Best movies of 1995 (part 2)

Read Part 1

We continue our look at the best movies of 1995.

I feel a little bad about trashing so many movies in yesterday's intro. There were some great "Regular Movies" that were very enjoyable, films like OUTBREAK, BATMAN FOREVER, CRIMSON TIDE, DESPERADO, WATERWORLD, SPECIES, ASSASSINS, CASPER, GET SHORTY, COPYCAT and DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE.

There were also several small Independent movies that had a spark all their own, like LIVING IN OBVLIVION, CANADIAN BACON, HACKERS, MALLRATS, FOUR ROOMS, and DEAD PRESIDENTS.

Finally, honesty compels me to admit that 1995 contains an extraordinary number of movies that would have a great shot at the top 20...if I'd only seen them! I keep whittling the list down, but as of yet I have not seen such worthy movies as: DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS, RESTORATION, DEAD MAN WALKING, CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY, OTHELLO, GEORGIA, POWDER, CARRINGTON, THE CROSSING GUARD, WILD BILL, PAYBACK, MURDER IN THE FIRST, CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, DOLORES CLAIBORNE, LAST OF THE DOGMEN, MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS, WILD BILL, IL POSTINO, THE BASKETBALL DIARIES, PERSUASION, A LITTLE PRINCESS, CLOCKERS, and LOSING ISAIAH.

Anyway, let's move into the top ten. Today we look at #10 - #6:

#10 THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT - How many times have you seen at least part of this on TBS? 40? 50? Great performances from all involved, and so clearly a precursor to WEST WING; the speech patterns are the same, even some of the actors! There are many great lines, but I think my favorite is "Come Children, let us away."

#9 KIDS - This movie is a smack in the face. I need to write up a review soon, because director Larry Clark is the man. There is no one in movies today that gets kids more than he. I love Breakfast Club and Ferris and all, but Clark actually understands what's going on. Kids assaults you from word go, but is so well done I have friends who think Telly is cool! Every parent should watch this with their 12 year old (and then lock them in their room for the next ten years).

#8 HEAT - Too long, too many subplots, and a slight lack of focus, or we might put HEAT up there with THE GODFATHER. DeNiro (back when he cared) and Pacino at their best and on screen together! Val Kilmer, a smoking hot Ashley Judd, Natalie Portman on the cusp of hotness, Tom Sizemore, President Palmer Diane Verorna, Tone Loc, Jon Voigt, Waingro, man! I could go on forever. DeNiro has never been more the man than here, and neither has Pacino. See it just for them, but man is there so much more.

#7 SE7EN - The ending to this film is so brilliantly and grotesquely perfect that it's worth seeing just for that, but Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt and killer direction by David Fincher seal the deal. Is there a more atmospheric movie this decade? Shudder.

#6 TOY STORY - When I realized that TOY STORY wasn't going to make the top five I almost threw up. How can one of the Best animated movies in history only be the sixth best movie of a year? When you have an unbelievable year; that's how. TOY STORY was the first real jump into computer animation, and though it may seem quaint with today's product, at the time it was Star-Wars revolutionary. Much more important, there's a great story with great characters, and pantheon level voice work by Tom Hanks and especially Tim Allen. To Infinity and Beyond!

Up tomorrow: The top five movies of 1995