favorite movie of 1999 (some SPOILERS)

Rating: 9/10 (23 June 2000)

why doesn't david fincher get more respect?? seven was awesome. the game was great. alien 3...well, i didn't like that. But, fight club is another awesome movie. some critics say it promotes violence. yawn. the directing was amazing. i loved those shots. brad pitt, who usually doesn't impress me, is great. edward norton: man o man this guy is going to be one of the best actors ever. he's already on his way with great performances in this and american history x and primal fear. the writing was witty and intellectual and cool. i actually didn't think though that this was a statement about society or middle class America or what have you. i think most people who work in cubicles and pump gas don't hate their lives and their place in society and don't want to go and kick butt to release repressed aggression. in fact it's kind of elitist to assume that these people feel their lives are wasted. anyways though, i don't think that's the point of the film. i think it's really about one man (the narrator) and his dementia and angst. it's a depiction of the demagogue archetype, someone who has anti-social demented thoughts, erroneously assumes others have the same, and yet has the charisma and leadership skills to convince them that they actually do. one problem i have with the movie, and the reason i gave it a 9 instead of a 10 (SPOILER): i actually thought it was a greater movie before the twist where edward norton is tyler durden. for some reason in the last year or two twist endings are in, and even though i still loved the movie i thought it was unnecessary. plus a psychiatrist i know told me the portrayal of the multiple personality disorder is totally unrealistic. in fact experts today still squabble over whether such a disorder really exists.