The MoFo 1990s Countdown pt II - Preliminary Thread [Archive]

Captain Quint

01-02-25, 10:56 AM

MoFos 1990s Countdown Redux
Now with 20% more fannel!
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COUNTDOWN RULES

Submit your ranked list of twenty-five titles from best to worst - Your #1 will receive 25 pts, #2, 24, etc, etc) - Partial ballots with 10 or more movies will be accepted, but points will shift, in a 10-movie list #1 receives 10 pts and so on.

All lists are final so please make 100% sure you like what you have before submitting. And please do not post your list here or anywhere public before the end of the countdown. (Apparently, the tradition here is that if you do this before the countdown has ended your list will be disqualified - so you probably don't want to do that)

If you're new to this forum, please wait until you've been a member here for one month before submitting a ballot. Certain cases will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

Films that are part of a series or trilogy (Three Colors Trilogy for one) must be submitted as separate movies.

In order for a film to be eligible for this list, its release year needs to be listed as between 1990-1999 on TMDB or here on the forum in the Movies section. You can use IMDB but there are a handful of conflicting years on a handful of movies, and since TMDB is what we draw from here, that will be the ultimate decider.

Blade Runner and other directors cuts go in the original's release date (so for Runner, that's the 80s and not eligible)

List will be for theatrical feature films only - no shorts (using Oscar rules, features must be over 40 minutes to qualify), no television series, no mini-series, and no made for TV movies unless it had a theatrical release

The deadline to submit your ballot is April 2, 2025, there will be no extensions, so study up

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In order to submit your ballot, use the ballot submission link posted below:

VOTING CLOSED

HOW TO USE IT

Type the name of the movie you want to include and select it from the drop-down list.

If the movie doesn't appear, you can click the link on the upper right corner ("movie you want not showing up") and copy and paste the movie's IMDb or TMDb URL.

Be sure to double check the names and dates of the films on your ballot before submitting it, as there can be movies with the same title - make EXTRA sure that what you enter is what you want.

Ballots:
1. Tugg
2. Holden Pike
3. exiler96
4. MovieFan1988
5. Nope1172
6. MovieGal
7. LeBoyWondeur
8. Burning
9. TheUsualSuspect
10. ScarletLion
11. SpelingError
12. The Rodent
13. iluv2viddyfilms
14. Torgo
15. Allaby
16. Hey Fredrick
17. Wigram
18. mrblonde
19. Deschain
20. Thief
21. Little Ash
22. seanc
23. TheManBehindTheCurtain
24. Ash TheStrangeOne
25. Thursday Next
26. WrinkledMind
27. Harry Lime
28. Death Proof
29. CharlesAoup
30. ScannerDarkly
31. beelzebubble
32. ChunkyMonkey
33. xSookieStackhouse
34. PHOENIX74
35. mojofilter
36. Rusty G
37. Fabulous
38. Diehl40
39. nyctc7
40. KeyserCorleone
41. John-Connor
42. Robert the List
43. Laverc
44. Steve Freeling
45. Frightened Inmate No. 2
46. wositelec
47. MovieBuffering
48. pahaK
49. scemo
50. dadgumblah
51. John W Constantine
52. MovieMeditation
53. rauldc14
54. LAMb EELYAK
55. urkillinmesmalls
56. Cobpyth
57. I_Wear_Pants
58. stillmellow
59. Miss Vicky
60. ueno_station54
61. Siddon
62. kgaard
63. Raven73
64. cricket
65. CosmicRunaway
66. schanier
67. Citizen Rules
68. Takoma11
69. Omnizoa
70. honeykid
71. ApexPredator
72. sawduck
73. Taz
74. gbgoodies
75. Yoda
76. Wyldesyde19
77. mattiasflgrtll6
78. Captain Quint
79. Sedai
80. Captain Spaulding

Captain Quint

01-02-25, 10:56 AM

So here we are now, entertain us...

I don't have full access just yet, but the ballot is good to go so do what you do in these threads.

On a personal note - I'd have been better suited to the 50s or the 60s, even the silent era, but the 90s? Hmm, let me think on that. The 90s really started for me in 1991 when this band out of Seattle blew up with a song titled "Smells Like Teen Spirit". I'm not sure where I first saw and heard it, it wasn't MTV, it might have been Night Tracks? I believe that's the place that use to show unusual stuff, before MTV did, I saw the Dickies there, Mi-Sex, and the Headboys with "The Shape of Things to Come", Gary Numan - and Teen Spirit was first seen there (but MTV hopped right on the train right quick and showed it nonstop)

So, a song to set the mood.

https://youtu.be/hTWKbfoikeg?si=Zf-I7LJUDVBcIDhm
That was the 90s for me, that's where it kicks into high gear. Movie wise, it happened in 1992 with Unforgiven - I enjoyed many 90s movie before that, but that was the game changer, for Eastwood, and the benchmark for 90s cinema overall for me.

So going over the decade, remembering these things has me in the right mindset - it might not be my go-to decade for a thing like this, but a deep dive reveals a lot of treasures. Looking forward to seeing what we come up with for our 100. And I hope there are differences between this and the original, that this has its own distinct flavor to go along with the old standards.

Have fun.

Citizen Rules

01-02-25, 11:10 AM

John W Constantine

01-02-25, 11:14 AM

Let's get it right this time.

John-Connor

01-02-25, 11:40 AM

MovieGal

01-02-25, 11:45 AM

Woo-hoo! Been a member for 10+ years and this is the first one I have participated in.

I just need 4 more films to complete my ballot.

Captain Quint

01-02-25, 11:49 AM

Recommendation:

GOTTI 1996

At first, I was like, Gotti, that dreadful thing!? :eek: Then I remember that the dreadful one came out in the 2010s, you're talking about the better received, 90s appropriate movie that I'd not seen, lol. I'll give it a go, thanks for the suggestion.

John-Connor

01-02-25, 12:03 PM

At first, I was like, Gotti, that dreadful thing!? :eek: Then I remember that the dreadful one came out in the 2010s, you're talking about the better received, 90s appropriate movie that I'd not seen, lol. I'll give it a go, thanks for the suggestion.
lol, that one with Travolta is horrible indeed. This one stars: Armand Assante, William Forsythe and Anthony Quinn. Not sure about the 4k remaster picture quality link I posted. So if you can get your hands on the dvd that's a sure bet great film.

Holden Pike

01-02-25, 12:05 PM

Submitted.

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Holden Pike

01-02-25, 12:19 PM

Recommendation:

GOTTI 1996
https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/7ILIKVEOhPcOLRbKD0OVJivF4Qn.jpg

The most authentic mob movie ever made according to mobsters.
Here's the full movie (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iWsWlWv2h9A) movie on YT.
Yes, in the decade that has GoodFellas, Donnie Brasco, Carlito's Way, Miller's Crossing, A Bronx Tale, Casino, Bugsy, State of Grace, The General (1998), and even The Godfather Part III, a made-for-TV movie helmed by the guy who did the bulk of the Tom Selleck "Jesse Stone" flicks is a high priority watch.

To each their own, I reckon.

https://31.media.tumblr.com/815aa790ff94d50b1531eeb987887e58/tumblr_mrqco7HBcH1qadupho1_400.gif

Sedai

01-02-25, 12:20 PM

Submitted.

I figured you had yours all ready to go. I...do not have mine ready. As usual, I will side into home at the bottom of the ninth inning, as I want to get a bunch of recommendations I haven't seen in before the deadline. Another non-surprise will be that many of the recs-to-be-soon will be films you have posted, with yet another group of films you have yet to post, but will probably post in the future as the months tick by...

Anyway, will most certainly be taking part in this countdown!

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/614b7b9bb907e533422f0fa4/1632345111709-OYI3FHY8YGOAWA1ULP0L/4359.jpg?content-type=image%2Fjpeg

Citizen Rules

01-02-25, 12:23 PM

What 90s sci fi films is worth a watch for the countdown?

Holden Pike

01-02-25, 12:23 PM

FYI Captain Quint, the return email for the ballot still identifies it as Musicals rather than 1990s Redux.

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exiler96

01-02-25, 12:34 PM

Submitted.

https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExdm5udnluZW5tYXkwY3RqbTdseXFhM2RzdmE2MjhyMm56aGZ1bzNlbiZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfY nlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/2poKnJu6wRSaA/200.webp

exiler96

01-02-25, 12:35 PM

What 90s sci fi films is worth a watch for the countdown?

Total Recall.

SpelingError

01-02-25, 12:36 PM

Thanks for hosting! Looking forward to this countdown.

SpelingError

01-02-25, 12:38 PM

Glad to see this thread up and the countdown officially kicked off! Great job Capt Quint.

I hope SpelingError will consider running another of his Group Watches to help support the countdown, the past Group Watches have been a highlight. Myself I have my cheerleader outfit on and ready to shake those pom poms to help support our 90s Countdown...yeah team!:p
I don't think I'd be able to host due to what's going on in my life outside of this forum right now.

Also, just as a reminder, everyone is welcome to host the Group Watch thread. It doesn't just have to be me

Harry Lime

01-02-25, 12:39 PM

Right on thanks for running the countdown, Captain Quint! The first 90s countdown was a bit of madness but also a lot of fun.

I have most of my list done but have about a dozen films I'd like to rewatch before sending in a list: a couple of Kiarostami's (the 90s ones from the Koker Trilogy), The Piano, After Life, Safe, Eyes Wide Shut, All About My Mother, Crumb, and few more. Movies that I think are due for a rewatch.It will be tough for me to find anything new to watch - I've seen a lot from the 90s - but I'll keep a look out for suggestions.

As for my recs...I mean I could just list a bunch of films but they would pretty much be the ones that would make my list so I'll avoid that so instead watch...Edward Yang's A Brighter Summer Day. It's brilliant.

Holden Pike

01-02-25, 12:49 PM

What 90s sci fi films is worth a watch for the countdown?
The titles that made the MoFo Top 100 Sci-Fi Films from the decade were Terminator 2: Judgment Day (#9), The Matrix (#11), Twelve Monkeys (#14), Total Recall (#19), The Fifth Element (#34), Independence Day (#40), Dark City (#48), Contact (#49), The Iron Giant (#50), Gattaca (#51), Starship Troopers (#54), Men in Black (#61), Ghost in the Shell (#64), Demolition Man (#68), Strange Days (#81), Back to the Future Part III (#87), Galaxy Quest (#88), Event Horizon (#93), and The Truman Show (#94).

The eight of those titles that made the original MoFo Top 100 of the 1990s were The Matrix (#11), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (#19), The Truman Show (#38), Total Recall (#50), Twelve Monkeys (#61), Starship Troopers (#74), The Fifth Element (#86), and Dark City (#90).

Personally, my favorites from those two lists are Twelve Monkeys, The Fifth Element, Dark City, and Galaxy Quest. As for some that didn't make a MoFo List yet, I recommend The City of Lost Children (1995), Body Snatchers (1993), Six-String Samurai (1998), and Fire in the Sky (1993).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCK2wzg9Tac

Yoda

01-02-25, 12:52 PM

FYI Captain Quint, the return email for the ballot still identifies it as Musicals rather than 1990s Redux.

103955
Tag me for this stuff in the future, all the PM stuff is happening on my end automatically. I'll fix this shortly, thanks for catching it.

Torgo

01-02-25, 12:54 PM

What 90s sci fi films is worth a watch for the countdown?Here you go:

12 Monkeys
Dark City
Delicatessen
eXistenZ
Gattaca
Ghost in the Shell
Pi
The City of Lost Children
The Iron Giant

Citizen Rules

01-02-25, 12:59 PM

Total Recall.Been years, but yup I should watch that again for nostalgic sake.

Holden Pike

01-02-25, 01:04 PM

And is "MoFo Top 100 of the 1990s Part II" the official title we are going with? I would much prefer "Redux" or "Part Deux". And I must preemptively insist the inevitable redo of the 1980s list be dubbed "Electric Boogaloo".

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John-Connor

01-02-25, 01:07 PM

What 90s sci fi films is worth a watch for the countdown?
Here are a few that didn't make the previous 90s countdown that are worth a watch imho:

Contact 1997
https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/bCpMIywuNZeWt3i5UMLEIc0VSwM.jpg

Gattaca 1997
https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/mi8ow4MIoPvgBnWB1OKe0ph0woa.jpg

Tremors 1990
https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/cA4ggkZ3r1d5r9hOAUWC8x5ul2i.jpg

Stargate 1994
https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/4T6Po0XnZlevmhfPh3ZfEs5butR.jpg

MovieGal

01-02-25, 01:09 PM

Citizen Rules

01-02-25, 01:10 PM

Thanks Holden and Torgo for the sci-fi list. I'm looking those movies up at IMDB and seeing which I want to watch. I've seen some of course. I just rewatched 12 Monkeys and liked that. Hope to watch another sci fi tonight.

mattiasflgrtll6

01-02-25, 01:18 PM

Hell yes! So much awesome shit from the 90's. I'm in.

Holden Pike

01-02-25, 01:45 PM

In general, comedies usually get short shrift on these sorts of lists. I implore all of you to consider more than just one or two obligatory laughers. Comedy is a genre that most of us have on high rewatch, yet when it comes to "best of" lists they are underrepresented.

I have eight movies that can be considered comedies on my ballot.

The 1990s titles that made the MoFo Top 100 Comedies were The Big Lebowski (#1), Groundhog Day (#7), Galaxy Quest (#14), Office Space (#18), Dumb & Dumber (#43), Being John Malkovich (#45), My Cousin Vinny (#53), Rushmore (#54), Happy Gilmore (#64), Clerks (#65), Ed Wood (#69), Dazed & Confused (#76), Wayne's World (#82), When Harry Met Sally... (#85), Clueless (#88), Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (#96), Home Alone (#97), Fargo (#98), and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (#99).

My favorites from that crop are Rushmore, Being John Malkovich, When Harry Met Sally..., Galaxy Quest, and Groundhog Day. Some personal all-time favorites that have somehow never made a previous MoFo list include Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), L.A. Story (1991), Defending Your Life (1991), The Freshman (1990), Quick Change (1990), Barcelona (1994), Waiting for Guffman (1996), Get Shorty (1995), and Grosse Pointe Blank (1997).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZEbLVD72hY

MovieGal

01-02-25, 01:48 PM

In general, comedies usually get short shrift on these sorts of lists. I implore all of you to consider more than just one or two obligatory laughers. Comedy is a genre that most of us have on high rewatch, yet when it comes to "best of" lists they are underrepresented.

The 1990s titles that made the MoFo Top 100 Comedies were The Big Lebowski (#1), Groundhog Day (#7), Galaxy Quest (#14), Office Space (#18), Dumb & Dumber (#43), Being John Malkovich (#45), My Cousin Vinny (#53), Rushmore (#54), Happy Gilmore (#64), Clerks (#65), Ed Wood (#69), Dazed & Confused (#76), Wayne's World (#82), When Harry Met Sally... (#85), Clueless (#88), Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (#96), Home Alone (#97), Fargo (#98), and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (#99).

My favorites from that crop are Rushmore, Being John Malkovich, When Harry Met Sally..., Galaxy Quest, and Groundhog Day. Some personal all-time favorites that have somehow never made a previous MoFo list include Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), L.A. Story (1991), Defending Your Life (1991), The Freshman (1990), Quick Change (1990), Barcelona (1994), Waiting for Guffman (1996), Get Shorty (1995), and Grosse Pointe Blank (1997).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZEbLVD72hY

I have one comedy on my list. I'm sure ppl who know me will say, "Why is THAT on your list?"

Because I can relate to it.

rauldc14

01-02-25, 01:48 PM

Mrs. Doubtfire and Happy Gilmore must make this!

Robert the List

01-02-25, 01:49 PM

Let's get it right this time.
smirks

Captain Quint

01-02-25, 01:52 PM

What 90s sci fi films is worth a watch for the countdown?

Most definitely this one that I just rewatched... https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2522890#post2522890

Dark City

John W Constantine

01-02-25, 01:54 PM

https://youtu.be/AqNEZ_QgvI4?si=Yij56i1P2gSeM33I

**Oscar clip**

Holden Pike

01-02-25, 01:56 PM

Mrs. Doubtfire and Happy Gilmore must make this!
Doubtfire didn't even make the comedy list, but we shall see.

I would think Good Will Hunting and possibly Aladdin are the closest thing Robin Williams has to locks on the Redux ballot. Matt & Ben's opus was the only Robin movie to make the original '90s countdown.

ueno_station54

01-02-25, 01:57 PM

praying for Clueless

Holden Pike

01-02-25, 01:59 PM

praying for Clueless
Voting for it will probably help more.

MovieGal

01-02-25, 02:00 PM

I know several of mine won't make it but I'm ok with that.

Captain Quint

01-02-25, 02:00 PM

And is "MoFo Top 100 of the 1990 Part II" the official title we are going with? I would much prefer "Redux" or "Part Deux". And I must preemptively insist the inevitable redo of the 1980s list be dubbed "Electric Boogaloo".

New host rules, they select the title. And if I get any guff, I'll stop this car and turn right around, and no Disneyland for any of you kids!

Seriously, I'm calling it officially "Redux" as in the first post header.

Citizen Rules

01-02-25, 02:01 PM

Most definitely this one that I just rewatched... https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2522890#post2522890

Dark CityI liked but not loved Dark City the last time I seen it, but it's been years and I don't know if I watched the director's cut or not. I might give it another look.

Captain Quint

01-02-25, 02:02 PM

Director's cut is a must

Captain Quint

01-02-25, 02:22 PM

Oh, and as a Godzilla fiend, I'll champion the king.

The 90s covered the Heisei era, with the Millenium era of films beginning in 1999 - the best of this group is Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995) - I ask all Godzilla fans to unite, join me!

Maybe this is all in vain, but to paraphrase JFK, "We choose to go to with Godzilla. We choose to with Godzilla in this decade and do the other things not because they are easy, but because the quest to see a giant radioactive lizard make the top 100 is hard... and cool."

Vote Godzilla!

John-Connor

01-02-25, 02:23 PM

More 90s Comedy recs:

Groundhog Day 1993
Home Alone 1990
The Player 1992
Tremors 1990
Night on Earth 1991
Smoke 1995
Detroit Rock City 1999
A Summer’s Tale 1996
The Postman 1994
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas 1998
There’s Something About Mary 1998
Fargo 1996
Out of Sight 1998
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels 1998
Nothing to Lose 1997
The Hudsucker Proxy 1994
Forrest Gump 1994
That Thing You Do! 1996
To Die For 1995
My Cousin Vinny 1992
Wag the Dog 1997
Three Kings 1999
Wayne’s World 1992
Dumb and Dumber 1994
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York 1992
Matilda 1996
Jerry Maguire 1996
Back to the Future Part III 1990
Clerks 1994
Galaxy Quest 1999
Rush Hour 1998
Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey 1991
Bottle Rocket 1996
Grosse Pointe Blank 1997
The Big Lebowski 1998
Hot Shots! 1991
Buffalo ’66 1998
Gremlins 2: The New Batch 1990
Bad Boys 1995
As Good as It Gets 1997
Shakespeare in Love 1998
Friday 1995
Space Jam 1996
The Truman Show 1998
Bowfinger 1999
Life 1999
The Wedding Singer 1998
Arachnophobia 1990
Blast from the Past 1999
A League of Their Own 1992
It Could Happen to You 1994
Robin Hood: Men in Tights 1993
Barton Fink 1991
Last Action Hero 1993
Showdown in Little Tokyo 1991
Dazed and Confused 1993
Only You 1994
Gridlock’d 1997
Happy Gilmore 1996
Suicide Kings 1997
City Slickers 1991
Liar Liar 1997
10 Things I Hate About You 1999

Thief

01-02-25, 02:28 PM

Looking forward to this. The 90s was the transitional decade for me from being a more casual, just-for-fun film watcher to a more serious and curious film fan. It's also the decade where I've seen most films from, according to Letterboxd. There are a ton of films I haven't revisited in a long time that I might try to revisit, but I will try to share bunches of recommendations while this thread is up.

Thief

01-02-25, 02:44 PM

Let's start with some 1990 ponderings and recommendations!

Joe Versus the Volcano - I know this was initially dismissed for its odd direction and story, but I really dug its surreal vibe. To this day, I still haven't seen Sleepless in Seattle, but as far as Hanks/Ryan pairings go, this one is easily above You've Got Mail for me.

The Godfather, Part III - I know it's hard to do so, but people need to look at this film solely as the sequel to two of the best films ever made. Despite some flaws, this one is a pretty good film, with some excellent moments, and I'd say a fitting conclusion to the Corleone Saga.

Die Hard 2 - Not as smart or efficient as the first one, but still a pretty good sequel and the second best from the franchise; I'll die on that hill.

Tremors (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2486804-tremors.html) - Recently revisited this one and was surprised by how well it held up. Not a "demanding" watch, but this is an infinitely fun and well executed creature feature.

Internal Affairs - This is one that I will likely try to revisit. Haven't seen it in decades, but I remember it being a pretty good crime thriller with some neat twists.

Jacob's Ladder - Another one I haven't revisited in a long time, but I do remember it being pretty solid with a twist that caught me off guard.

Awakenings - Yet another one that's due for a rewatch, but I do remember this one delivering two great performances from Robin Williams and Robert De Niro.

The Hunt for Red October - Again, another one I've been meaning to rewatch, but I do remember it being pretty good.

The Grifters - This one will most likely make my list. Who knows, but it's probably my favorite 1990 film and it saddens me how little people mention it. It's well written, perfectly acted, and with a kicker of an ending.

Miller's Crossing - I've seen pretty much all of the Coen films (except for The Ladykillers), but this one and Barton Fink are the ones I haven't seen in the most time. It's been too long, but I do remember enjoying it. Another one I will most definitely revisit.

Misery - Overdue for a rewatch as well, but I do remember Kathy Bates delivering a great performance, plus some thrilling moments.

I'm not saying that these will make my list, but I'd say they're all worth considering.

John-Connor

01-02-25, 02:53 PM

The Godfather, Part III - I know it's hard to do so, but people need to look at this film solely as the sequel to two of the best films ever made. Despite some flaws, this one is a pretty good film, with some excellent moments, and I'd say a fitting conclusion to the Corleone Saga.

Die Hard 2 - Not as smart or efficient as the first one, but still a pretty good sequel and the second best from the franchise; I'll die on that hill.

Tremors (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2486804-tremors.html) - Recently revisited this one and was surprised by how well it held up. Not a "demanding" watch, but this is an infinitely fun and well executed creature feature.

Internal Affairs - This is one that I will likely try to revisit. Haven't seen it in decades, but I remember it being a pretty good crime thriller with some neat twists.

Awakenings - Yet another one that's due for a rewatch, but I do remember this one delivering two great performances from Robin Williams and Robert De Niro.

The Hunt for Red October - Again, another one I've been meaning to rewatch, but I do remember it being pretty good.
I'm not saying that these will make my list, but I'd say they're all worth considering.
I second all of these, good recommendations. And since you mentioned The Hunt for Red October.. I'll add one of Supermans all time favorite films; Crimson Tide 1995
103959

Thief

01-02-25, 03:03 PM

I second all of these, good recommendations. And since you mentioned The Hunt for Red October.. I'll add one of Supermans all time favorite films; Crimson Tide 1995
103959

Yeah, interestingly enough, that's another submarine film I need to revisit.

Torgo

01-02-25, 03:08 PM

Some more gems from 1990 that are worth exploring:

Gremlins 2
Jacob's Ladder
Nightbreed (director's cut)
Paris is Burning
Pump Up the Volume
Slacker
The Exorcist III
The Match Factory Girl
The Witches

It's an odd year. Not quite the '80s and not quite the '90s. Can you say that about any year to kick off a decade? Probably, but it's hard to associate the year with any trend in music, film, etc. from either its decade or its preceding one. I've heard the year described as a "waiting room," which fits.

mrblond

01-02-25, 03:17 PM

Let's start with some 1990 ponderings and recommendations!
...
Misery - Overdue for a rewatch as well, but I do remember Kathy Bates delivering a great performance, plus some thrilling moments.

👍
Misery (1990) is one of 30-35 masterpieces that will compete for my ballot.
Hope this movie is going to accumulate enough voters because it is a must for the 90's top 100.

ueno_station54

01-02-25, 03:21 PM

i second Paris Is Burning big time. would also throw out The Garden and Darkman

John W Constantine

01-02-25, 03:43 PM

Darkman is a must.

Allaby

01-02-25, 06:22 PM

Some lesser known films from the 90s I would recommend:

Alma's Rainbow (1994)
Angela (1995)
The Cat (1991)
Go Fish (1994)
Hide and Seek (1996)
The Juniper Tree (1990)
Lisa (1990)
The Long Day Closes (1992)
The Mirror (1997)
Set Me Free (1999)
Two Orphan Vampires (1997)
The Watermelon Woman (1996)
When Pigs Fly (1993)

MovieFan1988

01-02-25, 08:20 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/8kyQP2Jf/pathealy.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

List Submitted

Harry Lime

01-02-25, 10:19 PM

I like Part Deux best but Redux is all right in my books. After all you are the Captain, Captain.

Harry Lime

01-02-25, 10:28 PM

Or we could call it The Mofo 90s Countdown with a Vengeance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RVVJmuoAQ4

I feel Die Hard with a Vengeance may be the most 90s movie of all time. Change my mind.

Miss Vicky

01-02-25, 10:30 PM

Citizen asked me if I would host the 90s Group Watch, so I'll think of a movie and post a thread soon.

Thief

01-03-25, 08:50 AM

Let's continue now with some 1991 ponderings and recommendations!

The Rocketeer (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2487442-the_rocketeer.html) - The more I see this, the more I fall in love with it. It's just perfect adventure/comic book/superhero. So much fun.

One False Move (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2458847-one_false_move.html) - It came up during the neo-noir countdown. Smartly written and well acted by Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton.

The Lovers on the Bridge - Such a nice mixture of charm and tragedy. I love to see how this relationship evolves and grows.

Shattered - I think this one came up in the neo-noir countdown as well, at least in conversations. Haven't seen it in a long time, but I do remember the twist. Will probably revisit it.

Toy Soldiers - Used to be a big fan of this one when I was a teen. I think it still holds up.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves - Yet another one I remember being a big fan when I was a teen, but haven't seen in ages. Been meaning to revisit for a while. I do remember Alan Rickman and Michael Wincott to be great as the bad guys.

Fried Green Tomatoes - Yet another one that's due for a rewatch, but I do remember enjoying this story about friendship.

The Double Life of Veronique (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2237402-the_double_life_of_vronique.html) - Make sure you check out this one. It has a strong chance of making my list. Profound, tragic, uplifting, all in the same package.

Cape Fear - Been meaning to revisit this cause I don't think I've seen it since theaters. I do remember it made an impression.

Barton Fink - Like I said with Miller's Crossing yesterday, both films are the Coen films I haven't seen in the most time. I remember enjoying this in an odd way, but I think most of its subtext went way over my head at 19-20.

Like yesterday, I'm not saying that these will make my list, but they're all films that stuck with me for one reason or another.

John-Connor

01-03-25, 09:53 AM

Let's continue now with some 1991 ponderings and recommendations!

One False Move (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2458847-one_false_move.html) - It came up during the neo-noir countdown. Smartly written and well acted by Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton.

Shattered - I think this one came up in the neo-noir countdown as well, at least in conversations. Haven't seen it in a long time, but I do remember the twist. Will probably revisit it.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves - Yet another one I remember being a big fan when I was a teen, but haven't seen in ages. Been meaning to revisit for a while. I do remember Alan Rickman and Michael Wincott to be great as the bad guys.

Cape Fear - Been meaning to revisit this cause I don't think I've seen it since theaters. I do remember it made an impression.
Once again I have to co-sign a couple of these great recommendations. The first two were on my Noir ballot. And since you mentioned Billy Bob I'll add Sling Blade (1996).
Haven't seen Robin Hood since '91 so I'm not 100% on that one.

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/crj92SZi5iOs0TJC6LScJw2iFMI.jpg

Torgo

01-03-25, 10:12 AM

More 1991 favorites:

A Scene at the Sea (a silent, inspirational surfing drama)
Dead Again (Kenneth Branagh's best work if you ask me)
Europa (one of Von Trier's best)
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (I think it's the only documentary I've re-watched)
Homicide (David Mamet's superb faith-wrestling police procedural)
Little Man Tate (it ain't easy being a child prodigy)
Point Break ("Vaya con Dios!")
Prospero's Books (Peter Greenaway's experimental The Tempest adaptation. Nudity abounds, so be warned)
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (more than just the source of the famous head-smashing GIF)
The Commitments (it was my favorite movie for many years)

John-Connor

01-03-25, 10:13 AM

https://media1.giphy.com/media/aDYXQy3W8XFG8/200w.gif?cid=6c09b952ne982uoyhfp6zqk608q9d9xo6bi2u58u40sueewc&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200w.gif

Captain Quint

01-03-25, 10:38 AM

The film i nominated for the 34th Hall of Fame is from the 90s and doesn't get enough recognition because it's pretty much an unknown.

If anyone is interested, Before The Rain (1994).

It's 7.8/10 on IMDB and 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. On Ebert's site, 4 out of 5 stars.

I'll second this. Heck of a feature debut, and for people here on world tours, it would be a good choice for Macedonia - and one to think about checking out for those going through the 90s.

It's part of the Criterion Collection, and is also playing on their channel

Here's its page for the disc if you want to see what they say there... https://www.criterion.com/films/858-before-the-rain

KeyserCorleone

01-03-25, 10:48 AM

Here we are, now entertain us. Very nice choice. Major grunge fan myself.

I don't think I'll send in my ballot until after I see the Colors trilogy. But I already have a very good top 25, so who knows if any of them will even show.

Thief

01-03-25, 10:55 AM

Haven't seen Robin Hood since '91 so I'm not 100% on that one.

Yeah, it probably won't make my list, but I do remember seeing it a couple of times back in the day and loving it.

Miss Vicky

01-03-25, 11:12 AM

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a lock for me. My ballot will likely be pretty Costner heavy.

John-Connor

01-03-25, 11:12 AM

Dances with Wolves (1990)
103984

103985

103986

Yoda

01-03-25, 11:18 AM

I feel Die Hard with a Vengeance may be the most 90s movie of all time. Change my mind.
It is very good. Possibly because there was no reason to expect it to be good, possibly because it was apparently written as a standalone heist thriller and then repurposed to act as a franchise entry.

Anyway, it's a lot of fun. When I think of it I usually have to make myself stop and figure out the jug puzzle again, which has two methods for solving it, IIRC.

seanc

01-03-25, 11:20 AM

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a lock for me. My ballot will likely be pretty Costner heavy.

JFK?

Miss Vicky

01-03-25, 11:30 AM

JFK?

Not likely. I might watch it again but don't think I've seen that one since the 90s. It was never a favorite, but Dances With Wolves, A Perfect World, The Postman, Waterworld, and The Bodyguard would all at least be in consideration.

seanc

01-03-25, 11:36 AM

Not likely. I might watch it again but don't think I've seen that one since the 90s. It was never a favorite, but Dances With Wolves, A Perfect World, The Postman, Waterworld, and The Bodyguard would all at least be in consideration.

I have been meaning to rewatch Waterworld and Postman for a long time now. I need to. Watched Bodyguard quite a bit back in the day. Think that would probably sit in the second half of a 100 of the 90’s for me at this point though.

seanc

01-03-25, 11:39 AM

Oh yeah, Wyatt Earp. Underrated Western. Kicks the hide off of Tombstone. 90’s is too stacked for me. Anyone want to sell me their list?

MovieGal

01-03-25, 12:25 PM

I'll second this. Heck of a feature debut, and for people here on world tours, it would be a good choice for Macedonia - and one to think about checking out for those going through the 90s.

It's part of the Criterion Collection, and is also playing on their channel

Here's its page for the disc if you want to see what they say there... https://www.criterion.com/films/858-before-the-rain

I saw it years ago and it made an impression with me. I was able to find a used copy of the Criterion disc for $15.

Robert the List

01-03-25, 05:33 PM

Full movies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddWKc8sHHlE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nifxZ5cTd7g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7ARk3fOuuU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igxg7udtiJ4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24kbywok2Hw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CFkymAAZQA

Trailers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSXGeUQc0Co
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgnpdqTUcg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCUDA-cywrE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukmYdGwVqPg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqkTGmyXpDI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf_D3ZzYLy0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJWALbC0tSY

Robert the List

01-03-25, 06:08 PM

The Match Factory Girl
.

Good shout.
I'd completely forgotten that film.
Robert Bresson meets Chantelle Ackerman.

Harry Lime

01-03-25, 06:49 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFiMNpDa0s4

I actually like The Postman. No chance it makes my list but I always had a soft spot for it. Kevin Costner tries so hard.

Harry Lime

01-03-25, 06:56 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24kbywok2Hw

This film has needed a better release for years now...decades even. I've been holding off on a rewatch waiting for a miracle.

I recommend Hou's films from this decade to those who want to check out some international films and get the 90s gong going during the countdown, especially Goodbye South, Goodbye - which I seem to be mostly in the minority seeing it as one of his best.

Robert the List

01-03-25, 07:05 PM

This film has needed a better release for years now...decades even. I've been holding off on a rewatch waiting for a miracle.

I recommend Hou's films from this decade to those who want to check out some international films and get the 90s gong going during the countdown, especially Goodbye South, Goodbye - which I seem to be mostly in the minority seeing it as one of his best.
Yes people seem to talk about the version with the full width in reverential terms. Agree it's one that would be great to see.

I like Cafe Lumiere of his. Particularly the sounds of the trains and of the rain storm. A real audio movie. 2002 though.

Captain Quint

01-03-25, 07:26 PM

I just can't get into Hou, I try, and I try, and I fail. Also, Tsai puts me to sleep (sorry fans).

I do however like The Match Factory Girl, and Aki Kaurismäki overall. Other 90s films from the director that I admired are, La Vie de Bohème and Drifting Clouds.

And I keep seeing The Scent of Green Papaya mentioned... I dunno, maybe it's the same person (or persons) mentioning it, but maybe there's a hope for it (it didn't make the previous 90s list). It's a movie I've always enjoyed and respected.

I'm also a big Makhmalbaf fan, I have 3 I'd champion from him, including the one you posted. (The Silence and Gabbeh are the others)

Anyway, I have 3 months to decide, and I could still discover another great picture... but as of now, I have my shortlist, consisting of 34 favorites - I'd say at least 15 are locked in, no way I'm cutting them, but that leaves the door open on the final 10. (how can I make 19 fit into 10... hmm?)

Harry Lime

01-03-25, 07:33 PM

I just can't get into Hou, I try, and I try, and I fail. Also, Tsai puts me to sleep (sorry fans).

But what about Edward Yang? Are you 0/3 on the Taiwan New Wave?

Captain Quint

01-03-25, 07:37 PM

I dig Yang, YiYi in particular, is elevated beyond words. And it's not that I dislike or hate the other 2, I see the talent, but I drift with them, whereas Yang holds me in his thrall.

Citizen Rules

01-03-25, 10:01 PM

Oh yeah, Wyatt Earp. Underrated Western. Kicks the hide off of Tombstone. 90’s is too stacked for me. Anyone want to sell me their list? I just watched and really liked Costner in The Postman, much better than I even remembered. Water World is another of his films I'll be rewatching along with Wyatt Earp. I think now that I'm older I might be more into Wyatt Earp than I use to be.

seanc

01-03-25, 10:51 PM

I just watched and really liked Costner in The Postman, much better than I even remembered. Water World is another of his films I'll be rewatching along with Wyatt Earp. I think now that I'm older I might be more into Wyatt Earp than I use to be.

I liked The postman too, but only watched it once when it came out. Need to check it out again eventually.

WrinkledMind

01-04-25, 04:25 AM

Thanks for hosting. Will participate. Will also participate in the group watch thing.

John-Connor

01-04-25, 05:06 AM

recommendations:

When We Were Kings (1996) Leon Gast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chm6opr9Nck

The Rainmaker (1997) Francis Ford Coppola
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c89f4Pyocn0

Night Falls on Manhattan (1996) Sidney Lumet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV4ILkVxycA

In the Line of Fire 1993 Wolfgang Petersen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ABVsHU7dnA

Presumed Innocent (1990) Alan J. Pakula
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIDAUEgedt8

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai 1999 Jim Jarmusch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiCQWPhHdkY

The Last Boy Scout (1991) Tony Scott
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPO-Z6mEYW4

Citizen Rules

01-04-25, 12:21 PM

Thanks for hosting. Will participate. Will also participate in the group watch thing.The 90s Group Watch (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=71939) for the 90s Countdown is the perfect way to promote a 90s movie that a person thinks should make the countdown. I see alot of people posting recommendations, so many in fact that I end up not reading most of them, but the group watch will guarantee that some MoFos will watch your movie and maybe, just maybe put it on their countdown ballot.

CosmicRunaway

01-04-25, 04:32 PM

I'm glad I crawled out from under my rock in time to catch this Countdown! There are definitely some old favourites I'd like to rewatch, and I'm sure there are a ton of films I haven't gotten around to yet that I might finally watch after all these years haha.

Tugg

01-04-25, 04:35 PM

CosmicRunaway

01-04-25, 04:38 PM

Good to read you again. Are you planning on doing 2024 MoFo Awards?
Thanks! And yeah, I just put the thread up actually!

I've been really busy the last few months since I got a new job, and I feel like I've hardly seen any 2024 films, but I'm looking forward to catching up on those as well.

I think I'll alternate between new releases and 90s flicks to keep things interesting haha.

Deschain

01-05-25, 06:11 PM

I’m just seeing this thread now. I feel like I can make a top 25 of each genre from the ‘90s so cutting it down is gonna be tough.

Little Ash

01-06-25, 11:40 AM

I dig Yang, YiYi in particular, is elevated beyond words. And it's not that I dislike or hate the other 2, I see the talent, but I drift with them, whereas Yang holds me in his thrall.

Hao and Tsai are both Slow Cinema people (I felt Tsai tries to be aggressively so). Yang was not, so that difference in your experience isn't surprising. That said, I do dig Hao, and Tsai can have emotionally powerful endings after his build-ups, so I'm usually a fan of the former, and find myself liking the latter, but IDK how often I'd feel the need to revisit Tsai in comparison. Good films though, IMO.

The Scent of Green Papaya is Tran Anh Hung, who also did Norwegian Wood (I think based on a Murakami short story?) and, in the last couple of years, The Taste of Things... which are three titles I know of as having a lot of acclaim but have never seen. I even bought a copy of the first two at some point with the intent of eventually watching them. Maybe that eventually is now?

John-Connor

01-06-25, 11:50 AM

The Taste of Things...
Slightly off topic but I love this film, it's beautiful, I also love Papayas the orange ones tho. Might give it a try.

Captain Quint

01-06-25, 12:35 PM

The Taste of Things... at the start I was like, "The hell... really, I'm watching a flipping cooking show?" by the end I'm thinking how beautiful it was and ranking it 5th on my 'Top Films of the Year' list. (that happened again in 2023 with Wenders Perfect Days, and all the detailed toilet cleaning, but by the end, I loved it... the movie, not the toilets)

As to his work in the 90s, The Scent of Green Papayas is beautiful, lyrical... I wrote no reviews or even a quick write-up that I can find, but it lingers in my memory. Cyclo (1995) was another good one, though I didn't rate it as high (others in Trần Anh Hùng's filmography? The Vertical Ray of the Sun (2000) I wasn't wild about, it was fair. I haven't seen his others).

Trailers

Scent
https://youtu.be/xe9DorMzpEw?si=wGu3XKTnwQbfP2vT

Cyclo
https://youtu.be/xqPxeyfzOd4?si=Cv3pJztelxgN4FJf

Allaby

01-06-25, 04:17 PM

Question: do made for tv movies qualify?

Thief

01-06-25, 04:29 PM

Forgot about this. Need to get back with my yearly recommendations.

Captain Quint

01-06-25, 07:07 PM

Question: do made for tv movies qualify?

Oh, hells bells! I had it as no made for TV movies, but see I only mention miniseries and TV series in the rules.

Let me look at the ballots (none so far, so the cats not out of the bag). Lets say...

No made for TV movies unless it had a theatrical release at some point in the decade (things like The Snapper, and yes, Gotti, which was mentioned earlier, did have theatrical runs. The Last Seduction (1994) is another - it was intended for the big screen but was shown on TV to try and secure a deal, (unfortunately that action caused Linda Fiorentino to lose a much-deserved Oscar nom). But yeah, that's another that got a theatrical run and so is eligible.

I'll go add this to the rules in case people miss seeing it here.

Thief

01-06-25, 09:44 PM

Moving on to some 1992 ponderings and recommendations!

Glengarry Glen Ross - I'm glad to see this film being mentioned slightly more often nowadays. 10-15 years ago, most people didn't know about it and how much it bangs.

Hard Boiled (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2384074-hard_boiled.html) - Crazy action. Not as good as The Killer, but still a lot of fun in case someone's looking to nominate crazy action films.

Unlawful Entry - One of those that I haven't seen in a very long time. Barely remember it, but I do remember enjoying it.

The Power of One - See above. Stars Morgan Freeman and Stephen Dorff. Haven't seen it in ages.

Basic Instinct - This one I do remember :laugh: even though I haven't seen it in decades, but I really don't know how well it would hold up now. Does it have a chance?

My Cousin Vinny - Another one I don't remember much. I do remember not being a big fan. Am I wrong?

Sneakers - Same with this one. Great cast, but I don't remember it sticking with me.

There are a couple more that might be shoo-ins for my list, Unforgiven, A Few Good Men, Aladdin, but the above are some of the ones I'm curious if I should revisit.

MovieGal

01-06-25, 09:56 PM

Ballot submitted

gbgoodies

01-07-25, 01:20 AM

Moving on to some 1992 ponderings and recommendations!

My Cousin Vinny - Another one I don't remember much. I do remember not being a big fan. Am I wrong?

My Cousin Vinny is one of my all-time favorite comedies. It's a lock for my list.

Deschain

01-07-25, 02:53 AM

My Cousin Vinny is a perfect film.

John-Connor

01-07-25, 08:43 AM

Moving on to some 1992 ponderings and recommendations!

Glengarry Glen Ross
Hard Boiled
Basic Instinct
My Cousin Vinny
A Few Good Men

https://media0.giphy.com/media/GCvktC0KFy9l6/200w.gif?cid=6c09b9527sfuosamryvasehrac6jyhxyss9szcoqie8htfy6&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200w.gif&ct=g

Thief

01-07-25, 09:57 AM

How about some 1993 ponderings and recommendations!

Red Rock West (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2412940-red_rock_west.html) - This one got some deserved attention during the Neo-noir countdown. I'm not sure if it'll make the cut for me, but at least it's worth considering.

Malice (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2493483-malice.html) - This one was a big favorite of mine back in the day. I revisited last year and it held up really well. Again, not sure if it'll make my cut but it is a lot of fun.

Carlito's Way - Great one. Easily on my Top 5 from De Palma. It has one of the most impressive "one shots" I've seen in the last act.

Ninja Scroll - Not sure if it'll make my cut, but it is my favorite anime; a genre I'm actually not that accustomed to.

The Man Without a Face - Putting Mel Gibson's faults aside, this is an impressive debut. Used to watch it often back in the day.

Fearless - Haven't seen this since the 90s and I barely remember anything about it. However, I've become a fan of most everything I've seen from Peter Weir so I should probably revisit this.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape - I remember really liking this, but it's another one I haven't seen in a very long time.

Alive - The Society of the Snow put a bit of a spotlight on this one last year. I haven't seen that one, but I did see this one back in the day and it really stuck with me. A truly remarkable story.

Romeo Is Bleeding - This is another one I haven't seen in a very long time, but that still stuck with me pretty hard. Gary Oldman!

In the Name of the Father - Arguably a lock on my ballot? or at least for the short list. Yet another one I used to see often. Great performances from DDL and Pete Postlethwaite.

Cliffhanger - This one has to be one of the best 90s action films, up there with Speed and the like. At the very least, it has one of the most chilling openings ever.

Some obvious one like Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, The Fugitive.

Sedai

01-07-25, 10:08 AM

Basic Instinct - This one I do remember :laugh: even though I haven't seen it in decades, but I really don't know how well it would hold up now. Does it have a chance?

I re-watched this for the run up to the neo noir countdown. Still holds up pretty well, but didn't end up on my ballot.

Holden Pike

01-07-25, 10:12 AM

Fearless - Haven't seen this since the 90s and I barely remember anything about it. However, I've become a fan of most everything I've seen from Peter Weir so I should probably revisit this.

Do revisit Fearless (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2517604#post2517604).

Torgo

01-07-25, 10:16 AM

https://media0.giphy.com/media/GCvktC0KFy9l6/200w.gif?cid=6c09b9527sfuosamryvasehrac6jyhxyss9szcoqie8htfy6&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200w.gif&ct=g That's from A Better Tomorrow 2. Maybe you mean...

https://i.postimg.cc/wBX1QkB5/hard-boiled-john-woo.gif

;)

John-Connor

01-07-25, 10:16 AM

Speaking of yearly recs..

You can check out your fellow forum members favorite 90s films by year, in the following threads:

1990 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2124310#post2124310)
1991 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2119806#post2119806)
1992 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2120745#post2120745)
1993 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2121444#post2121444)
1994 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2122694#post2122694)
1995 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2128215#post2128215)
1996 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2204221#post2204221)
1997 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2204345#post2204345)
1998 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2204513#post2204513)
1999 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2206600#post2206600)

If I'm not mistaken, movie watching phenomenon; mark f has shared his picks in all of them.

Torgo

01-07-25, 11:21 AM

Sneakers - Same with this one. Great cast, but I don't remember it sticking with me.Love Sneakers. It's one of those movies I could put on any day and at any time and watch in its entirety even though I've seen it so many times.

Anyway, gonna ride your coattails again and offer more yearly recs:

1992

Bad Lieutenant
Braindead (it's by Peter Jackson and it's disgusting, but also hilarious)
Cronos (Del Toro's first feature film)
Deep Cover
Dust Devil (watch the director's cut, not the Weinsteins' one)
Leolo
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (probably my favorite David Lynch movie, but you need to watch seasons 1 and 2 of the TV series first)

1993

Dazed and Confused ("Alright, alright, alright")
In the Line of Fire (features a terrifying John Malkovich)
Kalifornia (features a terrifying Brad Pitt)
Naked
Searching for Bobby Fischer
Sonatine
The Sandlot ("You're killing me, Smalls!")

Thief

01-07-25, 11:30 AM

Love Sneakers. It's one of those movies I could put on any day and at any time and watch in its entirety even though I've seen it so many times.

Anyway, gonna ride your coattails again and offer more yearly recs:

1992

Bad Lieutenant
Braindead (it's by Peter Jackson and it's disgusting, but also hilarious)
Cronos (Del Toro's first feature film)
Deep Cover
Dust Devil (watch the director's cut, not the Weinsteins' one)
Leolo
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (probably my favorite David Lynch movie, but you need to watch seasons 1 and 2 of the TV series first)

1993

Dazed and Confused ("Alright, alright, alright")
In the Line of Fire (features a terrifying John Malkovich)
Kalifornia (features a terrifying Brad Pitt)
Naked
Searching for Bobby Fischer
Sonatine
The Sandlot ("You're killing me, Smalls!")

Bad Lieutenant is one I just saw for the first time last year. I really liked it, but still not sure if it'll make my list. I imagine it will make the list, given its reputation.

Braindead is one that I haven't seen in ages. Even before Jackson's LOTR. I do remember having fun with it. Should revisit it.

Cronos and Deep Cover have been recommended often. Just haven't gotten around to them.

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me is one I want to get to, but I need to finish the show. I saw season 1, liked it a lot, but never got around season 2. Now I feel I need to revisit season 1 for a refresher *facepalm*

In the Line of Fire and Kalifornia are two I haven't seen since the 90s.

Searching for Bobby Fisher has been on my radar since the 90s. For some reason never got around to it.

The Sandlot is one that I've never seen, but it seems like something I would enjoy.

Yoda

01-07-25, 12:29 PM

Citizen Rules

01-07-25, 12:47 PM

I went through all my MoFo reviews and my past HoF nominations and made a list of the 1990s movies that I had given a rating_4 or higher rating to.

12 Monkeys
A Midnight Clear 1992
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective 1994
Alive 1993
American Beauty
Apollo 13 (1995)
Back to the Future Part III 1990
Barton Fink (1991)
Being John Malkovich
Bottle Rocket (1996)
Braveheart
Buffalo '66 (1998)
Dances with Wolves 1990
Dark City 1998
Dead Man Walking (1995)
Dumb and Dumber 1994
Ed Wood (1994)
Edward Scissorhands 1990
Elizabeth 1998
Forrest Gump 1994
Gattaca
Georgia
Gettysburg
Incident at Oglala (1992)
Interview with the Vampire 1994
L.A. Confidential
Léon: The Professional
Little Women 1994
Lost In Yonkers (1993)
Muriel's Wedding (1994)
Prefontaine (1997)
Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion 1997
Saving Private Ryan 1998
Schindler's List (1993)
Starship Troopers (1997)
Tank Girl 1995
The City of Lost Children (1995)
The Player (1992)
The Shawshank Redemption 1994
The Silence of the Lambs
The Truman Show 1998
The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl (1993)
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Titanic 1997
Tombstone (1993)
Unforgiven 1992
What's Eating Gilbert Grape 1993

Little Ash

01-07-25, 12:52 PM

Allaby

01-07-25, 12:53 PM

Torgo

01-07-25, 01:46 PM

Just wanna say I always get the warm fuzzies when countdown viewing periods start and everyone rushes in being all helpful with links and recs and thoughts. The initial excitement is really fun, great, and infectious, and the vibe is always really positive and focused on the movies themselves. Thanks, everyone, for being so helpful and enthusiastic! :)To paraphrase a quote from The King of Kong:

"I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs. I categorize and recommend movies, which I think is a far superior addiction to any of those other ones."

Robert the List

01-07-25, 02:54 PM

I've got 14 which I think are certainties. The other 11 likely to come from the following (* = more likely)

*State of Grace 1990 USA
Close Up 1990 Iran Abbas Kiarostami
Goodfellas 1991 USA Martin Scorsese
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day 1991
*Toto the Hero 1991 Belgium Jaco Van Dormael
The Double Life Of Veronique 1991 France Krzysztof Kieślowski
*The Scent of Green Papaya 1993 Vietnam Tran Anh Hung
*The Puppet Master 1993 Taiwan Hou Hsiao-hsien
True Romance 1993 USA Tony Scott
Schindler's List (1993)
The Shawshank Redemption 1994 USA
*Four Weddings and a Funeral 1994 UK
*Leon the Professional 1994 USA
*Trees Lounge 1996 USA Steve Buscemi
*Trainspotting 1996 UK Danny Boyle
Taste of Cherry 1997 Iran Abbas Kiarostami
Jackie Brown 1997
The Big Lebowski 1998 USA The Cohen Brothers
Beau Travail 1999 France Claire Denis
The Matrix 1999 USA The Wachowskis
The Talented Mr Ripley 1999 USA Anthony Minghella
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai 1999

Allaby

01-07-25, 02:57 PM

Is Beau Travail eligible? It says 2000 beside it on here and on tmdb, but also shows a release date of 09/16/1999.

https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/14626-beau-travail?language=en-CA

Robert the List

01-07-25, 03:37 PM

Is Beau Travail eligible? It says 2000 beside it on here and on tmdb, but also shows a release date of 09/16/1999.

https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/14626-beau-travail?language=en-CA
Aha, maybe not then. Will need a ruling from CQ I guess.

"The film was screened on 4 September 1999 in the Cinema del Presente section at the 56th Venice International Film Festival.[3] It was theatrically released in France on 3 May 2000 by Pyramide Distribution."

When you consider that this is ineligible, it seems doubtful!:

"Warner Bros. decided to assemble a definitive director's cut of the film—with direction from Scott—for an official theatrical re-release in 1992"

Captain Quint

01-07-25, 04:03 PM

On these edge cases I'd like us to stick to the theatrical dates (reflected in the front page at TMDB) than festival showings at say a Venice or Toronto (where filmmakers are often just trying to nail down distribution deals) - I tested it, and the ballot rejects it. So that'll be an ineligible.

When in doubt on these edge cases, 1989/90 or 1999/2000 go to the ballot here and enter the title, it'll tell you yes or no. (and then you can x it out, or leave it and it should go away on its own - at that point you won't be committed to it)

Captain Quint

01-07-25, 04:21 PM

Just a heads up, because I suspect this will trip up someone - Krzysztof Kieslowski's Blue, also known as, Three Colors: Blue, is listed as the latter* (as I often see it listed on movie sites nowadays, but I feel like I grew up hearing it often referred to as just "Blue"). I will say, this does help differentiate it from Derek Jarman's Blue, both of which were released in the same year, 1993.

If you aren't aware of one of them existing (I heard of the Three Colors trilogy probably a good two decades before I heard of Jarman's film), then I can foresee some incorrect submissions. (fwiw, I prefer Jarman's film and I would say, I would have no clear sense if someone voted for one meant the other, because they both have their arthouse followings).

*: I checked the ballot page before posting this.

Thanks, appreciate it, that's something I have my eye on as ballots come in, but I didn't think of Blue and Three Colors: Blue.

Another one to watch out for is the 2 different Emma's from 1996. So if you adore the Paltrow movie and want to include it, keep that in mind, check the actors, see what the posters look like here - you'll likely receive a PM from me to confirm it, just in case.

Little Ash

01-07-25, 06:00 PM

Oh, hmm... Beau Travail is 2000?
Well, good to get that heads up now. I was going off of letterboxd dates for assembling/keeping track of possible movies and they have it as 1999.

I guess that's one spot freed up from what's feeling like a decade with a lot of different films competing for a spot.

Captain Quint

01-07-25, 07:01 PM

John W Constantine

01-07-25, 07:10 PM

Beau Travail is out? If only there were a song that could be played in tribute.

AgrippinaX

01-07-25, 07:17 PM

Do revisit Fearless (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2517604#post2517604).

One of my favourites and the ‘90s is my favourite film decade.

Harry Lime

01-07-25, 10:18 PM

Peppermint Candy is another like that, Letterboxd says one thing, TMDB says another, and is a title that will be rejected by the software.

I'm using 'boxd for my shortlist as well, but be aware, it's not our official source for dates.
I think everywhere except that website that I never hear about except when here at Mofo because it's a free API says Beau Travail is 1999.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209933/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau_Travail
https://www.criterion.com/films/29646-beau-travail
https://letterboxd.com/film/beau-travail/

It should obviously be allowed since it wasn't allowed in the 2000s list: https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=64722
"Any film listed as 2000-2009 on IMDb is eligible for our list "

So most importantly, if we go by your TMDB rules then a film such as Beau Travail would not be able to place on any decades list.

The host needs to change this rule. Thank you.

EDIT: Also nothing against using TMDB for the website because it's a free API - I would too. But it shouldn't be the deciding factor. Free Beau Travail! Free Peppermint Candy!

Harry Lime

01-07-25, 10:23 PM

Also has anyone recommended American Movie yet? Surely someone has.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMFZOu8rDUQ

SpelingError

01-08-25, 12:20 AM

Also has anyone recommended American Movie yet? Surely someone has.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMFZOu8rDUQ

I might have room for it on my ballot.

Thief

01-08-25, 09:19 AM

Now for some 1994 ponderings and recommendations!

Hoop Dreams - Easily one of the most important documentaries ever made, and arguably my top one.

Shallow Grave (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2438791-shallow_grave.html) - Not sure if it will make my cut, but I still think it's worth a watch. Thanks to Holden for bringing this one up during a HoF last year.

The Hudsucker Proxy - Usually confined to the bottom of most people's Coen ranking, but I really enjoyed it.

Speed - One of the best 90s action films. I have my issues with the last act, once the bus stops, but I still think it's a lot of fun and one that deserves a spot somewhere in the countdown.

Heavenly Creatures - I'm always amazed that this film doesn't come up more often in conversations about great 90s films, or great films, period. It is an incredibly powerful drama, neatly acted and well directed by a pre-LOTR Peter Jackson.

Reality Bites - One that I haven't seen since the 90s. Should I revisit?

Swimming with Sharks - I remember seeing this in the wake of Spacey's incredible 90s run (probably after watching Seven and The Usual Suspects) and I really enjoyed it. It does unravel a bit in the last act, but Spacey is great.

The River Wild - Remember seeing this one back in the day and enjoying it, but haven't seen it since. Have seen it pop up in conversations during the last year or so, so I wonder if I should revisit it.

The Client - This might apply to most of the John Grisham legal thrillers (The Firm, The Pelican Brief, etc.) Seen it, enjoyed it, haven't seen it since.

Quiz Show - Kinda like Heavenly Creatures, this is one I'm surprised doesn't come up more often. It's really great and I should probably revisit it.

Natural Born Killers - I remember not being a big fan of this when it came out, but I think I might be more attuned to its sensibilities now. What's the take on this one?

Clear and Present Danger - Barely remember this, but I always remember preferring Patriot Games to it. What's the take with this one?

True Lies - One of my favorite 90s action films. So much fun!

Street Fighter - Definitely deserves a spot!

Needless to say, The Shawshank Redemption has a spot guaranteed in my ballot. Other obvious ones are The Lion King, Pulp Fiction, Clerks...?

Robert the List

01-08-25, 09:34 AM

I think everywhere except that website that I never hear about except when here at Mofo because it's a free API says Beau Travail is 1999.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209933/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau_Travail
https://www.criterion.com/films/29646-beau-travail
https://letterboxd.com/film/beau-travail/

It should obviously be allowed since it wasn't allowed in the 2000s list: https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=64722
"Any film listed as 2000-2009 on IMDb is eligible for our list "

So most importantly, if we go by your TMDB rules then a film such as Beau Travail would not be able to place on any decades list.

The host needs to change this rule. Thank you.

EDIT: Also nothing against using TMDB for the website because it's a free API - I would too. But it shouldn't be the deciding factor. Free Beau Travail! Free Peppermint Candy!
You should hear my gripe about Blade Runner mate.

Captain Quint

01-08-25, 03:13 PM

Ah gripes, I know their unavoidable, but gripes make me grumpy and release dates are a pain in a neck (believe me, as a guy with an alt-Oscar blog I know - they shift, they change -after years being in one season, it suddenly goes to another, and then I have to research why. You have things like Das Boot which come in theatrical, director's cut, and miniseries form, all released in different years, so that's a challenge) As for the ones mentioned, I have letterbox pals who put them in at 2000, I do so as well. The Best Actor Blog and Rotten Tomatoes has Peppermint Candy at 2000, and were I hosting a 2000, they'd have been included there.

But what happened with the 2000 poll has no bearing on this list, I didn't host that one, didn't have say, don't know what the software allowed or didn't allow back then. I do know the 90s ballot isn't going to allow you to enter those titles (or Blade Runner, for that matter - to address that gripe), and I don't want to bother Yoda with retooling the programming.

Neither made the previous 90s list, and it's still a fine 100, and with the thousands and thousands of movies to choose from, I'm sure everyone will be able to come up with 25 gems.

We'll keep the rule as is

Robert the List

01-08-25, 03:20 PM

I've massively underestimated Trainspotting btw.
Just wanted to say that.
Also, it's a cracking piece of the 90s.

And it had the arguably prophetic line, "1000 years from now, there'll be no girls and no guys. Just wankers.".*

Also, as a collector of movie screenshots, there are some ****ing brilliant images in it.

*(to be super super cautious, this comment is not calling non-binary people wankers)

John-Connor

01-08-25, 03:25 PM

Hoop Dreams

Speed

The Firm

Clear and Present Danger

Clerks

https://media.tenor.com/gL-bgN8EUQwAAAAM/zang-excellent.gif

Harry Lime

01-08-25, 08:21 PM

https://images.justwatch.com/poster/179814789/s718/crimson-tide.jpg

pahaK

01-08-25, 09:06 PM

https://resizing.flixster.com/1tlLMpsyjqMJWDz91_OHE1vRq6k=/fit-in/705x460/v2/https://resizing.flixster.com/-XZAfHZM39UwaGJIFWKAE8fS0ak=/v3/t/assets/p16787_v_h9_aa.jpg

Torgo

01-09-25, 10:30 AM

Ah, 1994. One of the great movie years.

More recs:

Chungking Express
Crumb (another doc I've re-watched)
Ed Wood (Martin Landau gives my favorite performance ever)
Exotica
Little Odessa (James Gray's debut)
The Madness of King George
The Secret of Roan Inish

Thief

01-09-25, 10:51 AM

Let's move onto 1995 ponderings and recommendations!

Apollo 13 - I know everybody knows about it, but I still feel it doesn't get enough praise. Probably Ron Howard's best film.

Citizen X - It is a TV movie, but it's a pretty good one. It did went theatrical in some countries so maybe it's eligible.

Casino - Haven't seen it in a while, but I remember preferring it to Goodfellas *runs*

Dolores Claiborne (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2297161-dolores_claiborne.html) - Recently revisited this and even though it didn't hold up as well as I remembered, I still think it's pretty good.

Dead Presidents - Been thinking about revisiting this. It's been a while.

Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead - This one came up in the neo-noir countdown conversation. I don't remember much about it other than Christopher Walken's great performance as a quadriplegic crime boss.

Dead Man Walking and Leaving Las Vegas - I do remember great performances, bu tI don't remember much else.

To Die For - Again, I do remember Nicole Kidman, and most of the cast, being pretty good, and I also remember enjoying the quirky vibe but it's been decades.

Basketball Diaries - IMO, DiCaprio's finest hour as an actor.

Sense and Sensibility - It's been too long, but this film is masterful. Love it.

Clueless - I remember seeing this in theaters and not enjoying most of it, and I haven't seen it since. However, most people bring it up a lot among great 90s comedies, so I've been meaning to give it a second shot.

Outbreak - One of those I remember really loving. Saw it in theaters back then and saw it often on TV/video, but it's been a while.

Crimson Tide - Someone brought it up when I mentioned Hunt for Red October. I'm on the same boat with this one. Remember enjoying it, but it's been decades.

12 Monkeys - Maybe, maybe a lock for my ballot? I don't know, but it will probably be on the short list.

Other sure shots for me, Seven, The Usual Suspects... maybe Braveheart, Toy Story.

mrblond

01-09-25, 11:19 AM

Let's continue now with some 1991 ponderings and recommendations!

Fried Green Tomatoes - Yet another one that's due for a rewatch, but I do remember enjoying this story about friendship.

Cape Fear - Been meaning to revisit this cause I don't think I've seen it since theaters. I do remember it made an impression.

Moving on to some 1992 ponderings and recommendations!

Glengarry Glen Ross - I'm glad to see this film being mentioned slightly more often nowadays. 10-15 years ago, most people didn't know about it and how much it bangs.

How about some 1993 ponderings and recommendations!

Red Rock West - This one got some deserved attention during the Neo-noir countdown. I'm not sure if it'll make the cut for me, but at least it's worth considering.

What's Eating Gilbert Grape - I remember really liking this, but it's another one I haven't seen in a very long time.

Now for some 1994 ponderings and recommendations!

Shallow Grave- Not sure if it will make my cut, but I still think it's worth a watch. Thanks to Holden for bringing this one up during a HoF last year.

Natural Born Killers - I remember not being a big fan of this when it came out, but I think I might be more attuned to its sensibilities now. What's the take on this one?

Let's move onto 1995 ponderings and recommendations!

Leaving Las Vegas - I do remember great performances, bu tI don't remember much else.

I Second all these titles! Most of them are quite probable for my ballot.

Torgo

01-09-25, 02:45 PM

What the heck, more 1995 recs:

Babe ("That'll do, pig")
Before Sunrise
Devil in a Blue Dress (a classic neo-noir that was pretty high on my ballot)
Fallen Angels
Heat (I'm the nerd who went to the same restaurant De Niro and Pacino had coffee and asked the host where they sat)
La Haine
The American President

I remember this being a weak year, especially when compared to 1994. I went to the theater pretty regularly as a teen, but there were long stretches when I didn't go that year.

Captain Quint

01-09-25, 06:28 PM

What did I like in 1995?

Maborosi, from director: Hirokazu Kore-eda, was my selection for Best Picture. It's a very quiet, slow-moving piece, and I've always wondered if Kore-eda was inspired by/drawing from Mizoguchi, as he didn't employee close-ups (or very few of them), even with emotional scenes - it consists of mostly medium to long shots, and that could cause a disconnect with audiences. But for me the story retains its power, much like Mizo's The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums (one that did the same - medium to long shots, edits are mostly relaxed, no quick cuts apart from one sequence at a play)

My nominees were The Usual Suspects, Dead Man, Sense and Sensibility, The Flower of My Secret, Toy Story, Before Sunrise, Se7en, Safe, Leaving Las Vegas, and The Bridges of Madison County

Robert the List

01-10-25, 08:14 AM

Just while I think of it, wanted to clarify that I'm only pulling CQ's leg over Blade Runner.

I did genuinely wanted it and it did have theatrical release but I understand where CQ is coming from and I respect that a decision has been taken.

(sorry, previously put this comment on the wrong thread)

Thief

01-10-25, 08:19 AM

Let's move onto 1995 ponderings and recommendations!

Copy/paste bit me here and I wrongly labeled this last batch as 1994, when it was 1995. Fixed it already.

Thief

01-10-25, 08:36 AM

It's time for some 1996 ponderings and recommendations!

Hard Eight - PTA's debut is one of his best, as far as I'm concerned. Small scope, but really well executed and acted.

The Rock - Another one of those great 90s action films and, easily, Michael Bay's best. Not sure if it'll be enough to get on my list, but still one to consider.

Mars Attacks! - I remember reading lots of bad things about this, then I saw it a couple of years ago and I had lots of fun with it.

The Watermelon Woman - Far from perfect, but still a pretty good indie work that explores relationships and stereotypes.

Ransom - I'm a big fan of this, even if I haven't seen it in a good while. Mel Gibson is great and it offers a lot of thrills.

Sleepers - There's a big difference from first half to second half, but the goods of the first half are really, really good.

Executive Decision - Steven Seagal's best film :laugh: Again, another great 90s action film for those so inclined.

A Time to Kill - John Grisham must have made boatloads of money in the 90s, but he backed it up with some really good stories. This is a star-studded yet powerful legal thriller. Some rough edges, but overall, a pretty good one.

Bound - Love this, even though I haven't seen it in a long, long time.

Set It Off - Remember enjoying this back in the day. Not sure if I should rewatch.

Swingers - Same as above.

Primal Fear - It's been a while, but this one still stands above a lot as one of the best twists ever. Edward Norton is superb.

Mission: Impossible - As far as I'm concerned, it still stands as one of the best films of the franchise.

Tésis - This is one I should probably rewatch. Barely remember it at all.

The English Patient - Another one I barely remember, but it won Best Picture, right? right? Should I give it a shot?

Expected ones like Scream, Fargo, Trainspotting.

Captain Quint

01-10-25, 09:05 AM

I loved the English Patient when it came out, I found it moving - a second go through about a decade back wasn't as impressive, I still liked it, but I'd probably drop the grade down a bit. My Oscar faves among the "Best Pic" nominees were Fargo and Secrets & Lies that season - Shine I have little memory of, other than I recall liking the performances, but the story... something, something, a piano, something.... I dunno. I was just happy that idiotic pile, Jerry Maguire didn't win. (with apologies to people who'll vote for the idiotic pile and who I've incensed by calling it an idiotic pile... for the third time)

Agree with you on Hard Eight, one of PTA finest, better than it's often given credit for.

And Tésis, oh yeah, I watched that in 2023 and liked it - though the 4-stars I gave it aren't enough to get it on my shortlist. But a goodie - Ana Torrent, all grown up - directed by Alejandro Amenábar (The Others, The Sea Inside... Open Your Eyes is another of his from the 90s)

Thief

01-10-25, 09:09 AM

Open Your Eyes might be a lock for my list. Who knows, but I love that film.

Captain Quint

01-10-25, 09:18 AM

Open Your Eyes might be a lock for my list. Who knows, but I love that film.

What did you think of the American remake, Vanilla Sky?

Torgo

01-10-25, 09:42 AM

More 1996? More 1996.

Basquiat
Breaking the Waves
Crash (might be Cronenberg's best)
Hamlet
Kids Return
Kingpin (Jeffersons on Ice. Enough said)
Lone Star
Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (still think about it at least once a week)
Pusher (see where it all started with Refn as well as Mikkelsen)
Sling Blade (who else's dad does a Karl impression?)
The Long Kiss Goodnight ("Chefs do that.")
Waiting for Guffman (still one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Just wish I could find a The Remains of the Day lunchbox)

Dang, thought it would be slim pickings, but it's a better year than I remember.

MovieGal

01-10-25, 09:46 AM

Open Your Eyes might be a lock for my list. Who knows, but I love that film.

I used to watch films with a guy from Argentina. I was introduced to a lot of Spanish language films.

I can't stand Javier Bardem but The Sea Inside is a great film.

Open Your Eyes is a great film as well. I will watch anything with Eduardo Noreiga.

John W Constantine

01-10-25, 09:48 AM

A serious lack of Van Damme recs is starting to depress me.

Torgo

01-10-25, 09:55 AM

A serious lack of Van Damme recs is starting to depress me.Sudden Death is countdown-worthy. One of the better Die Hard knockoffs.
Aww, that's all I got. Why haven't I seen Hard Target or Universal Soldier yet? John Woo directed Target, for God's sake.

John-Connor

01-10-25, 09:56 AM

Have to set the record straight regarding Executive Decision because it's not fair to my man Kurt Russell. It's not a Steven Seagal movie, he has a minor role in it, but I have to admit his presence is like a coffee stain on a painting. Apart from him it's a perfectly good 90s Kurt Russell, popcorn airplane/action flick. Not in contention for my ballot though, just saying.

On with the nineties recs and friendly reminders:

The Edge (1997) Lee Tamahori
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkSJGkgql3M

(I got you John W Constantine)
Timecop (1994) Peter Hyams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doe-eYp5zU8

Legends of the Fall (1994) Edward Zwick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmfxbiMbASI

The Firm (1993) Sydney Pollack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytaVG8VtfW0

Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995) Stephen Herek
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPt_INy_CtM

A Few Good Men (1992) Rob Reiner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIaAL7JTEgE

Carlito’s Way (1993) Brian De Palma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fF8WR2Gj7g

La Haine (1995) Mathieu Kassovitz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viwmlW6ENiY

kgaard

01-10-25, 10:09 AM

The English Patient - Another one I barely remember, but it won Best Picture, right? right? Should I give it a shot?

Me watching The English Patient:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5qalNX5G94

John-Connor

01-10-25, 10:13 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5qalNX5G94
I'm 100% with Elaine on this one, my kind of woman. :D

Thief

01-10-25, 10:50 AM

What did you think of the American remake, Vanilla Sky?

I saw it in theaters on the strength of the original, but I really didn't like it a lot. I do think Cameron Diaz is an improvement on her Spanish counterpart, but I prefer Noriega to Cruise, and weirdly enough, despite playing the same role, Penélope is way better in the original than in the remake.

I do like some of the things that Crowe does in terms of music, and how he weaves it into the story, but he also changed some key moments from the story, and overall I didn't feel it had the impact of the original.

Thief

01-10-25, 10:56 AM

A serious lack of Van Damme recs is starting to depress me.

Hey, I did mention Street Fighter :laugh: but seriously, I wouldn't mind if, somehow, TimeCop showed up. Recently revisited it and it held up rather well.

A lot of people often bring Sudden Death as one of his best, but I haven't seen that one since back in the day.

Hard Target is a lot of fun; dumb fun, but fun nonetheless. Universal Soldier is the other one that I think could have a chance.

LeBoyWondeur

01-10-25, 11:06 AM

104265

Thief

01-10-25, 11:26 AM

That's Freeway, right? Always was curious to check that one out back in the day but never got around to it. Is the picture an endorsement/recommendation?

mrblond

01-10-25, 11:51 AM

MovieGal

01-10-25, 12:11 PM

One of the best films of 1993 and the 1990s decade.

In The Name of The Father

104267
104268

exiler96

01-10-25, 01:55 PM

One of the best films of 1993 and the 1990s decade.

In The Name of The Father

104267

Ah, DDL from this film was my first avatar here.

MovieGal

01-10-25, 02:33 PM

Ah, DDL from this film was my first avatar here.

Yeah at one time I would watch certain actors filmography. With DDL, it was everything up to The Ballad of Jack and Rose. After that, I got selective.

Because of DDL films, I started watching other films by director Jim Sheridan..

Harry Lime

01-10-25, 04:43 PM

South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOR38552MJA

Canadian Bacon (1995)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aUt7c0HcV4

Captain Quint

01-10-25, 06:39 PM

Counting backwards on award winners in the 90s (eschewing festivals)

104274
An Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA award

A Look at 1999

Golden Globes Musical or Comedy: Toy Story 2
Golden Globes Drama: American Beauty
National Society of Film Critics: Topsy Turvy and Being John Malkovich
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: The Insider
Boston Society of Film Critics: Three Kings
National Board of Review: American Beauty
New York Film Critics Circle: American Beauty
Academy Awards (The Oscars): American Beauty
Academy Awards (International): All About My Mother
Academy Awards (Documentary Feature): One Day in September
Independent Spirit: Election
César Awards (France): Venus Beauty Institute
BAFTA: American Beauty
BAFTA (Best British): East is East
Mainichi Film Awards (Japan): Railroad Man
Blue Ribbon (Japan): Gohatto
European Film Academy: All About My Mother
The Genies (Canada): Sunshine

My Winner was Magnolia
My Nominees? American Beauty, Iron Giant, The Limey, All About My Mother, The Straight Story, The Sixth Sense, Postmen in the Mountains, Rosetta, Being John Malkovich, The Talented Mr. Ripley

I've never seen Gohatto, East is East, Venus Beauty Institute or One Day in September.

Never seen Sunshine but I have it in my watchlist, and hey, it's at Hoopla - István Szabó was red hot in the 80s, so I plan to give it a go.

Edit - watched Sunshine, it was all right, but not amazing, a little too dry, and it runs 3 hrs.

A movie I'd recommend however, would be Postmen in the Mountains, a gentle, quite stroll of a film. They have it here at YouTube with subs

https://youtu.be/V6phX2MH0AQ?si=FsXsKimtguEIc0nq

Captain Quint

01-10-25, 06:39 PM

104276
Roberto Benigni on rout to accepting an Oscar

A Look at 1998

Golden Globes Musical or Comedy: Shakespeare in Love
Golden Globes Drama: Saving Private Ryan
National Society of Film Critics: Out of Sight
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Saving Private Ryan
Boston Society of Film Critics: Out of Sight
National Board of Review: Gods and Monsters
New York Film Critics Circle: Saving Private Ryan
Academy Awards (Oscars): Shakespeare in Love
Academy Awards (International): Life is Beautiful
Academy Awards (Documentary Feature): The Last Days
Independent Spirit: Gods and Monsters
César Awards (France): The Dreamlife of Angels
BAFTA: Shakespeare in Love
BAFTA (Best British): Elizabeth
Mainichi Film Awards (Japan): Begging for Love
Blue Ribbon (Japan): Hana-bi ('97 at most places, but didn't play theatrically in Japan until '98)
European Film Academy: Life is Beautiful (had showings in Italy, didn't come to the rest of the world until '98)
The Genies (Canada): The Red Violin

My winner was Dark City
My Nominees: Perfect Blue, The Last Days of Disco, Elizabeth, The Truman Show, Rushmore, Central Station, The Thin Red Line, Eternity and a Day, Saving Private Ryan, The Celebration, The Silence, The Pear Tree

I've never seen Begging for Love, The Last Days (docs are not my strong suit) or The Dreamlife of Angels (seems I need to get on those Césars)

I've read that Private Ryan was an Oscar front runner, but Harvey the creep pushed hard for Shakespeare, industry insiders called it "the bully campaign". I liked it on it's release but have cooled on it over the years, of the noms, today I'd rank Elizabeth, the Thin Red Line and Ryan above it. Life is Beautiful is fine

Trailer for The Last Days of Disco, one of my favorites

https://youtu.be/ZW_zJA0Ft4g?si=JI4reOFYyJR9z_gN

More to come later

Captain Quint

01-10-25, 11:11 PM

2 More Awards Rundowns, maybe some here you'll want to check out or recommend (or not recommend)

A Look at 1997

Golden Globes Musical or Comedy: As Good as It Gets
Golden Globes Drama: Titanic
National Society of Film Critics: L.A. Confidential
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: L.A. Confidential
Boston Society of Film Critics: L.A. Confidential
National Board of Review: L.A. Confidential
New York Film Critics Circle: L.A. Confidential
Academy Awards (The Oscars): Titanic
Academy Awards (International): Character
Academy Awards (Documentary Feature): The Long Way Home
Independent Spirit: The Apostle
César Awards (France): Same Old Song
BAFTA: The Full Monty
BAFTA (Best British): Nil by Mouth
Mainichi Film Awards (Japan): Princess Mononoke
Blue Ribbon (Japan): Bounce Ko Gals
European Film Academy: The Full Monty
The Genies (Canada): The Sweet Hereafter

My winner was, Princess Mononoke
My Nominees: L.A. Confidential, The Sweet Hereafter, As Good as It Gets, Waiting for Guffman, The Game, Hard Eight

Not surprising that I've never seen the doc, The Long Way Home. Aside from that, have yet to see Character, Bouce Ko gakls or Nil by Mouth

But I did see Same Old Song, which was pretty good late career movie from Alain Resnais, an unusual kind of rom-com musical that I could have recommended for the previous countdown, had I been here.

The trailer...

https://youtu.be/h2MhkajNVmo?si=st-XfHO6WvjVBX5G

A Look at 1996

Golden Globes Musical or Comedy: Evita
Golden Globes Drama: The English Patient
National Society of Film Critics: Breaking the Waves
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Secret & Lies
Boston Society of Film Critics: Trainspotting
National Board of Review: Shine
New York Film Critics Circle: Fargo
Academy Awards (The Oscars): The English Patient
Academy Awards (International): Kolya
Academy Awards (Documentary Feature): When We Were Kings
Independent Spirit: Fargo
César Awards (France): Ridicule
BAFTA: The English Patient
BAFTA (Best British): Secrets & Lies
Mainichi Film Awards (Japan): Shall We Dance
Blue Ribbon (Japan): Boys Be Ambitious
European Film Academy: Breaking the Waves
The Genies (Canada): Lilies

My winner was, A Moment of Innocence
My Nominees: Pretty Village, Pretty Flame; Fargo, Secrets & Lies, La Promesse, Emma, Sling Blade, The English Patient, Gabbeh

Never seen Lilies (but it's at Criterion), Ridicule (but it's in my watchlist), or Boys Be Ambitious (but grades are on the low side at Letterboxd, so not a high priority for me).

But hey, a Documentary I did see, and it was a good one, When We Were Kings

LeBoyWondeur

01-11-25, 12:37 AM

That's Freeway, right? Always was curious to check that one out back in the day but never got around to it. Is the picture an endorsement/recommendation?
It's sort of Little Red Riding Hood meets Pulp Fiction. I love it.

Captain Quint

01-11-25, 05:53 AM

Continuing on with the awards rundowns

A Look at 1995

Golden Globes Musical or Comedy: Babe
Golden Globes Drama: Sense and Sensibility
National Society of Film Critics: Babe
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Leaving Las Vegas
Boston Society of Film Critics: Sense and Sensibility
National Board of Review: Sense and Sensibility
New York Film Critics Circle: Leaving Las Vegas
Academy Awards (The Oscars): Braveheart
Academy Awards (International): Antonia's Line
Academy Awards (Documentary Feature): Anne Frank Remembered
Independent Spirit: Leaving Las Vegas
César Awards (France): La Haine
BAFTA: Sense and Sensibility
BAFTA (Best British): The Madness of King George
Mainichi Film Awards (Japan): A Last Note
Blue Ribbon (Japan): A Last Note
European Film Academy: Land and Freedom
The Genies (Canada): The Confessional

My winner was Maborosi
My Nominees: The Usual Suspects, Dead Man, Sense and Sensibility, The Flower of My Secret, Toy Story, Before Sunrise, Se7en, Safe, Leaving Las Vegas, The Bridges of Madison County

Interesting how Hollywood fell head over heels for Braveheart, while others were locked into Sense and Sensibility and Leaving Las Vegas. Japan was in awe of A Last Note, I've never been able to track it down, but it would take an act of God to unseat Marorosi as my top film from that country - still, it's directed by Kaneto Shindō, who gifted us with 1960s classics like Onibaba, Kuroneko and The Naked Island, as well as the 1952 film, Children of Hiroshima, so I'd like to check it out.

Land and Freedom comes from Ken Loach, never seen it, but of his 90s output, I was a fan of My Name is Joe

One I've yet to see brought up, the unusual, Safe, which was one of my nominees.

https://youtu.be/KUpEQ8_ZlFw?si=zrDU8neyr3sdtWfC

A Look at 1994

Golden Globes Musical or Comedy: Lion King
Golden Globes Drama: Forrrest Gump
National Society of Film Critics: Pulp Fiction
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Pulp Fiction
Boston Society of Film Critics: Pulp Fiction
National Board of Review: Pulp Fiction & Forrest Gump
New York Film Critics Circle: Quiz Show
Academy Awards (The Oscars): Forrest Gump
Academy Awards (International): Burnt by the Sun
Academy Awards (Documentary Feature): Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision
Independent Spirit: Pulp Fiction
César Awards (France): Wild Reeds
BAFTA: Four Weddings and a Funeral
BAFTA (Best British): Shallow Grave
Mainichi Film Awards (Japan): A Dedicated Life
Blue Ribbon (Japan): Like a Rolling Stone
European Film Academy: Lamerica
The Genies (Canada): Exotica

My winner was, Three Colors: Red
My Nominees: Exotica, The Shawshank Redemption, Leon: The Professional, Quiz Show, Three Colors: White, Chungking Express, Pulp Fiction, Crumb, Before the Rain, Vanya on 42nd Street, Hoop Dreams, The Emigrant

After the last 3 Best Pic winners I thought maybe the Oscars had finally grown up and would be able to handle awarding a movie like Pulp Fiction but, nope. It was cool that they included Krzysztof Kieślowski among the nominated directors - shame they couldn't have nominated the picture, Three Colours: Red, as well (it couldn't even secure an International Film nom -sigh- Oscar, seriously?)

So what else is out there that could make the hot 100? You know, the César winner, Wild Reeds is a really good film, I'd say that would be well worth adding to the watchlists (It's also included as one of the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die").

From my personal nominees, many of those have been mentioned already, but have I seen Vanya on 42nd Street named? It's a unique take on the play, and another collaboration of Andre Gregory, Wallace Shawn, and Louis Malle, I thought it was pretty special.

Trailers from both

https://youtu.be/hJxvpLrp4yA?si=6HcukKD-i_gpLa82

https://youtu.be/digPy_8J5d4?si=iJMB2o5Od9mIepzk

John-Connor

01-11-25, 07:11 AM

Today's recs and reminders..

Deep Cover (1992)
https://64.media.tumblr.com/2253c1947c6a793f24d08b1775e71b85/eb187fc266e923d8-76/s540x810/537bdddc9f9ede763d471f613f50b6c29f37ebf7.gif

Detroit Rock City (1999)
https://i.redd.it/u5dk2bfer9l91.gif

Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
https://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma5kpv4bsm1qgu8eg.gif

The Legend of 1900 (1998)
https://64.media.tumblr.com/3601f0c799a29a109d3970479cb792ec/78c388e2f7c2fac5-b9/s640x960/5fc5c7ede9328a8088f0f164953e1f038b4b5863.gif

The 13th Warrior (1999)
104306

Croupier (1998)
https://64.media.tumblr.com/98d83955c54cf208ae5b62953da6855a/f9320472a239d6bf-cb/s540x810/0d16116a1f007ad24acef40eb049ae912d0838c5.gif

Il Postino (1994)
https://64.media.tumblr.com/ff5e6cf60c68bdcf4cda2b6c7120bbf8/2a39ea640c8dcaa6-ad/s540x810/b840fadda77d7915be7f9831579a5213ed38870e.gif

Robert the List

01-11-25, 09:58 AM

It might be fair to say that top class documentary movies are to the 90s, as masterpieces are to the 2020s.
But are documentaries allowed, and in case it makes my places (or anybody else's ballot), is Close Up considered a documentary?

Captain Quint

01-11-25, 10:35 AM

If they're a feature length movie, with a theatrical release, they count. Miniseries such as, I don't know, the Beatles Anthology, or any type of TV docuseries, or shorts (40 min and under), no.

If you want to vote for Baraka or Hoop Dreams or any of the greats of the 90s? Of course, of course you can.

Captain Quint

01-11-25, 08:33 PM

And now 1993 and 92

A Look at 1993

Golden Globes Musical or Comedy: Mrs. Doubtfire
Golden Globes Drama: Schindler’s List
National Society of Film Critics: Schindler’s List
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Schindler’s List
Boston Society of Film Critics: Schindler’s List
National Board of Review: Schindler’s List
New York Film Critics Circle: Schindler’s List
Academy Awards (The Oscars): Schindler’s List
Academy Awards (International): Belle Époque
Academy Awards (Documentary Feature): I Am a Promise: The Children of Stanton Elementary School
Independent Spirit: Short Cuts
César Awards (France): Smoking / No Smoking
BAFTA: Schindler’s List
BAFTA (Best British): Shadowlands
Mainichi Film Awards (Japan): All Under the Moon
Blue Ribbon (Japan): All Under the Moon
European Film Academy: Close to Eden (actually 1991 in France and Italy)
The Genies (Canada): Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould

My winner was, Schindler's List
My Nominees: 3 Colors Blue, A Perfect World, Groundhog Day, The Age of Innocence, The Remains of the Day, The Scent of Green Papaya, Farewell My Concubine, The Last Bolshevik, Short Cuts, The Piano

So yeah, Schinder's List, 'nuff said.

But beyond that, France looks to Resnais again for their award, that one was so/so for me. I never really enjoyed Alain's late career love affair with play adaptations.

Most of my noms have been recommended or are well known aside from The Last Bolshevik, which is a Chris Marker doc on Soviet filmmaker Aleksandr Medvedkin. The Piano seems to be a difficult one for some viewers, it didn't even make the last 90s list - odd, because it's one of Campions finest. A Perfect World failed to make the 100 either, I feel that's one of Clints Top 10ers. And what's this?! Scorsese's Age of Innocence didn't make the cut as well... have I slipped into the Twilight Zone? (head explodes) Yeah, strongly recommend those - see 'em if you haven't yet. (But I understand - so many movies, and not enough room to fit them all on a top 25).

https://youtu.be/2rH6YUr0j5A?si=Nmm01jd5Wr39-i9U

https://youtu.be/61ooIf1QDZo?si=LCA9EPTcTYRV69I-

https://youtu.be/I3Mx8OSlNYM?si=kXDZDsSjXaB3Da7X

A Look at 1992

Golden Globes Musical or Comedy: The Player
Golden Globes Drama: Scent of a Woman
National Society of Film Critics: Unforgiven
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Unforgiven
Boston Society of Film Critics: Unforgiven
National Board of Review: Howards End
New York Film Critics Circle: The Player
Academy Awards (The Oscars): Unforgiven
Academy Awards (International): Indochine
Academy Awards (Documentary Feature): The Panama Deception
Independent Spirit: The Player
César Awards (France): Savage Nights
BAFTA: Howards End
BAFTA (Best British): The Crying Game
Mainichi Film Awards (Japan): Sumo Do, Sumo Don’t
Blue Ribbon (Japan): Sumo Do, Sumo Don’t
European Film Academy: The Stolen Chirdren
The Genies (Canada): Naked Lunch (actually 1991 - I can't find a Canadian release for it, released in France and other places in '92)

Unforgiven (Director: Clint Eastwood)
Nominees: The Crying Game, Porco Rosso, The Player, Malcolm X, Videograms of a Revolution

Not much to say here either, other than... "Unforgiven" - though obviously I do recommend my nominees - (Videograms of a Revolution is a documentary from Harun Farocki (Christian Petzold's mentor), set in Romania). Of the ones that didn't make the previous list and haven't been brought up by others... Malcolm X, Porco Rosso and The Crying Game

https://youtu.be/0hMpERkER6s?si=E3y1n2I0xtzbdcO9

https://youtu.be/3LRyNwYg1f8?si=4hucmB2NFBgo92zo

https://youtu.be/F6N426QCQ-Y?si=tpT_5JxysmnRNa4w

Thief

01-11-25, 09:44 PM

Hitting the final stretch of the 1990s now with some 1997 ponderings and recommendations!

Abre los Ojos - Like I said a couple of days ago, potential lock for my ballot.

Gattaca - It probably won't make my list, but I think it deserves a spot in the countdown. It is thought-provoking and well acted, even if it drops the ball in some parts.

The Game (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2218626-the_game.html) - This is one case where I think the term "underrated" applies. This is Top 5 Fincher for me. Great film.

Funny Games - Chilling and intense. A pretty tough watch but worth it.

Liar Liar (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2214294-liar_liar.html) - My second favorite Carrey. I think this is a perfect mixture of his physical comedy and a solid family drama.

Wag the Dog - Been meaning to revisit it, but this is one that stuck with me. Still incredibly relevant.

Cure (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2283278-cure.html) - Half part serial killer thriller, half part psychological drama. Great combination and well executed.

Cube - Maybe it drops the ball a bit in the end, but this is a pretty inventive horror/sci-fi mix.

Breakdown - Another one of my favorite 90s action thrillers. JT Walsh is great.

Suicide Kings - Personal favorite. One of those Pulp Fiction sorta rip-offs with a great cast of hot young stars from the moment, plus Christopher Walken. This is one that I might be inclined to sneak in just to give it a push.

The Spanish Prisoner - David Mamet and a serious Steve Martin. Haven't seen it in 20-25 years, but I've been meaning to revisit it.

Anaconda - I don't feel any guilt at all for loving this. If it's on TV, chances are I'll leave it on.

Affliction - Barely remember it, but I know it got some Oscar traction (was it Coburn that was nominated?).

In the Company of Men - Another one I barely remember, but I do remember liking; at least as much as you can "like" it.

Starship Troopers - Probable lock for my ballot. Love it.

Contact - See above.

Cop Land - Another one I've been meaning to revisit.

Popular ones like L.A. Confidential or Titanic are pretty much locks for me as well.

Captain Quint

01-12-25, 01:34 AM

Let's wrap up this series with our final 2 looks at award winners in the 90s - I hope some of you found some suggestions worth your while, a few to add to your personal watchlists, whether they make the 100 or not.

A Look at 1991

Golden Globes Musical or Comedy: Beauty and the Beast
Golden Globes Drama: Bugsy
National Society of Film Critics: Life is Sweet
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Bugsy
Boston Society of Film Critics: The Silence of the Lambs
National Board of Review: The Silence of the Lambs
New York Film Critics Circle: Silence of the Lambs
Academy Awards (The Oscars): The Silence of the Lambs
Academy Awards (International): Mediterraneo
Academy Awards (Documentary Feature): In the Shadow of the Stars
Independent Spirit: Rambling Rose
César Awards (France): All the Mornings of the World
BAFTA: The Commitments
Mainichi Film Awards (Japan): My Sons
Blue Ribbon (Japan): A Scene at the Sea
European Film Academy: Riff-Raff
The Genies (Canada): The Black Robe

My winner was Raise the Red Lantern
My Nominees: The Double Life of Veronique, Flirting, Let Him Have It, Only Yesterday, The Silence of the Lambs, The Rapture, Diksha, Center Stage

Veronique and Red Lantern have been brought up in this thread. Funny that I nominated Flirting based on 1 viewing, back in the 90s, but it left an impression (should probably rewatch it). Diksha is a film from India, Center Stage, a biopic on the life of film star, Ruan Lingyu

https://youtu.be/06Rgm0VpnKk?si=MNB3e05ARVSg9Pm7

A Look at 1990

Golden Globes Musical or Comedy: Green Card
Golden Globes Drama: Dances with Wolves
National Society of Film Critics: Goodfellas
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Goodfellas
Boston Society of Film Critics: Goodfellas
National Board of Review: Dances With Wolves
New York Film Critics Circle: Goodfellas
Academy Awards (The Oscars): Dances With Wolves
Academy Awards (International): Journey of Hope
Academy Awards (Documentary Feature): American Dream
Independent Spirit: The Grifters
César Awards (France): Cyrano de Bergerac
Bafta: Goodfellas
Mainichi Film Awards (Japan): Takeshi: Childhood Days
Blue Ribbon (Japan): Takeshi: Childhood Days
European Film Academy: Open Doors
The Genies (Canada): Winner not eligible (1989 film)

My winner was The Nasty Girl
My Nominees: Ju Dou, My Fathers Glory/My Mother's Castle, Miller’s Crossing, La Femme Nikita, The Match Factory Girl

Journey of Hope was a surprising International Film award winner; I didn't think much of it and preferred Ju Dou (Zhang Yimou released some great ones in the 90s), and The Nasty Girl, which is actually designated rotten at Tomato's (people don't like the light hearted, fantasy elements, but that was one of its strengths for me - I admire its imagination and how it starts off tonally, one way, then gets progressively darker as she discovers the seriousness of this thing she's trying to uncover, that her townsfolk don't want uncovered... suddenly it's not so humorous any more) - MUBI reviewers liked it at least and it did win the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language and the New York Film Critics Circle Awards for Best Foreign Language Film (In hindsight should have included those as well) - so I wasn't completely alone in my admiration for it. But yeah, if you watch it, be aware it's polarizing.

104315

So, that's that. Edit - Oh, the winner from Japan, Childhood Days, it's a goodie too. (thought it's about bullying, and that's hard to watch)

Robert the List

01-12-25, 08:00 AM

Am I right in thinking it's frowned upon to post your full intended (or actual) ballot?

Not seen this mentioned, but nobody seems to do it until after the results are in?

Tugg

01-12-25, 08:04 AM

Am I right in thinking it's frowned upon to post your full intended (or actual) ballot?
It's not frowned upon, it's forbidden. Your vote would be disqualified.

Robert the List

01-12-25, 08:28 AM

It's not frowned upon, it's forbidden. Your vote would be disqualified.

JESUS :EEK: :EEK: :EEK: :EEK: :EEK: :EEK: :EEK:

Thanks for the heads up.

What's the thinking behind this, out of interest?

So everyone can't work out the results out before the countdown is announced, I guess?

LeBoyWondeur

01-12-25, 11:38 AM

Hope people are going to consider Emir Kusturica's:

Arizona Dream (1993) - real feast of surrealism and colorful characters. Cult movie featuring young Johnny Depp, Vincent Gallo, Faye Dunaway and Jerry Lewis. Also, one of the most notable Soundtracks of the 90s, composed by Goran Bregović, featuring the vocals of Iggy Pop.

Underground (1995) - glad to see this title made the previous 90's countdown.

Arizona Dream is still on my to-watch list, but since I've already submitted my top 25 that's not going to make any difference for the countdown.
But now I'm also intrigued by that Underground movie.

Allaby

01-12-25, 05:02 PM

Which director does everyone think is going to have the most films on this countdown? Spielberg? Scorsese? Altman? Allaby? Burton? Tarantino? Fincher? Someone else? I'm guessing Scorsese.

Robert the List

01-12-25, 05:17 PM

I don't know what to do with The Matrix.
It is a very novel and innovative, and very effective way of making a movie, visually in terms of the use of graphics (which is revolutionary and also stunning at times) and also the format of short lines of dialogue in a kind of call and response over and over again.
But that style of dialogue, and the formulaic and repetitive way that dramatic sound effects are used to punctuate it - or the other way around - I find to be the opposite of everything I would want in terms of style, craft and artistry.

Captain Quint

01-12-25, 05:56 PM

Which director does everyone think is going to have the most films on this countdown? Spielberg? Scorsese? Altman? Allaby? Burton? Tarantino? Fincher? Someone else? I'm guessing Scorsese.

The Coens have 4 strong candidates, and maybe a 5th, from conversations here. Eastwood has 3 that are worthy, but only 1 made the previous list -- who knows how today's members will vote. Still, not enough to come out on top.

Robert the List

01-12-25, 06:41 PM

Tsai Ming-liang?

Robert the List

01-13-25, 01:02 AM

Think I'm right in saying that the top 21 in the existing countdown are all American films.
I have 9 American movies in my top 21 this time.

Torgo

01-13-25, 09:52 AM

More 1997 recs:

Boogie Nights (still my favorite PTA movie)
Hana-bi
Insomnia (the Nolan remake is good, but the original is fantastic. See it even if you have already watched the remake)
Love and Death on Long Island
Men in Black
Men With Guns
Perfect Blue
Princess Mononoke (not a favorite Miyazaki - I prefer Nausicaa's approach to the theme of environmentalism - but still worth checking out)
The Butcher Boy
The End of Evangelion (watch the series first, obviously)
The Ice Storm (still my favorite Ang Lee)
The Sweet Hereafter

Robert the List

01-13-25, 11:53 AM

The Talented Mr Ripley is generally very under rated imo.
It's a good film.

mrblond

01-13-25, 12:11 PM

I feel that about six movies of the old countdown going to make my ballot for sure. Another six are bubbling under.

Thief

01-13-25, 03:35 PM

Now for some 1998 ponderings and recommendations!

A Perfect Murder - It's not Dial M for Murder, but I still think this was a pretty good adaptation that modernized and reimaged the original. Kinda loses itself in the last act, but I still like it quite a bit.

The Truman Show - My favorite Carrey film and one that took a second viewing to sink in. Plus Ed Harris! It's great.

The Prince of Egypt - One of the best animated films of the 90s. Great animation, music, voice acting... thrilling despite you kinda knowing what's gonna happen.

Following (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2445806-following.html) - Christopher Nolan's debut is great. Small scale, but still a great character study with his trademark broken narrative.

Ever After: A Cinderella Story - I'm always surprised that, in this era of endless Disney remakes, this film isn't mentioned more often. This is a perfect example of how to do a live action remake or adaptation.

Pi - Darren Aronofsky's debut is mind-boggling and mesmerizing, all at the same time.

Deep Impact - I don't know if it'll make my cut, but I still like this a lot (definitely more than Armageddon). Good balance between the disaster spectacle and the emotional stories at the center.

Wild Things - Haven't seen this in a loooong time, but I do remember enjoying all its twists and turns. Probably should revisit.

One True Thing - Family drama with William Hurt and Meryl Streep. Don't remember it at all.

Apt Pupil and Gods and Monsters - Two great films with Ian McKellen, even though it's been a while since I last saw both. Will try to revisit one or both.

Sliding Doors - This was a nice one. I certainly wasn't expecting what I got.

The Faculty - One that I should probably revisit.

The Wedding Singer - Adam Sandler's best film.

Les Miserables - I know most people talk about the recent version, which I haven't seen, but I remember enjoying this one.

A Simple Plan - Sam Raimi's underrated masterpiece. Worth a watch.

Dark City - Another one I need to revisit, but it's one that really stuck with me back in the day.

Other than that, we have The Big Lebowski, Saving Private Ryan, which will probably make my list.

Thief

01-13-25, 03:47 PM

For what it's worth, I edited some of my previous posts to include links to reviews

Hitting the final stretch of the 1990s now with some 1997 ponderings and recommendations!

The Game (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2218626-the_game.html) - This is one case where I think the term "underrated" applies. This is Top 5 Fincher for me. Great film.

Liar Liar (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2214294-liar_liar.html) - My second favorite Carrey. I think this is a perfect mixture of his physical comedy and a solid family drama.

Cure (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2283278-cure.html) - Half part serial killer thriller, half part psychological drama. Great combination and well executed.

Now for some 1994 ponderings and recommendations!

Shallow Grave (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2438791-shallow_grave.html) - Not sure if it will make my cut, but I still think it's worth a watch. Thanks to Holden for bringing this one up during a HoF last year.

The Hudsucker Proxy (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2487434-the_hudsucker_proxy.html) - Usually confined to the bottom of most people's Coen ranking, but I really enjoyed it.

Let's move onto 1995 ponderings and recommendations!

Dolores Claiborne (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2297161-dolores_claiborne.html) - Recently revisited this and even though it didn't hold up as well as I remembered, I still think it's pretty good.

gbgoodies

01-14-25, 12:58 AM

Now for some 1998 ponderings and recommendations!

A Perfect Murder - It's not Rear Window, but I still think this was a pretty good adaptation that modernized and reimaged the original. Kinda loses itself in the last act, but I still like it quite a bit.

I like A Perfect Murder too, but it's a version of Dial M for Murder, not Rear Window.

Thief

01-14-25, 08:33 AM

I like A Perfect Murder too, but it's a version of Dial M for Murder, not Rear Window.

Oops, yeah. That's what I meant :eek:

Torgo

01-14-25, 10:22 AM

More from '98 worth seeing:

Blade (Deacon Frost is one of film's great scenery-chewing villains)
Buffalo '66
Out of Sight
Run Lola Run (blew my mind so much I watched it three times in one weekend)
Rushmore
Smoke Signals ("...where it's a good day to be indigenous!")
The General (the famous thief robbed him, so John Boorman made a movie about him. Makes sense)
Waking Ned Devine

Thief

01-14-25, 12:35 PM

And now for some 1999 ponderings and recommendations to close out this!

The Straight Story - The most un-Lynchian film from David Lynch himself. A beautiful story, wonderfully executed.

The Insider - One of those that I'm always amazed isn't mentioned more often. Probably my favorite Mann.

Election (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2231851-election.html) - I remember I saw this back in the day, and enjoyed it. Recently revisited it and it hit at a whole different level. I think it's superb.

Ravenous - Such a fun film. Cannibals, banjo music, soldiers running around, what's not to love?

Three Kings - Great film that should be mentioned more often.

Lake Placid (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2418408-lake_placid.html) - I somehow missed this back in the day. Recently saw it for the first time and loved it.

Bringing Out the Dead - Pretty good film with a great performance from Nicolas Cage.

Pirates of Silicon Valley - TV film, far from perfect but as an IT person, I have a soft spot for it, and how "accurately" it presents the lives of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. I used to show it to my students back when I was a teacher.

The 13th Warrior - Haven't seen this in decades, but I always remember liking it a lot. Should I revisit?

The Talented Mr. Ripley - This is one that I must try to revisit. Like the above, I remember liking it but it's been 20+ years.

The Iron Giant - Been meaning to put this to my kids (and myself for a revisit) but I just haven't got the chance.

The Limey - Another one I should revisit.

Deep Blue Sea - Like Anaconda, I don't care what anyone says, this is a great, fun film.

Boys Don't Cry - Powerful and tough to watch. Not sure if it'll make it to my list but it deserves consideration.

Arlington Road - Yet another one I've been meaning to rewatch. The ending blew me away (ha!) but I haven't gotten back to it.

October Sky - Such a heart-warming movie with great performances from Gyllenhaal and Chris Cooper.

Mystery Men and Galaxy Quest - Similar films? Remember enjoying both, but haven't seen them since.

Storm of the Century - TV movie, but one that kept me on the edge for all its duration. Colm Feore is great in it.

Dick - In a similar vein to Wag the Dog, but it's another one I haven't seen in a long time.

Being John Malkovich - Blew my mind back in the day. Haven't seen it since.

The Mummy - Such a fun adventure film.

Office Space - Probably the most accurate film about corporate environment. It kinda loses itself in the last act, but it still hits hard.

Dogma - Remember not being a big, big fan of it, despite having some interesting ideas.

Go - I remember it as one of the best Pulp Fiction rip-offs, but I haven't seen it since.

Potential locks for me are probably Eyes Wide Shut, Fight Club, Toy Story, The Blair Witch Project... maybe?

Holden Pike

01-14-25, 01:06 PM

And now for some 1999 ponderings and recommendations to close out this!
If you've never seen a Pedro Almodóvar film, or haven't seen many, 1999's All About My Mother is a great place to start.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ki8qXRBIFI

Thief

01-14-25, 01:44 PM

If you've never seen a Pedro Almodóvar film, or haven't seen many, 1999's All About My Mother is a great place to start.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ki8qXRBIFI

Almodóvar is surely a blind spot for me. I think I saw Bad Education back in the day, but I barely remember it. I did check out a couple of his shorts a while ago and enjoyed them:

The Cannibalistic Councillor (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2337822-the_cannibalistic_councillor.html)
The Human Voice (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2337842-the_human_voice.html)

Torgo

01-14-25, 09:30 PM

A few more '99 movies worth seeing:

American Movie ("It's alright, it's okay, there's something to live for...Jesus told me so!")
Bowfinger ("Smashing Pumpkins? I love to do that!")
Dead or Alive (Miike at his craziest)
Felicia's Journey (a must-see for Bob Hoskins fans)
Limbo (one of John Sayles' best yet bleakest movies)
Mr. Death (my favorite Errol Morris doc)
Running Out of Time (the more Johnnie To, the merrier)
The Mission (see above. It is close to being what would happen if Tarantino made a Triad movie)
The Virgin Suicides (discover why there were so many Trip Fontaine user names back then)

Oh great, there's three months to go and I've run out of recommendations.

https://i.postimg.cc/9f7byb13/200w.gif

mrblond

01-15-25, 12:24 PM

I feel that everyone who grew up in the US and outside of the big urban areas, potentially would add these two movies in his/hers top 10 of the 90's.
Am I wrong?

Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

104389

Robert the List

01-16-25, 06:57 PM

Louis Malle's May Fools (1990) is good.
I think the reviews under sell it a bit.

mrblond

01-17-25, 11:32 AM

---
▽
I think, now is the time everybody to support David Lynch's Wild at Heart (1990) in the 90's-countdown ballots. 👍

104436

Holden Pike

01-17-25, 11:49 AM

I was massively disappointed by Wild at Heart when it hit theaters. I knew it had won Cannes, it was his follow-up to Blue Velvet, and most importantly that first, wonderful, weird, unsettling, magnificent season of "Twin Peaks" had just aired. And then came Wild at Heart, which felt very much like self-parody, but not in a fun conscious way, just somebody rolling out their familiar bag of tricks with nothing new to say with them. I love road movies, I liked Nic Cage plenty back then, but overall it was just a big "so what?" to this cinemaniac. I have revisited it over the years and my opinion has not changed much.

104439

For my taste, THE David Lynch movie of that decade is clear and obvious: The Straight Story (1999) is a beautiful flick. Un-Lynch-like in many ways, purposefully hitting different notes and using completely different instruments. Funny, sweet, endearing, and emotionally powerful, this is a road movie I can get on board with. And I swear the scene in the bar where two Veterans quietly discuss the horrors of World War II for me is more powerful than anything in Saving Private Ryan. A simple, truthful, very good movie.

Robert the List

01-17-25, 12:10 PM

---
▽
I think, now is the time everybody to support David Lynch's Wild at Heart (1990) in the 90's-countdown ballots. 👍

104436
Giving this another try right now. Enjoying it actually...

It's literally like a cross between Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive :lol:

But not as good as either. Great performance from Dern though.

Robert the List

01-17-25, 01:13 PM

Louis Malle's May Fools (1990) is good.
I think the reviews under sell it a bit.
This just got silly by the end. I ran out of steam with 20 to go and abandoned.

It could have been better going down more of the drama and black comedy route than the silly farce route.

Robert the List

01-17-25, 05:20 PM

Robert the List

01-17-25, 05:29 PM

As things stand I have space for 3 of these:

Toto the Hero 1991 Belgium Jaco Van Dormael
The Scent of Green Papaya 1993 Vietnam Tran Anh Hung
Taste of Cherry 1997 Iran Abbas Kiarostami
Donnie Brasco 1997 USA
The Matrix 1999 USA The Wachowskis
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai 1999 USA

Captain Quint

01-17-25, 06:05 PM

Robert the List

01-17-25, 06:13 PM

Robert the List, have you seen Theo Angelopoulos' Eternity and a Day (1998)? It's one of his more accessible pictures, but a very good one, and he seems like a director that would suit your tastes and your movie goals.

Plus, Bruno Ganz is an actor who's always worth watching

104446
I think Landscape in the Mist is sensational, and like The Travelling Players too.

Actually, I did check it out for about half an hour when I was trying to work out which Angelopouloses I wanted to focus on, but can definitely take another look at it.
Thanks CQ.

Robert the List

01-18-25, 05:34 AM

But I'm finding The Suspended Step of the Stork rewarding Captain Quint.
It actually has a Lynch-like or even Cronenbergesque narrative and dialogue (come to think of it, perhaps not unlike the other Ange films I like), but with Antonioni or similar visuals, and a sprinkling of Resnais. To me he has created a dream world, or one where everybody is under the effects of some slightly hallucinogenic substance. The result is that the viewer gently rows their boat down the stream, absorbing the experience as they go.
It's high class, fascinating and absorbing film making.

Captain Quint

01-18-25, 06:38 AM

That's been on my watchlist for a while, but I never could find...

Hello, what's this then, one of the sites I frequent (which I'm not sure I can mention - I know we can talk about YouTube, but other places folks seem to be tight lipped about, so it might be a rule thing) but they posted it last year (edit, 2 years, we're in 2025 now, lol).

Great! I know what I'm watching today.

Robert the List

01-18-25, 07:37 AM

Just finished it.
At half way or so I thought I was going to have it down as a masterpiece.
And although I don't really understand it, I also found the last I guess 5 or 10 minutes or so to be...powerful? effective? compelling?
There was a period prior to that though of maybe half an hour where I did feel it had become a little to abstract and a little too surreal. I was never waiting for it to end as such, but I became less absorbed.
I'm not really sure what it was about. Was it about death? was it a ghost story? was there an element of sci-fi?
Regardless, I found it a largely immersive and satisfying experience. An unusual and interesting combination of styles, and in spite of not really understanding it I did also feel a level of cerebral and emotional engagement.
I'm confident that it makes my 90s ballot, even if it might not quite make my 200 masterpieces list, I would have to reflect on that.
He is a very interesting director, and I'm sure his work has influenced others.

I think your source might be different to mine CQ, but glad you've found it. My copy was not a perfect picture and a couple of issues with the sub-titles, but generally sufficient.

Allaby

01-19-25, 04:30 PM

Based on my imdb ratings, I've now seen 757 films from the 90s. Sixty-six of them I rated a 9/10 or higher, so that means at least forty-one films that I rated a 9 or higher will not make my ballot.

mrblond

01-22-25, 01:38 PM

Kolya (1996)

I wonder, how many are familiar with this Czech movie? An Oscar and Golden Globe for Foreign Language film winner.
Very touching and interesting story! Please, don't miss it!

104559

Thursday Next

01-26-25, 01:29 PM

I've narrowed my list down to 50. Cutting it down to 25 will be hard...

MovieGal

01-26-25, 09:08 PM

Yo Sedai, you working on your list?

Mine is already turned in.

Sedai

01-27-25, 09:38 AM

Yo Sedai, you working on your list?

Mine is already turned in.

I have quite a bit of watching still left to do. As usual, I will put my list in at the last minute, just before the deadline! ;)

Sedai

01-27-25, 09:45 AM

---
▽
I think, now is the time everybody to support David Lynch's Wild at Heart (1990) in the 90's-countdown ballots. 👍

104436

It's not making this Lynch fan's list. This falls well down into the lower half of his catalog for me. That said, at least two other 90s Lynch films will at least be in contention for slots.

honeykid

01-27-25, 10:17 AM

I have quite a bit of watching still left to do. As usual, I will put my list in at the last minute, just before the deadline! ;)

Like all the cool kids do. :cool: :D

ScarletLion

01-27-25, 10:28 AM

Disappointed that TMDB has 'Beau Travail' as a 2000 film.

That would have ranked very highly in my list.

Bollocks: and 'Audition'

This is not going well.

ScarletLion

01-27-25, 10:57 AM

I have submitted

https://assets.mubicdn.net/images/film/927/image-w1280.jpg?1581436826

Harry Lime

01-27-25, 12:17 PM

Disappointed that TMDB has 'Beau Travail' as a 2000 film.

That would have ranked very highly in my list.
Yeah it's lame and it would be very high on my list too but what can you do? I actually just emailed them after reading your post haha

Even on the page: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/14626-beau-travail
It says Beau Travail (2000) and right under it 09/16/1999.

The lengths a movie nerd will go for a decade countdown on a movie forum...Well it only took me about a minute. They probably won't change it - my guess is they don't count festival release dates even though everyone else does.

Robert the List

01-27-25, 03:19 PM

Mine's done.
Will hold fire in case someone pulls some phoenix out of the flames between now and April.

mrblond

01-27-25, 04:23 PM

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Just a reminder not to forget one of the most notable appearances in the cinema of the 90's.

104701

mrblond

01-31-25, 04:03 PM

Hope, this thread is still in operation.

Another reminder for a cult movie:

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

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Captain Quint

02-01-25, 10:37 PM

1 month down, 2 to go.

I've received 10 lists to date, and while you've all done wonders and I've enjoyed going through them, I have to say ScarletLion submitted my favorite - it's quite a collection, and that's all I'll reveal of it, but were I to name a "champion of the 90s" for January, that would be who I'd select.

Congrats! This is all I could afford by way of a crown, wear it with pride
https://www.pngall.com/wp-content/uploads/15/Burger-King-Crown-PNG-Images-HD.png

iluv2viddyfilms

02-01-25, 10:40 PM

iluv2viddyfilms

02-01-25, 10:41 PM

1 month down, 2 to go.

I've received 10 lists to date, and while you've all done wonders and I've enjoyed going through them, I have to say ScarletLion submitted my favorite - it's quite a collection, and that's all I'll reveal of it, but were I to name a "champion of the 90s" for January, that would be who I'd select.

I have my list "done" but I'm holding off on a watching a couple more films that for whatever reasons I haven't gotten around to seeing yet from the 1990s.

Miss Vicky

02-01-25, 10:57 PM

iluv2viddyfilms

02-01-25, 11:21 PM

Disappointed that TMDB has 'Beau Travail' as a 2000 film.

That would have ranked very highly in my list.

Bollocks: and 'Audition'

This is not going well.

Wikipedia and IMBD have Beau Travail as a 1999 film and I know it's typically brought into conversation as one of the great films of 1999 when people discuss that year being one of the best ever.

gbgoodies

02-02-25, 02:33 AM

OK, so I was looking back through the thread, and I apologize for being a little slow and stupid, but... what are the rules to nominate a film from the 1990's to watch?

Are we only do one at a time or can anyone nominate a film or do we need to watch and write a review on one of the other member's nominees before we can nominate a film?

Not sure what works, if someone could explain.

Or does each person just get one nomination and then throw it out there?

I'm assuming that this is for the 1990s Countdown Group Watch thread (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=71939).
The rules are in the first post of that thread, but apparently you have the host on your ignore list, so you can't read the rules.

Basically, you have 3 days (from the date the movie is nominated) to watch the most recently nominated movie in that thread, and comment about it in the thread. (It doesn't have to be a review. It can be a simple comment like "I watched it and I liked it", or "I didn't care for this movie", etc., or a review if you would prefer.)

Then the host will use a random number generator to pick the next person to nominate the next movie from the people who watched the current nomination and haven't nominated a film yet.

However, you won't be able to nominate a movie unless you remove the host from your ignore list.

This is the reply from Miss Vicky that you can't read because she's on your ignore list:
I think this post is referring to the Group Watch Thread. If someone else could kindly explain to him that if he removes the host from his ignore list, he might actually be able to read the rules, I would appreciate it. I can’t explain it to him because I am that host.

Also, he is ineligible to nominate anything until he removes me from his ignore list.

iluv2viddyfilms

02-02-25, 09:45 PM

OK, that makes sense. Thank you.

gbgoodies

02-03-25, 01:33 AM

OK, that makes sense. Thank you.

You're welcome. :)

SpelingError

02-08-25, 12:15 AM

I have officially started making my ballot. I organized my three 10/10 ratings of the decade at the top and have 36 9/10s to sort through.

iluv2viddyfilms

02-09-25, 12:57 AM

I have officially started making my ballot. I organized my three 10/10 ratings of the decade at the top and have 36 9/10s to sort through.

That's a lot of 9/10s ratio to 10/10. Only three perfect films in an entire decade? I probably would say my first 16 on my list are perfect films.

My list is nearly done too, in fact, I could probably go ahead and submit, because I don't think anything is going to change. The only thing could be my 25th pick, but rather than playing the single point game, I actually hope my 25th pick makes the countdown because it's a very fun and extremely underrated film.

What's the due date on our 90s lists again?

gbgoodies

02-09-25, 01:04 AM

That's a lot of 9/10s ratio to 10/10. Only three perfect films in an entire decade? I probably would say my first 16 on my list are perfect films.

My list is nearly done too, in fact, I could probably go ahead and submit, because I don't think anything is going to change. The only thing could be my 25th pick, but rather than playing the single point game, I actually hope my 25th pick makes the countdown because it's a very fun and extremely underrated film.

What's the due date on our 90s lists again?

From the COUNTDOWN RULES in the first post in this thread (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=71932):

"The deadline to submit your ballot is April 2, 2025, there will be no extensions, so study up"

SpelingError

02-09-25, 11:22 AM

That's a lot of 9/10s ratio to 10/10. Only three perfect films in an entire decade? I probably would say my first 16 on my list are perfect films.

My list is nearly done too, in fact, I could probably go ahead and submit, because I don't think anything is going to change. The only thing could be my 25th pick, but rather than playing the single point game, I actually hope my 25th pick makes the countdown because it's a very fun and extremely underrated film.

What's the due date on our 90s lists again?

The 1960's are probably my highest rated decade for film. Of the 52 films I've given 10/10s to, 15 are from that period.

mrblond

02-09-25, 05:29 PM

How about the Luc Besson's grand hit Nikita [La Femme Nikita] (1990).
Are there fans?

105003

MovieGal

02-09-25, 05:39 PM

I think my top 2 are not going to get much love. They are from 1997 and 1993.

And this is what sets me apart from the rest.

Captain Quint

02-09-25, 05:53 PM

How about the Luc Besson's grand hit Nikita [La Femme Nikita] (1990).
Are there fans?

Yes

It's in my short list, that I've yet to cut down (I figure I have 2 months, I don't have to get to the painful part just yet) - Anne Parillaud was my best actress on the year, and it was among my personal best picture nominees.

I really like what was coming out internationally in 1990, The Nasty Girl, Ju Dou, My Fathers Glory/My Mother's Castle, The Match Factory Girl, and La Femme Nikita all rate high with me.

SpelingError

02-11-25, 11:09 PM

Ballot submitted :)

Robert the List

02-12-25, 05:21 AM

Yes

It's in my short list, that I've yet to cut down (I figure I have 2 months, I don't have to get to the painful part just yet) - Anne Parillaud was my best actress on the year, and it was among my personal best picture nominees.

I really like what was coming out internationally in 1990, The Nasty Girl, Ju Dou, My Fathers Glory/My Mother's Castle, The Match Factory Girl, and La Femme Nikita all rate high with me.
Days of Being Wild!

Captain Quint

02-12-25, 10:01 AM

Just an unfriendly, er, friendly reminder as you compile your lists as to what's eligible...

List will be for theatrical feature films only - no shorts (using Oscar rules, features must be over 40 minutes to qualify), no television series, no mini-series, and no made for TV movies unless it had a theatrical release

https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=71932

iluv2viddyfilms

02-12-25, 10:30 AM

I think my top 2 are not going to get much love. They are from 1997 and 1993.

And this is what sets me apart from the rest.

Yeah, that's how it goes. I'm wondering how different this list will be from the first go round. My top one and two will 100 percent make the list, however I'd be shocked if either are in the top 10.

Holden Pike

02-12-25, 11:15 AM

How about the Luc Besson's grand hit Nikita [La Femme Nikita] (1990).
Are there fans?
For sure..., the first Besson flick I saw theatrically. But it ain't gonna get the kind of support Léon: The Professional and probably even The Fifth Element are gonna get, vote wise.

105075

iluv2viddyfilms

02-12-25, 11:29 AM

For sure..., the first Besson flick I saw theatrically. But it ain't gonna get the kind of support Léon: The Professional and probably even The Fifth Element are gonna get, vote wise.

105075

Both La Femme Nikita and Leon are amazing films and deserve a spot on the top 100 list. Leon is a more polished and realized film and the result of the "warm up" of Besson's earlier film similarly to how El Mariachi was a warm up for Rodriguez's Desperado, also from that same time period.

I love it when filmmakers hone or rework and revised previous material into something fresh or just different enough to do something special.

mrblond

02-17-25, 11:26 AM

Another name that should be mentioned in connection with the 90's is Nikita Mikhalkov and his two epic works:

The Barber of Siberia (1998)
Burnt by the Sun (1994)

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iluv2viddyfilms

02-21-25, 01:26 AM

Captain Quint

02-21-25, 08:10 AM

I apologize ahead of time if this was already addressed and I didn't catch it in the thread, but I was getting ready to submit my ballot and I saw The Audition (1999, Miike) wasn't showing up as an option as it was listed here under 2000.

I double checked the rules and to the best that I see we go by IMBD which has it listed as 1999 as does wikipedia, although I don't think it got wide release in Japan until March of 2000, but was screen at film festivals in 1999.

Is Audition a film that would qualify for this countdown?

TMDB is what the software and this site is tied to, so that's our ultimate authority - I talked this over with Yoda before we got going on the prelim, and as I said earlier in the thread, I'm not going to bother him with retooling the programing.

the rule

In order for a film to be eligible for this list, its release year needs to be listed as between 1990-1999 on TMDB or here on the forum in the Movies section. You can use IMDB but there are a handful of conflicting years on a handful of movies, and since TMDB is what we draw from here, that will be the ultimate decider.

the test

When in doubt on these edge cases, 1989/90 or 1999/2000 go to the ballot here and enter the title, it'll tell you yes or no. (and then you can x it out, or leave it and it should go away on its own - at that point you won't be committed to it)

The Rodent

02-21-25, 08:20 AM

Looks like I signed in on time for this one...

Hope Jurassic Park doesn't get skipped like it did for MoFo's All Time List that was done a couple years ago :D

Submitting my list as we speak :D :D :D

iluv2viddyfilms

02-21-25, 08:38 AM

TMDB is what the software and this site is tied to, so that's our ultimate authority - I talked this over with Yoda before we got going on the prelim, and as I said earlier in the thread, I'm not going to bother him with retooling the programing.

the rule

the test

Oh TMBD is a thing? That makes sense now. OK, I thought that was a typo for IMBD. I'm not familiar with TMBD, I can look into it. That's an easy fix for my ballot.

Captain Quint

02-27-25, 11:39 PM

We're nearing the final stretch - a little over month left (April 2 to be specific) - those who are readying their ballots, I encourage you all to revisit the rules in the first post.

And while I'm going over the lists as they come in. I also want to emphasize making 100% certain the movie you are ranking, is the movie you actually want (there are can be similar titles, even within the same year).
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Captain Quint

02-28-25, 12:35 AM

And a few final suggestions - Little talked about here, but recommended Criterion releases (includes links to their pages)

105642
Metropolitan (1990) (https://www.criterion.com/films/774-metropolitan)
Whit Stillman has only directed 5 pictures to date, most centered around people of privilege, and while that sounds annoying, the tales are so wonderfully told that I easily and happily go along with them. The Last Days of Disco (1998) is my overall favorite, Barcelona (1994) is another winner; as is the one that started it all, Metropolitan (1990). Criterion called it, "a sparkling comedic chronicle of a young man’s romantic misadventures while trying to fit in to New York City’s debutante society. Stillman’s deft, literate dialogue and hilariously highbrow observations earned this first film an Academy Award nomination for best original screenplay. Beneath the wit and sophistication, though, lies a tender tale of adolescent anxiety."

105643
The Daytrippers (1994) (https://www.criterion.com/films/29464-the-daytrippers)
A social comedy, with a great cast, which includes a personal favorite, Parker Posey - Criterion writes, "With its droll humor and bittersweet emotional heft, the feature debut of writer-director Greg Mottola announced the arrival of an unassumingly sharp-witted new talent on the 1990s indie film scene.." and concluded, "Performed with deadpan virtuosity by a top-flight ensemble cast, The Daytrippers is a wry and piercing look at family bonds stretched to the breaking point".

105644
The Stranger (1991) (https://www.criterion.com/films/27684-the-stranger)
Satyajit Ray was ill and had to limit his activity, so his later films were mostly housebound, but that doesn't mean they were limited in ideas. The Stranger is full of fascinating discourses, and centers on a family who welcomes into their home a man who claims to be the wife's long-lost uncle. Criterion called it " a multifaceted character study that contains both humor and melancholy rumination." and " A humanist exploration of class, faith, and tradition versus progress, The Stranger is a bittersweet good-bye from one of the world’s most important filmmakers."

Robert the List

02-28-25, 08:33 AM

My FL suggestions.

It's likely that some of these might make my ballot.

The Match Factory Girl 1990 Finland Aki Kaurismäki
Days of Being Wild 1990 Hong Kong Wong Kar-Wai
The Suspended Step of the Stork 1991 Greece Theodoros Angelopoulos
The Double Life Of Veronique 1991 France Krzysztof Kieślowski
Toto the Hero 1991 Belgium Jaco Van Dormael
Rebels of the Neon God 1992 Taiwan Tsai Ming-liang
The Scent of Green Papaya 1993 Vietnam Tran Anh Hung
Chungking Express 1994 Hong Kong Wong Kar-Wai
Vive L'Amour 1994 Taiwan Tsai Ming-liang
Il Postino 1994 Italy Michael Radford
Voices Through Time 1996 Italy Franco Piavoli
A Moment of Innocence 1996 Iran Mohsen Makhmalbaf.
Taste of Cherry 1997 Iran Abbas Kiarostami

Robert the List

02-28-25, 11:36 AM

Holden Pike

02-28-25, 12:34 PM

There should be a no tactical voting rule as well.
Like, if you think a movie which will rival your leading movies is worth a place in your 25 then you have to include it rather than leaving it out for something which noone else is going to vote for.
Probably impossible to enforce, but down to peoples' consciounses at least that way. As it is, I might be tempted to miss out a hollywood big hitter from the lower end of my list in favour of something I'd like to see get a point even if I'd probably actually rate the hollywood smash a bit higher.

Of course I could just be talking crap.
We have been doing these lists here on the site for fifteen (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=63339) years, now. People vote however they vote, no "tactical" rules necessary, even if there were some way to enforce such a thing (there isn't). You'll find most people vote with their hearts, and if they strategically move a title up on their ballot in hopes that a few extra points may help make it on the countdown, so be it. Hardly a sin. Also, you may think that giving your full twenty-five points to something obscure is going to rocket it up the collective list, but most times you will find that means it winds up with a total of only twenty-six points, and you didn't really accomplish anything at all.

Having run a couple of these (MoFo Top 100 of the 1970s (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=36554) and the The MoFo Top 100 Westerns (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=61540)) and watching the ballots come in, I have seen no evidence of impropriety or collusion. Folks vote for the movies they personally like the most and the ones at the top are truly a consensus. It ain't complicated.

And having run a couple of lists I had the opportunity, once I could see where the votes were and weren't going, to alter the placement of titles on my own ballot to change the results, and I never gave into the temptation.

105667

Captain Quint

02-28-25, 01:13 PM

I have no issue with how a person ranks their lists, they want to frontload their 25 with the oddballs, for example, more power to them.

I love to list, it's a kick, a brainteaser, but not an exact science. My rankings are not etched in stone by the fiery finger of God. Heck, I could lock in my #1 (which is my only certainty), then put the other names in a hat and pull them out by random and that 25 would be just as good as any other version of it. When you are condensing an entire decade of favorites down to 25, those 25 are going to be pretty special no matter what order they are in.

(And I sure as sin am not going to confront someone, "You know, I read your lists and I don't believe your 3rd favorite film, is your 3rd favorite film.... you're trying to game the system. I'm gathering a jury of your peers!" Ha, wouldn't that be hoot, running around like Gomer Pyle, "Citizen's arrest, citizen's arrest!")

Citizen Rules

02-28-25, 01:32 PM

I haven't even started composing my voting ballot, but my personal criteria is to include movies that I think are worthy of making the Top 100 countdown list. That's it. I don't limit myself to one movie per director as some do, I just don't get that. I also don't follow the crowd and vote for all the biggies just because they were fun watches. A film that makes my list needs to have je ne sais quoi to qualify for one of my 25 voting spots.

Holden Pike

02-28-25, 02:13 PM

105673

As for the recently departed Gene Hackman, he worked quite a bit in the 1990s, and while he made any and every movie he was in better just by virtue of his presence, in terms of our MoFo Lists there's not a lot of spectacular or iconic films. The only movie Hackman appeared in that made the first MoFo Top 100 of the 1990s was of course his Oscar-winning turn in Clint Eastwood's masterpiece Unforgiven (1992). It was #12 on that list, and should remain in the Top 20 of Redux, here. Unforgiven has placed on three other MoFo Lists, to date: #3 on the MoFo Top 100 Westerns, #13 on the original MoFo Top 100 in 2010, and #43 on the 2020 Refresh of that list.

Gene's only other 1990s efforts to make a MoFo list were two of his three other Westerns from that period: Sam Raimi's The Quick and the Dead (1995) was #42 and Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) was #98 on our roundup of that genre. His fourth 1990s oater, Lawrence Kasdan's Wyatt Earp (1994), narrowly missed the Top Hundred. Hackman was in three Westerns in the 1970s as well, Zandy's Bride (1974), Bite the Bullet (1975), and The Hunting Party (1971), none of which made the MoFo Westerns List either.

Gene's most prominent other 1990s work would be the Elmore Leonard adaptation Get Shorty (1995), the John Grisham best seller The Firm (1990), Mike Nichols' comedy The Birdcage (1996), and Tony Scott's thrillers Crimson Tide (1995) and Enemy of the State (1998). We shall see if any break through to the collective, this time.

105671

Robert the List

02-28-25, 08:58 PM

consciounses

Apologies for this. I just gave up in the end.

Robert the List

03-01-25, 03:29 PM