Top Movies Of 1996

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

Fargo is a 1996 crime comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film stars Frances McDormand as a pregnant police chief in Brainerd, Minnesota, who investigates a series of homicides related to a car salesman (William H. Macy) who hires two criminals (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife in order to extort a ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. The investigation leads to several dead ends, as the criminals bury their victims in a snow-covered field, despite the efforts of the police chief and her husband (played by Harve Presnell). Ultimately, a state trooper and a group of citizens are able to track the criminals down and bring them to justice. In the end, the police chief's husband is able to successfully rescue his wife. Fargo received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising its dark humor, writing, and directing. The film was awarded two Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay, and was nominated for seven others, including Best Picture and Best Director. It was also selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry.

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

Trainspotting is a darkly comic look at the lives of a group of heroin addicts living in Edinburgh, Scotland. The film follows the main character, Mark Renton, as he struggles to break free of his addiction and escape the lives of his derelict friends. Throughout the movie, we see how the drug has taken over their lives, and watch as they face the dangers of addiction and the consequences of their bad decisions. In the end, Mark is able to make a clean break from drugs, but it comes at a price.

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

"Secrets & Lies" is a 1996 British drama film written and directed by Mike Leigh. The film tells the story of Hortense, a successful black optometrist who discovers that her birth mother is a working-class white factory worker. When Hortense goes to meet her birth mother, the relationship is strained, due to the secrets and lies that have been kept between them. Through a series of tense and often humorous scenes, the film explores the complex and messy relationships between family, identity, and class. It also highlights the importance of communication and honesty in order to foster meaningful 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. The film follows the story of Karl Childers, a mentally disabled man who is released from a mental hospital 25 years after he committed a murder as a child. Upon his release, Karl meets a single mother and her young son, and forms a strong bond with them. As Karl struggles to adjust to life in the outside world, he must confront his dark past and decide what kind of life he wants to live. Despite his disability, Karl shows a great capacity for kindness and an understanding of morality. His story is a poignant exploration of the power of redemption and the strength of the human spirit.

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

Primal Fear is a 1996 American legal thriller film directed by Gregory Hoblit and starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney and Edward Norton in his feature film debut. The plot revolves around the arrest of an altar boy (Norton) for the murder of an archbishop and follows the trial of the accused and the attorneys who defend him. Gere plays the defense attorney and Linney plays the assistant district attorney. During the trial, the accused reveals a hidden truth that sheds light on the corruption within the archdiocese. Despite his lack of experience, the defense attorney takes the case to court and employs a unique strategy to win the case. The film is full of suspense and surprise, with a shocking twist ending.

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, directed by Scott Hicks. The film follows David's life from his childhood in Australia, where he was trained by a demanding father, to a career as a world-renowned musician. As he grows older, David's mental health begins to deteriorate and he is hospitalized, suffering a breakdown. He eventually returns home and finds peace through his renewed passion for music, despite his father's disapproval. Along the way, David finds solace in the loving and understanding support of a young woman, who helps him to overcome his demons and restores his sense of purpose. The film is ultimately a story of resilience, as David learns to accept his place in the world and transforms from a troubled man into an inspirational figure.

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. In the film, the crew of the starship Enterprise, led by Captain Jean-Luc Picard, travels back in time to the mid 21st century in order to prevent the cybernetic Borg race from preventing Earth's first contact with an alien species. Along the way, the crew must battle the Borg, who are intent on using a powerful new weapon to assimilate the entire human race. The crew also meets Lily, a woman from the past who helps them in their fight against the Borg. In the end, the crew succeeds in their mission, and Earth is saved.

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

Sleepers is a 1996 American drama film directed by Barry Levinson. The film follows the story of four teenage boys from a tough neighborhood in Hell's Kitchen, New York City. After playing a practical joke on a local gangster, the boys are sent to a reformatory ran by a sadistic warden and his guards. Years later, the boys are released and seek revenge on those who wronged them in their youth. The film stars Robert De Niro, Kevin Bacon, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, Dustin Hoffman, and Minnie Driver. It is based on the novel of the same name by Lorenzo Carcaterra.

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, based on John Grisham's 1989 novel of the same name. It stars Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, and Kevin Spacey. In the small town of Canton, Mississippi, 10-year-old Tonya Hailey (Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly) is brutally attacked and raped by two white supremacists, Billy Ray Cobb (Skeet Ulrich) and Pete Willard (Christopher Murney). Her father, Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson), decides to take matters into his own hands and kills the two men. He is arrested and charged with double homicide. Carl Lee is appointed two lawyers, Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) and Harry Rex Vonner (Oliver Platt), in order to defend him in court. During the pre-trial, the prosecution and defense both struggle to build a case, while facing intense public pressure. The public favor seems to be leaning towards the defense, while the court is determined to find Carl Lee guilty no matter what. Through some unexpected turns of events, Jake and Harry Rex manage to win the

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