5 Classic 90’s Films To Watch on Criterion Channel
When you hear “Criterion Collection” immediately you know how culturally significant and cinematically important a film is if it’s included within the Criterion Collection. Their curations feature international contemporary and classic films and documentaries that fit within a time capsule of filmmaking greatness. There are no big budgets box office titles to choose from, instead you are presented with the most unique, finest and worthwhile storytelling told by talented writers and directors.
METROPOLITAN
Metropolitan by Whit Stillman (1990): A group of New York City friends gather together in uptown soirées during the winter holidays. Debutante balls, Upper East Side townhomes with parents never in sight, nobody asking “you wanna split a cab?” A lot of tulle party dresses, self-owned tuxes (except one rental) and a ton of deep thought yet pretentious discussions on the current state of affairs of all things above East 62nd Street to the Hamptons. And one of these friends is not like the other.
CHUNKING EXPRESS
CHUNKING EXPRESS by Wong Kar Wai (1995): A cinematic masterpiece that takes place in the bustling city of Hong Kong. It follows two storylines, both involving 2 love jilted and heartbroken police officers who finds sparks of romantic interests in women the complete opposite of their normal taste. Both women are alluring in their own right, an indie girl working at late night snack food stand and a mysterious, very chic woman who goes undercover in the night.
THE DAYTRIPPERS
The Daytrippers by Greg Mottola (1997): This film offers a slow burn but without the slowness, if that makes any sense. For a film debut by the writer and director Greg Mottola, it is a character study of a tight-knit Long Island family going through different changes in each of their lives, yet they stick together like glue through their troubles. You also get worthwhile performances from a ‘before they were stars’ perspective such as with a young Stanley Tucci (with hair), Liev Schrieber and Hope Davis. And of course it’s just not a 90’s New York indie film without Parker Posey. The Daytrippers takes you on what wasn’t meant to be a family day out and about in New York City that turns out to be set with mini-adventures around every corner, hijinks and some self-discovery.
PARIS IS BURNING
Paris is Burning by Jennie Livingston (1990): A historical documentary on the birth of Vogueing and the LGBTQ ballroom culture. Set in Manhattan when HIV/AIDS were rampant with no government aid or cure in sight and an outright lack of compassion for the LGBTQ community during a time of uncertainty. Yet this close knit community that became its own family created a safe space where they were able to be whatever they wanted to be. It’s an important film to watch to understand the path that laid before LGBTQ and their ongoing fight for human equality.
LA HAINE
La Haine by Matthew Kassovitz (1995) is an essential French film that takes place in the midst of cultural volatility within the low-income suburban housing development in the outskirts of Paris. Three friends, a Jew, an Arab and an African portrays the immigrant populaces of France, where one day race tension brews to a climactic boiling point. It’s a version of the Paris streets and life that never gets shown to the mainstream, but why would it. The beauty and masterpiece of La Haine is that the gripping reflection of the cultural binds back in 1995 still lingers in many urban cultures around the world as well as France. Watching La Haine is equivalent to reading the best works of literature, it’s gritty and satisfying.
