Wrenage wrote up a great retro-review of 1985 the other day. It was amazing how many memorable movies came out in one year. One of you Outposters said it was a good read and hit you right in the nostalgia feels.
So, we at Last Movie Outpost decided to do more of them, as we exist to serve. Here is my review of the year 1999, which is one of the greatest years for movie releases ever!
It’s weird to think that 1999 is now retro, but it’s over 25 years ago!
Now, there are some stinkers, but overall 1999 was amazing. I will not cover every movie from that year, but the ones that stuck in my mind.
January 1999
Virus – 15th Jan
Back when it was nice to see Jamie Leigh Curtis, we had Virus. It was a stupidly good fun, over-the-top sci-fi action movie. It’s been a while, but I know I’ve seen it a few times, and always had fun with it.
She’s All That – 29th Jan
Yes, I know it’s very ‘rom-com’, but it introduced me to Rachel Leigh Cook, and she was a cutie in the movie. I love how taking glasses off a girl makes her hot, but sometimes, it really does.
Honourable mentions for Varsity Blues, At First Sight, and In Dreams.
February 1999
Payback – 5th Feb
A remake of Point Blank with Lee Marvin, Payback was everything you could want from a movie: action, coolness, and Lucy Liu as a dominatrix. I saw this again recently, and it still stands up today. All those killings for $70,000.
Office Space – 19th Feb
Mike Judge has made some iconic movies and characters. For anyone that has worked in an office, Office Space is just the best. I love how Ron Livingston gives up on the job, but ends up getting promoted.
8mm – 26th Feb
A hard-hitting movie from Joel Schumacher, it was like a gut punch to watch.
Honourable mentions: Blast from the Past, My Favourite Martain, October Sky (which I still haven’t seen yet), and Message in a Bottle.
March 1999
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels – 5th Mar
What an introduction movie from Guy Ritchie! It had a killer soundtrack, a fun story, and The Stath; what’s not to like?
Wing Commander – 19th Mar
Most video game to movie conversions have not worked, thank you Uwe Boll. However, Hollywood does try, and Wing Commander was pretty good fun. It’s dated now, but still entertaining.
Ravenous – 19th Mar
I LOVE this movie! It stars Guy Pearce and Robert Carlise, and it’s set in the new colonies of America. If you know the story, you know what it’s about; if not, watch it, it’s a great movie.
I also have to mention the soundtrack to it. It was written by Damon Albarn, of Blur and The Gorilliza fame. He kept it minimal and in the style of the time. Honestly, one of the greatest scores to any movie ever. Even now I can still hum it.
True Crime – 19th Mar
Another one of Clint Eastwood’s underrated movies.
EDtv – 26th Mar
The other ‘Truman Show’ movie, about Matthew McConaughey being the subject of live TV. This is, again, underrated, as most people loved Truman, but this wasn’t as big a hit.
10 Things I Hate About You – 31st Mar
I’m sorry, but I love this movie. It’s based on The Tempest by Shakespeare, but in a modern high-school setting. It introduces Heath Ledger to the world, and had a great soundtrack, which I still have in my car.
The Matrix – 31st Mar
Not much to say about this, but a movie that left its mark in cinema history. As movie releases go, The Matrix is one of the biggest movie phenomena ever.
Honourable mentions: The Mod Squad, Forces of Nature, Analyse This, and Cruel Intentions.
April 1999
Go – 9th Apr
Doug Liman hit the ground running with Swingers, then his follow-up movie, Go, was a blast. Weirdly, the thing I remember the most was that one of the actors was from a show called Grange Hill on UK TV.
Life – 16th Apr
Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence have fun in prison. I haven’t seen this for a long time, but I remember it not sticking the landing. Am I wrong?
Existenz – 23rd Apr
I love a bit of David Cronenberg, and this is not one of his biggest movies, but it was still solid. You can’t beat a bit of body horror.
I also remember this because we just had a new cinema opened in my hometown when it came out. When I bought my ticket, the guy who served me smiled because I pronounced the title correctly.
Entrapment – 30th Apr
Back when Sean Connery enjoyed making movies, and Catherine Zeta Jones’ butt.
Idle Hands – 30th Apr
This was a weird one for me to remember from 1999. It was about a teenager whose hand becomes possessed and starts killing people. It’s been a while, but I remember it being good fun.
Honourable mentions: Pushing Tin, Election, The Winslow Boy, Never Been Kissed, and The Out of Towners.
May 1999
The Mummy – 7th May
The definition of ‘summer blockbuster’, The Mummy had it all: an evil mummy, Fraser, action, adventure, and very attractive women. I remember seeing this three times in the cinema and having a blast every time.
The Phantom Menace – 19th May
Looking back, I’m ashamed of myself, but when TPM came out, I was in the queue on the opening day, and I ended up seeing it nine times! I even defended it to anyone that said it was crappy.
Now I’m a little older and a little wiser; I know it’s a piece of crap! However, it was a new Star Wars movie and, at the time, we all loved it.
Notting Hill – 28th May
I know, I know, it’s Hugh Grant at the height of his smugness, but a lot of people seemed to like the rom-com element to it.
The Thirteenth Floor – 28th May
Again, another underrated sci-fi movie, and it’s been far too long since I saw it last.
Honourable mentions: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Third Man (had a re-release), and Tea with Mussolini.
June 1999
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me – 11th Jun
Yes, this was a sequel, but again, all I have to type is ‘Yeah baby!’ and you hear Mike Myers’ voice in your head.
The General’s Daughter – 18th Jun
I remember this being directed by Simon West, and I remember it being a good story. I need to watch it again.
Run Lola Run – 18th Jun
A German movie about a girl running. However, if you have seen this, you know there’s a lot more to it. It’s a bit like Groundhog Day, as in loving the same thing over and over, but at the same time, it’s nothing like Groundhog Day at all! Again, another killer soundtrack.
Big Daddy – 25th Jun
I know it’s Adam Sandler, but I like this movie. It’s where he ends up adopting a kid, and hilarity ensues. I’ve seen it a few times, and I still like it.
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut – 30th Jun
The lads from South Park hit the big screen and have fun with it. I think I’ve only seen this once, and need to go back to it.
As I remember, the original cut of the movie received an NC-17 rating. Matt and Trey re-edited it to make it worse, then it came back with an R rating. It may just be an urban legend, though.
Wild Wild West – 30th Jun
Was this movie bloody stupid? Yes, it had a giant mechanical steam-powered spider. However, was it fun? Also yes. The play off of Will Smith and Kevin Kline was brilliant. Kenneth Branagh was a fun bad guy as well.
Honourable mentions: Tarzan and Buena Vista Social Club.
July 1999
Summer of Sam – 2nd Jul
Again, I don’t recall this as a huge movie to me, but I remember it being very good.
American Pie – 9th Jul
Talk about movies they wouldn’t make today. In 1999 I was in my early 20’s, and American Pie just hit the spot with me. It had crude humour, Stiffler, and warm apple pie.
Arlington Road – 9th Jul
Another underrated movie that not many talk about these days. It’s a great one for conspiracy theorists and still plays out really well, even when you know the story.
The Blair Witch Project – 14th Jul
The movie that launched the ‘found footage’ series of movies, so in that regard, it was annoying. However, from a marketing viewpoint, this movie was perfection. Listing the main cast as dead on the IMDb, and before the days of ‘fake news’, they hit on something that went viral.
Eyes Wide Shut – 16th Jul
Stanley Kubrick’s last movie, and one that still stands out as one of his best. Was it all about the hidden ‘Epsteins’ in the movie industry? We all know it happens, but no one talks about it.
He died soon after making it, so he was definitely involved with a conspiracy theory!
Lake Placid -16th Jul
As creature features go, Lake Placid is right up there as one of the most entertaining. The cast is perfect, with some brilliant dialogue, which is way too good to have any right to be.
Drop Dead Gorgeous – 23rd Jul
This was a brilliant mockumentary about a beauty pageant in middle America. There are some really funny scenes in it, and it goes a bit Hot Fuzz. Again, you have perfect casting in this, and it’s still funny today.
Deep Blue Sea – 28th Jul
As we know, all shark movies went downhill from Jaws. However, you have movies like Deep Blue Sea, which is just fun. Is it cheesy? Yes, but it’s also great fun as a summer blockbuster.
Honourable mentions: Muppets from Space, Inspector Gadget, and Runaway Bride.
August 1999
The Iron Giant – 6th Aug
If you don’t love The Iron Giant, you’re a heartless monster. It took us back to the good old days of the 50-60s sci-fi movies, but in animation. You can make a grown man cry by just saying:
Mystery Men – 6th Aug
Again, I’m going to say it, but I LOVE Mystery Men. This came out of nowhere for me, and the cast is perfect; it goes a little meta about superheroes, and again, another killer soundtrack
I had this on DVD and would watch it to death; I love the childish humour all the way through.
The Sixth Sense – 6th Aug
I know M. Night Shamalala has gone downhill from here, but you can’t deny that The Sixth Sense was a great first movie. It was also made in the days before people would post spoilers online.
Bowfinger – 13th Aug
This is a perfect satire on Hollywood, with a very funny story all the way through. Bowfinger (Steve Martin) wants to make a movie with the huge star, Kitt Ramesy (Eddie Murphy). He uses Kitt’s twin brother (also Murphy), and secretly films Kitt when he can.
Sadly, Kitt is completely paranoid about aliens and the cheerleading Laker Girls and starts to think aliens are real. I love this movie.
The 13th Warrior – 27th Aug
Based on a novel by Michael Crichton, Eaters of the Dead, The 13th Warrior is a damn good action movie, with elements of horror. Again, it’s been a while, so I need to revisit it.
Honourable mentions: The Muse, Dudley Do-Right, The Astronaut’s Wife, Teaching Mrs Tingle, The Thomas Crown Affair (remake), and Dick.
September 1999
Stir of Echoes – 10th Sept
Another underrated horror, this time with Kevin Bacon. The mystery of the movie is very well laid out. I always remember reading that the effect when Bacon was in front of the movie screen was all practical.
Double Jeopardy – 24th Sept
I don’t remember a lot from this movie, but I do remember it being a good action flick with Ashley Judd. Pity we don’t see her anymore.
Honourable mentions: Mumford, Jakob the Liar, Blue Streak, and Stigmata.
October 1999
American Beauty – 1st Oct
I know that Yoda has been vocal on this movie, saying it’s overrated and just bangs on about how boring life is in the suburbs. Personally, I think this is a great movie, and a well-told story about a man having a mid-life crisis. Who knew a plastic bag could be so beautiful.
Three Kings – 1st Oct
George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube plan their retirement for after the Afghanistan war. Again, it’s been a while, so it needs a revisit.
The Limey – 8th Oct
Dare I say one of Terence Stamp’s best performances. He turns up in the US, looking for his daughter (as I recall), and leaves a trail of violence behind them. The direction is perfect, especially when he gets thrown out of one warehouse.
Fight Club – 15th Oct
I’m going to say this, but I think Fight Club is as close to movie perfection as you can get. I still remember the reveal towards the end, and it was so well done. Then, on re-watches, which I have done several times, the ‘frames’ of Tyler. This is one of the best movies ever made.
The Straight Story – 15th Oct
A strange choice of David Lynch, but it tells the true story of a man who drives across the US on a lawnmower. It’s one of those movies that is simple, but brilliant.
Bringing Out the Dead – 22nd Oct
I’m not a huge fan of Scorsese, but when he does get it right, he is amazing. Nick Cage plays a paramedic who’s trying to get himself fired, while dealing with the literal ghosts of patients who have died.
The House on Haunted Hill – 29th Oct
Yes, this was a remake, and I love the original more, but it was still good fun. I remember this movie well, as I saw it in the cinema. I had gone on my own, and I stayed for the end credits. Everyone had left, and there was an after-credits scene that changed the story. I recall looking around, wanting to talk to someone about it, but they had all left!
Honourable mentions: Being John Malkovich, Boys Don’t Cry, Bats, and Drive Me Crazy.
November 1999
The Insider – 5th Nov
Pretty sure this was the first Michael Mann movie I saw at the cinema. Turns out, smoking is bad for you.
Dogma – 12th Nov
Kevin Smith takes on god. Affleck and Damon were hot property back then, and Smith gathered a huge cast for this movie. Back when Smith wasn’t all Hollywood.
Sleeping Hollow – 19th Nov
Tim Burton is a hit-and-miss kind of guy. When he’s on his game, though, he’s great, and Sleepy Hollow is a great movie. Another brilliant cast, and a story that delves into the supernatural. Christopher Walken is still scary in it.
The World is Not Enough – 19th Nov
Not the best of Bond, but entertaining. Adding Denise Richards was nice, but I don’t see her as a nuclear scientist.
End of Days – 24th Nov
Arnie goes all supernatural in this apocalyptic horror. Spoiler: It’s the only movie Arnie’s character died in. I think I remember that right.
Toy Story 2 – 24th Nov
The Toy Story trilogy is close to perfect. The first movie was fun, the second one was brilliant. It introduced new characters, but kept the originals. It had a good story and poked cheeky fun at Star Wars.
Honourable mentions: Ride with the Devil, The Bone Collector, and Anywhere but Here.
December 1999
The Green Mile – 10th Dec
Frank Darabont gave us one of the best prison dramas ever, with The Shawshank Redemption. He followed that up with The Green Mile, and made, in my opinion, a better prison movie.
They are two different movies, but both have incredible stories and a cast of characters you can’t help but root for. I like, I think, The Green Mile better as it has a supernatural twist to it.
Magnolia – 17th Dec
You cannot deny that Paul Thomas Anderson makes a great movie. Yet, again, it’s been a while since I’ve seen the movie, but I remember seeing it at the cinema. Cruise was very good.
Man on the Moon – 22nd Dec
I knew nothing of Andy Kaufman before this movie; shows like Taxi weren’t big in the UK. Seeing Carrey as Kaufman was brilliant. I remember seeing a documentary about how he went full method with his acting; to the point that Milos Froman wanted to kill him.
Galaxy Quest – 25th Dec
I saw this again the other day, and what a brilliant movie. Aliens think that ‘Star Trek’ is real and ask them to help fight another alien. Again, a perfect ensemble cast, who are all so good.
My favourite line is when they are opening a new tech store, and Alan Rickman has to say that damn line again!
Honourable mentions: The Hurricane, The Talented Mr Ripley, Any Given Sunday, Stuart Little, Holy Smoke, The Cider House Rules, Bicentennial Man, and Anna and the King, and Girl, Interrupted.
Overview
I know there are still movies I have missed off this list, but man, what a list is still left.
As I said, there were some turkeys, like The Haunting. The original Haunting is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. I didn’t think a remake was a good idea, and I was right; the remake was beyond terrible.
My Favroute Martian wasn’t a good idea from the start, and kids, adults, pretty everyone hated it.
One movie that wasn’t on the list I found was a classic from Takashi Miike, Audition. Again, I rewatched this in the past year and man alive, this is one disturbing movie. I think it was my first Miike movie, and annoyed I found him; if you know his work, you know why.
So there you go, 1999 is the best year for movie releases ever! And if you think differently, I will kick your ass…on my PlayStation.
