Last week, we started listing the top five years in the history of cinema and started with the year 1957 which was a year that opened up the gates for many of the following decades film movements.
At number four, we fast-forward 37 years to 1994. A pinnacle year in cinema, this year saw a rise in the young Quentin Tarantino's career, a breakthrough in independent cinema, and just an overall good year for cinematic storytelling. A year that is constantly argued about when discussing the Academy Awards, this year did not disappoint both viewers and critics alike.
So without further adieu, here is a spotlight on the year 1994 in cinema and a few films that made the year so special.
1. "Clerks" - Kevin Smith
One of the many films that arose in the independent cinema movement of the '90s, "Clerks" follows two convenient store clerks throughout their shift and documents all of their conversations, for better or for worse. While this might seem very boring and quite monotonous, this was a milestone movie for cinema and would open the door for many other movies like it to be made in the future. Kevin Smith's willingness to break all cinematic rules in this movie is one of the reasons that it is on this list, and one of the many reasons it continues to influence today.
2. "The Shawshank Redemtion" - Frank Darabont
This movie needs no introduction. Tim Robbins is a prisoner in Shawshank prison for a crime in which he allegedly did not commit. As time passes, he learns to grow accustom to the lifestyle there: makes new friends, becomes the librarian, etc. -- all the while, he has a major idea up his sleeve. The story, originally written by Stephen King, is one that leaves viewers glued to their seats the whole movie. Arguably one of the biggest snubs in Oscars history, "Shawshank" lost at the Academy Awards to Robert Zemeckis' "Forrest Gump."
3. "Pulp Fiction" - Quentin Tarantino
If you haven't seen it, you've at least heard about it. The non-linear stories of two hitman, a boxer, two wannabe bandits, and a gangster's wife all come together in the most unimaginable ways in this film by Tarantino. While this wasn't Tarantino's first film, it was definitely the one that shot him to the top of mainstream success. One of the most exhilarating movies, "Pulp Fiction" manages to grab your attention and won't let go for the full 154 minutes. And while it seems very simplistic in its story, it really is one of the imaginative movies made and one that has inspired many filmmakers since its release.
Next week, we'll travel back in time again to a year that was shaped so much by outside influences, it almost seems like it doesn't fit in a linear timeline with the rest of cinema.
As always, feel free to leave questions and comments below.
