I often ask myself what my favorite decade is, well in terms of the ones I’ve been alive for. The 80's were amazing simply because I was a child and didn’t have anything to worry about. I was lucky enough to live through the music and experience the dawn of music videos (thank you MTV and VH1). But the 80's are a blog for another day.
Today I want to talk about the 90's, its movies and soundtracks. Nowadays, I find that the soundtracks are often better than the movie itself. But not in the 90's, at least in my opinion. In the 90's I experienced so many milestones: elementary school, high school, and the beginning of college. Those years weren’t always easy, especially for a chubby girl growing up in Miami. Thankfully, I had movies and music to get me through. I’m sharing a list of my favorite movies that are not only amazing on their own, but their soundtracks are equally as amazing, and I feel one cannot exist without the other. This is my opinion and you may disagree but hey, I’m good with that.
Here they are, in order of preference:
1. Reality Bites ’94 (Ben Stiller): What can I say, a grungy Ethan Hawke appealed to me. And he can sing! He covers Violent Femmes’ “Add it up” as well as one of his own song “I’m Nuthin”. Wow, I would get lost in his greasy hair and crooked teeth. The soundtrack also featured Lisa Loeb’s “Stay (I Missed You)” and U2’s “All I Want Is You”. The story follows a group of friends who struggle to find themselves after college. The movie stars Ben Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn, and future Mrs. Joyce Byers’ Winona Ryder (if you haven't seen "Stranger Things" then this reference is lost on you). #winonaforever
2. Empire Records ’95 (Carol Heikkinen): This movie is EPIC! I mean, I may have worn out the VHS (yeah, I’m that old) and the CD. The story takes place at a records store (in case the title didn’t give it away) and follows the lives of its employees, which include a young Renee Zellweger, Liv Tyler, and Rory Cochrane. Everything about this movie is stellar. #sexyrexy #whoswarren
3. Dazed & Confused ’93 (Richard Linklater): Where would we be without this movie’s existence. I mean wow! So many actors are in this movie, and it takes place in a time I wished I would’ve been alive for, if only for the fashion. This is the movie where Matthew McConaughey delivers his infamous line: “You just gotta keep livin’ man, L-I-V-I-N!”. It’s just a stellar cast and some of my Yellowstone will recognize our beloved Rip, Cole Hauser. The soundtrack is so amazing that there are 2 of them!! The music (and some of the cars too) make this movie a hit in my book. #livin
4. William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet ’96 (Baz Luhrmann): Not only is this my favorite book but Luhrmann’s spin on this movie is beyond words. It takes place in a post-modern city, with the Montague’s and the Capulet’s as rival gangs. The twist? Using the original dialogue! I mean it’s just brilliant. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as the star-crossed lovers are tragically beautiful. The soundtrack is as unique as the movie. I recently heard Des’ree’s “Kissing You” and I almost cried. Wonderful movie with an amazing cast. #iamfortunesfool
5. The Crow ‘94 (Alex Proyas): This one of the darker movies on the list. I was so in love with Brandon Lee. I had 2 giant posters in my room of The Crow. It’s a story about how strong and powerful love is, enough to bring a man back from the dead to avenge the brutal death of the love of his life. The music is just as powerful. Sign me up anytime Nine Inch Nails and The Cure appear on the soundtrack. Jane Sidberry’s “It Can’t Rain All the Time” will make you weep. Sadly, Brandon Lee died on set after accidently being shot with a loaded stunt gun, which makes the story even sadder knowing the actor died as tragically in real life as his character. #cantrainallthetime
6. Mallrats ’95 (Kevin Smith): I love me a Kevin Smith movie, especially when Jay and Silent Bob make an appearance. Jason Lee is hilarious, I mean really. I love everything about this movie so much so that I can recite most of it. And I think this may be the movie that got me into the superheroes. Jason Lee’s character is obsessed with comic books and the whole genre. There is even a cameo by the AMAZING Stan Lee. The music, the story, everything is amazing. Definitely my favorite Kevin Smith movie. #snootchiebootchies
7. Hackers ’95 (Iain Softley): I feel like this one is not talked about enough. It has a little indie flick vibe to it. The movie stars Angelina Jolie, Jonny Lee Miller, Matthew Lillard, Fisher Stevens, and Marc Anthony (yes, you read that correctly) and follows a group of highschool kids who get blamed for a tanker hanck. I’ve always wished I could be a hacker and this movie definitely makes you want to be one. The soundtrack can stand on its own, at least for me because I love EDM. There is some level of cheese involved but still a great movie. #hackersoftheworldunite
8. Pulp Fiction ’94 (Quentin Tarantino): Need I say more? How many times have you quoted this movie? If you can’t recite Ezekiel 25:17, I don’t even know! I know it’s violent and it’s not usually what I go for and I have never really cared for Tarantino, but his movie is life and it's a classic. #zeddsdead
9. Love Jones ’97 (Theodore Witcher): I mean what can I about this other than S-E-X-Y. Like sexy get-caught-in-the-rain-and-makeup-after-a-fight sexy. Larenz Tate and Nia Long are amazing in this movie. He's a poet and well she's Nia Long. Let's not forget the other main character in this film, the music. Xscape’s “In the Rain” and “Inside My Love” by Trina Broussard, can you say #goosebumps. The jazz and blues is a vibe and I’m there for it. #godisawoman
10. Clueless ’95 (Amy Heckerling): And finally, Clueless is a classic. I don’t care who you are, you’ve seen it and you like it rather you admit it or not. The soundtrack isn’t as solid as the rest, but it has good songs. Shout out to The Might Mighty Bosstones and Beastie Boys! #asif
I hope you enjoyed this list as much as I enjoyed creating it. I admit that I was listening to some of these while writing and brought back memories. Stay tuned for part 2!
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