The 100 Greatest movies of the 1990s # 17. The Truman Show (81 Viewers)

[Jayrod]

LOVED Searching for Bobby Fischer and A Few Good Men.

I like Toy Story this high as well.

I'd probably have American History X much lower, but I get it being this high also.

Not a bad recent run by Timmy though. Good picks here.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

American History X is vastly overrated. It's practically a caricature.

 

[KarmaPolice]

American History X is vastly overrated. It's practically a caricature.

Yeah, I was just wondering how it would hold up now. I had it in the 80s on my list a few years ago, but a bit of that was my memory of liking it a bit at the time.

 

[Jayrod]

American History X is vastly overrated. It's practically a caricature.

That's a good description. But even so, it is a well done caricature.

 

[Zow]

LOVED Searching for Bobby Fischer and A Few Good Men.

I like Toy Story this high as well.

I'd probably have American History X much lower, but I get it being this high also.

Not a bad recent run by Timmy though. Good picks here.

Agreed. Great stretch of movies here the last ten or so.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

American History X is vastly overrated. It's practically a caricature.

Bite the curb

 

[Zow]

American History X is vastly overrated. It's practically a caricature.

Yeah, I was just wondering how it would hold up now. I had it in the 80s on my list a few years ago, but a bit of that was my memory of liking it a bit at the time.

I understand, but this came out when I was in high school and it was very impactful for my peer group then and through college. There was still some regular, overt racism in my life/community and the movie made young me think.* I think it should still be considered a great movie when one considers the time period of release.


*I certainly wasn't some young white supremacist or anything like that but I went to a mostly white catholic high school (with the local public schools being far more racially diverse) and there was some subtle stuff even if just with some phrases or whatever that permeated our thinking. The movie helped confront some of that. And that's worth noting when discussing this film and its impact upon release.

 

[Zow]

19. American History X (1998)

Directed by: Tony Kaye

Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk

Synopsis: White teenagers in Los Angeles join a Neo-Nazi movement.

Hate is baggage. Life’s too short to be pissed off all the time. - Edward Furlong as Danny


Great movie that explores a subject which is just as relevant today, perhaps more so, as it was 27 years ago. Ed Norton is masterful in this role, so is Furlong (though I know he seems to annoy some people.) The rest of the cast is outstanding as well, particularly the big kid who also appeared in Remember The Titans (Ethan Suplee). Excellent drama.

That big kid isn't so big anymore. He was also fantastic. Honestly all the acting in this movie is superb.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

19. American History X (1998)

Directed by: Tony Kaye

Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk

Synopsis: White teenagers in Los Angeles join a Neo-Nazi movement.

Hate is baggage. Life’s too short to be pissed off all the time. - Edward Furlong as Danny


Great movie that explores a subject which is just as relevant today, perhaps more so, as it was 27 years ago. Ed Norton is masterful in this role, so is Furlong (though I know he seems to annoy some people.) The rest of the cast is outstanding as well, particularly the big kid who also appeared in Remember The Titans (Ethan Suplee). Excellent drama.

That big kid isn't so big anymore. He was also fantastic. Honestly all the acting in this movie is superb.

Randy from My Name is Earl.

 

[KarmaPolice]

19. American History X (1998)

Directed by: Tony Kaye

Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk

Synopsis: White teenagers in Los Angeles join a Neo-Nazi movement.

Hate is baggage. Life’s too short to be pissed off all the time. - Edward Furlong as Danny


Great movie that explores a subject which is just as relevant today, perhaps more so, as it was 27 years ago. Ed Norton is masterful in this role, so is Furlong (though I know he seems to annoy some people.) The rest of the cast is outstanding as well, particularly the big kid who also appeared in Remember The Titans (Ethan Suplee). Excellent drama.

That big kid isn't so big anymore. He was also fantastic. Honestly all the acting in this movie is superb.

Randy from My Name is Earl.

The guy who couldn't see the sailboat in Mallrats.

 

[KarmaPolice]

American History X is vastly overrated. It's practically a caricature.

Yeah, I was just wondering how it would hold up now. I had it in the 80s on my list a few years ago, but a bit of that was my memory of liking it a bit at the time.

I understand, but this came out when I was in high school and it was very impactful for my peer group then and through college. There was still some regular overt racism in my life/community and the movie made young me think.* I think it should still be considered a great movie when one considers the time period of release.


*I certainly wasn't some young white supremacist or anything like that but I want to a mostly white catholic high school (with the local public schools being far more racially diverse) and there was some subtle stuff even if just with some phrases or whatever that permeated our thinking. The movie helped confront some of that. And that's worth noting when discussing this film and its impact upon release.

You know, this is a very good response and I see that applying to me as well. I had a similar small town, all white background and the movie had a similar impact on me at the time and deserves a bit of credit for that.

 

[zamboni]

19. American History X (1998)

Directed by: Tony Kaye

Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk

Synopsis: White teenagers in Los Angeles join a Neo-Nazi movement.

Hate is baggage. Life’s too short to be pissed off all the time. - Edward Furlong as Danny


Great movie that explores a subject which is just as relevant today, perhaps more so, as it was 27 years ago. Ed Norton is masterful in this role, so is Furlong (though I know he seems to annoy some people.) The rest of the cast is outstanding as well, particularly the big kid who also appeared in Remember The Titans (Ethan Suplee). Excellent drama.

That big kid isn't so big anymore. He was also fantastic. Honestly all the acting in this movie is superb.

Randy from My Name is Earl.

The guy who couldn't see the sailboat in Mallrats.

The HS bully in Boy Meets World.

We’re talking a murderer’s row of acting roles here.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

19. American History X (1998)

Directed by: Tony Kaye

Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk

Synopsis: White teenagers in Los Angeles join a Neo-Nazi movement.

Hate is baggage. Life’s too short to be pissed off all the time. - Edward Furlong as Danny


Great movie that explores a subject which is just as relevant today, perhaps more so, as it was 27 years ago. Ed Norton is masterful in this role, so is Furlong (though I know he seems to annoy some people.) The rest of the cast is outstanding as well, particularly the big kid who also appeared in Remember The Titans (Ethan Suplee). Excellent drama.

That big kid isn't so big anymore. He was also fantastic. Honestly all the acting in this movie is superb.

Randy from My Name is Earl.

The guy who couldn't see the sailboat in Mallrats.

The HS bully in Boy Meets World.

We’re talking a murderer’s row of acting roles here.

Remember The Titans as well.

 

[TripItUp]

19. American History X (1998)

Directed by: Tony Kaye

Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Balk

Synopsis: White teenagers in Los Angeles join a Neo-Nazi movement.

Like others have stated, it’s Overrated for me, but still a good movie. Basketball scene is just one of several ridiculous scenes and IMHO the movie is not culturally accurate.

Trip’s Official Ruling: Over ranked(makes my top 100)

 

[shuke]

The guy who couldn't see the sailboat in Mallrats.

No spotlighting, bro.

 

[KarmaPolice]

The guy who couldn't see the sailboat in Mallrats.

No spotlighting, bro.

Tim said no more animated, and no more Kevin Smith.

 

[shuke]

The guy who couldn't see the sailboat in Mallrats.

No spotlighting, bro.

Tim said no more animated, and no more Kevin Smith.

I know that. I thought it was an obvious joke.

 

[KarmaPolice]

The guy who couldn't see the sailboat in Mallrats.

No spotlighting, bro.

Tim said no more animated, and no more Kevin Smith.

I know that. I thought it was an obvious joke.

Brain fuzzy from book suggestions.

 

[TripItUp]

Tim said no more animated, and no more Kevin Smith.

Thank ****ing God, the rankings were tainted enough as it is.

That being said, Affleck's character in Mallrats was amazing.

 

[Ghost Rider]

American History X is pretty great, yeah. Uncomfortable at times, especially the dinner scene, which is obviously the point, but it feels like one of the more important films of the 90s for obvious reasons. I love that the ending is bleak, as it fit the tone of the storyline perfectly.

 

[KarmaPolice]

The weird movies Prime desides to play after each other. I fell asleep watching Mallrats last night, woke up to Tropic Thunder, watched a bit and fell asleep, then woke up to 25th Hour.

 

[zamboni]

American History X is pretty great, yeah. Uncomfortable at times, especially the dinner scene, which is obviously the point, but it feels like one of the more important films of the 90s for obvious reasons. I love that the ending is bleak, as it fit the tone of the storyline perfectly.

That scene is superb, as are the ones that show how Derek transformed from studious, good-natured kid to raged neo-Nazi.

Also, important Boy Meets World connection here with Derek’s father (William Russ) and Seth (Ethan Suplee)

 

[timschochet]

18. The People Vs. Larry Flynt (1996)

Directed by: Milos Foreman

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, Edward Norton

Synopsis: Hustler publisher Larry Flynt faces a number of legal and personal challenges

If the First Amendment protects a scumbag like me, it will protect all of you- Woody Harrelson as Larry Flynt.

I actually couldn’t find my favorite quote from the film so I’m going to try and recite it from memory: it’s when Flynt is testifying in court and he suddenly brings up a video somebody gave him of Reagan era White House aides engaged in lewd sexual acts with prostitutes: “And this video, it was so filthy, I mean I’ve never seen….(long pause)…OK I HAVE seen, but I mean the rest of you have never seen” Always loved that.

Anyhow this is a terrific biographical film dealing with the 1st Amendment and censorship, as well as the ups and downs of a porn magazine. It’s actually very moving particularly the sad story of Althea, played by Love in what I believe to be one of the great acting performances of the decade. But all the actors are great; Woody may never have been better than in this role.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Woody was great in that film. Definitely one of his better performances.

I totally disagree about Love. I have seen enough of her to know to where it felt like was basically playing herself.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

If I had a nickel for every time I saw The People vs. Larry Flynt pop up in a top 20 list of movies from the 90's...I'd have no nickels.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

X​

 

[timschochet]

If I had a nickel for every time I saw The People vs. Larry Flynt pop up in a top 20 list of movies from the 90's...I'd have no nickels.

Well after today you’d have at least one, right? So there you go.

 

[Joe Schmo]

I actually forgot about The People vs Larry Flint, as in it's never registered in my mind since I saw it the one time I did back in the 90's.

 

[General Malaise]

The guy who couldn't see the sailboat in Mallrats.

No spotlighting, bro.

Tim said no more animated, and no more Kevin Smith.

I know that. I thought it was an obvious joke.

Please use sarcasm tags.

 

[General Malaise]

If I had a nickel for every time I saw The People vs. Larry Flynt pop up in a top 20 list of movies from the 90's...I'd have no nickels.

Well after today you’d have at least one, right? So there you go.

I don't really do lists but it's one of the better films of the 90s, hands down.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

If I had a nickel for every time I saw The People vs. Larry Flynt pop up in a top 20 list of movies from the 90's...I'd have no nickels.

Well after today you’d have at least one, right? So there you go.

I don't really do lists but it's one of the better films of the 90s, hands down.

Well that settles...something.

 

[BlackCrowes]

it was good......not this good.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

I think I might be with @BlackCrowes on this

 

[Zow]

If I had a nickel for every time I saw The People vs. Larry Flynt pop up in a top 20 list of movies from the 90's...I'd have no nickels.

Yeah, it's not a bad film, but isn't close to being better than the last dozen or so movies listed.

 

[Zow]

I think I might be with @BlackCrowes on this

I think a lot of us are. Good, fun movie but not top 20 of the decade. Wouldn't argue with it rated as like 75th.

 

[General Malaise]

I like it much better than American History X.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

All I remember is Courtney Loves ragged muff and the Jerry Falwell courtroom scene

 

[TripItUp]

18. The People Vs. Larry Flynt (1996)

Directed by: Milos Foreman

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, Edward Norton

This movie was phenomenal on several levels.

Trip's Official Ruling: Appropriately Ranked

 

[El Floppo]

Flynt was a great film... Inspired choice, regardless of where in the rankings it sits

 

[KarmaPolice]

18. The People Vs. Larry Flynt (1996)

Directed by: Milos Foreman

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, Edward Norton

This movie was phenomenal on several levels.

Trip's Official Ruling: Appropriately Ranked

Funny it was never mentioned by you or anyone in the other 90s countdown.

 

[KarmaPolice]

All I remember is Courtney Loves ragged muff and the Jerry Falwell courtroom scene

Go on...

 

[General Malaise]

All I remember is Courtney Loves ragged muff and the Jerry Falwell courtroom scene

Go on...

Ehhh.....it's been a while, but I think this scene might not be the sort of thing you take pleasure in.

 

[KarmaPolice]

All I remember is Courtney Loves ragged muff and the Jerry Falwell courtroom scene

Go on...

Ehhh.....it's been a while, but I think this scene might not be the sort of thing you take pleasure in.

I don't remember a thing about the movie besides who starred in it.

 

[General Malaise]

All I remember is Courtney Loves ragged muff and the Jerry Falwell courtroom scene

Go on...

Ehhh.....it's been a while, but I think this scene might not be the sort of thing you take pleasure in.

I don't remember a thing about the movie besides who starred in it.

I certainly liked it more than most in here (other than Tim I suppose) and saw it more than once in the 90s, but it's been a while since I've seen it. Courtney Love does appear topless (she's an underage stripper in Flynt's strip club) and I think you might see some nudity in a sex scene or two, but the one fully nude scene Dan references is when she od's and drowns in a bathtub. *I THINK*.....again, it's been a while.

Reminds a little of this story.....my best friend had a HUGE crush on Wynona Ryder. He's always had strange crushes, Ryder, Kim Zimeskal, Jen Psaki. He found out Ryder was in a new film and was going to show a little skin. He was super excited for this. Well, turns out, she plays a cancer patient and the nudity was, uh, not titillating in the slightest. And I think the movie sucked too, so double nut kick.

 

[General Malaise]

Siskel and Ebert not only loved "The People vs Larry Flynt" they were blown away by the performance of Courtney Love.

7ish minute mark here

- YouTube

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

www.youtube.com

 

[timschochet]

17. The Truman Show (1998)

Directed by: Peter Weir

Starring: Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney

Synopsis: A man is unaware that his entire life is a “reality” TV show.

We accept the reality of the world with which we’re presented, it’s as simple as that- Ed Harris as Christo.

An extremely thoughtful film, filled with great ideas, and predicting with scary accuracy the future of reality TV. It’s actually one of two films in this top 20 that focus on the power of television.
Great acting, great narrative, great suspense (especially towards the end) and some good humor as well (I love the little touch where Roland Emmerich’s character always shows up with an open six pack of beer- great stuff.)

 

[Dan Lambskin]

17. The Truman Show (1998)

Directed by: Peter Weir

Starring: Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney

Synopsis: A man is unaware that his entire life is a “reality” TV show.

We accept the reality of the world with which we’re presented, it’s as simple as that- Ed Harris as Christo.

An extremely thoughtful film, filled with great ideas, and predicting with scary accuracy the future of reality TV. It’s actually one of two films in this top 20 that focus on the power of television.
Great acting, great narrative, great suspense (especially towards the end) and some good humor as well (I love the little touch where Roland Emmerich’s character always shows up with an open six pack of beer- great stuff.)

This movie sucks. Should have had it on my over rated list

 

[TripItUp]

17. The Truman Show (1998)

Directed by: Peter Weir

Starring: Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney

Synopsis: A man is unaware that his entire life is a “reality” TV show.

Another great movie, however slightly over ranked for me mostly because there are simply 35 or so films I like more. The acting was a little cringey at times.

Trip's Official Ruling: Slightly over ranked.(Around 40 for me)

 

[Ghost Rider]

That is my stance as well. The Truman Show is really, really good, but I wouldn't call it top 20 good for a decade as loaded with great films as the 90s.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

It's a nice movie.