The Best of the 1990s: 11 - 20

11) JFK
Director: Oliver Stone
Considering that 75% of this movie is devoted to conspiracy theories so insane that they'd make Charles Manson blush, it's hard to imagine this is the 11th best film of the nineties. Well, luckily for my list the specifics of those theories aren't the point of this movie. Oh, it's in the foreground of nearly every aspect of the film, but way in the back this film is about a people's relationship with their governance. Each of those crazy theories is nothing more than a question asked. Most of them may be absurd, but one or two may just hit the mark. This film asks us to question the rulers, and THAT is bar none, without a doubt, no mistaking, the most important thing a citizen of a democracy can do. Beyond this thematic material, this was one of the best constructed films in a great while. The editing, the visuals, the pacing, the direction as a whole was simply astounding.

12) NIXON
Director: Oliver Stone
Another Stone masterpiece that's highly underappreciated. This is great, classic ironic tragedy in the highest form. The king has fallen, but there's nothing to blame but his own weaknesses. Great tragedy, plus great political discourse, plus great direction and exceedingly great acting equals a great, great film. Anthony Hopkins and Joan Allen are both exceptional in this movie. It might just be Hopkins' best, although he has a lot of contenders for that distinction.

13) BABE
Director: Chris Noonan
This will be a children's classic for years to come. Wonderful on every level. That'll do pig.

14) FARGO
Director: Coen Bros
The Coen brothers are immensely talented. They create unique, engrossing fantasy worlds that are very difficult to dislike. This film was a great foray into something that more closely resembled reality. A wondeful mix of painful truths and whimsy.

15) SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
Director: Steven Spielberg
Parts of this film were just good Hollywood fare, but the visuals and construction of the battle sequences were utterly extraordinary. Never before had a moving picture gotten the reality of battle so right. This was a new high tide mark in certain technical and artistic constructions of film.

16) THE PIANO
Director: Jane Campion
A flawless little gem of a movie. Great acting across the board from Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neil and little Anna Paquin.

17) HAMLET
Director: Kenneth Branaugh
One of the better Shakespeare productions ever. Huge and ambitious, it takes the weary Dane out of the dim depths we're he's usually found wallowing, and shows that this is a real Prince we're talking about. Gorgeous, lush visuals.

18) REMAINS OF THE DAY
Director: Merchant - Ivory
With Howard's End, the Merchant-Ivory team found a success of magnificent proportions. With that success in hand, they followed the same formula again, with many of the same actors. And again, Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson show why they're such greats. Just watch Hopkins performance and see how there is a psychological base for every action he makes, from a raised hand to a step backwards. Incredible acting.

19) THE PEOPLE VS LARRY FLYNT
Director: Milos Forman
About as good as topical films can get, this is a radical, fun and intelligent look at our first amendment to the constitution. We often forget just how much this short paragraph changed the world for the better. To see its bounds challanged by pornographers and right wing nutjobs is a great reminder of this fact.

20) TRAINSPOTTING
Director: Danny Boyle
I've always been astounded by the dweebs who love the movie Wall Street because they adore Gordan Gecko and his "Greed is good" credo. They've utterly misunderstood the film, Gecko's the bad guy and he loses big time in the end. Similarly, Trainspotting is a powerful anti-drug movie and yet all I ever hear is druggies promoting it, and the uptight reviling it. Sad and scary, because this is a really unique film with an important anti-drug message. Choose life, you hosers.

12/05/2005