9 Star Film

Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise is a quietly enchanting, deeply intelligent romantic drama that redefined what a love story could be in modern cinema. Released in 1995, the film takes the simplest of premises—a young man and woman meet by chance on a train and spend a single night walking and talking through Vienna—and spins it into something lyrical, philosophical, and emotionally resonant.

True Lies (1994) is a gleefully over-the-top action-comedy that combines the explosive spectacle of James Cameron’s blockbuster sensibilities with a playful domestic farce. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a James Bond-style super-spy with a suburban alter ego, the film is equal parts high-octane thriller and screwball comedy.

Released in 1995, Casino marks another towering achievement in the crime genre by director Martin Scorsese. Based on the non-fiction book Casino: Love and Honour in Las Vegas by Nicholas Pileggi (who co-wrote the screenplay with Scorsese), the film offers a blistering, operatic chronicle of greed, ambition, betrayal, and the slow decay of organised crime’s influence in Las Vegas.

Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, Disney’s The Lion King (1994) is a landmark in animated filmmaking—an emotionally rich, visually stunning, and musically unforgettable tale of loss, growth, and redemption.

Frank Darabont’s The Green Mile (1999) is a sprawling, deeply affecting film that fuses prison drama, supernatural mystery, and a meditation on morality and mortality. Based on Stephen King’s serialized novel of the same name, the film reunites Darabont with the themes of guilt, redemption, and human dignity that he so memorably explored in The Shawshank Redemption (1994).

Released in 1997, Good Will Hunting became an instant classic for its emotional depth, brilliant performances, and sharp writing. Directed by Gus Van Sant and written by then-unknown actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the film not only launched their careers into the stratosphere but also introduced the world to a moving, personal exploration of talent, trauma, and human relationships.

Braveheart, Mel Gibson's sweeping 1995 epic of Scottish rebellion and personal vengeance, has long stood as one of the most stirring historical dramas in modern cinema. Blending grand-scale battle scenes, a passionate love story, and a deeply mythologized portrait of a national hero, the film helped solidify Gibson’s status as a serious filmmaker.

Jurassic Park (1993) is a cinematic milestone that revolutionized the landscape of science fiction and special effects in modern cinema. Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Michael Crichton's bestselling 1990 novel, the film combines cutting-edge technology, gripping storytelling, and philosophical undertones to deliver a thrilling spectacle that has captivated audiences for decades.

Robert Zemeckis’s Forrest Gump is an enduring cinematic classic that combines humor, heart, and history to tell a uniquely American story. Released in 1994, the film achieved both critical acclaim and massive popular success, winning six Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Tom Hanks. It remains beloved for its innovative storytelling, memorable characters, and the way it interweaves a fictional life with real historical events.

Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and harrowing war films ever made. Released in 1998, it set a new standard for realism in war cinema and redefined the genre for modern audiences. Combining unflinching brutality with a deeply human story of sacrifice and brotherhood, the film is both a visceral experience and an emotional journey.

When Toy Story debuted in 1995, it not only captivated audiences — it revolutionized the entire landscape of animated cinema. As the first feature-length film created entirely with computer-generated imagery (CGI), Toy Story was groundbreaking. But its technical achievement is only one part of its legacy. At its core, the film is a timeless, emotionally rich, and delightfully entertaining story that appeals equally to children and adults.

When The Matrix exploded onto screens in 1999, it didn't just entertain—it rewired the expectations of what science fiction, action, and cinema itself could be. Blending dazzling visual effects with philosophical depth, the Wachowskis’ visionary work became an instant cultural touchstone. At once a cyberpunk action film, a philosophical treatise, and a generational myth, The Matrix is one of the most influential and innovative films of the late 20th century.

In the grim corridors of neo-noir cinema, few films have cast as long and dark a shadow as David Fincher’s Se7en. Released in 1995, this bleak psychological thriller offered a jarring departure from conventional crime procedurals, replacing tidy resolutions with moral ambiguity, existential dread, and one of the most shocking endings in film history.

In the pantheon of science fiction cinema, Terminator 2: Judgment Day stands tall as one of the genre’s most ambitious and influential achievements. Released in 1991, directed and co-written by James Cameron, T2 wasn’t just a sequel—it was a cinematic revolution that redefined action filmmaking, visual effects, and the very concept of what a blockbuster could be. Over three decades later, its impact remains as potent as ever.

Few films have captured the allure, brutality, and internal contradictions of organized crime with the raw immediacy and cinematic energy of Goodfellas. Released in 1990 and directed by Martin Scorsese, Goodfellas is a relentless, exhilarating, and deeply immersive journey into the heart of the Mafia lifestyle—one that strips away the romantic gloss of previous gangster films and replaces it with a gritty, kinetic realism.

Few crime thrillers have embedded themselves into the pop culture psyche quite like The Usual Suspects. Released in 1995, Bryan Singer’s moody, twist-laden neo-noir is remembered not just for its stylistic cool and clever dialogue but for delivering one of the most audacious and talked-about twist endings in modern cinematic history.

In the realm of psychological thrillers, few films have reached the chilling heights of The Silence of the Lambs. Released in 1991, Jonathan Demme’s masterwork is both a gripping procedural and a deeply unsettling journey into the darkest recesses of the human mind. With standout performances, razor-sharp direction, and a script that balances horror with intelligence, the film became an instant classic—and remains a defining entry in American cinema.

Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction isn’t just a movie—it’s a cultural detonation. Released in 1994, it redefined independent cinema, catapulted its director to auteur status, revitalized the careers of fading stars, and reshaped what Hollywood dared to call mainstream. With its intertwining narratives, non-linear storytelling, and stylized blend of ultraviolence and deadpan humour, Pulp Fiction is a bravura piece of filmmaking that still feels dangerous, fresh, and hypnotically

An American in Paris, directed by Vincente Minnelli and released by MGM in 1951, is one of the most celebrated musicals of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Featuring the talents of Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, Georges Guétary, and Nina Foch, and built around the iconic music of George Gershwin, the film is a sumptuous blend of dance, romance, visual artistry, and musical innovation.

Romancing the Stone is a thrilling, funny, and unexpectedly charming romantic adventure that became a surprise smash hit in 1984. Directed by Robert Zemeckis—just a year before his blockbuster Back to the Future—and starring Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas, the film blends swashbuckling action, screwball comedy, and old-fashioned romance with vibrant energy and chemistry.