There are several factors that make a movie “great.”
Entertainment value is one factor. (Does it keep us watching. If you come across it on let’s say cable, and you see more than thirty seconds of it, do you end up watching until the end, even if you have to get up early in the morning?)
How it affects the way we watch cinema afterwards is another. (Do we compare and judge all future films against this one?)
Does it continue to induce the desired emotions in the audience upon repeat viewing. (Do you cry, laugh, feel exhilerated, etc. each time you see it?)
How well crafted it is.
Significance. (Does it change the way we look at a particular subject?)
Mind you, there is a difference between the “greatest” film and the “best.” “Psycho” is Hitchcock’s greatest film. It changed american cinema and ushered in “modern” cinema. However, I believe it is not his “best” film.
Last comment. I believe that you can not say that any film is the “best” or “greatest” film period. It needs to be placed in it’s particular genre.
That said, here are my picks for “greatest” films of the 90’s.
War: “Saving Private Ryan”
The section of the D-day invasion are probably the finest crafted twenty minutes of footage ever put on celluloid.
Prison: “Shawshank Redemption”
Action/Criminal: “Pulp Fiction”
People still compare all others to this one.
Action/Martial Arts: “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
This film will change the way all martial arts films are judged in the future.
Horror: “Silence of the Lambs.”
Reminded us that the true monsters out there are human.
(Side note, one of the all time great performances. Anthony Hopkins managed to dominate a film while appearing in only about twenty minutes of it.)
Action/Science Fiction/SFX: “The Matrix.”
Once again, incredibly well crafted. It changed the way we looked at action films.
Action/True Life: “Apollo 13.”
Made suspensful a story that we all already knew the outcome.
Comedy/Fantasy: “Shakespeare in Love.”
Still makes me laugh.
Suspense/Supernatural: “The Sixth Sense.”
So well crafted, that even knowing that there was a “twist” ending, I was surprised. And it was logical. All of the clues were there.
Comedy/Satire: “Dogma.”
Hardest to choose. Many good choices here.
Police Procedural/Detecticve: “LA Confidetial.”
Already covered by others.
Period Drama: “Remains of the Day.”
Some of the greatest acting ever. We know what the two leads feel about each other even though it is never said during the entire film.
Comedy/Juvenile: “Something About Mary.”
Modern comedy in the Classic Greek comedic format, including a modern version of the Greek “Chorus.”
True Life Drama: “Schindler’s List.”
Impossible to watch this and not be moved.
Wierd: Tie. “Fight Club” and “Being John Malkovic.”
Special inanimate object acting award: “Wilson” from “Castaway.”
