Top Movies 1998

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns
Rated R

Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American epic war film directed by Steven Spielberg. Set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II, the film follows United States Army Rangers Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) and his squad in their search for a paratrooper, Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), who is the last surviving brother of four servicemen. The squad's mission is to bring Ryan home and prevent him from being killed in action. Along the way, the squad faces immense physical and psychological challenges as they battle against the Germans in the Normandy countryside. The film is noted for its graphic and realistic portrayal of combat, which earned it critical acclaim and multiple Academy Awards, including Best Director for Spielberg.

From Roberto Benigni, starring Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini, Giustino Durano
Rated PG-13

Life Is Beautiful is a 1997 Italian comedy-drama film directed by Roberto Benigni. The film tells the story of an Italian Jewish father who uses his wit and imagination to shield his son from the horrors of internment in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. Guido Orefice, a Jewish Italian bookshop owner, meets and falls in love with a schoolteacher named Dora. The two get married and have a son, Giosue. As the film progresses, Guido and his family are forced to move into a Jewish ghetto, and ultimately the Auschwitz concentration camp. Through a combination of humour, imagination and courage, Guido manages to create a game for Giosue to help him cope with the harsh realities of the camp. In the end, Dora and Giosue are saved, but Guido is killed. The film offers a powerful and touching story of love and courage in the face of unimaginable hardship.

From Tony Kaye, starring Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien
Rated R

American History X is a 1998 drama film directed by Tony Kaye. The film tells the story of Derek Vinyard, a young man who is sent to prison after killing two African American men as part of an act of revenge for the rape and murder of his younger brother. Inside prison, Derek meets a black mentor named Lamont and begins to question his racist beliefs. After his release from prison, Derek attempts to prevent his younger brother Danny from following in his footsteps. The film examines Derek's transformation from a white supremacist to a more tolerant individual, and explores themes of racism, white privilege, and redemption. It was praised for its powerful performances, particularly by Edward Norton, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Derek.

From Peter Weir, starring Jim Carrey, Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich
Rated PG

The Truman Show is a 1998 American comedy-drama film directed by Peter Weir and written by Andrew Niccol. It stars Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, a man who has been raised in a simulated reality show since birth, unbeknownst to him, that is broadcast live around the clock to millions of viewers worldwide. The film follows Truman as he discovers the truth about his life and attempts to escape from his manufactured world. Ed Harris, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich, Natascha McElhone, and Holland Taylor also star. The film received critical acclaim and was a box office success. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and three other nominations at the 71st Academy Awards.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
Rated R

The Big Lebowski is a 1998 American crime comedy film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film stars Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski, a Los Angeles slacker and avid bowler. After he is mistaken for Jeffrey Lebowski, a millionaire whose wife is kidnapped, The Dude is dragged into a strange series of events involving nihilists, adult film producers, ferrets, and a severed toe. Along the way, he is aided by his friends, Walter Sobchak and The Stranger. The film is loosely inspired by the work of Raymond Chandler and stars an ensemble cast, including Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Turturro, and John Goodman. The film was not a box office success at the time of its release and received mixed reviews, but has since become a cult favorite. The Big Lebowski has been hailed by many as one of the Coen brothers' best films and has been described as a "cult classic". The film has since been adapted into a stage show and a series of music concerts.

From Todd Solondz, starring Jane Adams, Jon Lovitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dylan Baker
Rated NC-17

Happiness is an American black comedy-drama film written, directed, and produced by Todd Solondz. The film follows the intersecting lives of three sisters, their families and those around them. Joy is a successful author and mother, Helen is a lonely music teacher and Trish is a stay-at-home mom. The film also explores the lives of their friends and family members, including a pedophile neighbor and Allen, a depressed and suicidal man who develops an unusual relationship with Joy. Through a series of darkly comic vignettes, the film delves into the complexities of modern life, family and relationships. The film was critically acclaimed upon its release and was nominated for several awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.

From Terrence Malick, starring Jim Caviezel, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Kirk Acevedo
Rated R

The Thin Red Line is an American war drama film directed by Terrence Malick and based on the novel by James Jones. Set during World War II, the film follows a platoon of C Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Regiment of the U.S. Army's 4th Marine Division as they battle for control of a crucial military position in the Guadalcanal Campaign. The platoon is commanded by Sgt. Welsh, and the film follows the experiences of several of its members, including Pvt. Bell, a young and sensitive soldier; Pvt. Witt, a deserter who has fled the war; and Pvt. Grass, a neurotic and spiritual man. Throughout the course of the film, the platoon faces a number of moral and psychological challenges that test their physical and mental strength, as they are forced to confront their fears of death and destruction. The Thin Red Line is an epic exploration of the human cost of war and its consequences for the soldiers who fight in it.

From Alex Proyas, starring Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt
Rated R

Dark City is a 1998 science fiction film directed and co-written by Alex Proyas. The film follows John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell), who awakens with no memory in a hotel room to find himself accused of a series of grotesque murders. He soon discovers he is a pawn in a battle between two powerful forces: a group of aliens known as the Strangers, who can manipulate reality and time; and a mysterious doctor, Dr. Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland), who has created his own utopian society. Murdoch must confront the aliens and unravel the mystery of his own past to save both his own life and the future of humanity.

From Wes Anderson, starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams, Seymour Cassel
Rated R

Rushmore is a 1998 comedy-drama directed by Wes Anderson and starring Jason Schwartzman as Max Fischer, an eccentric 15-year-old with a passion for extracurricular activities at Rushmore Academy. Max finds himself in a battle for the affections of Rosemary Cross (Olivia Williams), a widowed first grade teacher, with Herman Blume (Bill Murray), an unhappy and wealthy industrialist. Meanwhile, Max is expelled from Rushmore and his actions threaten to destroy his relationship with Rosemary and his friendship with Herman. Through his journey of self-discovery, Max learns important lessons about the power of friendship, love, and ambition.

From Sam Raimi, starring Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, Bridget Fonda, Brent Briscoe
Rated R

"A Simple Plan" is a 1998 crime thriller directed by Sam Raimi. It follows the story of two brothers, Hank and Jacob Mitchell, and their friend Lou who find a crashed plane on a hunting trip in rural Minnesota. Inside the plane they find a large amount of money and make a plan to keep it for themselves without anyone else knowing. They agree to wait until the spring thaw to move the money, but their plan quickly unravels when greed and paranoia set in. Hank's wife Sarah and Lou's girlfriend Gretchen become aware of the plan, and Hank finds himself in a desperate struggle to protect his family and keep the money for himself. In the end, the money brings out the worst in these seemingly normal people, and Hank is forced to face the consequences of his decision.

From Gary Ross, starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen, William H. Macy
Rated PG-13

Pleasantville is a 1998 fantasy comedy-drama written, co-produced, and directed by Gary Ross. The film stars Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon as two modern-day teenagers who are transported into a 1950s sitcom, where they must disguise themselves as characters in the show to fit in. As they live their lives in the black and white world of Pleasantville, they begin to introduce the idea of color and change the lives of the people around them. As the two characters attempt to bring color to the town, they must also confront the consequences of their actions, such as challenging societal norms and restrictions. In the end, Pleasantville is transformed into a place of acceptance and understanding, where people are free to express themselves and live life to the fullest.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Tobey Maguire, Michael Lee Gogin
Rated R

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a 1998 black comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro. The film follows the misadventures of Raoul Duke (Depp) and his lawyer Dr. Gonzo (del Toro) as they journey to Las Vegas in search of the American Dream. During their cross-country trip, Duke and Gonzo ingest a variety of psychedelic drugs, creating a chaotic and surreal experience. Along the way, they encounter a variety of strange characters, from a crazed hitchhiker to a group of gun-toting hunters. Despite their attempts to find the American Dream, their journey ultimately leads them to a nightmarish and surreal landscape of debauchery and excess.

From Michael Haneke, starring Susanne Lothar, Ulrich Mühe, Arno Frisch, Frank Giering
Rated Not Rated

Funny Games is a 1997 psychological thriller directed by Michael Haneke, starring Susanne Lothar, Ulrich Mühe, and Arno Frisch. The film follows a family of three who are terrorized and held captive by two young men, Peter and Paul. The two men use twisted psychological games to torment the family, manipulating them into submission and testing the limits of their sanity. Despite the family’s desperate attempts to fight back, the two men remain in control until a shocking twist at the end of the film. Funny Games is a powerful exploration of violence and its consequences, ultimately making a statement about the power of the human will.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Jeremy Theobald, Alex Haw, Lucy Russell, John Nolan
Rated R

Following is a 1998 neo-noir psychological thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film follows a young writer, named Bill, who follows strangers around the streets of London, in hopes of inspiring his writing. He soon finds himself caught up in a web of burglary, deceit, and murder. Bill meets and becomes infatuated with a mysterious woman named Cecile, who introduces him to a criminal underworld. As he gets deeper into the criminal world, Bill discovers he has more in common with the criminals than he ever expected. The film explores the ideas of identity, and the consequences of following one's desires.

From Vincent Gallo, starring Vincent Gallo, Christina Ricci, Ben Gazzara, Mickey Rourke
Rated R

From Bill Condon, starring Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, Lynn Redgrave, Lolita Davidovich
Rated R

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis, Ben Shenkman, Pamela Hart
Rated R

From John Dahl, starring Matt Damon, Edward Norton, Gretchen Mol, John Malkovich
Rated R

From Tony Scott, starring Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Lisa Bonet
Rated R

From F. Gary Gray, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, David Morse, Ron Rifkin
Rated R

From Vincenzo Natali, starring Nicole de Boer, Maurice Dean Wint, David Hewlett, Andrew Miller
Rated R

From David Mamet, starring Steve Martin, Ben Gazzara, Campbell Scott, Ricky Jay
Rated PG

From Chris Eyre, starring Adam Beach, Evan Adams, Irene Bedard, Gary Farmer
Rated PG-13

From Directors: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, starring Kevin Spacey, David Foley, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere
Rated G

From John Frankenheimer, starring Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R