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Title:Movie Reviews and Discussion
Notice:Please do DIR/TITLE before starting a new topic on a movie!
Moderator:VAXCPU::michaudo.dec.com::tamara::eppes
Created:Thu Jan 28 1993
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1249
Total number of notes:16012

748.0. "Best & Worst of '94" by EVMS::MARION () Mon Jan 16 1995 10:38

It's the beginning of a new year and all the critics are looking back at 1994
to pick their worst and best films of the year.  I'd like to start this note
for us to do the same.  


My favorites:

Speed:
	Hands down my favorite movie of the year.  This film was packed with
	action and I was extremely impressed with Keanu Reeves.  I saw this
	film an embarassing number of times and thoroughly enjoyed it every
	time.  This film put me on the edge of my seat and kept me there.  Even 
	though I knew exactly what was going to happen, I always got caught up 
	in the action as if I was seeing it for the first time.  (No, no, don't 
	drop the gun!  Man, I can't believe he dropped the gun!)  Admittedly 
	some of the stunts were not believable, but it didn't matter.  I 
	pre-ordered the video and was disappointed by the pan & scan to fit
	it to a TV screen, so I'm hoping to pick up a letterbox copy sometime.
	I love this film.

Jungle Book:
	Between the georgeous scenery and the charismatic screen presence of	
	Jason Scott Lee, this film was really enjoyable.  I've seen it once, 
	have every intention of seeing it again before it leaves the theaters, 
	and plan to buy it if Disney prices it reasonably.

Forrest Gump:
	Of course.  An excellent film, I can't find any flaws in it at all.
	Gump was extremely sweet, and I particularly liked Lt. Dan.  I saw
	this film twice and will undoubtedly see it again sometime on video.


My least favorites:

Dumb and Dumber:
	I don't know who's dumber, the characters in this film or me for having
	spent money to see it.  I went against my instincts on this one, having
	had no desire to see it until Siskel and Ebert talked it up.  Next time
	I'll trust my instincts.

Heavenly Creatures:
	While this was a good film from an artistic standpoint, I didn't enjoy
	it at all.  This was sort of like eating your green beans just because
	they're good for you.  No thanks, I'm old enough to eat what I want.

True Lies:
	I kind of liked this one when I saw it, but as the days wore on I got
	more and more angry about the scenes where the wife was humiliated.  I
	also have trouble remembering much about the story.  It just wasn't that
	interesting.  This one not only didn't stand the test of time, it 
	didn't even last two days before I decided I really didn't like it.  I 
	usually like Schwarzeneger films, and re-watch them periodically, but I
	have no intention of watching this one again.

That's it for now,
Karen.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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748.1what about the best film of 199445807::MOUNTFORDRMon Jan 16 1995 10:493
    no mention of  pulp fiction. a superb film, highly original in its
    format, funny, violent,  and great acting by both bruce and jt. a good
    sound track too!!
748.2here's minePOBOX::SEIBERTRMon Jan 16 1995 12:3145
    Ok, here's mine!
    
    Best:
    
    Speed-I agreed with the first noter!!! Way to go, Dude!!:)
    True Lies- I disagree with the first noter, I loved it.  Good action,
               fun characters.  Tom Arnold was hysterical!
    Maverick- Funny, decent plot..has Mel Gibson in it!!
    
    
    Honerable Mentions:
    
    Interview with a Vampire- not the best, but not the worst.  I thought
      the actors/actresses were within the character of the book.  But
      creating a movie like that always loses a little something from the
      book.
    
    Stargate:  Could have been better, but had great special effects and
      was overall entertaining for the dollar theater.
    
    The Santa Clause- It was good, but not *really* good, good make up
    job
    
    Worst:
    
    Pulp Fiction- Sorry, this did nothing for me.  The only part I like was
     with Uma.
    
    Frankenstein- I usually like these kind of stories but I just couldn't
    get past them rolling around in amneotic fluid.  I kept waiting for
    them to take a bath!
    
    Biggest Disappointment:
    
    Star Trek-Generations-  I can't believe they ripped these folks off TV
    for the big screen and put out a half *ssed movie.  I hope they get
    better.
    
    Didn't see:
    Forrest Gump, Jungle Book
    
    I hate these kind of notes because as soon as I enter this I'm going to
    think of a bunch more!!!:)
    
    Renee
748.3MDNITE::RIVERSWhee!Mon Jan 16 1995 13:2430
    Here's some of my favorites for this year:
    
    
    The Shawshank Redemption -- great story, great acting.
    
    Quiz Show -- same
    
    Pulp Fiction -- weird, violent, quirky, but I really liked it just the
    same
    
    Drop Zone/Speed -- both with silly premises, both requiring
    considerable suspension of disbelief.   Both a hell of a lot of fun.
    Drop Zone gets the nod in likable/buff hero and strong heroine
    department.
    
    Forrest Gump -- saw it a lot time ago (when it first opened) thought it
    was pretty cute even before it got BIG.  This is a film where I think
    Hank's is deserving of an Oscar nomination.
    
    Maverick -- Graham Greene stole the show
    
    
    A definitive worst:
    
    True Lies -- the movie wasn't AWFUL but it's one of the few where I
    came out of it sorely disappointed that the hero didn't get killed in
    some excruciating manner.
    
    
    
748.4or how about "Getting Even With Dad"UHUH::MARISONScott MarisonMon Jan 16 1995 15:128
As for the worst film, I think many are forgetting...



				NORTH.


/scott
748.5NETRIX::michaudMeatheadMon Jan 16 1995 17:346
> As for the worst film, I think many are forgetting...
> 				NORTH.

	the critics certainly aren't forgetting.  it made it (maybe
	even as the #1 worse on some) on the worst films lists for
	both siskel & ebert and lyons/whatever (sneak preveiws on pbs).
748.6OFOSS1::RAGUCCIMon Jan 16 1995 18:2412
    
    
    
    You've all named the most popular films. The big budget ones
    and some deserve the attention. 
    
    	......,...... what about Nell, Priscilla, Natural Born Killers,
    			to name a few?????
    		Siskel & Ebert reviewed some this past weekend I haven't
    
    		even heard of that look great.
    
748.7commentsPOBOX::SEIBERTRTue Jan 17 1995 08:4311
    Didn't Nell just come out?  That would make it a 1995 movie.
    
    As far as my comments--I can only comment on what I *saw* and
    *remember*!!!!!  I generally go for comedy of sci-fi stuff so I didn't
    see many of the other movies which were probably very good.  I'm
    reading these lists though and getting ideas for some things to rent!!!
    
    No one mentioned the Piano yet.  (I didn't see it)  Or the Lion King
    (didn't see that either).  
    
    Renee
748.8NETRIX::michaudMayTue Jan 17 1995 09:467
> Didn't Nell just come out?  That would make it a 1995 movie.

	It went into wide release in 1995, but it had a limited
	release (like several others) in 1994 so that it would qualify
	for 1994.  As everyone knows, Academy voters don't have long
	memories so films released early in the year tend to be
	forgotton come a year (plus) later .....
748.9what about this one?45807::MOUNTFORDRTue Jan 17 1995 10:316
    another great film that no one has mentioned was Tombstone, with kurt
    russell, val kilmer sam elliot and another chap whose name i cannot
    remember. a superb film, val kilmer was excellent as doc holiday, i
    didn't see kevin costner's wyatt earp though, i have liked all of the
    filme he has produced/starred in/directed, did anyone see it is it
    worth it?
748.10Quiz Show a top, Speed should win Most Fun...APLVEW::DEBRIAETue Jan 17 1995 10:445
    
    
    	My pick for the worst of '94 is without a doubt Stargate, I can't
    	imagine how any other film could possibly be any worse...
        
748.11GLDOA::SHOOKPomp,circumstance,dropping trouTue Jan 17 1995 16:1816
	.9
	
	wyatt earp was somewhere between o.k. and bad, depending on how
	long you like your movies.  financially, it was a bomb.

	perhaps someone can answer part two of a movie quiz question i
	heard on talk radio last week.  the question:  warner brothers
	lost 100 million dollars on just two films alone last year, 
	wyatt earp and ________?

	my pick for best film of 1994 is "four weddings and a funeral."

        worst - "ready to wear."

	bill
748.12CTHU26::S_BURRIDGETue Jan 17 1995 16:235
    I think the worst I saw was "Being Human."
    
    The best may have been "Quiz Show."
    
    -Stephen
748.13I don't remember seeing any really bad onesGRIM::MESSENGERBob MessengerTue Jan 17 1995 17:3110
My favorites were, in no particular order: Forrest Gump, Heavenly
Creatures, Ed Wood, Clerks, Quiz Show, The Shawshank Redemption, Hoop
Dreams, The Joy Luck Club, Eat Drink Man Woman, and Four Weddings and a
Funeral.  (The Piano was a 1993 movie; I'm not sure about The Joy Luck
Club.)

Honorable mention: Pulp Fiction, Speed, Maverick, Interview with the
Vampire, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

				-- Bob
748.14SMOKIN'!!!EVMS::HALLYBFish have no concept of fireWed Jan 18 1995 09:445
    Hey, don't forget _The Mask_ ! (note 586).
    
    Maybe not the best movie of the year, but a real good one nonetheless.
    
      John
748.15RKAOFS::R_GODINBUNCH OF SUNUNUSWed Jan 18 1995 09:498
    The best movie of the year for me is Hoop Dreams.
    
    The movie I most enjoyed watching: Pulp Fiction.
    
    Mentions: Rouge, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Exotica, Ed Wood.
    
    Richard
    
748.16Wolf the turkeyBRUMMY::WILLIAMSMBorn to grepWed Jan 18 1995 12:086
    The good stuff: Pulp Fiction, Speed, Forest Gump.  Around the office
    its pulp fiction.
    
    The bad stuff:  Wolf, Highlander III.
    
    R. Michael.
748.17From the 20 or so I saw at the movie theaterTNPUBS::NAZZAROUMass - #1 again!!!Fri Jan 20 1995 10:3810
    Best Moive:  Four Weddings and a Funeral
    Runnerup:  Speed
    
    Worst movie:  Stargate
    Runnerup:  True Lies
    
    Biggest Letdown:  Star Trek - Generations  (Thought it would be
    great, and it was just OK)
    
    NAZZ
748.18OFF ON A TANGENT45807::MOUNTFORDRMon Jan 23 1995 08:136
    HAS ANYONE SEEN THE FILM 'LEON' WITH GARY OLDMAN?. IT LOOKS QUITE GOOD,
    BUT IF ITS ANYTHING LIKE 'ROMEO IS BLEEDING' WHICH LOOKED GOOD ON THE
    TRAILERS BUT WAS ABSOLUTE CRAP, I WON'T BOTHER SEEING LEON IN THE
    CINEMA
    PS I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVEN'T SEEN FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL
    
748.19VNABRW::BARTAKAndrea Bartak, Vienna, AustriaMon Jan 23 1995 12:5216
    Best:
    
    Pulp Fiction
    Forrest Gump
    Four Weddings..
    The Joy Luck Club
    A Bronx Tale
    Maverick
    
    Worst:
    
    The Client
    Natural Born Killers
    The Specialist
    
    A.
748.20TLBRUMMY::WILLIAMSMBorn to grepMon Jan 23 1995 15:397
    RE: -.18 no niether can I.  Still, I only managed to see the Lion King
    yesterday.
    
    I think I'll have to add True Lies to the Turkey list, the more I think
    about it the worse it gets.
    
    R. Michael.
748.21My Two CentsQETOO::BASQUETue Jan 24 1995 15:5429
    I don't get to see many "current" films unless they come out in laser
    disc prior to the end of the year (this year I did go to the theater
    twice on a business trip).  So, my list is somewhat void of some of the
    potentially good or bad movies, because I have not seen them as of yet. 
    Here is my list
    
    Great movies
    
    Speed
    Forrest Gump
    Four weddings
    The Client
    
    OK movies
    
    Maverick
    Miricle on 34th street
    Tombstone
    
    Absolutely terrible movies
    
    Mask
    North
    
    
    Just my two cents  :^)
    
    Ray
    
748.22BUSY::BUSY::SLABOUNTYTrouble with a capital 'T'Wed Jan 25 1995 09:117
    
    	"Mask" should be "The Mask".
    
    	"Mask" was the Cher movie from about 10 years ago.
    
    							GTI
    
748.23and now for something completely different.....ASDG::MCNAMARAstrange visitor......Wed Jan 25 1995 13:0114
...OK Folks...here's my picks:

BEST: Pulp Fiction (excellent actin, directing, killings!!)
      True Lies (Jamie Lee, you can dance for me ANYTIME !!!)
      The Mask (sooo funny, I forgot to eat my popcorn!!)
      M.S's Frankenstein (loved the fluid!!)

WORST: The Lion King (Ugggg! not more shmaltz from DIZZ-ney!)
       Maverick (this reminded me of "Dukes of Hazzard"..don't know why, but..)
       The Santa Clause (stick to mindless network TV shows, Tim Allen!)
       North (will Rob Reiner ever recover from this??)


Mac_who_is_looking_forward_to_"Batman_Forever!
748.24TOHOPE::WSA038::SATTERFIELDClose enough for jazz.Wed Jan 25 1995 14:3910

re .18

Actually I enjoyed _Romeo is Bleeding_ a lot, bought the laser disc. I thought
it was a fun take on a modern film noir with Lena Olin looking absolutly
gorgeus as an ultimate femme fatale.


Randy
748.25Pulp FictionYIELD::SCARBOROUGHFri Jan 27 1995 09:109
    
      The best for me is Pulp Fiction!
    
     I can't remember when the last time I sat though a three hour movie 
    and didn't get boarded.  
    
        Carl
    
    
748.26Pulp #1BABAGI::LYSETHKevin Lyseth 237-3318Fri Jan 27 1995 10:317
    
    	I think Pulp Fiction was probably my favorite as well. 
    	Followed close behind by Forrest Gump.
    
    	Did not like True Lies at all, and I like most Arnie movies.
    
    	-Kevin
748.27SUFRNG::WSA038::SATTERFIELDClose enough for jazz.Fri Jan 27 1995 17:1913

re .25

   > I can't remember when the last time I sat though a three hour movie 
   > and didn't get boarded. 
                ^^^^^^^^^^^

It might happen if you see the new Geena Davis pirate film when it comes
out though.  :^)


Randy     
748.282 movies I likedMKOTS1::HIGGINSTue Jan 31 1995 11:523
    I would have really liked Four Weddings and a Funeral had anybody but
    Andie MacDowell been in the film.  That killed it for me.  However,
    I did really like Tombstone, and Forrest Gump.
748.29CNTROL::DGAUTHIERTue Jan 31 1995 12:564
    Unbelievable.  No one mentioned "Little Women".  
    I will.  It was far and away the best of 94'.  No Contest!
    
    -dave
748.30FWAAFMUGGER::LIVINGSTONESurvive! get a little crazy...Wed Feb 01 1995 05:085
    My vote goes for "Four Wedddings and a Funeral".
    One of the most refreshing films for years. A *must* see.
    re.-28, I know what you mean about Andie McDowell, but perhaps Hugh
            Grant was *so* good because she played oppisite him
    Phil.L�
748.31PENUTS::DDESMAISONStoo few argsWed Feb 01 1995 12:247
>>    My vote goes for "Four Wedddings and a Funeral".

	Ditto.

	Worst I saw: Speed

748.32HELIX::MAIEWSKIWed Feb 01 1995 13:0514
RE                    <<< Note 748.29 by CNTROL::DGAUTHIER >>>

>    Unbelievable.  No one mentioned "Little Women".  
>    I will.  It was far and away the best of 94'.  No Contest!
    
  I'm not sure I'd put it on either list. Great acting, wonderful direction
but no discernible plot.

  Some great director once said that one of the 1st rules of making films was
that you had to tell a story. There was no real story here, just family members
are born, grow up, get married, have kids, get old and die.

  Well told but nothing to tell,
  George
748.33GRIM::MESSENGERBob MessengerWed Feb 01 1995 17:1414
>There was no real story here, just family members
>are born, grow up, get married, have kids, get old and die.

The movie may not have much of a story but it does have a theme: the
personal development of each of the March girls as they struggle to become
better people and blossom into adults.  I thought the movie was really
well done and it made a strong impression on me - although that might also
be because this was one of my favorite books when I was growing up.

I don't think I'd seen this movie when I wrote my previous reply listing
my favorite movies of 1994.  "Little Women" ranks as one of my favorites,
with "The Mask" as an honorable mention.

				-- Bob
748.34The old horse stirs, looks about ...EVMS::HALLYBFish have no concept of fireSat Feb 04 1995 10:5813
    .32:
>  Some great director once said that one of the 1st rules of making films was
>that you had to tell a story. There was no real story here, just family members
>are born, grow up, get married, have kids, get old and die.

    Plot-intensive movies are "men's movies" while relationship-oriented
    movies are "women's movies". There has never been a hit "women's movie"
    that was not first a novel.
    
    At least that's what a screenwriter told me they taught him in school.
    The lesson being: if you write a screenplay, write a plot-intensive one.
    
      John
748.35MASALA::RBERNARDThu Feb 09 1995 01:1015
    First off all I will discuss the worst films:-              
    Four weddings and a funeral(utter cack)
    Pulp Fiction(Tarantino should insert his head up his rectum-reminds me
    of a B movie)
    Speed (Is 'keanu' eskimo for wooden slapheid who can't act)
    
    Now the best:-
    Schindlers List (Thought the atrocities could have been more realistic)
    NBK (A good tongue and cheek movie about everyday life in the good ole
         USA)
    The lion king (What a riveting experience this was -beautifully
    animated)
                                                                
    
    
748.36LeftyKIRKTN::DWALLACEThu Feb 09 1995 20:5516
    No-one has voted for any of my fav films of last year yet. Admittedly
    i'm a big fringe movie fan so not many punters see these masterpieces.
    
    Best:
    
    Skelpit erse: I gave this one a BIG hand.
    
    Fish Supper II: Always wins when the chips are down.
    
    Worst:
    
    3 Waddins & a funerul: Hugh (ravin' woofter) Grant = tadger.
    
    The Mask: Celluloid skitter.
    
    Barry Normski
748.37Sofa PotatoeMASALA::JROBERTSONFri Feb 10 1995 01:0615
    Being a real big movie fan I'd better give my input here.
    
    Best movie:- True Romance 
        
                 I really enjoyed taking this movie in. I was so engrossed
                 it wasn't till after viewing it that I realized I had got
                 thru 4 large cartons of popcorn plus my usual take-away
                 and 12 pack.....paid the price for it later in the John!!!
    
    Worst movie:- Four Weddings and a Funeral
    
                  Garbage...story,acting,actors( Poofy Hugh especially)etc
                  Really hated that scene where the homo was giving a
                  speach at his "friend's" funeral....nearly brought my
                  Chinese and 12-pack back up all over my apartment. 
748.38The very best : Interview with the vampire !!!GVA05A::BUGNONHello it&#039;s me again !Fri Feb 10 1995 09:3130
    I'm aslo a very big movie fan (and video tape collector)
    
    The best movie since many years : 
    
    Interview with the vampire (saw it 4 times and maybe a 5th time
                                tomorrow)
    
    Just best movies :  Maverick (a lot of fun)
    (not in the 	Speed (I love action)
     right order)       True Lies (also funny)
    			Mask   (my husband like it very much)
    			Junior (I laugh a lot)
    			The Lion King (a good moment - like other Walt
                                       Disney)
    			Forrest Gump
    			Schindler's list
    
    Good movie (just watch it 1 time but no more - I won't buy the video
    tape !) : 
    		Four wedding and a funeral (amusing - I won't go a 2nd
                                             time)
                Muriels'wedding
    
    
    The worst movies : 	Wolf (very disappointing)
    			Stargate (also very disappointing
    
    
    Flo
                        
748.39TOHOPE::WSA038::SATTERFIELDClose enough for jazz.Fri Feb 10 1995 12:188


Wasn't _Schlindlers List_ released in '93?


Randy

748.40YOU may have seen it in '94, butEVMS::HALLYBFish have no concept of fireFri Feb 10 1995 12:205
    _Schindler's List_ was a 1993 movie.
    
    Remember it winning all those Oscars in April, 1994?
    
      John
748.41Bob Sleigh FILMYUPPY::SECURITYSecurity @LDOThu Feb 23 1995 06:0510
    
      Deffinitely the funniest film I have ever seen was
    
                     Cool Runnings
    
         John Candy was at his best as usual.Sorry to see him go.
    
    Tone    8^)))))))
    
    
748.42A story? Well, usuallyMARVA2::BUCHMANUNIX refugee in a VMS worldThu Mar 02 1995 17:5111
    >   Some great director once said that one of the 1st rules of making films was
>that you had to tell a story. There was no real story here, just family members
>are born, grow up, get married, have kids, get old and die.
    
    Probably true in most cases, but rules are meant to be broken. One of
    my favorite movies of all time is John Huston's "The Dead", which spent
    most of its time being a delightful vignette about an evening in late 1800's
    Ireland. It was an extra treat, almost an epiphany, to find out at the
    end that it had been "about" something after all.
    				Jim
    
748.43'94 was a pretty good year ....for filmsHOTLNE::SHIELDSSat Jan 11 1997 02:5050
748.44LowlanderNEWVAX::BUCHMANRosalie&#039;s UncleMon Jan 13 1997 13:0311
748.45a responseHOTLNE::SHIELDSThu Jan 23 1997 05:256