I had meant to finish these lists of favorite 90's movies sometime last year, but alas, it didn't happen. These are my lists of favorite and least favorite films from the entire decade of the 90's, and there's always the last 14 years to do as well, and I could always tackle the 70's and 80's and even earlier films sometime. These are my picks for my favorites and stinkers of all the films I've seen, along with the biggest hits with critics at the Oscars and audiences at the box office for easy comparison. So, without further adieu, here's my top ten list for the films of 1998:
The Best:
The Best:
A Bug’s Life
Immediately after Pixar released the ultra-popular first fully CGI animated movie Toy Story, they followed it up with this tale of an independently minded ant hiring a group of circus bugs he mistakes for mercenaries to take on a group of thuggish grasshoppers. Released at about the same time as Dreamwork's first foray in CGI animation, the very similarly themed Antz, it was A Bug's Life that garnered more attention at the box office, even if, all these years later, Antz has a slightly higher critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I was charmed from the get-go, and this was one of those movies that showed how Pixar was equally adept at making the story really about something. The voice cast including Dave Foley, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Kevin Spacey, Dennis Leary, Phyllis Diller, Brad Garrett, Bonnie Hunt, Madeline Kahn, David Hyde-Pierce, Jonathan Harris, and Richard Kind were a delight and fit their computer animated characters beautifully.
Immediately after Pixar released the ultra-popular first fully CGI animated movie Toy Story, they followed it up with this tale of an independently minded ant hiring a group of circus bugs he mistakes for mercenaries to take on a group of thuggish grasshoppers. Released at about the same time as Dreamwork's first foray in CGI animation, the very similarly themed Antz, it was A Bug's Life that garnered more attention at the box office, even if, all these years later, Antz has a slightly higher critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I was charmed from the get-go, and this was one of those movies that showed how Pixar was equally adept at making the story really about something. The voice cast including Dave Foley, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Kevin Spacey, Dennis Leary, Phyllis Diller, Brad Garrett, Bonnie Hunt, Madeline Kahn, David Hyde-Pierce, Jonathan Harris, and Richard Kind were a delight and fit their computer animated characters beautifully.
Dark City
A darkly visual treat! Despite Keifer Sutherland's bit of overacting, this sci-fi mystery is quite entertaining, with some great suspense, horror, and, unusual for a film of this type, a very satisfying conclusion. Rufus Sewell, as an amnesiac and murder suspect named Murdock, runs afoul of certain people and forces in his little world that cause his entire life and identity to start unraveling. Added to the mix are the spooky bald men in black, known simply as "The Strangers", who seem to run things, and it seems this Murdock is a stumbling block for their plans. Noir-ishly stylistic, this film combines the best elements of many different genres.
A darkly visual treat! Despite Keifer Sutherland's bit of overacting, this sci-fi mystery is quite entertaining, with some great suspense, horror, and, unusual for a film of this type, a very satisfying conclusion. Rufus Sewell, as an amnesiac and murder suspect named Murdock, runs afoul of certain people and forces in his little world that cause his entire life and identity to start unraveling. Added to the mix are the spooky bald men in black, known simply as "The Strangers", who seem to run things, and it seems this Murdock is a stumbling block for their plans. Noir-ishly stylistic, this film combines the best elements of many different genres.
Ever After
This retelling of the Cinderella legend presents its material as "the real story," as an old woman tells the Brothers Grimm her real life story. Drew Barrymore is wonderful as the high-spirited and forthright Danielle, who loses her father and becomes a slave in her own house to her wicked stepmother, played with delicious and devious glee by Anjelica Huston. Although one of the evil step-sisters is softened here (Melanie Lynskey as Jacqueline) the other (Megan Dodds as Marguerite) is as enjoyably evil as the stepmother. Dougray Scott as the Prince and Patrick Godfrey as Leonardo DaVinci round out a pleasant cast, but it is Barrymore that centers this charming fantasy film.
This retelling of the Cinderella legend presents its material as "the real story," as an old woman tells the Brothers Grimm her real life story. Drew Barrymore is wonderful as the high-spirited and forthright Danielle, who loses her father and becomes a slave in her own house to her wicked stepmother, played with delicious and devious glee by Anjelica Huston. Although one of the evil step-sisters is softened here (Melanie Lynskey as Jacqueline) the other (Megan Dodds as Marguerite) is as enjoyably evil as the stepmother. Dougray Scott as the Prince and Patrick Godfrey as Leonardo DaVinci round out a pleasant cast, but it is Barrymore that centers this charming fantasy film.
Hard Rain
A bank heist gone wrong during a literal downpour is the backdrop for this thrilling action film starring Christian Slater as the hero and Morgan Freeman as the bad guy.
A bank heist gone wrong during a literal downpour is the backdrop for this thrilling action film starring Christian Slater as the hero and Morgan Freeman as the bad guy.
The Mask of Zorro
A film similar to The Mummy starring Brendan Fraser and the Indiana Jones franchise in that it harkens back to the classic old movies of Erroll Flynn and some of the classic movie serials of the 50's, this one resurrects the legend of Zorro for a fun romp through the old west with an all-star cast that includes Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Antonio Bandaras.
A film similar to The Mummy starring Brendan Fraser and the Indiana Jones franchise in that it harkens back to the classic old movies of Erroll Flynn and some of the classic movie serials of the 50's, this one resurrects the legend of Zorro for a fun romp through the old west with an all-star cast that includes Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Antonio Bandaras.
Mighty Joe Young
Seven years before Peter Jackson attempted to resurrect the timeless tale of King Kong, this retelling of the quieter and simpler story of Mighty Joe Young is a superb and heart-felt film for the whole family. The effects are wonderful, but not really "showy", and still take a back seat to the story of a girl (Charlize Theron) and the huge but lovable gorilla she befriends.
Seven years before Peter Jackson attempted to resurrect the timeless tale of King Kong, this retelling of the quieter and simpler story of Mighty Joe Young is a superb and heart-felt film for the whole family. The effects are wonderful, but not really "showy", and still take a back seat to the story of a girl (Charlize Theron) and the huge but lovable gorilla she befriends.
Saving Private Ryan
Still one of the best war movies I've ever seen, this film juggles themes of war and peace, honor, bravery, loyalty, cowardice, patriotism, love and hate, and life and death, all centered around the meaning of it all. A group of reluctant officers are assigned to retrieve a single soldier, Private Ryan, whose four brothers have already been killed. Plagued by questions of whether or not this particular mission is worth the risk for only one soldier, and with friends and fellow soldiers dying along the way, I still have yet to see any war film surpass the excellent job they managed to do here!
Still one of the best war movies I've ever seen, this film juggles themes of war and peace, honor, bravery, loyalty, cowardice, patriotism, love and hate, and life and death, all centered around the meaning of it all. A group of reluctant officers are assigned to retrieve a single soldier, Private Ryan, whose four brothers have already been killed. Plagued by questions of whether or not this particular mission is worth the risk for only one soldier, and with friends and fellow soldiers dying along the way, I still have yet to see any war film surpass the excellent job they managed to do here!
Shakespeare in Love
A completely different film than Saving Private Ryan, many people cried foul when this won Best Picture at the Oscars instead of Spielberg's war film. But just because it's different doesn't mean it isn't worthy of the title "Best Picture". Of course, it's not really biographical, yet they have a bit of fun playing around with some of the concepts in Shakespeare's plays, particularly Romeo and Juliet, and applying them to Shakespeare himself, as he attempts to write his new tragedy and ends up falling in love with Viola De Lesseps, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, and who is herself enamored of Shakespeare's plays, and intent on performing in them, even though women are not allowed. The film expertly juggles the concepts and Shakespeare's plays, language, and the times in which he lived, and the performances are all quite enjoyable, including Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck, and Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth.
A completely different film than Saving Private Ryan, many people cried foul when this won Best Picture at the Oscars instead of Spielberg's war film. But just because it's different doesn't mean it isn't worthy of the title "Best Picture". Of course, it's not really biographical, yet they have a bit of fun playing around with some of the concepts in Shakespeare's plays, particularly Romeo and Juliet, and applying them to Shakespeare himself, as he attempts to write his new tragedy and ends up falling in love with Viola De Lesseps, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, and who is herself enamored of Shakespeare's plays, and intent on performing in them, even though women are not allowed. The film expertly juggles the concepts and Shakespeare's plays, language, and the times in which he lived, and the performances are all quite enjoyable, including Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck, and Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth.
A Simple Plan
One of Sam Raimi's better films, and after a likable performance in Mightly Joe Young, actor Bill Paxton was on a roll this year as well. Here he plays Hank, a simple man who comes across a downed plane full of stolen drug money, along with his dimwitted brother Jacob (Billy Bob Thorton in one of his better performances) and another "friend" (Brent Briscoe as "Lou"), and against his better judgment, they decide to keep it. Because of this, his safe little world and amiable relationships are all suddenly cut open, like a festering wound, and he is shocked to discover some of the things his friends and family, including his now rather devious, pregnant wife Sarah (Bridget Fonda), and even he himself, are capable of now that this money has come into their lives. Every scene shows his world crumbling just a little bit more, as he becomes stuck further and further in a worsening trap he can't get out of. If you like thrillers, this one has a lot of "fun" twists and turns.
One of Sam Raimi's better films, and after a likable performance in Mightly Joe Young, actor Bill Paxton was on a roll this year as well. Here he plays Hank, a simple man who comes across a downed plane full of stolen drug money, along with his dimwitted brother Jacob (Billy Bob Thorton in one of his better performances) and another "friend" (Brent Briscoe as "Lou"), and against his better judgment, they decide to keep it. Because of this, his safe little world and amiable relationships are all suddenly cut open, like a festering wound, and he is shocked to discover some of the things his friends and family, including his now rather devious, pregnant wife Sarah (Bridget Fonda), and even he himself, are capable of now that this money has come into their lives. Every scene shows his world crumbling just a little bit more, as he becomes stuck further and further in a worsening trap he can't get out of. If you like thrillers, this one has a lot of "fun" twists and turns.
The Wedding Singer
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore's first movie together proves they are a good match. Sandler has a lot of fun as a wedding singer who begins falling for Drew Barrymore's Julia, set to marry another man. This comedy revels in all the conventions of the eighties, including Madonna and Michael Jackson fashion, and before the end, even Billy Idol shows up to help woo Julia away from her butt-head boyfriend. This is a charming and funny film, making it one of the better romantic comedies I've ever seen.
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore's first movie together proves they are a good match. Sandler has a lot of fun as a wedding singer who begins falling for Drew Barrymore's Julia, set to marry another man. This comedy revels in all the conventions of the eighties, including Madonna and Michael Jackson fashion, and before the end, even Billy Idol shows up to help woo Julia away from her butt-head boyfriend. This is a charming and funny film, making it one of the better romantic comedies I've ever seen.
The Best of the Rest:
American History X
Apt Pupil
Blade
Bride of Chucky
Godzilla
Hope Floats
The Man in the Iron Mask
Mulan
Stepmom
There’s Something about Mary
There's something for everyone to like on this list of the best of the rest. There's the Disney animated Mulan, the fun and raunchy comedy There's Something About Mary with Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller, the romantic Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr., the family drama Stepmom with Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon, the fun swashbuckler The Man in the Iron Mask, and the first foray into the comic book world of the half-vampire superhero Blade. A few darker films included the over-the-top action/horror blockbuster Godzilla starring Matthew Broderick, the searing drama American History X dealing with white supremacists, the Stephen King penned tale Apt Pupil, about a straight A student who suddenly become enraptured with his former Nazi neighbor, and the forth go-round for the little killer doll Chucky, who here gets a bride named Tiffany, (voiced by Jennifer Tilly), as someone to humorously and gleefully share in his psychoses.
There's something for everyone to like on this list of the best of the rest. There's the Disney animated Mulan, the fun and raunchy comedy There's Something About Mary with Cameron Diaz and Ben Stiller, the romantic Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr., the family drama Stepmom with Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon, the fun swashbuckler The Man in the Iron Mask, and the first foray into the comic book world of the half-vampire superhero Blade. A few darker films included the over-the-top action/horror blockbuster Godzilla starring Matthew Broderick, the searing drama American History X dealing with white supremacists, the Stephen King penned tale Apt Pupil, about a straight A student who suddenly become enraptured with his former Nazi neighbor, and the forth go-round for the little killer doll Chucky, who here gets a bride named Tiffany, (voiced by Jennifer Tilly), as someone to humorously and gleefully share in his psychoses.
The Worst:
The Avengers
Beloved
City of Angels
Krippendorf’s Tribe
A Night at the Roxbury
Senseless
Species II
Vampires
What Dreams May Come
Wrongfully Accused
If there's a best, there's also, of course, a worst, and topping the list - yes, even worse than Krippendorf's Tribe and Wrongfully Accused - is Oprah's pet project and labor of love, Beloved, a filmed version of Toni Morrison's book dealing with slavery, the plight of the blacks over the years, and some disgusting and disgustingly creepy dead girl who, if I'm not mistaken, is supposed to represent some of the negative things that have happened to the blacks in America over the years. Let me just say, it doesn't translate so well to film. Other disappointments include bringing the old English spy show The Avengers to the big screen, faulty Christian theology in both City of Angels and What Dreams May Come, a bad vampire movie courtesy of John Carpenter, another amusing SNL skit turned into an expanded, bloated mess, a needless sequel to Species, and Marlon Wayans in a dumb, "senseless" comedy.
Oscars and Box Office:
I had already named Life is Beautiful as one of last year's worst films. Perhaps it was because it was released in Italy in 1997 and abroad in 1998, who knows? But I definitely don't think it deserved to be nominated as Best Picture, or win for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor Roberto Benigni. I can think of plenty of other films - Schindler's List, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Europa Europa - that dealt with the holocaust of World War II with poignancy and without feeling like such a cheat. Of course, both Shakespeare in Love, winner of Best Picture, and Best Picture nominee Saving Private Ryan, both also in the Box Office top ten, were in my own top ten as well, while What Dreams May Come, winner of Best Visual Effects, was in my list of worst films. The others I saw - Elizabeth, God's and Monsters, The Prince of Egypt, and The Truman Show - were okay, but I've seen better. I'd like to see The Thin Red Line sometime, and I haven't seen Affliction.
This was also the year of competing films about meteors and asteroids smashing into the earth, and although audiences liked Armageddon more than Deep Impact, I was just the opposite, Both of them made it into the top ten at the box office, since they were designed to be "crowd pleasers", yet neither of them made it into my personal top twenty for the year. And I suppose Dr. Doolittle and Lethal Weapon 4 were okay, but there was still little reason for either of them to be made, other than making money for their studios. That poster featuring the cast of Lethal Weapon 4 is starting to look pretty darn crowded!
Top Oscar Picks:
Shakespeare in Love
Elizabeth
Life is Beautiful
Saving Private Ryan
The Thin Red Line
Affliction
God's and Monsters
The Prince of Egypt
What Dreams May Come
The Truman Show
And the top 10 Box Office hits:
Armageddon
Saving Private Ryan
Godzilla
There's Something About Mary
A Bug's Life
Deep Impact
Mulan
Dr. Doolittle
Shakespeare in Love
Lethal Weapon 4
If there's a best, there's also, of course, a worst, and topping the list - yes, even worse than Krippendorf's Tribe and Wrongfully Accused - is Oprah's pet project and labor of love, Beloved, a filmed version of Toni Morrison's book dealing with slavery, the plight of the blacks over the years, and some disgusting and disgustingly creepy dead girl who, if I'm not mistaken, is supposed to represent some of the negative things that have happened to the blacks in America over the years. Let me just say, it doesn't translate so well to film. Other disappointments include bringing the old English spy show The Avengers to the big screen, faulty Christian theology in both City of Angels and What Dreams May Come, a bad vampire movie courtesy of John Carpenter, another amusing SNL skit turned into an expanded, bloated mess, a needless sequel to Species, and Marlon Wayans in a dumb, "senseless" comedy.
Oscars and Box Office:
I had already named Life is Beautiful as one of last year's worst films. Perhaps it was because it was released in Italy in 1997 and abroad in 1998, who knows? But I definitely don't think it deserved to be nominated as Best Picture, or win for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor Roberto Benigni. I can think of plenty of other films - Schindler's List, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Europa Europa - that dealt with the holocaust of World War II with poignancy and without feeling like such a cheat. Of course, both Shakespeare in Love, winner of Best Picture, and Best Picture nominee Saving Private Ryan, both also in the Box Office top ten, were in my own top ten as well, while What Dreams May Come, winner of Best Visual Effects, was in my list of worst films. The others I saw - Elizabeth, God's and Monsters, The Prince of Egypt, and The Truman Show - were okay, but I've seen better. I'd like to see The Thin Red Line sometime, and I haven't seen Affliction.
This was also the year of competing films about meteors and asteroids smashing into the earth, and although audiences liked Armageddon more than Deep Impact, I was just the opposite, Both of them made it into the top ten at the box office, since they were designed to be "crowd pleasers", yet neither of them made it into my personal top twenty for the year. And I suppose Dr. Doolittle and Lethal Weapon 4 were okay, but there was still little reason for either of them to be made, other than making money for their studios. That poster featuring the cast of Lethal Weapon 4 is starting to look pretty darn crowded!
Top Oscar Picks:
Shakespeare in Love
Elizabeth
Life is Beautiful
Saving Private Ryan
The Thin Red Line
Affliction
God's and Monsters
The Prince of Egypt
What Dreams May Come
The Truman Show
And the top 10 Box Office hits:
Armageddon
Saving Private Ryan
Godzilla
There's Something About Mary
A Bug's Life
Deep Impact
Mulan
Dr. Doolittle
Shakespeare in Love
Lethal Weapon 4
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