Top Movies 1996

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare
Rated R

Fargo is a crime comedy-drama film set in Minnesota and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The story follows Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy), a car salesman in deep financial trouble who hires two thugs to kidnap his wife in order to extort a hefty ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. However, the scheme goes awry as the thugs develop a taste for violence and double-cross Jerry, leaving him to face the consequences. Meanwhile, a pregnant police chief (Frances McDormand) is on the case, and her determined investigation leads her to uncover the truth behind the crime. Fargo is a darkly humorous take on a crime story that is full of suspense and unexpected twists.

From Danny Boyle, starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd
Rated R

Trainspotting is a 1996 British black comedy-drama film directed by Danny Boyle and starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Robert Carlyle, and Kelly Macdonald. The film follows a group of heroin addicts in an economically depressed area of Edinburgh and their passage through life. Renton (McGregor) is the protagonist, a young man determined to escape the stifling existence of his home town. He and his friends — Sick Boy (Miller), Spud (Bremner) and Begbie (Carlyle) — battle with their addictions, trying to make sense of their lives. Ultimately, this is a story of friendship, loyalty, and choices. It is a story of how the choices we make shape our lives.

From Mike Leigh, starring Timothy Spall, Brenda Blethyn, Phyllis Logan, Claire Rushbrook
Rated R

Secrets & Lies is a British drama film directed by Mike Leigh. The film follows Hortense, a black woman from London, who discovers that her birth mother is the white Cynthia, a middle-class optometrist. Cynthia, who was unmarried at the time of Hortense's birth, had given her up for adoption. Hortense is angry and hurt, but her adoptive mother persuades her to meet Cynthia. Hortense eventually builds a relationship with her newfound family, but when a long-buried secret is revealed, Cynthia's children have a difficult time accepting it. Secrets & Lies is a powerful exploration of the secrets and lies that lie at the heart of family relationships.

From Billy Bob Thornton, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, J.T. Walsh, John Ritter
Rated R

Sling Blade is a 1996 drama film written and directed by Billy Bob Thornton. It stars Thornton as Karl Childers, a mentally disabled Arkansas man who is released from a psychiatric hospital, where he has been held since killing his mother and her lover when he was 12 years old. Upon release, Karl returns to his hometown and befriends a young boy and his single mother. As Karl becomes increasingly integrated into the community, he must confront the consequences of his past, including his own guilt and the hostility of others. Ultimately, Karl is able to find peace, redemption, and a chance at a new life.

From Gregory Hoblit, starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney
Rated R

Primal Fear is a 1996 legal drama starring Richard Gere, Edward Norton, and Laura Linney. The movie follows the case of Aaron Stampler (Norton), a young altar boy accused of murdering an archbishop in Chicago. Gere plays defense attorney Martin Vail, who takes on the case pro bono. As the trial progresses, Vail discovers evidence that suggests Stampler may be innocent, and that the real murderer is someone else. Despite the prosecution's attempts to paint Stampler as a cold-blooded killer, Vail works to uncover the truth. With the help of a psychiatrist played by Laura Linney, Vail sets out to prove Stampler's innocence and unravel the mystery behind the murder.

From Scott Hicks, starring Geoffrey Rush, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Justin Braine, Sonia Todd
Rated PG-13

Shine is a biographical drama based on the true story of Australian pianist David Helfgott. After struggling with an emotionally abusive father and the trauma of the Holocaust, Helfgott suffers a mental breakdown and is institutionalized. Upon his release, Helfgott begins to rebuild his life and pursue his dream of becoming a concert pianist. With the support of his loving wife, Gillian, Helfgott tackles his demons and embarks on a triumphant journey to international stardom. The film follows Helfgott's journey to self-discovery, accompanied by flashbacks to his troubled past, and his father's relentless expectations. Shine is an inspiring story of courage and resilience.

From Jonathan Frakes, starring Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton
Rated PG-13

Star Trek: First Contact is a 1996 science fiction action film directed by Jonathan Frakes. It is the eighth film in the Star Trek film series, as well as the second to feature the cast of the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. The plot follows the crew of the USS Enterprise-E as they pursue the Borg, a powerful and relentless alien race, back in time to the mid-21st century in an effort to prevent them from assimilating Earth into the Borg collective and changing the course of history. The film stars Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Gates McFadden, and Marina Sirtis, all reprising their roles from The Next Generation. The film was a huge success, earning $146 million against its $45 million budget, and was the highest-grossing film of the series until its sequel, Star Trek: Nemesis, was released in 2002. It was also nominated for two Academy Awards and two Saturn Awards, and won a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.

From Barry Levinson, starring Robert De Niro, Kevin Bacon, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric
Rated R

Sleepers is a 1996 crime-drama film directed by Barry Levinson, and based on the novel of the same name by Lorenzo Carcaterra. The film stars Robert De Niro, Kevin Bacon, Dustin Hoffman, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, and Brad Renfro. The story follows the lives of four boys, Michael (Brad Renfro), John (Jason Patric), Tommy (Brad Pitt) and Shakes (Joe Perrino), who are all close friends growing up in Hell's Kitchen, a rough neighbourhood in New York. One night, the boys witness a mob hit and as a result, they are sent to a juvenile detention center. There they suffer terrible abuse and humiliation at the hands of the guards and staff, and develop a deep sense of anger and revenge. After they are released, they begin to plan their revenge against those responsible. The film follows their journey as they attempt to exact their revenge and the consequences of their actions. The film also explores themes of friendship, loyalty, justice, and the redemption of those who have wronged us.

From Joel Schumacher, starring Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey
Rated R

"A Time to Kill" is a 1996 American drama film directed by Joel Schumacher and based on the 1989 novel of the same name by John Grisham. The film stars Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, and Kevin Spacey. The film follows a young lawyer, Jake Brigance (McConaughey), who has to defend a black man, Carl Lee Hailey (Jackson), who takes the law into his own hands by murdering two white men who sexually assaulted his daughter. In a racially charged atmosphere, Brigance faces an uphill battle as he defends Hailey before an all-white jury in Mississippi. The film is a gripping courtroom drama, exploring themes of racism, morality, and justice.

From Anthony Minghella, starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas
Rated R

From Wes Craven, starring Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich
Rated R

From Christopher Guest, starring Christopher Guest, Fred Willard, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey
Rated R

From Todd Solondz, starring Heather Matarazzo, Christina Brucato, Victoria Davis, Christina Vidal
Rated R

From Milos Forman, starring Woody Harrelson, Courtney Love, Edward Norton, Brett Harrelson
Rated R

From Mike Nichols, starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest
Rated R

From Carroll Ballard, starring Jeff Daniels, Anna Paquin, Dana Delany, Terry Kinney
Rated PG

From Albert Brooks, starring Albert Brooks, Debbie Reynolds, Paul Collins, Laura Weekes
Rated PG-13

From Stephen Hopkins, starring Michael Douglas, Val Kilmer, Tom Wilkinson, John Kani
Rated R

From Nicholas Hytner, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Paul Scofield, Joan Allen
Rated PG-13

From Henry Selick, starring Paul Terry, Joanna Lumley, Pete Postlethwaite, Simon Callow
Rated PG

From Douglas McGrath, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, James Cosmo, Greta Scacchi, Alan Cumming
Rated PG

From Ridley Scott, starring Jeff Bridges, Caroline Goodall, John Savage, Scott Wolf
Rated PG-13

From Mary Harron, starring Lili Taylor, Jared Harris, Martha Plimpton, Lothaire Bluteau
Rated R

From Andrew Fleming, starring Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True
Rated R

From Hugh Wilson, starring Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, Maggie Smith
Rated PG