www.theaspectratio.net/bestof90slist1.htm
Interesting, to say the least. I have no idea how dreck like "Three Kings" continues to make these lists.
Discuss.
Best films of the '90s
Moderators: sgt.null, dANdeLION
Best films of the '90s
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
OK, me first ! 
I'll start with the picks I disagree with:
Jackie Brown: good film, yes. Best of the 90's???!!! C'mon. I know the 90's weren't the best but there has to be a better choise than this. Much too self-conscious in its writing style. the acting is the element which raises this movie above "annoying" status to me. They are all fun to watch. But "best"?... nope.
Fear and Loathing: Firstly, I must say I am a Gilliam fan. Love his work. And even though this movie has some of his signature visuals and unique story-telling qualities I love from him, it is just not a good movie. Period. Again, the actors are having fun and doing a good job, but I think Gilliam needed to take a page out of Cronenburg's book when filming his kind of material... less literal... To me it was just a mess of ideas going nowhere.
Existnz: OK, I put it on my "don't agree" list, but I can't come up with a real reason why. It was good, following ideas cronenburg has toyed with before, and in some cases, better than the Matrix, but to me it just felt like a film that needed more time --- or money --- or something.
OK, I admit it, I can't come up with a good reason why tis isn't one of the "best"...
Three Kings: Good movie, again. But not "best". I agree with Cail here, but with less of his vehemence
It's kinda fluffy for me.
Grosse Point Blank: This film always gets talked about. And to be honest, I have not frik'n idea why! It is average on all accounts. Boring almost, except for an amusing shoot-out scene in the house with Cusak and Akroyd...
Braveheart: One of my picks for one of the most overrated movies ever. Rob Roy was far better... ('nuff said)
The Fugitive: ????
my god, this was a slightly above average thriller-type movie. Pop movie, but not "best". (sheesh)
Pretty Woman:
Now my "AGREE" list is much longer (I will merely quote most names):
Eyes Wide Shut: Say what you will about this, the movie is beautiful, haunting and deep. Almost every scene is engrained in my memory.
Dark City: Except for the little voice over prologue to this movie, it is perfect. I am glad to see someone giving it its due.
Hudsucker Proxy: There is a part of me that is surprised this movie did not do better. It is funny, charming and poetic. And the performances are delightfully over-the-top.
Ronin: Ahhhhh, a fantastically tight movie that brings back the glory days of this type of thriller.... Two of the best car chase sequences ever put on film...
Glengarry Glen Ross: We know the script is great, but MAN when you have a cast like that!!!! AMAZING!!!!!!
Zero Effect: a quiet, clever and sublimly funny film that totally flew under everyones radar. (hmmm, maybe not "best" but definately worth a look or two)
LA Confidential: great film making on all levels...
Barton Fink: It took me no less than 3 viewings to realize how great this 'difficult' film is.
Miller's Crossing: Tnak god someone put this on their list! In my humble opinion it is actually better than Goodfellas.
Matrix: this one HAS to be on the list because of it's thought provoking script, mind-bending notions, FX and action sequences.
Being John Malkovich: Truly original in all ways!
Se7en: the movie that spawned a thousand copies in idea and style...
Usual Suspects: Great!
Out of Sight: This is a fantastic bit of film making. There are so many elements to the script that make it wonderful to watch over and over again. And we gwet a good performance from Jlo. The directing and editing are amazing (a nod to The Limey in that respect, which I am disappointed did not make the list).
I'll start with the picks I disagree with:
Jackie Brown: good film, yes. Best of the 90's???!!! C'mon. I know the 90's weren't the best but there has to be a better choise than this. Much too self-conscious in its writing style. the acting is the element which raises this movie above "annoying" status to me. They are all fun to watch. But "best"?... nope.
Fear and Loathing: Firstly, I must say I am a Gilliam fan. Love his work. And even though this movie has some of his signature visuals and unique story-telling qualities I love from him, it is just not a good movie. Period. Again, the actors are having fun and doing a good job, but I think Gilliam needed to take a page out of Cronenburg's book when filming his kind of material... less literal... To me it was just a mess of ideas going nowhere.
Existnz: OK, I put it on my "don't agree" list, but I can't come up with a real reason why. It was good, following ideas cronenburg has toyed with before, and in some cases, better than the Matrix, but to me it just felt like a film that needed more time --- or money --- or something.
OK, I admit it, I can't come up with a good reason why tis isn't one of the "best"...
Three Kings: Good movie, again. But not "best". I agree with Cail here, but with less of his vehemence
It's kinda fluffy for me.Grosse Point Blank: This film always gets talked about. And to be honest, I have not frik'n idea why! It is average on all accounts. Boring almost, except for an amusing shoot-out scene in the house with Cusak and Akroyd...
Braveheart: One of my picks for one of the most overrated movies ever. Rob Roy was far better... ('nuff said)
The Fugitive: ????
my god, this was a slightly above average thriller-type movie. Pop movie, but not "best". (sheesh)Pretty Woman:
Now my "AGREE" list is much longer (I will merely quote most names):
Eyes Wide Shut: Say what you will about this, the movie is beautiful, haunting and deep. Almost every scene is engrained in my memory.
Dark City: Except for the little voice over prologue to this movie, it is perfect. I am glad to see someone giving it its due.
Hudsucker Proxy: There is a part of me that is surprised this movie did not do better. It is funny, charming and poetic. And the performances are delightfully over-the-top.
Ronin: Ahhhhh, a fantastically tight movie that brings back the glory days of this type of thriller.... Two of the best car chase sequences ever put on film...
Glengarry Glen Ross: We know the script is great, but MAN when you have a cast like that!!!! AMAZING!!!!!!
Zero Effect: a quiet, clever and sublimly funny film that totally flew under everyones radar. (hmmm, maybe not "best" but definately worth a look or two)
LA Confidential: great film making on all levels...
Barton Fink: It took me no less than 3 viewings to realize how great this 'difficult' film is.
Miller's Crossing: Tnak god someone put this on their list! In my humble opinion it is actually better than Goodfellas.
Matrix: this one HAS to be on the list because of it's thought provoking script, mind-bending notions, FX and action sequences.
Being John Malkovich: Truly original in all ways!
Se7en: the movie that spawned a thousand copies in idea and style...
Usual Suspects: Great!
Out of Sight: This is a fantastic bit of film making. There are so many elements to the script that make it wonderful to watch over and over again. And we gwet a good performance from Jlo. The directing and editing are amazing (a nod to The Limey in that respect, which I am disappointed did not make the list).
~...with a floating smile and a light blue sponge...~
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[Syl]
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Wow. Talk about trying too hard. The first two titles on the list alone were enough to make me wince. Eyes had to be Kubrick's worst movie (which isn't to say it's horrible, but c'mon). And The Thin Red Line was great to look at, and had a couple really good scenes, but otherwise was a waste of two hours of my life. And Jackie Brown? He really thinks that was a better movie than Pulp Fiction? The only way the first guy saves himself is by including Dark City, The Hudsucker Proxy (though I'd never think to include it as one of the best films of the 90s, but it was a good movie and an interesting pick), to an extent, The Truman Show (which was great, but I think more people thought it was more novel than it really was) and Ronin (I'd take The Professional over it, though).
The other lists aren't so bad. Zero Effect (again, never would have thought of this movie. It was good, but... Mostly a novel approach to Sherlock Holmes), Fear and Loating, and Trainspotting. Heh. Just realized a common motif of those three. Existenz and Heavenly Creatures both seem to much for me. Of The Matrix, The 13th Floor, and Existenz, I thought the latter to be interesting, but the biggest failure of the three. Three Kings and A Simple Plan are both movies you expect to be on these lists, even though they've never done anything for me.
The first two guys on the second page nail every one, even if I didn't really like Rushmore and would've picked Requiem for a Dream over Pi (tough choice, though). Pretty much every one of my favorite movies is named.
The other lists aren't so bad. Zero Effect (again, never would have thought of this movie. It was good, but... Mostly a novel approach to Sherlock Holmes), Fear and Loating, and Trainspotting. Heh. Just realized a common motif of those three. Existenz and Heavenly Creatures both seem to much for me. Of The Matrix, The 13th Floor, and Existenz, I thought the latter to be interesting, but the biggest failure of the three. Three Kings and A Simple Plan are both movies you expect to be on these lists, even though they've never done anything for me.
The first two guys on the second page nail every one, even if I didn't really like Rushmore and would've picked Requiem for a Dream over Pi (tough choice, though). Pretty much every one of my favorite movies is named.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
-George Steiner
Heh.
I agree with all your "disagrees" except for Grosse Pointe Blank and Braveheart. GPB hit a nerve for me (possibly because I graduated in '86). It was also the rebirth of Cusack's career. Not a great film, but in the context of the '90s, certainly one of the better ones.
How anyone can disagree with Braveheart is beyond my comprehension. Sure, Rob Roy was excellent too, but Braveheart was damn near perfect.
Ronin, Dark City, and The Zero Effect were all films that I thought were completely underappreciated.
I think that A Life Less Ordinary should've been there as well.
And if the Fugitive (huh?) is going to be on that list, then Die Hard With a Vengeance should be as well.
Edit-Oh yeah Syl, where the Hell was Leon: The Professional?
And how about American History X? Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels? The Lion King?
I agree with all your "disagrees" except for Grosse Pointe Blank and Braveheart. GPB hit a nerve for me (possibly because I graduated in '86). It was also the rebirth of Cusack's career. Not a great film, but in the context of the '90s, certainly one of the better ones.
How anyone can disagree with Braveheart is beyond my comprehension. Sure, Rob Roy was excellent too, but Braveheart was damn near perfect.
Ronin, Dark City, and The Zero Effect were all films that I thought were completely underappreciated.
I think that A Life Less Ordinary should've been there as well.
And if the Fugitive (huh?) is going to be on that list, then Die Hard With a Vengeance should be as well.
Edit-Oh yeah Syl, where the Hell was Leon: The Professional?
And how about American History X? Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels? The Lion King?
Last edited by Cail on Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
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[Syl]
- Unfettered One
- Posts: 13021
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2002 12:36 am
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 1 time
Or Tombstone, Scream, and There's Something About Mary.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
-George Steiner
Oh Hell yes on Tombstone.
Scream probably deserves it too.
Even though TSAM isn't my favorite, it was a paradigm shift in comedies, so I guess it deserves it.
Scream probably deserves it too.
Even though TSAM isn't my favorite, it was a paradigm shift in comedies, so I guess it deserves it.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
-
A Gunslinger
- The Gap Into Spam
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- Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 6:48 pm
- Location: Southern WI (Madison area)
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[Syl]
- Unfettered One
- Posts: 13021
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2002 12:36 am
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 1 time
Another one that should be on there. Toy Story. Pixar redefined animation with that movie. The story and the animation still stand up today, 12 years later.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
-George Steiner
-
A Gunslinger
- The Gap Into Spam
- Posts: 8890
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 6:48 pm
- Location: Southern WI (Madison area)
You speak truly, Syl. However, this list save for the Titanic, the Matrix and some other exceptions seems to be weighted towards artsier movies than popular releases.Syl wrote:Another one that should be on there. Toy Story. Pixar redefined animation with that movie. The story and the animation still stand up today, 12 years later.
"I use my gun whenever kindness fails"
i had to keep reminding myself that the list is for ten years worth of movies. i had many agreements and many disagreements.
i was however, surprised to find two of my favorites on the list, Hard Eight and Zero Effect.
yeah, ZE was a reworking of Sherlock. a really GOOD reworking i thought.
add one to the glaring omission list: 12 Monkeys (1995). (or did i miss it?)
or am i the only one who liked it?
i was however, surprised to find two of my favorites on the list, Hard Eight and Zero Effect.
yeah, ZE was a reworking of Sherlock. a really GOOD reworking i thought.
add one to the glaring omission list: 12 Monkeys (1995). (or did i miss it?)
or am i the only one who liked it?
you're more advanced than a cockroach,
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
have you ever tried explaining yourself
to one of them?
~ alan bates, the mothman prophecies
i've had this with actors before, on the set,
where they get upset about the [size of my]
trailer, and i'm always like...take my trailer,
cause... i'm from Kentucky
and that's not what we brag about.
~ george clooney, inside the actor's studio
a straight edge for legends at
the fold - searching for our
lost cities of gold. burnt tar,
gravel pits. sixteen gears switch.
Haphazard Lucy strolls by.
~ dennis r wood ~
Goodfellas and Unforgiven were.
Thelma and Louise was awful.
The Boondock Saints probably should be included.
Thelma and Louise was awful.
The Boondock Saints probably should be included.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
