103

[Raven73]

I'm glad Total Recall made the list. It didn't make mine, because I compiled my list by adding my favourite movie from that year, and it was beat out by Back to the Future III.

Haven't seen My Cousin Vinny; at least not that I can recall.

[The Rodent]

I actually think it's a very good script too. And I think they handled it correctly in terms of the right tone for the material.
I actually put My Cousin Vinny way up there in my personal estimation, a movie that is sneaky-good, and I've seen it more than a dozen times.

That's a good way to put it tbh... sneaky-good.

I was certainly surprised by Pesci's performance.

I know him from obviously Home Alone, Casino, Goodfellas and Lethal Weapon, but his show in Vinny was certainly an eye-opener.
"Sneaky-Good" is definitely a good shout. Underrated movie and performance.

[LeBoyWondeur]

I always think of Total Recall as 80's
Me too, but that's because I keep thinking of Total Recall and RoboCop as one film.

And when I see the title My Cousin Vinny (never seen it) I'm tempted to read it as My Dinner With Cousin Vinny.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

Two more very good and fun films I enjoy the heck out of, but neither made my list. My Cousin Vinny is a very quotable and quirky film and I enjoy see Joe Pesci in this type of role. Total Recall is one of Arnold's best films, if not his very best film and I'm always a sucker for the ultra-violent practical special effects, grotesque level of apathy toward the violence, and dark satirical humor found in Paul Verhoeven's films. Total Recall is not his masterpiece, that title belongs to Robocop, but it's a real achievement and infinitely rewatchable.


So far on this list, not a single film from my top 25 has appeared. That should change soon I'd imagine.

[I_Wear_Pants]

Now I'm at 2/14. I watched My Cousin Vinny many years ago. It was all right. I like Marisa Tomei in it. Otherwise I put it away disappointed. I'm fine with Joe Pesci not being a psychopath. Playing against your type-casting is great. I just wasn't impressed here.

[SpelingError]

I haven't seen My Cousin Vinny.

Total Recall is very good, but it didn't make my ballot.

[Harry Lime]

Oh yeah these two are great. Neither made my list but both would have been contenders for my top 50. Sure like some are saying Total Recall has a bit of an 80s feel but it's really late 80s...let's call it a decade transitioner, early 90s. Vital pieces of any decade countdown. Plus it's an excellent, fun sci-fi film with many classic moments. Thanks, Paul Verhoeven.

And My Cousin Vinny was watched a lot in my teen years. I think it was on TV all the time or we had a copy. I'm pretty sure we had a copy of Total Recall too. Likely both on a blank VHS tape recorded off of Super Channel. But I digress, lots of funny moments and I mean, Marisa Tomei, come on...An Oscar winner, Jerry!

[beelzebubble]

Okay, I have seen all of the last six movies.
Of these six , I like Total Recall the best. Excellent sci-fi adventure. I like the Three Colors but of those three I like Blue the best and I am not a big fan of Irene Jacob. She is beautiful but I am not crazy about her acting in this movie. I did like The Double Life of Veronique a lot. I thought she was much better in that and I liked the story more.
Also I did see Office Space. It's a friend of mine's favorite movie. She has a red Swingline stapler in homage to this film.
None of these is on my list.

[Wooley]

I am a bit of a sucker for RomComs. Even so, Sleepless in Seattle would not be in my top five or six or maybe even ten of the decade, but there are certainly much worse out there and I don't hate it, nor begrudge it being on the list.

I have another Hanks/Ryan pairing on my ballot. But I'm a flibbertygibbit.

107103

I used to hate JvV but I came around. I still think SiS is the better example of succeeding at what it was trying to do (Joe's a little all over the place though I love a lot of it) but I can understand where you're coming from.
I will tell you a funny story though, that my friend Brad picked JvV to see at the cinema and when the movie ended I stood up immediately, pointed at him sitting two seats down in our group of friends, and yelled in the middle of the theater, "You owe me five dollars and fifty cents!"
I've softened over the years.

[Wooley]

Blue is absolutely the most generally favoured of the Trilogy, even if Red is absolutely the best of them.


And White, as always, doesn't get nearly enough respect

This is funny because when I first watched Bleu many moons ago, when I lived on another forum, I wrote a long, beautifully decorated (with self-taken screencaps), gushing review of the film... and everyone on that forum told me Rouge was better and I hadn't seen anything yet and all of that.
How times have changed.

They also told me that I should probably just skip Blanc. I did not.

Post script - I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Bleu had risen in favor.

[Little Ash]

If you were to ask me when Total Recall came out, off the top of my head, I'd probably keep saying, "88 or 89?" nine times out of ten. I like Veerhoven, for some reason I haven't revisited this one much recently, but the other Veerhoven that I revisited I pretty much still really liked, so I presumably still really like this one. Wasn't in contention for my ballot (mainly because there's a lot of 90s stuff that I liked).

Still have never seen My Cousin Vinny. It just exists in that space of, "huh, apparently people really liked this movie," I found out a couple of decades after its release.

[crumbsroom]

Everything Veerhoven does is great, but Total Recall is probably near the bottom of his movies for me. I haven't seen it for ages though.

[Harry Lime]

"huh, apparently people really liked this movie," I found out a couple of decades after its release.
https://c.tenor.com/EqB89LYb_DcAAAAC/tenor.gif

[Zotis]

Fallen Angels is an incredible movie, I absolutely loved it. I haven't seen every Wong Kar Wai, but it's my favorite of what I've seen so far.


Three Colors: Red is the only one of the trillogy I've seen. I really do need to get around to seeing the rest, but I absolutely loved Red.


I'm proud to have physical copies of both of these in my personal collection.

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

So, gosh, I have seen My Cousin Vinny after all. For movies I saw decades ago, it happens like this: The title sounds familiar, but I can't be sure. So I give it a watch and realize I remember a particular scene. But I don't know what's happening next. Until the split second before it does. When Vinny and Mona Lisa pull up in that old beater, and there's that weird discussion about "mud in the tires," I knew I'd seen it.

Anyway ... it's OK. It's funny, in places. I have eight comedies, or kinda comedies, on my list, and Vinny wouldn't push them, or anything else, off.

Things I liked: The authentic introductory visuals, from the Playmate cooler in the back of the convertible to the signs (Dirt for Sale, Free Horse Manure) along the roadside. Been there; seen that. The courtroom interrogations, of course. And Ralph Macchio's impression of Joe Pesci ... nailed it! And Pesci in general. (I like him best in his serious roles, such as The Irishman and Casino.)

Things I didn't like: Too much contrivance around miscommunication; not just the crime setup, but Vinny's first discussion with Stan in jail, or the judge and Vinny. I didn't grow up in the deep south, but the near south, and the humor that hung off stereotypes was mildly offensive actually. I was glad to see Austin Pendleton show up, as he can be hilariously funny or creepy as hell, but as the stuttering public defender he was sadly misused and annoying. And Marisa Tomei's New York accent was only a forced imitation.

All in all I'm glad to have given it a rewatch. My wife loved it. Me, I liked it.

[PHOENIX74]

88. My Cousin Vinny (1992) - I saw this for the first (and only) time around 5 years ago, having meant to get around to it for ages before that. Mostly it was because of Marisa Tomei's Oscar-winning performance and I like Joe Pesci too - to a degree. The funny stuff didn't really grab me all that much, and in the end I ended up being more interested in the legal drama than entertained by the comedy, but that's the kind of opinion I have about Pesci himself - I much prefer his more serious roles. I have it in my DVD collection, and it stands amongst the many movies I think are fine but aren't big personal favourites that I'll watch a whole bunch of times.

87. Total Recall (1990) - I've seen Total Recall a whole bunch of times. I remember when it came out, and when I first saw it at the movies I was quite crazy about this Schwarzenegger sci-fi action blockbuster, with it's wanton, gory violence. Over the years I cooled on it a little, but I'm sure that if I were to watch it again today I'll have come around a full 360° and just enjoy the fact that it's pretty outrageous, silly - even camp. I know Philip K. Dick's "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale" was butchered and that this was at one time going to be a much more serious film with a more serious, less 'action-star' lead, but what the hell. Out of all the "dumb fun" movies that Schwarzenegger was king of back in the 80s and 90s, this has to be at the very top of the Martian pyramid. Hell, it still sports some (many, really) moments which have lived on in the popular cultural zeitgeist. It's not a great movie in any weighty sense, but I loved this as a kid and almost consider it a guilty pleasure - which means I simply love it in a different way now. Not on my list though, and kind of shocked and surprised it's shown up here.

Seen : 14/14

[gbgoodies]

My Cousin Vinny is one of my favorite comedy movies. It's so funny that it was at the top of my comedies list. Any time I'm flipping channels and I find it's on, I watch it, so I've seen it countless times. The interactions between Vinny and Mona Lisa Vito, Vinny and the judge, Vinny and the guy who welched on the bet, and especially when Vinny is questioning the witnesses are all hysterical scenes. I knew this movie was a lock for my list as soon as this countdown was announced. It was #15 on my list, but if I had finalized my list on a different day it could have placed much higher.


I watched Total Recall a while back, (I think for the Sci-Fi Countdown), and it was pretty good, but it wasn't good enough for me to consider it for my list.



My list so far:
4. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
15. My Cousin Vinny (1992)

[Deschain]

I actually think it's a very good script too. And I think they handled it correctly in terms of the right tone for the material.
I actually put My Cousin Vinny way up there in my personal estimation, a movie that is sneaky-good, and I've seen it more than a dozen times.

It would have been so easy to make Trotter, the prosecutor, the villain. But they don’t. He’s good at his job and passionate about it and competitive, but he’s not a bad guy. I always thought that was so smart, especially for a comedy.

[Captain Quint]

5lists72pointsGattaca (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/782-gattaca.html)Director
Andrew Niccol, 1997

Starring
Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Alan Arkin

[Captain Quint]

9lists72pointsDead Man (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/922-dead-man.html)Director
Jim Jarmusch, 1995

Starring
Johnny Depp, Gary Farmer, Crispin Glover, Lance Henriksen

[Captain Quint]

Tie broken by most ballots (9 to 5)

Dead Man - Jim Jarmusch's existential acid western took a big tumble in the polls, dropping 50 slots. It actually wound up on plenty of ballots, but didn't rank highly on most of them, hence, its struggles - but a couple of us western fans got behind it (it ranked 7th on my list), and so here it is. Trivia? The movie contains conversations in the Cree and Blackfoot languages, which were intentionally not translated or subtitled, for the exclusive understanding of members of those nations, including several in-jokes aimed at Native American viewers.

Gattaca was limping on the outskirts of the list, before some late votes, and one big ranking near the end, threw it into the big show. The film's title is based on the letters G, A, T, and C, which stand for guanine, adenine, thymine, and cytosine, the four nucleobases of DNA. Lastly, I always get a smile when a film opens with the words "(In) The not-too-distant future" (the X-Men series has this as well) because that's the opening lyric in the MST3K theme song.

Gattaca was previously unranked, while Dead Man was originally at #35.

[Holden Pike]

107109

Gattaca was #51 on the MoFo Top 100 Science Fiction Films. Dead Man was #35 on the MoFo Top 100 of the 1990s prime and #26 on the MoFo Top 100 Westerns.

[Holden Pike]

107110

[Allaby]

Dead Man is excellent. I didn't have room on my ballot for it, but I'm glad it made the countdown. Gattaca is very good too.

Seen: 16/16

[MovieGal]

I saw Gattaca in the theatre. It was a good film at that time..

I have never seen Dead Man.

[Holden Pike]

107111

Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man is the first title from my ballot to be revealed. It was towards the bottom, contributing only three of its seventy-two points as my twenty-third choice, but I couldn't very well leave it unnamed. I am too big a fan of the genre and of Jarmusch's flick.

I fell instantly and deeply in love with Dead Man upon its release. I was already a fan of Jarmusch. His Stranger Than Paradise and Down by Law were strong introductions to a distinctive cinematic voice in the 1980s Indie scene, and while his development continued with Mystery Train and Night on Earth they already felt a little bit like Jarmusch parodying himself, or hitting too many of the same notes. Dead Man was his biggest budget at the time and for me a true leap forward, encompassing all of his gifts for tone and quiet humor but integrating them into a Western, of all things! For me it is a Post Modern bit of genius, and if you were an English major like me or know William Blake’s poetry via some other route, the allusions to his work throughout are clever and sometimes profound (“The vision of Christ that thou dost see is my vision's greatest enemy”).

In addition to all of that is Gary Farmer and the depiction of a Native American. His Nobody, who was also given the name He Who Talks Loud, Saying Nothing by other Natives, is the inverse of Hoffman’s Jack Little Big Man Crabb in that as a boy he was taken from his tribe and forcibly raised by whites. Therefore he too has bits of both cultures, most obviously identified by his appreciation of Blake’s poetry, but he is a unique character. Along with Chief Dan George’s Grandfather Lodge Skins in Little Big Man, Nobody is my favorite Native American portrayal in cinema: humanistic, humorous, respectful. I love Dead Man’s melancholy rumination on death and poetry wrapped up in a Western, with Neil Young's sparse, haunting, improvised electric guitar providing the score and Robby Müller’s (Paris, Texas, Repo Man) dreamlike cinematography drifting through the landscape.

I only had two '90s oaters on my MoFo Westerns Ballot (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2106662#post2106662), though both were in my Top Ten. While there are a few undeniable classics that were made in the decade after the very fallow '80s, it's not exactly overflowing with Westerns, either. I'll put the over/under at just four total making this list.


Holden Pike: 1990s Part Deux
23. Dead Man (#85)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuVWSMvGIl4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcUwxcbhtdQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PJf8gyElaI

[ueno_station54]

don't know much about either of these ones. jim jarmusch has never wowed me plus i don't like johnny depp at all and for some reason i always thought gattaca was related to a tv show and not a standalone movie.

[rauldc14]

I don't really care for Dead Man, but we knew it would be here.

Gattaca I liked more on a second watch and I'm good with it being here.

[cricket]

When this is done, I probably will have seen 95+, and Dead Man will surely be the one I dislike the most. I've tried it two or three times and it just gets on my nerves. People love the cinematography and the score but I can't stand either one.

I've seen Gattaca once and it was just ok for me. I chalk this one up to personal taste.

[Captain Terror]

don't know much about either of these ones. jim jarmusch has never wowed me plus i don't like johnny depp at all and for some reason i always thought gattaca was related to a tv show and not a standalone movie.
Battlestar Gattaca? 🙂

[Captain Terror]

Dead Man is one that I've always intended to get around to. Imagine my surprise to learn that it's 30 years old now. Sheesh.

[Little Ash]

Gattaca, I've seen, and remember seeing lots of discussion of it on message boards in the mid-00's. Always kind of lived in my mind as a solid, little picture.


Dead Man - I need to check my ballot... Number 12. Apart from everything that's already been said (how could I top Holden's really long, thorough soliloquy to it?), I just find the dead pan and offbeat humor really hilarious. I still think this Jarmusch's best.

[Omnizoa]

I saw Yoda commenting about Gattaca being underappreciated before the Countdown. I've doublechecked the old 90s Countdown a few times now (which I was not apart of) and am pleasantly surprised to see how different it's shaking out (Gattaca wasn't on it).

For my part, I decided not to rewatch Gattaca simply because I have no memory of it or what I felt about it. I've probably seen it once or twice, and I think the first of those times was in school.

Similarly, I straight-up forgot what happens in The Thirteenth Floor, which I definitely considered rewatching, but only because I remember giving it a good rating...

The events of both of these movies are entirely lost on me.

[Wooley]

So, gosh, I have seen My Cousin Vinny after all. For movies I saw decades ago, it happens like this: The title sounds familiar, but I can't be sure. So I give it a watch and realize I remember a particular scene. But I don't know what's happening next. Until the split second before it does. When Vinny and Mona Lisa pull up in that old beater, and there's that weird discussion about "mud in the tires," I knew I'd seen it.

Anyway ... it's OK. It's funny, in places. I have eight comedies, or kinda comedies, on my list, and Vinny wouldn't push them, or anything else, off.

Things I liked: The authentic introductory visuals, from the Playmate cooler in the back of the convertible to the signs (Dirt for Sale, Free Horse Manure) along the roadside. Been there; seen that. The courtroom interrogations, of course. And Ralph Macchio's impression of Joe Pesci ... nailed it! And Pesci in general. (I like him best in his serious roles, such as The Irishman and Casino.)

Things I didn't like: Too much contrivance around miscommunication; not just the crime setup, but Vinny's first discussion with Stan in jail, or the judge and Vinny. I didn't grow up in the deep south, but the near south, and the humor that hung off stereotypes was mildly offensive actually. I was glad to see Austin Pendleton show up, as he can be hilariously funny or creepy as hell, but as the stuttering public defender he was sadly misused and annoying. And Marisa Tomei's New York accent was only a forced imitation.

All in all I'm glad to have given it a rewatch. My wife loved it. Me, I liked it.

FWIW, I am from the Deep South and I thought all the stereotypes were spot-on and therefore not offensive. Some of the people in the movie might as well have been actual members of my family, certainly people I knew well. I also thought that about Tomei's accent until I started spending so much time in New York and then I thought, "Oh, she actually kinda nailed a very specific subset of New Yorkers that I've met and couldn't believe were real." Tomei herself was, in fact, born and raised in the area she was supposed to be from in the movie and grew up surrounded by the accent.
Also, I think the miscommunication scene with Stan is one of the funniest parts of the movie.
But, we all have different taste.

[Thursday Next]

Dead Man just sneaked on to my list at #23. It looks great, has a good soundtrack and good performances from a whole host of people (there's Michael Wincott again
, also John Hurt, Lance Henrikson, Robert Mitchum, Iggy Pop and Gabriel Byrne - not the last we've seen of him on this countdown). It's also enjoyably weird. Jarmusch is hit or miss for me, but this is one of the hits imo.




Seen: 15/16
My list: 4/25

[seanc]

Hey, first from my list to show. I only gave it two points, but I had to have it here. Dead Man left quite an impression on me, and probably started me down a Jarmusch rabbit hole I’m grateful for. Like a lot of movies I love, I think tge dialogue is great and I find it hilarious. Was higher up on my Western list as well. Glad to see it show.

I have only given Gattaca one chance. I was pretty lukewarm on it. I will try it again eventually.

[Miss Vicky]

Dead Man is great and I’m happy to see it make the cut. I considered it for my ballot but it didn’t get my vote.

Gattaca was nominated for Group Watch but I just couldn’t convince myself to watch it. It doesn’t look like my kind of movie.

Seen: 13/16
My Balllot:
12. True Romance (#94)
24. Interview With the Vampire (#92)
25. Untamed Heart (One Pointer)

[Robert the List]

Heard of: 12/16
Started: 10/16
Finished: 2/16
In my ballot: 0/16

[Harry Lime]

I saw Yoda commenting about Gattaca being underappreciated before the Countdown. I've doublechecked the old 90s Countdown a few times now (which I was not apart of) and am pleasantly surprised to see how different it's shaking out (Gattaca wasn't on it).
It was ranked around the 120 mark along with The Crow.


One thing I'm liking is we're seeing some movers and new additions on this 100. It's not just the same list. Good job Mofo.

[Harry Lime]

I remember liking Gattaca quite a bit but it's been too long since I last watched it. Probably the late 90s when it was new on DVD. I'm a big fan of Jim Jarmusch. I give all of his films a thumbs up. I did a rewatch of most of them recently but Dead Man was left out. I've always considered it near the bottom of his filmography (which is still a good film and I know a lot of you would disagree...that's fair). Maybe I need to give it another go although I've also never been the biggest fan of the acid western sub-genre so there's that. Hey I'm just happy to be here with Jim Jarmusch on the 90s countdown.

[KeyserCorleone]

Not surprised we got Gattaca at all. IMO, it's one of the last truly great thematic sci-fi concepts with quite a bit to say, never having to rely on blockbuster plotting or Equilibrium dystopian warfare to make it's point. It's all about thought and behavior, even if the characterization sometimes lets you know what'll happen next a few minutes before it happens. Wouldn't mind watching it again at some point. 85.

Seen 9/16

[Thief]

Gattaca was on my short list, but it was one of my last cuts. The topic came in the preliminary thread and, although I really like the film a lot, I have some slight issues with the last act and how they execute the whole sibling rivalry. The rest of the cast is great, though; especially Jude Law, who is fantastic.

I haven't seen Dead Man but it has been recommended often. Jarmusch is a bit of a blind spot, since I've only seen Down by Law. I loved it, though, so I know I'll eventually get to it.


SEEN: 7/16
MY BALLOT: 1/25


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. Interview with the Vampire (1994, #92)
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

Gattaca: Have seen it, and though SF is my preferred genre, it didn't leave a strong enough impression with me to put it in my top 25 of the decade. Glad to see it here though.

Dead Man: Not only have I not seen it, have not even heard of it. Sounds interesting, and yet another added to the watch list.

Seen: 10/16
Ballot: 2/25
Sleepless in Seattle: #91 / My #3
Office Space: #95 / My #23

[honeykid]

I will take that bet. I think Blue shows, White doesn’t.
I hope you're right.


Blue is absolutely the most generally favoured of the Trilogy, even if Red is absolutely the best of them.
That's not the way it's felt around here, but again, hoping you're correct. :) Maybe the influx of newbies over the last few years has tipped the balance? Maybe Blue is finally being reappraised?


I'm hoping that my finalised revised final G100OAT confirmation doesn't take too much of the attention of this thread in a few days' time.
Don't worry, it won't. :)


Dead Man is one that I've always intended to get around to. Imagine my surprise to learn that it's 30 years old now. Sheesh.

I've been similar, although the fact it's a Western may well be enough to dampen any enthusiasm I muster for it. It has been in the past. The closest I've been to seenig it was having this poster on my wall for about 20 odd years or recording it and deleting it unwatched. :D

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2qjtCI07bI/TumMdEbT5OI/AAAAAAAAF0k/H-7vhquPMck/s1600/Dead-Man-1995.jpg

I've seen Gattaca twice, I think? Maybe three times and it's a really solid piece of thoughtful sci-fi.

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

FWIW, I am from the Deep South and I thought all the stereotypes were spot-on and therefore not offensive. Some of the people in the movie might as well have been actual members of my family, certainly people I knew well. I also thought that about Tomei's accent until I started spending so much time in New York and then I thought, "Oh, she actually kinda nailed a very specific subset of New Yorkers that I've met and couldn't believe were real." Tomei herself was, in fact, born and raised in the area she was supposed to be from in the movie and grew up surrounded by the accent.
Also, I think the miscommunication scene with Stan is one of the funniest parts of the movie.
But, we all have different taste.

Yup, different tastes for sure ... I got my feathers ruffled early by Stan's bit about them being inbred and sleeping with their sisters. It's a retread; not clever, not funny. But I did like that the "good old boys" like the sheriff in particular, the judge, the prosecutor, all had their moments of fairness. I lived for eight years in "mildly upstate New York" (Newburgh/New Windsor) area and so spent a lot of time conversing with various coworkers and friends. Tomei's very good (maybe not "Oscar good" but still good) but I always felt I was listening to someone putting on an accent rather than having an accent. Yeah, just me ...

[crumbsroom]

Dead Man is one that I've always intended to get around to. Imagine my surprise to learn that it's 30 years old now. Sheesh.


Don't know where you stand on Jarmusch in general, but Dead Man is probably the best thing he's done. It retains the idiosyncrasies of his earlier, smaller work, but has enough blood and colour to dispell those rumours that nothing ever happens in his movies

[Siddon]

7. True Romance (1993)
9. My Cousin Vinny (1992)
20. Sonatine (1993)
23. Porco Rosso (1992)
25. Stay Tuned (1992) (1 pointer)

First 15 in, 4 made my list so I guess I voted correctly. I don't know how many comedies are going to make the cut so happy to see My Cousin Vinny score highly.

Stay Tuned was my 1 pointer, it's a John Ritter comedy about a man sucked into a TV with the catch being it's Hell. Eugene Levy and Jeffry Jones also star in the film. It's really a remarkable use of blending the society of the 90's Cable with episodic set pieces of torture told in a tight 90.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j8OBSW4IbU

I was going back and fourth on animated or foreign titles, so I compromised and put Porco Rosso. Sonatine also made my list mostly because the other foreign options left me with a sense of apathy.

True Romance made my top ten, it's my favorite of the Tarantino films, mostly because someone else directed it and focused it more to a cohesive story that didn't take all those side trips that Tarantino loved. I don't think Tony Scott would ever make another list from me in any category.

As for the other nom's,


Red - It's fine, I rewatched White recently and they are good films but not really that memorable.

Gummo - hated it, the extreme film era of the 90's had a ton of overrated dogs in it I think Gummo is the worst of the bunch.

Deadman and What's Eating Gilbert Grape - Johnny Depp two-fer, I really don't care for Jarmusch films I find them to be incredibly dull. Gilbert Grape is okay but it's aged poorly and they wouldn't make it today.

The Celebration was fine when I first watched...got worse on second viewing.

Office Space, nice to see a comedy showing up it was good but somewhat overrated.

Interview with a Vampire, I think this might be underranked to be frank one of the better Vampire movies of all-time and a damn solid period piece. This might be Brad Pitt's best work.

The Crow, one of the best comic films of the 90's that led to a terrible franchise.

Gattacca is fine I think this could use a prestige TV remake because the ideas where great as a science fiction neo noir but they didn't have the focus to tell a good noir story.

Total Recall a film that I consider one of the last of the 80's films, the parts are better than the final result

Sleepless in Seattle a romcom made the final 100...bit of a shock I wonder if a second one will make it.

Seen 14/15

[John-Connor]

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/ivglWhH15rcCY419NxE9e14EotS.jpg

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/6gu0mrmG4ouO3cDn59nhWjegWLr.jpg

Another fine pair to make the countdown. Same as yesterday, both of these are in my top 150 of the decade but not on my ballot.
Dead Man, is also my 27th favorite Western of all time, Jarmusch is dope. It would be cool if Night on Earth and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai also make the list but I doubt they will. I've re-watched Gattaca for a Sci-Fi Hall of Fame and that made my appreciation for it grow. It's currently 64th on my all time Sci-Fi 100.

Seen 15/16
Ballot 00/25

[Deschain]

I recently rewatched Gattaca and it holds up pretty well. I wish we got weird little sci if noir movies like this more often.

Haven’t seen Dead Man.

[SpelingError]

Two very good films which didn't make my ballot.

[Sedai]

And we have reached one of the most glaring omissions from my ballot, with Gattaca. What a shame I managed to space this one out, as I place it in the top echelon of science fiction filmmaking. Really chuffed off about it, but at least it made it onto the list. Believe it or not, this isn't the most egregious mistake I made with my ballot, with a couple of other films I am stunned I somehow missed still to come. This is what you get when you don't put enough time and effort into the ballot process. It's my own damned fault!

[Holden Pike]

I blame Maria Montessori.

[Captain Quint]

My name isn't Robert, but I have so, soooooo many lists it's easy as pie to find the appropriate one, and pop out a quick 25, easy peasy.

And people laughed and said I was wasting my time on such things... but who's got the last laugh now, who?! Certainly not the people who don't have a ready-made list when they need one in a pinch.

[Yoda]

Gattaca was limping on the outskirts of the list, before some late votes, and one big ranking near the end, threw it into the big show.
Yeah, that was me. I'm really happy I was able to get it onto the countdown at all, though I'm slightly aghast that my contribution was necessary to make it happen, because it's a minimalist masterpiece (in part because it doesn't feel minimalist).

The film's title is based on the letters G, A, T, and C, which stand for guanine, adenine, thymine, and cytosine, the four nucleobases of DNA.
One of many lovely little details throughout the film. There are literally dozens, some of them extremely clever. We detail most of them in the podcast we did about Gattaca almost exactly ten years ago, actually! You can listen to it immediately:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U--nt2Hm_BA

And here's the discussion thread for it where we get into even more (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=43725).

[Captain Terror]

Don't know where you stand on Jarmusch in general, but Dead Man is probably the best thing he's done. It retains the idiosyncrasies of his earlier, smaller work, but has enough blood and colour to dispell those rumours that nothing ever happens in his movies
Gimme Danger is actually the only thing I've seen from him.

[Harry Lime]

You can listen to it immediately:
There's a Mofo Podcast playlist on YouTube!

[Citizen Rules]

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.dRsGj3t8ujZpLjSSLegi2QHaEP%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=f21d9be43398e0246b26cfc490c894281a831ebf7b70bee2f94ae551a9d79e36&ipo=images
Dead Man (1995)
Dir. Jim Jarmusch


I first watched this over 10 years ago and it was the 9th movie that I reviewed here at MoFo. I watched this again for this countdown. My rating hasn't changed and I'm still impressed for the most part but damn if that score by Neil Young didn't start to grate on my nerves this time around, and I like his music too but it was played at a very loud volume compared to the dialog and played all of the time. After about the 1st hour I became accurately aware of the score and it did diminish the movie's impact for me. I do believe a lighter but same score would've made the movie better for me.

rating_4
Glad it made the countdown!

[I_Wear_Pants]

Dead Man is a movie I love so much, it's on my ballot! It's the first movie, out of three seen and sixteen revealed, I actually like, and it's on my list. I wasn't sure if it'd even make the countdown.

[Yoda]

There's a Mofo Podcast playlist on YouTube!
Indeed. Should've done it sooner. I do have an embedded player for the MP3s on here which I used in all the threads and stuff, but I find people are just a lot more likely to click if it's YouTube/familiar. So they're basically all up there now.

[Citizen Rules]

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cineluxe.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2FGattaca-HERO-768x403.png&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=f174fa034944d3776520354b98648701dbcbc2664c16a6e556ad4ec3ab30e90e
G...A...T...T...A...C...A



Uma Thurman sure looks good in this film. She's coldly dispassionate and emotionally controlled. All the genetically superior employees of Gattaca are like that.

That photo I used conveys well the 'perfect world' of those who have superior genes. They're almost dehumanized by their superior conformity. And that's just what the corporations want.
The director expertly down plays any sci fi elements in the film, which then gives focus to the existential ideas. The cars are old models, the clothing is sedate, there's no high tech props. In fact the film starts off by saying it's set in the very near future.

The sets are stunningly reserved elegance, done in a mid century modern retro look. Damn beautiful. I can't think of another film that makes such striking sets. I loved the choice of the old Studebaker Avanti cars and other classic car models. The vastness and use of negative space in Jerome's apartment is way cool! What a great looking film.

I thought Ethan Hawke was excellent. The huge amount of effort that he was willing to undertake so that he could go on a space missions, speaks to the human need to overcome obstacles. And that's what the film is really all about.

rating_4_5
Glad it made the countdown!

[iluv2viddyfilms]

More later but Dead Man is the first film from my list to show up. It's spectacular and is my no. 10 pick. More later if I get time, but it's a clever and unique film - a tone poem and hallucinary revisionist western made by a great filmmaker. It's a film that I absolutely love despite my misgivings about it's all too simplistic "white man bad" and "nobel savage" characterizations and world view. While the themes were done many many years before and presented far more dynamically and less obviously in Little Big Man and even moreso in The Searchers, Jarmusch's style and atmosphere is anything but conventional.

Dead Man is a film that I infinitely admire and also is a prime example that we don't have to agree with a film's message or view to find brilliance in it.

[dadgumblah]

Gattaca and Dead Man fall into that category of "always meant to see but still haven't." No excuses, just haven't. Therefore, not on my list, dammit!

[Wooley]

It would have been so easy to make Trotter, the prosecutor, the villain. But they don’t. He’s good at his job and passionate about it and competitive, but he’s not a bad guy. I always thought that was so smart, especially for a comedy.

Exactly. That is definitely one of the things I think of when I say "It's a good script." I quite liked Trotter at the end. Same goes for the Sheriff.

[Wooley]

Yup, different tastes for sure ... I got my feathers ruffled early by Stan's bit about them being inbred and sleeping with their sisters. It's a retread; not clever, not funny. But I did like that the "good old boys" like the sheriff in particular, the judge, the prosecutor, all had their moments of fairness. I lived for eight years in "mildly upstate New York" (Newburgh/New Windsor) area and so spent a lot of time conversing with various coworkers and friends. Tomei's very good (maybe not "Oscar good" but still good) but I always felt I was listening to someone putting on an accent rather than having an accent. Yeah, just me ...

I didn't take that as a joke by Stan but as a demonstration of how ignorant he was about this place and people.
I hear what you're saying about Tomei, I guess the fact that I met people whose accent seemed that outlandish to me when I finally went to Brooklyn and the fact that she's from there made it more credible to me.

[Wooley]

It occurred to me when watching Alphaville that Uma's character in Gattaca had echoes of Ana Karina's Natacha von Braun. Maybe not quite as innocent but I thought it was there. Anyone else get that vibe?

[Sedai]

...also is a prime example that we don't have to agree with a film's message or view to find brilliance in it.

Totally agree with this.

[Citizen Rules]

...we don't have to agree with a film's message or view to find brilliance in it.I'll add to that, that not every film has a message or world view, a whole lot of that comes from the thoughts of the viewer themselves.

[TheManBehindTheCurtain]

I didn't take that as a joke by Stan but as a demonstration of how ignorant he was about this place and people.

Ah, fair enough about Stan's comments. Maybe I'm being too prickly.

[CosmicRunaway]

Since I said in my last post that I've always loved science fiction, it probably shouldn't come as a shock that Gattaca was also on my list. When it was nominated in the 2nd Sci Fi Hall of Fame, this is what I said about it at the time:

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=54463

Gattaca (1997)
Directed By: Andrew Niccol
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Jude Law, Uma Thurman

Gattaca combines retro aesthetics with modern architecture to create a cold, sterile environment that is the perfect backdrop for its dystopian setting. Gattaca's world is emotionally stunted, just like much of its population, and the film's slow, deliberate pace serves the narrative well. It focuses on the real fears many people have about eugenics, while also managing to tell an uplifting story about human perseverance and fighting against the odds.

The actors all do a great job playing intentionally stilted and distant characters without alienating the audience. There is a heavy reliance on their individual screen presence and chemistry with one another, so their performances become integral to enjoying the film. I'd personally prefer to see more of Jude Law, but since Vincent is the one we're supposed to sympathise with, a deeper exploration of Law's character is not exactly necessary.

In a society where science has discovered how to engineer nearly perfect humans, both Vincent and Jerome are proof that genetics can't predict a person's potential. Valids are not guaranteed to live up to their supposed destinies, and in-valids have the capacity to be more than what society thinks of them. While the parallels with our existing forms of discrimination are not exactly subtle, the film does a good job making its themes central to the plot, without being too heavy-handed. It's an accessible, yet still thought-provoking film that I'm always happy to revisit.




It was #11 on my list here. I haven't seen Dead Man, and I think the only Jarmusch films I've seen are Night on Earth (which I did not like), and Only Lovers Left Alive (which was okay). The images I've seen people post from Dead Man look appealing though!

Seen: 09/16

My List: 2

11. Gattaca (1997) - #86
18. Total Recall (1990) - #87

[crumbsroom]

Gimme Danger is actually the only thing I've seen from him.


That's of course great


Dead Man is probably a not bad to start with his movies proper though, even though it's far from his most typical movie (Down By Law.might be the best example of his quintessential style)

[crumbsroom]

I'll add to that, that not every film has a message or world view, a whole lot of that comes from the thoughts of the viewer themselves.


Every film ever made has a message or a world view. All of them.

[Captain Terror]

Dead Man is probably a not bad to start with his movies proper though,
That was the plan, I just didn't realize I'd let it sit for 30 years already. I'm old.

[kgaard]

Catching up:

It might just be my own biases, but for me the '90s is the last decade that has a true "feel" of its own (though like all decades it has porous borders, exemplified by movies like Total Recall that feel in many ways as much "'80s" as they do "'90s"), whereas by the 2000s movies feel blended together into a stylistic mush, so a film that came out in, say, 2007 doesn't feel much different from a film that came out in, say, 2016. Probably needless to say, but this is a bad thing, emblematic of broader cultural trends that seem to be pushing us inexorably into an artistic future designed by algorithms.

Anyway, I mention all of this because this batch has a lot of prototypically '90s films in it.

Interview with the Vampire and Sleepless in Seattle are good examples. Very '90s styles, very '90s lead performers, very genre-oriented. Not my kind of movies, though, so not on my list.

Three Colors: Red is not so much a prototypical '90s film, but it is excellent. Nevertheless, like all of this trilogy, it did not make my list (one came very close; more on that if it turns up later). I haven't seen The Crow, but from here it looks '90s all over.

My Cousin Vinny is a lot of fun. Kind of a classic Hollywood comedy of the era, impeccably made. Didn't make my list, but it's a worthy film. Total Recall, as mentioned by many others, feels like a transitional '80s-to-'90s movie. Also great fun, also did not get a vote from me.

The most recent two are less pure '90s--Gattaca is one I rewatched very recently: a very solid SF noir, even if, for my money, the subplot with the brother doesn't really land. Also, Ethan Hawke is my Hollywood doppleganger; in spite of this, I didn't vote for it. I might have considered Dead Man more strongly had I seen it more recently than the late '90s. Alas.

[Harry Lime]

I saw the Boy Wonder's dancing to the 90s countdown thread and my first thought was of this brilliant scene. Yes I know he's posting music videos. Anyway I had to watch it and I'm just going to leave it here because I doubt it made the cut. The Lovers on the Bridge did get some points from me though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2OjjtY1A80

[stillmellow]

Gattaca never really clicked for me, although it's been like 25 years since I saw it. It seemed like it was made because some people were scared that genetic testing would be used to discriminate against people. Hindsight is 20/20, but this seems trivial compared to all other forms of discrimination.


Again, I'm working off of 25~ year old memories, but the core message of the movie seems to be "wouldn't it be terrible if attractive, white, non-disabled people were discriminated against?'. You have to ignore a LOT of actual real discrimination before you worry about hypothetical ones.


Anyway, Dead Man is a lot better. The ending is super sad, but I guess it's that sort of film. It wanders around a lot, completely unfocused, but it looks gorgeous and has a lot of artistic merit.


I can't remember if i watched the Lone Ranger (2013) before or after, I saw Dead Man, but I remember thinking how weirdly similar Johnny Depp's Tonto was to Gary Farmer's Nobody. Almost as if he was trying to "appropriate" the role for himself.


Anyway, neither made my top 25, but Dead Man probably would've made my top 50.

[stillmellow]

Seen: 11/16
List: 1/25