Top Ten Films of 1998
Monica Lewinsky deserved better. Seinfeld ends. Microsoft 98, what we all still use, comes out. Google is founded. A perfect company. Mark McGwire breaks the home run record. Titanic is still making money and surpasses 1 billion.
Armageddon made the most money this year. You won’t be seeing that anywhere near my list. I have a soft spot for some Michael Bay films. That is not one of them. Shakespeare in Love dominated the awards and I haven’t seen it! Malik Monk was born in this year!
My top 25 fills out in what I think is maybe the worst group of movies as a whole in a while. I like this year but it’s not in the consideration for best movie year.
11-25 in Alphabetical order
A Bug’s Life (Directed by John Lasseter)
American History X (Directed by Tony Kaye) - HBO Max
Babe: Pig in the City (Directed by George Miller) - HBO Max
Deep Impact (Directed by Mimi Leder)
Dirty Work (Directed by Bob Saget) - Youtube
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Directed by Terry Gilliam)
He Got Game (Directed by Spike Lee) - HBO Max
Lethal Weapon 4 (Directed by Richard Donner)
Pi (Directed by Darren Aronofsky) - HBO Max
Rounders (Directed by John Dahl)
Rush Hour (Directed by Br-tt Rat-er)
The Thin Red Line (Directed by Terrence Malick)
The Waterboy (Directed by Frank Coraci)
The Wedding Singer (Directed by Frank Coraci)
U.S. Marshals (Directed by Stuart Baird) - HBO Max
Video!
10. Happiness (Directed by Todd Solandz)
One of the foundational movies in my canon of DO NOT RECOMMEND to anyone. There are certain people I would recommend this to, but not many. I really like it and it makes me think and feel more than most things ever do or ever will. The disturbing dialogue and behavior in this film make it one that isn’t for a group chat discussion. But, if you are curious about it please watch and talk to me. I find it fascinating.
9. I Stand Alone (Directed by Gaspar Noé)
The man who shot the first 3D cum shot (I assume? But maybe not. Maybe I’m not crediting the real innovator here) once started his career with an aggressive and angry tale of personal justice. Another I may not recommend but I think it’s pretty good.
8. A Simple Plan (Directed by Sam Raimi)
A Coen brothers movie that isn’t as clever or fun but still pretty good. Paxton and Billy Bob really nail these characters and Bridget Fonda continues her dominance on these lists. By that I mean she has an average of 4th on these the last two years.
7. Slums of Beverly Hills (Directed by Tamara Jenkins) - Hulu
A great debut from a great director. Natasha Lyonne is a star who should’ve been the lead in many more movies. The rest of the cast is spot on. Coming of age in a poor family in a rich place is funny and charming.
6. Rushmore (Directed by Wes Anderson)
I don’t have near as much love for this one as others do. I need to rewatch it and it could easily move up. I need other actors I love in his movies to pull me in. This one has the least I like. It is near the bottom of my favorites and yet still 6 on this list because Wes Anderson is great.
5. The Negotiator (Directed by F. Gary Gray)
One of my early favorites that is still here. Every year has at least one. This one is under the dark cloud of having a terrible man be the second lead, but luckily Samuel L. Jackson and a great cast of character actors fill it out and don’t bring this down for me. It’s a classic sturdy 90’s thriller with a lot of talking on walkie talkies and proving innocence. It rules.
4. Saving Private Ryan (Directed by Steven Spielberg) - HBO Max
Would’ve been my number 1 ten years ago but now it falls down a bit. Not for anything I noticed about it as much as my tastes changing as I grow. It still is an incredible achievement and I think one of the best war movies ever made. Makes war seem terrible and wasteful while honoring those who deal with the punishment and torture of war.
3. Out of Sight (Directed by Steven Soderbergh)
A sexy film that is also a great heist movie with more humor than most comedies. Clooney and JLo are so good together. There’s a scene in a trunk in this that is better than most movies. Supporting cast is hard to beat, and Soderbergh will be showing up on these lists more often as these go. The chameleon of film directing.
2. The Truman Show (Directed by Peter Weir)
Jim Carrey never gets the respect he deserves. He gets laughs, and wondering why he’s so weird now, but he doesn’t get discussed as one of the best crossover talents in acting. He can be the wildest over the top performer in the room and can also ease his way into your soul. This movie has both of those things in one. I love it.
1. The Big Lebowski (Directed by Joel Coen)
Watch it again. It is one of the best movies to just have on or to pay very close attention to it. I’ve heard complaints or jokes about not being able to follow it but the clues are all there. You actually can figure this out and follow every piece. The Coen’s are too smart and competent. This movie is amazing and funnier than almost anything. They are probably the best directors to ever do it.