The 1990s were a good decade for movies.
After the overly commercialized and formulaic ’80s, this decade featured a lot more creativity and risk-taking.
With this in mind, this list looks at some of the most impactful films released that year.
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They range from the poetic intensity ofThe Thin Red Lineto the satirical brilliance ofThe Truman Show.
However,it receives too much hate, and is still a well-made and enjoyable movie.
The result is a self-aware, breezy movie that radiates a deep affection for the Bard’s work.
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As the pressure builds, Max’smind begins to unravel.
This is an uncompromising avant-garde film, with a harsh aesthetic and grainy visuals shot in black-and-white.
Impressively,Piis a complete, multidimensional movie rather than a one-note premise.
8’Dark City' (1998)
Directed by Alex Proyas
“First there was darkness.
Then came the Strangers.
“Dark Cityisa stunning neo-noir scifromThe Crow’sAlex Proyas.
All in all, this is an endlessly creative movie that immerses viewers in its shadowy, enigmatic mood.
Mulanis an engaging adventure, fitting a lot into its lean 87-minute runtime.
There are training sequences and catchy musical numbers, along with a lot of slapstick to charm younger viewers.
The funniest element, unsurprisingly, is Murphy’s turn as the wisecracking dragon.
His unmistakable voice and rapid-fire comedic style are delightful as always.
For all these reasons, Mulan was the strongest kids' movie of the year.
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It turns them into dogs… poisons the soul.
“The Thin Red Lineis not your typical war movie.
The ensemble cast includesJim Caviezel,Sean Penn, andNick Nolte, among others.
This is the director at his most existential(which is saying a lot).
Not for nothing,Martin Scorsesenamedit the second-best film of the 1990s.
“Jim Carreyturns in one of his very best performances in this comedy/satire/thriller hybrid.
He is Truman Burbank, a seemingly ordinary man who unknowingly lives inside a massive, 24/7 reality show.
His entire lifehis friends, his job, even his wifehas been carefully orchestrated for the entertainment of millions.
But when small cracks in the illusion start appearing, Truman begins to question his world.
The Truman Showis fun and entertaining, but also incredibly thoughtful.
It makes us deeply root for Truman.
4’American History X' (1998)
Directed by Tony Kaye
“Hate is baggage.
Lifes too short to be pissed off all the time.
Norton transformed for the part, sporting a shaved head and musclebound physique.
His brilliant work anchors the movie, especially in the stretches where the tone gets a bit muddled.
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This movie truly does not hold back.
There are occasional narrative missteps, butAmerican History Xstill succeeds as an emotional gut punch.
As a result,The Big Lebowskifeels both meaningless and profound at the same time.
The movie stands out with its capacity to find moments of joy in unspeakable darkness.
It pivots between hope and despair, humor, romance, and horror, packed with devastating revelations.
But even when Life is Beautiful is at its most heartbreaking, there’s still something uplifting about it.
1’Saving Private Ryan' (1998)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
“Earn this.”
NEXT:The 10 Worst Movies That Ripped Off Quentin Tarantino, Ranked
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Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.
