The 100 Greatest movies of the 1990s #69. Jurassic Park (14 Viewers)

[Dr. Octopus]

2 movies so far I haven't heard of (not that that means they don't belong).

 

[El Floppo]

87. Reversal of Fortune (1990)

Directed by: Barbet Schroeder

Starring: Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close, Ron Silver

Synopsis: Alan Dershowitz is hired to appeal the conviction of socialite Claus Von Bulow for the attempted murder of his wife, Sunny.

Ron Silver as Alan Dershowitz: You are a very strange man.

Jeremy Irons as Claus Von Bulow: You have no idea.

This is a very good legal drama but it’s mostly here for the extraordinary performance of Jeremy Irons. Silver and Close are also excellent as always but Irons simply dominates the screen.

Yeah... I remember Irons being fantastic here. Didn't he win an Oscar for this?

This isn't the first movie I haven't ever rewatched since the theaters- so it's another where my memory is fuzzy on it other than remembering I liked it and there performance in particular. becoming a theme for my 90s movies so far.

 

[Todem]

Misery. Worth a ranking just for the sledgehammer scene. Epic

Austin Powers. This first one was just a cultural icon. Hilarious. I do wonder if I watched it today if is enjoy it. Not gonna, don't want to possibly ruin my opinion of it. Ha bammha

Misery is a fantastic horror movie. Aged really well too. Tremendous performances from James Caan and Kathy Bates.

 

[Todem]

87. Reversal of Fortune (1990)

Directed by: Barbet Schroeder

Starring: Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close, Ron Silver

Synopsis: Alan Dershowitz is hired to appeal the conviction of socialite Claus Von Bulow for the attempted murder of his wife, Sunny.

Ron Silver as Alan Dershowitz: You are a very strange man.

Jeremy Irons as Claus Von Bulow: You have no idea.

This is a very good legal drama but it’s mostly here for the extraordinary performance of Jeremy Irons. Silver and Close are also excellent as always but Irons simply dominates the screen.

Wow a film I have never seen. On my list now. I love Irons. He was also great voicing Scar in the Lion King (1994).

 

[Todem]

87. Reversal of Fortune (1990)

Directed by: Barbet Schroeder

Starring: Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close, Ron Silver

Synopsis: Alan Dershowitz is hired to appeal the conviction of socialite Claus Von Bulow for the attempted murder of his wife, Sunny.

Ron Silver as Alan Dershowitz: You are a very strange man.

Jeremy Irons as Claus Von Bulow: You have no idea.

This is a very good legal drama but it’s mostly here for the extraordinary performance of Jeremy Irons. Silver and Close are also excellent as always but Irons simply dominates the screen.

Yeah... I remember Irons being fantastic here. Didn't he win an Oscar for this?

This isn't the first movie I haven't ever rewatched since the theaters- so it's another where my memory is fuzzy on it other than remembering I liked it and there performance in particular. becoming a theme for my 90s movies so far.

Indeed he did win an Oscar for Best Actor.

 

[General Malaise]

Misery. Worth a ranking just for the sledgehammer scene. Epic

Austin Powers. This first one was just a cultural icon. Hilarious. I do wonder if I watched it today if is enjoy it. Not gonna, don't want to possibly ruin my opinion of it. Ha bammha

Misery is a fantastic horror movie. Aged really well too. Tremendous performances from James Caan and Kathy Bates.

Agreed - one of the better book to movie adaptations for SK.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Reversal of Fortune

Another movie that I've never heard of that I'll have to check out. Very similar where critics loved it (92%) and us plebs not so much (7.2/78%)

 

[timschochet]

86. Man On The Moon (1999)

Directed by: Milos Forman

Starring: Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Courtney Love

Synopsis: Portrays the strange life and death of comedian Andy Kaufman

I am from Caspiar, an island in the Caspian Sea. It sunk. - Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman

This is a weird one for me. When he was alive I was NOT a fan of Andy Kaufman (despite my love of the show Taxi). The wife who was a fan (and of Jim Carrey as well) dragged me to see it, I think on opening weekend. And I gotta admit I was pretty enthralled. Somehow the creators of this film, and Carrey, took an unfunny and strange guy who was pretty much an ******* to everyone he met and made him interesting. It’s an excellent biography. Much more entertaining, for me, than Andy ever was. I also really like the REM song that is played several times in the film.

 

[El Floppo]

Oooh... man on the moon was great. Solid selection there.

Cool to see Forman and Schroeder back to back. 2 of the better directors from that era.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

86. Man On The Moon (1999)

Directed by: Milos Forman

Starring: Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Courtney Love

Synopsis: Portrays the strange life and death of comedian Andy Kaufman

I am from Caspiar, an island in the Caspian Sea. It sunk. - Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman

This is a weird one for me. When he was alive I was NOT a fan of Andy Kaufman (despite my love of the show Taxi). The wife who was a fan (and of Jim Carrey as well) dragged me to see it, I think on opening weekend. And I gotta admit I was pretty enthralled. Somehow the creators of this film, and Carrey, took an unfunny and strange guy who was pretty much an ******* to everyone he met and made him interesting. It’s an excellent biography. Much more entertaining, for me, than Andy ever was. I also really like the REM song that is played several times in the film.

- 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

 

[TripItUp]

86. Man On The Moon (1999)

Directed by: Milos Forman

Starring: Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Courtney Love

Way higher on my list and Carey's signature role IMHO.

 

[El Floppo]

86. Man On The Moon (1999)

Directed by: Milos Forman

Starring: Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Courtney Love

Way higher on my list and Carey's signature role IMHO.

He was fantastic in this.

When I think Carey, I think of a couple other roles as signature.. which doesn't take away from his Kaufman- and I agree, might be his best. Hmmm... Best vs signature- semantics for sure. And for a guy who's not exactly an actor's actor, he's had a really impactful career.

 

[KarmaPolice]

86. Man On The Moon (1999)

Directed by: Milos Forman

Starring: Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Courtney Love

Way higher on my list and Carey's signature role IMHO.

He was fantastic in this.

When I think Carey, I think of a couple other roles as signature.. which doesn't take away from his Kaufman- and I agree, might be his best. Hmmm... Best vs signature- semantics for sure. And for a guy who's not exactly an actor's actor, he's had a really impactful career.

"best" and I think of his more dramatic roles in Man on the Moon or Eternal Sunshine or Truman Show. "Signature" role puts me more in Ace Ventura/Dumb and Dumber territory.

 

[El Floppo]

86. Man On The Moon (1999)

Directed by: Milos Forman

Starring: Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Courtney Love

Way higher on my list and Carey's signature role IMHO.

He was fantastic in this.

When I think Carey, I think of a couple other roles as signature.. which doesn't take away from his Kaufman- and I agree, might be his best. Hmmm... Best vs signature- semantics for sure. And for a guy who's not exactly an actor's actor, he's had a really impactful career.

"best" and I think of his more dramatic roles in Man on the Moon or Eternal Sunshine or Truman Show. "Signature" role puts me more in Ace Ventura/Dumb and Dumber territory.

Those were the roles I was thinking of too.

 

[Jayrod]

Spoiler: My favorite Jim Carrey movie

I felt like Truman Show was Carey's magnum opus. It was a great blend of comedy and heartwarming.

I'll never forget when I watched it in the theatre and the boat rammed into the wall at the end. I laughed really loud and no one else laughed and my wife got embarrassed. I just thought the shock on his face and the absurdity of the moment was hilarious, but I must have been the only one. I've probably watched that movie 5 or so times and enjoy it every time.

My favorite scene is when he gets his wife in the car and starts rambling about the sequence of people/cars going by in pattern and then tries to drive her off the island and she freaks out. Great acting between him and Linney in that scene.

Hid my comments so as not to spotlight, but this movie belongs somewhere higher up this list.

 

[El Floppo]

Spoiler: My favorite Jim Carrey movie

I felt like Truman Show was Carey's magnum opus. It was a great blend of comedy and heartwarming.

I'll never forget when I watched it in the theatre and the boat rammed into the wall at the end. I laughed really loud and no one else laughed and my wife got embarrassed. I just thought the shock on his face and the absurdity of the moment was hilarious, but I must have been the only one. I've probably watched that movie 5 or so times and enjoy it every time.

My favorite scene is when he gets his wife in the car and starts rambling about the sequence of people/cars going by in pattern and then tries to drive her off the island and she freaks out. Great acting between him and Linney in that scene.

Hid my comments so as not to spotlight, but this movie belongs somewhere higher up this list.

My favorite of his as well. And my son's favorite movie he's seen.

 

[timschochet]

85. Leon: The Professional (1994)

Directed by: Luc Besson

Starring: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman

Synopsis: A mob hitman rescues a 12 year old girl and teaches her his trade.

The rifle is the first weapon you learn to use, because it lets you keep your distance from the client. - Jean Reno as Leon

Natalie Portman’s first role made her a star. This was such a fun film, so well thought out, with terrific action, I haven’t seen it since it first came out; now I want to watch it all over again.

 

[Ilov80s]

I am pretty liberal in what I’m ok with but Leon is pushing it a little too far with me. Just too creepy.

 

[Don Quixote]

I am pretty liberal in what I’m ok with but Leon is pushing it a little too far with me. Just too creepy.

Add in that in his personal life Besson met Maiwenn when she 12 and got her pregnant when she was 16, and, yeah, too creepy.

 

[Todem]

I am pretty liberal in what I’m ok with but Leon is pushing it a little too far with me. Just too creepy.

Never liked this movie…..blech.

 

[timschochet]

I’ve never really considered that element of it. This wasn’t a film like Lolita or anything as I recall. But it’s been 30 years since I’ve seen it.

 

[Ilov80s]

I’ve never really considered that element of it. This wasn’t a film like Lolita or anything as I recall. But it’s been 30 years since I’ve seen it.

You might feel different when you see it. I only saw it for the first time in the last few years and it left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

love Leon. so fun from an action standpoint.
Yeah I guess there’s some creepiness factor to it but not enough that it ever bothered me, although I probably haven’t watched it in 15-20 years

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Plus it has Gary Oldman

 

[El Floppo]

Plus it has Gary Oldman

He was, as always, amazing in this.

I liked it fine, But there was something about it that didn't work for me. Bessons over the top cheese factor, iirc.

 

[General Malaise]

TIL the age of consent in France is 15.

ɡrōs

 

[Hastur]

I understand peoples reaction to the creepiness of the film. However, keep in mind you had a young girl who lost her family in a very violent way and 'latched' on to someone who 'rescued' her from a similar gory death. She was completely misguided in her attempts at seducing the neighbor. The neighbor fought against the seduction, and (if I remember correctly) was able to come out of the situation with his honor intact.

 

[TripItUp]

Leon has always been a critical darling. I liked it, but always thought the critical acclaim was a bit over the top. This feels appropriately ranked.

 

[BlackCrowes]

Great movie

 

[Andy Dufresne]

It was Jean Reno's decision to play Léon as if he were "a little mentally slow" and emotionally repressed. He felt that this would make audiences accept that Léon wasn't someone who would take advantage of a vulnerable young girl. Reno claims that for Léon, the possibility of a physical relationship with Mathilda is inconceivable, so when such a relationship is discussed in the movie, Reno very much allowed Portman to be emotionally in control of the scenes. Reno stated that his rationale for agreeing to play the part was that his character was a 10 year old boy in love with a 12 year old girl, so the relationship could only ever be platonic.

From IMDb.com

 

[Ilov80s]

Plus it has Gary Oldman

He’s kind of a hit or miss actor for me. I don’t care for him in this movie.

 

[TripItUp]

I've watched Total Recall 20 times.

I've watched Leon twice.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

85. Leon: The Professional (1994)

Directed by: Luc Besson

Starring: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman

Synopsis: A mob hitman rescues a 12 year old girl and teaches her his trade.

The rifle is the first weapon you learn to use, because it lets you keep your distance from the client. - Jean Reno as Leon

Natalie Portman’s first role made her a star. This was such a fun film, so well thought out, with terrific action, I haven’t seen it since it first came out; now I want to watch it all over again.

I would have guessed this would be much higher.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I’ve never really considered that element of it. This wasn’t a film like Lolita or anything as I recall. But it’s been 30 years since I’ve seen it.

Yeah I remember she flirted with him often but he basically ignored her advances because he knew it was wrong.

Maybe, I'm mis-remembering?

 

[Dr_Zaius]

Spoiler: My favorite Jim Carrey movie

I felt like Truman Show was Carey's magnum opus. It was a great blend of comedy and heartwarming.

I'll never forget when I watched it in the theatre and the boat rammed into the wall at the end. I laughed really loud and no one else laughed and my wife got embarrassed. I just thought the shock on his face and the absurdity of the moment was hilarious, but I must have been the only one. I've probably watched that movie 5 or so times and enjoy it every time.

My favorite scene is when he gets his wife in the car and starts rambling about the sequence of people/cars going by in pattern and then tries to drive her off the island and she freaks out. Great acting between him and Linney in that scene.

Hid my comments so as not to spotlight, but this movie belongs somewhere higher up this list.

Totally agree with your spoiler. That's Carrey's best and would almost certainly be Top 20 in my own 90s list.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

I remember liking Leon but back when I had cable it came on ALL the time and I only rewatched it maybe once, if that.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I’ve never really considered that element of it. This wasn’t a film like Lolita or anything as I recall. But it’s been 30 years since I’ve seen it.

Yeah I remember she flirted with him often but he basically ignored her advances because he knew it was wrong.

Maybe, I'm mis-remembering?

I thought pretty much the same way. He always maintained a paternal role imo.

As far as the movie itself I thought it was pretty good. And Oldman was excellent.

 

[timschochet]

84. Babe (1994)

Directed by: Chris Noonan

Starring: James Cromwell, and the voices of Christine Cavanaugh, Hugo Weaving

Synopsis: A pig desires to be a sheepdog.

You and I are descended from the great sheepdogs….this is shameful! - Hugo Weaving as Rex the sheepdog.

This is a wonderful children’s story somewhat similar to Charlotte’s Web (in that the barn animals have their own community apart from the humans.) The characters here are well thought out and endearing and I haven’t met a kid (or grownup honestly) who doesn’t like this film.

 

[El Floppo]

84. Babe (1994)

Directed by: Chris Noonan

Starring: James Cromwell, and the voices of Christine Cavanaugh, Hugo Weaving

Synopsis: A pig desires to be a sheepdog.

You and I are descended from the great sheepdogs….this is shameful! - Hugo Weaving as Rex the sheepdog.

This is a wonderful children’s story somewhat similar to Charlotte’s Web (in that the barn animals have their own community apart from the humans.) The characters here are well thought out and endearing and I haven’t met a kid (or grownup honestly) who doesn’t like this film.

(re)watched it not long ago with the kids.

much more slight than I remembered. but every bit as good. IIRC james Cromwell only has a handful of lines... and is still oscar-worthy there.

 

[Dr_Zaius]

Absolutely love Babe. My oldest watched this one often. Love the way the crowd falls dead silent for the climax.

"That'll do pig. That'll do."

 

[Andy Dufresne]

But for the stupidity of sheep, Rex would've been the champion of champions.

 

[timschochet]

83. The Last of the Mohicans (1993)

Directed by: Michael Mann

Starring: Daniel Day Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Wes Studi

Synopsis: Film version of the 1826 novel by James Fenimore Cooper


When the Grey Hair is dead, Magua will eat his heart. Before he dies, Magua will put his children under the knife, so the Grey Hair will know that his seed is wiped out forever. - Wes Studi as Magua

This is an action packed period piece with a great look and feel to it. The villain, Magua (Wes Studi) steals every scene he’s in. The first half of the film in which the fort is under siege is more exciting than the second half, but the whole movie is a terrific western (even though this really isn’t the “west”.)

 

[FarFromHome]

83. The Last of the Mohicans (1993)

Directed by: Michael Mann

Starring: Daniel Day Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Wes Studi

Synopsis: Film version of the 1826 novel by James Fenimore Cooper


When the Grey Hair is dead, Magua will eat his heart. Before he dies, Magua will put his children under the knife, so the Grey Hair will know that his seed is wiped out forever. - Wes Studi as Magua

This is an action packed period piece with a great look and feel to it. The villain, Magua (Wes Studi) steals every scene he’s in. The first half of the film in which the fort is under siege is more exciting than the second half, but the whole movie is a terrific western (even though this really isn’t the “west”.)

Anything with Daniel Day Lewis in a big role is gonna be solid.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

83. The Last of the Mohicans (1993)

Directed by: Michael Mann

Starring: Daniel Day Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Wes Studi

Synopsis: Film version of the 1826 novel by James Fenimore Cooper


When the Grey Hair is dead, Magua will eat his heart. Before he dies, Magua will put his children under the knife, so the Grey Hair will know that his seed is wiped out forever. - Wes Studi as Magua

This is an action packed period piece with a great look and feel to it. The villain, Magua (Wes Studi) steals every scene he’s in. The first half of the film in which the fort is under siege is more exciting than the second half, but the whole movie is a terrific western (even though this really isn’t the “west”.)

Anything with Daniel Day Lewis in a big role is gonna be solid.

Lewis is a block of wood in this movie. Wes Studi is outstanding.

But the music wins it all. Fantastic soundtrack.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

That should be much, much higher.

Much.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Duncan: There is a war on. How is it you are headed west?

Hawkeye: Well, we kinda face to the north and real sudden-like turn left.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

all the high spots are reserved for Woody Allen movies

 

[KarmaPolice]

That should be much, much higher.

Much.

It was #33 on our much superior list.

 

[El Floppo]

Such a great movie. We're into the top 20 already?

 

[BlackCrowes]

this ranking feels Ghostbusters....ish