Blockbusters and Birdwalks

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray

At Blockbusters and Birdwalks, you’ll listen to reviews and conversations about all kinds of movies, from Academy Award winners to exploitation masterpieces with a mix of commercial hits and obscure favorites thrown in for good measure. The point is recognizing that movies present our culture with the building blocks of social memory, enabling each of us to enjoy ourselves because movies are fun.

  1. 3d ago

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 10: “American Beauty”

    Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa assess the now-troublesome Academy Award-winning Best Picture. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Primary screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (George Lucas, 1999), “South Park - Bigger, Longer and Uncut” (Trey Parker, 1999), “Free Enterprise” (Robert Meyer Burnett, 1999), “Eyes Wide Shut” (Stanely Kubrick, 1999), “Twin Falls Idaho” (Michael Polish, 1999), “American Beauty” (Sam Mendes, 1999), “Three Kings” (David O. Russell, 1999), “Boys Don't Cry” (Kimberly Peirce, 1999), “Topsy-Turvy” (Mike Leigh, 1999), “Magnolia” (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1999), and “Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes” (Cass Paley, 1998).  An ADDENDA with documentarian Chris Metzler includes: “Arlington Road” (Mark Pellington, 1999), “The Limey” (Steven Soderbergh, 1999), and “American Movie” (Chris Smith, 1999). *** Referenced media: “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen” (2020) by Brian Raftery“The Usual Suspects” (Bryan Singer, 1995)“Glengarry Glen Ross” (James Foley, 1992)“Working Girl” (Mike Nichols, 1988)“Swimming with Sharks” (George Huang, 1994)“Se7en” (David Fincher, 1995)“House of Cards” (Beau Willimon, 2013-2018)“Sunset Boulevard” (Billy Wilder, 1950)“All that Jazz” (Bob Fosse, 1979)“Deadwood” (David Milch, 2004-2006)“The Sopranos” (David Chase, 1999-2007)Audio quotation: “American Beauty” (Sam Mendes, 1999)“Respectable Street” (1980) written by Andy Partridge and performed by XTC, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqDFGpd845Y&list=RDtqDFGpd845Y&start_radio=1“I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman” (2001) written by Max Martin, Rami, and Dido, and performed by Britney Spears, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlV7RhT6zHs&list=RDIlV7RhT6zHs&start_radio=1“Smoke Bong - Sound Effect” (2020) posted by onlysounds, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kceJXOKu_3g“1999” (1982) written and performed by Prince, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblt2EtFfC4&list=RDrblt2EtFfC4&start_radio=1“Millenium” (1998) written by Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, Leslie Bricusse, and John Barry, and performed by Robbie Williams, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcWOviMI6Lk&list=RDxcWOviMI6Lk&start_radio=1

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 10: “American Beauty”

  2. Oct 9

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 9: “Twin Falls Idaho”

    Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa agree on the value of weird. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Primary screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (George Lucas, 1999), “South Park - Bigger, Longer and Uncut” (Trey Parker, 1999), “Free Enterprise” (Robert Meyer Burnett, 1999), “Eyes Wide Shut” (Stanely Kubrick, 1999), “Twin Falls Idaho” (Michael Polish, 1999), “American Beauty” (Sam Mendes, 1999), “Three Kings” (David O. Russell, 1999), “Boys Don't Cry” (Kimberly Peirce, 1999), “Topsy-Turvy” (Mike Leigh, 1999), “Magnolia” (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1999), and “Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes” (Cass Paley, 1998).  An ADDENDA with documentarian Chris Metzler includes: “Arlington Road” (Mark Pellington, 1999), “The Limey” (Steven Soderbergh, 1999), and “American Movie” (Chris Smith, 1999). ***  Referenced media: “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen” (2020) by Brian Raftery“The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999)“Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998)“The Shield” (Shawn Ryan, 2002-2008)“Twin Peaks” (Mark Frost and David Lynch, 1990-1991, 2017)“Dead Ringers” (David Cronenberg, 1988)“Tales from the Crypt” (William Gaines and Steven Dodd, 1989-1996), Season 2: Episode 17 “My Brother’s Keeper” (Peter S. Seaman, 1990)“Freaks” (Tod Browning, 1932)“Under the Rainbow” (Steve Rash, 1981)“The Greatest American Hero” (Stephen J. Cannell, 1981-1983)“Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide” (1969, revised through 2014) by Leonard Maltin“Life Stinks” (Mel Brooks, 1991)“Clue” (Jonathan Lynn, 1985)“Dracula: Dead and Loving It” (Mel Brooks, 1995)“Robin Hood: Men in Tights” (Mel Brooks, 1993)“History of the World, Part I” (Mel Brooks, 1981)“To Be or Not to Be” (Mel Brooks, 1983)“Being John Malkovich” (Spike Jonze, 1999)“The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999)Audio quotation: “Twin Falls Idaho” (Michael Polish, 1999)“Theme from ‘The Greatest American Hero’ (Believe It or Not)” written by Mike Post and Stephen Geyer, and performed by Joey Scarbury, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Haov6QUFZh0&list=RDHaov6QUFZh0&start_radio=1“Clue (Main Title)” (1985) by John Morris, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24gGwACVAUo&list=RD24gGwACVAUo&start_radio=1“1999” (1982) written and performed by Prince, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblt2EtFfC4&list=RDrblt2EtFfC4&start_radio=1“Millenium” (1998) written by Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, Leslie Bricusse, and John Barry, and performed by Robbie Williams, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcWOviMI6Lk&list=RDxcWOviMI6Lk&start_radio=1

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 9: “Twin Falls Idaho”

  3. Sep 29

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 8: “Eyes Wide Shut”

    Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa talk through divergent feelings about a master’s lasterpiece. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Primary screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (George Lucas, 1999), “South Park - Bigger, Longer and Uncut” (Trey Parker, 1999), “Free Enterprise” (Robert Meyer Burnett, 1999), “Eyes Wide Shut” (Stanely Kubrick, 1999), “Twin Falls Idaho” (Michael Polish, 1999), “American Beauty” (Sam Mendes, 1999), “Three Kings” (David O. Russell, 1999), “Boys Don't Cry” (Kimberly Peirce, 1999), “Topsy-Turvy” (Mike Leigh, 1999), “Magnolia” (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1999), and “Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes” (Cass Paley, 1998).  An ADDENDA with documentarian Chris Metzler includes: “Arlington Road” (Mark Pellington, 1999), “The Limey” (Steven Soderbergh, 1999), and “American Movie” (Chris Smith, 1999). ***  Referenced media: “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen” (2020) by Brian Raftery“2001: A Space Odyssey” (Stanley Kubrick, 1968)“Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (Stanley Kubrick, 1964)“A Clockwork Orange” (Stanley Kubrick, 1971)“The Shining” (Stanley Kubrick, 1980)“Full Metal Jacket” (Stanely Kubrick, 1987)“Basic Instinct” (Paul Verhoeven, 1992)“Barry Lyndon” (Stanely Kubrick, 1975)“Top Gun” (Tony Scott, 1986)“Blade Runner” (Ridley Scott, 1982)“Showgirls” (Paul Verhoeven, 1995)“Spartacus” (Stanley Kubrick, 1960)“Lolita” (Stanley Kubrick, 1962)Audio quotation: “Eyes Wide Shut” (Stanley Kubrick, 1999), including “Musica Ricercata” (1953) by György Ligeti, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV_qPnsYIaA&list=PLRU2kFDUg_RLmd-GsT1v4zzYpW1TlRw5g&index=6“1999” (1982) written and performed by Prince, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblt2EtFfC4&list=RDrblt2EtFfC4&start_radio=1“Millenium” (1998) written by Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, Leslie Bricusse, and John Barry, and performed by Robbie Williams, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcWOviMI6Lk&list=RDxcWOviMI6Lk&start_radio=1

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 8: “Eyes Wide Shut”

  4. Sep 29

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Addendum 1: “Arlington Road”

    Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Chris Metzler think fondly about late 1990s movie experimentation that formed the basis for streaming procedurals. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (George Lucas, 1999), “South Park - Bigger, Longer and Uncut” (Trey Parker, 1999), “Free Enterprise” (Robert Meyer Burnett, 1999), “Eyes Wide Shut” (Stanely Kubrick, 1999), “Twin Falls Idaho” (Michael Polish, 1999), “American Beauty” (Sam Mendes, 1999), “Three Kings” (David O. Russell, 1999), “Boys Don't Cry” (Kimberly Peirce, 1999), “Topsy-Turvy” (Mike Leigh, 1999), “Magnolia” (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1999), and “Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes” (Cass Paley, 1998).  An ADDENDA with documentarian Chris Metzler includes: “Arlington Road” (Mark Pellington, 1999), “The Limey” (Steven Soderbergh, 1999), and “American Movie” (Chris Smith, 1999). *** Referenced media: “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen” (2020) by Brian Raftery“Plagues & Pleasures of the Salton Sea” (Jeff Springer and Chris Metzler, 2004)“Starman” (John Carpenter, 1984)“Fearless” (Peter Weir, 1993)“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (Dick Wolf, 1999-now)“Law & Order” (Dick Wolf, 1990-2010, 2022-now)“The Odyssey” (Christopher Nolan, 2026)“The Sixth Sense” (M. Night Shyamalan, 1999)“Memento” (Christopher Nolan, 2000)“The Sopranos” (David Chase, 1999-2007)“The Player” (Robert Altman, 1992)“The Postman” (Kevin Costner, 1997)“The Postman” (1985) by David Brin“The Transparent Society: Will Technology Force Us to Choose Between Privacy and Freedom?” (1998) by David Brin“Summer of Sam” (Spike Lee, 1999)“Malcolm X” (Spike Lee, 1992)“Eyes Wide Shut” (Stanley Kubrick, 1999)“Being John Malkovich” (Spike Jonze, 1999)“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (Michael Bay, 2009)“Transformers: Dark of the Moon” (Michael Bay, 2011)“Transformers: Age of Extinction” (Michael Bay, 2014)“Top Gun: Maverick” (Joseph Kosinski, 2022)“F1” (Joseph Kosinski, 2025)“The Ring” (Gore Verbinski, 2002)Audio quotation: “Arlington Road” (Mark Pellington, 1999), including “The Bomb”, “Bloody Boy & Neon Reprise”, “Escape”, and “Leah’s Theme” by Angelo Badalamenti, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLohYzz4btpaSQLL-JlIHAsR4dbp-f2p7J“Plagues & Pleasures of the Salton Sea” (Jeff Springer and Chris Metzler, 2004), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhB2ZvHVFls“The Sopranos” (David Chase, 1999-2007), including “Woke Up This Morning” (1997) by Alabama 3,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJpNmYeooQE“Eyes Wide Shut” (Stanley Kubrick, 1999), including “Musica Ricercata” (1953) by György Ligeti, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV_qPnsYIaA&list=PLRU2kFDUg_RLmd-GsT1v4zzYpW1TlRw5g&index=6“Blender Sound Effect” (2023), posted by Infinity Sounds, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV_qPnsYIaA&list=PLRU2kFDUg_RLmd-GsT1v4zzYpW1TlRw5g&index=6“EATING SOUND EFFECT” (2023), posted by Short Sound Library, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVN3HLx5IiI“1999” (1982) written and performed by Prince, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblt2EtFfC4&list=RDrblt2EtFfC4&start_radio=1“Millenium” (1998) written by Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, Leslie Bricusse, and John Barry, and performed by Robbie Williams, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcWOviMI6Lk&list=RDxcWOviMI6Lk&start_radio=1

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Addendum 1: “Arlington Road”

  5. Sep 8

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 7: “Free Enterprise”

    Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa sing hosannas to a preferred religious devotion than the Big 3 of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam.  This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Primary screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (George Lucas, 1999), “South Park - Bigger, Longer and Uncut” (Trey Parker, 1999), “Free Enterprise” (Robert Meyer Burnett, 1999), “Eyes Wide Shut” (Stanely Kubrick, 1999), “Twin Falls Idaho” (Michael Polish, 1999), “American Beauty” (Sam Mendes, 1999), “Three Kings” (David O. Russell, 1999), “Boys Don't Cry” (Kimberly Peirce, 1999), “Topsy-Turvy” (Mike Leigh, 1999), “Magnolia” (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1999), and “Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes” (Cass Paley, 1998).  An ADDENDA with documentarian Chris Metzler includes: “Arlington Road” (Mark Pellington, 1999), “The Limey” (Steven Soderbergh, 1999), and “American Movie” (Chris Smith, 1999). *** Referenced media: “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen” (2020) by Brian Raftery“Star Trek” (Gene Roddenberry, 1966-1969)“A Boy and His Dog” (L.Q. Jones, 1975)“Wizards” (Ralph Bakshi, 1977)“Damnation Alley” (Jack Smight, 1977)“The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999)“Galaxy Quest” (Dean Parisot, 1999)“The Player” (Robert Altman, 1992)“Swimming with Sharks” (George Huang, 1994)“Se7en” (David Fincher, 1995)“Manhunter” (Michael Mann, 1986)“The Silence of the Lambs” (Jonathan Demme, 1991)“The Brady Bunch” (Sherwood Schwartz, 1969-1974)“Logan’s Run” (Michael Anderson, 1976)“Will & Grace” (David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, 1998-2006, 2017-2020)“Star Wars” (George Lucas, 1977)“Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (George Lucas, 1999)“The Sandman” (1989-1996) by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg“Star Trek: The Motion Picture” (Robert Wise, 1979)“Cheers” (Glen and Les Charles, and James Burrows, 1982-1993)“Starship Smackdown panel, SDCC 2014”, featuring our own Ed Rosa at 4:18, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tI47RSamWIAudio quotation: “Free Enterprise” (Robert Meyer Burnett, 1999)“1999” (1982) written and performed by Prince, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblt2EtFfC4&list=RDrblt2EtFfC4&start_radio=1“Millenium” (1998) written by Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, Leslie Bricusse, and John Barry, and performed by Robbie Williams, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcWOviMI6Lk&list=RDxcWOviMI6Lk&start_radio=1

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 7: “Free Enterprise”

  6. Aug 25

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 6: “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut”

    Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa embrace four letter curse words to review how one vulgar movie musical changed entertainment history. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Primary screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (George Lucas, 1999), “South Park - Bigger, Longer and Uncut” (Trey Parker, 1999), “Free Enterprise” (Robert Meyer Burnett, 1999), “Eyes Wide Shut” (Stanely Kubrick, 1999), “Twin Falls Idaho” (Michael Polish, 1999), “American Beauty” (Sam Mendes, 1999), “Three Kings” (David O. Russell, 1999), “Boys Don't Cry” (Kimberly Peirce, 1999), “Topsy-Turvy” (Mike Leigh, 1999), “Magnolia” (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1999), and “Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes” (Cass Paley, 1998).  An ADDENDA with documentarian Chris Metzler includes: “Arlington Road” (Mark Pellington, 1999), “The Limey” (Steven Soderbergh, 1999), and “American Movie” (Chris Smith, 1999). *** Referenced media: “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen” (2020) by Brian Raftery“South Park” (Trey Parker and Matt Stone, 1997-now)“”Fritz the Cat” (Ralph Bakshi, 1972)“Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” (Jay Roach, 1999)“Team America: World Police” (Trey Parker, 2004)“The Producers” (Mel Brooks, 1967)“Holly Randall Unfiltered: Episode 452” (Holly Randall, 2017-now)“Dr. Pimple Popper” (Brad Kuhlman and Casey Brumels, 2018-2023)“Children of Men” (Alfonso Cuarón, 2006)“The Devils” (Ken Russell, 1971)Audio quotation: “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut” (Trey Stone, 1999), including the songs by Trey Parker and Marc Shaiman “Mountain Town”, performed by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Mary Kay Bergman; “Uncle Fucka”, performed by Trey Parker and Matt Stone; “It’s Easy, M’Kay”, performed by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Mary Kay Bergman; “Blame Canada”, performed by Mary Kay Bergman; “What Would Brian Boitano Do?”, performed by Trey Parker and Matt Stone; and “Eyes of a Child”, performed by Michael McDonald“1999” (1982) written and performed by Prince, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblt2EtFfC4&list=RDrblt2EtFfC4&start_radio=1“Millenium” (1998) written by Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, Leslie Bricusse, and John Barry, and performed by Robbie Williams, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcWOviMI6Lk&list=RDxcWOviMI6Lk&start_radio=1

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 6: “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut”

  7. Aug 14

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 5: “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace”

    Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa negotiate a key boyhood memory that spawned too many sequels and spin-offs. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Primary screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (George Lucas, 1999), “South Park - Bigger, Longer and Uncut” (Trey Parker, 1999), “Free Enterprise” (Robert Meyer Burnett, 1999), “Eyes Wide Shut” (Stanely Kubrick, 1999), “Twin Falls Idaho” (Michael Polish, 1999), “American Beauty” (Sam Mendes, 1999), “Three Kings” (David O. Russell, 1999), “Boys Don't Cry” (Kimberly Peirce, 1999), “Topsy-Turvy” (Mike Leigh, 1999), “Magnolia” (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1999), and “Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes” (Cass Paley, 1998).  An ADDENDA with documentarian Chris Metzler includes: “Arlington Road” (Mark Pellington, 1999), “The Limey” (Steven Soderbergh, 1999), and “American Movie” (Chris Smith, 1999). ***  Referenced media: “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen” (2020) by Brian Raftery“Star Wars” (George Lucas, 1977)“The Empire Strikes Back” (Irvin Kershner, 1980)“Return of the Jedi” (Richard Marquand, 1983)“Star Trek” (Gene Roddenberry, 1966-1969)“Tombstone” (George P. Cosmatos, 1993)“Poltergeist” (Tobe Hooper, 1982)“The Matrix” (The Wachoswkis, 1999)“The Beginning: Making ‘Episode I’” (Jon Shenk, 2001)“Bedknobs and Broomsticks” (Robert Stevenson, 1971)“Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” (George Lucas, 2002)“Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (George Lucas, 2005)“Licorice Pizza” (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2021)“Snakes on a Plane” (David R. Ellis, 2006)“Star Wait” (Mike Rotman, 2005)Audio quotation: “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (George Lucas, 1999)“Return of the Jedi” (Richard Marquand, 1983)“Bedknobs and Broomsticks” (Robert Stevenson, 1971)“Snakes on a Plane” (David R. Ellis, 2006)“1999” (1982) written and performed by Prince, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblt2EtFfC4&list=RDrblt2EtFfC4&start_radio=1“Millenium” (1998) written by Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, Leslie Bricusse, and John Barry, and performed by Robbie Williams, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcWOviMI6Lk&list=RDxcWOviMI6Lk&start_radio=1

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 5: “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace”

  8. Aug 6

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 4: “The Matrix”

    Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa worry whether their bots enjoy shoot ’em up entertainment. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Primary screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (George Lucas, 1999), “South Park - Bigger, Longer and Uncut” (Trey Parker, 1999), “Free Enterprise” (Robert Meyer Burnett, 1999), “Eyes Wide Shut” (Stanely Kubrick, 1999), “Twin Falls Idaho” (Michael Polish, 1999), “American Beauty” (Sam Mendes, 1999), “Three Kings” (David O. Russell, 1999), “Boys Don't Cry” (Kimberly Peirce, 1999), “Topsy-Turvy” (Mike Leigh, 1999), “Magnolia” (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1999), and “Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes” (Cass Paley, 1998).  An ADDENDA with documentarian Chris Metzler includes: “Arlington Road” (Mark Pellington, 1999), “The Limey” (Steven Soderbergh, 1999), and “American Movie” (Chris Smith, 1999). *** Referenced media: “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen” (2020) by Brian Raftery“The Matrix Reloaded” (The Wachowski Brothers, 2003)“The Matrix Revolutions” (The Wachowski Brothers, 2003)“The Matrix Resurrections” (Lana Wachowski, 2021)“The Odyssey” (Christopher Nolan, 2026)“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (Gore Verbinski, 2003)“Cloud Atlas” (Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, and Andy Wachowski, 2012)“Speed Racer” (The Wachowski Brothers, 2008)“The Terminator” (James Cameron, 1984)“Eternals” (Chloé Zhao, 2021)“Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (Stephen Herek, 1989)“BiRDMAN or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” (Alejandro G. Iñárritu, 2014)“Zabruder film” (Abraham Zapruder, 1963)Audio quotation: “The Matrix” (The Wachowski Brothers, 1999), including “Main Title/Trinity Infinity”, “Training Begins”, and “Saving Morpheus” by Don Davis; “Wake Up” (1992) written by Tim Commerford, Zack de la Rocha, Tom Morello, and Brad Wilk and performed by Rage Against the Machine; “Mindfields” (1997) written by Liam Howlett and Keith Andrew Palmer and performed by The Prodigy, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLohYzz4btpaRFBPlUNM4Ytw9uQzKz_88s“Cloud Atlas” (Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, and Andy Wachowski, 2012), including “Cloud Atlas End Title” (2012) written by Tom Tywer, Johnny Klimek, and Reinhold Heil, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kFJBm4QhOJ4ctEN8cBq5e-hri1CV6UFSA“Speed Racer” (The Wachowski Brothers, 2008), including “Start Your Engines” (2008) by Michael Giacchino, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCSGe26DTvHOqU3HtJ1sya_rAMHg2sZxb“1999” (1982) written and performed by Prince, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblt2EtFfC4&list=RDrblt2EtFfC4&start_radio=1“Millenium” (1998) written by Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, Leslie Bricusse, and John Barry, and performed by Robbie Williams, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcWOviMI6Lk&list=RDxcWOviMI6Lk&start_radio=1

    1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation – Episode 4: “The Matrix”
See All (207)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

At Blockbusters and Birdwalks, you’ll listen to reviews and conversations about all kinds of movies, from Academy Award winners to exploitation masterpieces with a mix of commercial hits and obscure favorites thrown in for good measure. The point is recognizing that movies present our culture with the building blocks of social memory, enabling each of us to enjoy ourselves because movies are fun.

Information

  • Creator
    Garrett Chaffin-Quiray
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    207
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Blockbusters and Birdwalks
  • Show Website
    Blockbusters and Birdwalks