Top 101 Movies of the 90s. We are done. If I knock out Amadeus/Brazil/Ran, We get to have an 80s countdown!! (1 Viewer)

[Andy Dufresne]

Presnell deserved award nominations for that stoic portrayal, his performance didn't miss a beat - probably my second favorite character behind Jerry. 

the scene where him and Grossman cut Jerry down to just a finder's fee for the lot is the most pivotal in the flick, imo. 

"hey, Wade ... whatcha watching?'

"GOPHERS!"

How about this Wade line...

Jerry Lundegaard :  This could work out real good for me and Jean and Scotty.

Wade Gustafson : [coldly]  Jean and Scotty never have to worry

 

[AAABatteries]

Not remotely. Marge would never do that. She didn't even want him to sit in the same booth with her.

What she would also never do, however, is make Mike feel bad by declining a lunch meet up. That'd just be rude.

Minnesotans never say what they mean, even when they're mean. "Minnesota Nice" means I don't really like you but I desperately hope you'll like me.

I don’t think you know that - she got dressed up, made up which doesn’t seem like her. I agree with you the result was she stayed true but I think the idea is there.

 

[Keith R]

Not remotely. Marge would never do that. She didn't even want him to sit in the same booth with her.

I think what he meant was that to an outsider, her actions looked like someone who was willing to consider an affair.  No one who knows her would think that (except for delusional Mike) but a stranger could see this type of situation develop and draw that conclusion.  And Margie would not be blameless in that, not cause she wanted an affair possibility but cause of her naive friendliness.

Edit - the OP clarified his take just before this post.  I don't think she ever entertained the possibility of an affair but she put herself in a precarious position and regretted it.

 

[otb_lifer]

How about this Wade line...

Jerry Lundegaard :  This could work out real good for me and Jean and Scotty.

Wade Gustafson : [coldly]  Jean and Scotty never have to worry

the Tywin Lannister of the Twin Cities. 

ETA: more like Tywin was the Wade Gustaffson of Westeros 

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I don’t think you know that - she got dressed up, made up which doesn’t seem like her. I agree with you the result was she stayed true but I think the idea is there.

Her character doesn't work otherwise. It's no mistake that she's pregnant - among other things she represents a nurturing spirit. That includes Mike (sit over there, but don't feel bad, it's just so I don't have to crane my neck to talk to you - I'm sure ya understand).

When you go out to eat in the big city of Minneapolis, it's just what you do - dress up a little. At least that's what you think when you're from a place like Brainerd (or in my case, Moorhead).

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I think what he meant was that to an outsider, her actions looked like someone who was willing to consider an affair.  No one who knows her would think that (except for delusional Mike) but a stranger could see this type of situation develop and draw that conclusion.  And Margie would not be blameless in that, not cause she wanted an affair possibility but cause of her naive friendliness.

Edit - the OP clarified his take just before this post.  I don't think she ever entertained the possibility of an affair but she put herself in a precarious position and regretted it.

Okay, I can see that angle.

Here's that Kanopy doc. I highly recommend.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I don’t want to spotlight, but is it that dinosaur one by Senor Spielbergo’s American equivalent?

Schindler es muy bueno, Senor Burns es el diablo.

 

[otb_lifer]

I don’t think you know that - she got dressed up, made up which doesn’t seem like her. I agree with you the result was she stayed true but I think the idea is there.

not so outta the pale for a woman who spends the great majority of her life in uniform, and who has a ton of peripheral static going on, to gussy up for an afternoon nosh in the big city. 

she was embracing her dormant "girly" femininity, not enticing Mike. 

 

[AAABatteries]

Okay, I can see that angle.

It’s kind of a distinction without a difference to me.  Whether he character considers it or not she didn’t act on it at all and stays true to herself.  I think the bigger picture to me is it helps with the realization of her naïveté and that Jerry was capable.  

 

[Mr. Mojo]

even an ancillary scene, like when Lou goes up around Moose Lake to question "Jerry's loudmouth" ... just ####### kills -

"so he says to me, you think i'm some kinda jerk? 'ceptin he doesn't use the word 'jerk'"

"oh, i got ya" 

"then he says the last person that called him a jerk wound up dead, and whadda i think of that? i says ... well, that don't sound like such a good deal for him"

and very soon afterwards:

They say it's gonna turn cold tomorrow...

 

[Andy Dufresne]

One more last thing...

The theme song is based on a Norwegian tune called, appropriately, The Lost Sheep.

 

[KarmaPolice]

One last thing - don't discount the final scene.

When Norm is lamenting that his design will only go on the three cent stamp - and thus is tickling around the edges of the discontent that drove Jerry - Marge pulls him back from the edge with genuine encouragement and the declaration of "We're doin' pretty good, Norm."

Marge remains pure goodness.

I'm honestly tearing up a bit as I write that. 

The power of movies.   Love it. 

 

[otb_lifer]

and very soon afterwards:

They say it's gonna turn cold tomorrow...

"... you got that right!"

*shovels*

 

[Pigskin Fanatic]

One of my biases that I had to knock down was growing up I felt like there were movies that normal people liked and movies that snobs and people who think they are smarter than everybody else like.   Now, of course that's a dumb way to view things, and people like what they like and bring their own personal baggage to the table.   Where I am going with this is when I think about that I 100% would put stuff like Coen comedies, Wes Anderson, Being John Malkovich, etc in that second category and when I get too much of a whiff of that air of pretention, it keeps me at arms length a bit.    Obviously looking at the dramas I gravitate to, I got over this bias in one category of movie, but I think I still struggle with that in comedies.   It's also a reason that I am surprised that these comedies are rated so highly by the people who hate the dramas that I was categorizing that way too.  

this entire post is very specifically how i view movies too. the bolded part is the Oscars films. Most years I don't understand why the best picture is the best over the others but can still guess what kind of films make it in there. and most comedies will never be considered because they hate fun.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I love, too, that for all his profane bluster - Karl still ends up paying the parking lot fee. Evil cannot stand up to stoic goodness!

 

[KarmaPolice]

We're about to make film history, right here... on videotape.

#7:  BOOGIE NIGHTS

The only reason this is higher than a couple is because 80s likes this one just a tick more than I liked his #1.  Yes, this is my #1 - big shock, 80s had it at #28.   Ripping off a little Scorsese here with the long take opening, but these characters are PTA.  I've always been drawn to his weird take on family and father figures.  One of my favorite directors and a collection of some of my favorite actors.  How can I not love this one?  The coke deal gone south is one of my favorite scenes of the 90s.  

 

[otb_lifer]

I love, too, that for all his profane bluster - Karl still ends up paying the parking lot fee. Evil cannot stand up to stoic goodness!

when he's at the swank club with the escort ...

pretty impressive joint - Jose Feliciano ... you got no complaints there 

yeah, i'm here for business ... in and out ... yep, a lil' of the ol' in n' out. 

 

[KarmaPolice]

Sometimes I do wonder how Margie climbed the ranks in the force if she didn't until that moment consider that people would be lying to her about stuff.  

 

[Dan Lambskin]

We're about to make film history, right here... on videotape.

#7:  BOOGIE NIGHTS

The only reason this is higher than a couple is because 80s likes this one just a tick more than I liked his #1.  Yes, this is my #1 - big shock, 80s had it at #28.   Ripping off a little Scorsese here with the long take opening, but these characters are PTA.  I've always been drawn to his weird take on family and father figures.  One of my favorite directors and a collection of some of my favorite actors.  How can I not love this one?  The coke deal gone south is one of my favorite scenes of the 90s.  

Chest Rockwell is the best stage name ever

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Also that movie gets pretty damn depressing at the end

 

[TripItUp]

I’m funny how?  Funny, like, I’m a clown?  I amuse you?

#9:  GOODFELLAS

Could easily make an argument for the #1 here.  In my personal top 5

 

[otb_lifer]

We're about to make film history, right here... on videotape.

#7:  BOOGIE NIGHTS

The only reason this is higher than a couple is because 80s likes this one just a tick more than I liked his #1.  Yes, this is my #1 - big shock, 80s had it at #28.   Ripping off a little Scorsese here with the long take opening, but these characters are PTA.  I've always been drawn to his weird take on family and father figures.  One of my favorite directors and a collection of some of my favorite actors.  How can I not love this one?  The coke deal gone south is one of my favorite scenes of the 90s.  

IT'S A MACY SHOWCASE!!1!

back to back home runs here, fellas - though it was kinda expected.  

hard pressed to rank this or Fargo above the other ... i know what's prolly coming up, and lemme just say - Boogie and Fargo take my #2 & #3 spots behind GGR for this decade. 

most obscure bit of genius here to me? the 45 seconds (yep, count 'em) they spend fixed on Dirk's goofy ### grin as "Jesse's Girl" is playing ... one of my favorite scenes ever. 

 

[Keith R]

Sometimes I do wonder how Margie climbed the ranks in the force if she didn't until that moment consider that people would be lying to her about stuff.  

She's a product of the local culture.  

 

[KarmaPolice]

Also that movie gets pretty damn depressing at the end

 , but I am drawn to the dark side a bit.  

The combo of Roller Girl in the limo and Dirk in the truck plus the droning ominous track still makes me tense up.  There is a stark shift in tone when we get to the 70s and Macy does what he does at the party.  

 

[otb_lifer]

 , but I am drawn to the dark side a bit.  

The combo of Roller Girl in the limo and Dirk in the truck plus the droning ominous track still makes me tense up.  There is a stark shift in tone when we get to the 70s and Macy does what he does at the party.  

don't forget Buck at the donut shop robbery during that sequence ... highlight of the flick for me. 

 

[KarmaPolice]

IT'S A MACY SHOWCASE!!1!

back to back home runs here, fellas - though it was kinda expected.  

hard pressed to rank this or Fargo above the other ... i know what's prolly coming up, and lemme just say - Boogie and Fargo take my #2 & #3 spots behind GGR for this decade. 

most obscure bit of genius here to me? the 45 seconds (yep, count 'em) they spend fixed on Dirk's goofy ### grin as "Jesse's Girl" is playing ... one of my favorite scenes ever. 

Another non-scripted take from my understanding.  It sounds like that scene was a hellish shoot - Molina had plugs in and was just listening to the music while those three on the couch were bombarded with loud ### firecrackers.   That look was Marky breaking down a bit.  

 

[Keith R]

don't forget Buck at the donut shop robbery during that sequence ... highlight of the flick for me. 

So many great scenes

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Sometimes I do wonder how Margie climbed the ranks in the force if she didn't until that moment consider that people would be lying to her about stuff.  

Marge Gunderson: Okay. So we got a trooper pulls someone over, we got a shooting, these folks drive by, there's a high-speed pursuit, ends here, and then this execution-type deal. I'd be very surprised if our suspect was from Brainerd.

Not much happens Up North. There's a big difference in thinking between those who live "Out State" Minnesota and those in The Cities. She rose the ranks dealing with a certain kind of crime. When the new kind comes to town it's easy to identify but not easy to deal with.

 

[TripItUp]

We're about to make film history, right here... on videotape.

#7:  BOOGIE NIGHTS

Another one you could easily argue as #1 for the decade.   It's my personal #2.

Acting, dialogue, screenplay, cinematography, design, casting...all of it is A+.

There is nothing I would change about this film, same as Groundhog Day.

 

[TripItUp]

I like Fargo, don't love it like others here do.  Maybe I have to live where it snows or something.  Acting is great, dialogue is great.  Story is relatively uninteresting to me.

It would make my top 50, nowhere near my top 10.   

 

[AAABatteries]

Thread title and OP may be due for some upkeep GB KP.

 

[TripItUp]

Being John Malkovich - Sorry Wikkid, but I hated this film. A clever starting idea with a weak ending. Keener plays one of the most obnoxious movie characters ever, but despite this we're stuck watching Cusack stay obsessed with her (?) right through the end. It sucked.

Kind of agree with the criticisms here.  Doesn't crack my top 50, probably makes the top 100 on concept alone.  Over ranked here IMHO.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Thread title and OP may be due for some upkeep GB KP.

Yes.  I am lazy

 

[otb_lifer]

Kind of agree with the criticisms here.  Doesn't crack my top 50

doesn't make my top 50 of the month it was released 

:X

 

[KarmaPolice]

 It ain’t no ****ing ball park neither! Now look, maybe your method of massage differs from mine, but you know touching his wife’s feet and sticking your tongue in the holiest of holies ain’t the same ****ing ball park. It ain’t the same league. It ain’t even the same ****ing sport!

#6:  PULP FICTION

My #6, and 80s' #19.     On our rewatch it flipped spots with Jackie Brown.   Such a great moive, and so many great scenes.  I don't think it would ever overtake Boogie, but it would probably be #2 if not for Fabienne and Tarantino.   Now everybody pile on 80s for having it too low!!  

 

[KarmaPolice]

I think with that, we have crossed off most of the movies that people would have expected to land at #1 or in the top 5.    

 

[otb_lifer]

I think with that, we have crossed off most of the movies that people would have expected to land at #1 or in the top 5.    

nah, big difference between what i (we) may have wanted, and what we know is coming. 

can't fault the stuff i know is coming up - but 2 of 'em would be well down my rankings. 

 

[KarmaPolice]

nah, big difference between what i (we) may have wanted, and what we know is coming. 

can't fault the stuff i know is coming up - but 2 of 'em would be well down my rankings. 

Just worked out that way I guess.  If we wanted a standard list we could have just copy and pasted the imdb rankings.   

Mostly this exercise was to see what my top 100 would be, rekindle some passion for movies, and hopefully introduce myself and other to something they might have passed over.  Like I've said, I think overall there will be few quibbles with what the top 15 ended up being.  

 

[Buckna]

 , but I am drawn to the dark side a bit.  

The combo of Roller Girl in the limo and Dirk in the truck plus the droning ominous track still makes me tense up.  There is a stark shift in tone when we get to the 70s and Macy does what he does at the party.  

I could be butchering this based on memory, but I believe PTA said that in the first screening of Boogie Nights he was pissed because people cheered Macy’s character during his first actions at the NYE party but then what Macy does at the end “shut all that damn cheering the hell up.” Or something to that effect…

 

[otb_lifer]

Just worked out that way I guess.  If we wanted a standard list we could have just copy and pasted the imdb rankings.  

who said anything about "standard"?

Brasco and State of Grace would probably be in my top 5, along with GGR, Fargo, Boogie - nothing standard there. 

#### imdb. 

 

[KarmaPolice]

who said anything about "standard"?

Brasco and State of Grace would probably be in my top 5, along with GGR, Fargo, Boogie - nothing standard there. 

#### imdb. 

Just saying I would think most guesses at the top 5 would include Pulp, Goodfellas, Lebowski, etc.   I was mildly surprised at the final product, so would expect others to be as well

 

[otb_lifer]

Just saying I would think most guesses at the top 5 would include Pulp, Goodfellas, Lebowski, etc.   I was mildly surprised at the final product, so would expect others to be as well

i did not expect standard outta you two, and i'm glad for that, which is why i've participated here.  

plus the fact that both Clerks and D & C missed this list pleases me to no end. 

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Say, Lou, didya hear the one about the guy who couldn't afford personalized plates, so he went and changed his name to J3L2404?

#8:  FARGO

My #26 and 80s' #5.   I am a bit more in tune to the Coen dramas.   Jerry and Marge are a couple of my favorite characters of the 90s.   Jerry cracks me up with just how inept and over his head he is in this world.   Marge being that rare, good, wholesome character that weirdly doesn't seem to change a bit throughout the movie.    Love it.  

Actually kind of low on my Coen rankings. A lot of that is because of his good the rest of their stuff is, but also I never identified with Marge the way I think I was supposed to, and the dialogue is almost Coen-template-parody at times. I guess I just never got why this got all the awards when Miller’s Crossing, Blood Simple, etc were better. 

 

[KarmaPolice]

i did not expect standard outta you two, and i'm glad for that, which is why i've participated here.  

plus the fact that both Clerks and D & C missed this list pleases me to no end. 

You positive about this?? 

 

[otb_lifer]

You positive about this?? 

betting the ranch on it. 

even if 80s deified it, you woulda had it waaayyy too low to crack this rarefied air. 

 

[AAABatteries]

I think I know the top 5 but not positive.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Actually kind of low on my Coen rankings. A lot of that is because of his good the rest of their stuff is, but also I never identified with Marge the way I think I was supposed to, and the dialogue is almost Coen-template-parody at times. I guess I just never got why this got all the awards when Miller’s Crossing, Blood Simple, etc were better. 

Probably for the same reason that I can like Kill Bill but don't get the love for Pulp Fiction.

 

[Gally]

Just saying I would think most guesses at the top 5 would include Pulp, Goodfellas, Lebowski, etc.   I was mildly surprised at the final product, so would expect others to be as well

non of those would be in my top 5 either....but then again I haven't seen many of those listed and might still be around 25% i  have never heard of. 

 

[otb_lifer]

Probably for the same reason that I can love Reservoir Dogs but don't get the love for Pulp Fiction.

my take ^

 

[AAABatteries]

Probably for the same reason that I can like Kill Bill but don't get the love for Pulp Fiction.

I'd watch Kill Bill 9/10 over Pulp but it was still a great movie and really propelled QT.  I wouldn't have it top 5 and probably not top 10 but would be in my top 20.