Best Films of the 90s - 50-46

50. Swingers - (1996)

There's something obviously autobiographical about Jon Favreau's script as he and some friends (including Vince Vaughn and Ron Livingston) struggle both as actors and with women. Vince has claimed many of his own lines from real life conversations. In being very specific about the LA acting scene in the mid-90s, the film paradoxically becomes universal by feeling so real. Every group of friends can recognize characters from the film. Vince is truly unbelievable here - it would be the best comedic performance of the decade if he weren't playing himself.

49. The Matrix - (1999)
Neo's journey from low level business cog to revolutionary leader is told in classic film structure which helps make it feel both old and new. The blending of many religions allows everybody to apply their life to the film (this goes double for film nerds in crappy jobs). Keanu Reeves's limited acting range is humorously addressed (the lack of humor hurt the sequels big-time). The Wachowski siblings are in total command here - the way the script shows "The Matrix" to Keanu (thus the audience) is a masterstroke.

48. 12 Monkeys - (1995)

Terry Gilliam's most accessible film still has his usual ridiculous point of view shots, close-ups that are way too close, and crazy makeup choices. But with a focused, driving story, his questionable tendencies take backstage for the better. The time travel stuff is just the foundation for the real story of self-discovery and perseverance. Bruce Willis is nicely subdued and Brad Pitt is hilariously manic. Times have greatly changed in the past 15 years, but the threat of human annihilation by viral epidemic is right around the corner - or not.

47. Out of Sight - (1998)
Teaming up with Steven Soderbergh (who he'd go on to make 4 more films - so far), George Clooney really found his charming, rascally stride as a bank robber being pursued by a US Marshal (Jennifer Lopez) who he has an unusual attraction with. The Clooney-Lopez chemistry is perfect as is the editing in the classic consummation scene. The appearances of Albert Brooks and Nancy Allen in the climactic scene was a delight not only within the film itself, but also for film geeks who love Soderbergh's continued casting of film stars from the 70s and 80s.

46. The Sixth Sense - (1999)

Take away one of the all-time best twist endings and you still have an exceptional drama about parenting and forgiveness. Haley Joel Osment and Toni Collette give very moving performances, especially in the later scenes. M. Night Shyamalan made this film about many different things - including hope, redemption, and helping others. His later films would have less and less ideas in them, much to their detriment. Bruce Willis's longevity is partly related to his willingness to take supporting parts and partly related to choices like this.

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
60. Jerry Maguire
59. Terminator 2
58. Toy Story
57. Toy Story 2
56. Elizabeth
55. Apollo 13
54. Casino
53. Rushmore
52. Get Shorty
51. Barton Fink