I know we've got polls like this all the time around here, but I figure this one will be a little more comprehensive and perhaps even informative.

This thread will be for your pick for best film released during 1998 (think Oscar considerations for what's eligible). I'm not making it a poll because whether you like it or not, that would influence some people's choice.

Results will be posted in this thread, and all subsequent threads for each year, and they will be ongoing... so you can still vote here even weeks after other year's polls have begun.


Please start your post with your #1 film from 1998 (try to limit it to one - after all, that's the point - two at the most (I'll split the vote)), and yes, discussions are more than welcome!

Current Leader -- Saving Private Ryan

All Years:
2001 -- (currently) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
2000 -- Requiem For a Dream*
1999 -- Fight Club*
1998 -- Saving Private Ryan*
1997 -- L.A. Confidential*
1996 -- Fargo*
1995 -- (currently) The Usual Suspects
1994 -- Pulp Fiction*
1993 -- Schindler's List*
1992 -- Unforgiven*
1991 -- Silence of the Lambs*
1990 -- Goodfellas*
1989 -- Do the Right Thing*
1988 -- Die Hard*
1987 -- Full Metal Jacket*
1986 -- (currently) Aliens
1985 -- Back to the Future*
1984 -- Ghostbusters*
1983 -- Return of the Jedi*
1982 -- (currently) E.T.
1981 -- Raiders of the Lost Ark*
1980 -- The Empire Strikes Back*
1979 -- Apocalypse Now*
1978 -- (currently) Halloween
1977 -- Star Wars*
1976 -- Taxi Driver*
1975 -- Jaws*
1974 -- The Godfather: Part II*
1973 -- (currently) The Exorcist
1972 -- The Godfather*
1971 -- A Clockwork Orange*
1970 -- Patton*
1969 -- (currently) Midnight Cowboy
1968 -- 2001: A Space Odyssey*
1967 -- The Graduate*
1966 -- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly*
1965 -- Dr. Zhivago*
1964 -- Dr. Strangelove*
1963 -- 8 1/2*
1962 -- (currently) Lawrence of Arabia
1961 -- The Hustler*
1960

If you haven't voted on the previous years, feel free to go back and do so.

*Poll closed, winner declared.

American History X

This was such a weak year in film. Lots of good movies but hardly any "great" films. I would go with American History X, but it wasn't as good as it could have been in some areas. The same can be said about The Thin Red Line which ran a tad long on the point it was making, even though it was an incredible film. Therefore, split my vote on the two.

das

Hands down, Shakespeare in Love.

No really.....A Simple Plan.

The Truman Show

(2- Life is Beautiful)
(3- Rushmore)

Ugh.....

Eternity and a Day.

I doubt anyone else saw this brilliant film

The Big Lebowski


Saving Private Ryan and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels right behind.

Toss-up between The Thin Red Line, Rushmore and Out of Sight

Men With Guns

I own it, but haven't watched it yet. Perhaps I should...

My pick would be "The Celebration" ("Festen"), followed by "Fireworks" ("Hana-Bi"). As for the best American film, my pick would be "There's Something About Mary."

I actually thought 1998 was an excellent year for film. Here is my top ten for those interested...

1) The Celebration (Festen)
2) Fireworks (Hana-Bi)
3) There’s Something About Mary
4) Rushmore
5) The Thin Red Line
6) The Truman Show
7) The Big Lebowski
8) Out of Sight
9) A Simple Plan
10) Little Voice

Other films that received four stars: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Happiness and Two Girls and a Guy.

Life is Beautiful

The Thin Red Line. Easily the best war film since Paths of Glory.

American History X

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

-matt

Side question--what film won BEST Picture (Oscar) in 1992? I can recall 1989-2000--but for the life of me 1992 escapes me.

THANKS

Silence of the Lambs (1992 for 1991 films)
Unforgiven (1993 for 1992 films)

Thanks for these threads. I find them pretty interesting.

My pick would have to be The Thin Red Line, a movie that I really didn't like until about 10 minutes after it was over and the thoughts just rushed back into my head. My 9+s:

9.5:

The Thin Red Line
Out of Sight

9:

Life Is Beautiful
Ronin
Rushmore
Saving Private Ryan
The Big Lebowski

I also respect American History X, A Bug's Life, Croupier, Run Lola Run, The Truman Show, and X-Files! Yeah, not a GREAT year in movies.

Worst: Lost in Space and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer

Barry

Saving Private Ryan

Easily the best anti-war film since Paths of Glory.

The Big Lebowski

Rushmore (dir. wes anderson)

Clooney had a great year!
1.Out of Sight and then
2.Three Kings

Since Theo Angelopoulos is one of my favorite directors.....WATCH IT NOW!!!

But Grim, even you must admit that his behavior at Cannes in 1997 and '98 regarding "Eternity" and "Ulysses' Gaze" was pompous and deplorable, no?

Wow -- I'm mightily impressed that nobody has picked Spielberg's good but highly over-rated Saving Private Ryan as #1. Kudos, y'all.

BTW, regarding one of the previous posts, Three Kings was a '99 film.