I had seen Tank Girl the movie several times before I ever read the comic. For three or four years at least, I was reading the comic pretty regularly. I like it a lot. I’m not sure it’s still being published.

Finally moving on to 1996 (I've been so busy).  As we move closer to the present there are far less movies I've seen more than once or twice.  

Fargo - I really love this movie.  I really think this was the film that catapulted The Coen Brothers into the hierarchy of great modern film-makers and was one of the linchpins of independent cinema.  This was also the breakout for Frances McDormand and William H. Macey who were incredible.  The film does an incredible balance of comedy and drama which is a tough tightrope, particularly in a crime movie.  



Trainspotting - It's actually been a fair while since I've seen this one.  This is a really strong portrayal of drug addiction.  In some ways this almost felt like a throwback film because it was not the sort of thing we would see come out of Hollywood since the 1970s (if ever).  So the Brits were taking risks that studio Hollywood definitely wouldn't.  Excellent job by Danny Boyle and a break-out role for Ewan McGregor.  



From Dusk til Dawn - Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino give us a fun action/horror film that doesn't quite hit everything it swings at, but is generally fun and entertaining.  I'd say that the first half of the film is significantly better than the second.  Still, I'm always happy to see Danny Trejo and I love getting John Saxon and Fred Williamson, even if I'd love to have more of all three.  Honestly, I can just forget the story and bask in an amazing cast.  



Waiting For Guffman - I love me some Christopher Guest mockumentaries.  And this was the first one.  This has large portions of what will become Guest's stock company, including co-writer Eugene Levy, Fred Willard, Catherine O'Hara, and Parker Posey.  A fun look at small towns and small-town theater.  



Lone Star - Again, it's been quite a while since I've seen this one, but it was good enough to leave an impression.  Very solid neo-western with strong hints of noir from writer/director John Sayles.  A great cast with Kris Kristofferson at his best, Chris Cooper, and Matthew McConaughey.  



Frighteners - Again, it's been quite a while.  As I've said before, I'm not a big horror fan, but I don't mind horror comedies.  I remember where I saw this, because it was on video while I was in law school and we had friends over.  I mostly just remember it being a fun movie that I probably ought to watch again. 



When We Were Kings - Outstanding documentary.  Very possibly the best boxing documentary ever.  Incredible look at the "Rumble in the Jungle" and the media sensation surrounding it.  Seriously..this a documentary you have to watch.  



That Thing You Do - Cute rock comedy.  It's not special or demanding.  But that's okay.  It's light and breezy and the song feels like it could have been a one-hit wonder at the time.  



Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie - I'm an unabashed fan of MST3K and of Rifftrax.  So I love this movie.  It's not as good as the best episodes.  But it's perfectly cromulent.  




As usual there are many films I've either not seen or not seen in far too long. Including; most foreign films; Bottle Rocket; The English Patient (I have no doubt it would put me to sleep); Swingers; Hard Eight; Sling Blade; 

So what's my favorite film of 1996?  It's Fargo.  Pretty easily.  Just a great film and kind of ground-breaking for its time.  I do really love When We Were Kings and Lone Star though.  

And 1996 in film for those as need a look.

I have a two-way tie for 1996 ...

Fargo

Mars Attacks!

Wait, what? Nobody mentions the obvious year's best, Star Trek: First Contact?! Kidding actually. Liked it well enough, but I never liked the TNG movies as much as the TOS ones.

Anyway, yeah, Waiting for Guffman is pretty good, and I'd probably agree that Fargo is my favorite from this year.
However, there's a few honorable mentions from this year that are noteworthy:


The Long Kiss Goodnight - just a solidly well-made and enjoyable thriller, and Geena Davis is spectacular in the main role.



Larger Than Life - an absolutely and unexpectedly delightful little comedy. Bill Murray is perfect, and the then still not that popular Matthew McConaughey has a hilarious small role as a manic, paranoid trucker (it's probably my favorite thing he's ever done).


And finally, a thoroughly enjoyable Croatian film, Kako je počeo rat na mom otoku (How the War Started on My Island), a comedy about the early phase of Croatia's war for independence in 1991. It's one of my favorite Croatia movies, and it's one of the most popular ever - it has the distinction of being probably the only post-independence domestic box-office smash hit (i.e., people were lining up in droves at theaters to watch it, something that pretty much never happens for locally-produced films).
There's no trailers I can find, just clips on YouTube (as well as the whole movie, but without translation), and only one clip with sub-titles:

I remember wanting to see The Long Kiss Goodnight when it came out but it seemed to be gone from the theatres around here before I had a chance to go. I never have gotten around to it so I'll put that on my list. I only watched Thelma and Louise for the first time a few weeks ago, speaking of Geena Davis movies.