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