12 Movies That Defined My '90s
When I was single, one of my first date questions was, "What are your top three favorite movies?" It's a fun topic and you can learn a lot about someone from their favorite films. You will know a lot about me after you read Raver Girl, but I thought a `90s movie round-up in the spirit of my angsty single self could be a way for you to get to know me now.
But first, what's up with the book? I just submitted my manuscript for a final proofread, and I wrote my Acknowledgements, you know, those last pages where the author thanks everyone who helped make the book possible. A love letter of sorts, I wrote it on Valentine's Day and was really feelin' the gratitude—there were tears followed by an accomplishment afterglow. I just had a meeting with my publisher, She Writes Press, and they went over tons of stuff. Momentum is building.
"Alright, alright," that was the previews. Here are not necessarily my favorite movies of all-time (except Clueless and True Romance), but the movies that defined my '90s.
Boyz n the Hood, 1991
I saw John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood a few years after it came out on VHS when I was in my teens. It was a sobering reality check about gang culture in South Central LA. And it was the first time I heard what gentrification meant. I was devastated when Ricky was killed and felt helpless after watching it, wondering if this was the kind of life happening not too far from me in another part of Oakland. The Black cop character is haunting, a reminder that racial equality hasn’t improved in the past thirty years.
Malcolm X, 1992
My junior high in Oakland, St. Paul's, arranged for a class field trip to the Grand Lake Theater to see Malcolm X. How cool is that? How Oakland is that? I remember reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley around the same time. The film and book were a profound immersion in Black culture and activism.
True Romance, 1993
This movie made my heart ache. I craved a true romance as effortless and exciting as Clarence and Alabama's. I even had a pair of metallic turquoise sunglasses like Alabama's I'd found in Vegas. I rewatch this often because, "You're so cool." Written by Quentin Tarantino, my '90s were punctuated by his films; he was the director who defined my '90s.
Dazed & Confused, 1993
I had to see this one with my parents at a movie theater in Berkeley because I was underage. Luckily I didn't have to sit with them. This film ignited my obsession with the '70s and Parker Posey. I hadn't started high school yet but hoped mine was going to be as cool and stoney as this one. Bonus: Matthew McConaughey's breakout role as the sexy sleaze we’ve all come to quote.
Made in America, 1993
I'm in this movie. I repeat, I'm in this movie! So is my house, or my house at the time. True story: one day, my mom was chillin' at home, and a location scout knocked on the door asking if they could film a movie in our house. Months later, my family was cast as extras, Ted Danson was using our bathrooms, and I had a juicy story to tell all my friends. The highlight was hanging out with Will Smith for two minutes on our entry staircase. He was just as funny as The Fresh Prince, one of my favorite TV characters, and he adored our pug, Sunny.
Kids, 1995
This was another one I had to see with my parents, and after the first sucking tongue scene, I instantly regretted asking them to see it. As I shrank in my seat, I was secretly fascinated by the raw, reckless life these kids were living in the coolness mecca that is NYC. But then the ending, more frightening than fascinating. I was really into skater boys at the time but swore to myself I wouldn't be so irresponsible...and then I met raves.
Clueless, 1995
I couldn't help but compare myself to Cher. My family wasn't nearly as wealthy, but I talked like a valley girl and loved clothes (I mean, her rotating closet). Cher and I were the same age, and I was clueless about love and life. But, like Cher, I pretended to know what I was doing and tried to look my best while faking it. This is my sick day antidote, the film fave I watched while I was in labor for some distracting giggles.
Party Girl, 1995
“He-he-hello!” There wasn't a cooler chick than Parker Posey’s Mary. Party Girl was woman-directed and the first feature film to premiere on the Internet. Rave makes a cameo when Mary gets arrested for throwing an illegal party at the beginning of the movie. The music and her wardrobe were so good. Coupled with Parker Posey's Senior Bitch from Dazed & Confused, I girl crushed hard on her for years.
Scream, 1996
A scary movie buff since my grandma in Las Vegas let me and my brother rent inappropriate movies for our age, Scream blew me away when it came out. It was the catalyst for the new wave of slasher films of the '90s. I also went bananas for the sequels. I eventually had the DVD collectors edition of all three films; I would get stoned and watch them when I was in my twenties when I craved thrills and chills. You know I'm excited for Scream 4!
Romeo + Juliet, 1996
Back to my hopeless romantic teen self. Admittedly, I couldn't understand most of the Shakespearen prose in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation, but I was utterly spellbound by the production and chemistry between Leo and Claire. We're on a first-name basis because I’d already had crushes on both of them—remember Leo in Growing Pains? And I was mourning the cancelation of My So Called Life—I too dyed my hair dark red and fell in love with Jordan Catalano. Ok, I pretty much had a crush on everyone.
Go, 1999
In addition to Groove, which would be in this list but it came out in 2000, Go has one of the most authentic rave scenes I've seen in a film. From Sarah Polley's character to selling fake E to kandi kids "feeling it" to the small warehouse pumping techno to that soggy feeling the morning after, Go is a fast, fun indie.
Cruel Intentions, 1999
Clearly the end of the decade in style and talent, I was on the verge of moving to New York when this came out. A guilty pleasure, I was fascinated by these upper-crust NYC kids who were the opposite of the gritty NYC kids in Kids. And I think we all fell in love with Reese when she made those silly faces at on and off-screen beau Ryan Phillipe. I eventually became a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, and you have to love a brunette Sarah Michelle Gellar as the deviant cokehead socialite.
Friday. I Know What You Did Last Summer. Ready to Wear. There are so many more films that take me back, but these are the ones that pop in my memory of influence. What movies defined your '90s? And, will I see you again?
PLUR,
Ms. Red