In an era where we enjoy unparalleled access to a vast array of films, there remain certain gems from the 90s that have slipped from our memories. To evoke a sense of nostalgia, we’ve curated a list below, aiming to rekindle some forgotten cinematic treasures from that time.
Quiz Show (1994)
The Quiz Show is a show scandal from the 1950s and the two co-stars Robert Redford, Ralph Fiennes and John Turturro give this movie the name it deserves. Even though it did appear on the year-end lists from critics, it didn’t win one Academy Award.
L.A. Confidential (1997)
This has been argued to be one of the biggest Oscar snubs of all time. It is a crime neo-noir from 1997 that features Danny DeVito, Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger, Guy Pearce, and James Cromwell. It won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the film won Best Adapted Screenplay. However, it lost for Best Picture to Titanic.
Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken (1991)
This movie is a drama based on the events in Sonora Webster Carver’s life. It plays on the memoir A Girl and Five Brave Horses and it is about a rider of diving horses. It is a great story of a woman who overcomes adversity and pursues her long lived dreams.
The Bodyguard (1992)
This was a huge box office success, but it did receive mixed reviews. However, despite the negative reviews, it received seven nominations for The Golden Raspberry Awards. The movie is about a former United States Secret Service agent that chose to become a bodyguard to protect Rachel Marron who is played by Whitney Houston. Rachel was a famous actress and singer that was being harassed by an unknown stalker.
Powder (1995)
This sci-fi fantasy movie stars Sean Patrick Flanery and he has albinism, hence the name. He has paranormal abilities including magnetism and lightning, as well as having incredible intellect and telepathy. Powder’s mom was struck by lightning when she was pregnant and subsequently died, but he survived. This movie also stars Bradford Tatum, Jeff Goldblum, Lance Henriksen and Mary Steenburgen.
Captain Ron (1992)
Captain Ron stars Kurt Russell and is highly underrated. Martin Havery (Martin Short) inherits a yacht and hires Captain Ron who helps him and his family sail through the Caribbean. Martin becomes outcasted by Captain Ron due to him becoming closer to his family but leaving him out. This movie is full of laughs and action.
Love Potion No 9 (1992)
This silly rom-com follows a biochemist that is single, and his unavailable co-worker and crush is a biologist. He gets himself a love potion from a fortune teller who told him that the potion will make the person of the opposite sex become infatuated with them when they speak. He’s sceptical, but it works and he and his crush take the potion as test subjects.
Conspiracy Theory (1997)
The political thriller follows an eccentric NY taxi driver who thinks that all of the world’s events are actually government conspiracies. The Justice Department attorney who he once saved from mugging, humours him. However, the attorney gets pulled into the man’s world and begins questioning the reality and conspiracy.
Surviving the Game (1994)
This movie is loosely based on the 1924 short story The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell. It follows a homeless man who attempted suicide before he was saved and referred to a businessman for employment. The homeless man was flown to a remote cabin and he came to learn that he wasn’t the hunting guide but instead he was being hunted by a party of men.
National Lampoon’s Loaded Weapon 1 (1993)
This hilarious parody film spoofs the first three Lethal Weapon movies and TV series such as CHiPs. There are also references to The Silence of the Lambs, Basic Instinct, Wayne’s World, Rambo, 48 Hrs, Dirty Harry and Die Hard. The cast includes Frank McRae, Emilio Estevez, William Shatner, Samuel L. Jackson, Kathy Ireland and Tim Curry.