By: Hader Hisham
Some of the greatest movies of all times were made and produced in the 90’s, a decade that witnessed the flourishing of the movie industry. That era saw the production of timeless movies which we now dub, ‘Modern Classics’. It was a time when many actors and directors succeeded to carve out their names in the history of film making.
Here’s a list of the greatest 10 must watch 90’s movies:
N.B. This is a list of the best movies I watched; there must be other great 90’s movies that I still need to see.
1. American Beauty (1999)
The first Academy Award win for the two times Oscar winner Kevin Spacey, portraying the character Lester Burnham who’s having his mid-life crisis. He is rebelling against his dead-end job, bitch-on-wheels wife, unloving daughter, and becoming infatuated with his daughter’s best friend. A great iconic movie from the 90’s by director Sam Mendes and writer Alan Ball.
Metascore: 86%
2. Truman Show (1998)
We’ve all been through at least one time in our lives when we questioned if everything around us is real; whether our actions impact the future or if life is already destined and we’re just living this paved life! Truman Show talks about an insurance salesman who discovers that his entire life is actually a T.V. show. The multi-talented Jim Carrey proved that he’s not just a comic but also equally dramatic, which lead him to win his first Golden Globe. The movie is written by Andrew Niccol and directed by Peter Weir.
Metascore: 90%
3. The Usual Suspects (1995)
“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.” The movie follows a sole survivor (Verbal Kint) as he is interrogated by the police about a horrific gun battle on a boat. The Usual Suspects was voted as having the best plot twist in a poll on IMDB. Kevin Spacey, who won his first Oscar for his performance, joins a talented cast including Giancarlo Esposito (later known as Gustavo Fring from Breaking Bad). Written by Christopher McQuarrie and directed by Bryan Singer.
Metascore: 77%
4. Goodfellas (1990)
This film views the mob lives of three vital figures in the 1960’s and 1970’s New York. Following how Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), and James Conway (Robert De Niro) live day-to-day lives as member of the Mafia. Joe Pesci’s outstandingly raging performance earned him his only Oscar win for a supporting role. Written by Nicholas Pileggi and directed by the one and only Martin Scorsese who was nominated best director by the Academy for this film.
Metascore: 89%
5. Se7en (1995)
Another great mind-twisting movie who made it to the list. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman portray two homicide detectives tracking down a sadistic serial killer who chooses his victims according to the seven deadly sins. Together they trace the killer’s every step, witnessing the aftermath of his horrific crimes one by one, all the while moving to a horrendous fate neither of them could have predicted. Written by Andrew Kevin Walker and directed by David Fincher.
Metascore: 65%
6. Forrest Gump (1994)
Following the life events of a simple man with a low I.Q. but good intentions, Forrest, as he was accidentally been present at many historical moments to find his childhood sweetheart Jenny. Forrest Gump is critically claimed as one of the 90s masterpiece. The movie stars Tom Hanks, who won his second Oscar in a row for his performance, and Robin Wright. Based on the novel written by Winston Groom and directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Metascore: 82%
7. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Set in the 1940’s, the story follows a young successful banker, Andy, whose life changes harshly when he is convicted and imprisoned for the murder of his wife. Over the years Andy befriends Red to find solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency. The Shawshank Redemption is the top rated movie on IMDB’s 250 top rated movies list; although the movie didn’t receive much success in the box office at the time. As claimed by Morgan Freeman, the name was complicated. Based on the short story written by Stephen King and directed by Frank Darabont.
Metascore: 80%
8. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Quentin Tarantino’s first masterpiece which he believes to be the best movie he ever made. The story follows a simple jewelry heist that goes terribly wrong and the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant. Quentin Tarantino was all set to make the film with a bunch of friends until he got a call from Harvey Keitel asking if he could not only be in the film but help produce it. The very first movie from Tarantino to prove his professional talent in writing and directing, carving his name as one of the best filmmakers of all time. Starring Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, and Steve Buscemi.
Metascore: 78%
9. Pulp Fiction (1994)
The lives of two hit men (John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson), a boxer (Bruce Willis), a gangster’s wife (Uma Thurman), and a pair of diner bandits (Tim Roth and Amanda Plummer) intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption. Featuring the most famous dance scene of Travolta and Thurman; Pulp Fiction is considered to be an iconic movie from the 90’s and it was almost a dream seeing an outstanding cast as this. Quentin Tarantino also wrote and directed the second film, earning him to win his first Oscar for writing, best screenplay.
Metascore: 94%
10. Fight Club (1999)
An insomniac office worker, looking for a way to change his boring life, crosses paths with Tyler Durden a soap maker, later forming an underground fight club that evolves into something much more. Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter are three of the most talented actors of their generation and did a tremendous job in this movie. Fight Club is considered one of the best plot-twist movies of all time and my personal favorite. Although not critically acclaimed, but Fight Club still made it to number 10 Top Rated Movies on IMDB. Based on the novel written by Chuck Palahniuk and directed by David Fincher.
Metascore: 66%
Other great 90’s movies include: The Big Lebowski, Schindler’s List, The Silence of the Lambs, Heat, The Sixth Sense, Leon: The Professional and Fargo
