Top 25 films of 1997 (Countdown will begin Sunday Nov. 26th at Noon EST 9AM PST)

[That One Girl]

1 minute ago, Squadron Leader Tele said:

 

 

 

 

 

?

[dxmatrixdt]

Turbulence and Con Air in the same year.  Same as Volcano and Dante's Peak.  Next year....Deep Impact/Armageddon. 

[filmlover]

Just now, Matrix4Tulip said:

Turbulence and Con Air in the same year.  Same as Volcano and Dante's Peak.  Next year....Deep Impact/Armageddon. 

Turbulence is a godawful movie and both Volcano and Dante's Peak are pretty average/lame. Therefore, I expect all three to make @Squadron Leader Tele's list.

[That One Girl]

Did any movies have skybeams in them?  

[filmlover]

1 minute ago, That One Guy said:

Did any movies have skybeams in them?  

This was long before The Age of the Skybeam came along.

[4815162342]

So, Princess Mononoke was released in Japan in 1997, but not in the US until 1999. How should we treat it?

[dxmatrixdt]

no Star Wars trilogy extended, right?  that would ruin the top 3.

[John Marston]

1 hour ago, That One Guy said:

Did any movies have skybeams in them?  

 

I think I found one. Go to 9 seconds in this video

 

 

 

[Fancyarcher]

Posting to remind myself. Definitely gonna make a list, 1997 is a solid year for film, so hopefully there will be some good movies to choose from.

 

1 hour ago, Squadron Leader Tele said:

 

 

Anti-mainstream hipster!!!

[That One Girl]

14 minutes ago, John Marston said:

 

I think I found one. Go to 9 seconds in this video

 

 

 

 

@Squadron Leader Tele what's your opinion on Men in Black

[Plain Old Tele]

51 minutes ago, That One Guy said:

 

@Squadron Leader Tele what's your opinion on Men in Black

 

It's fine. 

[Tower]

3 hours ago, 4815162342 said:

So, Princess Mononoke was released in Japan in 1997, but not in the US until 1999. How should we treat it?

Unless Baumer objects, I think we should keep the rule that foreign films should go by original release, meaning that Mononoke counts as a 1997 release. 

P.S if you haven't seen Mononoke, watch it now, I just saw it recently for the first time and it's incredible. It's now my Favourite Animated film of all time and will likely be my number 1 on this list.

[dxmatrixdt]

Okay, I am going to write out a little bit on each film in 1997, going weekend by weekend from the BOM weekend section of 1997.  I find revisiting a year in film is tough to do as there are many hidden films so I hope this will be helpful.  A lot of the limited release films say 1996 on the Wikipedia page, so I made a mention of that.  I have already omitted about 4 movies that has BOM saying it was nominated for documentary or foreign film for the 1996 year.  I do not think those ones count.  Let me know if any others do not count, but I will include them for now.  Here we go month by month. 

 

JANUARY 1997

Week 1: Jan 3rd - Jan 5th

Michael (1996) repeats at number one from the weekend before, dropping 30.3% and eventually making 95.32 million.  Boxofficemojo shows one film being released called Troublesome Creek: A Midwestern which is a documentary, but it says it was nominated for a 1995 Academy Award so this is one of the ones that will not count.  The rest will not be mentioned.

Week 2: Jan 10th - Jan 12th

The Relic

• Paramount
• Horror Movie opens at #1 in January
• First creature feature of 1997, next is Anaconda
• 9.06 million OW, 33.96 million total
• 60 million budget, 33% on Rotten Tomatoes
• Based on best selling novel
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Relic_(film)

 

Jackie Chan’s First Strike

 

• #6 on weekend
• 1996 release in Hong Kong
• Distributed and re-edited by New Line
• 5.78 million OW, 15.32 million total
• 52% Rotten Tomatoes
• Known as Police Story 4: First Strike
• 4th highest domestic film in Hong Kong as of today
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_Story_4:_First_Strike

 

Turbulence

 

• #8 on weekend
• MGM
• Conair is the next plane hostage film of 1997
• 4.46 million OW, 11.54 million total
• 55 million budget, 17% Rotten Tomatoes
• Razzie nomination – Worst Actress, Most Reckless film
• Became a trilogy with 2 direct to video sequels
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbulence_(1997_film)

 

 

 

Week 3: Jan 17th - Jan 20th

Beverly Hills Ninja and Metro open in the #1 and #2 spots as poorly reviewed comedies that ended up grossing almost the same amount.

Beverly Hills Ninja

• #1 movie – Sony (Tristar)
• 12.22 million OW, 31.48 million total
• 31.50 million budget, 14% Rotten Tomaotes
• Direct to video sequel - Dancing Ninja (2010)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Hills_Ninja

Metro

 

• Buena Vista (#2 on weekend)
• 11.41 million OW, 32.00 million total
• 55 million budget, 15% Rotten Tomatoes
• Two Thumbs Up
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_(1997_film)

Albino Alligator

• Mirimax films (not ranked)
• 0.34 million total
• Hostage Thriller, 47% Rotten Tomaotes
• Kevin Spacey directorial debut
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albino_Alligator

 

WEEK 4: JAN 24TH - JAN 26TH

Jerry Maguire regained first place by falling 16.1% to 5.52 million and ended up with 153.92 million.

 

Fierce Creatures

• Universal (#8 spot)
• 3.76 million OW, 9.38 million total
• 25 million budget, 53% Rotten Tomatoes
• Farcical comedy
• Spiritual successor to A Fish Called Wanda
• Shooting began in 1995, reshoots = delay
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fierce_Creatures

Zeus and Roxanne

• MGM (#10 spot)
• 2.76 million OW, 7.23 million total
• 50% Rotten Tomatoes
• Dog & Dolphin relationship
• Arnold Vosloo on cast list (The Mummy)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeus_and_Roxanne

Prefontaine

• Buena Vista (small release)
• 0.59 million total
• 8 million budget, 59% Rotten Tomatoes
• 70’s period film, autobiographical Olympic Runner
• Jared Leto as Steve Prefontaine
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prefontaine_(film)

Koyla

• Indian action thriller
• Foreign limited release
• Highest opening weekend record at that time in India
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koyla

Reggie’s Prayer

• 2.6 million budget
• Limited release
• Football drama
• http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117457/

 

WEEK 5: JAN 31ST - FEB 2ND

Star Wars (Special Edition) takes the January opening weekend record with a 35.91 million opening weekend and totals out at 138.26 million.

 

Gridlock’d

• Gramercy (#10 spot)
• 2.68 million OW, 5.57 million total
• 5 million budget, 88% Rotten Tomatoes
• Tupac was murdered 4 months prior to release
• About Detroit heroin addicts (taboo)

• Taboo ‘smack’ follow up to 1996’s Trainspottin

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gridlock'd

Meet Wally Sparks

• Trimark (#13 spot)
• 2.13 million OW, 4.07 million total
• 14% Rotten Tomatoes
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meet_Wally_Sparks

Shadow Conspiracy

• Buena Vista (#16 spot)
• 1.37 million OW, 2.31 million total
• 45 million budget, 0% Rotten Tomatoes
• DVD release 2003
• Filmed in 19 days
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Conspiracy

 

johns (1996?)

• First Look (limited)
• 50k total
• 1996 release?
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johns_(film)

 

Waiting for Guffman

• Sony Classics (limited)
• Mockumentary
• 2.92 million
• 4 million budget, 91% Rotten Tomatoes
• Nominated for- AFI - 100 years…..100 laughs
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_for_Guffman

 

Edited September 4, 2017 by Matrix4You

[dxmatrixdt]

FEBRUARY 1997

WEEK 6: Feb 7th - Feb 9th

Star Wars stays at #1, dropping 32.4% to 24.28 million and a PTA of $11,538.

 

Dante's Peak

• Universal (#2 spot)
• $6,955 PTA, 18.48 million opening weekend
• 67.13 million total, 178.13 million worldwide
• 116 million budget, 27% Rotten Tomatoes
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante's_Peak

The Beautician and the Beast

• Paramount (#3 spot)
• 4.08 million OW, 11.49 million total
• 16 million budget, 16% Rotten Tomatoes
• PG rated RomCom
• Razzie nomination - Worst Actress
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beautician_and_the_Beast

 

Weekend #7 - Feb 14th - Feb 17th

Star Wars #1 once again.  Down 12.0% for a 21.37 million weekend and a PTA of $10,157

 

Absolute Power

• Sony (#2 spot)
• $6,530 PTA, 14.68 million OW, 50.07 million total
• 50 million budget, 45% Rotten Tomatoes
• based on 1996 novel
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_Power_(film)

Vegas Vacation

• WB (#4 spot)
• $6,250 PTA, 12.84 million OW, 36.40 total
• 25 million budget, 13% Rotten Tomatoes
• PG rating
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegas_Vacation

Fools Rush In

• Sony (#5 spot)
• $5,130 PTA, 8.59 million OW, 29.48 million total
• 20 million budget, 33% Rotten Tomatoes
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fools_Rush_In_(1997_film)

 

That Darn Cat

• Buena Vista (#6 spot)
• 6.42 opening weekend, 18.30 total
• 13% Rotten Tomatoes, PG family comedy
• remake of 1965 film
• based on book 'Undercover Cat'
• does have an animatronic cat
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_Darn_Cat_(1997_film)

Dangerous Ground

• New Line (#12 spot)
• 2.65 million OW, 5.30 total
• 28 million budget, 8% Rotten Tomatoes
• semi-successful soundtrack
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dangerous_Ground

Touch

• MGM (limited)
• 0.387 million total
• 33% Rotten Tomatoes
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_(1997_film)

 

Weekend #8 - Feb 21st - Feb 23rd

The Empire Strikes Back (Special Edition) opens at #1 for the week with a PTA of $10,140, an OW of 21.98 million, and finishing with 67.60 million.

Star Wars: A New Hope (Special Edition) falls 37.10% to #2.

 

Rosewood

• WB (#8 spot)
• 3.15 million OW, 13.13 million total
• 30 million budget, 85% Rotten Tomatoes
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosewood_(film)

Blood and Wire (1996?)

• Fox Searchlight (#23 spot)
• 1996? smaller release
• 1.09 million total
• 26 million budget, 61% Rotten Tomatoes
• Director Bob Rafelson - final part of unofficial trilogy - Five Easy Pieces, The King of Marvin Gardens
• neo-noir caper
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_and_Wine

Lost Highway

• limited release
• 3.68 million domestic gross
• 15 million budget, 60% Rotten Tomatoes
• neo-noir mindbender
• acting debut for Marilyn Manson
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Highway_(film)

 

Weekend #9 - February 28th - March 2nd

Empire Strikes Back falls 40.2% for a weekend of 13.15 million and a PTA of $6,224

 

Donnie Brasco

• Sony (#2 spot)
• $7,757 PTA, 11.66 milllion OW, 41.91 million total
• 35 million budget, 87% Rotten Tomatoes
• Academy Award Nomination - Best Adapted Screenplay

Booty Call

• $5,054 PTA, 6.43 million OW, 20.05 million total
• 7 million budget, 25% Rotten Tomatoes
• soundtrack = platinum
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booty_Call

Smilla's Sense of Snow

• Fox Searchlight (limited)
• 2.37 million domestic
• 35 million budget, 52% Rotten Tomatoes
• based on 1992 novel
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smilla's_Sense_of_Snow_(film)

Hard Eight (1996?)

• Samuel Goldwyn (limited)
• 1996?
• 0.223 million domestic, 3 million budget
• 83% Rotten Tomatoes
• neo-noir crime film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_Eight_(film)

 

Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996?)

• limited release
• 4.11 million domestic, 3 million budget
• Indian English-language historical romance
• 1996?
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama_Sutra:_A_Tale_of_Love

Follow Me Home (1996?)

• limited release
• New Millenia
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Follow_Me_Home_(film)

 

 

 

[dxmatrixdt]

MARCH 1997

 

Weekend #10:  March 7th - 9th

Private Parts

• Paramount (#1 spot)
• #6,836 PTA, 14.62 million OW, 41.23 million total
• 28 million budget, 80% Rotten Tomatoes
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_Parts_(1997_film)

Jungle 2 Jungle

• Buena Vista (#2 spot)
• $5,531 PTA, 12.81 million OW, 59.93 million total
• 32 million budget, 20% Rotten Tomatoes
• remake of 1994 French film
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jungle_2_Jungle

Rhyme & Reason

• Miramax (#19 spot)
• Documentary
• 1.61 million domestic gross
• 60% Rotten Tomatoes
• soundtrack = Gold
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyme_%26_Reason_(film)

Boys Life 2

• limited release
• domestic 0.533 million
• compilation of 4 short films about being gay in America
• there are six of these compilations altogether so far
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boys_Life_2

Good Luck (1996?)

• limited release, 40k domestic
• 1996 film??
• 2 physically disabled men come together to challenge themselves
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Luck_(1996_film)

The Daytrippers (1996?)

• Sony - limited release
• 2.1 million domestic, 73% Rotten Tomatoes
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Daytrippers

 

Weekend #11 - March 14th - March 16th

Return of the Jedi (special edition) opens at #1 with 16.29 million and a PTA of $7,718.  It finishes up with 45.47 million.

 

Love Jones

• New Line (#6 spot)
• $4,766 PTA, 3.91 million OW, 12.78 million total
• 10M budget, 67% Rotten Tomatoes
• R-rated romantic drama
• cult following
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Jones_(film)

City of Industry

• ORION Pictures (#19 spot)
• 1.57 million domestic
• 8 million budget, 38% Rotten Tomatoes
• neo-noir crime thriller
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Industry_(film)

Drunks (1995 film???)

• 1995 film?
• limited release
• 50% Rotten Tomatoes
• 38k domestic
• alcoholics anonymous
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drunks_(film)

 

Weekend #12 - March 21st - March 23rd

 

Liar Liar

• Universal (#1 spot)
• $11,045 PTA, 31.42 million OW, 181.41 million domestic, 302.71 million worldwide
• 45 million budget, 81% Rotten Tomatoes
• Golden Globe nomination - Jim Carrey
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liar_Liar

Selena

• WB (#2 spot)
• $6,278 PTA, 11.62 million OW, 35.28 million total
• 20 million budget, 64% Rotten Tomatoes
• Jennifer Lopez breakout role
• Golden Globe nomination - Jennifer Lopez
• soundtrack = platinum
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selena_(film)

Gray's Anatomy (1996 film??)

• limited release (1996?)
• 29k domestic
• Steven Soderberg
• 0.35 million budget
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray's_Anatomy_(film)

 

Week #13 - March 28th - March 30th

Liar Liar stays at #1 dropping 19.2% for a weekend total of 25.38 million

 

The Devil's Own

• Sony (#2 spot)
• $5,700 PTA, 14.27 million OW, 42.87 million domestic, 140.81 million worldwide
• 80 million budget, 33% Rotten Tomatoes
• R-rated thriller
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil's_Own

 

The 6th Man

• Buena Vista (#6 spot)
• 4.13 million OW, 14.77 million total
• 11 million budget, 23% Rotten Tomatoes
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_6th_Man

 

Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie

• Fox (#7 spot)
• 3.30 million OW, 8.36 million total
• 16% Rotten Tomatoes
• not a sequel
• bridges the gap between 2 TV series... Power Rangers Zero and Power Rangers Turbo
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbo:_A_Power_Rangers_Movie

 

B.A.P.S.

• New Line (#9 spot)
• 2.74 million OW, 7.24 million total
• 10 million budget, 13% Rotten Tomatoes
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B*A*P*S

 

Cats Don't Dance

• WB (#15 spot)
• 0.94 million OW, 3.57 million total
• 32M Budget, 69% Rotten Tomatoes
• WB Animation
• G-Rated
• Randy Newman Songs
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cats_Don't_Dance

 

Love and Other Catastrophes (1996 film?)

• Fox Searchlight (limited)
• 1996 film???
• 0.294 million domestic, 0.250 million budget
• Australian college romantic comedy
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_and_Other_Catastrophes

 

 

 

Edited September 4, 2017 by Matrix4You

[dxmatrixdt]

April 1997

Week #14: April 4th - April 6th

Liar Liar held onto the number one spot dropping 28.0% to 18.28 million.

The Saint

• Paramount (#2 spot)
• 16.28 million OW, 61.36 million domestic, 118.06 million worldwide
• Rotten Tomatoes - 29% critics, 63% audience
• Cinemascore = B+
• Budget 68 million
• Razzie nomination - Worst Actor
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Saint_(1997_film)

 

That Old Feeling

• Universal (#4 spot)
• 5.10 million OW, 16.57 million total
• Rotten Tomatoes - 43% critics, 60% audience
• Cinemascore = B-
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_Old_Feeling_(film)

 

Double Team

• Sony/Colombia (#5 spot)
• 5.03 million OW, 11.44 million total
• Budget 30 million
• Rotten Tomatoes - 11% critics, 24% audience
• Cinemascore = B-
• Dennis Rodman winner of 3 Razzies
• R-Rated action comedy
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Team_(film)

 

Inventing the Abbotts

• Fox (#10 spot)
• 2.30 million OW, 5.94 million total
• Rotten Tomatoes - 31% critics, 52% audience
• Cinemascore = B-
• R-rated coming of age film
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inventing_the_Abbotts

 

Anna Karenina

• WB (limited release)
• 0.86 million domestic
• Rotten Tomatoes - 26% critics, 65% audience
• only film to ever be released about this figure
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Karenina_(1997_film)

 

Chasing Amy

• Mirimax Films (small release)
• $17,482 PTA OW, 12.02 million domestic total
• Budget 0.25 million
• Rotten Tomatoes - 88% critics, 83% audience
• Golden Globe nomination - Best Actress
• R-Rated romantic comedy
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chasing_Amy

 

Childhood's End

• Plainview Pictures (limited release)
• http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115880/

 

 

Weekend #14 - April 11th - April 13th

 

Anaconda

• Sony (#1 opening)
• $6,767 OW PTA, 16.62 million OW, 65.89 million domestic, 136.89 million worldwide
• Budget 45 million
• Rotten Tomatoes - 38% critics, 24% audience
• Cinemascore = B-
• theatrical sequel and 3 made for TV sequels
• 6 Razzie nominations
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaconda_(film)

 

Grosse Pointe Blank

• Buena Vista (#4 spot)
• 6.87 million OW, 28.08 million total
• Budget 15 million
• Rotten Tomatoes - 79% critics, 87% audience
• Cinemascore = B
• War, Inc. = informal sequel
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grosse_Pointe_Blank

 

Keys to Tulsa (1996 film?)

• Gramercy (limited release)
• 1996 film???
• 57k domestic box office
• Rotten Tomatoes - 13% critics, 23% audience
• based on novel
• neo noir
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keys_to_Tulsa

 

Schizopolis (1996 film???)

• Northern Arts (limited release)
• 1996 film?
• 10.6k domestic box office
• Budget 0.25 million
• Rotten Tomatoes - 59% critics, 81% audience
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizopolis

 

 

Weekend #15 - April 18th - April 20th

Anaconda repeats at #1, dropping 27.7% to 12.01 million

 

Murder at 1600

• WB (#3 spot)
• 7.96 million OW, 25.80 million total
• Budget 20 million
• Rotten Tomatoes - 34% critics, 43% audience
• Cinemascore B+
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_at_1600

 

McHale's Navy

• Universal (#7 spot)
• 2.13 million OW, 4.53 million total
• Budget 42 million
• Rotten Tomatoes - 3% critics, 37% audience
• Cinemascore C+
• based on 1962 - 1966 sitcom
• Razzie nomination - Worst Remake or Sequel
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McHale's_Navy_(1997_film)

 

8 Heads in a Duffel Bag

• Orion Pictures (#9 spot)
• 2.02 million OW, 3.60 million totla
• Budget 3 million
• Rotten Tomatoes - 11% critics, 35% audience
• Cinemascore C
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8_Heads_in_a_Duffel_Bag

 

Traveller

• October (limited release)
• 0.534 million domestic
• Rotten Tomatoes - 79% critics, 53% audience
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traveller_(1997_film)

 

Hollow Reed (1996 film???)

e

• Lionsgate (limited release)
• 1996 film?
• 0.266 million domestic
• Rotten Tomatoes - 85% critics, 43% audience
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollow_Reed

 

 

Weekend #16 - April 25th - April 27th

 

Volcano

• Fox (#1 opening)
• $5,256 OW PTA, 14.58 million OW, 49.32 million domestic, 122.82 million worldwide
• Budget 90 million
• Rotten Tomatoes - 44% critics, 31% audience
• Cinemascore B+
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcano_(1997_film)

 

Romy & Michele's High School Reunion

• Buena Vista (#2 spot)
• $4,637 OW PTA, 7.43 million OW, 29.24 million total
• Rotten Tomatoes - 70% critics, 65% audience
• Cinemascore C
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romy_and_Michele's_High_School_Reunion

 

Shiloh (1996 film???)

• Legacy (limited release)
• 1996 film?
• 1.01 million domestic
• Rotten Tomatoes - 73% critics, 64% audience
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiloh_(film)

 

 

A Brother's Kiss (1996 film???)

• First Look (indie)
• 53k domestic
• Rotten Tomatoes - 100% critics, 68% audience
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Brother's_Kiss

 

Flamenco (1995 film???)

• New Yorker (limited release)
• 0.480 million domestic
• dancing documentary
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamenco_(1995_film)

 

Nothing Personal (1995 film???)

• Trimark (limited release)
• 1995 film?
• 40k domestic
• Rotten Tomatoes - 58% audience rating
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing_Personal_(1995_film)

 

 

 

 

Edited September 5, 2017 by Matrix4You

[dxmatrixdt]

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