Found footage films announced their arrival in 1999 with The Blair Witch Project scaring up nearly 250 million dollars at the worldwide box office. Plus, we are down to the final 16 in the favorite summer films of '99 tournament.
It was late April or very early May. 1999. Alone in my dorm room playing a video game -- possibly NCAA basketball on the original PlayStation™ -- excitement filled the halls beyond, drawing a little attention my way. The semester was winding down, many of us prepping to leave our new friends behind as we returned to our hometowns for the summer.
A wave of energy, in the form of my roommate, burst into our room. Before I could even acknowledge his arrival, he blurted out, "Dude, you're not going to believe this."
Thus my introduction to The Blair Witch Project was born.
My roommate had just returned from a friend's room on the same floor, reeling from having watched (if memory serves correct) a version of the film that had leaked online. He went into great detail of how the film had him covered in goosebumps and what drove a deep sense of fear into his stomach.
Skeptical at first of the veracity of this film being a true story, I was directed to the Blair Witch website. At the time, this site had all the info that had me giving up some of my skepticism: a history of the region and of the Blair Witch, some footage, a missing person's report and much more.
Not only did The Blair Witch Project unleash the found footage phenomenon upon us, but it gave us a great viral marketing campaign.
There was an excellent job done in creating an air of intrigue around this story. Marketing material listed the actors Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard as missing or deceased. Being the internet was still in an infancy of sorts (compared to today), word slowly built around this film, dating back to its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier that year.
Between the word of those who had seen the film and the work put into the website, the mythology of The Blair Witch Project took on a life of its own. As with any game of telephone, the "facts" were expanded on, with people likely sprinkling in tales of other urban myths into the tale of the Blair Witch.
The film itself is widely regarded as kicking into gear the "found footage" genre, inspiring other films like Paranormal Activity films, The Last Exorcism, and Cloverfield, among others.
Shortly after its release, the film was rife for spoofing, notably the seen where Donahue is crying into the camera.
The Blair Witch Project was ultimately released in July of 1999, going on to make almost 141 million dollars at the USA box office. A nice little sum for a film with a budget of roughly $60,000.
May region
Voting was a little out of control leading into the final 16, with double-digit seeds advancing in all of the regions but August.Three of the number-one seeds advanced to the final 16, but it was here in May which the movie Go took down Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
Here's your final four of the May region:
- (8)- Go
- (5)- Life
- (3)- Notting Hill
- (10)- Election
June region
Two animated films, a blockbuster sequel, and a smart indie film are the four films left standing in the June region. As far as favorite summer films from 1999, June and July might be the toughest regions to settle going forward.Here are your two matchups:
- (1)- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
- (12)- Run Lola Run
- (6)- South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut
- (2)- Tarzan (animated)
July region
A couple of surprises at the box office -- but not in voting -- will enter the Thunderdome in the July region. The one double-digit seed to move on is Drop Dead Gorgeous, winning a tiebreaker over Inspector Gadget.- (1)- Runaway Bride
- (12)- Drop Dead Gorgeous
- (3)- American Pie
- (2)- The Blair Witch Project
August region
The Sixth Sense, the number one seed, continues to represent this month. Will it have enough to continue its march to the final four?The two matchups:
- (1)- The Sixth Sense
- (5)- The 13th Warrior
- (6)- Mystery Men
- (7)- The Iron Giant
Be sure to vote on Twitter, in the comments, or leave a GIF of any of your favorites on Facebook (which still is not telling me why I don't have a poll option anymore. So I will continue to scream to the high heavens until the answer is received).
We'll be back next weekend with the final eight.
photo credit: flickr.com
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