Oscar Picks

1990's Countdown Group Watch

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@SpelingError usually hosts these, but isn't up for it this time so I'm going to host it this time around (and because I'm lazy, I copy/pasted his opening post from the last Group Watch).

For the fourth time during a MoFo countdown, we're going to be having a Group Watch thread! Here's how this thread will work:

-The host will nominate a 90's movie and the participants will have 3 days to watch it, and to state that they watched the film in the thread (Nominations must be over 40 minutes in length and not longer than 4 hours. They must also have a release date of 1990-1999 as listed in TMDB and must have had a theatrical release. Limited theatrical release is okay). No shorts, television shows, TV movies or miniseries.

-You're not required to review the film. You can if you want to, but simply writing something like "I just watched XX and really enjoyed it" should suffice.

-Afterwards, the host will use a random number generator to pick the next person to nominate a film. People who participate in a round and have not yet nominated a movie will have a better chance at being chosen to pick the next nomination, but regular participants who have already nominated will also have a chance. Please click here for details on this rule change.

-This thread will last till the deadline listed in the preliminary thread (or close to it).

-You can opt-in/opt-out of this thread whenever you want. You're not required to watch every film in this thread just because you watched one film in it.

In short, this is similar to a Hall of Fame, except it requires far less effort.

I'm sure many of us will be voting for some obscure films which not many MoFos have seen, so participating in this thread might be a good way to increase the likelihood of your film making the countdown.

PLEASE NOTE: If you want to discuss a currently nominated film but do not wish to be in consideration to choose the next nomination, please state that in your post. Anyone discussing a current nomination in this thread will be added to the list of potential nominators otherwise.

Once each movie's deadline is up and I choose the next host, I will post that person's name as well as send them a PM letting them know they have been chosen. Once chosen, they will have 24 hours to send me their nomination via private message. If no nomination is chosen after 24 hours, a new person will be chosen to nominate.



Nominations:

1. Clay Pigeons (1998, David Dobkin)
Nominated By: Miss Vicky

2. Citizen X (1995, Chris Gerolmo)
Nominated By: Wrinkled Mind

3. Paradise (1991, Mary Agnes Donoghue)
Nominated By: Gbgoodies

4. Lawn Dogs (1997, John Duigan)
Nominated By Allaby

5. Truly, Madly, Deeply (1991, Anthony Minghella)
Nominated By Holden Pike

6. Une liaison pornographique (An Affair of Love) (1999, Philippe Blasband)
Nominated By Beelzebubble

7. The War Zone (1999, Tim Roth)
Nominated By cricket

8. Sleepy Hollow (1999, Tim Burton)
Nominated By Miss Vicky

9. The Mission (1999, Johnnie To)
Nominated By Torgo

10. Heavenly Creatures (1994, Peter Jackson)
Nominated By Thursday Next

11. The Last Boy Scout (1991, Tony Scott)
Nominated By John W Constantine

12. Hide and Seek (1996, Su Friedrich)
Nominated By Allaby

Deadline to Watch It: February 16, 7:30 p.m. PST



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I'm sure I could recommend stuff.
If you wish to nominate a movie, you have to watch and post about the currently nominated movie. The thread is not for recommendations.



I liked Joaquin Phoenix and Vince Vaughn in Return to Paradise, so I bought the DVD of Clay Pigeons a while back when I found it at a garage sale, but I don't think I've ever watched it.

I guess this will finally give me a reason to watch it.
__________________
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If I answer a game thread correctly, just skip my turn and continue with the game.
OPEN FLOOR.





Clay Pigeons
(David Dobkin, 1998)

Produced by Ridley Scott and directed by David Dobkin, Clay Pigeons is a comedy-thriller about a hapless mechanic in a small town who - following a series of crazy incidents that might have something to do with his new fishing buddy - finds himself the prime suspect in a series of murders.

I first watched this movie in the early days of my Joaquin Phoenix obsession and loved it immediately, but not for the reason that I thought I would. Don't get me wrong, this pre-Gladiator Phoenix performance is plenty strong - and full of bewilderment, rage, and trauma - but for me Vince Vaughn is the real stand-out here. He's charming, he's chilling, and he's hilarious as a killer who uses a dim-witted and amiable facade to disarm both his victims and his pursuers. This movie made me love him and I continue to have soft spot for him despite the many missteps of his career. Strong too is the (admittedly type-cast) 90s darling Janeane Garofalo as the smart and cynical FBI agent giving life to the strong feeling of "WTF" regarding the ineptitude and absurdity surrounding the case. She also gives balance to the small town's (and, perhaps, film's) "dim view of women" and to the other female characters who are either vapid or spiteful. The other supporting characters also bring plenty of laughs to the proceedings.

But there's more to the movie than just the acting. The film is also beautifully shot using angles and lighting that do well to enhance a sense of isolation and paranoia that remind us that the film is also a thriller while the rather whimsical soundtrack (that I love nearly as much as the movie itself) never lets us forget that it's primarily a comedy.

Clay Pigeons is a very dark movie that manages to both crack me up and creep me out. It has long been one of my favorite movies and tonight's rewatch only cemented its place in my heart and, of course, on my ballot.




Allaby's Avatar
Registered User
I watched Clay Pigeons tonight for the first time. I thought it was just alright, but the performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Vince Vaughn were good and elevated the film. I've now seen four films directed by David Dobkin and I think this is his best. It won't make my ballot though, but I'm glad to have seen it.



I watched Clay Pigeons tonight for the first time. I thought it was just alright, but the performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Vince Vaughn were good and elevated the film. I've now seen four films directed by David Dobkin and I think this is his best. It won't make my ballot though, but I'm glad to have seen it.
I've seen three of Dobkin's movies - the other two being Wedding Crashers and Fred Claus. Clay Pigeons is my favorite by a lot, but I do enjoy the other two, mainly for Vaughn.

I expect this movie will be a little divisive. Comedy is incredibly subjective, especially something as dark and quirky as this, so I'm really curious what other people think.



Clay Pigeons was a first time watch. I liked this quite a bit, the performances are solid and I found it really funny and smart. Also enjoyed that Vaughn came off as a serious threat with his slightly out there performance.



Will participate in this one.

I have watched Clay Pigeons couple of months ago. Somebody had uploaded it on YouTube for free. I loved it. I can see why Miss Vicky loved it though.

A bit Coen-esque, with both Phoenix & Vaughn putting a good performance, but it was Janeane Garofalo who was the best for me. She also looked so pretty in this one.



Deadline if you want to participate in this round and be eligible to pick the next one is 7:30 p.m. PST. That's about 8 hours from now.



Clay Pigeons was a real favorite when I was a teen.

This was the second film from the late 90s where Garofalo tangled with a serial killer, the other being (sort of mild spoilers for the other film I'm about to name, but if memory serves you know the character is a killer from very early on)
WARNING: spoilers below
The Minus Man.