Top Ten films of 1998 by Tim Wick

Never let it be said that we here at MISFITS do things in a hurry.

Currently, we are busily going to movies in anticipation of our completely inconsequential and far-too-late-to-do-anything-about-it top ten list of movies for 1999. See, we live in the midwest, so all those critics on the coast saw some of the movies we are watching now in July. We are also not "recognized" critics so nobody ever invites us to sneak previews or gives us free tickets. We have to anxiously await these movies - just like you.

That makes us more credible. At least, we like to think so.

Anyway, the point is that our top ten films of 1999 will be out in early February. That's a long time to wait and you might want to watch a few videos while you are waiting for us to tell you what films you should rush out and see. And if you have a top ten list for 1999, send it in to tim.wick@earthlink.net by Monday, January 24th and we'll include it here. Also include your least favorite of the year!

So here is my list of top ten films for 1998. I know I'm gonna get flack for a couple of these, but hey, that's the way it is. Sometimes a movie strikes a chord with me when it doesn't with anyone else.

Let me say this - for every great films in 1998, there were 2 or 3 in 1999. My "pared down" list for 1999 is 15 movies long and I still have five contenders to see. Given the great movies that are on this list, it only makes the year of 1999 that much more amazing.

1. Saving Private Ryan
   Steven Spielberg made what had to be THE movie about World War II and most certainly the best depiction of the invasion of Normandy ever filmed. What impressed me most about this film was the little things, like the fact the old man at the beginning of the film had blue eyes and both Ryan and the captain had blue eyes. Spielberg understands a movie can be long if the time is needed to tell a story right. I have only seen the movie once because it is very hard to watch (the stabbing scene is the worst), but it was, is and always will be brilliant.
   
   
2. Pleasantville
   Beautiful in every way. A career making film for Tobey McGuire and Reese Witherspoon. They are simply the icing on the cake of this film that is far more poigniant than it was given credit for. The two most engaging scenes in this movie are when the director allows the camera to linger on a moment longer than the MTV generation would tell us it should be able to. The first is the scene where McGuire applys make-up to his "mother" and the second is when Jeff Daniels' character is looking at an art book. Neither scene has a spoken word in it, but they both speak volumes to me. I'm beginning to think it is impossible for William H. Macy to be in a movie I don't like.
   
   
3. Shakespeare in Love
   Not the best movie of the year, but certainly a great film in any case. It's witty use of Shakespeare's own words throughout the movie is entertaining for those of us who are Shakespeare lovers, but the film does not expect you to get those jokes to enjoy yourself. Joseph Feinnes was overlooked by Oscar voters for his role in this movie despite the fact that he gives better performance than Gwyneth Paltrow, who did win.
   
   
4. American History X
   Good movies are not always easy to watch. I waited a long time to see this movie, but I should not have. It is a brutal look at what turns a normal kid into a bigot and the damage that results from it. If you have ever wondered where all the hate comes from, this movie gives you a pretty good idea.
   
   
5. A Bugs life
   Pixar is amazing. They seem unable to do any wrong. The central story here is an old theme, really. A misfit is called upon to save his colony despite the expectation that he could never actually do it. We all know he is a lot smarter than all that, and keep pulling for him to prove himself. Inside that framework is witty dialogue, uncannily realistic animation and plot twists that actually catch you by surprise. The "outtakes" during the credits are just icing on the cake.
   
   
6. Mulan
   I know I am going to get in all sorts of trouble for this. I am tired of the Disney formula for animated pictures. They are getting too safe. I loved this movie, though. Again, Disney uses songs where none are needed, but at the core of this movie is a touching story about a young woman who learns to believe in herself. The knight in shining armor doesn't rescue her, she rescues HIM. Twice. She is probably the best female role model Disney has ever put to film because she eventually shows that a woman can be strong without becoming a man. And no matter what anyone says, if you have to have a comic sidekick, Eddie Murphy's Moo-Shu was as good as they come. One final note - this was the most EVIL villain Disney has ever created.
   
   
7. Ever After
   What looked like a frothy romantic comedy was actually a smart, charming movie that turned the Cinderella story into something all together different. All the usual story pieces are there, but we actually believe the prince could fall in love with Cinderella in this story. The wicked stepmother (Anjelica Houston) is believable because she is human. You hate her even more because she is not a caricature.
   
   
8. Bulworth
   The smartest political satire since "Dave" . Warren Beatty manages to capture the central image of a man who has been in politics long enough to know how to play the game but short enough to despise it. The movie ended exactly as it would have in real life and that is the greatest tragedy of all.
   
   
9. The Big Hit
   If I was in trouble for "Mulan" , you have probably stopped reading my list once you saw I included this film. Sorry. It is a smart, witty parody of Hong Kong action that is true to itself and boasts a great cast that really seems to be enjoying themselves. I expect this film ended up on a lot of ten worst lists, but all the other critics are wrong.
   
   
10. Waking Ned Devine
    A charming Irish comedy about a small town trying to improve their lot in life through a friend who has passed away. It is gentle and affectionate from beginning to end and it breaks every rule they have in Hollywood. None of the characters are models or body builders. Most are older and look like they have spent their lives working very hard for what they have - and they don't have very much. You almost believe what you are watching is real. A great feel good movie.
    
    

Worst: Godzilla