The Matrix (1999)
It’s widely agreed that the first “Matrix” film is among the very best movies ever made. This chapter won an Oscar, and it has a scene that is both beloved by fans and, indeed, pause-worthy. A doorknob is the target of a reflected gunshot in this scene. Normally, a director would have the camera reflected in the shot, but this time they chose to do something truly unexpected. The camera was made to look like Morpheus by dressing it up in costume. One hundred percent commitment!
An All-American Girl (1999)
If you’ve watched “American Beauty,” you’ll likely never forget a pivotal sequence that many consider to be a cinematic high point of the last century. In a crowded basketball gym, the film’s protagonist, Lester, becomes enamoured with the star cheerleader, his daughter’s closest friend, played by Mena Suvari. As his attention narrows to the girl, the lights focus on her and the background goes dark. We have paused this scenario so many times that it is permanently ingrained in our memories.