At Taste of Cinema we'll be the first to admit that the term "masterpiece" gets tossed around more than a beachball at a Coldplay concert, often designated to films that are very of-the-moment but lack any kind of longevity or lasting resonance (this explains how high-profile Oscar winners like Forrest Gump, Crash and Green Book can initially win accolades only to be universally derided and mocked once the honeymoon is over). It's with a little of that 20/20 hindsight that the following list has been made, looking back at fairly recent cinematic history to the American films that have left an undeniable and influential mark and yet, largely remain overlooked outside of niche audiences, often of fellow filmmakers or cineastes.
The 10 films that follow were released in the 1990s and in the years since have proven their influence and artistic merit, guaranteeing startling reveals, original and/or reworked expressions and ideas that may well become your new cinematic obsession. Enjoy!
