Adam Dietz at Points in Case:
Cherished by all who experienced it, the 90-minute movie entertained audiences with a well-told tale that did not require one clear an entire day to watch it. While it may have never become ubiquitous, the 90-minute movie saw its popularity repeatedly rise and fall throughout its lifetime. Though, regardless of the filmmaking trends of the time, from the long shots and lens flares to the split screens and star wipes, the 90-minute movie remained 90 minutes.
While the 90-minute movie was notoriously versatile throughout its career, it is perhaps most associated with the comedy and horror genres, with beloved classics like Frankenstein and Airplane serving as evidence of a life well-lived. However, recent years saw both genres eschew tightly-constructed narratives for more “elevated” and indulgent stylings, leading to a cinematic bloat. Nevertheless, whenever a 90-minute film debuted, it brought unbridled joy, with audiences often noting how great it was to be able to drink an entire soda without the risk of missing key plot details while using the restroom.
You know what absolutely should have been a 90 minute movie? Licorice Pizza. God bless Paul Thomas Anderson, but by law all coming of age movies should be 90 minutes.