Film Special: The Nineties

The nineties saw a massive shift toward independent film production, with filmmakers moving away from the major studios to create personal, artistically driven projects. This era saw the rise of iconic directors and production companies. The decade also redefined special effects, shifting from practical to digital techniques. Jurassic Park (1993) and Toy Story (1995) completely changed the game for special effects and animation, respectively. The Matrix (1999) perfected the combination of new visual techniques and storytelling. It was a golden age for new voices, with directors like Quentin Tarantino and the Wachowskis introducing non-linear narrative styles. 1999 is often cited as one of the best years in film history and saw the release of many influential movies.