5 Classic Films from the 90s You Can Watch While Waiting for Iftar

Kapanlagi.com - If you're looking for a fun activity while waiting for iftar, watching movies can be a great choice! Especially if the films are classic 90s movies that have timeless stories and evoke nostalgia.

The 90s were indeed a golden era for cinema, where many quality works are still frequently discussed and rewatched today. So, why not take advantage of the time before iftar by watching these cool old films?

Hey, don't get it wrong, 90s films are just as cool as contemporary films! In fact, many of those films have deep stories, natural acting, and special effects that, although simple, pull us into the storyline.

From romantic genres, comedies, to thrillers, there's something for everyone! So, for those of you who want to experience the sensation of watching films with a different vibe, these 90s films should definitely be on your watchlist.

Well, to make it easier for you to choose, this time we will discuss 5 classic films from the 90s that are perfect to watch while waiting for the Maghrib call to prayer.

1. 1. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pulp Fiction (1994) is a crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film is known for its non-linear storytelling, sharp dialogue, and unique blend of genres.

Plot Summary

The film consists of several interconnected stories, divided into several chapters:

1. Opening (Prologue): Two small-time criminals, Pumpkin and Honey Bunny, plan a robbery at a café.

2. Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace: Vincent Vega (John Travolta), a hitman, and his partner Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) carry out a job for crime boss Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames).

3. The Gold Watch: Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis), a boxer, is asked by Marsellus to throw a boxing match, but he chooses to run away instead.

4. The Bonnie Situation: Vincent and Jules face a chaotic situation after a murder, and they seek help from their friend, Winston Wolfe (Harvey Keitel), to clean up the mess.

5. Epilogue: The story returns to the café at the beginning, where Jules and Vincent confront Pumpkin and Honey Bunny.

Main Characters

• Vincent Vega (John Travolta): A smart yet often careless hitman.

• Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson): Vincent's partner, known for his philosophical monologues.

• Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames): A fearsome and powerful crime boss.

• Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman): Marsellus's charismatic and mysterious wife.

• Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis): A boxer trying to escape from a life of crime.

Pulp Fiction won the Palme d'Or at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film remains one of the most respected and admired films in cinema history.

2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

This film tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a banker who is sentenced to life in prison at Shawshank Prison for allegedly murdering his wife and her lover, despite claiming his innocence.

In prison, Andy befriends Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), an inmate known as "the man who can get anything."

Over the years, Andy uses his intelligence and calmness to survive in the harsh prison environment.

He helps the guards with their financial affairs, builds a library for the inmates, and even helps a young inmate get an education. However, behind all this, Andy harbors a grand plan for his freedom.

Main Characters

1. Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins):

   • A calm, intelligent, and determined banker. Despite his life being shattered, he maintains his dignity and hope.

   • He becomes a symbol of resilience and freedom.

2. Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman):

   • The narrator of the film, Red is an inmate who has spent decades at Shawshank.

   • Initially skeptical of hope, but slowly inspired by Andy.

3. Warden Norton (Bob Gunton):

   • The corrupt and hypocritical prison warden, who uses Andy for his personal gain.

4. Captain Hadley (Clancy Brown):

   • A brutal and merciless prison guard.

Main Themes

1. Hope:

   • The main message of the film is about the power of hope. Andy believes that "hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."

   • Red, who is initially skeptical, eventually learns to believe in hope.

2. Freedom:

   • The film explores physical and emotional freedom. Andy is not only seeking freedom from prison but also from guilt and despair.

3. Friendship:

   • The relationship between Andy and Red is at the heart of the film. Their friendship provides strength and meaning in the bleak prison life.

This film was nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor (Morgan Freeman).

Although it did not win an Oscar, the film continues to be celebrated as a cinematic masterpiece.

3. Forrest Gump (1994)

This film tells the story of Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks), a man with a low IQ but a good heart and an extraordinary fate.

From his childhood in Alabama to becoming part of historic events in America, Forrest lives a simple yet meaningful life.

The story begins with Forrest sitting on a bus bench and recounting his life story to the people sitting next to him. He takes the audience through his life's journey, including:

• A difficult childhood due to physical and intellectual disabilities.

• His friendship with Jenny Curran (Robin Wright), his true love.

• His career as a football player, a soldier in the Vietnam War, a ping pong player, a shrimp boat owner, and a billionaire.

• His involvement in historic events such as meeting the US President, the civil rights movement, and more.

Throughout his life, Forrest remains true to the values taught by his mother: "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get."

Main Characters

1. Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks):

   • The protagonist of this film, Forrest is a simple man with a big heart. Although considered "stupid" by many, he achieves many extraordinary things due to his sincerity and bravery.

   • Tom Hanks won the Academy Award for Best Actor for this role.

2. Jenny Curran (Robin Wright):

   • Forrest's true love since childhood. Jenny leads a tumultuous life, but Forrest always loves her unconditionally.

3. Bubba Blue (Mykelti Williamson):

   • Forrest's friend during the Vietnam War, who dreams of starting a shrimp business.

4. Lieutenant Dan Taylor (Gary Sinise):

   • Forrest's commander in Vietnam, who is initially angry because Forrest saved his life (causing him to lose both legs), but eventually finds peace.

5. Mrs. Gump (Sally Field):

   • Forrest's mother, who always supports him and teaches him life's values.

Main Themes

1. Sincerity and Kindness:

   • Forrest is a symbol of sincerity and kindness. Although the world around him is filled with violence and injustice, he remains kind-hearted and honest.

2. Fate and Luck:

   • This film explores how fate and luck play a role in a person's life. Forrest often finds himself in the right place at the right time.

3. Unconditional Love:

   • Forrest's love for Jenny is pure and unconditional, even though Jenny often distances herself from him.

4. American History:

   • This film highlights significant events in American history, such as the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, and the Watergate scandal, through Forrest's perspective.

The film successfully won 6 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (Robert Zemeckis), and Best Actor (Tom Hanks).

Additionally, the film also became a box office hit, grossing over $677 million worldwide.

4. Schindler's List (1993)

This film tells the story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a German businessman who became an unlikely hero during the Holocaust. Initially, Schindler was a member of the Nazi Party who exploited the war for personal gain by employing Jewish laborers in his factory in Krakow, Poland.

However, after witnessing the atrocities committed by the Nazis against the Jews, particularly by the SS commander Amon Göth (Ralph Fiennes), Schindler changed.

He used his wealth and influence to save more than 1,100 Jews by employing them in his factory and creating a list that saved them from concentration camps.

Main Characters

1. Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson):

   • A businessman who initially sought profit but later became a hero who saved many lives.

   • Liam Neeson delivers this role with great depth and emotion.

2. Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley):

   • A Jewish accountant who helps Schindler manage his factory and plays a key role in the rescue efforts.

3. Amon Göth (Ralph Fiennes):

   • A cruel and sadistic SS commander responsible for the Plaszow concentration camp.

   • Ralph Fiennes delivers a chilling performance that garnered much acclaim.

Main Themes

1. Humanity and Redemption:

   • The film shows how a person can change from a profit-seeker to a lifesaver.

   • Schindler is initially selfish but ultimately takes great risks to save others.

2. The Atrocities of the Holocaust:

   • The film depicts the horrors of the Holocaust in a realistic and moving way, reminding us of the importance of remembering history.

3. Hope and Resilience:

   • Despite the horrific circumstances, Holocaust victims demonstrate resilience and hope for survival.

The film won 7 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director (Steven Spielberg), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Moreover, it was also a commercial and critical success, grossing over $321 million worldwide.

5. The Big Lebowski (1998)

This film follows the story of Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), a laid-back unemployed man living in Los Angeles who spends his time bowling and drinking White Russians.

His peaceful life is suddenly disrupted when he is confronted by thugs who mistakenly identify him as Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston), a millionaire with the same name.

The thugs ruin Dude's rug, which "really tied the room together." In an effort to get compensation, Dude meets Big Lebowski, who asks him to exchange ransom money for his kidnapped young wife, Bunny Lebowski (Tara Reid).

However, things become increasingly chaotic when Dude and his friends, Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) and Donny Kerabatsos (Steve Buscemi), get caught up in a web of deception, violence, and confusion.

Main Characters

1. The Dude (Jeff Bridges):

   • The protagonist of the film, a laid-back man who just wants to live a quiet life but keeps getting into trouble.

   • Jeff Bridges perfectly embodies this role, making Dude an iconic character.

2. Walter Sobchak (John Goodman):

   • Dude's temperamental and paranoid bowling friend, often bringing bigger problems.

   • Walter is a Vietnam War veteran who is very serious about rules and justice.

3. Donny Kerabatsos (Steve Buscemi):

   • Dude's naive bowling friend who is often ignored by Walter.

   • Donny often becomes the target of Walter's anger.

4. Jeffrey "Big" Lebowski (David Huddleston):

   • A millionaire who shares the same name as Dude but lives a very different life.

5. Maude Lebowski (Julianne Moore):

   • Big Lebowski's daughter, an eccentric artist who helps Dude in his quest.

Main Themes

1. Absurdity of Life:

   • The film is filled with absurd events and strange coincidences, reflecting the absurdity of life.

2. Friendship:

   • The relationship between Dude, Walter, and Donny is at the heart of the film, despite often being chaotic.

3. Laid-back vs. Serious:

   • Dude represents a laid-back lifestyle, while Walter embodies a serious and angry attitude. This contrast creates much humor.

(kpl/mfd)