Club 50 Wrap-Up: 1994

Years Completed:
1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 
1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 
2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2010 | 2009 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014

I haven't had to write one of these in a while. I'm just about out of years and in no hurry. I'm pretty much waiting on 1992 and more recent years.

When talking about 1994, there's only one story that matters: Jim Carrey. Has there even big such a big rise to fame in a single year? He went from a featured player on In Living Color with minimal film roles to the star of the 6th, 9th, and 16th highest grossing movies of the year. That's insane. The only comparison I can think of is how Chris Pratt had Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World within a year. Even that doesn't match though, because Pratt was firmly established in film and TV before then (and, let's be real, the dinosaurs were the stars of Jurassic World). And, thinking anecdotally, there isn't a single television program from 1994-1996 that didn't have a character say "smokin", "alrighty then", or "so you're saying there's a chance" at some point. Jim Carrey's collective roles that year are the only thing that can compete with the pop culture permeation of Forrest Gump.

Otherwise, it was a pretty standard year. There were 6 sequels in the top 50 and only 9 have had sequels made since, which is typical for that period. It's strange to see how much non-animated content was being produced for families, like The Santa Clause, The Flintstones, and The Little Rascals.

To wind down each year as I complete them, I'm going to hand out a few superlatives or anecdotal awards to highlight some of the highs and lows of the year's top 50 box office earners.

First Seen: D2: The Mighty Ducks

I feel like I saw both D2 and The Lion King in theaters and D2 came out first. It's one of those two. I know that much. Either way, it's a good way to start off a year.

Last Seen: Major League II

I actually should've seen this a lot sooner, but I forgot that I borrowed it from a friend for almost a year. For someone who spends as much time as I do organizing things, that's a huge black mark.

Happiest Surprise: Maverick

Normally, I use this section for a movie that surprised me while I was completing the Club 50 project. However, this predates that goal by a decade. I'm including it though, because it really did surprise me. Maverick is just plain fun to watch. It balances the comedy with decent Wild West actions. It's self-referential and never takes itself to seriously. Mel Gibson is at his most charming. James Garner and Jodie Foster are a lot of fun. There isn't anything revolutionary about it and that's fine.

Biggest Disappointment: Pulp Fiction

Keep in mind, I can use this distinction for either global or personal reactions. The consensus is that this is a classic and perhaps Quinton Tarantino's best film. My personal opinion is that it's fine. Had it not been hyped up, it wouldn't be such a disappointment.

Looked Better Then: The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult

I could laugh at the computer effects of Disclosure or point to ridiculous sequels that tainted franchises like The Santa Clause, The Flintstones, and The Mask. I've gotta go with the final Naked Gun movie. When the film was released, 3/18/94, it was the supposed last film in a successful franchise featuring beloved former football star OJ Simpson. On 6/12/94, a couple people were found murdered and suddenly, OJ wasn't so liked. That series might've had a better shelf-life had he not probably murdered two people.

Looks Better Now: Dumb and Dumber

After two sequels, one with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, one without them, the original looks all the more impressive. The Farrelly are very hit and miss. Their comedic sensibilities very much belong to the 90s. Nothing has quite matched their debut feature.

Favorite: Forrest Gump

In recent years it's become cool to hate Forrest Gump. That's your prerogative. Personally, I think it's a marvelous film. Its pop culture influence is ubiquitous. For a film that's ultimately about very little, it has a tremendous amount of heart to it. Tom Hanks deserved the Oscar he received, even if the reason why has become a popular punchline. It is one of the strangest movies to lead the box office in a given year in my lifetime.

2nd Favorite: The Lion King

It's hard to pick a high point for the Disney Renaissance. Beauty and the Beast got a Best Picture nomination. Aladdin was the highest grossing film of 1992. The Lion King made the most money overall in that period. They are all classics.

3rd Favorite: True Lies

I believe in "James Cameron Magic". Really, there's nothing special about this film. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Tom Arnold have played these characters in a dozen other movies. The balance of the action and humor is just better in this.

Honorable Mention:

Maverick

I'm not actually sure if this is a good movie, but I love it. Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and James Garner are delightful.

Dumb & Dumber

The Farrelly brother's opus. Actually, can an opus be your first work? Ok, their peak, maybe.

Speed

Cruise Control has done a major disservice to the original, which is an action classic and a testament to using a mid-level budget to maximum effect.

D2: The Mighty Ducks

Quack. Quack! QUACK! QUACK!!! Ducks fly together!!!

Least Favorite: On Deadly Ground

Don't overthink it. The Shadow was pretty atrocious. Legends of the Fall and Wolf I didn't get. But Steven Seagal starred in, produced, and directed On Deadly Ground. To date, it's his only [and hopefully final] time directing a feature film.