The 100 Greatest movies of the 1990s #38. Tombstone (37 Viewers)

[nirad3]

Oh my. Swingers came to me and my friends at a time where it was just what we needed. So money.

I could just rattle off quotes from this marvelous movie.

Same. I lived in the LA area in the 90s and was part of the "swing" culture to some degree. So this movie is basically an encapsulation of my life during those times.

Vegas, baby, Vegas.

Kinda cool to actually be in that area at the time. We were in the Willamette Valley Oregon area and still felt cool. Ha ha

I was (and am again) in Orange County, south of LA. But there were some swing bands that'd play around here and I spent a good bit of time up in LA partying with friends. I had the floppy hair and retro button-up shirts. I don't think I ever rocked a wallet chain, though. And our video game of choice was Super Tecmo Bowl, not hockey.

 

[El Floppo]

I had the floppy hair

you had what now?

 

[timschochet]

69. Jurassic Park (1993)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Sam Neill

Synopsis: Scientists recreate dinosaurs on an island as an amusement park.

Yeah but John if the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don’t eat the tourists- Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm.

Based on the Michael Crichton novel, this epic blockbuster is vintage Spielberg, with great action and intensity. It also added to the fame of certain dinosaurs: before this movie how many people were aware of velociraptors? Yet they and not the stupid T-Rex (generally thought to be the most terrifying before this film) are the scariest predators. My favorite scene is when Newman from Seinfeld gets squirted in the face and devoured- I could watch that over and over.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

69. Jurassic Park (1993)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Sam Neill

Synopsis: Scientists recreate dinosaurs on an island as an amusement park.

Yeah but John if the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don’t eat the tourists- Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm.

Based on the Michael Crichton novel, this epic blockbuster is vintage Spielberg, with great action and intensity. It also added to the fame of certain dinosaurs: before this movie how many people were aware of velociraptors? Yet they and not the stupid T-Rex (generally thought to be the most terrifying before this film) are the scariest predators. My favorite scene is when Newman from Seinfeld gets squirted in the face and devoured- I could watch that over and over.

Remember how with Star Wars you were like "I love the movie (and ESB) but hate the franchise"? That's how I am with Jurassic Park. The original was awesome, the sequels don't hold my interest in the slightest.

 

[Joe Schmo]

T-rex snacking on the dude hiding in the spitter is classic!

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Not even in the top two thirds eh?

Mmmkkaayyyy....

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

other than the 10 Woody Allen films, I wonder what will be the 58 films ahead of this

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Not even in the top two thirds eh?

Mmmkkaayyyy....

"That is one big pile of ****."

 

[FarFromHome]

The original Jurassic Park was just a great movie. I actually watched it a few weeks ago. Still just great. The story was just damn interesting in 1993. NONE of the sequels are in the same zip code. I have never said higher or lower when enjoying people's rankings. They took the time. I enjoy em. Having said that. 68 better 90 movies?

 

[El Floppo]

this is one of those where the movie might be better than the book.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

this is one of those where the movie might be better than the book.

The book is pretty good. Arguably a better ending.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

69. Jurassic Park (1993)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Sam Neill

Synopsis: Scientists recreate dinosaurs on an island as an amusement park.

Yeah but John if the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don’t eat the tourists- Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm.

Based on the Michael Crichton novel, this epic blockbuster is vintage Spielberg, with great action and intensity. It also added to the fame of certain dinosaurs: before this movie how many people were aware of velociraptors? Yet they and not the stupid T-Rex (generally thought to be the most terrifying before this film) are the scariest predators. My favorite scene is when Newman from Seinfeld gets squirted in the face and devoured- I could watch that over and over.

Remember how with Star Wars you were like "I love the movie (and ESB) but hate the franchise"? That's how I am with Jurassic Park. The original was awesome, the sequels don't hold my interest in the slightest.

And this movie was set up for a sequel. What it needed was a better script.

It's a shame. The book was realy good.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I kind of like JP3, but that might be due to the cast.

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

 

[turnjose7]

this is one of those where the movie might be better than the book.

The book is pretty good. Arguably a better ending.

And a better beginning. The opening is maybe my favorite of any of Crichton's books.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

temple of doom is not that bad. not as good as 1 or 3 but really?

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

- 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

 

[General Malaise]

69. Jurassic Park (1993)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Sam Neill

Synopsis: Scientists recreate dinosaurs on an island as an amusement park.

Yeah but John if the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don’t eat the tourists- Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm.

Based on the Michael Crichton novel, this epic blockbuster is vintage Spielberg, with great action and intensity. It also added to the fame of certain dinosaurs: before this movie how many people were aware of velociraptors? Yet they and not the stupid T-Rex (generally thought to be the most terrifying before this film) are the scariest predators. My favorite scene is when Newman from Seinfeld gets squirted in the face and devoured- I could watch that over and over.

Remember how with Star Wars you were like "I love the movie (and ESB) but hate the franchise"? That's how I am with Jurassic Park. The original was awesome, the sequels don't hold my interest in the slightest.

I've never even bothered with the sequels and won't.

The Star Wars continuations cheapned the entire franchise for me. Awful, all of them.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I kind of like JP3, but that might be due to the cast.

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

I would still choose that one over any of the movies from World on. That is saying something considering my of Bryce Dallas Howard.

 

[Tin Cup]

Jeff Goldblum doesn’t get enough appreciation for saving us from dinosaurs AND aliens.

 

[Dr_Zaius]

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

Yeah the whole thing was bad, but when the dinosaur ended up in San Diego I was absolutely done. Just waiting for the credits at that point, and would have left if I wasn’t with family.

 

[FarFromHome]

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

Yeah the whole thing was bad, but when the dinosaur ended up in San Diego I was absolutely done. Just waiting for the credits at that point, and would have left if I wasn’t with family.

You missed an opportunity to set the tone for your family by standing by your morals. You should have left them in that theatre.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

temple of doom is not that bad. not as good as 1 or 3 but really?

I'm sorry, but I don't think we can be friends. It's not personal. I just have certain standards.

 

[Hastur]

temple of doom is not that bad. not as good as 1 or 3 but really?

I'm sorry, but I don't think we can be friends. It's not personal. I just have certain standards.

All people must have certain standards. I can get onboard with this.
Many people do not think it is such a big deal though.
Way too many people come across as elitist. I try to avoid that.
Altogether we can afford to have a discussion without being too personal.
You sometimes have to look to your past and acknowledge the standards you used to have and understand people grow.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

pretty sure he's only kidding but thanks

 

[KarmaPolice]

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

Yeah the whole thing was bad, but when the dinosaur ended up in San Diego I was absolutely done. Just waiting for the credits at that point, and would have left if I wasn’t with family.

So stupid. I remember watching this on in the theater and having a similar reaction. This part was the breaking point to an already pretty damn bad movie. I am with Andy - I don't mind 3, that probably has a bit to do with Macy and Tea.

 

[timschochet]

As far the sequels to JP go, I enjoyed the ones I saw, especially the second one (though not enough to make this list.) The ones I’ve seen were entertaining monster movies. What’s not to like?

 

[timschochet]

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

Yeah the whole thing was bad, but when the dinosaur ended up in San Diego I was absolutely done. Just waiting for the credits at that point, and would have left if I wasn’t with family.

So stupid. I remember watching this on in the theater and having a similar reaction. This part was the breaking point to an already pretty damn bad movie. I am with Andy - I don't mind 3, that probably has a bit to do with Macy and Tea.

Why is that any different from King Kong attacking Manhattan, or Godzilla smashing through Tokyo? It’s just good fun. You knew you weren’t buying tickets to Citizen Kane.

This argument will no doubt come up again later in the list, when I present a couple of movies with plot devices that are completely unbelievable but provided great popcorn viewing in the theater.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

70. Swingers (1996)

Directed by: Doug Liman

Starring: Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston, Heather Graham

Synopsis: Out of work actor in Los Angeles, obsessed with his ex-girlfriend, is pushed by his friends to start dating again.

You’re so money and you don’t even know it- Vince Vaughn as Trent

Independent films had their heyday in the 90s with this movie and a few other gems upcoming on this list. Favreau, who also wrote the film, was chiefly known as the buddy in a flick about college football (also coming later.) Vince Vaughn, as Trent, became a star. I also have this movie to thank for introducing me to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

I’m gonna make Gretzky’s head bleed for Superfan 99 over here

My best friend and I played NHL hockey all the time, and there was usually profanity involved. When my buddies saw Swingers, they were all “dude, you’ve gotta see this movie.” Could immediately understand why when that scene came on.

 

[FarFromHome]

70. Swingers (1996)

Directed by: Doug Liman

Starring: Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston, Heather Graham

Synopsis: Out of work actor in Los Angeles, obsessed with his ex-girlfriend, is pushed by his friends to start dating again.

You’re so money and you don’t even know it- Vince Vaughn as Trent

Independent films had their heyday in the 90s with this movie and a few other gems upcoming on this list. Favreau, who also wrote the film, was chiefly known as the buddy in a flick about college football (also coming later.) Vince Vaughn, as Trent, became a star. I also have this movie to thank for introducing me to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

I’m gonna make Gretzky’s head bleed for Superfan 99 over here

My best friend and I played NHL hockey all the time, and there was usually profanity involved. When my buddies saw Swingers, they were all “dude, you’ve gotta see this movie.” Could immediately understand why when that scene came on.

That entire video game scene was just epic.

 

[Todem]

I kind of like JP3, but that might be due to the cast.

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

Turrible.

But I enjoy the heck outta JP3. Lots of fun.

JP not top 25? U ****ing kidding me?

 

[Todem]

temple of doom is not that bad. not as good as 1 or 3 but really?

Yeah….You call him Dr Jones!!!!

 

[DocHolliday]

I kind of like JP3, but that might be due to the cast.

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

Turrible.

But I enjoy the heck outta JP3. Lots of fun.

JP not top 25? U ****ing kidding me?

JP is definitely top 25. Great movie that is still fun to watch.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I have still never seen Jurassic Park.

I probably need to rewatch Swingers. I didn't see it until maybe 10 years after its release, and I figured I'd love it given the principle actors in it and how highly it was recommened to me by several whose film opinions often align with mine, but I came away fairly unimpressed. Again though, I need to watch it again.

 

[TripItUp]

Jurassic Park way too low, but not as disrespected as Seven and Mohicans

Swingers about right for me and added some “cool” to a decade that already had a lot of cool.

 

[northern exposure]

Jurassic Park way too low, but not as disrespected as Seven and Mohicans

Swingers about right for me and added some “cool” to a decade that already had a lot of cool.

 

[northern exposure]

I have still never see Jurassic Park.

I probably need to rewatch Swingers. I didn't see it until maybe 10 years after its release, and I figured I'd love it given the principle actors in it and how highly it was recommened to me by several whose film opinions often align with mine, but I came away fairly unimpressed. Again though, I need to watch it again.

I thought it was great when it was first released. But, rewatched it a year or two and didn't think it held up well.

 

[Dr_Zaius]

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

Yeah the whole thing was bad, but when the dinosaur ended up in San Diego I was absolutely done. Just waiting for the credits at that point, and would have left if I wasn’t with family.

So stupid. I remember watching this on in the theater and having a similar reaction. This part was the breaking point to an already pretty damn bad movie. I am with Andy - I don't mind 3, that probably has a bit to do with Macy and Tea.

Why is that any different from King Kong attacking Manhattan, or Godzilla smashing through Tokyo? It’s just good fun. You knew you weren’t buying tickets to Citizen Kane.

This argument will no doubt come up again later in the list, when I present a couple of movies with plot devices that are completely unbelievable but provided great popcorn viewing in the theater.

It’s a reasonable question, and I will admit I’m not exactly the target audience for monster rampaging scenes. But while I do appreciate some cool action or chase scenes, they need to not wear out their welcome. Godzilla Minus One has some destruction scenes that show off the effects and create tension that helps drive the plot, and then we move on.

I guess for me personally there’s a fairly strict time limit on these things. 15 minutes of nothing but people and buildings getting smashed is at least 10 minutes too long. For what it’s worth I have the same problem with some of the Avengers movies I’ve seen.

 

[Skipdog77]

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

Yeah the whole thing was bad, but when the dinosaur ended up in San Diego I was absolutely done. Just waiting for the credits at that point, and would have left if I wasn’t with family.

So stupid. I remember watching this on in the theater and having a similar reaction. This part was the breaking point to an already pretty damn bad movie. I am with Andy - I don't mind 3, that probably has a bit to do with Macy and Tea.

Why is that any different from King Kong attacking Manhattan, or Godzilla smashing through Tokyo? It’s just good fun. You knew you weren’t buying tickets to Citizen Kane.

This argument will no doubt come up again later in the list, when I present a couple of movies with plot devices that are completely unbelievable but provided great popcorn viewing in the theater.

8) The Rock

3) Independence Day

 

[KarmaPolice]

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

Yeah the whole thing was bad, but when the dinosaur ended up in San Diego I was absolutely done. Just waiting for the credits at that point, and would have left if I wasn’t with family.

So stupid. I remember watching this on in the theater and having a similar reaction. This part was the breaking point to an already pretty damn bad movie. I am with Andy - I don't mind 3, that probably has a bit to do with Macy and Tea.

Why is that any different from King Kong attacking Manhattan, or Godzilla smashing through Tokyo? It’s just good fun. You knew you weren’t buying tickets to Citizen Kane.

This argument will no doubt come up again later in the list, when I present a couple of movies with plot devices that are completely unbelievable but provided great popcorn viewing in the theater.

8) The Rock

3) Independence Day

The Rock is too good to be that high here. Tim strikes me as an Armageddon guy.

 

[massraider]

Why is that any different from King Kong attacking Manhattan, or Godzilla smashing through Tokyo? It’s just good fun. You knew you weren’t buying tickets to Citizen Kane.

This argument will no doubt come up again later in the list, when I present a couple of movies with plot devices that are completely unbelievable but provided great popcorn viewing in the theater.

Because movies that are good fun are done badly as well.

You know, just like other movies.

 

[Ghost Rider]

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

Yeah the whole thing was bad, but when the dinosaur ended up in San Diego I was absolutely done. Just waiting for the credits at that point, and would have left if I wasn’t with family.

So stupid. I remember watching this on in the theater and having a similar reaction. This part was the breaking point to an already pretty damn bad movie. I am with Andy - I don't mind 3, that probably has a bit to do with Macy and Tea.

Why is that any different from King Kong attacking Manhattan, or Godzilla smashing through Tokyo? It’s just good fun. You knew you weren’t buying tickets to Citizen Kane.

This argument will no doubt come up again later in the list, when I present a couple of movies with plot devices that are completely unbelievable but provided great popcorn viewing in the theater.

8) The Rock

3) Independence Day

The Rock is too good to be that high here. Tim strikes me as an Armageddon guy.

True Lies better show up, or we all riot.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

It won't be here but I might put The Rocketeer

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

I have still never seen Jurassic Park.

Hold on to your butts!

 

[KarmaPolice]

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

Yeah the whole thing was bad, but when the dinosaur ended up in San Diego I was absolutely done. Just waiting for the credits at that point, and would have left if I wasn’t with family.

So stupid. I remember watching this on in the theater and having a similar reaction. This part was the breaking point to an already pretty damn bad movie. I am with Andy - I don't mind 3, that probably has a bit to do with Macy and Tea.

Why is that any different from King Kong attacking Manhattan, or Godzilla smashing through Tokyo? It’s just good fun. You knew you weren’t buying tickets to Citizen Kane.

This argument will no doubt come up again later in the list, when I present a couple of movies with plot devices that are completely unbelievable but provided great popcorn viewing in the theater.

8) The Rock

3) Independence Day

The Rock is too good to be that high here. Tim strikes me as an Armageddon guy.

True Lies better show up, or we all riot.

Some peak Paxton in that one!

 

[Ghost Rider]

JP2, however, is Temple of Doom bad. Like, make me ANGRY bad.

Yeah the whole thing was bad, but when the dinosaur ended up in San Diego I was absolutely done. Just waiting for the credits at that point, and would have left if I wasn’t with family.

So stupid. I remember watching this on in the theater and having a similar reaction. This part was the breaking point to an already pretty damn bad movie. I am with Andy - I don't mind 3, that probably has a bit to do with Macy and Tea.

Why is that any different from King Kong attacking Manhattan, or Godzilla smashing through Tokyo? It’s just good fun. You knew you weren’t buying tickets to Citizen Kane.

This argument will no doubt come up again later in the list, when I present a couple of movies with plot devices that are completely unbelievable but provided great popcorn viewing in the theater.

8) The Rock

3) Independence Day

The Rock is too good to be that high here. Tim strikes me as an Armageddon guy.

True Lies better show up, or we all riot.

Some peak Paxton in that one!

"Take her! Take her! Oh God, don't hurt me!"

 

[Navin Johnson]

I probably have watched White Men Can't Jump at least a dozen times.

I had a couple of college buddies and it was their favorite movie. One of them recorded just the audio of the movie and burned it to a CD so he could listen to it while he drove on long trips. He would literally just play the audio and his reasoning was that he had seen the movie so many times that he could see it in his head while he listened to the audio. I always found that hilarious.

Harrelson's jumper looked a little wonky, but Snipes looked like he could really play a bit.

I'd have this one in my top 50 most likely due to the nostalgia of it all, but the ranking here feels about right.

By all accounts, Woody was head and shoulders above Snipes

 

[Navin Johnson]

72. There’s Something About Mary (1998)

Directed by: The Farrelly Brothers

Starring: Ben Stiller, Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Chris Elliot

Synopsis: A guy attempts to track down the girl he’s loved since high school.

What about Brett Farv-ruh? - Ben Stiller as Ted

There were so many hilarious quotes from this film but most of them are simply too tasteless to post here. One of my favorites is Matt Dillon’s explanation of his “passion”- working with certain kids- so wrong but I couldn’t stop laughing. The whole film is like that, incredibly silly.

Top 5 of all time comedy for me.

My all-time favorite movie theater moment. I’m watching this sitting next to my college roommate when the guy drops the hairy beanbag line. Roommate lets out a deafening BWAAAHAHAHA!!1! that itself, brought the whole house down, people laughing at HIM.

I will never forget my brother and I seeing There's Something About Mary opening weekend. The place was packed and when they showed the shot of Ted's frank and beans caught in the zipper, the entire theater loudly gasped in unison. I still laugh thinking about that.

And the brother loudly exclaiming, "he was mastur......," three times as Ted was being wheeled to the ambulance is still quite possibly the funniest thing in any move ever.

7's the key number here. Think about it. 7-Elevens. 7 dwarves. 7, man, that's the number. 7 chipmunks twirlin' on a branch, eatin' lots of sunflowers on my uncle's ranch. You know that old children's tale from the sea. It's like you're dreamin' about Gorgonzola cheese when it's clearly Brie time, baby. Step into my office.

Step into my office

 

[timschochet]

68. The Witches (1990)

Directed by: Nicolas Roeg

Starring: Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling

Synopsis: A boy and his grandmother discover a witches’ convention and evil plot.

The child is no longer a child. The child…is a mouse! - Anjelica Huston as the Grand High Witch

Roald Dahl has a good argument to make as the greatest children’s novelist of all time. One element that exists in all of his works is a sense of unease and even terror- these stories can be really scary. Of all the movies that have been made of his novels, (some of them all time classics) none have been able to capture that unease and terror like The Witches did. Nicolas Roeg, who is himself one of film’s oddest and most unique directors, has made a dark film here. It IS a children’s film but it also a horror film, and of the highest quality.

Anjelica Huston absolutely shines in her role, dominating every scene she is in. I’ve never seen her better. The film also includes the British comedian Rowan Atkinson, better known as Mr. Bean.

 

[El Floppo]

The Witches felt like a miss to me, despite her performance and overall tone. I can't remember exactly why, tbh...

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Another i never even heard of.