90 Greatest '90s Movie Moments

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Celebrating the pre-millennial icons

The Mask (1994)

If It Was Made Today: The calibre of model-turned-actress (Megan Fox, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, etc) isn't quite as inspiring.

Forrest Gump (1994)

The Moment: "Run, Forrest, run!" And he does, as Forrest (Tom Hanks) spends three years on the road. For all the innovative CGI and chocolate-box morality, this is the weirdest, most memorable sequence in Robert Zemeckis' Oscar-winner.

Only In The '90s: An idiot man-child could be the spokesperson for American cinema.

If It Was Made Today: Now, thanks to George W. Bush, an idiot man-child has a chance at becoming the spokesperson for America.

Clueless (1995)

The Moment: Confronted by teacher Mr Hall (Wallace Shawn) for tardiness, Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) gives the excuse that "I was surfing the crimson wave, I had to haul ass to the ladies."

Only In The '90s: Teen slang gets an influx of flesh blood as the high-school movie goes meta by adapting Jane Austen.

If It Was Made Today: Silverstone and Shawn have reunited with director Heckerling for Vamps , to dismal box office returns.

Funny Games (1997)

The Moment: A scuffle breaks out off-screen in the summer home of Georg (Ulrich Muhe) and Anna (Susanne Lothar). When Michael Haneke returns to the lounge, it is revealed that their son Georgie (Stefan Clapczynski) has been shot dead.

Only In The '90s: Screen violence could be so ubiquitous that Haneke felt the need to lecture us on our cinemagoing habits.

If It Was Made Today: Same story, same camera set-ups, English-speaking cast.

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

The Moment: Tim Burton shows his sensitive side, as Kim (Winona Ryder) dances in the ice cascading from Edward Scissorhands' (Johnny Depp) angel sculpture.

Only In The '90s: Genuine originality and feeling from a Burton/Depp collaboration.

If It Was Made Today: Arch irony, lazy plotting and a post- Pirates Depp going over the top.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

The Moment: Bill Harford (Tom Cruise) and wife Alice (Nicole Kidman) talk about sex while getting high. "Oh, if you men only knew," says Alice, as she tells him about the one that got away.

Only In The '90s: Stanley Kubrick had the power to borrow golden couple Cruise and Kidman and not give them back until his film was finished.

If It Was Made Today: Doubtful though it would be to reunite the now-divorced stars, neither has been so good in years.

Barton Fink (1991)

The Moment: Barton (John Turturro) finally figures out just how crazy his hotel room neighbour Charlie Meadows, aka Mad Man Mundt (John Goodman) is, as the psycho storms down a burning corridor yelling, "I'll show you the life of the mind!"

Only In The '90s: Turturro and Goodman get star billing in a movie rather than quirky supporting roles.

If It Was Made Today: Michael Cera and Seth Rogen, maybe?

Sonatine (1993)

The Moment: A posse of yakuza led by Murakawa (Takeshi Kitano) flees to the seaside and - bored by being in hiding - start to play Russian roulette on the beach.

Only In The '90s: Japan reminds hipsters high on Tarantino that he didn't have a monopoly on cult gangland thrillers.

If It Was Made Today: You'd be most likely watching something from South Korea instead.

Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994)

The Moment: Never mind the weddings, it's the funeral that registers the most lasting impact, as Matthew (John Hannah) recites Auden's poem Funeral Blues at the graveside of his lover Gareth (Simon Callow). "Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone..."

Only In The '90s: Our greatest movie export was bumbling, floppy rom-com icon Hugh Grant.

If It Was Made Today: Daniel Radcliffe surely gets first refusal on every British script going.

The Player (1992)

The Moment: Hollywood execs discuss the opening shot of Orson Welles' Touch Of Evil , little realising they're taking part in their own elaborate long take.

Only In The '90s: Woah, meta.

If It Was Made Today: Judging from the likes of The Cabin In The Woods , some things haven't changed.