The Eleven Best 90s Films
Submitted by lbangs on Tue, 09/17/2002 - 03:31
Tags:
- 1) Amateur (1994)
- 2) Pulp Fiction (1994)
- 3) Simple Men (1992)
- 4) Life Is Beautiful (1997)
- 5) The Piano (1993)
- 6) Miller's Crossing (1990)
- 7) The English Patient (1996)
- 8) Beauty and the Beast (1991)
- 9) Short Cuts (1993)
- 10) The Wrong Trousers (1993)
- 11) Defending Your Life (1991)
Have you seen either of two incredible Iranian films: Children of Heaven or The Color of Paradise? I don't remember if they came out in the nineties or in our present decade, but I was curious as to how you would rate them. I think both, but especially Children of Heaven, make even the most honest Hollywood film seem artificial and calculated. I don't know if it's a use of non-actors or a culture that hasn't been inundated with conventions and cliches that influence even the filmmakers in the West who try to resist them, or a combination of these. But somehow these two films seem so honest and subtle, and incredibly moving without manipulating in any way. Actually, perhaps a comparison could be made to naturalistic post-war European films such as The 400 Blows or The Bicycle Thief?
Johnny Waco
I watched The Color of Paradise not too terribly long ago. Here's what I wrote:
"Iran, along with Central America, is the hot emerging film scene now. Majid Majidi, the director of The Color of Paradise and The Children of Heaven, is one of the pillars of this young community. The Color of Paradise is an impressive film in many ways, but all told, does not really fold its very impressive parts into a completely satisfying whole. Some scenes, like the grandmother's slow walk and the stellar conclusion, are simply breathtaking, but I can't help but feel this film has been aimed at a American art house audience that will forgive flaws in foreign films they would never let slide in mainstream movies, especially if the cinematography is stellar and the acting is great. A good film, but certainly not as good as I had hoped it would be."
I've only seen snatches of Children of Heaven (they ran it back when I had satellite). I think my library has it, so I shall now make an effort to see the entire film.
Shlaom, y'all!
L. Bangs