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

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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 !

[kylor]

90s in a nutshell:

[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.

[CyberpunkCentral]

The thing about the 90s is that it still feels modern. Playing Nirvana, Tupac, or some boy band in the background is not going to be enough to make a movie feel like it's set in the 90s.

[The Debts]

Originally Posted by CyberpunkCentral

The thing about the 90s is that it still feels modern. Playing Nirvana, Tupac, or some boy band is not going to be enough to make a movie feel like it's set in the 90s.

You and Kylor have the profile pic looking off in different directions. It scares me.

[crude]

Nothing great historically happened in the 90s

Better forget that decade...

[Splatterpunk]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

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.

Hmmm, I guess I would say that's why it could be cool to explore. It's a relatively unprocessed time frame and would then lend itself to untainted analysis. I think much of what's happening in American political culture right now can be traced back to the deceptively calmer waters of the '90s. The current discussions around race and gender could easily be paralleled by certain events that happened then.

[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 CyberpunkCentral

The thing about the 90s is that it still feels modern. Playing Nirvana, Tupac, or some boy band in the background is not going to be enough to make a movie feel like it's set in the 90s.

I agree about just playing music in the background not being enough. It's the details that matter. No cell phones, almost no internet, the clothing, the political climate, etc...

[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.