The 1990s saw a period of change in the crime genre, with some of the best films of the decade becoming must-sees for film buffs. Directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese and David Fincher began revitalizing the crime genre landscape in the 1990s. There were gritty, realistic thrillers, as well as highly stylized crime films that sought to deconstruct many of the genre’s stereotypes.
To this day, the 1990s are considered one of the best decades for crime films, with numerous impeccable classics released in a few short years. Not since the glory days of noir have crime films been so important and popular. Some of these classic crime films were inspired by real cases, which made them even more frightening, while others were pure fantasy. There are several 90s crime films that every self-respecting movie fan should watch.
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10
Heat (1995)
Michael Mann brings pulse-pounding action to the heist genre
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Michael Mann
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December 15, 1995
Michael Mann’s masterpiece is one of the best heist films ever made.balancing the genre’s innate sense of style with thrilling action. Other heist films such as Ocean’s 11, Baby Driver And Gambit, enjoying the swagger of their roguish characters. Heat is as visually appealing as any of Mann’s films, but feels more palpably dangerous than the standard for the heist genre.
In the center HeatThe film’s enduring appeal is the searing chemistry between Al Pacino’s detective and Robert De Niro’s master thief. The duo engage in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse throughout Los Angeles, and their unusually tense dynamic borders on obsession. Respectively, Heat ends in a bittersweet showdown between the two men. Mann is currently working on Race 2sequel and prequel based on his own novel.
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Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The quintessential gritty 1990s detective drama
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Jonathan Demme
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February 14, 1991
The 1990s were a great time for gritty crime dramas. Silence of the Lambs has a strong claim to being the best of them all. Even those who haven’t seen Jonathan Demme’s adaptation of Thomas Harris’ novel know about Hannibal Lecter.a cannibalistic serial killer brought to life in Oscar-winning form by Anthony Hopkins. Not everyone will know this Silence of the Lambs has much more to offer.
Hopkins’ riveting performance as Lecter is balanced by Jodie Foster as rookie FBI analyst Clarice Starling. The dynamic between these two characters is what gives Silence of the Lambs there’s so much intrigue even as the real killer on the loose remains hidden in the shadows. When Buffalo Bill eventually comes into view, it makes for a thrilling ending.
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Se7en (1995)
David Fincher’s first crime drama is one of his best
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September 22, 1995
David Fincher has long been one of the most interesting directors working in the crime genre, and Se7en was his first big hit. After an unsuccessful debut with Alien 3, Fincher is back in style, establishing himself as a director to watch. Se7en has many of the hallmarks of a classic police drama, with two different detectives tracking down an elusive killer. What makes it stand out is the dark tone.
Se7en mixes some horror elements with a gruesome detective mysterynot only because of the creepy pose of John Doe’s victims, but also because the two detectives are drawn deeper into the case. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt gave excellent performances. They sell the close personal connection their characters have, which is important amid the doom and gloom of the world they live in. Se7enThe famous ending ensured its popularity for decades.
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Fugitive (1993)
Harrison Ford to Star in Smart Thriller
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Andrew Davis
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August 6, 1993
Fugitive Harrison Ford plays a surgeon falsely accused of murdering his wife, and Tommy Lee Jones plays a U.S. Marshal tasked with tracking him down when he escapes from a prison transport. Jones has always been an actor who excels at playing cops and detectives. Fugitive gave him one of the most memorable moments of his career. He’s perfect as a gruff lawman who doesn’t care about the morality of his job.
Fugitive takes inspiration from a real incidentbut he invents many of his own unexpected twists. It helps Fugitive Continue at the same relentless pace as the villainous Harrison Ford is pursued across the country. There are some exciting action scenes as the FBI closes in, but a lot FugitiveAttraction comes in the quieter moments when hunter and hunted are planning their next chess move.
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The Big Lebowski (1998)
The Coen Brothers’ cult hit is a classic crime comedy.
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Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
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March 6, 1998
The Big Lebowski was a box office failure, but soon developed a cult following. Over the years, it has become recognized as a hugely influential crime comedy. The Big Lebowski is structured like many other crime films, with a case of mistaken identity leading an unsuspecting civilian into a complex criminal conspiracy. The subversive twist is that the Dude has no interest in the Elmore Leonard-esque world he finds himself in.
Jeff Bridges gives a masterclass in deadpan comedy at The Big Lebowski. The Dude’s strong commitment to White Russian drinking and bowling guides his every move. He may be surrounded by more pompous individuals, but he has no intention of playing their game. The Big Lebowski came out two years after FargoAnother of the Coen brothers’ best films, cementing their reputation as two of Hollywood’s funniest directors.
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The Usual Suspects (1995)
A classic crime thriller with an unforgettable ending
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Bryan Singer
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August 16, 1995
Even among those who have not seen him, The Usual Suspects has a reputation for being a film with a big twist. Knowing that this turn is coming and being able to predict it are completely different things. Shine The Usual Suspects is that it feels designed so that a botched twist won’t ruin the movie. It’s worth a rewatch to see the breadcrumbs left by Christopher McQuarrie’s script.
The Usual Suspects is deceptively simple for most of its running time and filled with a compelling mystery that seems to be getting closer to a solution. It’s this twist that makes it so special: the entire film is reimagined in one moment. After the tumultuous events on the dock, Bryan Singer has to make the interrogation scenes just as visually interesting, and he has a lot of faith in his actors.
4
Point Break (1991)
Kathryn Bigelow creates a surprisingly emotional drama using tropes from the heist genre
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Kathryn Bigelow
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July 12, 1991
Point break It’s a little funny, but the magic of Kathryn Bigelow’s heist thriller is that it manages to make a compelling, if not convincing, argument for surfing’s place at the moral center of the universe. Bodhi, played by Patrick Swayze, is a surfer-philosopher who travels the world in search of the biggest waves using the money he gets from bank robberies. Johnny Utah, played by Keanu Reeves, is a young FBI agent who works undercover in his gang.
Point break elevates many of the corny action movie tropes of the 1980s and 1990s. Bigelow’s confident direction plays a big role in this approach, as she puts dramatic weight above spectacle. There are times when Point break could have been a lot bigger and louder, but Bigelow is no John Woo or John McTiernan. That’s why Point breakThe dramatic ending works perfectly, even though it is a simple conversation between two characters on the beach.
3
L.A. Confidential (1997)
A beautifully crafted neo-noir thriller
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Curtis Hanson
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September 19, 1997
Los Angeles ConfidentialRanking number one on Rotten Tomatoes’ list of the 300 best films of all time raised some eyebrows, but there’s no denying that Curtis Hanson’s neo-noir thriller is an extremely worthwhile treat for fans of the genre. Hanson assembled a cast that included several Hollywood celebrities and several actors who were relatively unknown in the United States at the time, including Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe.
Hanson perfectly captures the atmosphere of 1950s Los Angeles. Los Angeles Confidential without becoming too pulpy and stereotypical. Los Angeles Confidential backs up its style with plenty of substance as each of the characters feels layered and relatable. Los Angeles Confidential adapted from the novel by James Ellroy, it retains the author’s engaging, twisty narrative and witty, character-driven dialogue.
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Goodfellas (1990)
Martin Scorsese confirms his status as a crime legend
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September 21, 1990
Martin Scorsese has been one of the most prominent crime directors since the 1970s. Nice Guys it is one of his greatest hits. Nice Guys is based on a true story, but that doesn’t stop Scorsese from adding plenty of his own stylistic flourishes. No shortage of iconic momentsfrom Henry Hill’s first line to the perfectly timed moment in “Sunshine of Your Love.”
Real context confirms Nice guys as is Scorsese’s considerable authority in the gangster genre. This means that the drama retains a lot of weight, even when the dialogue is endlessly interesting and laden with sly jokes. Nice Guys maintains a brisk pace between grisly kills and moments of dark comedy. There have been very few gangster films that were as fun to watch.
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Pulp Fiction (1994)
Quentin Tarantino’s Sophomore Movie Shakes Up the Crime Genre
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October 14, 1994
Mad dogs was moderately successful at the time, but Pulp Fiction was an instant success and helped shape the crime genre for years to come. Quentin Tarantino’s second feature paid homage to the cinema of the last century, but its self-aware tone and the flair with which it deconstructed the form was radically new. Every drop of blood in Tarantino’s choreographed gore is expertly placed.
Pulp FictionRussia’s nonlinear structure has been copied many times, but rarely, if ever, has it been replicated successfully. Tarantino’s tight script ensures that this is more than just a gimmick, as he expertly weaves together his seemingly unrelated narrative threads. His dialogue is another key to Pulp Fictiondisruptive approachas he refuses at every turn to write predictable words and phrases.