Why aren't there more '90s period films?

[Splatterpunk]

I love '60s and '80s period films as much as the next guy, but there's a ton of them. The '90s were my teens and early twenties, and I look back fondly (for the most part) at that decade. It just seems like the era is ripe for exploration and there's been relatively little done. I often wonder if it has to do with Generation X being a smaller demographic than either the Boomers or Millennials, as American culture seems more tailored to them, currently. Of course, that's a simplification, but that's how these things go. Anyhow, please name and discuss any '90s period films that you enjoy or use this thread as place to discuss the '90s or Generation X. I appreciate your participation!

I'll start. To my mind, the purest '90s period film that I've seen is THE WACKNESS. Now, it's been a while since I've seen it but I remember thinking that it did a good job at recreating the era. I know I was very excited when it was coming out because see above. I also remember being slightly disappointed.

[mwynn]

https://www.bustle.com/articles/1359...ou-back-to-the

[Splatterpunk]

Originally Posted by mwynn

https://www.bustle.com/articles/1359...ou-back-to-the

Haha I just read that article yesterday when I was thinking about making this thread!

[The Debts]

Check back in the next decade and we'll be seeing a swath of them.

If you want more recent examples we just had Super Dark Times, which is available on Netflix if you're interested.

[Zodokai]

Originally Posted by The Debts

Check back in the next decade and we'll be seeing a swath of them.

I agree, next decade will be the prime time for 90s period throwback. Nostalgia runs on a generational cycle of about 30 years. During the 80s (and late 70s to an extent), it was 50s nostalgia. In the 90s, it was the 60s (I remember when tie-dye and bell bottoms made a decent comeback during my elementary school years). The 2000s were full of 70s throwbacks, especially when it came to music. Right now, the 80s are the nostalgic choice. But the 2020s will be the decade of the 90s.

[Krypton_Son]

Originally Posted by Zodokai

I agree, next decade will be the prime time for 90s period throwback. Nostalgia runs on a generational cycle of about 30 years. During the 80s (and late 70s to an extent), it was 50s nostalgia. In the 90s, it was the 60s (I remember when tie-dye and bell bottoms made a decent comeback during my elementary school years). The 2000s were full of 70s throwbacks, especially when it came to music. Right now, the 80s are the nostalgic choice. But the 2020s will be the decade of the 90s.

This^^^ Although personally I thought the 90's were boring and stale. Just my opinion of course.

[Splatterpunk]

Originally Posted by Zodokai

I agree, next decade will be the prime time for 90s period throwback. Nostalgia runs on a generational cycle of about 30 years. During the 80s (and late 70s to an extent), it was 50s nostalgia. In the 90s, it was the 60s (I remember when tie-dye and bell bottoms made a decent comeback during my elementary school years). The 2000s were full of 70s throwbacks, especially when it came to music. Right now, the 80s are the nostalgic choice. But the 2020s will be the decade of the 90s.

I wonder, though, since Gen X has a smaller voice than either the Boomers or Millennials, if that will be the case.

[Zodokai]

Originally Posted by Splatterpunk

I wonder, though, since Gen X has a smaller voice than either the Boomers or Millennials, if that will be the case.

I think it will still happen. Artists (filmmakers, musicians, etc.) are more likely to draw on their own experiences for inspiration than not, so it's only natural that the time period in which they grew up will have an effect on or be outright portrayed in their work. Because it's generational, there will be a point in time in which these people are the new artists who will eventually "take over" for the previous generation's artists. That transitional time is right about now. Baby Boomer directors are still around and making great films, but the younger generations are beginning to come to the forefront as well.

Also, at least as far as the 90s are concerned, there is a lot of overlap between Generation X and Millennials (aka Generation Y). Gen Xers were born from the early 60s to the early 80s (making them somewhere between 10 and 30 in the mid 90s). Millennials born from the early 80s until about 2000 (15 and younger during the mid 90s). So late Xers (like you, from the sound of your first post) and early Millennials like me both share in 90s nostalgia. That nostalgia may have come from slightly different time periods in our lives (childhood vs. teenage/young adulthood), but still during our formative years and so I think that will be reflected in the films of artists from our generation(s).

[cinemaphile]

I find it odd people are thinking of Generation X as the ones who would be all about the 90's. Generation X are the ones making the 80's the decade of choice right now. When I think of Generation X, I am thinking of my age - kids who grew up in the 80's. By the 90's we were in our twenties, and honestly I don't have any nostalgia for that time - it just felt like another decade and when I think about it doesn't seem much different than now.

[blu blood]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

I find it odd people are thinking of Generation X as the ones who would be all about the 90's. Generation X are the ones making the 80's the decade of choice right now. When I think of Generation X, I am thinking of my age - kids who grew up in the 80's. By the 90's we were in our twenties, and honestly I don't have any nostalgia for that time - it just felt like another decade and when I think about it doesn't seem much different than now.

Younger Gen Xers and older millenials(and the fabled "Oregon Trail microgeneration" to which I belong) are the ones who will be making 90s nostalgia.

[Splatterpunk]

Originally Posted by Zodokai

I think it will still happen. Artists (filmmakers, musicians, etc.) are more likely to draw on their own experiences for inspiration than not, so it's only natural that the time period in which they grew up will have an effect on or be outright portrayed in their work. Because it's generational, there will be a point in time in which these people are the new artists who will eventually "take over" for the previous generation's artists. That transitional time is right about now. Baby Boomer directors are still around and making great films, but the younger generations are beginning to come to the forefront as well.

Also, at least as far as the 90s are concerned, there is a lot of overlap between Generation X and Millennials (aka Generation Y). Gen Xers were born from the early 60s to the early 80s (making them somewhere between 10 and 30 in the mid 90s). Millennials born from the early 80s until about 2000 (15 and younger during the mid 90s). So late Xers (like you, from the sound of your first post) and early Millennials like me both share in 90s nostalgia. That nostalgia may have come from slightly different time periods in our lives (childhood vs. teenage/young adulthood), but still during our formative years and so I think that will be reflected in the films of artists from our generation(s).

It's interesting to think that maybe the blurring of the generational line has maybe contributed to the perception of the '90s being ill defined.

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

I find it odd people are thinking of Generation X as the ones who would be all about the 90's. Generation X are the ones making the 80's the decade of choice right now. When I think of Generation X, I am thinking of my age - kids who grew up in the 80's. By the 90's we were in our twenties, and honestly I don't have any nostalgia for that time - it just felt like another decade and when I think about it doesn't seem much different than now.

I guess I'm not necessarily thinking about nostalgia, although I'm not opposed to nostalgic approaches. My childhood was definitely in the '80s so I have a taste for that time period as well. I wouldn't describe myself as being particularly enthusiastic for the '90s. I just feel like it's missing from the cinematic discussion in some ways.

[Zodokai]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

I find it odd people are thinking of Generation X as the ones who would be all about the 90's. Generation X are the ones making the 80's the decade of choice right now. When I think of Generation X, I am thinking of my age - kids who grew up in the 80's. By the 90's we were in our twenties, and honestly I don't have any nostalgia for that time - it just felt like another decade and when I think about it doesn't seem much different than now.

I agree, though like I said in my post above, I think there is some overlap between late Generation X and early Millennial in this regard. But being one of the latter and growing up during the 90s, I have nostalgia for the decade.

I also think people get a little confused about the distinction between some of the "Generations" which is understandable because the year boundaries are a little fuzzy and the naming (especially with Millennials) is a bit of a misnomer.

[hamchuck1]

I think irony and self awareness played a bigger part in culture in the 90s than it did in previous generations which is harder to poinpoint a feeling for in a movie. Not saying it's impossible but maybe harder to navigate. Landline was recently set in the 90s.

[MifuneFan]

'90's doesn't have that strong of a nostalgic pull as other decades. Either because it's just too soon, or because it was less defined. I think we're seeing a little more 90's influence in pop culture. Bruno Mars did a 90's throwback video/song recently, Netflix has a new TV series set in the 90's (Everything Sucks!). Perhaps in 5-10 years as we get further away from that time, we'll see more films in that setting too.

[Splatterpunk]

Originally Posted by The Debts

Check back in the next decade and we'll be seeing a swath of them.

If you want more recent examples we just had Super Dark Times, which is available on Netflix if you're interested.

I've read about SUPER DARK TIMES but I somehow missed that it takes place in the '90s. Any good, in your opinion?

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

'90's doesn't have that strong of a nostalgic pull as other decades. Either because it's just too soon, or because it was less defined. I think we're seeing a little more 90's influence in pop culture. Bruno Mars did a 90's throwback video/song recently, Netflix has a new TV series set in the 90's (Everything Sucks!). Perhaps in 5-10 years as we get further away from that time, we'll see more films in that setting too.

EVERYTHING SUCKS caught my attention, but reviews on this site have been middling it seems. I'd disagree that the decade doesn't have as strong a pull, though. People still love Cobain, Biggie, and 2pac and those figures had a pretty big impact on the culture at large. The early '90s are a quarter century gone at this point. I hope we don't have to wait too much longer! Thanks for the responses.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by Splatterpunk

I've read about SUPER DARK TIMES but I somehow missed that it takes place in the '90s. Any good, in your opinion?



EVERYTHING SUCKS caught my attention, but reviews on this site have been middling it seems. I'd disagree that the decade doesn't have as strong a pull, though. People still love Cobain, Biggie, and 2pac and those figures had a pretty big impact on the culture at large. The early '90s are a quarter century gone at this point. I hope we don't have to wait too much longer! Thanks for the responses.

I thought Super Dark Times was excellent !

[The Debts]

Originally Posted by Splatterpunk

I've read about SUPER DARK TIMES but I somehow missed that it takes place in the '90s. Any good, in your opinion?

Kind of meh. It begins and ends strong but everything in between is just an aimless slog. The kids were great tho.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by The Debts

Kind of meh. It begins and ends strong but everything in between is just an aimless slog. The kids were great tho.

Darn all that complex character development !

[The Debts]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

Darn all that complex character development !

Please don't be condescending.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by Splatterpunk

I love '60s and '80s period films as much as the next guy, but there's a ton of them. The '90s were my teens and early twenties, and I look back fondly (for the most part) at that decade. It just seems like the era is ripe for exploration and there's been relatively little done. I often wonder if it has to do with Generation X being a smaller demographic than either the Boomers or Millennials, as American culture seems more tailored to them, currently. Of course, that's a simplification, but that's how these things go. Anyhow, please name and discuss any '90s period films that you enjoy or use this thread as place to discuss the '90s or Generation X. I appreciate your participation!

I'll start. To my mind, the purest '90s period film that I've seen is THE WACKNESS. Now, it's been a while since I've seen it but I remember thinking that it did a good job at recreating the era. I know I was very excited when it was coming out because see above. I also remember being slightly disappointed.

For better or for worse, I think culturally, politically and in terms of style the 60s and 80s were more distinctive and iconic than the 90s. I'm still not that sure what the 90s were about. In terms of youth culture there was grunge and rave and they still don't look that great on screen. There aren't the same amount of iconic films from that era either, which anybody wants to pay homage to the way they do to 60s and 80s films.