Ultimate Showdown Part 2

We're back to continue the debate of the 100 movies to see before you die, modern classics. Once again I welcome to the forum Mr. IMDB himself, Lenny the Critic to help me break down the years 1996, '97 and '98. If you missed part 1, check it out here.

1996

ETC: so i figured its about time to continue the Ultimate Showdow pt. 2. we left off with 1996 and we will cover '96 '97 and '98....

Yahoo's picks: Big Night, Dead Man, Fargo, Ghost in the Shell, Lone Star, Scream, Secrets and Lies, Sling Blade, Swingers, Trainspotting

I totally agree with Scream being on the list. Despite my well known hatred/fear of scary movies I have to admit this was one of the better scary movies of all time (2nd in my opinion to the original Nightmare on Elm Street). What I like about Scream was that it was entirely realistic. It wasn't some supernatural being who can't be killed, it was a couple of psychos who terrorized a town. Having said that, I'll never watch it ever again. But the best of this class, and a movie that I'd put in my top 5 of the modern classic list is Swingers. I love this movie and it really put Vince Vaughn on the map. It also helped make Vegas cool again. I can't back that claim up, but it seems like the whole "Vegas baby" lifestyle really took off after this movie (see Oceans 11,12 and 13, What Happens in Vegas, Vegas Vacation, 21, Hangover).

As for the other movies they've listed I have to disagree with them all. Amazingly, I haven't seen Fargo. I've only heard good things about it but it looks a little wierd however that is to be expected from the Coen Brothers I guess. I think the most obvious snub of this year is Jerry Maguire. Despite having a heavy chick flick feel, its a great movie. Cuba Gooding Jr's only good role and it earned him an Oscar and not to mention Cruise's best acting performance of his career (not his best movie, but probably his best performance). I'm very surprised this got snubbed but Billy Bob Thorton and Sling Blade made the list.

Some others that are personal favorites that probably don't deserve the "modern classic" title but a case could be made for them include, Mission Impossible (if 94 was the Carrey Debacle perhaps 96 is the Cruise Catastrophe) The Rock, That Thing You Do, The Cable Guy, Primal Fear and the "good, bad movie" super trifecta of Twister, Indepedence Day and Executive Decision.

And I've never seen the English Patient, but I'm glad it's left off the list just because of my support for Seinfeld and their thoughts on the movie, specifically Elaine's take.

MR. IDMB, Lenny the Critic: I admit I only saw 2 movies on this list. I totally agree about Scream needing to be on the list. It rebirthed the slasher movie craze for the modern era. Swingers is one of my favorite movies, could put it in my top 10 overall. The movie that really started Vince Vaughn’s career and coined the phrase “You are so money baby and you don’t even know it.” And find one person who goes to Vegas and doesn’t say “VEGAS BABY VEGAS” at some point during their time there and I will fund your trip to Vegas.

Cannot argue about any of the movies on your snubs list, Jerry Maguire being at the top of the list. I agree with all of the others, and would like to note that Primal Fear may be the best movie that nobody has ever heard of, easily in my top 5. The Rock (Nic Cage’s best movie in my opinion, and Independence Day with one of, if not the greatest movie speeches of all time (future blog debate?)

ETC: I'm so glad you mentioned the Independence Day speech because it is one of the greatest movie speeches of all time, at least on the unintentional comedy scale. It so happens that I included the famous Bill Pullman speech in a past blog, the 4th of July entry as a matter of fact when I went to DC for the weekend. I noticed the party was beginning to fade so i pulled up the speech on youtube and the party responded exactly how President Thomas J. Whitmore intended. The drinking games intensified, the beer began to flow like wine and the women flocked to the party like the salmon of Capistrano. Needless to say, it became an hourly tradition and something that will continue this year as well.

Mr. IMDB, LTC: WE WILL NOT GO QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT, WE WILL NOT VANISH WITHOUT A FIGHT.....

love it

1997

Yahoo's Picks: Boogie Nights, Eve's Bayou, L.A. Confidential, The Sweet Hereafter, Titanic

Mr. IMDB, LTC: Despite having the richest movie ever up until recently, it's kind of a lean year, only a few snubs that I could really argue to make the list.

I have only seen 2 of these movies in Boogie Nights and Titanic. Two movies that couldn’t be any more different, but both are must sees for very different reasons. Boogie Nights is probably the most unique movies I have seen and has a few great scenes with young hot Heather Graham. Titanic, despite being the love story of all love stories when it comes to movies, is a great movie. I have no problem saying that, it is a great movie. I am a huge Leo DiCaprio fan in pretty much any movie he does and he was very good in Titanic. Also, if you haven’t seen Titanic, that is just bizarre.

One movie that I definitely see as a snub is Good Will Hunting. A great script written by Damon and Affleck that launched their careers into orbit. Incredible performance from Robin Williams, all around great movie. I am a big fan of Air Force One, Harrison Ford at his best. Finally, shout out to Cage in Face/Off. I have to admit I had not seen it until very recently, and I enjoyed it.

Again, a lean year in my opinion.

ETC: As for '97, I'm in agreement. Boogie Nights is a must see, very different type of movie but totally captures the meteoric rise to fame/money/sucess and how quickly you fall from the top. Also totally changed the direction of Mark Wahlberg's career. He was still in the whole Marky Mark phase but after this movie he became a movie star.

As much as Pasquale is going to hate me for saying this, I totally agree about Titanic. It's a landmark movie, probably one of the 5 most memorable movies of all time and is the love story to end all love stories (the notebook might make a run at that title but I think it falls short). I actually saw this movie twice in the theaters and girls were crying like they lost a family member. I also am a huge fan of Leo and this is the first time I really noticed how good he was as an actor. Kate Winslett will always have a special place in my memory thanks to the famous diamond necklace drawing scene that is fantastic for a PG-13 movie and 12 year old boys.


I've seen LA Confidential and I enjoyed it but no way it deserves to be on the list ahead of Good Will Hunting. In fact this is the biggest snub to date because I think this movie might be in my top 5 movies of all time, but easily falls in my top 10. Its almost incomprehensible that this was left off the list and detracts from the credibility of Yahoo's list. Robin Williams was amazing in this movie and Damon and Affleck's script is one of the finest I've ever seen. Think about how many great speeches and moments there are in that movie. It's also Affleck's best performance as an actor and is really the only reason why I like him, even after all the bad movies hes made since then.

The other huge snubs in my opinion are As Good As It Gets, a movie in which Jack Nicholson won another Best Actor Oscar and Austin Powers International Man Of Mystery. I think if we're talking about memorable movies, Austin Powers has to be mentioned. It's such a good spoof that most people think its just a straight comedy. And as for As Good As It Gets I think that's a movie that gets overlooked. When I first saw it, I totally didn't get half the references and the deep theme of the movie, but now that I'm older and (not) more mature I like the movie much more. Also a few others that were left off were Liar Liar (Carrey still gets no love) Donnie Brasco and Men In Black.

We have to give a shout out to Cage here for his performance in Face/Off. When he was Castor Troy in the beginning, he was excellent. But when he was the husband he wasn't that good. Its a solid movie but by no means should be on the most memorable list. Same goes for Air Force One, a film that is a regular in our "good, bad movies" marathon and a favorite of Pasquale.

On to '98....

1998

Yahoo's Picks: The Big Lebowski, Out of Sight, Saving Private Ryan, There's Something About Mary

ETC: I agree with Lebowski, Saving Private Ryan and There's Something About Mary. The first time I saw Lebowski I didn't like it at all and I still don't love the movie. But the Dude is great and John Goodman as Walter makes the movie worth seeing.

Saving Private Ryan is fantastic, there really isn't a flaw in this movie. As of now its in the top 5 of this entire list for the years we've covered (90-'98 with Goodfellas, Forrest Gump, Titanic and Swingers rounding out the list). The opening scene at Normandy is so real and intense that I heard WWII veterans didn't want to watch it because of how accurate it was. I really can't say enough good things about this movie and its a travesty that Shakespeare in Love beat this movie out for Best Picture.

There's Something About Mary was the first R rated comedy I saw in the theaters and it was so funny that it marked the first time I cried from laughter at a movie (Anchorman holds my personal record with 3 seperate "tears of laughter moments"). There are so many great moments from this movie like the "zipper scene", the battle royale between Ben Stiller and a puppy and of course the infamous hair gel scene. Absolute classic comedy that sometimes gets overlooked.

I haven't seen Out of Sight so I can't knock this one only because I've heard good things about it. Hard to argue with Clooney and J-Lo in her prime and I just watched the trailer and it looks like a movie I would enjoy. Having said that, there are some notable snubs that should be talked about. The most noticable exceptions include Rounders, a movie that I never get sick of and knowing our shared affinity for gambling I think you would agree with that assesment. Jim Carrey continues to get no love as the Truman Show is left off the list, a movie that I would argue deserves mention and possibly a spot on the list. It's incredibly unique and the first of a slew of legitimate acting performances from Carrey, not to mention the always reliable Ed Harris. Another solid movie is Enemy of the State, a movie that makes me totally paranoid about the capabilities of technology (and seeing the new features of facebook and google I'd say this movie is way ahead of its time)

A few movies that I enjoy but don't consider modern classics at all include Nic Cage as Rick Santoro, a shady cop who finds himself in the middle of a murder conspiracy at an Atlantic City boxing match in the movie Snake Eyes. Another movie I like a lot is He Got Game and you can't argue with Denzel, especially when his character blurs the line between good guy and bad guy. Not to mention Will Ferrell's first starring role in "A Night at the Roxbuy" and i was like "EMILIOOOOO". Also '98 is unofficially dubbed the meteor year as both Armageddon and Deep Impact hit the theaters this year (Interesting side note, '97 was the unofficially dubbed volcano year as both Dante's Peak and Volcano came out. Why do natural disaster movies come in pairs? Keep your eye open for 2010's "Nor'easter" and "Tropical Storm Ernesto" coming to theaters soon).

Mr. IMDB, LTC: Saving Private Ryan, I don’t think there’s anything that needs to be said, arguably the best war movie made. There’s Something About Mary is another no brainer. The movie managed to walk a line between raunchy, gross-out comedy and a romantic comedy. Stiller is great, Cameron Diaz is hot, Matt Dillon is hilarious, and a great cameo by Brett Favre. I was interested to see your assessment of The Big Lebowski. It is a cult favorite amongst a lot of people, and when I had said I hadn’t seen it, people looked me like I was crazy, so I finally watched it and here is what I think. The Big Lebowski is the most overrated movie I have ever seen. I said it. Maybe because it was so hyped up, it did nothing. I remember saying at the end “that’s it?” Hopefully I haven’t offended too many people, but that’s how I feel.

I agree with all of those snubs you mentioned, so I won’t wast time commenting on them, but I will discuss a few that may have been overlooked. Edward Norton is my favorite actor, and I loved your mentioning of Rounders. But in my opinion, other than Primal Fear, Norton’s best performance is American History X. A movie that shows the harsh reality of hatred and racisim and Norton’s transformation after being locked up. An extremely powerful movie on an unbelievably touchy subject, really displaying Norton’s flexibility and range as an actor. Definitely could argue that this should be on the list

Another movie that I believe flies under the radar, in terms of being a good movie, is Wild Things. Wild Things hides behind is intense sex scenes (yes, Denise Richard is smoking in it despite her pretty awful acting), it actually has a pretty decent plot line with endless amounts of unexpected twists and turns. Now it would be ludicrous for me to say that it should make the list, but potentially a movie that gets overlooked based on its stereotype.



Well that sums up Part 2 of the Ultimate Showdown Debate as we covered 1996-1998. We are about to enter the 2000's and there are a ton of movies to talk about so I think it will only get more interesting from here. Again we love to hear feedback and if you have any thoughts about our reviews feel free to leave a comment and we will address them in the next post. For the record, so far our Top 5 movies from 1990-1998 are Goodfellas, Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, Titanic and Swingers. Keep an eye out for Part 3 where we will debate the years 1999, 2000 and 2001. So until next time, as always......STAY SWEET!