Culture
You can read the second part HERE.
Good films are released not very often, but at least one can be found at least once a year.
However, it was only in 1999 that the stars came together so that film studios were willing to take risks, and new talented and brave directors were given way, and a large number of people entered the film industry, who just love making
good movies.
The best movies of 1999
This year, the film “The Matrix” was released — Wachowski's breakthrough, “The Sixth Sense”, made by M. Night Shyamalana is a world-renowned director, American Beauty, who won the Academy Award for Best Picture when its director Sam Mendes was just 34 years old and its director of the same year's “Fight Club” “David Fincher was only 37 years old.
Indeed, 1999 was the only year when you could see the release of a huge number of simply great films that have already become classics.
Here is the first part, dedicated to the films of 1999, when an incredibly large number of cult films appeared that will live forever.
Read also: The 24 Most Important Films That Changed Cinema Forever
The Matrix (16+) is one of the best movies of 1999
Director: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburn, Carrie-Anne Moss
KinoSearch: 8.490
IMDb: 8.70
© The Matrix/Warner Bros.
Why iconic:
The film had a huge impact on the film industry, video games and even fashion with its philosophical ideas, non-trivial approach to business and incredible (even today) visual effects.
The scene where Morpheus asks Neo to choose between a red pill and a blue pill has become a metaphor that various movements and directions have borrowed. The clothes in the film, including trench coats and black leather, still inspire the fashion world.
Metaphor film
The film can be interpreted in different ways, so it's no wonder that it has become a cult movie. The Matrix is a dream world and can be considered an informational veil of lies. Because of imposed stereotypes, a huge number of people have become so similar that they look like zombies. The main character of the film had been looking for the truth for a long time, because he felt that something was wrong.
What is the Matrix?
This question makes the viewer think about reality and doubt it (not so much literally as figuratively). Today, more and more people prefer machines and computers.
Read also:
20 best science fiction films about artificial intelligence
An interesting fact about the movie “The Matrix”
Will Smith confirmed that he was offered the role of Neo, but turned it down in favor of Wild Wild West. It is said that he found the “Matrix” script too complicated and incomprehensible.
Fight Club (18+)
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt
KinoSearch: 8.645
IMDb: 8.80
© Fight Club/Fox 2000 Pictures
Why iconic:
This film can be considered entertaining, philosophical, frightening and controversial at the same time. Fight Club is so confident in promoting its ideas that some may take them seriously and thereby destroy all the principles they previously held.
Some people who already have no sugar in their lives may be completely disappointed in it [life] after watching this tape, especially if, like the main character, they think that the meaning of life is self-destruction, not self-study. According to the hero of the book of the same name, Chuck Palahniuk, on which the film is based, it is self-destruction that can bring real freedom.
In real life, more and more people are becoming office planktons. They are gradually depressing themselves, like the main character of Fight Club.
Warning film
You can think of this movie as a warning, or as an instruction for life (what not to do) — it's all up to you. However, what happened to the world after 1999 is very similar to what is shown in the film (especially in the US): September 11, the Occupy Wall Street civil protest, the emergence of social media, online trolling, an obsessive fear of illness and a continuous search for drugs, hysteria about freedom of speech and political correctness, and the growing popularity of fighting without rules.
The question you should ask yourself is: is this movie prophetic, or is it just a set of bad habits?
Interesting facts about the movie “Fight Club”
After its release, a lot of people hated it so much that it just failed at the box office. In addition, one of the most famous US TV presenters dissuaded people from going to watch it. Moreover, she even gloatingly recounted the ending of the film (one of the film's key moments). At the Academy Awards, the film received only one nomination, and that was only for editing sound. Years later, the film became so popular that it is still considered by many to be one of the best and most influential films of all time.
If you look closely, you'll notice that after the standard DVD copyright warning, another warning from one of the characters appears on the screen for just a second movie. It states the following:
American Beauty (18+) is the 1999 Oscar-winning film
Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari
KinoSearch: 7.969
IMDb: 8.30
© American Beauty/Jinks/Cohen Company
Why iconic:
American Beauty won an Academy Award in 1999 in several nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Original Screenplay.
This tape is very easy to understand. In a rather light and sometimes comedic form, it ironically reveals such serious topics as the attitude of children and parents, the midlife crisis, misunderstanding and even violence.
Everything shown in the film is still relevant today, which is why the film became a cult, and the scene in which rose petals fall on a naked dream girl is recognized all over the world.
What can we say about an ordinary plastic bag floating in the air while the viewer hears the thoughts of one of the main characters? This package just became a metaphor for not taking things too seriously, that things are not as bad as it might seem, that just one moment, one meeting can make a person happy for life.
An interesting fact about the movie “American Beauty”
The title of the film (originally American Beauty) refers to one type of rose whose members, although beautiful in appearance, are often prone to rot, especially roots and branches. Thus, the film's slogan, which says “… take a closer look”, seems to tell the viewer that if you look beyond “perfect suburban life”, you can find something rotten at the root.
The Blair Witch Project (16+) — Best Breakthrough Film of 1999
Director: Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sanchez
Starring: Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, Michael S. Bob Griffin Williams, Jim King
KinoSearch: 6.525
IMDb: 6.50
© The Blair Witch Project/Haxan Films
Why iconic:
The film, about three students and future directors who find themselves in a forest inhabited by an unknown dark force, was a real discovery both in terms of writing and filming, and in terms of marketing. To blur the line between reality and fiction, an ordinary shaking video camera was used, shooting with an 8 mm magnetic tape.
Just imagine, with a budget of just $22,000, the film grossed $248,639,099. It was registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the film with the best cost/income ratio – every dollar invested in the production of the film brought in about $11,000.
Directors and screenwriters Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez were the first to use the idea of a found video camera in the horror genre. After the release of this feed, many fake videos began to appear, which became viral and therefore very popular on the Internet, followed by fake news.
The film went viral even before people even knew about the concept of “viral video”.
Also read: List of the 15 Most Trusted Science Fiction Movies of All Time
Interesting facts about the movie “The Blair Witch”
The director took a special approach to filming, inspired by the film's producer's military training. The approach was that during the seven days of filming, the three actors spent time in the forest, and each day they were given less food. In addition, they were not given clear instructions on how to film themselves.
At night, the filmmakers deliberately frightened them with strange sounds, thereby disturbing their sleep. Thus, actors became tired and their irritation became more natural.
The actors who played the lead roles thought that the Blair Witch really existed. They were given a script that was not specific, and the actors came up with all the dialogues on the go, which is why their performance was so realistic.
The Green Mile (16+)
Director: Frank Darabont
Starring: Tom Hanks David Morse Bonnie Hunt Michael Clark Duncan
KinoSearch: 9.061
IMDb: 8.60
© The Green Mile/Castle Rock Entertainment
Why iconic:
One of Stephen King's best screen adaptations and one of the rare examples where a film adaptation is considered better than a book. The film will tell about nobility and cowardice, about the manifestation of humanity and the incomprehensible cruelty that lies within a person, as well as about the fact that someday everyone will go through their own The Green Mile.
After watching this film, a person looks at the life of another in a different way, and also has a desire to look for the best in everyone. In the list of the best films of all time, this masterpiece is second only to The Shawshank Redemption.
The film is filled with very emotional scenes that can make any viewer cry. For example, a scene with a talented mouse named Mr. Gings, who is killed but later miraculously resurrected by John Coffey, a prisoner unjustly sentenced to death.
Most of the three-hour film takes place in prison, but the way it's described and the smart use of locations and memories turn the walls into windows. The Green Mile is both inspiring, touching and sad. It makes us think that miracles are possible and about people who deserve these miracles.
Interesting facts about the movie “The Green Mile”
More than 30 works by Stephen King have been filmed, but this was the first film to surpass the $100 million mark. A little later, the 2017 film “IT” collected an even higher box office.
Stephen King called this film the most accurate adaptation of his book.
When Tom Hanks was offered to star in The Shawshank Redemption, he had to turn down director Frank Darabont because he accepted an offer to star in Forrest Gump. So when Frank Darabont later invited him to star again, this time in The Green Mile, Hanks agreed.
The Sixth Sense (12+)
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment
KinoSearch: 8.173
IMDb: 8.173
© The Sixth Sense/Hollywood Pictures
Why iconic:
The first blockbuster by M. Night Shyamalana is a ghost story with a plot twist so unexpected that it literally made the director world famous. Moreover, this film gave a second life to horror films.
In addition, it is worth noting that Bruce Willis's performance as a psychologist is probably his best acting job.
This is a very heartfelt film about people, about interrupted lives and unfinished business, about how difficult it is to be different from everyone else.
Interesting facts about the movie “The Sixth Sense”
Some of the film's actors, like Tony Collett, thought they were in a drama and had no idea it was actually a horror movie.
When M. Night Shyamalan was still writing the screenplay for the film, and he imagined Bruce Willis as the main character.
Haley Joel Osment was cast as the boy for several reasons. First, he looked perfect, secondly, he was the only one to audition wearing a tie, and third, he said he read it all three times. When the director was surprised to ask, “Did you really read your script three times?” , Osment replied, “No, I read the whole script three times.”
The Talented Mr. Ripley (16+)
Director: Anthony Minghella
Starring: Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow
KinoSearch: 7.702
IMDb: 7.40
© The Talented Mr. Ripley/Mirage Enterprises
Why iconic:
This beautiful and at the same time intense film is full of beautiful people, beautiful furniture and clothes, but at the same time it shows how toxic desire can be for someone immerse yourself in social life and get all of the above.
Matt Damon's amazing performance deserves special praise. With incredible composure, his hero lives someone else's life and is ready to do anything to keep it for himself. He is smart and agile, so they willingly believe him and take him for “their own”. His credo is “It's better to be someone else than nobody”.
They say that the truth always comes out, but when you're incredibly clever and cunning, you can always hide that very truth.
The film shows the endless vanity of a person who first wants to go to church, and then deifies himself. The film also shocks you with its ending.
Interesting facts about the movie “The Talented Mr. Ripley”
According to Matt Damon, this movie is his favorite.
Especially for the film, Jude Law learned to play saxophone and Matt Damon learned to play piano. Despite the fact that Damon managed to repeat all his finger movements on the keyboard, in fact, the music is played by Sally Heath and Gabriel Yared.
The director originally saw Tom Cruise as Ripley, but when he saw Matt Damon play Good Will Hunting, he decided to cast him in the role.
Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace (Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace) (6+)
Director: George Lucas
Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman
KinoSearch: 7.901
IMDb: 6.50
© Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace/Lucasfilm
Why iconic:
In 1999, George Lucas decided to create a new trilogy that would describe the events leading up to the very first Star Wars trilogy. Of course, we can say that the director decided to play on the popularity of his first films in the series, and he can also be reproached for some shortcomings, but fans want to see long-loved characters outweighed everything again.
The film tells about the difficult life of both ordinary residents of the galaxy and the military, which is sometimes brightened up by funny and romantic moments. You can watch the film with the whole family, it's colorful, and there are plenty of adventures in it. Of course, everyone is interested in watching about the struggle between good and evil, especially when everything is shown very easy to understand, which made the film popular. The story is built quite correctly, so it is interesting to watch the events.
Interesting facts about Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace
During filming, Ewan McGregor made sounds during a lightsaber fight. George Lucas explained to him many times that all sounds would be added later by special effects specialists. Evan said, “I kept getting carried away.”
The decorations were not built very high, about to the actors' heads, and everything else was filled with computer graphics. Liam Neeson was so tall that it cost the crew an additional $150,000 to complete the sets for him.
When Natalie Portman and Keira Knightley were fully made up and dressed for the film, they looked so much that even Knightley's mom, Sharman McDonald, who visited the filming location, had a big I could hardly identify my own daughter.
Magnolia (16+)
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Tom Cruise, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, William H. Macy
KinoSearch: 7.403
IMDb: 8.00
© Magnolia/Ghoulardi Film Company
Why iconic:
Life is no accident. At the same time, there is no order in it. Stretching, chaotic, shiny, exhausting, wonderful Magnolia was Paul Thomas Anderson's third film. The ribbon is a mosaic of Los Angeles at the turn of the century.
Magnolia's main idea is understatement in a world that is crumbling around you. The hero Earl Partridge, on the verge of life and death, brings together his memories and mistakes.
The story takes place in the San Fernando Valley. Due to the intervention of higher powers and a huge number of coincidences and accidents within one day, the lives and destinies of different people intersect. The characters of the film are vain, vulnerable, gifted and generally not at all unhealthy people, and hardly anyone will forget the ending of such a performance. The film itself reveals new depths of loneliness
Interesting facts about the movie “Magnolia”
Almost every location in the film contains a picture or photo of a magnolia tree.
It was originally supposed to be a short film. But the more Paul Thomas Anderson worked on the characters, the more complex the film became. Thus, the story expanded and the short film became complete.
The name Magnolia refers not only to Magnolia Boulevard in Los Angeles, where most of the film takes place, but also to a term referring to a fictional location called Magonia – Country from medieval myths, inhabited by magicians and wizards.
American Pie (16+)
Director: Paul Weitz, Chris Weitz
Starring: Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Eddie Kay Thomas, Mena Suvari, Tara Reid, Shannon Elizabeth
KinoSearch: 7.217
IMDb: 7.00
© American Pie/Zide/Perry Productions
Why iconic:
Despite the fact that the idea of telling about guys who would do anything to have sex with a girl is as old as the world, the film stands out for its extreme dedication to its work, its tirelessly positive attitude towards sex, and his amazing ability to be both disgusting and sweet at the same time.
Even though it's a teen comedy, the film has become a classic because it shows from a humorous point of view how teenagers relate to sex, various things teenagers are willing to do, all kinds of teenagers. Each character is interesting in its own way, and it's incredibly interesting to follow the secondary characters because they are so memorable.
Interesting facts about the movie “American Pie”
Presenting his studio screenplay, screenwriter Adam Hertz called it “an untitled teen sex comedy that can be shot for less than $10 million, which viewers are more likely to be shot They'll hate everything, but I think you'll love it.” The name was later changed to American Pie.
It took several attempts for the film to get an R rating (i.e. 18+).
In Denmark, the film received an “A” rating, which means “Alle”, which means “For Everyone”.
Also read: Top 10 Italian Comedies of the 21st Century