The 100 Greatest movies of the 1990s #45. Apollo 13 (23 Viewers)

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

just a....just a few years off

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

just a....just a few years off

Didn't want to do the spoiler thing.

 

[BlackCrowes]

Kevin Pollak has to be one of the most under appreciated actors of all time. Dude had a run in the 90s of some incredible performances in fantastic films.

“We can put you in Queens during the time”
“I live in Queens.”

"Sure you brought enough guys?"

 

[Dan Lambskin]

There is no way on God's green earth that ther are 49 movies better than The Usual Suspects ever, much less in the 90s alone (although the 90s WAS an awesome decade for movies in general). A perfect movie, really.

Yeah this is one of my all time favorites

The whole “hand me the keys scene” and one of my favorite quotes

• Interrogation Cop: You know what happens if you do another turn in the joint?
• Hockney: **** your father in the shower and then have a snack? Are you going to charge me dickhead?

 

[Ghost Rider]

There is no way on God's green earth that ther are 49 movies better than The Usual Suspects ever, much less in the 90s alone (although the 90s WAS an awesome decade for movies in general). A perfect movie, really.

Yeah this is one of my all time favorites

The whole “hand me the keys scene” and one of my favorite quotes

• Interrogation Cop: You know what happens if you do another turn in the joint?
• Hockney: **** your father in the shower and then have a snack? Are you going to charge me dickhead?

"Is it Friday already?"

 

[Hastur]

Kevin Pollak has to be one of the most under appreciated actors of all time. Dude had a run in the 90s of some incredible performances in fantastic films.

“We can put you in Queens during the time”
“I live in Queens.”

He plays the straight man in the "Grumpy Old Men" movies, and plays it well.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Spoiler: pretty sure

its run lola run

but I could be wrong

Spoiler

That is one of the ones that I was thinking of as a possibility. I’d have some Wong Kar Wai like Chungking Express higher though. And maybe Princess Mononoke could show up given Tim’s love of animation.

Spoiler

Any or all of the Three Colours trilogy, especially Red. Chungking Express was the obvious one for me. Delicatessen, Raise the Red Lantern, Hard Boiled, Ringu, the original “The Ring”, Eat Drink Man Woman, High Heels and Happy Together would all be considered by me as well

But this is Tims list, not mine

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

I'm not sure if Woody Allen has ever made a foreign language film

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

or we know what'll be top 10 when he gets to the 2020's

 

[Mr. Mojo]

Nothing ruins a Woody Allen film faster than him acting in it.
The ones where he is missing are usually very good.

 

[AAABatteries]

Usual Suspects is a top 20 all-time film for me, not just the 90’s. Absolutely love it.

 

[KarmaPolice]

There is no way on God's green earth that ther are 49 movies better than The Usual Suspects ever, much less in the 90s alone (although the 90s WAS an awesome decade for movies in general). A perfect movie, really.

I think I could come up with a list of 50...but it would be close. Several of which have already been ranked.

Do it!

 

[KarmaPolice]

Spoiler: pretty sure

its run lola run

but I could be wrong

Spoiler

That is one of the ones that I was thinking of as a possibility. I’d have some Wong Kar Wai like Chungking Express higher though. And maybe Princess Mononoke could show up given Tim’s love of animation.

I was thinking

Spoiler

Europa Europa

Or something on those lines. Too many great ones to narrow it down to just one obvious one, especially when we factor who is doing the list. I could be wrong but I don't see your guys' guesses as timmovies. I am also not holding my breath for a surprise Audition appearance.

 

[El Floppo]

Spoiler: pretty sure

its run lola run

but I could be wrong

Spoiler

That is one of the ones that I was thinking of as a possibility. I’d have some Wong Kar Wai like Chungking Express higher though. And maybe Princess Mononoke could show up given Tim’s love of animation.

I was thinking

Spoiler

Europa Europa

Or something on those lines. Too many great ones to narrow it down to just one obvious one, especially when we factor who is doing the list. I could be wrong but I don't see your guys' guesses as timmovies. I am also not holding my breath for a surprise Audition appearance.

That's an amazing movie.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Spoiler: pretty sure

its run lola run

but I could be wrong

Spoiler

That is one of the ones that I was thinking of as a possibility. I’d have some Wong Kar Wai like Chungking Express higher though. And maybe Princess Mononoke could show up given Tim’s love of animation.

I was thinking

Spoiler

Europa Europa

Or something on those lines. Too many great ones to narrow it down to just one obvious one, especially when we factor who is doing the list. I could be wrong but I don't see your guys' guesses as timmovies. I am also not holding my breath for a surprise Audition appearance.

That's an amazing movie.

I don't think I've fully seen the one in spoilers. More just scanning and thinking of what might be on his list. There are a lot of great ones from the 90s and I would struggle just having a couple on my list. Just narrowing down the Three Colors movies would be hard.

 

[El Floppo]

Spoiler: pretty sure

its run lola run

but I could be wrong

Spoiler

That is one of the ones that I was thinking of as a possibility. I’d have some Wong Kar Wai like Chungking Express higher though. And maybe Princess Mononoke could show up given Tim’s love of animation.

I was thinking

Spoiler

Europa Europa

Or something on those lines. Too many great ones to narrow it down to just one obvious one, especially when we factor who is doing the list. I could be wrong but I don't see your guys' guesses as timmovies. I am also not holding my breath for a surprise Audition appearance.

That's an amazing movie.

I don't think I've fully seen the one in spoilers. More just scanning and thinking of what might be on his list. There are a lot of great ones from the 90s and I would struggle just having a couple on my list. Just narrowing down the Three Colors movies would be hard.

I just looked up a couple random "best of the 90s" lists, including one targeting indie... there were a lot of great movies made that I know won't show up here. Mike Leigh's peak, Kieslowski, Wong kat-wai, on and on.

It'll be fun to see what the remaining 50 are, regardless.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Let's see if I can figure out spoilers. My choice for foreign language movie:

Spoiler

Raise The Red Lantern

 

[El Floppo]

Let's see if I can figure out spoilers. My choice for foreign language movie:

Spoiler

Raise The Red Lantern

great one!

so many others....I'll post a couple I know Tim won't be listing.

Spoiler

Fallen Angels (I'd have to revisit this Wong Kar-Wai film- I was blown away when it came out, but I wonder how it's hyper-stylized camera-work and editing would play out on a second watch).
The Dreamlife of Angels (French or Belgian film about a couple young women trying to get by- beautiful, heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Another one where I walked out of the theater feeling pretty amazed).

 

[timschochet]

49. Braveheart (1995)

Directed by: Mel Gibson

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan

Synopsis: Scots rebel William Wallace fights against England.

They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom! -Mel Gibson as William Wallace.


Much as I personally dislike Mr, Gibson, I have to hand it to him for having made a truly epic historical war film that remains quite enjoyable to watch. One reason (among many) is the performance of Patrick McGoohan as Edward Longshanks- what a great actor this guy is in everything I’ve ever seen him in!

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

49. Braveheart (1995)

Directed by: Mel Gibson

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan

Synopsis: Scots rebel William Wallace fights against England.

They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom! -Mel Gibson as William Wallace.


Much as I personally dislike Mr, Gibson, I have to hand it to him for having made a truly epic historical war film that remains quite enjoyable to watch. One reason (among many) is the performance of Patrick McGoohan as Edward Longshanks- what a great actor this guy is in everything I’ve ever seen him in!

I realise this isn't a documentary, but it's so ahistorical that it's ridiculous. One would think that the real story would be good enough.

 

[Klimtology]

Starts tomorrow. This was by far the toughest list I’ve worked on. So many classics. (And so many overrated films, and underrated ones.)

European films and documentaries are included so long as they were released in the USA.

100. Total Recall
99. Madonna: Truth Or Dare
98. Any Given Sunday
97. The Doors
96. The Waterboy
95. Army of Darkness
94. Les Miserables
93. Guilty By Suspicion
92. The Commitments
91. Misery
90. The Sandlot
89. Austin Powers
88. Defending Your Life
87. Reversal of Fortune
86. Man On The Moon
85. Leon: The Professional
84. Babe
83. The Last of the Mohicans
82. Primal Fear
81. Mulan
80. Se7en
79. A League Of Their Own
78. Glengarry Glen Ross
77. Crumb
76. A Time to Kill
75. The Fugitive
74. White Men Can’t Jump
73. The Nightmare Before Christmas
72. There’s Something About Mary
71. Pleasantville
70. Swingers
69. Jurassic Park
68. The Witches
67. Scream
66. Aladdin
65. The Hurricane
64. Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert
63. The Rainmaker
62. Office Space
61. Toy Story 2
60. That Thing You Do!
59. Independence Day
58. True Lies
57. Barton Fink
56. The Lion King
55. Life Is Beautiful
54. To Die For
53. Mr. Holland’s Opus
52. The Sixth Sense
51. The Iron Giant
50. The Usual Suspects
49. Braveheart

Braveheart @ 49?

Crazy Times!!

 

[Dr_Zaius]

Hmm...
Mr. Holland's Opus - This was okay, but I'm happy to see that my wife and I aren't the only ones who thought the Rowena plotline was creepy. Would have been a better movie without it.
The Sixth Sense - I'd have it significantly higher. I think it's just as good on a second watch and it holds up well. My kids watched it as teens and enjoyed it.
The Usual Suspects - I'm on a bit of an island on this one as it just never did it for me. I'd probably have it in my top 100, but probably even lower than Tim.

 

[Jayrod]

I haven't looked over the entire decade, but I'm pretty sure I would have had each of the last 4 movies in my top 25. Braveheart would have been top 5 at least. At one point (younger and less cultured me) I considered it my favorite movie of all time.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

49. Braveheart (1995)

Directed by: Mel Gibson

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan

Synopsis: Scots rebel William Wallace fights against England.

They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom! -Mel Gibson as William Wallace.


Much as I personally dislike Mr, Gibson, I have to hand it to him for having made a truly epic historical war film that remains quite enjoyable to watch. One reason (among many) is the performance of Patrick McGoohan as Edward Longshanks- what a great actor this guy is in everything I’ve ever seen him in!

James Horner's great soundtrack is another asset of this film. Excellent cast, too. It's in my all time Top 10 (not just the 90s). To hell with historical accuracy.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I used to love Braveheart but haven't watched it in ages.

I'd love a cut of the film that excises the completely unnecessary subplot of the romance with the princess. Wallace is so driven to rebellion by the murder of his wife that he...impregnates another woman just so the audience can have a catharsis as Longshanks realizes it won't be his heir on the throne? Yuck.

Great score by James Horner though.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I haven't looked over the entire decade, but I'm pretty sure I would have had each of the last 4 movies in my top 25. Braveheart would have been top 5 at least. At one point (younger and less cultured me) I considered it my favorite movie of all time.

Yeah - I'm always bad at making the list in my head, to predict what's still left out there, but It's hard to imagine movies like Braveheart and The Usual Suspects being this low.

 

[Jayrod]

49. Braveheart (1995)

Directed by: Mel Gibson

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan

Synopsis: Scots rebel William Wallace fights against England.

They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom! -Mel Gibson as William Wallace.


Much as I personally dislike Mr, Gibson, I have to hand it to him for having made a truly epic historical war film that remains quite enjoyable to watch. One reason (among many) is the performance of Patrick McGoohan as Edward Longshanks- what a great actor this guy is in everything I’ve ever seen him in!

James Horner's great soundtrack is another asset of this film. Excellent cast, too. It's in my all time Top 10 (not just the 90s). To hell with historical accuracy.

FREEDOM!!!!!

First time I remember by heart just dropping to my gut during a movie.

Also loved the battle scenes throughout. I believe at that time it was fairly new to show that many gruesome deaths so realistically from battle scenes. Throat slashes, dude's limbs and heads getting cut off right and left. The only thing I remember prior to that was the cannon ball decapitation in Glory.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Stephen: [to William Wallace] The Almighty tells me he can get me out of this mess, but he's pretty sure...you're ****ed.

 

[FarFromHome]

Braveheart was the first ever movie I can remember getting watery eyes on. Absolutely loved this movie. Absolute classic. Perfect blend of humor, violence and romance. Great cast. Great cinematography. Just great movie.

 

[Jayrod]

Stephen: [to William Wallace] The Almighty tells me he can get me out of this mess, but he's pretty sure...you're ****ed.

One of the best supporting characters in movie history. Hilariously well written and well played.

- 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

 

[El Floppo]

Braveheart was a solid epic. Yeah, some fluff- but mostly big, well done movie making- it's why we go to theaters. Ranking feels about right to me.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Braveheart is a borderline top 5 movie ever for me. Just epic and amazing on every level. I have watched this more times than I can count.

 

[Todem]

Braveheart is criminally under ranked here like many already.

I also do not care for Mel off the screen….but on and in the directors chair? Hollywood gold.

 

[General Malaise]

Was delighted to find Usual Suspects on HBO Max and fell asleep watching it. What a movie!

Was not delighted to learn that HBO Max now plays commercials during movies with no notice given before cutting to a laundry detergent ad. It's very off-putting.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Was delighted to find Usual Suspects on HBO Max and fell asleep watching it. What a movie!

Was not delighted to learn that HBO Max now plays commercials during movies with no notice given before cutting to a laundry detergent ad. It's very off-putting.

That's Basic HBO with commercials. You have to pay more for no ads.

 

[General Malaise]

Was delighted to find Usual Suspects on HBO Max and fell asleep watching it. What a movie!

Was not delighted to learn that HBO Max now plays commercials during movies with no notice given before cutting to a laundry detergent ad. It's very off-putting.

That's Basic HBO with commercials. You have to pay more for no ads.

Nuts to that!



I'm borrowing this as is, so I'll just have to deal with it.

 

[TripItUp]

49. Braveheart (1995)

Directed by: Mel Gibson

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan

Everybody has seen it and most like it and are capable of overseeing the flaws, such as Mel Gibson playing a role that is 20 years younger(bugs me to this day).

Trip's Official Ruling: Slightly Underranked.(would have in the 20-30 range)

PS His wife that died is a total smokeshow

 

[Andy Dufresne]

49. Braveheart (1995)

Directed by: Mel Gibson

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan

Everybody has seen it and most like it and are capable of overseeing the flaws, such as Mel Gibson playing a role that is 20 years younger(bugs me to this day).

Trip's Official Ruling: Slightly Underranked.(would have in the 20-30 range)

PS His wife that died is a total smokeshow

IIRC - Gibson didn't want to play the role but the studio wouldn't let him make the movie unless he starred.

 

[timschochet]

48. Thelma and Louise (1991)

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Brad Pitt

Synopsis: Circumstances lead two women to turn to crime and eventual suicide.

My husbands wasn’t sweet to me; look how I turned out! - Geena Davis as Thelma


A feminist version of Bonnie and Clyde, or Butch and Sundance…you get the general idea. Pretty rare for Hollywood to have a two women version of the “buddy film”. But it works. I can still remember the applause at the end when they drive off the cliff.

 

[BlackCrowes]

Love T&L

 

[B Maverick]

53. Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)

Directed by: Stephen Herek

Starring: Richard Dreyfus, Glenne Headly

Synopsis: High school music teacher inspires students through the years

Playing music is supposed to be fun. It’s about heart, it’s about feeling…it’s not about notes on a page. I can teach you notes on a page, I can’t teach you that other stuff. - Richard Dreyfus as Glenn Holland

It’s a plot as old as Hollywood itself: teacher inspires students to be passionate about a subject and it changes their lives. We all must have seen dozens of these over the years. But this is an especially good one I think. Dreyfus is great in one of his best performances.

Meh. Very predictable writing and story. Good teacher helps kids to an orchestra. Covered no new ground and was in the era of Shawshank and others which showed how to spin a character arc.

Stand and Deliver was a far better movie using this plot device. IMO.

Orale! What is 2 plus 2? You can do eet!

negative two plus two equals? Fill the hole

I see Mr Holland's Opus has everybody buzzing.

IIRC, this was the film where I decided I'd had enough of Dreyfuss. Not terrible- but kinda trite story, imo told better elsewhere. or maybe I owe it a revisit.

I doubt it. I skimmed it. It was way too long. (143 minutes) Needed at least thirty of those to disappear.

I think a few otherwise good movies over the years could have used a good editor. I prefer movies of 2 hours or less.

My favorite movie is Ben Hur, so I really don't have a problem with long movies. But those minutes better count. The bloat in MHO just killed it for me. The only part I really liked was when one of his students went to Viet Nam. That was very well done.

You really can't beat the chariot race scene. 11 or so minutes all shot in one take.

 

[B Maverick]

I don't actually think I saw all of the Usual Suspects from start to finish. I'm sure I've seen all of it though. Since the twist is so well known and the lineup scene being full of actors passing gas, I haven't just sat and watched from start to finish. But also because of those scenes, everyone knows the movie and it has its place in the rankings.

 

[bryhamm]

52. The Sixth Sense (1999)

Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan

Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osmont

Synopsis: A child psychologist works with a child who says he can see dead people.

I see dead people…all the time. They’re everywhere. - Haley Joel Osmont as Cole Sear

So there’s a few films on this list that are extremely powerful when you watch them for the first time, because of the twist at the end. After that they lose a little of their power and though they are enjoyable the next time around some of the power is lost. That’s how I feel about this movie and a couple of others coming up. It is very well made though.

Too low, IMO. That's one of the most memorable movies of my lifetime and it is very rewatchable even though you know the ending.

Not saying it needs to be top 10, but there aren't 51 better movies from the 90's.

Yeah I get that the ranking may be unpopular for this and the other two “twist” films I am thinking of. I just disagree with you about the rewatchable part. I watched it a second time just to see what I missed knowing the twist. Then I had no interest. And for me that puts it below the classic films ranked above it, most of which I love to watch over and over.

I hope one of these twist movies is in your top 10, if not top 5. If it's the one I'm thinking of, it's one of my all time favorites.

 

[bryhamm]

50. The Usual Suspects (1995)

Directed by: Bryan Singer

Starring: Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Spacey

Synopsis: A mysterious Turkish crime lord manipulates events that lead to an unfortunate outcome.

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist: Kevin Spacey as “Verbal” Kint.

Like The Sixth Sense this is a superb film with an ending twist that, for me, has made it unnecessary ever to watch again. Otherwise it might be ranked higher. I’m sure some will no doubt take issue with this ranking as they did with the earlier film.

On a side note, Kevin Spacey has played a significant role in this list with even more to come. He is/was one of our finest actors, and it’s really too bad that he has behaved so shamefully in his personal life as to now deprive us of his great talent.

oof. this was the one I was talking about. WAAAAY too low.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

48. Thelma and Louise (1991)

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Brad Pitt

Synopsis: Circumstances lead two women to turn to crime and eventual suicide.

My husbands wasn’t sweet to me; look how I turned out! - Geena Davis as Thelma


A feminist version of Bonnie and Clyde, or Butch and Sundance…you get the general idea. Pretty rare for Hollywood to have a two women version of the “buddy film”. But it works. I can still remember the applause at the end when they drive off the cliff.

Jeez, spoiler alert.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

49. Braveheart (1995)

Directed by: Mel Gibson

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan

Synopsis: Scots rebel William Wallace fights against England.

They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom! -Mel Gibson as William Wallace.


Much as I personally dislike Mr, Gibson, I have to hand it to him for having made a truly epic historical war film that remains quite enjoyable to watch. One reason (among many) is the performance of Patrick McGoohan as Edward Longshanks- what a great actor this guy is in everything I’ve ever seen him in!

I realise this isn't a documentary, but it's so ahistorical that it's ridiculous. One would think that the real story would be good enough.

You mean William Wallace, the noble….not the savage depicted, didnt impregnate a child Princess Isabella who was living in France at the time and had his child seven years after he died? Also Edward Longshanks died two years after Wallace so thats one long deathbed scene.

 

[FarFromHome]

I feel as a classic 49 year old alpha male that can still see his past glory on most sports fields I'm not supposed to like Thelma and Louise. I remember really enjoying it. In fact, my parents had the VCR tape of it and I watched it quite a few times. I remember rewinding the Geena Davis bedroom scene a couple times. Ha ha

 

[El Floppo]

48. Thelma and Louise (1991)

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Brad Pitt

Synopsis: Circumstances lead two women to turn to crime and eventual suicide.

My husbands wasn’t sweet to me; look how I turned out! - Geena Davis as Thelma


A feminist version of Bonnie and Clyde, or Butch and Sundance…you get the general idea. Pretty rare for Hollywood to have a two women version of the “buddy film”. But it works. I can still remember the applause at the end when they drive off the cliff.

Jeez, spoiler alert.

When it came out, I was having lunch with some friends. 2 of us were talking about wanting to see it, as we hadn't gotten around to it yet. Friend #3... Let's call him the idiot a-hole... Immediately says, it's really good- but I didn't buy the end when they.. and then told us exactly what happened.

Not as bad as my older brother waiting for hours in line to see Empire Strikes Back, and his idiot ahole friend comes out of the theater from the showing before, walks over and yells about how great it was because of Darth Vader and the reveal.

 

[TripItUp]

48. Thelma and Louise (1991)

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Brad Pitt

Good film for me, but not great. Sorta rewatchable but I'm typically passing over when a rewatch presents itself. But I wasn't the target demographic for this movie back then which probably has jaded me.

Trip's Official Ruling: Slightly Overranked (around 80ish for me)

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Braveheart was good and I think I just like Mel Gibson overall. Say what you want about the guy, maybe he's not a good person or just has a screw loose but I think he's a fine actor and has made some good films. I like the Lethal Weapon series. (didn't make either countdown I think) I thought both The Patriot and We were Soldiers were good. I even liked Maverick. I know none of these are as good as a Madonna docy but I have strange taste.