Julian’s Top Five ’90s movies

Julian Koonce, Staff Reporter

That’s right, readers. Julian’s Top Five list is back. This time we’re going to take a look at quite possibly the greatest era in film history: the ‘90s.

I found this list much more difficult to make than the previous one, thanks to the sheer amount of classics from the decade.

Nevertheless, here are the five 90’s movies I think you should check out:

5) Long before the days of Elsa experiencing a family tragedy, running away from home, singing a song about letting go of her worries, and returning home after realizing her home was in peril, there was the film “Frozen” copied: “The Lion King.”

“The Lion King” is the pinnacle of animated movies and the absolute best of the best when it comes to Disney. Simba’s journey from royalty to a life as a dadless nomad is joined by Timon and Pumbaa. His return home to claim the throne is something I could never get tired of as a kid.

4) “Groundhog Day” — “Groundhog Day” stars Bill Murray as an arrogant news reporter who finds himself reliving the same day over and over while reporting on the small town of  Punxsutawney’s annual Groundhog Day. After a period of confusion, he starts to take advantage of his situation.

“Groundhog Day” is a movie with a witty and hilarious concept. It gets the viewer to take a step back and take a look at things at a philosophical level. The film is a rare breed, as it has the ability to make you laugh, cry and think in a short timespan.

3) “Boyz N The Hood”— “Boyz N The Hood” stars Cuba Gooding Jr. in first lead role. Ice Cube, Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Morris Chestnut also star in this classic story of growing up and living in South Central L.A in the 1990s. The characters deal with adversity that comes with that whether that be crooked cops or conflict within your community.

“Boyz N The Hood” was important to me, personally, because I could loosely relate to it as someone raised in the South Side of Chicago during a time of violence and poverty. The film teaches some important lessons regarding academic goals, parenting and government neglect of those in need.

2) You can’t tell the story of ‘90s cinema without mentioning M. Night Shyamalan’s unsettling thriller “The Sixth Sense.” “The Sixth Sense” stars Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment as a doctor and patient, respectively. Willis’ character is on the case as child psychologist Malcolm Crowe investigating 11-year-old Cole Sear’s antisocial tendencies and extravagant claims.

“The Sixth Sense” was M. Night Shyamalan’s debut as a director and arguably one of the best debuts by a director all-time. The whole movie is a thrilling horror experience and has you on edge from beginning to end. You probably already know the ending and/or the famous quote Cole utters and that just showcases the impact that this movie has had in popular culture.

1) Quentin Tarantino’s second feature film was arguably the best of the ‘90s. “Pulp Fiction” is a tale told out of order covering thematic topics of violence and redemption. This multi-strand hit tells an interwoven story about a breakfast restaurant robbery, a boxer paid to lose a match by a crime boss and two hitmen on a mission to retrieve a suitcase for the aforementioned crime boss.

The first time you watch “Pulp Fiction,” you’re pulled into its extremely realistic and interesting dialogue, a department in which Tarantino doesn’t disappoint. Once the film ends, you find yourself trying to piece together the movie and decipher its message. Ultimately, viewers will enjoy the vulgar and action-packed ride that is “Pulp Fiction,” the best movie from the 1990s.   

What are your top five favorite ‘90s movies? Write to the Guardian on our website’s Contact Us form.