The factors that need to fall into place to create an excellent film year can never be predicted.
However, what is beyond reproach is the body of work that ineffable alchemy creates.
1999 is one such year when everything seemed to fall into place exactly right.
Image via Warner Bros.
Placed in isolation, 1999 is an interesting film year.
The year featured many films that would redefine the industry.
When inside, Schwartz can control Makovich’s mind and body.
Image via USA Films
Besides Cusack and Malkovich, the film also featuresCameron DiazandCatherine Keener.
The film starred the at-the-time real-life couple Tom Cruise andNicole Kidman,alongsideSydney Pollack,Todd FieldandMarie Richardson.
Cruise’s Bill Harford then spends a night exploring a masked orgy at an unnamed secret society.
Eyes Wide Shuttackles several transgressive topics head-on, most especially those related to sex.
The film analyzes the primal desires of both genders and earnestly examines sexual depravity and amorality.
The writing process then evolved into him writing certain characters and scenes for specific actors.
Image via Warner Bros.
The film received widespread praise, mostly for Anderson’s script and the strength of its characters.
Meanwhile, Paul Thomas Anderson’s script for the film was also Academy Award-nominated.
Almost three decades later, the praise still rings true, andMagnoliais as essential as when it debuted.
A charming and endearing film, Roberts and Grant’s performances rubber-stamped their already confirmed rom-com reputations.
Largely improvised, it blurred the lines between real and fake for most audiences.
It introduced the found-footage subgenre and revolutionized movie marketing, becominga true before-and-after in modern entertainment.
Image via Universal Pictures
A lot of praise was afforded toMann for his entertaining direction of the material.
In 1999,The WachowskisThe Matrixwas just that.
Joining him in the films cast wereLaurence Fishburne,Carrie-Anne Moss,Hugo WeavingandJoe Pantoliano.
The Matrixspawned a multimedia franchise of sequels, comic books, animated entries and video games.
Night Shyamalans third feature film is also his most often quoted.
StarringBruce Willis,Haley Joel Osment.
The psychological thriller was widely praised for its performances and Shyamalans screenplay and direction.
In addition to a Best Picture nomination,The Sixth Sensereceived individual Academy Award nominations for Collette and Osment.
Twenty-five years later,The Sixth Sensestill reignsasone of the horror genre’s most exciting entries.
The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including for Minghellas script and Jude Laws supporting performance.
Sun-kissed, seductive, and genuinely tense,The Talented Mr. Ripleyis among the best thrillers of the ’90s.
The film was widely praised for its ability to maintain the spirit of the original without re-treading the story.
Image via Artisan Entertainment
NEXT:The 10 Best Independent Movies of 1999, Ranked
Image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Image via Warner Bros.
Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Image via Paramount Pictures
Image via Pixar Animation Studios
