The 100 Greatest movies of the 1990s 1. Goodfellas (34 Viewers)

[beer 30]

Aside from the fact that Pulp Fiction is a fantastic movie, the quotability of the movie is off the charts.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Pulp Fiction is all kinds of awesome, yes, and easily one of the most influential films of the 90s. It's probably only my 3rd favorite QT film (behind the Basterds and Jackie Brown), but a long list of my favorite films ever would have a lot of Tarantino on there.

PF is probably my favorite but Jackie Brown would be the opening film in my double feature with them both.

 

[Runkle]

There's just no way to convey how different Pulp Fiction hit when it came out. It's influenced everything since so now it feels like a 'normal' movie. But it wasn't back then. It broke the new ground the rest followed on.

Watching it when it came out felt like Dorothy walking through the door into the world of color in The Wizard of Oz.

 

[timschochet]

3. Boogie Nights (1997)

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Heather Graham

Synopsis: The rise and fall of a late 70s porn star.

You’ve got the touch! Sung by Mark Wahlberg as Dirk Diggler.

“The Touch” is my favorite scene. I still argue to this day that it would have been a huge hit except that the bass got in the way of the vocals.

This movie is a revelation. I could watch it a zillion times and it would never get old. All of the actors are outstanding. There are some very very dark moments in this- perhaps the darkest is when Roller Girl confronts the guy who knew her in high school. Or when Dirk is alone with the dude in the car. Or the court case (the guy who played Julianne Moore’s husband was John Doe from X!) So many classic moments, feel Iike I’m not doing it justice here.

 

[shuke]

Like I said, I do like Adam Sandler and think he's a very funny person, but the yelling and screaming and silly voices just don't do anything but annoy me now.

Sandler is awesome in 3-5 minute segments. Two full hours? Pass.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

I liked Boogie Nights but #3 of the 90's? Seems like it shouldn't be even a top 20

 

[KarmaPolice]

I liked Boogie Nights but #3 of the 90's? Seems like it shouldn't be even a top 20

It's my #1.

 

[Zow]

Y'all are sleeping on Deeds and Grown Ups.

Didn't like those.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I liked Boogie Nights but #3 of the 90's? Seems like it shouldn't be even a top 20

Do you not care for PTA? This movie made his reputation. Especially the "Sister Christian" scene, which is one of the greatest uses of tension in all of cinema.

As with Pulp Fiction, it drew on some influences from the '70s but otherwise was unlike anything else at the time. Both are no-brainer top 5 of the 90s for me.

Our #1 is animated, isn't it? Preparing for Trip meltdown...

 

[General Malaise]

Aside from the fact that Pulp Fiction is a fantastic movie, the quotability of the movie is off the charts.

Agreed. Plus, i just love the idea of two professional killers just having ordinary conversations about things like McDonalds or bacon like their regular Joes.

 

[General Malaise]

Pulp Fiction is all kinds of awesome, yes, and easily one of the most influential films of the 90s. It's probably only my 3rd favorite QT film (behind the Basterds and Jackie Brown), but a long list of my favorite films ever would have a lot of Tarantino on there.

PF is probably my favorite but Jackie Brown would be the opening film in my double feature with them both.

I know he didn't direct this but QT did write the screenplay for True Romance and I think that is one of his best. I never get tired of watching that one. The scene with Walken and Hopper is just *chef's kiss*.

 

[General Malaise]

Like I said, I do like Adam Sandler and think he's a very funny person, but the yelling and screaming and silly voices just don't do anything but annoy me now.

Sandler is awesome in 3-5 minute segments. Two full hours? Pass.

Agree 100% GB.

Have yet to see Uncut Gems but I probably should.

And I wanted to like Punch Drunk Love but it was so.....dumb. It had potential and Sandler was good but man, it went off in a weird direction that never made any sense to me.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

I liked Boogie Nights but #3 of the 90's? Seems like it shouldn't be even a top 20

It's my #1.

really?I would never have expected that

 

[Gally]

4. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames

Synopsis: A day in the life of various low level crime figures is told out of order.

(after shooting someone on the couch) I’m sorry did I break your concentration? I didn’t mean to do that. You were saying about best intentions? - Samuel L. Jackson as Jules

I remember seeing this in the theater and thinking it was unlike any film I had ever watched before because of its non-linear nature. I especially love, with regard to this, how Travolta’s character is featured so prominently in the first and third part of the movie but dies suddenly and almost casually in the middle part. So well done. But the whole film is well done, just really smart with one great scene after another. I’m not sure it’s Tarantino’s best film (I adore Inglorious Basterds as well) but these two rise above the rest IMO.

I have only seen it once and it was probably about the time it came out. I am not a QT fan in general and I have given his movies opportunities. I am just always disappointed as they haven't lived up to the hype for me.

When I saw Pulp Fiction it was fine. I actually really have no memories of what it is even about. I know have seen it but couldn't really say anything about it. I probably ought to give it another chance but since i seem to always be disappointed in QT movies I haven't been able to bring myself to watch it again.

Same. I like a few QT movies but after the first viewing of Pulp Fiction I've never felt the urge to watch again.

But sometime I'll give it another chance.

Which do you like? What was it about Pulp that made you not want to revisit it?

I’m the same as well. I don’t like the comically gratuitous violence, nor over-the-top banter. So, pretty much his entire style.

I used to think highly of all of you

Seriously though, what was your favorite TV show growing up? Andy Griffith? Murder She Wrote? Just curious.

Cheers, Seinfeld, Mork & Mindy, Happy Days, Simon & Simon, A-Team just to name a few. How far back to you want me to go?

 

[beer 30]

3. Boogie Nights (1997)

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Heather Graham

Synopsis: The rise and fall of a late 70s porn star.

You’ve got the touch! Sung by Mark Wahlberg as Dirk Diggler.

“The Touch” is my favorite scene. I still argue to this day that it would have been a huge hit except that the bass got in the way of the vocals.

This movie is a revelation. I could watch it a zillion times and it would never get old. All of the actors are outstanding. There are some very very dark moments in this- perhaps the darkest is when Roller Girl confronts the guy who knew her in high school. Or when Dirk is alone with the dude in the car. Or the court case (the guy who played Julianne Moore’s husband was John Doe from X!) So many classic moments, feel Iike I’m not doing it justice here.

Never seen it

 

[KarmaPolice]

I liked Boogie Nights but #3 of the 90's? Seems like it shouldn't be even a top 20

It's my #1.

really?I would never have expected that

Its funny, dark, quotable, rewatchable, and PTA is one of the best directors of the era.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Like I said, I do like Adam Sandler and think he's a very funny person, but the yelling and screaming and silly voices just don't do anything but annoy me now.

Sandler is awesome in 3-5 minute segments. Two full hours? Pass.

Agree 100% GB.

Have yet to see Uncut Gems but I probably should.

And I wanted to like Punch Drunk Love but it was so.....dumb. It had potential and Sandler was good but man, it went off in a weird direction that never made any sense to me.

I did a recent Punch Drunk rewatch and i am much more positive on it now. The parts with his sisters are still stressful and uncomfortable though.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

do you not care for PTA? This movie made his reputation.

I liked The Master, Magnolia and Boogie Nights (like I said). For me, I care less about the directors and actors names and I care 100% about the story and writing. It has been a minute since I've seen it (and I've never rewatched it) so my mind could be a little fuzzy but #3 just seems very high.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

I do need to watch Punch Drunk Love though

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

The QUIZ Show?

 

[Ghost Rider]

Boogie Nights is really, really good, but top 3 for the 90s? I cannot go that far.

The real tragedy is that because what number 1 is going to be is super obvious, either the awesome mob film from 1990 or the awesome crime movie from 1997 are getting left off (and possibly both). Oof.

 

[dgreen]

I’m not sure if I have watched all of Boogie Nights. It’s not one that captured my attention nor was it memorable for me. Maybe I need to try again.

 

[HellToupee]

The real tragedy is that because what number 1 is going to be is super obvious, either the awesome mob film from 1990 or the awesome crime movie from 1997 are getting left off (and possibly both). Oof.

Neither 200 or 2007 can be left off a top 100 from the 90s . What am I missing here?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

3. Boogie Nights (1997)

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Heather Graham

Synopsis: The rise and fall of a late 70s porn star.

You’ve got the touch! Sung by Mark Wahlberg as Dirk Diggler.

“The Touch” is my favorite scene. I still argue to this day that it would have been a huge hit except that the bass got in the way of the vocals.

This movie is a revelation. I could watch it a zillion times and it would never get old. All of the actors are outstanding. There are some very very dark moments in this- perhaps the darkest is when Roller Girl confronts the guy who knew her in high school. Or when Dirk is alone with the dude in the car. Or the court case (the guy who played Julianne Moore’s husband was John Doe from X!) So many classic moments, feel Iike I’m not doing it justice here.

Never seen it

 

[General Malaise]

Pretty safe to say this one won't get listed but PTA's first feature film "Hard Eight" is a fantastic ****ing movie. It laid the groundwork for Boogie Nights. He uses the same music in the movies' darkest scenes (I think - been a while) and showed off his directorial chops.

It's a top 25 movie for me all-time and if you haven't seen it and like Boogie Nights, I'm telling you, go watch this if you haven't.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Pretty safe to say this one won't get listed but PTA's first feature film "Hard Eight" is a fantastic ****ing movie. It laid the groundwork for Boogie Nights. He uses the same music in the movies' darkest scenes (I think - been a while) and showed off his directorial chops.

It's a top 25 movie for me all-time and if you haven't seen it and like Boogie Nights, I'm telling you, go watch this if you haven't.

Yep. It is to his catalog what Blood Simple is to the Coens'. Perceived as a prototype but actually on the same level as the very best of the more famous stuff.

 

[General Malaise]

3. Boogie Nights (1997)

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Heather Graham

Synopsis: The rise and fall of a late 70s porn star.

You’ve got the touch! Sung by Mark Wahlberg as Dirk Diggler.

“The Touch” is my favorite scene. I still argue to this day that it would have been a huge hit except that the bass got in the way of the vocals.

This movie is a revelation. I could watch it a zillion times and it would never get old. All of the actors are outstanding. There are some very very dark moments in this- perhaps the darkest is when Roller Girl confronts the guy who knew her in high school. Or when Dirk is alone with the dude in the car. Or the court case (the guy who played Julianne Moore’s husband was John Doe from X!) So many classic moments, feel Iike I’m not doing it justice here.

Never seen it

OH COME ON!!!!

 

[Ghost Rider]

The real tragedy is that because what number 1 is going to be is super obvious, either the awesome mob film from 1990 or the awesome crime movie from 1997 are getting left off (and possibly both). Oof.

Neither 200 or 2007 can be left off a top 100 from the 90s . What am I missing here?

I think the film Jerry Seinfeld made out to will obviously be number 1.

That means there is only one spot left, meaning Tim either doesn't think Joe Pesci is a funny guy or is unaware of who Rollo Tomasi is. (I am guessing he hasn't seen one or both of these movies, which is why one or both will be left off)

 

[General Malaise]

I do need to watch Punch Drunk Love though

Im sure you'll love it.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

I do need to watch Punch Drunk Love though

Im sure you'll love it.

Karma and I don't agree on everything but I do think we like some of the same things so if he says its good then I'm willing to try it

 

[HellToupee]

The real tragedy is that because what number 1 is going to be is super obvious, either the awesome mob film from 1990 or the awesome crime movie from 1997 are getting left off (and possibly both). Oof.

Neither 200 or 2007 can be left off a top 100 from the 90s . What am I missing here?

I think the film Jerry Seinfeld made out to will obviously be number 1.

That means there is only one spot left, meaning Tim either doesn't think Joe Pesci is a funny guy or is unaware of who Rollo Tomasi is. (I am guessing he hasn't seen one or both of these movies, which is why one or both will be left off)

Perhaps he doesn’t like B&W movies

Tim has some splainin’ to do

 

[General Malaise]

Like I said, I do like Adam Sandler and think he's a very funny person, but the yelling and screaming and silly voices just don't do anything but annoy me now.

Sandler is awesome in 3-5 minute segments. Two full hours? Pass.

Agree 100% GB.

Have yet to see Uncut Gems but I probably should.

And I wanted to like Punch Drunk Love but it was so.....dumb. It had potential and Sandler was good but man, it went off in a weird direction that never made any sense to me.

I did a recent Punch Drunk rewatch and i am much more positive on it now. The parts with his sisters are still stressful and uncomfortable though.

I don't think I "understood" it. The ending is just Sandler and Hoffman shouting at each other until they agree to stop. Right? It was just weird. Maybe I need to come over to your place to watch it so you explain what I'm missing.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

The ending is just Sandler and Hoffman shouting at each other until they agree to stop

DUDE! not cool

 

[General Malaise]

The ending is just Sandler and Hoffman shouting at each other until they agree to stop

DUDE! not cool

Right, I should probably put it in spoilers that Adam Sandler screams and yells in one of his movies. My bad.

 

[Scoresman]

Boogie Nights is an excellent movie that I have no problem being at 3. I would not have it that high, but don't disagree with its placement either.

 

[KarmaPolice]

@General Malaise

I was talking behind the scenes with @Ilov80s about some PTA movies, and I don't think he will mind me just quoting what I wrote there:

No, it's never been one of my favorites either. For me it's bizarre and stressful. I was listening in the headphones last night and I had forgotten how brutal and relentless the soundtrack is. Oddly, in that way and because of the Sandler connection, I was thinking about Uncut Gems a bit while watching last night. Listening to interviews and knowing he got the start of the idea from a true story about the pudding and wanting to write something for Sandler and work with him. He also wrote it after meeting Maya Rudolph I do remember liking the moments of sweetness and I do also like an "odd" love story about people that you typically don't see in the movies. Also a good PSH appearance.

After a few days of thinking about it, I will say this - I like Punch-Drunk more each time I watch it, especially from the point on in the movie that Emily Watson comes back in and asks him to dinner. I haven't started reading the book yet, but like Magnolia and Phantom Thread I think these are some of his most personal and autobiographical movies. It seems he started with the weird nugget of the true story of the pudding guy, while he was in post for Magnolia he was watching Sandler movies and wanted to work with him. My read on it is Barry is PTA, or at least his vision of himself in his head. I don't know about his siblings, but I have gathered that his dad between 2 marriages had 9 kids and the second marriage was PTA and 3 sisters. He was close to his dad, but not his mom and around this time he was very much coked up and his dad died of cancer around Boogie Nights time. There are reports of a violent temper from Fiona Apple who he was with before Rudolph.

The way that Watson is shot makes me fall in love with her each time. IMO there are scenes here every bit as powerful as others I love like Before Sunset. I think she is stunning in this movie. Hoffman as Dean Trumbell cracks me up as well, and those are becoming favorite scenes of his for me. I think it's chaotic nature and Barry being unlikeable keeps more people away, but when I was watching I thought it was a mash up of things that people usually love (including you). I see the Coen's in those side characters and plots like Dean and the phone line. I mentioned the tension and chaos of Uncut Gems being on my mind. Splash in some Before Sunset romance and PTA's great direction, and .

All that said, it's still not my favorite. IMO he goes a little too hard on how over the top awful the sisters are (maybe I will find out one or two of those scenes are closer to his sisters than I know) and Barry is just a step too unlikeable for me at the beginning. I love Watson in the movie, but not sure how much I want her to end up with Barry even at the end. If I'd have to guess, it probably moved up a little in the PTA rankings ahead of Licorice, Hard Eight, and maybe Inherent Vice - mostly on my theory of it being a bit autobiographical.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I liked Boogie Nights but #3 of the 90's? Seems like it shouldn't be even a top 20

Do you not care for PTA? This movie made his reputation. Especially the "Sister Christian" scene, which is one of the greatest uses of tension in all of cinema.

As with Pulp Fiction, it drew on some influences from the '70s but otherwise was unlike anything else at the time. Both are no-brainer top 5 of the 90s for me.

Our #1 is animated, isn't it? Preparing for Trip meltdown...

I would have loved to have been there for that. The zoned out look from Marky and them jumping wasn't acting.

 

[General Malaise]

Guess I'll be watching Punch Drunk Love again tonight.

 

[General Malaise]

The music in Boogie Nights is as good as any of the movies listed thus far.

Dazed
Pulp
Boogie
Reservoir
Good Will Hunting

That's a road trip list of songs right there!

 

[Dr. Octopus]

The ending is just Sandler and Hoffman shouting at each other until they agree to stop

DUDE! not cool

Just pretend he meant Dustin Hoffman, and it will still be a surprise.

 

[Tau837]

I liked Boogie Nights but #3 of the 90's? Seems like it shouldn't be even a top 20

How about not top 100...

 

[Zow]

Like I said, I do like Adam Sandler and think he's a very funny person, but the yelling and screaming and silly voices just don't do anything but annoy me now.

Sandler is awesome in 3-5 minute segments. Two full hours? Pass.

Agree 100% GB.

Have yet to see Uncut Gems but I probably should.

And I wanted to like Punch Drunk Love but it was so.....dumb. It had potential and Sandler was good but man, it went off in a weird direction that never made any sense to me.

Uncut Gems is good but it's definitely not a comedy.

 

[UncleZen]

When Pulp Fiction came out, it was at a time in my life when I smoked a lot of weed. I remember during the 1st time I was watching it and sitting there wondering WTF? After finally putting it all together, I could not wait to go back and watch it again. I love the campy dialog in QT's movies and this one delivers. This is my #2 movie of all time behind a movie from 1939 and it's not even close to me.

 

[Terminalxylem]

4. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames

Synopsis: A day in the life of various low level crime figures is told out of order.

(after shooting someone on the couch) I’m sorry did I break your concentration? I didn’t mean to do that. You were saying about best intentions? - Samuel L. Jackson as Jules

I remember seeing this in the theater and thinking it was unlike any film I had ever watched before because of its non-linear nature. I especially love, with regard to this, how Travolta’s character is featured so prominently in the first and third part of the movie but dies suddenly and almost casually in the middle part. So well done. But the whole film is well done, just really smart with one great scene after another. I’m not sure it’s Tarantino’s best film (I adore Inglorious Basterds as well) but these two rise above the rest IMO.

I have only seen it once and it was probably about the time it came out. I am not a QT fan in general and I have given his movies opportunities. I am just always disappointed as they haven't lived up to the hype for me.

When I saw Pulp Fiction it was fine. I actually really have no memories of what it is even about. I know have seen it but couldn't really say anything about it. I probably ought to give it another chance but since i seem to always be disappointed in QT movies I haven't been able to bring myself to watch it again.

Same. I like a few QT movies but after the first viewing of Pulp Fiction I've never felt the urge to watch again.

But sometime I'll give it another chance.

Which do you like? What was it about Pulp that made you not want to revisit it?

I’m the same as well. I don’t like the comically gratuitous violence, nor over-the-top banter. So, pretty much his entire style.

I used to think highly of all of you

Seriously though, what was your favorite TV show growing up? Andy Griffith? Murder She Wrote? Just curious.

As a latchkey kid, I stayed out late playing. Didn’t watch much tv. Definitely not wholesome cr@p. Maybe Letterman, Knight Rider, or Twilight Zone?

In the 90s, I watched The Simpsons, Married with Children, and Seinfeld.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

I dislike PTA's films intensely, but Boogie Nights is the one exception.

 

[KarmaPolice]

3. Boogie Nights (1997)

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Heather Graham

Synopsis: The rise and fall of a late 70s porn star.

You’ve got the touch! Sung by Mark Wahlberg as Dirk Diggler.

“The Touch” is my favorite scene. I still argue to this day that it would have been a huge hit except that the bass got in the way of the vocals.

This movie is a revelation. I could watch it a zillion times and it would never get old. All of the actors are outstanding. There are some very very dark moments in this- perhaps the darkest is when Roller Girl confronts the guy who knew her in high school. Or when Dirk is alone with the dude in the car. Or the court case (the guy who played Julianne Moore’s husband was John Doe from X!) So many classic moments, feel Iike I’m not doing it justice here.

Never seen it

GTFO. We should start a thread where we assign each other a movie to watch (that we will probably dislike )

 

[Terminalxylem]

3. Boogie Nights (1997)

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Heather Graham

Synopsis: The rise and fall of a late 70s porn star.

You’ve got the touch! Sung by Mark Wahlberg as Dirk Diggler.

“The Touch” is my favorite scene. I still argue to this day that it would have been a huge hit except that the bass got in the way of the vocals.

This movie is a revelation. I could watch it a zillion times and it would never get old. All of the actors are outstanding. There are some very very dark moments in this- perhaps the darkest is when Roller Girl confronts the guy who knew her in high school. Or when Dirk is alone with the dude in the car. Or the court case (the guy who played Julianne Moore’s husband was John Doe from X!) So many classic moments, feel Iike I’m not doing it justice here.

Never seen it

OH COME ON!!!!

Me neither

 

[KarmaPolice]

I dislike PTA's films intensely, but Boogie Nights is the one exception.

You are going to be a huge fan of the next countdown.

 

[General Malaise]

I dislike PTA's films intensely, but Boogie Nights is the one exception.

What about Hard Eight do you find detestable?

 

[Nipsey]

I have a semi-cool PTA story. About nine years ago, my friend was sitting in her kitchen in Los Angeles one random afternoon. There's a knock at the door. A woman said they were filming in the neighborhood and looking for interiors to shoot in. She said it wouldn’t take long and they’d pay a few grand. She asked if my friend would be open to the director taking a quick look inside. My friend was a little skeptical and said she needed to call her husband. While she was trying to reach him, PTA himself walked up to the door and said something like, “Hi, I’m Paul. We’re shooting a little video in the neighborhood.” My friend worked in the industry and recognized him. She geeked out a little, cut him off, and invited him in. He walked around the house for a minute, said he loved the house but it wasn’t exactly what they were looking for. He apologized for the disruption, invited her to stop by their food truck if she was hungry, and then left. This is what they were shooting.