The underrated movies of 1999 get the focus in our last list of ’90s overlooked greats…
The year 1999 was a significant year for movie in many ways.
Mainly, though, 1999 was simply a brilliant year for movie.
The Thirteenth Floor
We cant sit before you and declare thatThe Thirteenth Flooris a lost classic.
But what we can vouch for is that its a movie bustling with ideas.
Its an interesting movie this, based on a 1964 novel from Daniel F. Galouye calledSimalcron-3.
But then the joy of a movie like this is discovering it as fresh as possible.
Its got a solid old-school science fiction feel to it, and is ripe for discovery.
Watch The Thirteenth Floor on Amazon
28.
ButDrop Dead Gorgeousis another example of a movie with far more bite than its box cover may originally suggest.
Its a surprisingly dark and gleefully enjoyable comedy, played excellently by the cast.
And, trivia fans, theres a young Amy Adams in the cast for this one too.
), and the castincluding Samuel L. Jackson, L.L.
Cool J, Saffron Burrows, and Stellan Skarsgardappear to be having a whale of a time.
Oh, and look out for one of the finest surprise deaths ever.
Its perfectly timed and sure to raise a nervous giggle.
There the captain discovers that the forts inhabitants have a worrying taste for human flesh.
But it still made its switch, and its still a good, overlooked movie.
Here, he plays Ed, a video store worker (remember them?)
who agrees to have his life filmed for a television program.
Its witty, brutal and undeniably improved by the directors cut of the movie.
At that stage, Kris Kristofferson was drafted in too.
In truth, either version ofPaybackhas merits, and its surprising that the original release turned out so well.
But if youre discovering the movie for the first time, thats also the one to avoid.
Mystery Mens main problem, perhaps, was that it came out too early.
With the superhero blockbuster currently riding high, its arguably time thatMystery Mengets the reappraisal it deserves.
Transexuality is rarely tackled on screen, and Peirce doesnt paint the story of Teena with any gloss whatsoever.
It would be fair to say thatBoys Dont Cryis not an easy movie to watch.
But it is an excellent one thats fallen off the radar a little since Swanks Oscar success.
An important story, told exceptionally well on screen.
Youll find cameos from James Cameron, Cybill Shepherd, Rob Reiner, and Martin Scorsese in here.
He finds a muse to help give him a creative spark.
But weve always had a soft spot forThe Muse,hence its inclusion here…
19.
The Straight Story
David Lynch took a very different turn withThe Straight Story,whose title doesnt lie.
He was 79 at the time.
Theres a tinge of sadness underpinning the movie, and Lynch isnt shy of that.
A smaller movie, perhaps, but a very human one.
That hes making rockets rather than following his father into coal mining.
Get swept along with it, and its genuinely heartwarming stuff, wonderfully played.
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Like an elegant Japanese dinner, it takes all these elements and arranges them in perfect balance.
Mainly because it is.
It also avoided the curse of being bastardized by lots and lots of sequels…
14.
Nicolas Cage plays Frank, a paramedic left depressed and emotionally exhausted by his job.
Surely, this is one of the great, undiscovered Scorsese films.
Limbo
Its time for another John Sayles chat.
His ensemble cast here also features Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Kris Kristofferson and Vanessa Martinez.
Saylesagain to his creditis willing to give his movie the time and space it needs to breathe.
Is it entry level Sayles?
Probably not, in truth.Lone Staris a great place to start with the great mans work.
Thus they plan to rebel and show their boss whats for.
Enter Gary Cole, in yet another outstanding comedy performance.
A shout-out to the brilliant Stephen Root too.
Seek it out if you dare.
Its that kind of flick for a couple of reasons.
Plot-wise, thats all youre getting here.
So no more words.Arlington Roadis great.
And dont let anyone spoiler it for you.
Mystifyingly ignored in cinemas,Man on the Moonis another funny, poignant Forman movie worth rediscovering.
Indeed, the amount of tension and style Mann wrings from the subject is little short of extraordinary.
For this writer, I went to seeMagnoliaat the movie theater with my brother.
I walked out thinking it was one of the best films Id ever seen.
He fell asleep halfway through, complaining it was about as boring a movie as hed ever endured.
Thats a fair summation of how polarizing the movie is.
But there are so many wonderful performances here.
Anderson juggles this so expertly that its surprise hes not done a full-on ensemble movie like this since.
How can he top it?
Appreciating that not everyone sees eye to eye on us with this,Magnoliais a modern classic.
Its an excellent movie, this, and deserves to rank up there with Lees very best.
Director Brad Bird has gone on to make superb films such asRatatouilleandThe Incrediblessince.
But thoughtfully, he made his masterpiece first.
But lets work with what weve got.
Brad Bird, we salute you.
If theres enough interest, well continue into the 2000s.
For now, thatIron GiantDVD is only a couple of dollars.
