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Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

#31
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7/12/06 at 12:02pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

A lot of them are pretty even for me.

Every man is my superior, in that I may learn from him.

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#32
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7/12/06 at 12:26pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

I'm gonna step out on a limb here and be the guy that admits, I actually enjoyed 1996 and think 1997 was the year that should be the one that gets the fist.

Maybe it was just good timing, combined with the fact that I had several great movie date experiences that summer, but I enjoyed Twister, Mission Impossible, The Rock, Eraser, and Hunchback. Independance Day was kind of dumb but had entertaining moments. And the Nutty Professor was hilarious. Granted, none of these movies are going to cause any deep thought, but they made for some fun times at the movie's for me that summer.

Now '97 is a different story. Lost World, MIB, Batman & Robin are three of my all time greatest let downs. And who can forget that horrible attempt at a Southern accent by Nick Cage in Con Air. Air Force One, Face/Off, and My Best friends Wedding are its only redeeming films, and they aren't great.

Put me down for Worst Summers- 1997, 1999, & 2001
Best Summers- 1989, 1994, 2002
Honorable mention- 1993, 1996, 1998, 2005

JC
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#33
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7/12/06 at 1:12pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete-D
Looking back on things what do you guys feel would be the best summer movie season? I'll list the notables starting from 1989 ...

1989-
Batman
Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade
Lethal Weapon 2
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!
Ghostbusters II
Dead Poets Society
When Harry Met Sally
Wha...??

How could you leave The Abyss off that list? You make me sad.

(To say nothing of UHF and Star Trek V? I mean, like...dude.)
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#34
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7/12/06 at 8:12pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
1993-
Jurassic Park
The Last Action Hero
The Fugitive
Cliffhanger
The Firm
Sleepless in Seattle
Yeah, but Searching for Bobby Fischer beats 'em all.
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#35
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7/12/06 at 9:02pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveJKo
Between the films already mentioned, plus Sophie's Choice and The Verdict, count me in as someone who really appreciated the summer of 1982.

Both of those films came out in the WINTER of 1982...

Colin Jacobson
http://www.DVDMG.com

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#36
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7/13/06 at 3:20am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Mayer
1989-
Batman and Robin is still the becnhmark for all cinematic shitpiles. I don't think it can be bettered.[/b]




Fun trip down memory lane,
Chuck


One word Chuck: "Catwoman"
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#37
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7/13/06 at 3:25am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

[quote=Pete-D]Looking back on things what do you guys feel would be the best summer movie season? I'll list the notables starting from 1989 ...


1999-
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
The Sixth Sense
Austin Powers 2
The Blair Witch Project
Runaway Bride
Notting Hill
American Pie
The Mummy
Tarzan



Hey Pete,

I'm surprised you and everyone on this panel forgot what is perhaps the biggest surprise of 1999, "The Matrix".


While not a big fan of the Matrix films, I can't deny it's popularity and cultural impact.

Also for 1998, don't forget "Blade"
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#38
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7/13/06 at 3:42am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

These two years may not have had as many movies over the summer season as the other eras, but I for one can never forget the the back to back summers of 1986 and 1987.

1986 gave me the one-two punch of Aliens and The Fly. And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, summer of 1987 gave me another combo in the form of Robocop and Predator. Four wonderful entries into the realm of sci-fi and horror.

Also for 86, let's not forget TopGun and the Karate Kid II.


***Summer of 1985 - Back to the Future, and of course Rambo: First Blood Pt.II
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#39
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7/13/06 at 5:02am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CoreyII
I'm surprised you and everyone on this panel forgot what is perhaps the biggest surprise of 1999, "The Matrix".

While it was a surprise hit, The Matrix was released at the beginning of April, and thus does not count as a summer movie. Once the summer season began on Memorial Day weekend, Episode 1 and other releases were the big story.

And am I remembering correctly that The Matrix was a mild hit at the box office, but quickly found life and popularity on home video and cable?

\"Life began in mystery, and it will end in mystery, but what a savage and beautiful country lies in between.\" - Diane Ackerman

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#40
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7/13/06 at 5:04am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Put me down as another person submitting write-in candidates for the summers of 1982 and 1984.

However, from the list of years shown, I'm going with 2002 as being "the best," with 1999 and 2005 being close runner-ups.

\"Life began in mystery, and it will end in mystery, but what a savage and beautiful country lies in between.\" - Diane Ackerman

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#41
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7/13/06 at 5:21am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

From the list, I'd definitely go with Summer of 2005. With Episode III, War of the Worlds, Batman Begins, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, last summer was golden for me.
"Because he's the hero Gotham deserves.  But, not the one it needs right now.  So, we'll hunt.  Because he can take.  Because, he's not a hero.  He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector.  A DARK KNIGHT."
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#42
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7/13/06 at 5:32am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

For an R rated film, The Matrix was more than a mild hit. It was no blockbuster. Think Bourne numbers. But yes, the DVD hit right when DVD was crossing over to the mainstream, and it was the first million seller. Probably sold systems as well. The impact of The Matrix was bigger than the numbers might lead you to believe.

And it doesn't count for the summer, being released LATE March. IMO Or else I could count Fight Club from October
Hey buddy...did you just see a real bright light?
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#43
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7/13/06 at 7:28am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Colin Jacobson
Both of those films came out in the WINTER of 1982...

Sorry, no. I distinctly remember seeing them with the blessed air conditioning running full out. Now it's possible I saw them later in their theatrical runs. That was still the time that films ran for half a year or more in the theatre, and audiences would actually take in a film that had been playing that long (both had PACKED houses, by the way). Today, if I don't get people to see a film the first week then it's all over. They're on to something new (one week is old?) and will wait for the missed film on DVD.

You're In The Show With Todd-AO!

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#44
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7/13/06 at 11:27am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

I'd say 1989 was the first Summer movie season that got my attention. Though the end products may have been less than spectacular, the lineup sure was impressive at the time. Lots of 80's franchise movies. You've got Batman, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Lethal Weapon 2, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, Ghostbusters II, The Abyss, Star Trek V, License to Kill and Karate Kid Part III.

I second the motion for '97 as being one of the most disappointing Summers. Even though the lineup was impressive before actually seeing many of the movies, the end products were, once again, mostly trash. Let's not forget the trashbag that was Speed 2: Cruise Control.

Shawn Siref
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#45
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7/13/06 at 11:30am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

The one movie which in my opinion saves 1997 from the nether regions of awfulness is another movie that was left off the list: Contact.

In the only double-feature I have ever attempted, I bought tickets for back-to-back showings of MIB and Contact. The screens were directly across the hall from each other, and both films had to do with aliens. And that's about where the similarities end.

I'm glad I saw Contact last. Nine years later, and it's still one of my favorite movies of all time.

 

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#46
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7/13/06 at 11:44am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

I agree that Contact is a major reason I differentiate 1997 from 1996. I consider Contact a gem, good drama, good sci-fi, and excellent filmmaking. Good pull.
Hey buddy...did you just see a real bright light?
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#47
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7/13/06 at 7:01pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
For my money you'd have to go back to 1982:

48 Hours
Blade Runner
Conan The Barbarian
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Poltergeist
Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan
The Thing
Tron
The World According to Garp
Also:
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Pink Floyd: The Wall
An Officer and a Gentleman
Quote:
1989-
Batman
Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade
Lethal Weapon 2
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!
Ghostbusters II
Dead Poets Society
When Harry Met Sally
Field of Dreams
Do the Right Thing
Weekend at Bernie's
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#48
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7/13/06 at 7:46pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Oh believe me, I did not forget "The Matrix". But technically it released in late March or April 1999, so I didn't know if it would be fair to classify as a "summer movie", but given the fact that the film played well into May 1999 ... I think it's OK to make an exception this time.

Obviously it had a huge pop culture impact though. 1999 was big for that -- The Matrix, the return of Star Wars (and the ensuing Jar Jar backlash), Austin Powers 2, The Blair Witch Project, and The Sixth Sense all were pop culture phenomenons. I think maybe even American Pie could be classified as one. Lets face it, "American Pie" is probably the "The Breakfast Club" for a new generation of kids, and I don't know if anyone quite looked at apple pie the same way afterwards, lol.

Usually you're lucky to get 2 or 3 of those in a year ... but 6 in one summer is insane.

As for films like "The Abyss" and what not being left off ... I'll add them upon request, but I didn't want the lists to be too long (we are talking about 16 years here), so I tried to limit it to the bigger hits.
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#49
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7/13/06 at 9:13pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

[quote=Walter Kittel]For my money you'd have to go back to 1982:

48 Hours
Blade Runner
Conan The Barbarian
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Poltergeist
Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan
The Thing
Tron
The World According to Garp



That would have been my choice too.
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#50
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7/14/06 at 12:44pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveJKo
Sorry, no. I distinctly remember seeing them with the blessed air conditioning running full out. Now it's possible I saw them later in their theatrical runs.


Sorry, yes. Sophie's Choice and The Verdict most definitely were winter 1982 releases. Just because you saw them in warm weather doesn't change that...

Colin Jacobson
http://www.DVDMG.com

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#51
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7/15/06 at 1:20pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaun
I'd say 1989 was the first Summer movie season that got my attention. Though the end products may have been less than spectacular, the lineup sure was impressive at the time. Lots of 80's franchise movies. You've got Batman, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Lethal Weapon 2, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, Ghostbusters II, The Abyss, Star Trek V, License to Kill and Karate Kid Part III.
Karate Kid Part III is a 1990 release.
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#52
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7/15/06 at 3:23pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam_ME
1993 wasn't too shabby either. I think Jurassic Park is vastly overrated, but we got two outstanding thrillers that summer with In the Line of Fire and The Fugitive.

Glad to see someone else remember 'In the Line of Fire'. Great thriller and a big hit too.

Also, 'Crimson Tide' should go on the list for 1995. And 'Collateral' on the list for 2004.

Overall, I would make it a three way tie for 1989, 1993, and 2003.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael:M
And am I remembering correctly that The Matrix was a mild hit at the box office, but quickly found life and popularity on home video and cable?

Nah, you aren't remembering correctly The Matrix was quite a bit more than a mild hit with $171 million domestic.
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#53
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7/16/06 at 8:49am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by David ©
Karate Kid Part III is a 1990 release.

Nope. It came out in 1989. The summer of sequels(and Rick Moranis).

I should really learn to knock....in case there's a threesome going on in my bedroom. - Sandy Cohen, The O.C., The Countdown

My DVD Collection

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#54
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7/18/06 at 7:52pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Having mulled it over, my favorites are 1989, 1991, and 1999, with a honorable mention for 2005.

2001, 1997, and 1998 are my least favorite.

1997 probably moreso because The Lost World (why not just stick to the book rather than have a T-Rex drinking out of a backyard pool?) and Batman & Robin (Batman Forever wasn't great, but it's "Lawrence of Arabia" by comparision). They were just so dissapointing. Although I admit "The Lost World" is a bit better on DVD without the expectations of four years from JP on it, but I still hate that third act.

1997 was odd in that the "pop culture crazes" of that year happened at the beginning and the end of the year ... Star Wars re-issue in January-March, and then Titanic coming right before Christmas.
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#55
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7/19/06 at 7:39am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Colin Jacobson
Sorry, yes. Sophie's Choice and The Verdict most definitely were winter 1982 releases. Just because you saw them in warm weather doesn't change that...

I believe I said, "...Now it's possible I saw them later in their theatrical runs. That was still the time that films ran for half a year or more in the theatre...".

Feel better now?

You're In The Show With Todd-AO!

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#56
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7/19/06 at 1:00pm
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveJKo
I believe I said, "...Now it's possible I saw them later in their theatrical runs. That was still the time that films ran for half a year or more in the theatre...".

Yes, you did say that - after the dismissive "sorry, no", which indicated you were pretty sure you were correct...

Colin Jacobson
http://www.DVDMG.com

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#57
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7/20/06 at 10:57am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Colin Jacobson
Yes, you did say that - after the dismissive "sorry, no", which indicated you were pretty sure you were correct...

Well then here's another sorry but this time with no "no" attached, because that was not my intention. My apologies Colin. Perhaps it's time I either learn to be more expressive in my posts, or figure out where to find the "emoticons" tool bar the rest of you seem to have.

In any case according to an aunt of mine this discussion is pointless because we didn't allow for choosing the summer of 1942. Actually, the more movies she mentions the more I think she's on to something.

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#58
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8/4/06 at 10:32am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Mayer
1991-
Terminator 2
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
City Slickers
Naked Gun 2 1/2
The Rocketeer
Backdraft

Great summer. T2 had all the hype, and actually lived up to every ounce of it. Just a monster film. I've yet to see such anticipation pay off in a summer film since. The other crap was pretty good. But T2 just owned this summer.

Chuck:

I was just reading through this thread again, and your post about 1991 brought back a great memory. IIRC, Naked Gun 2 1/2 and T2 came out pretty close together (if not the same weekend).

Anyway, on the Friday night that T2 opened, my uncle and I went to a double feature. We watched Naked Gun 2 1/2 followed by T2. It was a lot of fun...
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#59
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8/4/06 at 10:42am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Got to go with 1996 for now. 2005 was a GREAT one though with ROTS, Batman B, Mr/Mrs. Smith etc...

I have some sentimental reasons for going with 1996.

Twister
Mission Impossible
The Rock
Eraser
Courage Under Fire
The Frighteners

Had a tough summer that year and going to the movies partially kept me from going insane. ....
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#60
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8/7/06 at 11:25am
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Re: Choose The Best Summer Movie Season ('89-'06)

Here's a gem that *is* a summer film from the big year of 1994. I had forgotten it in my haste, but watched a bit of it yesterday. It was the poster I had on my wall in college So it must have worked for me.

Quote:
People once believed that when someone dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with it and the soul can't rest. Then sometimes, just sometimes, the crow can bring that soul back to put the wrong things right.

The Crow

Add that landmark to the 1994 pile, elevating that year for me.
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