Hollywood 1991: A Look Back at Movies that Turn 20 in 2011

At the time, 1991 didn't seem like it was going to be particularly remembered for its movies. Twenty years later and a cursory examination of the films released in 1991 almost makes it look like 1939 in comparison. A look back at the movies released 20 years ago shames not only through being their being so much better than most movies released these days, but also through the reality that 1991 was hardly a standout year for movies.

"Silence of the Lambs"

If 1991's movies will be remembered for anything, it will be for the quite unusual fact that the eventual winner of the Oscar for Best Picture was released in February. "Silence of the Lambs" hit theaters even before Academy Awards for the previous year were handed out. Perhaps not so coincidentally, "Silence of the Lambs" was the last movie to win Oscars for Picture, Actor, Actress and Director.

"Cape Fear"

Martin Scorsese swapped projects with Steven Spielberg and the result was one of the most popular films of late 1991. Scorsese got "Cape Fear" and Spielberg got a little movie you may have heard of -- went by the title "Schindler's List." Robert DeNiro's scary performance as Max Cady is the best thing about this minor entry in the Scorsese canon that was also his first remake. Minor, yes, but "Cape Fear" was loads better than Scorsese's later remake of "Infernal Affairs."

"Dead Again"

This complicated thriller directed by Kenneth Branagh features some of the niftiest twists and turns of any movie released in 1991 or since then. Branagh also stars alongside the actress who was then his wife. "Dead Again" provided a showcase for Emma Thompson's talents that would be rewarded with an Oscar just a couple of years later.

"Fried Green Tomatoes"

Yeah, Hollywood took the lesbianism out of Fanne Flagg's novel, but that excision barely dented the power of the film version of "Fried Green Tomatoes." Four different actresses across a wide spectrum of generations were given the chance to flex their talents in this deeply layered, subtle, funny, dramatic and surprising movie released in 1991 that hardly seems 20 years old.

"JFK"

The only factual information you'll find in "JFK" is that Kennedy was assassinated. Everything else is a feverish fantasy of conspiracy nutjobs. But, boyo, can Oliver Stone ever make a great looking and entertaining movie out of garbage! The best edited movie released in 1991 only makes you wonder what kind of movie Stone could make if he stuck to the facts. Oh yeah, he did. That one was titled "W."