Top Ten Movies From 1994

A year of juxtaposition, dark comedy and reality bending.
by Rad Universe

1. Pulp Fiction (directed by Quentin Tarantino)

Perhaps the most influential film of the 90’s, Pulp Fiction plays it cool like Fonzie with its beat-heavy soundtrack of surf, rock and soul music, non-linear storytelling, iconic gangster characters and hip genre pastiche. Quentin Tarantino knows his shit and was light years ahead of his time winning the Palm d’Or at 31. Hands down the Rad Universe top pick for 1994.

2. Clerks (directed by Kevin Smith)

On par with Pulp Fiction in terms of dialogue and humor, Clerks embraces the Star Wars geeks and rooftop hockey champs of the world by putting its sharp-tongued superheroes into some pretty hilarious moral dilemmas. An early 90’s grunge metal soundtrack scores this crude dark comedy filled with embarrassing sexual references and big words you just might need to look up in the dictionary.

3. The Shawshank Redemption (directed by Frank Darabont)

 
Reminding us to stay sharp in even the worst of circumstances, The Shawshank Redemption shows how one can be free in even the most confined of situations and then completely unfree in freedom. And sometimes you gotta climb through a sewer of shit to reach the other side! Contains one of the most influential Thomas Newman scores with just the right amount of melancholy.

4. In The Mouth Of Madness (directed by John Carpenter)

 
Influenced by H.P. Lovecraft in its depiction of insanity, In The Mouth Of Madness bends reality with twisted terror when grueling actions depicted in a series of horror-novels come to life in a small town in New England. Smart genre references and supernatural tone make this a very forward-thinking work of horror satire. John Carpenter kills it again as director / composer.

5. Cemetery Man (directed by Michele Soavi)

Although it didn’t come out in the U.S. until 1996, Cemetery Man’s poetic blend of humor and horror makes this a top pick for 1994. This often missed zombie-filled lullaby is a most excellent grave digging adventure where the dead come back to life. Love can be so tragically ironic when its with a decapitated head or multiple versions of the same woman! This atmospheric horror comedy delivers the goods and has a super reality twisted ending.

6. The Crow (directed by Alex Proyas)

You don’t get any more ’94 than this! A gothic, emotional, industrial rooftop guitar hero meets a young abandoned skateboard grunge girl in a damaged noir landscape. He sings it can’t rain all the time and the record skips. The Crow smashes his guitar and flies over the city to a rockin’ My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult song. This is a tale of tainted love where there ain’t no coming back. There ain’t no coming back! (Brandon Lee R.I.P.)

7. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (directed by Tom Shadyac)

Excuse me, I’d like to ass you a few questions: Did you know that Cannibal Corpse made their theatrical debut in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective? And did you know if it was the red or the white New England clam chowder to get backstage? Jim Carrey’s totally wild and over the top animal inspired character is super confident and hilarious in this outrageous comedy.

8. Serial Mom (directed by John Waters)

Today on the Ricki Lake show, a suburban housewife kills some neighbors and sways a witness by fanning her legs in court. Serial Mom’s stylized satire on America’s fixation with true crime plays hilarious against the murder mommy’s terror antics. Her attention to pussy willows and a special appearance by L7 (aka Camel Lips) makes this movie pretty fucking rad.

9. Forrest Gump (directed by Robert Zemeckis)

Forever timeless and endearing, Forrest Gump tells the story of how we came to be through the eyes of a man of great integrity and sensitivity. He’s not a smart man, but he loved Jenny, his momma and had a box of chocolates to represent life’s surprises. An epic classic rock soundtrack underscores major cultural shifts from the 50’s through the 90’s making this a most excellent time traveling adventure.

10. Natural Born Killers (directed by Oliver Stone)

Natural Born Killers takes a crazed look at two lovebird serial killers who become rockstars from an obsessed media. Stupendously stylized, this movie’s like a psychedelic acid trip filled with superstar killer dementia. The murderous “Shit List” anthem spins on the jukebox when it’s ass-kicking time again by ultra femme rockers Camel Lips (aka L7). Watch out for the warden’s severed head perched on top of a spear in the director’s cut.

The “One Louder” Special Favorite:

11. Brainscan (directed by John Flynn)

Do you wanna play? I dare you. This bored hyper-techie media kid likes extreme video games and horror movies. He’s seen it all, played it all, and now he’s looking for something more. He finally gets his hands on Brainscan – the ultimate interactive experience in terror, but this is not a game anymore. This is the real thing! And this movie is punk as fuck like this Brainscan.