Controversial Films of the 90s
I am trying to create the ultimate list of controversial films from 1990 - 1999. I f you see a film missing from the list which should be included leave a comment.
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- DirectorPhilip KaufmanStarsFred WardUma ThurmanMaria de MedeirosAnaïs Nin meets American writer Henry Miller in Paris in 1931. She keeps a diary of her sexual awakening, which includes Henry and his wife June.This very good biopic is said to be one of first major studio releases to receive an NC-17 certificate in the US. It was sex scenes that influenced the MPAA in their decision making.
- DirectorBigas LunaStarsFrancesca NeriÓscar LadoireMaría BarrancoThe story of a young woman's descent into the kinky and dangerous sexual underground in Madrid.Graphic sex scenes offended some.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroRay LiottaJoe PesciThe story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.This now considered classic film, attracted complaints for its violence and very frequent strong language - it is one of the top movies for featuring the most F words. It also unfairly lost out on some Oscars to "Dances with Wolves"; most notably the best picture Oscar.
- DirectorSam PillsburyStarsNicolas CageErika AndersonJudge ReinholdThierry's wife Zandalee married the poet he once was. Taking over his dad's company in New Orleans gives him stress and impotence. Thierry meets his high school buddy Johnny at a bachelor party. The painter Johnny can satisfy Zandalee.This film was originally NC-17 rated in its uncut form, due to some sex scenes. It's a fairly mediocre film.
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsKevin CostnerGary OldmanJack LemmonNew Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison discovers there's more to the Kennedy assassination than the official story.This film was a blockbuster, but attracted criticism for its magic bullet theory.
- DirectorNgai Choi LamStarsSiu-Wong FanMei Sheng FanKa-Kui HoRiki-Oh, a young man who has superhuman strength, is incarcerated in a private prison, where inmates are treated like slaves. He is forced to use his unstoppable form of martial arts to destroy the corrupt officials and their lackeys.This incredibly violent film was originally banned in Ireland and was criticised for its violence wherever it was screened. The film did the rounds on VHS tape and the rumours about the film's violent scenes became a talking point, amongst fans, much of what was shown was exaggerated through word of mouth.
- DirectorClarence FokStarsChingmy YauSimon YamCarrie NgA young woman is trained by a martial arts specialist to become a professional assassin.Naked Killer - This Category 3 reinterpretation of "Basic Instinct" was criticised for its sex and violence.
- DirectorJack BenderStarsJustin WhalinPerrey ReevesJeremy SylversChucky returns for revenge against Andy, the young boy who defeated him, and now a teenager living in a military academy.This mediocre horror film was said to have influenced a child murder in the UK. This lead to the film being withdrawn by the distributor. Many years later it was proven to have not been linked. It was re-released uncut in the UK in 2000 for VHS and DVD.
- DirectorDennis DimsterStarsBrian BonsallJosie BissettAshley LaurenceA seemingly sweet and innocent little boy causes murder and mayhem in his new neighborhood and falls for the teenage girl next door.Like, "Child's Play 3", this horror film was banned in the UK, due to it coinciding with the "Jamie Bulger" murders. A film about a child killer seemed inappropriate. It has been released in Ireland uncut, but so far a distributor hasn't released it in the UK.
- StarsYumi TakadaMari AkutsuMirei AsaokaSex Ninjas Must Die! Miko Mido answers the call of the wild, to become a mistress of martial arts sexcraft! In these erotic episodes, Miko discovers that she is the last in a line of supernatural sex ninjas.A controversial anime. It was banned in the UK, due to its explicit sex scenes.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsHarvey KeitelTim RothMichael MadsenWhen a simple jewelry heist goes horribly wrong, the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant.It was mainly the film's violence that drew complaints. It was cut or banned in some countries. It is now considered a modern classic.
- DirectorPaul VerhoevenStarsMichael DouglasSharon StoneGeorge DzundzaA violent police detective investigates a brutal murder that might involve a manipulative and seductive novelist.The combination of sex and violence, and negative portrayal of lesbians were all criticised.
- DirectorRon ClementsJohn MuskerStarsScott WeingerRobin WilliamsLinda LarkinA kind-hearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.This Disney film was said by some to enforce old, negative, racial stereotypes of Arabic people.
- DirectorRémy BelvauxAndré BonzelBenoît PoelvoordeStarsBenoît PoelvoordeJacqueline Poelvoorde-PappaertNelly PappaertA film crew follows a ruthless thief and heartless killer as he goes about his daily routine. But complications set in when the film crew lose their objectivity and begin lending a hand.This Belgian black comedy gained complaints for its extreme violence and disturbing nature. It has been edited or banned in some countries.
- DirectorGeoffrey WrightStarsRussell CroweDaniel PollockJacqueline McKenzieA group of skinheads become alarmed at the way their neighbourhood is changing.This tale of violent skinheads drew some complaints for its violence.
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsHugh GrantKristin Scott ThomasEmmanuelle SeignerAfter hearing stories of her, a passenger on a cruise ship develops an irresistible infatuation with an eccentric paraplegic's wife.Some objected to the S&M scenes. It received mixed reviews from critics.
- DirectorAbel FerraraStarsHarvey KeitelBrian McElroyFrank AcciaritoWhile investigating a young nun's rape, a corrupt New York City police detective, with a serious drug and gambling addiction, tries to change his ways and find forgiveness and redemption.This excellent and dark film was cut in many countries.
- DirectorJean-Jacques AnnaudStarsJane MarchTony Ka Fai LeungJeanne MoreauIn 1929 French Indochina, a French teenage girl embarks on a reckless and forbidden romance with a wealthy, older Chinese man, each knowing that knowledge of their affair will bring drastic consequences to each other.It's hard to see what the fuss was about now, but some people had a problem with the subject matter and sex scenes.
- DirectorJennifer LynchStarsJulian SandsSherilyn FennBill PaxtonA surgeon becomes obsessed with the seductive woman he once was in an affair with. Refusing to accept that she has moved on, he amputates her limbs and holds her captive in his mansion.This flop was criticised by feminists and film critics for its "misogynistic" and sexual storyline.
- DirectorAndrew LauStarsSimon YamChingmy YauMark ChengWhen a cunning lawyer is set free after raping a model, the victim's best friend seeks revenge with the help of her triad boyfriend.Naked Killer 2 - this sequel was banned in some countries, including the UK, it was later released in the UK with heavy cuts.
- DirectorDanny LeeHerman YauStarsAnthony Chau-Sang WongDanny LeeEmily KwanMacau cops begin to suspect a man running a pork buns restaurant of murder, after tracing the origin of a case full of chopped up human remains that washed ashore, which leads them to him.The Untold Story - one of the most notorious Category 3 Hong Kong films. A graphic scene involving chopsticks and the fact it was based on a real life murder case are some of the controversial aspects.
- DirectorZhuangzhuang TianStarsTian YiWenyao ZhangXiaoman ChenThe lives of a Beijing family throughout the 1950s and 1960s, as they experience the impact of the Hundred Flowers Campaign, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution.Banned in mainland China by the government. The film has won critical acclaim outside China.
- DirectorKaige ChenStarsLeslie CheungFengyi ZhangGong LiTwo boys meet at an opera training school in Peking in 1924. Their resulting friendship will span nearly 70 years and endure some of the most troublesome times in China's history.In China it was banned due to homosexual themes and negative portrayal of communism. It has become critically acclaimed and awarded outside China.
- DirectorShekhar KapurStarsSeema BiswasNirmal PandeyRajesh VivekThe story of the bandit queen Phoolan Devi who was sent to prison in 1983 and got free in 1994.Originally banned in India for its strong scenes of sex, violence and nudity. It's an excellent film.
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsWoody HarrelsonJuliette LewisTom SizemoreTwo victims of traumatized childhoods become lovers and psychopathic serial murderers irresponsibly glorified by the mass media.This violent, but stylish film was said to have influenced some real life murders. This lead to the film being banned\unreleased until the court case was over and it was proven to have been unlinked. The film was cut for an R-Rating on its original release.