Staff Picks
Our Library staff have chosen four (4) recommendations, with some words explaining each pick.
They include everything from films and TV series to books, podcasts, music and beyond.
They can be accessed either online or from the Library's physical collection (for AFTRS staff and students only).
Frazer
Collection Development Librarian
Raquel
User Experience Librarian
Tahrin
Contractor Librarian
Hayley
Library & Information Services Manager
Cathie
Receptionist
Frazer
DEATH IN BRUNSWICK
Dir. John Ruane (1990)
Feels kind of like if the Coen brothers had made a film in Melbourne in the early 1990s. John Clarke is the MVP.
CARLITO'S WAY
Dir. Brian De Palma (1993)
De Palma throws everything at this crime epic, which many regard as his last great film. The sequence at Grand Central Station near the end is up there with his best set pieces.
THE WATERMELON WOMAN
Dir. Cheryl Dunye (1996)
A bold and innovative exploration of identity, history, and relationships. A gem of 90s independent American cinema.
CURE
Dir. Kiyoshi Kurosawa (1997)
Terrifying, and made with a hypnotic sense of control. A singular experience.
Raquel
PARTY GIRL
Dir. Daisy von Scherler Mayer (1995)
I'll watch anything with Parker Posey in it. But this one's my all-time fave. She's a party girl forced to reform after being busted by the cops for throwing an illegal warehouse party. Her librarian godmother bails her out and gives her a job at the local public library, to put her on the straight and narrow. A comedic existential crisis ensues featuring romance, terrific outfits, and lots of dancing.
WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE
Dir. Todd Solondz (1996)
This movie makes me laugh so much. The trials and tribulations of Dawn, the most awkward, dorky pre-teen girl ever committed to film is dark comedy perfection. The frustrations, unrequited crushes, bad decisions, cutting Barbie dolls' heads off in a rage... that was me once! I really can relate to Dawn. But how was a grown man able to capture such a shitty time in a young girl's life? Todd Solondz is a genius.
GAS FOOD LODGING
Dir. Allison Anders (1992)
I don't know what it is about this film, but it's been on high rotation since the first time I saw it. It's a coming-of-age film about two sisters (Fairuza Balk and Ione Skye) who live in a small town in New Mexico with their single mum, a waitress at the local diner. This is one of those domestic dramas, like Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, that are real 'mood' films... they're not exactly uplifting, but they make me feelgood anyway.
WITHOUT YOU I'M NOTHING
Dir. John Boskovitch (1990)
The Queen of Comedy, Sandra Bernard, and her one-woman show made into a feature film. It oozes glamour and funny in a spit-your-champagne-out-on-someone's-face sort of way. That's a standing ovation.
Tahrin
IN & OUT
Dir. Frank Oz (1997)
Frank Oz is a deeply underappreciated comedic director and In & Out is proof. Paired with Kevin Kline, you get an all-round good time that analyses our ideas of masculinity and sexual orientation while having one of the greatest dance scenes put to film. Plus, Tom Selleck is in it (albeit without the moustache).
BORROW THE DVD
BEFORE SUNRISE
Dir. Richard Linklater (1995)
This is certainly one of the greatest romance films ever made, up there with Roman Holiday. Linklater uses his best and favourite tricks for Before Sunrise: freewheeling philosophical conversations, a deft stretching and shortening of time and space, and Ethan Hawke.
BRAINDEAD
Dir. Peter Jackson (1992)
If you're an Evil Dead lover, this is the film for you. This is prime Peter Jackson, a special effects bonanza with a final 30 minutes of one of the goriest and giddiest bloodbaths I've seen in a movie, to the point of being banned in Germany, South Korea, Singapore, and Finland. Truly, a badge of honour.
MILLER'S CROSSING
Dirs. Joel and Ethan Coen (1990)
It's hard to pick just one Coen brothers film from the 90s. But Miller's Crossing might just be the unsung king of their body of work. It's criminal that a film like this has fallen to the wayside in the popular consciousness. And it's difficult to describe to someone who hasn't seen it just why it's so powerful. The only thing to do is watch.
Hayley
THE SHADOW
Dir. Russell Mulcahy (1994)
A fun, action-packed, superhero film, starring Alec Baldwin. Set in 1930s New York, the film is everything you expect from a 1990s superhero film: over the top villains; rich and debonair hero; and, of course, the requisite damsel in distress. A fun film for a rainy Saturday afternoon.
OCTOBER SKY
Dir. Joe Johnston (1999)
This innocent, family friendly film follows the story of Homer Hickman, a coal miner's son who is inspired by the Sputnik launch in 1957 and eventually became a NASA engineer. This inspiring film proves that you can reach your dreams whatever they may be, even if it's reaching into space.
THE GAMES
Created by John Clark & Ross Stevenson (1998)
This mockumentary series follows the hypothetical team that is organising the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. The Games will have you in stitches as Gina Riley, Brian Dawes, and John Clarke experience the trials and tribulations of of organising such a major event.
POINT BREAK
Dir. Kathryn Bigelow (1991)
A nineties action classic following a young FBI agent, played by Keanu Reeves, who is trying to catch a band of surfing bank robbers, lead by Patrick Swayze. A must see for all action fans!
Cathie
FARGO
Dirs. Joel and Ethan Coen (1996)
Fargo made the Coen brothers a household name and propelled Steve Buscemi and William H. Macy to star status. Inspired by a true story, this is classic Coen brothers you don't want to miss. Fargo balances violence with black comedy, harsh reality meets biting humour.
DARK CITY
Dir. Alex Proyas (1998)
This film is for anyone who still has a sense of wonder and a feeling for great visual style. The story has been well thought out and still has surprises to the end. There is a wealth of imagination and energy flowing through this film. The film is a glorious marriage of existential dread and slam-bang action.
GHOST IN THE SHELL
Dir. Mamoru Oshii (1995)
The storytelling is riveting, the characters are dynamic, the score is beautifully composed and arranged. The visuals are stunning. Kenji Kawai does an amazing job capturing the world in musical form. Each scene is complemented by way of drums, gongs, and keyboard, along with vocals sung in traditional Japanese.
CONEHEADS
Dir. Steve Barron (1993)
Coneheads is a lighthearted, good fun film. It's got funny and clever dialogue and is packed with cameos. The cast is amazing. Dan Aykroyd is great. It is one of his most entertaining performances. The humour is on point and the visual gags are hilarious.