Hit After Hit
1994 was an excellent year for film. A range of outstanding theatrical creations, varying genres, splendid characters, interesting plotlines; it had it all. So, which movies made it great? Let's see.
Forrest Gump
Starting us strong. This movie tells the story of Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks, who has an intellectual disability. Even though he doesn't realize it, he ends up having a huge impact on many important events in U.S. history from the 1950s to the early 1980s.
Paramount, Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump (Cont).
The saying by Forrest's mother, "Life is like a box of chocolates," is one of the most notable sayings in the film. It made a splash at the Academy Awards, taking home six. These include Best Picture, Best Actor (Tom Hanks), and Best Director (Robert Zemeckis).
Paramount, Forrest Gump (1994)
Pulp Fiction
Pulp Fiction won the prestigious Palme d'Or in 1994, marking it as a standout film of the festival. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this masterpiece intertwines many narratives revolving around crime and redemption in Los Angeles. The movie has a fun prologue and an epilogue.
Pulp Fiction (Cont).
The ensemble cast is made up of lovely work by Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, and Ving Rhames. A review on Rotten Tomatoes states that the film is a "controversial yet award-worthy combination of gorgeous dialogue, genre literacy, guns, and gore".
The Shawshank Redemption
This one is based on Stephen King's novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, touching upon hope, friendship, and redemption. Frank Darabont literally paid Stephen King a token fee of $5,000 for the rights to adapt the novella into a film.
The Shawshank Redemption, Warner Bros.
The Shawshank Redemption (Cont).
Set in 1947, the story surrounds Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a successful banker who is wrongly accused of murdering his wife and her lover. The Shawshank Redemption was included in the AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies list, ranked 72nd in the 10th Anniversary Edition (2007).
Castle Rock, The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Hoop Dreams
The movie is a critically acclaimed documentary directed by Steve James. It follows the lives of two African-American high school kids, Arthur Agee and William Gates Arthur Agee, as they follow their aspirations of becoming professional basketballers. It was originally intended as a short film for PBS.
Hoop Dreams (Cont).
However, Hoop Dreams evolved into a five-year project, resulting in over 250 hours of footage. It debuted at the Sundance Film Festival (1994), where the film got the audience award for best documentary. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Hoop Dreams Trailer 1994 by Video Detective
Hoop Dreams (Cont).
In 2005, Hoop Dreams was chosen for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and is preserved in the United States National Film Registry. Isiah Thomas himself makes a cameo as a mentor figure in the film.
Hoop Dreams Trailer 1994 by Video Detective
The Lion King
Even today, this movie has the same impact as it did in 1994. The teaching of the "circle of life" has stayed with us long since. The movie is an animated musical film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. It all begins with the birth of Simba.
Walt Disney, The Lion King (1994)
The Lion King (Cont).
As the prince and son of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi, Simba faces the challenges of growing up and accepting his role as king after the tragic death of his father. Apart from the plot, its animation, music, and storytelling were highly acknowledged.
The Lion King, Walt Disney Pictures
The Lion King (Cont).
It collected two Academy Awards for Best Original Song ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight") and Best Original Score. Reportedly, the film grossed over $763 million worldwide. The voice cast had James Earl Jones as Mufasa and Matthew Broderick as Simba.
The Lion King, Walt Disney Pictures
Léon: The Professional
How about some French action thriller? The titular character, Léon, played by Jean Reno, is a skilled hitman who lives a solitary life but finds purpose through his relationship with Mathilda Lando (Natalie Portman). The film was directed by Luc Besson.
Gaumont, Léon: The Professional (1994)
Léon: The Professional (Cont).
It is said that the director was inspired to create Léon: The Professional after working on La Femme Nikita. The movie has received high ratings over the years and has maintained an IMDb score of 8. 5/10. Apparently, this was Portman's film debut at the age of 11.
Columbia, Léon: The Professional (1994)
Speed
Here is another action thriller film that starred Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, and Dennis Hopper. It is made up of some intense pacing and high-stakes action sequences led by LAPD officer Jack Traven. Speed was a commercial success as it gathered over $350 million.
Twentieth Century, Speed (1994)
Speed (Cont).
At the 67th Academy Awards of 1995, Speed rightly won two Oscars. One for best sound, awarded to Gregg Landaker, Steve Maslow, Bob Beemer, and David MacMillan. Another was for best sound effects editing, given to Stephen Hunter Flick.
Speed (Cont).
Sandra Bullock, who played Annie Porter, also bagged the Best Actress trophy at the Saturn Awards in 1995. Due to the incredible response, a sequel titled Speed 2: Cruise Control was soon released in 1997 but did not feature the charming Keanu Reeves.
Twentieth Century, Speed (1994)
Clerks
As the title suggests, the film is a portrayal of the mundane yet humorous lives of two convenience store clerks, Dante Hicks and Randal Graves. Their frustrations with customers and life, in general, are brought to us through witty dialogue and humorous scenarios.
Clerks (Cont).
Clerks was officially out on October 19, 1994. At the Cannes Film Festival of 1994, it won the "Award of the Youth". Additionally, the picture was tied for the "Filmmakers Trophy" at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival. With Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson, it had to be a sure-fire hit.
The Crow
This movie holds a rating of 7.5/10 on IMDb, with a review mentioning how "this movie is a one-of-a-kind. It's grunge, it's goth, it's dark, it's funny, it's touching, and it's inspiring". It is said to be based on the same-titled comic book series by James O'Barr.
The Crow (Cont).
Brandon Lee, as Eric Draven, is a musician who gets resurrected by a crow to avenge the brutal murder of himself and his fiancée, Shelly. It might sound absurd, but this piece managed to win a Saturn award for Best Horror Film and Best Actor (Brandon Lee).
Dumb And Dumber
We're looking at a comedy about two dim-witted friends. The film stars Jim Carrey as Lloyd Christmas and Jeff Daniels as Harry Dunne on a cross-country road trip to return a briefcase full of ransom money to a woman they believe is in need.
New Line, Dumb and Dumber To (2014)
Dumb And Dumber (Cont).
The film is known for its catchphrases. One memorable line is "So you're telling me there's a chance"! which has become famous in pop culture. The film was also said to be commercially successful, with a collection of $247 million overall.
New Line Cinema, Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Ed Wood
Now, this was something different. Ed Wood was a biographical film directed by Tim Burton. It chronicled the life of Edward D. Wood Jr., who was often regarded as one of the worst filmmakers in history. The movie was nominated for best makeup/hair and best supporting actor (Martin Landau) for the 1996 BAFTA Awards.
Ed Wood (Cont).
It also got a whopping 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, with one review saying that this could be one of Tim Burton's best-ever movies. We're just waiting for the next Tim and Depp collab to break the box office again.
