My Favorite Movies of 1997
(see link at bottom of page for more 1997 reviews)
A fun movie. Willis is great, the soundtrack is cool (yup, I got the CD), and between the traffic scenes and the Rodman impersonator, how can you pass it up?As best as I can determine, I saw 110 movies in theaters during 1997. Some were terrific, some were terrible, but the popcorn was always good. Since the big boys always publish their "Top Ten" lists, I thought I could outdo them with my first annual "Top Twelve" list. Here are my favorites of 1997:1) Titanic
An outstanding movie from start to finish. I normally don't fall for love stories ("The English Patient" did nothing for me), but this one is special. I loved the way the special effects were seamlessly integrated into the film. I was on that boat. I was in that freezing water, and I kept coming back for more. I saw this movie 2 1/2 times (had to see the finale once more) and loved it each time. And I read all of the criticisms (too mushy, too long, poor dialogue, inaccurate) but I just didn't care.... I liked the music, the action, the characters, and especially the dimension and scale of the story. It was amazing to watch a well known historic event woven into the story of one woman's life.2) Contact
A very close second, and was on top of the list after the first draft. I saw this movie three times and found more to like each time. Some say it was too slow, too long. Some say the science was cockeyed. But I liked it, I really liked it. The shock and disappointment when the first "machine" blew up, the exhilaration as she rode through "space" on her voyage, the touching reunion with her father, all very moving scenes.3) Boogie Nights
Terrific acting & direction, real characters and fascinating dialogue. This movie is funny, exciting and thought provoking. And it features my favorite movie scene of the year, the infamous firecracker extravaganza. I was more nervous than the guys on the couch.4) The Fifth Element
5) The Game
(if you haven't seen this movie, but want to, don't read the next paragraph)
A standard thriller until the final 10 minutes. And the final scene was enough to put this movie on the list. Easily the most visceral moment of the movies for me in 1997. I was absolutely hooked, they had me right where they wanted me then they whipsawed my emotions with such force that I felt like I hit the pavement when he hit the "bag".6) Face/Off
I know it makes no sense, I know it is totally implausible, but this is a wild movie with great action scenes (nice boat ride) and two fine actors having a ball playing each other. And try to count the number of times that Travolta and Cage fly through the air sideways with both pistols blazing. A Hollywood record to be sure.
7) Devil's Advocate
Like "The Game", the final scenes make this a winner. And who could play Beelzebub better than Al?
8) L.A. Confidential
An excellent cast and great performances from most (although I still don't understand how Basinger won an Oscar, she wasn't that good) and a complex and intriguing plot add up to terrific thriller. A great movie to watch a second (or third) time. And it featured one of the best lines of 1997 ("This is Lana Turner").
9) Eve's Bayou
A great film by a first time director. Very creative approach to flashbacks (check those mirrors) and terrific performances all around. A sleeper that many folks missed, a good Blockbuster pick.
10) Jackie Brown
If you liked "Pulp", you will like this movie, but probably not as much. Tough to top an all time best. But as my brother said, "I could listen to these characters talk all day long".
11) House of Yes
The "smallest" movie on the list. My wife and I were one of about 17 people in Chicago to see this one. There should be one copy in your local Blockbuster, and it is well worth the two and half bucks. I loved the dialogue, some major David Mamet influence here.
12) Chasing Amy
Interesting Gen-X flick, nice performances, not the traditional love triangle to be sure. Director Kevin Smith (Clerks) is one to watch. I thought the dialogue was fascinating, but if you are easily offended by graphic language, don't bother.
