Filtered list of actual intelligent kino from the thread. No boomer-tier nostalgia or action slop.

>Critically-Acclaimed / Indie:
The Player (1992): Altman's brilliant, cynical satire of Hollywood itself. Essential viewing.
Short Cuts (1993): Another Altman ensemble masterpiece. Complex, interwoven stories of LA life.
Naked (1993): Bleak, dialogue-heavy, and philosophical Brit film. A dark masterpiece.
Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995): A brutal and hilarious dark comedy about the horrors of middle school.
Drugstore Cowboy (1989): Gus Van Sant's authentic, non-judgmental look at a crew of junkies.
Slacker (1990): Linklater's plotless landmark of 90s indie film. Pure vibes and conversation.
Birdy (1984): Strange, powerful film about two friends dealing with post-war trauma.

>Neo-Noir / Crime Thrillers:
King of New York (1990): Ultra-stylish and violent thriller. Iconic Christopher Walken performance.
Bad Lieutenant (1992): Unflinching, raw, and controversial. Keitel's performance is legendary.
To Live and Die in L.A. (1985): Gritty, high-energy thriller with one of the best car chases ever filmed.
One False Move (1992): A tense, character-driven crime story that got universal praise from critics.
Out of Sight (1998): Soderbergh's witty and stylish Elmore Leonard adaptation. A perfect script.
Croupier (1998): A cool, cerebral British neo-noir.
The Spanish Prisoner (1997): A sharp, intricate con thriller from David Mamet. All about the dialogue.

>Psychological / Genre-Bending:
Jacob's Ladder (1990): A surreal and influential psychological horror film. A true mind-bender.
Exotica (1994): A hypnotic, non-linear thriller about obsession and grief.
Near Dark (1987): Kathryn Bigelow's unique and atmospheric blend of the western and vampire genres.
Something Wild (1986): Starts as a quirky comedy and masterfully shifts into a dark, violent thriller.