1998 was a great year at the movies, and I managed to see enough to consume 103 bags of popcorn. Selecting my favorite was easy this year; I knew Saving Private Ryan was the one to beat 30 minutes into my first viewing. On the other end of the spectrum, 1998 was the year of the carbon copy movie syndrome: Armageddon & Deep Impact, A Bug's Life & Antz, Studio 54 & The Last Days of Disco, The Avengers & two hours of fingernails on a blackboard. Here are my Top Ten:
1) Saving Private Ryan
(Warning: plot points revealed below)
An incredible triumph in film making. This is a director's movie, the story is powerful - but the look, the sound, the approach make this a movie to be remembered. And the quality of the after movie pondering is an added bonus. It's easy to make an anti-war film, war sucks (not too many dissenting votes on that). But Private Ryan looks at the morals and rules of war (and life) in a different way. I found the struggle of Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) fascinating. Can he justify jeopardizing the lives of his unit to save one man? Does he endanger the mission by keeping the German prisoner? ... or does he "murder" him? (Spielberg takes us to the edge on that decision - the blindfold was a perfect bluff). Then the incredible irony of his honorable choice to let the German go. The ensuing plot developments involving the released German prisoner give the movie complexity, but also lead to its only flaw. On first viewing I thought the German prisoner was the same character that was involved in the vicious knife fight AND the same character that killed our hero. Others that I spoke with were also confused on this point and many didn't realize the connection at all. Roger clarified the issue in an "Answer Man" column; the prisoner is the one that kills our hero, but not the same as the German in the knife fight. Without clarity of his identity, an important point of irony is lost. A relatively minor issue, and it won't stop this film from receiving the Academy Award for Best Picture!
2) Pleasantville
Great to look at AND great to ponder afterwards. This is a funny, touching, thought provoking film and makes the third movie this year about a town with nothing beyond (Dark City, The Truman Show) but it is the best of the bunch. This movie sneaks up on you as it turns from a "pleasant" comedy to a message vehicle. The change is seamless and makes this the great movie it is.
3) A Simple Plan
Amazing. This is the movie that "Very Bad Things" hinted at. Great characters (Billy Bob = Oscar Bob), and a tense (but not at all simple story). The power of greed with a dash of irony adds up to a powerful thriller.
4) Wild Things
I liked this movie even more the second time I saw it. This film will be nowhere near the top of Oscar ballots, the whole thing is done with tongue planted firmly in cheek. But it's a great video pick and make sure you watch the whole movie (yes, including the credits). NOTE: Roger says that at the screening the publicist was handing out letters begging reviewers not to give away the ending. THE ENDING!? They gave away the first 3/4 of the movie in the preview!!! But lots of sleazy fun, even though I knew most of what was going to happen.
5) City of Angels
I wanted to like this movie and I did. I felt good as I watched it, great performances and a nice setup (angels everywhere!). I also really want the Lake Tahoe house featured near the end of the flick.
6) Happiness
As good as this movie is, I can't recommend it for anyone else due to the controversial subject matter. A thought provoking study of human motivation and drives. What makes us "happy"? A story of the inside of its characters, deep inside. Incredible acting, very well written, spellbinding… but if you see it, don't say I sent you (this movie is not for kids, sensitive adults, pets or Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee).
7) Babe: Pig in the City
A delightful distraction, filled with wonder and imagination. You don't see the effects, you see the characters and they are fully realized and fun. Ignore the "too dark for kids" rap, anyone will enjoy this film.
8) What Dreams May Come
One of the most innovative films of the year, incredible visuals, thought provoking, a tear jerker. The right way to use computer graphics. And Roger; the ending is wonderful (you see too many movies). However, of all the films I recommended to friends this year, this one had the fewest folks agreeing with me.
9) Pi
A quirky semi-sci/fi movie with a "look" on par with "Dark City". The best $60,000 spent on a movie this year. Your choice -- 2,500 "Pi's" or one "Godzilla". I will need to see this one again (the film broke during a crucial scene and by the time they taped it back together I was not sure what I missed). But even "spliced", it's top ten stuff.
10) A Perfect Murder
Well, not exactly perfect, but it was clever, smooth, good looking and Douglas was in his full force "Gecko" mode. I love trashy thrillers and even the traditional ending didn't bother me.
