Best Films of 1993 (Part 3)

Part 1
Part 2

We enter the Top Ten movies of 1993, and this list could go toe to toe with any year ever. I cannot believe THE FUGITIVE, PHILADELPHIA and SHADOWLANDS didn't make it. I had them all originally in the Top Ten, just assuming they'd be there, until I actually went through line by line. That movies of such quality--which would make ANY other year's top ten list--don't make 1993; that tells you how incredible the year was.

And it would be even harder, but I missed some of the critiically acclaimed films. The following movies might have made my list, had I seen them: SOMMERSBY, UNTAMED HEART, EL MARIACHI, SWING KIDS, BENNY & JOON, THIS BOY'S LIFE, WIDE SARGASSO SEA, THE ADVENTURES OF HUCK FINN, JACK THE BEAR, HAPPILY EVER AFTER, POETIC JUSTICE, FREE WILLY, FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE, MR. JONES, THE JOY LUCK CLUB, NEEDFUL THINGS, MAN WITHOUT A FACE, THIRTY TWO SHORT FILMS ABOUT GLENN GOULD, GERONIMO, GERMINAL, HEAVEN AND EARTH, WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE, MY LIFE, UNDERCOVER BLUES, and THE SECRET GARDEN.

Here are the #10 - #6 films of 1993:

#10 IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER - Because of the subject matter (the IRA war with Britain), the movie may not be as accessible, but you need to make the effort for this gem. Daniel Day-Lewis was nominated (for his second best performance of the year!), as was the wonderful Emma Thompson and Pete Postlewaite in a star-making turn. Quality film all around.

#9 DAZED AND CONFUSED - The best Indie movie of the year; arguably the entire decade (we should do that top ten list as well). DAZED introduced so many of the future stars of the '90s, and is one of the best ever at "A day in the life." I originally had this movie at #11, but when I considered it's the second most quotable movie of the decade and one of the five most rewatchable, I had to move it up into the top ten. For more of my praises of DAZED AND CONFUSED, see my review.

#8 JURASSIC PARK - I remember being very excited in 1989 for BATMAN, but the first time I remember a total event movie was JURASSIC PARK. I was in Corvallis, Oregon with my brother on a Thursday before it came out (special show), and the electricity in the air was palpable. The film itself was a tremendously good adaptation, and with all the CGI of today we forget how unbelievably amazing those special effects were back then. The first time you see those dinosaurs you are in awe. The T-Rex was pretty awesome too, ne?

#7 MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING - One of my very favorite movies of all time, and one of the best Shakespeare adaptations ever. (EVER!) Denzel Washington plays a totally different character than normal, and Keanu Reeves as his brother really acts. (They both play Italian brothers, and it somehow works, is the magic of Shakespeare.) Robert Sean Leonard is good as is Brian Benben, and a then unknown Kate Beckinsale is the wonderful young Hero. (Even Michael Keaton shows up for some wonderful comic relief.) MUCH ADO is owned, however, by its adapter Kenneth Branaugh and this then wife Emma Thompson. (This was totally her year. Nominated twice for Oscars, and really should have been for this movie as well.) The two are resplendent as Beatrice and Benedick, battling wits with skill and moxie that will delight even the most ardent of Shakespeare haters. Even my dad got into and loved MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. You will too.

#6 SHORT CUTS - Robert Altman at his absolute best. Altman takes 9 Raymond Carver short stories and combines them in a tapestry, where each story interconnects with another. The scenes start long, almost five minute shots, and get shorter and shorter until the end we literally do have short cuts. The amazing cast is too numerous to mention here, other than to say this is the only Whoopi Goldberg performance I like, Lyle Lovett is the man, and Jack Lemon deserved 3 Oscars for his work. Incredible movie. (Plus, you get to see Huey Lewis's wang. How can you pass that up? You can't. you just can't.)

Up next: The top five movies of 1993