Top 10 Films of 1998

Rank	Title	Year	Country	Grade
1	Out Of Sight	1998	US	B
2	Saving Private Ryan	1998	US	B
3	Rushmore	1998	US	B-
4	The Truman Show	1998	US	B-
5	Shakespeare In Love	1998	US	B-
6	Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels	1998	England	C+
7	Next Stop Wonderland	1998	US	C+
8	The Red Violin	1998	Canada	C+
9	Playing By Heart	1998	US	C+
10	The Big Lebowski	1998	US	C+

 

The End Of Oak St. (2026)

 

So much could have been done with this concept. I would have loved to see it in a series format, in a prehistoric survival Jumanji situation. Remaining families band together in a tribe to collect food, water, weapons, and defend their stronghold. 

Instead, this dimwitted family made one stupid decision after another until I was begging for them to be taken out. The ending with dual dimensions and apparently multiple versions of themselves was ridiculous. What a waste of a good premise and film budget. 

Rating: D+

Next Stop Wonderland (1998)

I think I originally saw this at Sundance. It’s a pleasant film with a delightful Bossa Nova soundtrack. A lot of familiar faces of actors early in their careers. One of the better films from 1998. 

Rating: C+

The Invite (2026)

One of those films that feels more like a stage production. There are some genuine funny and interesting moments. It’s a deep dive into interpersonal relationships. I wasn’t in love with the third act though. 

Rating: C

Mayday (2026)

 

A serviceable Soviet Cold War film set in the 80s featuring Ryan Reynolds doing his typical deadpan jokes. The early fight scenes are surprisingly slick. Branagh is quite good as the ex-KGB operative. Production value is high. Action sequences are intense. Better than I thought it would be. 

Rating: C+

Toy Story 5 (2026)

 

Toys and imagination versus tech and screen time. A relevant storyline for our times with some good reminders for parents. Cute and fun as usual. 

Rating: C+

Masters Of The Universe (2026)

 

Having watched a lot of He-Man when I was a kid, I decided to devote a couple hours to the feature film as an adult. Expectations were very low going in, which quickly proved to be justified. No depth of characters. Cartoonish fight scenes without any real suspense. I couldn’t make it halfway through.

Rating: F

There’s Something About Mary (1998)

 

Much more crass and unfunny than I remember it being back in 1998. The Farrelly Brothers rely too much on horny teenage boy humor over smart writing. 

Rating: C

The Isolate Thief (2026)

 

Incredibly dumb title. Tense standoff between some really bad men and a couple resilient women. They didn’t quite stick the landing, but the ride wasn’t bad. 

Rating: C

The Dink (2026)

 

I felt obligated to see this one as an avid pickleballer. The opening premise and character introductions were actually pretty good, but it descended into lame tropes from there. 

Rating: C-

Disclosure Day (2026)

 

It’s an interesting take on the revelation that aliens-exist genre. They’ve tried really hard to imagine how our world would react to this knowledge, but I found it unrealistic. The story plays out more like a long episode of The X-Files, with some corny plot holes to boot. 

With Spielberg at the helm, the film is gripping and well crafted. Emily Blunt acts the hell out of it. Just don’t expect any sort of satisfying conclusion.

Rating: C

Backrooms (2026)

 

There’s a great movie tucked away somewhere in those backrooms, but the film we got isn’t it. I loved the idea around secret backrooms that go on forever, with unknown boogiemen hiding behind every door. It’s a mystery that needs exploring. 

Unfortunately, after revealing said mystery, the screenwriter simply gave up. Big letdown from the audience’s perspective. Such is the case with so many high concept films. They never deliver in the third act. 

Rating: D

Enola Holmes 3 (2026)

 

They cranked out this third Maltese turd with a snoozer of a plot and underuse of key characters. Lacked the spark of the first two. Didn’t need to be made.

Rating: C-

Greenland 2: Migration (2026)

 

I loved the first film so much that I wanted to see the sequel, despite poor reviews. As a post-apocalyptic film, it’s not bad. Everyone struggling to survive in a heavily damaged world. Trouble seems to find this family every step of the way on their journey, some more compelling than others. The end is cheesy. 

Rating: C

The Castle (1997)

 

Considered an Australian classic. Moderately interesting characters with a lukewarm plot. I expected more. 

Rating: C-

Power Ballad (2026)

 

I’m a big fan of John Carney films, but this was a miss. The songs themselves weren’t very catchy. The element of fun and joy that is a staple of his other works was missing here. In fact, it was a bit depressing. 

Rating: C-

The Furious (2025)

 

I’ll say it. There were too many fights that never ended. They took so much damage that it became ridiculous they were still alive. Yes, the fight choreography was incredible. But a movie needs more. 

It’s a shame these two weren’t around to infiltrate Trump’s child trafficking ring and mete out justice. Sadly, in real life, the bad guys win and get elected president. We’re living in the most depressing action movie ever conceived–all the deviants escaping justice and rising in power. 

Rating: C

Enola Holmes 2 (2022)

 

Another dangerous mystery for the Holmes siblings to solve. Moriarty is introduced, and at the very end: Dr. Watson. Enjoyed the first one a bit more. 

Rating: C+

Enola Holmes (2020)

 

It’s a shame Millie Bobby Brown’s talents were wasted on Stranger Things rather than an Enola Holmes series. Still, this first film manages to tell a layered story that sets up two sequels, to date. 

Family friendly, yet with sufficient danger and action to make outcomes matter. It’s a fun take on the Holmes universe. 

Rating: B-

Over Your Dead Body (2026)

 

Grim stuff. Despite a few chuckles, there’s nothing to endear the viewer to this film. 

Rating: D+