Best Films of the 90s - 60-56

 

60. Jerry Maguire - (1996)

A sports agent (Tom Cruise) finds his conscience after leaving his whole life for a single mom (Renee Zellweger). Cruise gives his best lead performance ever, showing a range that few thought he had in him. Cuba Gooding, Jr. is excellent, owning the screen every second that he's on it. Writer-director Cameron Crowe gave the culture many catchphrases, but more importantly, his portrait of a man discovering what matters in life (friends, family, honesty, integrity), then embracing it, gives the film its longevity.

59. Terminator 2 - (1991)
Arnold Schwarzenegger had become a huge, likable star in the interim since The Terminator 7 years earlier, so it came as no surprise that he was a good guy in the sequel. James Cameron received a huge budget, and used it well, with new visual effects that revolutionized the industry. The first half of the film is basically perfect with action scenes that still excite and playful, humorous dialogue (remember when Cameron could write?). The second half starts taking itself too seriously but Cameron never lets up on the intensity and creativeness of the action sequences.

58. Toy Story - (1995)

A lot of people cite the first Pixar film as their favorite, and while it certainly is well plotted and its themes of identity and friendship couldn't be handled any better, the mean-spirited next door neighbor (Sid) is stressed too heavily. Sid isn't exactly given a great comeuppance (like the villains in Toy Story 2 and 3) which also hurts. The voice-work by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen is superb, but other studios would subsequently hire big names for their animated films rather the right actors. Pixar would continue to find the right guys.

57. Toy Story 2 - (1999)
The sequel works better partly due to Joan Cusack's unflappable Jessie and the remembrance of her former owner. And also the pacing which is impeccable. Pixar guru John Lasseter also nicely developed the confidence to start referencing old movies for humor's sake. Thematically, the film strengthens the friendship aspect of the first film and adds ideas about life's purpose and meaning. The rare sequel that eclipses its predecessor.

56. Elizabeth - (1998)

Cate Blanchett wrongfully lost the Oscar to Gwyneth Paltrow but these days, it's clear she won the war. As great as Blanchett is as the virgin queen, one performance does not a film make. The sets and costumes are superb but Shekhar Kapur's direction is what gives the film a boost. Most of these period British films play it too safe by being too reliant on the dialogue and acting, but the way Kapur captures those essential components is what makes this one of the best films of its kind. Kapur's shining moment is when he lifts The Godfather's ending as he cross-cuts multiple murders.

100. Glengarry Glen Ross
99. Dead Again
98. Ed Wood
97. True Romance
96. The Commitments
95. Bound
94. Die Hard 2
93. In the Line of Fire
92. Affliction
91. Shakespeare in Love
90. In the Company of Men
89. Short Cuts
88. Copland
87. The Hudsucker Proxy
86. The Last Seduction
85. The Apostle
84. Burnt by the Sun
83. The Godfather Part III
82. Good Will Hunting
81. Speed
80. Reversal of Fortune
79. Forest Gump
78. American Beauty
77. Dazed and Confused
76. True Lies
75. Nixon
74. Malcolm X
73. Red Rock West
72. Hearts of Darkness
71. Wag the Dog
70. Thelma and Louise
69. Hoop Dreams
68. Quiz Show
67. Reservoir Dogs
66. Total Recall
65. The Hunt for Red October
64. Babe
63. Braveheart
62. Searching for Bobby Fischer
61. Bottle Rocket