The 100 Project: The Top 10 Movies of 1999

1999 was an odd year in a lot of ways. For over 99% of the population, I'm assuming, this was the first time we were experiencing the uncertainty of leaving one century and entering another. It was also the end of the millennium. Throughout the year, we worked ourselves into a lather over the scary possibilities that would come with the striking of midnight on December 31st. So many of us believed everything electronic was going to shut down, all the nuclear weapons would launch, Jesus was coming back, Satan was taking over, The Rapture would happen, or we would all drop dead. What did many of us do? We hoarded toilet paper, water, and batteries. Huh. Some things never change.

Cinematically, it was a strong year. A number of films that only make honorable mentions for me are part of most peoples' top ten. Some of those are replaced by movies that have a more personal connection with me. And at the end of the day, isn't that what this is all about?

My Top 10 Movies of 1999

• According to my Letterboxd account I've watched 71 movies released during 1999; my lowest total since 1994.
• I saw 12 movies in theaters. 4 made my top 10. 2 are honorable mentions.
• I've seen 3 of the 5 Best Picture nominees. None make my top 10 and only one is an honorable mention.
• 2 of my top 10 have main characters who are members of the LGBTQ community.
• For the first time, 2 foreign language movies make my top 10.
• Another first: Spike Lee released a movie that did not make either my top 10 nor my honorable mentions.

10. Office Space

There are just so many quotable lines and memorable moments. The best part is that it unashamedly tells you what it's doing - taking the plot of another movie and applying it to its own. But that's not the point. The point is all those quotes, all those laughs. Have you seen my stapler?

9. Boys Don't Cry

The story of Brandon Teena gives us the most heart-breaking movie on this list. From the very start, there is an undercurrent of sadness and a sense of dread permeating the film. It's not a film you enjoy as much as you understand how good it is, and more importantly, you empathize with the protagonist. The performance by Hilary Swank goes a long way towards that.

8. All About My Mother

This is nearly as heart-wrenching as Boys Don't Cry combined with a twisty-turny plot, that's a technical term, that at times feels like pure insanity. Other times, it's pure melodrama. Somehow, it's always brilliant. I liked it after my first viewing, but didn't love it. My written review shows this. After my second viewing, I was able overcome some of the things that struck me as odd the first time and saw it for the masterpiece that it is.

7. Toy Story 2

My son was two years old, at the time. I have a couple of nieces that were a bit older. I piled them into the car and went to see the new adventures of Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the crew. I did not expect it to be nearly as good as the first. I didn't think it could possibly pack in as much emotion and still keep a sense of fun running throughout. The original did, but they couldn't possibly turn that trick twice, I thought. I'm so happy they proved me wrong.

6. Galaxy Quest

I grew up as a fan of the original Star Trek series. Still, full-blooded, convention-attending, cosplaying Trekkies confound me. This movie puts those people under the microscope, along with the actors who endure and/or enjoy them. And it's damn funny. Without even the tiniest bit of sarcasm I say this is arguably the best Star Trek movie ever made even though it's not at all part of the franchise.

5. Life

Underrated, underseen bromance starring Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, and a host of Black comedians. The story works well enough, but the riffing these guys do is next level and tickles me in the right spot. And to this day, whenever there's cornbread in my house I loudly announce there will be "consequences and repercussions" if anyone touches mine and that "part two of my killing spree" will begin. See the movie, get the reference.

4. Audition

While watching this for the first time I was thinking, "This is pretty good, but not as good as people say." Then the third act got going. Oh my. It's a few long strides beyond insane. And gory. After it was over I started analyzing what I saw and discovered a film with more complexity and commentary than it's blood-soaked finale would have you believe.

3. Mystery Men

Back in 1999, superhero films hadn't quite taken over the world. Between the movies we already had and decades of comic books and superhero TV shows, there was more than enough material to spoof and this movie did it wonderfully. This is years before Deadpool and Kick-Ass did it, and it still works. How could it not with heroes like Spleen, The Shoveler, and The Bowler?

2. The Best Man

This is one of those movies where Mrs. Dell and I found a baby-sitter and went to see on a date night. It immediately became one of our favorites to watch together. Sure, it's a rom-com, not a genre I typically find faves from, but this one works for me. The story is enthralling and I get a ton of genuine laughs out of it. The fact I can enjoy it with my significant other definitely bumps it up a notch or two, and that's okay.

1. The Matrix

Believe it or not, this was also a date night movie for the Mrs. and I. However, this one wasn't for cuddling couples. Instead, it blew me away right from the opening scene. The concepts and themes are all intriguing and conversation worthy. The special fx were groundbreaking and instantly iconic. When I left the theater that night, I knew that the cinematic landscape changed during the two hours I spent watching it. I've had long discussions with friends, real ones not internet ones, revolving around this movie. I've spent hours analyzing and debating it in my own head. I've watched it numerous times and love it just as much each time. The bottom line is that even though I truly love movies two through ten on this list there was no contest for my top spot.


Honorable Mentions (alphabetically): American Beauty, American Pie, Any Given Sunday, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Being John Malkovich, Fight Club, The Hurricane, In Too Deep, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, The Iron Giant, Payback, Superstar, The Wood