So Stuck in the 90′s…
While ruffling through old…stuff I guess, Nathaniel R found issues of his old zine. He re-listed what he thought the greatest performances of that decade are.
Best Supporting Actor
- Joe Pesci, Goodfellas, (199o)
Hey look, it’s Joe Pesci with feelings!
- Ted Levine, Silence of the the Lambs, (1991)
You know what, this performance is a little bit campy, but scary and will offend generations to come.
- Anthony Hopkins, Dracula (1992)
Scarier here than as Hannibal Lecter.
- Leonardo di Caprio, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
He’s proven what he can do at such a young age.
- Samuel L. Jackson, Pulp Fiction (1994)
Put cool, hilarious and scary into one gunman.
- Vincent Cassel, La Haine (1995)
Great as the funny, deluded guy from the Paris ghetto.
- Steve Buscemi, Fargo (1996)
Makes the audience realize how crazy these kidnapping plans go.
- Timothy Spall, Secrets and Lies (1996)
This family man role puts him on different emotional fields.
- Robert Forster, Jackie Brown (1997)
You wouldn’t think of him as Pam Grier’s best leading man, but there he is.
- Brendan Fraser, Gods and Monsters (1998)
Remember when this guy did actual acting?
Best Supporting Actress
- ETA: Lorraine Bracco, Goodfellas (1990)
Can’t believe I forgot about this innocent turned crazy-emotional performance
- Jessica Lange, Cape Fear (1991)
Smoldering sexuality comes easy with this lady.
- Angela Bassett, Malcolm X (1992)
The only woman who could play Malcolm X’s wife and in one or two incidents, his formidable opponent.
- Winona Ryder, The Age of Innocence (1993)
As May Archer, a woman who sounds so nice saying the most manipulative things.
- Melanie Lynskey, Heavenly Creatures (1994)
Gotta give Ms. Lynskey a hand for how brave she tackled her sexually blossoming character.
- Sharon Stone, Casino (1995)
Goes all out as Ginger, the boss’ damaged wife.
- Kristin Scott Thomas, Richard III (1995)
The best in show in a film of great women, she gives her one speaking scene as Queen Anne great complexity.
- Bridget Fonda, Jackie Brown (1997)
Exudes confidence as the surfer girl, Melanie.
- Julianne Moore, Boogie Nights (1997)
That scene outside the courthouse.
Best Actor
- Anthony Hopkins, Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Slithers his way into Clarice Starling’s sympathies, and ours too.
- Denzel Washington, Malcolm X (1992)
Great range from anger to spiritual enlightenment.
- Colm Feore, Thirty-Three Short Films About Glenn Gould (1993)
Feore helps us learn about this fascinating man.
- Bruce Willis, Twelve Monkeys (1995)
Out of the performances in this list, his is the most visceral.
- Billy Bob Thornton, Sling Blade (1996)
He makes interesting choices in this role.
- Samuel L. Jackson, One Eight Seven (1997)
Again, scarier than Jules when he teaches us about the ‘philanges.’
- Johnny Depp, Donnie Brasco (1997)
One of the greatest performances within the performance.
- Jeff Bridges, The Big Lebowski (1998)
Boring answer, but he plays a stoner awake.
- Dylan Baker, Happiness (1998)
Such a sympathetic portrayal that you won’t even believe the truth about him.
- Matt Damon, The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Great as a love-to-hate shape shifter.
ETA: Italics represent Oscar winners.
Related Articles
- Flashback: Best of the 90s. (Pt 1) (filmexperience.blogspot.com)
