The 100 Greatest movies of the 1990s 1. Goodfellas (41 Viewers)

[timschochet]

Speaking of Fiennes, I'm a little surprised English Patient got left off. I thought he was great in that and that movie was terrific.

I really didn’t like it. Bored me to tears.

I guess I can reveal now that there are many films that I didn’t have on this list despite high regard by many because I found them too boring. In addition to the one you named that includes LA Confidential.

There are a few other films folks have mentioned which I have not seen, including Heat and Magnolia.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Schindler's List is of course brutal but it's still fictional.

While there's a zillion Holocaust movies (an a lot of them are well done) the most raw one I've seen is German Concentration Camps Factual Survey. Available on Tubi and Kanopy.

Originally shot in 1945, the project took longer than expected to complete, and eventually five of the film's six reels were left, abandoned, in the Imperial War Museum and forgotten.
The footage was discovered decades later, and shown in an incomplete version at the Berlin Film Festival in 1984, and then broadcast on American PBS in 1985 under the title Memory of the Camps (1984).

 

[timschochet]

Others I found tremendously overrated like Dances With Wolves. Though that movie did better when James Cameron moved it to outer space.

 

[Gally]

Speaking of Fiennes, I'm a little surprised English Patient got left off. I thought he was great in that and that movie was terrific.

Elaine disagrees with you:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtube.com

 

[El Floppo]

Speaking of Fiennes, I'm a little surprised English Patient got left off. I thought he was great in that and that movie was terrific.

Threw up a bit in my mouth just now.

Genuine nope from me on that one.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

too boring. In addition to the one you named that includes LA Confidential.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

2. Schindler’s List (1993)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley

Synopsis: A German industrialist saves lives during the Holocaust.

The list is life- Ben Kingsley as Itzak Stern

I won’t comment too much about either this film or the one I chose as #1 because if you’ve seen them there shouldn’t be much more to say. But I do want to talk about Ralph Fiennes because IMO he gives the finest acting performance of the decade. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor (didn’t win) but in actuality the moment he appears on the screen (about a third of the way through the film) he is the star of the film- the entire middle section of the film is really about him, his motivations, etc. By way of comparison he has much more screen time than Anthony Hopkins in Lambs, and Hopkins won Best Actor.

Fiennes was great in Quiz Show and he’s been great ever since (I saw The Menu last year and it’s a weird quirky film that I can’t quite recommend but Fiennes is outstanding.) His brother has also turned into a terrific actor (anyone watch The Handmaid’s Tale?) But this is clearly Ralph’s finest moment.

Solid movie. Probably around #50 for me in the 90s rankings.

Did I miss Heat on this countdown somewhere?

 

[Ilov80s]

Looking at my rankings from when KP and I did this, here is where I lined up with Tim's last 10 picks

12. Good Will Hunting- I had it 21
4. Pulp Fiction- I had it 19
3. Boogie Nights- I had it 28

these feel like misses by you

Perhaps. I mean I had them very high but obviously if someone had those listed as 1,2 and 3 overall it’s defensible.

 

[Ilov80s]

2. Schindler’s List (1993)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley

Synopsis: A German industrialist saves lives during the Holocaust.

The list is life- Ben Kingsley as Itzak Stern

I won’t comment too much about either this film or the one I chose as #1 because if you’ve seen them there shouldn’t be much more to say. But I do want to talk about Ralph Fiennes because IMO he gives the finest acting performance of the decade. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor (didn’t win) but in actuality the moment he appears on the screen (about a third of the way through the film) he is the star of the film- the entire middle section of the film is really about him, his motivations, etc. By way of comparison he has much more screen time than Anthony Hopkins in Lambs, and Hopkins won Best Actor.

Fiennes was great in Quiz Show and he’s been great ever since (I saw The Menu last year and it’s a weird quirky film that I can’t quite recommend but Fiennes is outstanding.) His brother has also turned into a terrific actor (anyone watch The Handmaid’s Tale?) But this is clearly Ralph’s finest moment.

Solid movie. Probably around #50 for me in the 90s rankings.

Did I miss Heat on this countdown somewhere?

It’s either #1 or not on the list crazy

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Speaking of Fiennes, I'm a little surprised English Patient got left off. I thought he was great in that and that movie was terrific.

I really didn’t like it. Bored me to tears.

I guess I can reveal now that there are many films that I didn’t have on this list despite high regard by many because I found them too boring. In addition to the one you named that includes LA Confidential.

There are a few other films folks have mentioned which I have not seen, including Heat and Magnolia.

So the Top 100 greatest movies of the 90s (minus Heat).

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I've seen Heat one more time than I've seen Madonna: Truth or Dare.

 

[TripItUp]

2. Schindler’s List (1993)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley

Synopsis: A German industrialist saves lives during the Holocaust.

Have never rewatched. Great film and story but yeah, not close to this high in my personal rankings.

Trip's Official Ruling: Over Ranked (not in my top 20)

 

[General Malaise]

Speaking of Fiennes, I'm a little surprised English Patient got left off. I thought he was great in that and that movie was terrific.

I really didn’t like it. Bored me to tears.

I guess I can reveal now that there are many films that I didn’t have on this list despite high regard by many because I found them too boring. In addition to the one you named that includes LA Confidential.

There are a few other films folks have mentioned which I have not seen, including Heat and Magnolia.

There's a lot of head scratchers in your list for me, Tim, but it's YOUR favorites, not mine (or anybody else's) so I need to remind myself of that.

I know English Patient didn't thrill 'em all, but I really liked it. But not hard to understand why you left it off. The ones that I'm really puzzled you didn't include are things like:

Slingblade - Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought that was one of the better performances an actor has ever turned in and I think the movie overall is just spectacular.
The Ice Storm - Don't want to beat this one to death, but I found it to be one of the better films of the 90s in the way it presented the human condition.
LA Confidential - It bored you? Huh.
Private Parts - I was not expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did when it came out. I was never a big Howard Stern guy but I thought this was an excellent effort and would easily put it inside my top 100 of the 90s.
True Romance - I think I might be on an island of 1 here, but this is my favorite Tarantino project (yes, I like it better than Pulp Fiction, I'm weird).|
Boyz n the Hood - Actually shocked you left this one out. C'mon, Tim.
Dead Man Walking - Another one that puzzles me, though I'm guessing it bored you. It wasn't for everybody, but this was a tremendous movie covering a very divisive topic.
Lone Star - Incredible storytelling and I'm guessing too boring for you. Kris Kiristopherson as a bad sheriff? Does it get any better than that?
Chasing Amy - This movie blew me away when I saw it the first time. Not sure what I'd think about it today, but at the time, this was very fresh movie that had a lot of great dialog.


If you didn't see Heat, there's not much to say there. It's a classic but if you haven't seen it that's the explanation for omission.

For comedy, I'd have added Kingpin, Waiting for Guffman and My Cousin Vinny.

For film noir, Grifters and Get Shorty make my top 100.

Small budget Indies that got left out IMO: Bottle Rocket and Kicking and Screaming. (non-Will Ferrell version).

Plenty I wouldn't have included I've mentioned in here a time or twenty. There's a few I'd never seen on your list I'd like to check out. There's some I never even knew existed before this exercise (Europa Europa).

Otherwise - Two thumbs up here, Tim.

 

[General Malaise]

I've seen Heat one more time than I've seen Madonna: Truth or Dare.

Another 90s snub.....

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[KarmaPolice]

Speaking of Fiennes, I'm a little surprised English Patient got left off. I thought he was great in that and that movie was terrific.

I really didn’t like it. Bored me to tears.

I guess I can reveal now that there are many films that I didn’t have on this list despite high regard by many because I found them too boring. In addition to the one you named that includes LA Confidential.

There are a few other films folks have mentioned which I have not seen, including Heat and Magnolia.

There's a lot of head scratchers in your list for me, Tim, but it's YOUR favorites, not mine (or anybody else's) so I need to remind myself of that.

I know English Patient didn't thrill 'em all, but I really liked it. But not hard to understand why you left it off. The ones that I'm really puzzled you didn't include are things like:

Slingblade - Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought that was one of the better performances an actor has ever turned in and I think the movie overall is just spectacular.
The Ice Storm - Don't want to beat this one to death, but I found it to be one of the better films of the 90s in the way it presented the human condition.
LA Confidential - It bored you? Huh.
Private Parts - I was not expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did when it came out. I was never a big Howard Stern guy but I thought this was an excellent effort and would easily put it inside my top 100 of the 90s.
True Romance - I think I might be on an island of 1 here, but this is my favorite Tarantino project (yes, I like it better than Pulp Fiction, I'm weird).|
Boyz n the Hood - Actually shocked you left this one out. C'mon, Tim.
Dead Man Walking - Another one that puzzles me, though I'm guessing it bored you. It wasn't for everybody, but this was a tremendous movie covering a very divisive topic.
Lone Star - Incredible storytelling and I'm guessing too boring for you. Kris Kiristopherson as a bad sheriff? Does it get any better than that?
Chasing Amy - This movie blew me away when I saw it the first time. Not sure what I'd think about it today, but at the time, this was very fresh movie that had a lot of great dialog.


If you didn't see Heat, there's not much to say there. It's a classic but if you haven't seen it that's the explanation for omission.

For comedy, I'd have added Kingpin, Waiting for Guffman and My Cousin Vinny.

For film noir, Grifters and Get Shorty make my top 100.

Small budget Indies that got left out IMO: Bottle Rocket and Clerks,

Plenty I wouldn't have included I've mentioned in here a time or twenty. There's a few I'd never seen on your list I'd like to check out. There's some I never even knew existed before this exercise (Europa Europa).

Otherwise - Two thumbs up here, Tim.

Strong list, a couple i haven't seen- Lone Star and Private Parts.

You are not alone on True Romance - otb berated me for not having it on the list/not seeing it 3 years ago.

 

[KarmaPolice]

No Die Hard: With a Vengeance?

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Speaking of Fiennes, I'm a little surprised English Patient got left off. I thought he was great in that and that movie was terrific.

I really didn’t like it. Bored me to tears.

I guess I can reveal now that there are many films that I didn’t have on this list despite high regard by many because I found them too boring. In addition to the one you named that includes LA Confidential.

There are a few other films folks have mentioned which I have not seen, including Heat and Magnolia.

There's a lot of head scratchers in your list for me, Tim, but it's YOUR favorites, not mine (or anybody else's) so I need to remind myself of that.

I know English Patient didn't thrill 'em all, but I really liked it. But not hard to understand why you left it off. The ones that I'm really puzzled you didn't include are things like:

Slingblade - Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought that was one of the better performances an actor has ever turned in and I think the movie overall is just spectacular.
The Ice Storm - Don't want to beat this one to death, but I found it to be one of the better films of the 90s in the way it presented the human condition.
LA Confidential - It bored you? Huh.
Private Parts - I was not expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did when it came out. I was never a big Howard Stern guy but I thought this was an excellent effort and would easily put it inside my top 100 of the 90s.
True Romance - I think I might be on an island of 1 here, but this is my favorite Tarantino project (yes, I like it better than Pulp Fiction, I'm weird).|
Boyz n the Hood - Actually shocked you left this one out. C'mon, Tim.
Dead Man Walking - Another one that puzzles me, though I'm guessing it bored you. It wasn't for everybody, but this was a tremendous movie covering a very divisive topic.
Lone Star - Incredible storytelling and I'm guessing too boring for you. Kris Kiristopherson as a bad sheriff? Does it get any better than that?
Chasing Amy - This movie blew me away when I saw it the first time. Not sure what I'd think about it today, but at the time, this was very fresh movie that had a lot of great dialog.


If you didn't see Heat, there's not much to say there. It's a classic but if you haven't seen it that's the explanation for omission.

For comedy, I'd have added Kingpin, Waiting for Guffman and My Cousin Vinny.

For film noir, Grifters and Get Shorty make my top 100.

Small budget Indies that got left out IMO: Bottle Rocket and Clerks,

Plenty I wouldn't have included I've mentioned in here a time or twenty. There's a few I'd never seen on your list I'd like to check out. There's some I never even knew existed before this exercise (Europa Europa).

Otherwise - Two thumbs up here, Tim.

True Romance is in my top-10 for the 90s, obviously along with Heat. Clerks of course belongs on this list. LA Confidential. Have never talked with someone who disliked it. Boyz n the Hood….i mean wtf. Not even on this list good god.


All respect to tim for making his list, being true to his list, putting it out there. And hey, he had The Player on the list, pretty high. Major props for that.

But if somebody had told me I was going to spend time reading a top 100 list of the 90s that didn’t include Heat or True Romance, I basically would have bowed out. (Which is a me issue, not a tim issue)

 

[General Malaise]

Speaking of Fiennes, I'm a little surprised English Patient got left off. I thought he was great in that and that movie was terrific.

I really didn’t like it. Bored me to tears.

I guess I can reveal now that there are many films that I didn’t have on this list despite high regard by many because I found them too boring. In addition to the one you named that includes LA Confidential.

There are a few other films folks have mentioned which I have not seen, including Heat and Magnolia.

There's a lot of head scratchers in your list for me, Tim, but it's YOUR favorites, not mine (or anybody else's) so I need to remind myself of that.

I know English Patient didn't thrill 'em all, but I really liked it. But not hard to understand why you left it off. The ones that I'm really puzzled you didn't include are things like:

Slingblade - Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought that was one of the better performances an actor has ever turned in and I think the movie overall is just spectacular.
The Ice Storm - Don't want to beat this one to death, but I found it to be one of the better films of the 90s in the way it presented the human condition.
LA Confidential - It bored you? Huh.
Private Parts - I was not expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did when it came out. I was never a big Howard Stern guy but I thought this was an excellent effort and would easily put it inside my top 100 of the 90s.
True Romance - I think I might be on an island of 1 here, but this is my favorite Tarantino project (yes, I like it better than Pulp Fiction, I'm weird).|
Boyz n the Hood - Actually shocked you left this one out. C'mon, Tim.
Dead Man Walking - Another one that puzzles me, though I'm guessing it bored you. It wasn't for everybody, but this was a tremendous movie covering a very divisive topic.
Lone Star - Incredible storytelling and I'm guessing too boring for you. Kris Kiristopherson as a bad sheriff? Does it get any better than that?
Chasing Amy - This movie blew me away when I saw it the first time. Not sure what I'd think about it today, but at the time, this was very fresh movie that had a lot of great dialog.


If you didn't see Heat, there's not much to say there. It's a classic but if you haven't seen it that's the explanation for omission.

For comedy, I'd have added Kingpin, Waiting for Guffman and My Cousin Vinny.

For film noir, Grifters and Get Shorty make my top 100.

Small budget Indies that got left out IMO: Bottle Rocket and Clerks,

Plenty I wouldn't have included I've mentioned in here a time or twenty. There's a few I'd never seen on your list I'd like to check out. There's some I never even knew existed before this exercise (Europa Europa).

Otherwise - Two thumbs up here, Tim.

True Romance is in my top-10 for the 90s, obviously along with Heat. Clerks of course belongs on this list. LA Confidential. Have never talked with someone who disliked it. Boyz n the Hood….i mean wtf. Not even on this list good god.


All respect to tim for making his list, being true to his list, putting it out there. And hey, he had The Player on the list, pretty high. Major props for that.

But if somebody had told me I was going to spend time reading a top 100 list of the 90s that didn’t include Heat or True Romance, I basically would have bowed out. (Which is a me issue, not a tim issue)

Nothing gets replies and clicks than a little controversy.

 

[Don Quixote]

Speaking of Fiennes, I'm a little surprised English Patient got left off. I thought he was great in that and that movie was terrific.

I really didn’t like it. Bored me to tears.

I guess I can reveal now that there are many films that I didn’t have on this list despite high regard by many because I found them too boring. In addition to the one you named that includes LA Confidential.

There are a few other films folks have mentioned which I have not seen, including Heat and Magnolia.

There's a lot of head scratchers in your list for me, Tim, but it's YOUR favorites, not mine (or anybody else's) so I need to remind myself of that.

I know English Patient didn't thrill 'em all, but I really liked it. But not hard to understand why you left it off. The ones that I'm really puzzled you didn't include are things like:

Slingblade - Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought that was one of the better performances an actor has ever turned in and I think the movie overall is just spectacular.
The Ice Storm - Don't want to beat this one to death, but I found it to be one of the better films of the 90s in the way it presented the human condition.
LA Confidential - It bored you? Huh.
Private Parts - I was not expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did when it came out. I was never a big Howard Stern guy but I thought this was an excellent effort and would easily put it inside my top 100 of the 90s.
True Romance - I think I might be on an island of 1 here, but this is my favorite Tarantino project (yes, I like it better than Pulp Fiction, I'm weird).|
Boyz n the Hood - Actually shocked you left this one out. C'mon, Tim.
Dead Man Walking - Another one that puzzles me, though I'm guessing it bored you. It wasn't for everybody, but this was a tremendous movie covering a very divisive topic.
Lone Star - Incredible storytelling and I'm guessing too boring for you. Kris Kiristopherson as a bad sheriff? Does it get any better than that?
Chasing Amy - This movie blew me away when I saw it the first time. Not sure what I'd think about it today, but at the time, this was very fresh movie that had a lot of great dialog.


If you didn't see Heat, there's not much to say there. It's a classic but if you haven't seen it that's the explanation for omission.

For comedy, I'd have added Kingpin, Waiting for Guffman and My Cousin Vinny.

For film noir, Grifters and Get Shorty make my top 100.

Small budget Indies that got left out IMO: Bottle Rocket and Clerks,

Plenty I wouldn't have included I've mentioned in here a time or twenty. There's a few I'd never seen on your list I'd like to check out. There's some I never even knew existed before this exercise (Europa Europa).

Otherwise - Two thumbs up here, Tim.

Clerks was on Tim’s list. Number 32.

 

[BlackCrowes]

True Romance and Miller’s Crossing are my biggest snubs

 

[foxco]

True Romance - I think I might be on an island of 1 here, but this is my favorite Tarantino project (yes, I like it better than Pulp Fiction, I'm weird).|

Finally! I get a lot of flak for enjoying this more than Pulp Fiction etc. but I think Tony Scott knocked this out of the park.

"I like you, Clarance. Always have, always will."

 

[General Malaise]

Speaking of Fiennes, I'm a little surprised English Patient got left off. I thought he was great in that and that movie was terrific.

I really didn’t like it. Bored me to tears.

I guess I can reveal now that there are many films that I didn’t have on this list despite high regard by many because I found them too boring. In addition to the one you named that includes LA Confidential.

There are a few other films folks have mentioned which I have not seen, including Heat and Magnolia.

There's a lot of head scratchers in your list for me, Tim, but it's YOUR favorites, not mine (or anybody else's) so I need to remind myself of that.

I know English Patient didn't thrill 'em all, but I really liked it. But not hard to understand why you left it off. The ones that I'm really puzzled you didn't include are things like:

Slingblade - Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought that was one of the better performances an actor has ever turned in and I think the movie overall is just spectacular.
The Ice Storm - Don't want to beat this one to death, but I found it to be one of the better films of the 90s in the way it presented the human condition.
LA Confidential - It bored you? Huh.
Private Parts - I was not expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did when it came out. I was never a big Howard Stern guy but I thought this was an excellent effort and would easily put it inside my top 100 of the 90s.
True Romance - I think I might be on an island of 1 here, but this is my favorite Tarantino project (yes, I like it better than Pulp Fiction, I'm weird).|
Boyz n the Hood - Actually shocked you left this one out. C'mon, Tim.
Dead Man Walking - Another one that puzzles me, though I'm guessing it bored you. It wasn't for everybody, but this was a tremendous movie covering a very divisive topic.
Lone Star - Incredible storytelling and I'm guessing too boring for you. Kris Kiristopherson as a bad sheriff? Does it get any better than that?
Chasing Amy - This movie blew me away when I saw it the first time. Not sure what I'd think about it today, but at the time, this was very fresh movie that had a lot of great dialog.


If you didn't see Heat, there's not much to say there. It's a classic but if you haven't seen it that's the explanation for omission.

For comedy, I'd have added Kingpin, Waiting for Guffman and My Cousin Vinny.

For film noir, Grifters and Get Shorty make my top 100.

Small budget Indies that got left out IMO: Bottle Rocket and Clerks,

Plenty I wouldn't have included I've mentioned in here a time or twenty. There's a few I'd never seen on your list I'd like to check out. There's some I never even knew existed before this exercise (Europa Europa).

Otherwise - Two thumbs up here, Tim.

Strong list, a couple i haven't seen- Lone Star and Private Parts.

You are not alone on True Romance - otb berated me for not having it on the list/not seeing it 3 years ago.

I think you'd really like Lone Star. It's got some dynamite performances from Chris Cooper and Matthew McConaughey, there's a little Frances McDormand sprinkled in there and she sparkles and as I mentioned, Kris Kristofferson who plays a cruel and corrupt sheriff as good as any actor ever. John Sayles' does a great job showing what life is and was like in small-town South Texas.

 

[General Malaise]

Speaking of Fiennes, I'm a little surprised English Patient got left off. I thought he was great in that and that movie was terrific.

I really didn’t like it. Bored me to tears.

I guess I can reveal now that there are many films that I didn’t have on this list despite high regard by many because I found them too boring. In addition to the one you named that includes LA Confidential.

There are a few other films folks have mentioned which I have not seen, including Heat and Magnolia.

There's a lot of head scratchers in your list for me, Tim, but it's YOUR favorites, not mine (or anybody else's) so I need to remind myself of that.

I know English Patient didn't thrill 'em all, but I really liked it. But not hard to understand why you left it off. The ones that I'm really puzzled you didn't include are things like:

Slingblade - Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought that was one of the better performances an actor has ever turned in and I think the movie overall is just spectacular.
The Ice Storm - Don't want to beat this one to death, but I found it to be one of the better films of the 90s in the way it presented the human condition.
LA Confidential - It bored you? Huh.
Private Parts - I was not expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did when it came out. I was never a big Howard Stern guy but I thought this was an excellent effort and would easily put it inside my top 100 of the 90s.
True Romance - I think I might be on an island of 1 here, but this is my favorite Tarantino project (yes, I like it better than Pulp Fiction, I'm weird).|
Boyz n the Hood - Actually shocked you left this one out. C'mon, Tim.
Dead Man Walking - Another one that puzzles me, though I'm guessing it bored you. It wasn't for everybody, but this was a tremendous movie covering a very divisive topic.
Lone Star - Incredible storytelling and I'm guessing too boring for you. Kris Kiristopherson as a bad sheriff? Does it get any better than that?
Chasing Amy - This movie blew me away when I saw it the first time. Not sure what I'd think about it today, but at the time, this was very fresh movie that had a lot of great dialog.


If you didn't see Heat, there's not much to say there. It's a classic but if you haven't seen it that's the explanation for omission.

For comedy, I'd have added Kingpin, Waiting for Guffman and My Cousin Vinny.

For film noir, Grifters and Get Shorty make my top 100.

Small budget Indies that got left out IMO: Bottle Rocket and Clerks,

Plenty I wouldn't have included I've mentioned in here a time or twenty. There's a few I'd never seen on your list I'd like to check out. There's some I never even knew existed before this exercise (Europa Europa).

Otherwise - Two thumbs up here, Tim.

Clerks was on Tim’s list. Number 32.

Ah crap, my bad. I'll amend. Thanks!

 

[timschochet]

I strongly considered Private Parts

 

[timschochet]

1. Goodfellas (1990)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Robert DeNiro, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino

Synopsis: Henry Hill joins the mob.

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. - Ray Liotta as Henry Hill

Gets the #1 spot because there’s not a single wasted moment. A perfect film for me from beginning to end. The use of music is extraordinary, especially “Sunshine of Your Love” and the Jim Gordon piano solo from “Layla”. If not for The Godfather this would be the greatest mob film of all time. And who knows? Maybe it’s better.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Speaking of Fiennes, I'm a little surprised English Patient got left off. I thought he was great in that and that movie was terrific.

I really didn’t like it. Bored me to tears.

I guess I can reveal now that there are many films that I didn’t have on this list despite high regard by many because I found them too boring. In addition to the one you named that includes LA Confidential.

There are a few other films folks have mentioned which I have not seen, including Heat and Magnolia.

There's a lot of head scratchers in your list for me, Tim, but it's YOUR favorites, not mine (or anybody else's) so I need to remind myself of that.

I know English Patient didn't thrill 'em all, but I really liked it. But not hard to understand why you left it off. The ones that I'm really puzzled you didn't include are things like:

Slingblade - Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought that was one of the better performances an actor has ever turned in and I think the movie overall is just spectacular.
The Ice Storm - Don't want to beat this one to death, but I found it to be one of the better films of the 90s in the way it presented the human condition.
LA Confidential - It bored you? Huh.
Private Parts - I was not expecting to enjoy this movie as much as I did when it came out. I was never a big Howard Stern guy but I thought this was an excellent effort and would easily put it inside my top 100 of the 90s.
True Romance - I think I might be on an island of 1 here, but this is my favorite Tarantino project (yes, I like it better than Pulp Fiction, I'm weird).|
Boyz n the Hood - Actually shocked you left this one out. C'mon, Tim.
Dead Man Walking - Another one that puzzles me, though I'm guessing it bored you. It wasn't for everybody, but this was a tremendous movie covering a very divisive topic.
Lone Star - Incredible storytelling and I'm guessing too boring for you. Kris Kiristopherson as a bad sheriff? Does it get any better than that?
Chasing Amy - This movie blew me away when I saw it the first time. Not sure what I'd think about it today, but at the time, this was very fresh movie that had a lot of great dialog.


If you didn't see Heat, there's not much to say there. It's a classic but if you haven't seen it that's the explanation for omission.

For comedy, I'd have added Kingpin, Waiting for Guffman and My Cousin Vinny.

For film noir, Grifters and Get Shorty make my top 100.

Small budget Indies that got left out IMO: Bottle Rocket and Clerks,

Plenty I wouldn't have included I've mentioned in here a time or twenty. There's a few I'd never seen on your list I'd like to check out. There's some I never even knew existed before this exercise (Europa Europa).

Otherwise - Two thumbs up here, Tim.

Strong list, a couple i haven't seen- Lone Star and Private Parts.

You are not alone on True Romance - otb berated me for not having it on the list/not seeing it 3 years ago.

I think you'd really like Lone Star. It's got some dynamite performances from Chris Cooper and Matthew McConaughey, there's a little Frances McDormand sprinkled in there and she sparkles and as I mentioned, Kris Kristofferson who plays a cruel and corrupt sheriff as good as any actor ever. John Sayles' does a great job showing what life is and was like in small-town South Texas.

I think at the stores i saw the cover, assumed it was a western, and passed. Quality set of actors, for sure.

 

[timschochet]

As always I appreciate all the responses to these lists, which I admit are the height of narcissism. Thanks to all.

 

[KarmaPolice]

1. Goodfellas (1990)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Robert DeNiro, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino

Synopsis: Henry Hill joins the mob.

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. - Ray Liotta as Henry Hill

Gets the #1 spot because there’s not a single wasted moment. A perfect film for me from beginning to end. The use of music is extraordinary, especially “Sunshine of Your Love” and the Jim Gordon piano solo from “Layla”. If not for The Godfather this would be the greatest mob film of all time. And who knows? Maybe it’s better.

Speaking of over-rated!

 

[Scoresman]

Wait Boyz N the Hood isn't on the list? Would be curious to know why.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

1. Goodfellas (1990)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Robert DeNiro, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino

Synopsis: Henry Hill joins the mob.

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. - Ray Liotta as Henry Hill

Gets the #1 spot because there’s not a single wasted moment. A perfect film for me from beginning to end. The use of music is extraordinary, especially “Sunshine of Your Love” and the Jim Gordon piano solo from “Layla”. If not for The Godfather this would be the greatest mob film of all time. And who knows? Maybe it’s better.

Speaking of over-rated!

Weeeellllll...

 

[Andy Dufresne]

These were the ones I scribbled down that would have made my list:
Contact
Miller's Crossing
Run Lola, Run
Con Air
The Rock
Speed
Gettysburg
The Hunt For Red October
The Mummy
In The Line Of Fire

 

[Nipsey]

Thanks Tim. Enjoyed following along.

Biggest omission: Has to be Malcolm X. Unless I missed it and it's on the list somewhere.

Highest ranking movie that doesn't belong in the top 100: Searching for Bobby Fischer. I liked it when it came out but watched recently and it's so dated. Comes off more like a made for TV movie now.

Other glaring omissions: JFK (Tim hates it but put inferior Stone movies The Doors and Any Given Sunday on the list? Come on.) Boyz n the Hood (Should be top 10 imo.) Heat as others have mentioned.

 

[Don Quixote]

Before Sunrise, Miller’s Crossing, and Chungking Express are the big omissions from my view.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Is the movie Heat really not on the Top 100 list?
I find that impossible with the two of the biggest actors of all time
They have the mother of all bank robbery scenes

One of the scenes that fascinates me is when Pacino is in a helicopter trying to track down DeNiro and he has to get into a car at the Vermont on ramp...I lived in SoCal and you know exactly where that is and what highway he is trying to catch up to him on, The details in that movie are off the charts and the opening scene where they take down the armored car is something you have to see to believe and they make it look so convincing

This movie would be pretty high on my list, one of the all time "Guy" films

 

[Ghost Rider]

I am a little surprised that tim put Goodfellas ahead of Schindler's List. Goodfellas is hard to top.

LA Confidential and Heat are definitely two glaring omissions here, as well as a few comedies.

 

[Tau837]

All tastes are different, and I enjoyed this countdown. Tim just revealed that he ignored some movies that he found boring and others that he has never seen. So this amounts to Tim's favorite 100 movies of the 1990s, as opposed to "the greatest" 1990s movies. Nothing wrong with that.

Here are 40 movies that did not make Tim's list but would be in my favorite 100 1990s movies (in alphabetical order, not ranked order):

1. A Bronx Tale
2. A Simple Plan
3. Absolute Power
4. Basic Instinct
5. Boyz N the Hood
6. Cop Land
7. Courage Under Fire
8. Crimson Tide
9. Dead Man Walking
10. Devil in a Blue Dress
11. Disclosure
12. Enemy of the State
13. Grosse Point Blank
14. Groundhog Day
15. He Got Game
16. Heat
17. In the Line of Fire
18. Kiss the Girls
19. L.A. Confidential
20. Men in Black
21. Mission Impossible
22. Murder at 1600
23. My Cousin Vinny
24. Philadelphia
25. Point Break
26. Presumed Innocent
27. Ronin
28. Rounders
29. Scent of a Woman
30. Sleepers
31. Speed
32. The Bone Collector
33. The Firm
34. The Game
35. The Green Mile
36. The Hunt for Red October
37. The River Wild
38. The Thin Red Line
39. Tin Cup
40. Wyatt Earp

There are some huge misses here IMO.

 

[beer 30]

1. Goodfellas (1990)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Robert DeNiro, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino

Synopsis: Henry Hill joins the mob.

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. - Ray Liotta as Henry Hill

Gets the #1 spot because there’s not a single wasted moment. A perfect film for me from beginning to end. The use of music is extraordinary, especially “Sunshine of Your Love” and the Jim Gordon piano solo from “Layla”. If not for The Godfather this would be the greatest mob film of all time. And who knows? Maybe it’s better.

Hey, I've seen this one!!!!

As always I appreciate all the responses to these lists, which I admit are the height of narcissism. Thanks to all.

Well done @timschochet, been fun following along

 

[HellToupee]

omissions from my personal top 100

LA Confidential
True Romance
Heat
Hard Boiled
Bottle Rocker
Miller’s Crossing
Gattaca
Dark City
The Thin Red Line

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Goodfellas is definitely a good choice and widely popular, I just have one or two scenes that make me laugh and they really were not intended that way
When they say Ray Liotta is 21 when they are sitting together in the car, and Jimmy Conway is 26 or 27 when he first appears, the age of the actors does not mesh very well

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Huge omissions , imo

LA Confidential
True Romance
Heat
Hard Boiled
Bottle Rocker
Miller’s Crossing
Gattaca
Dark City
The Thin Red Line

The opening 30-45 minutes of Thin Red Line where Nolte has a conniption fit on a platoon leader that is just fulfilling his duty to country as back home he's actually a lawyer we discover
Nolte just chews up and spits bullets, lands the plane on how people carried out their orders and missions back then.
I thought the all star supporting cast with Penn, Woody Harrelson and many others that folks will quickly recognize

The 2nd half of the film does take on a different tone and is not nearly as intense as what we see in the opening although it still has a lot to say
It was a fascinating film

 

[lardonastick]

Groundhog Day, What About Bob?

 

[beer 30]

Huge omissions , imo

LA Confidential
True Romance
Heat
Hard Boiled
Bottle Rocker
Miller’s Crossing
Gattaca
Dark City
The Thin Red Line

The opening 30-45 minutes of Thin Red Line where Nolte has a conniption fit on a platoon leader that is just fulfilling his duty to country as back home he's actually a lawyer we discover
Nolte just chews up and spits bullets, lands the plane on how people carried out their orders and missions back then.
I thought the all star supporting cast with Penn, Woody Harrelson and many others that folks will quickly recognize

The 2nd half of the film does take on a different tone and is not nearly as intense as what we see in the opening although it still has a lot to say
It was a fascinating film

I loved the premise of the Thin Red Line but I didn't watch it until after I saw Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers. Those kinda ruined it for me because the I think the battle scenes in those was so much more visceral than what you saw in the Thin Red Line. It reminded me of combat scenes from movies like the Green Berets, just not on the same level as SPR & BoB.

I just rewatched it not too long ago and came away with the same feeling, like it was a late 60's/70's war movie.

 

[General Malaise]

IMO, best movie ever made is Goodfellas. Or, better said - it's my personal favorite. Of all time. 1.01.

 

[General Malaise]

1.02 Now I Pronounce You Chuck and Larry

 

[Runkle]

These were the ones I scribbled down that would have made my list:
Contact
Miller's Crossing
Run Lola, Run
Con Air
The Rock
Speed
Gettysburg
The Hunt For Red October
The Mummy
In The Line Of Fire

If I ever 'retire' and move into teaching film I'd for sure spend a class on The Hunt for Red October. The construction of that film is brilliant. The more I rewatch it, the better it is every time. I swear you could turn off the audio and completely understand the plot, the characters, and their relationship to each other just by watching the color choices. Amazing film.

 

[KarmaPolice]

IMO, best movie ever made is Goodfellas. Or, better said - it's my personal favorite. Of all time. 1.01.

It has grown on me, but definitely more appreciate than like. Voiceover in general drives me crazy, but I tap out when it switches to her v.o.

 

[El Floppo]

1. A Simple Plan
2. Boyz N the Hood
3. Grosse Point Blank
4. Groundhog Day
5. Heat
6. L.A. Confidential
7. Men in Black
8. My Cousin Vinny
9. Philadelphia
10. The Thin Red Line

great list- not disparaging the others you selected, but these would definitely be on my list, and probably pretty high.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Grosse Pointe Blank, Simple Plan, and Slingblade are 3 mentioned at the end that people might not have seen and should.

 

[General Malaise]

Grosse Pointe Blank, Simple Plan, and Slingblade are 3 mentioned at the end that people might not have seen and should.

And Lone Star.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Grosse Pointe Blank, Simple Plan, and Slingblade are 3 mentioned at the end that people might not have seen and should.

And Lone Star.

I'll definitely track that down and start watching some from other people's lists like that after my 00s research.