Best Movies of the '90s (#4)

When I started looking over the movies of 1997, I remembered the clout of the Independent film. They were everywhere, and flexing their muscle both at the box office and awards time. It isn’t a fluke that 7 of my 10 selections qualify as Independent films. I’m not saying every Indie is a winner, or there aren’t problems with that scale of production, but what an Independent film allows for is a consistent point of view, storytelling without mass-market concerns. Often this leads to a better film for everyone. Of course, the more varied the stories the more they appeal to niche audiences, but my audience is intelligent enough that you’ll want to see them all.

Highly regarded movies from the year I have yet to see: WINGS OF THE DOVE, ULEE’S GOLD, MRS. BROWN, THE SWEET HEREAFTER

Art House films that I loved and almost made the list that you might want to give a try (if you’re into that sort of thing): HARD EIGHT (the life of a professional gambler), THE BOXER (the Irish/English tensions), THE ICE STORM (what life was like in the ‘70s for bored white people).

THE TOP TEN FILMS OF 1997 (PART I)

#10 CHASING AMY – The third in Kevin Jones’s trilogy (after CLERKS and MALLRATS, although you don’t have to see those first), CHASING AMY is the most complete of the Jay and Silent Bob opus. Ben Affleck gives a terrific performance (who knew?) as Holden, who falls for Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) only to find out she’s GASP: gay! CHASING AMY takes a very modern and adult look at love and relationships, and keeps it real with a bittersweet love story. The humor (highlighted by Jason Lee as Banky) is hysterical too. An absolute must for fans of Indie Romances.

#9 LOVE JONES – For the most part, all black casts mean all black audiences. The movies are made, marketed and geared that way. LOVE JONES could have been the big crossover if the culture had been ready. The skin color isn’t ignored but is largely irrelevant. You will relate to these people, because quite simply you’ve been there. Larenz Tate and Nia Long star as Darius and Nina, trying to find modern love in a world more set up for quick hook ups than relationships that last. The film is surprisingly realistic, but still manages to be feel good, and one of the best soundtracks of the entire decade.

#8 THE HOUSE OF YES – Up front I’ll admit this is basically a filmed play, and as such doesn’t contain the dynamic movement you might want in a movie. But THE HOUSE OF YES makes my top 20 favorite movies. Outside of PULP FICTION (and possibly DAZED AND CONFUSED), there is no movie from the ‘90s I quote more. The film tells the story of one screwed up family weekend in November of ’82, and boasts the gargantuan achievement of containing the only good Freddie Prinze Jr. and Tori Spelling performances ever. In one movie! Best described as a “dark satiric comedy,” (emphasis on dark), I crack up just thinking about it. You need to be a little brave, but you’ll be rewarded.

#7 IN THE COMPANY OF MEN – Another one of my 20 favorite movies, IN THE COMPANY OF MEN is even darker than #8. Two guys are on a six week business assignment, and get to discussing how women have screwed them over. So, they decide to get even. They’ll find a wallflower, a woman who’s not used to dating, kind of given up on life, and they’ll both come after her at once; flowers, dinner, the whole works. Then at the end of six weeks, they’ll pull the rug out and walk away. Sounds sick, doesn’t it? Except it’s a movie, so it doesn’t work out like they’d planned. Still, you need to be tough to watch this film. (And fellows: whatever you do, do not watch this with your girl. You won’t get laid for a month.) IN THE COMPANY OF MEN was Neil Labute’s first film, and he’s become one of my favorite directors. It’s also Aaron Eckhart’s first, and he gives one of the ten best performances of the ‘90s here. After seeing this movie I decided to cast Eckhart in everything I ever do.

#6 GROSSE POINTE BLANK – John Cusack is a hit man in the middle of an existential crisis, and his next job takes him back to his ten year high school reunion. If you don’t want to watch the movie already you’re crazy. One of my two favorite Cusack films, GROSSE POINTE BLANK also features Mini Driver’s best performance of her career. The hit man stuff is dark humor at its peak, but make no mistake: this movie is about coming to terms with who you were, and who you are, and how those two people got so lost from each other. I watched this once with my parents (slightly nervous because of the language and violence), and was delighted that they loved it, totally identifying with the angst and situations of a high school reunion. A must see for anyone who’s ever been to high school, and lived to tell about it.

Up tomorrow: The top 5