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Before the days of Harry Potter, The Internet or the Franchise Super hero Movies, back in 1993, i was 15 years old and If i was not in school or playing guitar I was watching tv and movies.
I remember back then, watching channels such as Showtime, The Movie Channel, Cinemax, HBO, TBS the superstation, American Movie Classics. MTV , Disney Channel, STARZ, etc... By watching all this channels the visual pop cultural window opened as my sister, my brother and i entered a world of trailers, movie soundtracks, social references, witty sarcasm and film icons.
I truly believe 1993 was a GREAT year on MOVIE MAKING.
Next time you want to watch a very good film take into consideration this 12 choices, maybe you´ve seen them all, maybe none. But all of them are worth your while.
THERE ARE NO SPOILERS IN THIS POST
I HATE SPOILERS. And if you´ve watched them maybe its time to see them again.
Here are 12 movies , one for every month. Believe me every year, there are a lot of good movies , but i think they have been given NON publicity, AWFUL POSTERS or they are just UNKNOWN. So there they are , in 1993, ENJOY !!!
1)This Boy's Life
What is it about?
is a 1993 film adaptation of the memoir of the same name by American author Tobias Wolff. It is directed by Michael Caton-Jones and stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Tobias Wolff, Robert De Niro as stepfather Dwight Hansen, and Ellen Barkin as Toby's mother, Caroline. The film also features Chris Cooper, Carla Gugino, Eliza Dushku and Tobey Maguire in his feature film debut.
Why Watch IT?
One of Leonardo DiCaprios finest performances. This was the beggining of the DeNiro Di Caprio relationship. De Niro called his old friend Director Martin Scorcese and told him "i just acted on a movie with this kid, he is terrific you should see him"
It´s hard to watch because the acting is very real. Ellen Barkin´s performance matched De Niros intensity and a Young Di Caprio really deliver the suspense and violence a house can have. We get to see this unusual home violence which is not only physical but psycological. A charming stepfather who turns into her nightmare.
2) Untamed Heart
What is it about?
Is a 1993 picture starring Christian Slater and Marisa Tomei. It mixes drama with romance and comedy and tells the story of a young woman, always unlucky in love, finally finding true love in a very shy young man. The film is directed by Tony Bill, and written by Tom Sierchio. The original music score is composed by Cliff Eidelman. It´s not the best of Slater but Tomei´s. They really work as a couple because of their flaws.
Why Watch IT?
Probably after Ghost and Pretty Woman, this is the 90´s romance couple. Very good acting by Tomei and Slater from being strangers to lovers by the way of admiration and couriosity as a REAL couple with real chemistry. Every frame is a layer we get to see a little bit more of each one of the characters mind and why their reactions. Memorable characters, masterfully directed by Tony Bill
3)A Bronx Tale
What is it about? a 1993 American crime drama film set in the Bronx during the turbulent era of the 1960s. It was thedirectorial debut of Robert De Niro that follows a young Italian-American teenager in The Bronx, New York as his path in life is guided by two father figures, played by De Niro as his biological father and Chazz Palminteri as a local mafiaboss. It also includes a brief appearance by Joe Pesci.
Why Watch IT?
It was written by Palminteri, based partially upon his childhood. De Niro´s Directorial Debut is close to a masterpiece, the soundtrack, the powerful performances. I think he took a lot from what he saw from Scorcese and Coppola to make this an epic film.
4) Kalifornia
An American road thriller film directed by Dominic Sena and stars Brad Pitt, Juliette Lewis, David Duchovny, and Michelle Forbes. The film focuses on a graduate student (Duchovny) and his photographer girlfriend (Forbes) traveling cross-country to research serial killings, who unwittingly carpool with a serial killer (Pitt) and his childlike girlfriend (Lewis).
Lewis and Pitt are an estranged couple made for each other. The way the film goes is with a dramatic pace all the time. The UNEXPECTED is the key. A year before NATURAL BORN KILLERS this film had a lot of critics saying about the film that "it dangerously hightened the serial killer to stardom"
5) True Romance
What is it about? An American romantic dark comedy crime film directed by the late, GREAT, Tony Scott and written by Quentin Tarantino. The film stars Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette with a supporting ALL STAR cast featuring : Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman (who plays a character very similar one year later in LEON The Professional ), Brad Pitt, James Gandolfini, Chris Penn, Tom Sizemore, Michael Rapaport and Christopher Walken.
Its not just a 90´s MUST it is a MOVIE MUST. One of the best scenes involves WALKEN talking with Hopper. BEST SCENE IN THE MOVIE. Not even Tarantino could´ve Directed this film better. Involving many of Tarantinos details (Talking to a mirror, eating pie, going to the movies, talking about comic books) Arquette´s performance is outstanding (in an all man cast) she shines by her crazyness and fuck ´em all attitude. ( pardon my french)
The TARANTINO CONNECTION
Although this movie was not directed by Quentin Tarantino, it is still considered part of the Tarantino universe. The two key pieces of evidence is Lee Donowitz being the son of Sgt. Donnie Donowitz from INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (2009), this being confirmed from Tarantino himself. The second pieces of evidence is the fact that Mr. White from Reservoir Dogs (1992) mentioned working with a girl named "Alabama".
6) Coneheads
What is it about? is a 1993 American science fiction comedy film from Paramount Pictures, produced by Lorne Michaels, directed by Steve Barron, and starring Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, and Michelle Burke. The film is based on the NBCSaturday Night Live comedy sketches about aliens stranded on Earth, who have Anglicized their Remulakian surname to "Conehead". Michelle Burke took over the role played by Laraine Newman on SNL. The film also features roles and cameos by actors and comedians from other contemporary TV shows of the time and 15 SNL alumni.
When Ronnie and Connie are "honing" you can hear a song playing in the background, which is "Soul To Squeeze" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In the music video, a conehead appears and Chris Farley can be seen driving a truck.
7) What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Why Watch IT?
Depp´s Depth and Di Caprio´s Performance. It just amazes me the chemistry they have. A character driven film which stands the test of time. Its hard to watch because of the small town treatment to others (people staring , teasing ) but that´s the beauty of the film it would be the same or worse if it was a story told in a big city.
Mary Steenburgen (plays Betty Carver) was the only person confident enough in Leonardo DiCaprio's performance that she was willing to pay him from her own salary.
8)Fatal Instinct
What is it about? An American erotic thriller comedy film directed by Carl Reiner. It parodies the erotic thriller movie genre, which at the time had reached its commercial peak. The film stars Armand Assante as a lawyer and cop named Ned Ravine who has an affair with a woman named Lola Cain played by Sean Young. Kate Nelligan stars as Ned Ravine's wife and Sherilyn Fenn stars as Laura Lingonberry, Ravine's secretary. The film's title is a combination of Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct, both of which starred Michael Douglas.
Why Watch IT?
Its absurd, just absurd. The way its told, the acting and perfomances are really over the top to make it more laughable. You can see all the influences from different films depicted as an ongoing feast. One of the greatest moves Reiner made was in the choosing of Fatal Instinct’s cast. Each of the four leads are first and foremost dramatic actors, not necessarily known for their comedic chops.
9) The Good Son
What is it about?
An American psychological thriller film directed by Joseph Ruben and also written by English novelist Ian McEwan. The film stars Macaulay Culkin and Elijah Wood.
Following his mother's death, Mark is sent to Maine to visit his aunt and uncle while his father goes on a business trip to Tokyo. Mark meets his cousin, Henry Evans , and the two quickly form a friendship
But his cousin begins showing increasing signs of violent behavior.10) Tombstone
What is it about?
An American western film directed by George P. Cosmatos, written by Kevin Jarre (who was also the original director, but was replaced early in production) and starring Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, with Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, and Dana Delany in supporting roles, as well as a narration by Robert Mitchum.
After success cleaning up Dodge City, Wyatt Earp moves to Tombstone, Arizona, and wishes to get rich in obscurity. He meets his brothers there, as well as his old friend Doc Holliday. A band of outlaws that call themselves The Cowboys are causing problems in the region with various acts of random violence, and inevitably come into confrontation with Holliday and the Earps, which leads to a shoot-out at the OK Corral.The film is based on events in Tombstone, Arizona, including the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the Earp Vendetta Ride, during the 1880s. It depicts a number of western outlaws and lawmen, such as Wyatt Earp, William Brocius,Johnny Ringo, and Doc Holliday.
Why Watch IT?
One of Kilmer´s most memorable characters. As Doc Holiday mixing dark humor and his sarcastic way of dueling mixed with the best gunman ever you got yourself an OSCAR. The academy didn´t looked at it that way. He shares the screen with Kurt Russel who delivers a credible and likeable hero. He is not the typical hero that makes all the good decisions but has to draw a sometimes dangerous and misunderstood line for all to keep in order.
This film was over shadowed by the other western film made that year called WYATT EARP with KEVIN COSTNER .
11) Fire in the Sky
What is it about?
Its a biopic science fiction mystery film based on an alleged extraterrestrial encounter, directed by Robert Lieberman, written by Tracy Tormé and is based on Travis Walton's book The Walton Experience. The film stars Robert Patrick in the leading role as Walton's best friend and future brother-in-law, Mike Rogers, and D. B. Sweeney as Walton himself. James Garner, Craig Sheffer, Scott MacDonald, Henry Thomas and Peter Berg also star.
Why Watch IT?
It is very different from the Spielberg Extra Terrestials that come to earth. Darker Encounters and terrifying flashbacks make this story worth telling. As several things of every day life trigger the abduction flashbacks we are taken back to the darkest corners of our mind with breath taking sets and lightning techniques as we experience a very scary encounter with beings from another world. The tone of the movie is edgy and makes it for a more suspenseful ambient. Did it really happened? Are we alone in the universe? Its harrowing.12) Falling Down
What is it about? A psychological thriller film directed by Joel Schumacher and written by Ebbe Roe Smith. The film stars Michael Douglas in the lead role of William Foster, a divorcé and unemployed former defense engineer. The film centers on Foster as he goes on a violent rampage across the city of Los Angeles, trying to reach the house of his estranged ex-wife in time for his daughter's birthday party. Along the way, a series of encounters, both trivial and provocative, cause him to react with violence and make sardonic observations on life, poverty, the economy, andcommercialism. Robert Duvall co-stars as Martin Prendergast, an aging LAPD Sergeant on the day of his retirement, who faces his own frustrations, even as he tracks down Foster.Why Watch IT?
Michael Douglas considers this his favorite performance of all the movies he has been in.
As Travis Bickle in TAXI DRIVER, William "D-Fens" Foster is a man tired of the world. His had enough and is going to do something about it. With or without the aprooval of anyone. Douglas gives one of his best performances with Robert Duvall as his rival.
The title of the film, referring to Foster's mental collapse, is taken from the nursery rhyme "London Bridge Is Falling Down", which is a recurring motif throughout the film.
The best character on society alienation in the 90´s. With such memorable dialogue as :
"I WANT BREAKFAST!"
"I'm the Bad Guy?"
"I am not a vigilante. I am just trying to get home to my little girl's birthday party and if everyone will just stay out of my way, nobody will get hurt."
"I am just disagreeing with you! In America, we have the freedom of speech, the right to disagree!"
Awesome! There are 3 on this list I have not seen
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