Hype was star of the silver screen this year. At one end of the spectrum, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace saw its carefully planned advertising campaign drip out ’exclusive’ shots and rumours over a period of months; elsewhere The Blair Witch Project proved that word-of- mouth and the power of the Internet can make an international hit of a small indie production. The disappointment that met Eyes Wide Shut might have encouraged Stanley Kubrick to come back from the beyond to do some final tinkering to his swansong, and he’d have been in good company — the supernatural, ghosts and the dead walking the streets fast began to dominate cinema in the final weeks of the millennium. Back home, Scotland rode on the crest of a wave with award-winning feature debuts by Peter Mullan (Orphans) and Lynne Ramsay (Ratcatcher), as well as the return of gangly Gregory to the big screen in Bill Forsyth's Gregory’s Two Girls.
The List Film of the Year: Ratcatcher
In the running East Is East, Last Night, Happiness
READERS POLL
End of the year, end of the century, end of the millennium. More excuses than anyone really needs to look back on the recent past and sort out the good from the bad. It was the year that Scotland set up its own parliament, that a new Star Wars film created a universe of hype, that a simple game of football between two neighbouring nations became a modern day Bannockburn. But was it a cultural high or a time to tread water until the year 2000 gives everyone a fresh start? Here at The List, we've decided what made 1999 a year to remember. On page 24 it's your turn - agree with us or tell us where to stick our heads. The results of your votes will be published in a couple of issues' time.
Blur burrow ever further into the dark recesses of their own imaginations — and are brilliant! Travis go stratospheric — bless them! So do the Stereophonics — inexplicably! Suede make an album that wins grudging plaudits — but still no one wants to be their friend! Missy Elliot has attitude no Gallagher could match — so Damon Albarn names his baby after her! Oasis shed members like milk teeth — and no-one cares! Belle and Sebastian win a Brit Award, nearly throw it in the Kelvin, and then don’t —- the sell-outs! Robbie Williams remains ubiquitous — and becomes infuriating! The rest of Take That get intimate with Mr Obscurity — shame! Geri, Mel C and Mel B all do the solo thing - and are rubbish! Kula Shaker spilt up — we laugh! Britney Spears is Schoolgirl Of The Year — hurrah! Mogwai’s success opens the door to countless noodly post-rockists — boo! And none of it impresses Shania Twain much.
In the running Come On Die Young by Mogwai, Suicaine Gratification by Paul Westerberg, Simple Pleasure by Tindersticks
In the running ’It Came From The Ground' by Badly Drawn Boy, 'I Try’ by Macy Gray, ’Sexxlaws’ by Beck
we... (mm:
In the running Beastie Boys at SECC, Afghan Whigs at Liquid Room, Beth Orton at Fruitmarket
l8 Nov—2 Dec 1999 THE LIST 21