Top 100 movies of the '90s: 100-91

I've decided to wait a few months before I do a top 100 of the 2000s. I want the 2009 movies to soak in and to do a top 100 list while ignoring 2009 is just plain stupid. Stupid, I tell ya! And there are still a few movies from the last decade that I want to see and who knows... maybe they can influence the list as well.

So I was thinking, what could I do in the meantime to hold you over? How about a top 100 movies of the '90s? Sure, why not? I've seen more than enough movies in the '90s to judge. Of course, the list is subjective, they always are. Maybe they will give people a better understanding about my tastes. I want to do a top 50 or 100 movies of the '80s and '70s too... most likely 50. That will be later, however. While everyone else is doing a list for this decade, I'll be preoccupied with the decade before it! Genius! Or, incredibly behind the times. Hey, I'm 22, for crying out loud, I'm just starting to gain a fuller perspective on life.

But I digress... I shall do the list ten movies at a time. Overall, this project should be finished in two weeks.

Therefore, without further ado...

TOP 100 MOVIES OF THE 1990S

#100-91

100. Wayne's World, 1992
Dir: Penelope Spheeris
Cast: Mike Myers, Dana Carvey


Anybody who knows me knows that I've watched "Wayne's World" a hundred times and I still am not sick of it. It's a comedy classic and it's a very '90s movie, which is why it's the perfect movie to start the list off with.


99. Bottle Rocket, 1996
Dir: Wes Anderson
Cast: Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson


Bottle Rocket is much better appreciated once you've seen Wes Anderson's movies a couple of times. This is the only Wes Anderson movie that didn't have all the little production quirks that makes his films so unique to his vision. Instead, it shows you just how good he is at writing and telling a story on screen. Owen Wilson also gives one of his best performances in this movie.

98. The Virgin Suicides, 1999
Dir: Sofia Coppola
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, James Woods


Perhaps it's just a happy coincidence that the next couple of movies on my list are all director's debuts. This one is probably one of the most interesting, as far as debuts are concern. Sofia Coppola's movie is both haunting and beautiful showcasing what an immense talent she is and just how much potential she has as a director (potential that she followed through with in the next decade).

97. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, 1998
Dir: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Jason Flemyng, Jason Statham

Once again, a director's debut feature. "Lock, Stock" may be considered a bit derivative, but its plot twists and sense of humor are what put it over the top. Add that with some great performances from a bunch of up-and-coming British actors and you have yourself a great, memorable film.

96. Carlito's Way, 1993
Dir: Brian De Palma
Cast: Al Pacino, Sean Penn


Perhaps the last "great" movie by Brian De Palma. "Carlito's Way" is both fantastic and entertaining. I actually like this film more than "Scarface" which features the same Pacino-De Palma team. This movie is simply more fun to watch and Pacino's performance is actually a bit more restrained. You also can't forget Sean Penn's role in this movie in which he plays a two-timing asshole. It was like he was made for this role...

95. Clerks, 1994
Dir: Kevin Smith
Cast: Brian O'Halloran, Jason Mewes


I also consider this one of the definitive 90's movies. Kevin Smith's low budget first feature still contains some of his most brilliant writing. It's amazing how much he was able to get out of such a limited setting. The greatest thing about "Clerks" is just how memorable the characters are. These are people you feel like you know personally by the end of the movie. Not everyone can make a movie like this. This movie showed what a true talent Kevin Smith is.


94. Shakespeare in Love, 1998
Dir: John Madden
Cast: Gwyneth Platrow, Joseph Fiennes


This movie may now receive some backlash for its best picture Oscar and even I like Saving Private Ryan more. But you can't deny such great performances and writing. It's funny, romantic, charming... what more can you ask for?

93. A Bronx Tale, 1993
Dir: Robert Deniro
Cast: Robert Deniro, Chazz Palminteri


You can tell Deniro learned a lot from Scorsese when he directed this movie, but the love story in "A Bronx Tale" is unlike any kind of love story in a Scorsese movie. Deniro really captures both the tenderness and the looming danger that could arise from an interracial relationship. The most surprising thing about this movie is just how much you care about the main character by the end of the movie.

92. As Good as it Gets, 1997
Dir: James L. Brooks
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt

Jack Nicholson and Greg Kinnear are fantastic in this James L. Brooks movie. I feel that this movie has its degree of importance as some great movies from Alexander Payne, Jason Reitman, and Judd Apatow has the same type of tone and style as this movie. Not really a comedy, not too dramatic, it's just smart writing and great acting all around. This movie falls just short of greatness, unfortunately, for its conventional, disappointing ending. Other than that, it's a classic.


91. Swingers, 1996
Dir: Doug Liman
Cast: Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn


My attitude towards this movie is similar to "Wayne's World." I've seen this movie so many times and the dialogue is so rich and hilarious that I can quote it by line. Vince Vaughn is so hilarious in this movie and many of his other comedic roles are basically just copying this character. The movie also has a greatly underrated ensemble cast and it teaches you a very important lesson... you always double down in blackjack when you have an 11. Always!