Top Movies Of 1991

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick
Rated R

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a sci-fi action film directed by James Cameron, and sequel to the 1984 film The Terminator. In the film, Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) must protect her young son John (Edward Furlong) from a newly modified Terminator (Robert Patrick) sent to kill him. An older Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is also sent to protect John and Sarah from the new, more advanced T-1000. The film follows the two Terminators as they race to stop the T-1000 from killing John, who will grow up to be a leader in the human resistance against machines. Along the way, Sarah uncovers a secret plot by the machines to destroy humanity, and must make a difficult moral decision in order to save mankind. The film received critical acclaim, and is seen as one of the greatest sequels of all time.

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller directed by Jonathan Demme in 1991. It follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling who is tasked by Jack Crawford, head of a behavioral science unit, to interview a deranged serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Clarice must draw on Lecter's vast intelligence to gain insight into the identity of a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill, who skins his victims. As Clarice's investigation continues, she puts her own life at risk as Lecter's fascination with her grows. The Silence of the Lambs won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

From Edward Yang, starring Chang Chen, Lisa Yang, Kuo-Chu Chang, Elaine Jin
Rated Not Rated

A Brighter Summer Day is a Taiwanese drama film directed by Edward Yang, released in 1991. The film is set in Taiwan during the 1950s and follows a young teenage boy, Xiao Si’r, as he navigates the complexities of growing up in a divided society. His life is further complicated by his involvement in a local gang. Through his story, the film explores the struggles of young people to find their identity in a rapidly changing environment. It also reflects on the effects of the political instability of the period and the consequences of choosing loyalty to a gang over loyalty to family and friends. The film is widely considered to be a masterpiece of world cinema and is renowned for its intricate, detailed narrative and its expansive use of long takes.

From Oliver Stone, starring Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau
Rated R

JFK is a 1991 American epic historical legal thriller film directed by Oliver Stone. It examines the events leading to the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, and alleged cover-up through the eyes of former New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison. The film is based on Garrison's book On the Trail of the Assassins and other works and explores the potential conspiracy surrounding the assassination. The film stars Kevin Costner in the lead role, with an all-star cast including Sissy Spacek, Joe Pesci, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, and Donald Sutherland. The story follows Garrison's investigation into the Kennedy assassination and its connection to the larger web of political and corporate intrigue he suspects extends far beyond Dallas. The film also won two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing. JFK was an initial success at the box office and a critical success, receiving almost unanimous praise for Stone's direction and a variety of performances, particularly those of Costner, Oldman and Lemmon. The film is still controversial, as its depiction of historical events and its alleged implication of the CIA in the assassination are disputed by some.

From Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise, starring Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Jesse Corti, Rex Everhart
Rated G

Beauty and the Beast is a 1991 American animated musical romantic fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. An adaptation of the fairy tale of the same name by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of a prince who is transformed into a frightening beast as punishment for his selfishness. To break the spell, he must learn to love another and earn her love in return before the last petal of an enchanted rose falls. The film stars the voice talents of Robby Benson, Paige O'Hara, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, and Angela Lansbury. The film's musical score was composed by Alan Menken and includes the Academy Award-winning "Beauty and the Beast" song. The film was a huge commercial success, grossing $425 million worldwide and becoming the first animated film to gross over $100 million domestically. It also won several awards, including the Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, and was nominated for Best Picture. It also holds the distinction of being the first animated film ever to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

From John Singleton, starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Hudhail Al-Amir, Lloyd Avery II
Rated R

Boyz n the Hood is a coming-of-age drama directed by John Singleton about three friends growing up in South Central, Los Angeles. Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is sent to live with his father, Furious Styles (Laurence Fishburne). He befriends two other boys, Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Ricky (Morris Chestnut), who are both struggling with the gang violence, poverty, and drugs that plague the neighborhood. Tre finds himself in a precarious situation when he must choose between college and the streets. As the boys come of age, they each try to make their own way in the world, but face a future filled with uncertainty.

From Jim Jarmusch, starring Winona Ryder, Gena Rowlands, Lisanne Falk, Alan Randolph Scott
Rated R

Night on Earth is a 1991 comedy-drama film written and directed by Jim Jarmusch. The film consists of five vignettes, taking place in five different cities (New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, and Helsinki). Each vignette follows the same basic story; a cab driver picks up an unusual passenger, and the two have a brief, often amusing conversation. The film explores themes of cultural differences, communication, and the power dynamics between strangers in a confined space. Despite some comedic moments, the conversations are often melancholic and reveal the loneliness of the drivers and passengers. The film stars Winona Ryder, Roberto Benigni, Gena Rowlands, and other notable actors.

From Jon Avnet, starring Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker
Rated PG-13

Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) is the story of two women, Evelyn Couch (Kathy Bates) and Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy), and their lifelong friendship. Evelyn is a middle-aged housewife in a monotonous marriage while Ninny is an elderly woman who lives in a nursing home. In order to cheer up Evelyn, Ninny tells her the story of two friends, Idgie Threadgoode (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Ruth Jamison (Mary-Louise Parker), who live in a small town in the 1930s. Idgie and Ruth form a close bond, running a café together, and eventually fall in love. However, their relationship is threatened when Ruth's abusive husband returns and causes trouble for them. The film follows the two women's story, which is interspersed with the stories of Evelyn and Ninny, and their journey of self-discovery and strength in the face of life's obstacles.

From Krzysztof Kieslowski, starring Irène Jacob, Wladyslaw Kowalski, Halina Gryglaszewska, Kalina Jedrusik
Rated R

The Double Life of Véronique is a psychological drama directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. The film follows the parallel lives of two identical women, Weronika and Véronique, who both live in different countries and have never met. Despite the distance, they share an unmistakable connection that transcends time and space. Weronika is an aspiring singer living in Poland, and Véronique is a classical musician living in France. Through a series of mysterious events and unexplainable connections, both women come to understand the powerful bond they share. As their lives continue to intertwine, they must confront the hidden secrets of their own identities and the true nature of their relationship.

From Alan Parker, starring Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne, Angeline Ball, Maria Doyle Kennedy
Rated R

The Commitments is a 1991 musical comedy directed by Alan Parker. The film follows the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a young Irish music fan who assembles a soul band in the Dublin suburbs. With a motley crew of local musicians, Jimmy sets out to make the Commitments the best soul band in the country. Despite the obstacles they face, Jimmy and the band ultimately find success and fame as they perform classic soul tunes and original compositions. Along the way, they must contend with a demanding manager, tension in the band, and the challenge of keeping their creative flame alive. Ultimately, The Commitments is a charming story about the power of music, friendship, and the pursuit of a dream.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring John Turturro, John Goodman, Judy Davis, Michael Lerner
Rated R

Barton Fink (1991) is a black comedy-drama directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. It stars John Turturro as Barton Fink, a suave New York playwright who moves to Hollywood to write for the movies. His enthusiasm quickly fades when he is assigned to write a "B" movie about wrestlers. His struggles to write the script are compounded by a series of strange events and eccentric people in the hotel where he is staying, including the strange wallpaper salesman, Charlie Meadows (John Goodman). Barton soon finds himself in a series of surreal and comical situations, and eventually discovers the dark secrets that lurk within the walls of the hotel. In the end, he learns some valuable lessons about the difference between art and commerce.

From Directors: Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Marie-Laure Dougnac, Dominique Pinon, Pascal Benezech, Jean-Claude Dreyfus
Rated R

Delicatessen is a 1991 French post-apocalyptic black comedy film directed by Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where food is scarce. A former clown, Louison, finds a job working in a delicatessen owned by a mysterious butcher. Louison soon discovers the butcher's sinister plan: to kill and serve up the tenants of the apartment building as food. Louison must find a way to save the tenants and put a stop to the butcher's evil plot. With the help of some of the tenants, Louison comes up with a daring plan to save them all. Filled with colorful characters, dark humor, and stunning visuals, Delicatessen is a unique and entertaining dark comedy.

From Lars von Trier, starring Barbara Sukowa, Jean-Marc Barr, Udo Kier, Ernst-Hugo Järegård
Rated R

Europa (also known as Zentropa in the United States) is a 1991 avant-garde drama film written and directed by Lars von Trier. Set in 1945 in Germany just after the end of World War II, the film follows the story of an American, Leopold Kessler (Jean-Marc Barr), who moves to Germany to work for his uncle in the Zentropa railway company. Leopold quickly finds himself in an increasingly complex web of events, as he is caught between his loyalty to his uncle, a growing attraction to his uncle’s secretary, and his own growing awareness of the dark secrets of his new home. As the story progresses, Leopold must come to terms with the moral ambiguities of post-war Germany, and ultimately make a choice that will determine the fate of his adopted homeland.

From Ridley Scott, starring Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen
Rated R

Thelma & Louise is a 1991 American road movie directed by Ridley Scott and starring Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon. The film tells the story of two best friends, Thelma and Louise, who embark on a cross-country journey that turns into a flight from the law when an attempted rape leads to a murder. As the law pursues them, the women find strength in their friendship and determination to control their own destinies. Thelma & Louise has been hailed as a feminist classic, and its finale has been called one of the most iconic endings in Hollywood history.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, Adam Bryant, Paul Lombardi
Rated R

The Fisher King is a 1991 American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, Mercedes Ruehl, Amanda Plummer, and Michael Jeter. The film tells the story of a radio shock jock, Jack Lucas (Bridges), who is traumatized by a caller's suicide and becomes the object of a quest by a homeless man, Parry (Williams), to find the Holy Grail. Jack is initially antagonistic to Parry's quest, but as they travel through New York City, they discover each other's true identities and form a bond. Meanwhile, Jack's estranged wife, Anne (Ruehl), plans to leave him and marry a self-help author. Jack and Parry must ultimately confront the realities of their pasts in order to move forward with their lives. The film was a critical and commercial success, and earned several award nominations, including two Academy Award nominations for Williams and Ruehl, respectively. It has since become a cult classic.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, Juliette Lewis
Rated R

From Robert Mulligan, starring Sam Waterston, Tess Harper, Gail Strickland, Reese Witherspoon
Rated PG-13

From Kathryn Bigelow, starring Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Gary Busey, Lori Petty
Rated R

From Oliver Stone, starring Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Kyle MacLachlan, Frank Whaley
Rated R

From Albert Brooks, starring Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn, Michael Durrell
Rated PG

From Richard Linklater, starring Richard Linklater, Rudy Basquez, Jean Caffeine, Jan Hockey
Rated R

From Tony Scott, starring Bruce Willis, Damon Wayans, Chelsea Field, Noble Willingham
Rated R

From Gus Van Sant, starring River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, James Russo, William Richert
Rated R

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Victoria Abril, Marisa Paredes, Miguel Bosé, Anna Lizaran
Rated R

From Frank Oz, starring Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss, Julie Hagerty, Charlie Korsmo
Rated PG