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Laramie Movie Scope:
The Best Films of 1995
The top 10 films of 1995
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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
April 9, 2003 -- I finally got around to doing this top 10 list after, what, eight Years? Why am I doing this now, you might ask? Recently, I went through some old computer files of reviews I wrote, dating back to 1989. I ended up adding some 350 reviews to this site that were not previously on the Internet, I thought it would be a good thing to add the old top 10 lists to the site as well. In most years dating back to 1990, I compiled a top 10 list, but I didn't do one for 1995, so I went back and checked the old reviews to see which films I gave the highest ratings to. Here is the list, based on various tabulations, and on some fond memories of great 1995 films.
A hilarious, sad, heartwarming character study of several fascinating people hanging around a tobacco shop in New York.
2 Les Misérables A masterpiece, updating the classic French story to the World War II era.
3 Mighty Aphrodite This film, along with Bullets Over Broadway, marked triumphant return of America's great comic director, Woody Allen, after several years of doing more serious material. Mira Sorvino won an Oscar for her performance in this film.
4 Apollo 13 This multi-award-winning film features a fine cast headed by Tom Hanks. Director Ron Howard manages to maintain great suspense, even though people who are not historically challenged know how the story ends.
5 Get Shorty This very funny comedy features great performances by John Travolta, Danny DeVito, Gene Hackman, Dennis Farina and Delroy Lindo, and sharp dialogue lifted right out of the book by Elmore Leonard.
6 Sense and Sensibility A first-rate production of the Jane Austen classic story with great performances, wonderful cinematography and first-rate production values.
7 Antonia's Line This story covers many years, but it doesn't seem like an epic, more of an intimate character study. The offbeat story, quirky characters and warm humanity of this film make watching it a very rewarding experience.
8 A Little Princess A wonderful retelling of the classic children's story with beautiful cinematography and first-rate production values. A children's story which treats children like adults.
9 Circle of Friends An excellent romantic comedy. Features great performances by Chris O'Donnell, Minnie Driver and Saffron Burrows. This film features unusually strong women characters.
10 Pocahontas A first-rate Disney animated classic. The music is top-notch and the animation is beautiful.
Honorable mention: To Die For A cutting black comedy and social satire about ambition and celebrity. Nicole Kidman is devastating in the lead role as a ruthless vamp. Sharp script is by Buck Henry. Directed by off-beat Gus Van Sant in a documentary style. Classic, chilling ice-skating scene at the end.
Copyright © 2003 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.
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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at 
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(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)