Monday, June 15, 1998
Hollywood blockbusters are like a box of chococlates
By Lonnie Harris
Daily Bruin Contributor
Attempting to highlight a list of the most important,
influential or memorable movies of the past few years proved quite
daunting. Easily, it could have become a list of the past Academy
Award winners, or merely a collection of the best-reviewed of
recent films.
However, perhaps more interesting is a grouping of the most
memorable films of the past four years for college students.
Not just award-winners or box-office draws, but movies which
have significantly affected the current graduating class during
their tenure at UCLA.
"The Shawshank Redemption"
Frank Darabont’s adaptation of a Stephen King short story
transcended categorization as just another prison movie. This
feature had real heart, as well as the most intelligent and clever
script Hollywood has churned out in years. Though it didn’t get
much attention during its initial theatrical release (mainly due to
its unfortunate and unmemorable title), the film has gained a
massive following on video.
"Ace Ventura: Pet Detective"
Anyone failing to list the debut of the now-infamous Jim Carrey
would be forgetting just how popular this actor and comedian has
become. Now that his career is on the cusp of respectability (with
his powerful dramatic turn in "The Truman Show"), Carrey can only
grow more popular as the years wear on. This film, of course, was
made back in the silly years, when Carrey would use his rubbery
face and ability to perform outrageous slapstick to garner
laughs.
"Braveheart"
Mel Gibson’s epic of battles and bravery scored big with
audiences in 1996, winning the Oscar for Best Picture as well as a
Best Director Oscar for Gibson himself. "Braveheart" was the type
of film Hollywood used to make in its golden years, on the epic
scale of films like "Ben Hur" and "Cleopatra." Some of its sweeping
war imagery, including Gibson’s blue war paint, was simply
unforgettable.
"The Usual Suspects"
Christopher McQuarrie’s script has one of the greatest endings
to any film ever (and in case you’re the one person who doesn’t
know about it yet, we won’t blow it).
The film noir, replete with a terrific ensemble cast, was one of
the sleeper hits of 1996, proving that American audiences may be
more intelligent than Hollywood executives think.
"Scream"
Director Wes Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson reanimated
the long-deceased horror genre with this tongue-in-cheek homage to
the slasher films of the 1980s. The film proved a springboard for
the careers of everyone involved, including Neve Campbell, Skeet
Ulrich, Matthew Lillard and Williamson (who has gone on to create
the show "Dawson’s Creek" and write "I Know What You Did Last
Summer").
"Independence Day"
Perhaps the most hyped movie of all time, this sci-fi throwback
was the highest grossing film of 1996. Creators Roland Emmerich and
Dean Devlin, who also worked on this year’s "Godzilla," integrated
modern special effects with the style of 1950s science-fiction.
The result was a hodge-podge of campy dialogue and modern
thrills, headed by current mega-star Will Smith and box-office
mainstay Jeff Goldblum.
"Swingers"
OK, so it wasn’t exactly Oscar material and it didn’t set any
box office records. "Swingers" was, however, the ultimate L.A. guy
movie, accurately recording the behavior of an entire generation
searching for love on the streets of Los Angeles. In doing so,
"Swingers" molded a new argot for young people everywhere. It’s
money, baby.
"Good Will Hunting"
The product of actors and best friends Ben Affleck and Matt
Damon, this film about a troubled young genius made superstars out
of its creators and won Robin Williams his first Oscar (for Best
Supporting Actor). Summarily agreed upon as one of 1997’s finest
films, "Good Will Hunting" proved that audiences are more
interested in good story-telling than flashy effects or big
explosions.
"Pulp Fiction"
This film was Quentin Tarantino’s breakthrough masterpiece and
perhaps the greatest American film of the 1990s. More than just a
collection of gritty tales about L.A. lowlifes, "Pulp Fiction"
dared to tread where few other films would not. It took on drug
overdoses, murder and even homosexual rape, all while keeping a
smile on its face. How many other films can say that?
"Titanic"
Not just a movie but a nation-wide obsession, "Titanic" set
every movie record ever established. Grossing an unprecedented $1.7
billion to date (and climbing every day), James Cameron’s epic of
star-crossed lovers aboard the doomed ocean-liner has already made
an impact on the whole of American culture. And, yes, it did star
heartthrob-of-the-moment Leonardo DiCaprio.
"Forrest Gump"
Robert Zemekis’ odyssey looked at the past 30 years of life in
America through the eyes of – well – a moron. But the film he
created wasn’t nearly as simple as his central character. Though
Gump may not be too bright, his basic goodness managed to keep his
life stable while the rest of the country turned upside-down.