1. invasion of the body snatchers (1978). usually (occasionally) I'm the stickler for "good" or "artsy," but this one -- this one transcends such a facade. who knows why I like it. after all, it's too detached from the McCarthy era for the allegorical side of the original to appeal to me.
2. wizards. brilliant animated film by ralph bakshi, if a bit heavy-handed at times. one of the creepiest films I have ever seen. its weakest point is character design, with uneven and inconsistent construction. however, the backgrounds are amazing: pencil sketches, film negatives, watercolors, etc.
3. henry fool. can't say why. "iambic what?"
4. the sweet hereafter. it wasn't nominated for best picture but it definitely deserved the oscar. titanic addressed its subject on epic, bombastic scale; the sweet hereafter was far more poignant in its detail and precision. beautifully filmed.
5. streetfight. another great animated film by bakshi. essentially offensive but visually startling.
6. iron giant. excellent children's film -- great story, great animation, great setting, even great morals (says me).
7. austin powers 2. hehe.

...

1. newsradio. characters with depth, not just simple personalities or gimmicks. sure, there is the tremendously intelligent math wiz and the gentle midwesterner and the wacky secretary -- easily categorizable stereotypes all (I guess), but that's precisely their depth. the ensemble is an assembly of every crazy on the street. smart, smart comedy that, even in its most touching moments, never became saccharine.
2. the simpsons. went on the air as a series in 1989. I entered kindergarten in 1989. if it just manages to last until 2002, it will be a true K-12.
3. the x-files. I have distinct memories of sticking my tongue out when I first heard of the concept.
4. buffy. The only respectable show in the WB. layered under its bubblegum.
5. late night with conan o'brien. andy richter and a gaseous weiner. my case rests.
6. animaniacs / the tick. rivals simpsons in terms of intelligent and subversive animated shows.
7. pepper ann. at seven, I was Moose.

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