1999
Noah’s Barks pages covering things relating to the year 1999.
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The Straight Story
David Lynch’s unexpectedly, intensely sentimental The Straight Story doubles both as a tale of redemption and an empathetic and fair tribute to a more conservative era gone past, as reflected by one of many men who define it. Though as predictable as you’d expect, very relaxed, natural dialogue and performances, an excellent score from Badalamenti,… (read more)
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Jin-Roh
‘Jin-Roh,’ written by Mamoru Oshii, is an atmospheric, downcast tone piece that mires in the traumas of war. However, though war never changes, I prefer when my media does. (read more)
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Serial Experiments Lain: The Nightmare of Fabrication
‘The Nightmare of Fabrication’ is a short, one-shot spinoff of the classic anime series ‘Serial Experiments Lain.’ (read more)
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Katatonia – “Tonight’s Decision” (1999)
I wrote for my Discouraged Ones review that it was my favorite Katatonia album, so I can’t help but be let down by a weaker offering when I wanted more of that same short-lived heavy gothic style. All Katatonia albums have some goth influence, but it’s felt the strongest on Tonight’s Decision and Discouraged Ones. Jonas Renske… (read more)
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Eyes Wide Shut
Eyes Wide Shut is a Stanley Kubrick take on the original story of loyalty and natural temptation featuring the director’s usual crystal clear, beautiful cinematography (despite not being shot in New York City) and some intriguing symbolism, but is hurt immensely by the mediocre performances of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Kidman believes constantly speaking… (read more)
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American Movie
It always pains me a bit when the cast of American Movie receive mockery as if they were just a freak show. No one’s wrong to laugh—they’re hilarious both intentionally and unintentionally—but their hearts deserve to be taken seriously. With idiosyncratic perspectives and an existence outside of modern society, these are people who never break… (read more)
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Ecstasy of St Theresa – “In Dust 3”
‘In Dust 3’ is a great downtempo album with mysterious female vocals and eerie alien ambiance. Cold beats and strange sounds popping up at random make this album an engaging listen. (read more)
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Boredoms – “Vision Creation Newsun”
Definitely a trip, but I don’t find the grooves very inspiring or engrossing, and Boredoms really overextend the reach of them with this 70-minute album. All of the songs naturally move and shift as they go along, which is the best thing about Vision Creation Newsun. It keeps the trance going while avoiding repetition and… (read more)
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Unida – “Coping With the Urban Coyote” (1999)
To no one’s surprise, the best post-Kyuss John Garcia album is the one that sounds the most like Kyuss. Not enough, though. That attitude isn’t quite there on Coping With the Urban Coyote. Unida has that fuzzy, psychedelic guitar tone, but it’s so mild with how low in the mix it’s buried, and how it… (read more)
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Um Jammer Lammy
‘Um Jammer Lammy’ is a spinoff of ‘PaRappa the Rapper,’ delivering similar rhythm gaming with mild twists. But something in the formula just isn’t tuned as well this time. (read more)