The top ten films from the Nineties

This morning I have set myself the difficult task of listing the top ten films of the 1990's. This list is made up of films that I still enjoy today. Fims that I believe are timeless in their quality and appeal and transcend nineties culture.

1. Pulp Fiction  

   'Say 'what' again. Say 'what' again, I dare you, I double dare you motherfucker, say what one more Goddamn time!'

Pulp Fiction is my favourite film ever for a number of reasons. This film for me defines the 90's and pop culture of that era and before. I believe that the multiple awards that this film achieved were deserved recogntion for the masterpiece that it is.

Pulp Fiction is so good for 3 reasons: Firstly, the cast assembled is perfect, each actor has become their character and I cannot think that anyone else could have done a better job. Stand out performances for me were, Travolta in the role that saw him resurrect his career, Samual L Jackson in his defining role and the cameo appearance of Christopher Walken in the 'Watch' section of the film.

Secondly, without doubt the dialogue in this film is at times comedy genius. I still remember heeps of quotes from this film that did and still do make me laugh.

Finally, this film possesess a cool soundtrack that is great in its own right. However, the song selections are again genius. Each song when listened to evokes images of the scene that it was set against.

2.The Usual Suspects

The film follows the interrogation of Roger "Verbal" Kint, a small-time con man who is one of only two survivors of a massacre and fire on a ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. He tells an interrogator a convoluted story about events that lead him and four other criminals to the boat, and of a mysterious mob boss known as "Keyser Söze" who commissioned their work. Using flashback and narration, Kint's story becomes increasingly complex.

The reason why I love this film so much is the reactions of people that I watch it with who have not seen it before. The twist at the end is killer and still makes me smile today, and I know that it is coming.

3. Schindlers List

Ok,  A film that is classic in every sense of the word. It makes you think, laugh and cry all at the same time. So aside from the sentiment why is it so good?

Well, there are only a handful of films I can actually remember the time and place of my first viewing. This is one of them.

The cinematography is fantastic in the style of an old epic with the iconic little girl in a red dress set against a black and white background particularly poignant.

Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley are brilliant and Ralph Fiennes  protrays the most disturbing and essentially evil Nazi that has not been rivaled in film until Christoph Waltz's portrayal of Colonel Hans Landa the Jew Hunter in Inglorious Basterds.



4. Things to do in Denver when you're Dead.

'Give it a name'

I love this film for many reasons not least the cast which includes Steve Buscemi, Andy Garcia and Christopher Walken and its cool dialogue.

Whilst the characters are complex and multi dimensional,they are essentially human. Their character names hark back to 1930's gangster type stereotypes like 'Jimmy the Saint' referred to as 'the bitches bastard'.Or 'The man with the plan'.

It is the way the characters deal with the inevitability of their own end that that makes this film a classic and humanizes the characters. The film is punctuated by cool pop culture like catechisms such as 'Boat Drinks' or 'give it a name' which further illustrates the camaraderie and shared experiences of the main protagonists and stick in your mind.

5. 12 Monkeys

James Cole (Bruce Willis) is a convicted criminal living in a grim post-apocalyptic future. In 1996–1997, the Earth's surface was contaminated by a virus so deadly that it forced the surviving population to live underground. To earn a pardon, Cole allows scientists to send him on dangerous missions to the past to collect information on the virus, thought to be released by a terrorist organization known as the Army of the Twelve Monkeys. If possible, he is to obtain a pure sample of the original virus so a cure can be made. Throughout the film, Cole is troubled with recurring dreams involving a chase and a shooting in an airport.

This is a film that has inspired debate through the years amongst friends discussing the twist at the end and for that reason It makes number 5 on my list.

6. Goodfellas

The best Gangster film of its generation. Slick cinematography, quality actors Pesci, De Niro and Liotta forming charachters that kept your interest.

The dialogue is also pretty memorable which is possibly due to the fact that Scorcese told the principle characters to get in character and ad lib like Pesci going nuts in my favourite scene that shows his volatile temperament.

'You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little fucked up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to fuckin' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?'

7. Braveheart

History Graduate loves Historical based film, Nuff said. Yeah, I love this film for its epic set pieces, the sprawling film direction and sensationalised cheese (sentimentality). Still a film I love and can think of no better Historical yarn of the period.

8. Reservoir Dogs

Reservoir Dogs is a 1992 American crime film and the debut of director and writer Quentin Tarantino. It depicts the events before and after a botched diamond heist, though not the heist itself. Reservoir Dogs stars an ensemble cast with Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, and Lawrence Tierney. Tarantino has a minor role, as does criminal-turned-author Eddie Bunker. It incorporates many themes and aesthetics that have become Tarantino's hallmarks: violent crime, pop culture references, memorable dialogue, profuse profanity, and a nonlinear storyline.

So why do I love this film? See Pulp Fiction for my reasons, cast, dialogue, soundtrack all awesome.

9. and 10

Trainspotting and the Shawshank Redemption make up my top ten films of the 90's.

Other notable exceptions would be  Leon and Killing Zoe.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree?