Our journey through the Lost Movies of the 1990s series. This is episode 3, ten more movies, one from each year. This episode will deliver everything from suspense to sci-fi, with some action, a splash of horror, a trip to the World Series, and much more. So, let’s get it rolling.
Taking Care of Business (1990)
This comedy came out in 1990 and stars James Belushi as Jimmy Dworski, a regular guy who loves sports, and is about to finish a short jail sentence. Jimmy Dworski is about to get a new life. The only problem is it’s someone else’s in Arthur Hiller’s Taking Care of Business also starring Charles Grodin.
Many of you in the UK may know this movie as Filofax, regardless, Taking Care of Business is a feel-good comedy that certainly has its flaws, but still easily manages a great time while watching. Primarily because of the fast pace this silly plot explores, and the charm delivered from the likable cast. James Belushi is perfect as this common guy who despite being a little schmucky is a good-hearted guy. He just wants to see his team play in the World Series and seeing him do anything to attain that is a comical ride. Then you get Charles Grodin, who plays it more grounded to deliver laughs of his own. And together they’re a capable comedic duo for the needs of this movie. Belushi stumbles into this guy’s life, and everything works in his favor and Grodin sees his life disappear with anything that can go wrong, going wrong and it’s a mindless blast that delivers a high energy ending and it still holds up as a charming little comedy.
The People Under the Stairs (1991)
Now this horror movie centers on that one house in the neighborhood that the adults whisper about and the kids cross the street to pass in 1991’s The People Under the Stairs written and directed by Wes Craven. Starring Brandon Adams, Everett McGill, Wendie Robie, and A.J. Langer.
I can see where The People Under the Stairs may be a little too out there for some of you. But do I contend that if you give it a chance and overlook some of its silliness that this is an effective haunted house flick that has its moments of suspense, moments of unnerving tension, and light doses of humor to cut the evil atmosphere of this story to deliver a wild ride. The cast is solid overall. Primarily from McGill and Robie who capture the cartoonish insanity of their over-the-top characters to a tee. They’re both completely unhinged in this movie and as a young teen they both always creeped me out. The make-up effects are still effective in creating the eeriness of these people living in the walls. And this suburban home serves as the perfect playground for horror and thrills. But what makes this movie so much fun is that it knows what it is. The story between the suspenseful action is short, sweet and it connects demented chaos of this simple plot more than enough to make this movie a great time.
Kuffs (1992)
This action comedy follows George Kuffs. He didn’t graduate high school and just lost his job but when his brother is killed in the line of duty, he inherits a small patrol district in 1992 Kuffs directed by Bruce A. Evans. Starring Christian Slater, Milla Jovovich, Tony Goldwyn, and Leon Rippy.
This was a movie I watched countless times as a kid being a huge Slater fan. And to this day I think the mix of comedy and action that Kuffs delivers is a great time. This one feels like an 80s action movie cut with an early 90s comedy complete with Slater’s character routinely breaking the 4th wall to bring the slight Ferris Bueller touch, which does pull you into the story with him. Sure, there are contrasting tones in this movie, spots intend to hit the heartstrings, others aim for mindless laughs but that’s just part of the nostalgia this movie brings. It’s a silly story for sure but the movie is clearly having fun with itself. Slater is comfortable and capable in the lead and Leon Rippy as the eccentric Kane is a treat. This villain is cartoonish as he wears shirts with his own picture on it, yet it all blends into the light atmosphere and vibe of the movie overall. It’s tightly paced, and with the balance of action set-pieces and a jovial sense of humor, Kuffs has a simplistic charm that still holds up.
The Vanishing (1993)
Next is a mystery thriller that asks if someone you loved mysteriously vanished, how far would you go to find them in a remake of The Vanishing from 1993 directed by George Sluizer. Starring Jeff Bridges, Kiefer Sutherland, and Nancy Travis.
I was born in LA and lived there with my grandma. When the crack epidemic in the 80s made the neighborhood too dangerous my grandma moved us to the sticks to live with my aunt and uncle in a little town called Snohomish in Washington State. The vanishing was partially filmed in my town, and I remember seeing where they were filming, and I still contend this is an intriguingly ominous and moody thriller. Sutherland captures the desperation of a man searching for answers and Jeff Bridges is eerie, but still unassuming and seeing the layers of his evil peel pack in this movie is a suspense and emotionally gripping escape. I haven’t seen the original and have heard it is a superior film with a much darker ending but as it is this movie has its appeal. It’s well acted, the emotional pull is more than effective and Sluizer’s direction is foreboding and dramatic when needed to give this story the proper ebbs and flows of emotional tones. The Vanishing may have its issues, it may bumble the ending a tad as well, but it still delivers a dramatic ride that will have you asking how far you would go to find a missing loved one.
Blue Chips (1994)
This inside look at college basketball where victory doesn’t come cheap, and if you’re going to win at any cost, you must be prepared to pay the price in Blue Chips from 1994 directed by William Friedkin starring Nick Nolte, J.T. Walsh, Mary McDonnell, and Ed O’Neill.
I’ve always been a sports fan, particularly basketball, football, and baseball and I liked Blue Chips as a teenager who had dreams of playing college ball and pro. But at the time this movie wasn’t so well received, and I think really it was ahead of its time. When this film was released college basketball and football were blowing up. TV deals were bringing in money and I don’t think people were interested in a peek behind the scenes at the business of college ball. But as a reflective look back I think Blue Chips is a much stronger watch as it pulls the curtain back just enough to create an intriguing story that does focus more on morality than it does the business. Nolte is solid in the lead as a fiery veteran coach that finds the business of basketball changing around him. There were also many NBA players in this film to make the basketball feel legit and Blue Chips isn’t a Money Ball level expose of the inner workings of college sports but like The Program, it delivers just enough substance to blend with its Hollywood storytelling.
Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
Next is a truly one-of-a-kind movie from 1995 about a data courier who carries information in his head and must deliver that information before he dies in Johnny Mnemonic starring Keanu Reeves, Dina Meyer, Ice-T, and Dolph Lundgren as the Street Preacher. Directed by Robert Longo.
Something that I always loved about 80s and 90s movies were those films that took a chance and made something completely odd and unique, and few films fit into that category as easily as Johnny Mnemonic. This movie is wild and bonkers in so many amazing ways. The story is equally silly and interesting, and the cast overall is a strong ensemble. Reeves is great in the lead, showcasing a perfect level of self-awareness. Then you get the tertiary characters from Meyer, Rollins, and Ice T who add their own flavor to their roles. Then on the villain side you get the talents of Dolph Lundgren who goes all-in on his performance as the Street Preacher. So, the ensemble here is excellent. Then you toss them all in this futuristic cyberpunk setting and give them a high-tension mission and the result is a true escape of bizarre style, violent action, and charismatic performances that know exactly what this movie was supposed to be, and the result is a cult-classic from Keanu Reeves that doesn’t get mentioned enough.
The Fan (1996)
Coming up next is a tense thriller that explores the dangers of extreme fanaticism when a superstar baseball player finds his life turned upside down in Tony Scott’s loose remake of The Fan from 1996 starring Wesley Snipes, Robert De Niro, Ellen Barkin, and John Leguizamo.
I’ve always been a fan of Wesley Snipes and Robert De Niro, so I remember seeing this movie in theaters and I absolutely loved it. I think The Fan essentially delivers the complete package for those looking for a mid-90s thriller that thrives on its style, its leading stars, slick direction, with an undercurrent of emotional intensity that’s able to dig just enough below the surface to intrigue. The story is well written, the subplots are given just enough depth, and it keeps a swift pace. Now I will admit the final act does go way over the top and it does undercut the more series and grounded film built in the first two acts. However, both Snipes and De Niro are awesome here. Snipes feels at home in a role that he played back in Major League. He has the athleticism of a ball player and the gravitas of a superstar athlete. With De Niro shining in a truly dark performance. So, when these two finally come to a head in the closing it still makes The Fan a satisfying ride into the dark side of sports fandom.
Gridlock’d (1997)
Written and directed by Vondie Curtis-Hall follows two drug addicts who want to kick their habits but find help seemingly impossible to find when attempting to enroll in a detox program in Gridlock’d from 1997 starring Tupac Shakur, Tim Roth, and Thandiwe Newton.
Many of you would assume a film about a couple of heroin addicts attempting to go clean would end up being a depressing, heavy-handed movie. But if you’ve seen Gridlock’d, you’ll know what I mean when I say this movie is able to thrive on its offbeat humor and its edginess. This movie at the same time is effortlessly able to bring natural humor from a couple of frustrated characters, but it’s also able to explore the issues with government bureaucracies within an informative lens. Gridlock’d is super gritty, but it’s also unassumingly elegant at times and the juxtaposition between these tones results in an engaging film that can sweep you up and have you invested in the grounded mission of its characters. This one came out 4 months after the murder of 2Pac and he delivers a charged performance. As does Roth, who pumps life into his character and pairs 2Pac perfectly for the needs of this movie that delivers action, humor, emotion, style, and knowledge all within its entertaining 90-minute runtime.
Dean Man on Campus (1998)
Next is a college comedy about a couple of failing students that discover they can get passing grades if one of their roommates kills themself in 1998s Dead Man on Campus directed by Alan Cohn. Starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Tom Everett Scott, and Poppy Montgomery.
I have a particular fondness for this movie as it came out when I was in college and I feel I related to the character played by Gosselaar both good and bad as a guy who spent 9 years in college, 6 of them at a 2yr school. But I can see where this one won’t be for everyone as it is more than a little mean spirited. However, that’s the point of the film and in that aspect this movie succeeds in being an easily engaging college comedy. Sure, there are some dumb jokes and characters that don’t work so well. But there are just as many dumb jokes and characters that deliver a riot of laughter. Gosselaar and Scott are a solid duo. Gosselaar specifically who is essentially playing Van Wilder before Reynolds, and he is the driving force of the humor. There are some clever spots of comedy woven into this pleasantly cruel plot. From strong jokes to comical situations, Dead Man on Campus throws it all at you within its short runtime and it’s still a lighthearted roller coaster of dark comedy all these years later.
In Too Deep (1999)
This crime thriller follows an undercover cop who takes on a ruthless crime lord. He knew the risks, but not how far he would have to go in 1999’s In Too Deep starring LL Cool J, Omar Epps, Nia Long, and Stanley Tucci. Directed by Michael Rymer.
Now I will admit this movie doesn’t necessarily bring anything new to the undercover thriller and it does mold itself right in there to pretty much follow the formula beat-for-beat. From close calls to the character tests of morality you have seen this movie before. However, you couldn’t tell this was a recycled story from watching the film because In Too Deep delivers plenty of effort. The cast certainly makes the effort to take these routine characters and make them their own. Epps is a solid lead; he hits the highs and lows effectively. Tucci is great as the handler. Long makes the most of a generic role. Then, front and center is LL Cool J who just owns this character. He’s got his usual charisma but the sadistic undercurrent to his performance is what makes the film strong. And overall, I think this movie brings enough style, enough grit, a thin layer of emotional intensity, and plenty of violence to compensate for its creative shortcomings.
Anthony J. Digioia II © 2025 SilverScreen Analysis & Movies Never Say Die