10 Defining Movies of the 1990’s

American History X- One of the most provocative movies of the decade and one of the most well acted in by Edward Norton. The use of black and white footage during the flashback scenes to accentuate the racism that is the movies main theme heightened the intensity. A movie of redemption that doesn’t end in the typical Hollywood fashion.

Boy’s Don’t Cry- Hilary Swanks performance in this low budget film resonated with audiences. This was a tough movie to make, even at a time where gay/lesbian/transgendered rights were beginning to be more accepted. This film broke down barriers which allowed for movies like Brokeback Mountain and Trans-America to be made.

Saving Private Ryan- The summer blockbuster brought to life World War II in a way no other film has been able to capture. Spielberg combined all his best filmmaking elements in this, his opus. This was also the height of Tom Hanks career capturing the everyman soldier (as only he could), while holding together this obtuse story of a squad sent to save one soldier and questioning the orders they receive.

The Shawshank Redemption- Perhaps the most rewatchable movie of all time. Don’t say you know the ending either; when the warden ripped away that poster it turned into maybe the best 15-20 minutes of a movie ever. At the end it is a tale of enduring friendship and that connected with audiences.

Pulp Fiction- Quentin Tarantino’s sorted tale of two gangsters and the intertwined lives of other unforgettable characters leads to plenty of violence, cursing and surprising comedy. Written with the same razor sharp wit as Reservoir Dogs, (which I am more partial too) Pulp Fiction has stood the test of time because of its great quotes and unique (at the time) music.

Philadelphia- Again at a time when AIDS seemed to be everywhere and we as a nation were fairly uneducated about it, the story of Andrew Beckett being fired for having the disease humanized for it everyone. Powerhouse performances by Hanks and Denzel Washington as well as Hanks memorable Oscar speech make this a definitive movie for any era.

Though I didn’t want to put numbers on these movies, I feel these last four are a notch above the other 6 in this decade.

Hoop Dreams- A moving tale of two young men who dreamed of stardom on the hardwood. Having all the advantages on the court with talent, off the court the lives of the families is what brings this documentary to life. It shows life in the inner city as never really portrayed on film, especially in a non fiction fashion.

Boyz in the Hood- What Hoop Dreams did in the non fiction realm, Boyz did in the dramatic realm. The story of gangs and violence in inner city Los Angeles spawned and entire genre of films, that correlated socially with the rise and popularity of rap music and the hip hop culture, not many movies can claim that.

Schindler’s List- The most open look at the Holocaust ever put on film. Spielberg throughout all the rules in filmmaking when tackling this enormously difficult topic. The images in this film are so visually and emotionally powerful. Also a trio or performances rarely seen by Ben Kingsley, Liam Neeson, and Ralph Fiennes.

Goodfellas- Ummmm…..there really isn’t much to be said here. Martin Scorsese continually tops himself, and with this film its no different. Classic lines, scenes, performances, and soundtrack make this the most definitive film of its era.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS- The Hunt for Red October, Silence of the Lambs, JFK, Unforgiven, The Fugitive, Forrest Gump, Braveheart, Apollo 13, Leaving La Vegas, The Usual Suspects, Boogie Nights, Titanic, When We Were Kings, Three Kings, Good Will Hunting, The Sixth Sense, The Insider, Clerks