Met expectations By Charles Taylor
The 10 best movies of 1998.
(12/24/98)
"A Civil Action" By Charles Taylor
An uncivil adaptation: Director Steven Zaillian does author Jonathan Harr a great injustice with his reductionist film version of Harr's "A Civil Action"
(12/23/98)
"Hurlyburly" By Jonathan Lethem
Hollywood stinkers: Director Anthony Drazan successfully brings the sexist, self-destructive comraderie of "Hurlyburly" to the screen
(12/23/98)
"The Cruise" By Christine Schomer
"Keep it alive": A single documentary about one man's life on the edge, saved the spirit of independent film
(12/22/98)
"You've Got Mail" Reviewed by Laura Miller
You've got malls: Nora Ephron's update of "The Shop Around the Corner" rails against corporate chain stores to predictably bland effect
(12/18/98)
"The General" Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Heist society: With a mixture of humor and brutality, John Boorman's extraordinary film "The General" paints a dark portrait of Irish outlaw Martin Cahill
(12/18/98)
"The Prince of Egypt" Reviewed by Charles Taylor
The Zion king: Dreamworks' animated Moses musical "The Prince of Egypt" out Disneys Disney
(12/18/98)
"Shakespeare in Love" Reviewed by Laura Miller
Star-cross'd lovers: Ben Affleck upstages Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes in the clever but clichéd "Shakespeare in Love"
(12/11/98)
"A Simple Plan" Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Sam Raimi's first hard-hitting film offers a brutally realistic portrayal of what can happen when upright people take one wrong turn
(12/11/98)
"Star Trek: Insurrection" Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
Nostalgia ain't what it used to be
(12/11/98)
"Psycho" Reviewed by Mary Elizabeth Williams
Back in the shower again: Gus Van Sant's retelling of a Hitchcock classic may not be anything new, but it's still just as shocking
(12/07/98)
Little Voice Reviewed by Charles Taylor
I feel a song coming on: Jane Horrocks saves the annoyingly noisy "Little Voice" with uncanny impressions of Garland, Dietrich and Monroe
(12/04/98)
"Jerry Springer: Ringmaster" Reviewed by Gary Kaufman
The movie is every bit as loud and raunchy as the television show -- so what's not to like?
(12/02/98)
A Bug's Life Reviewed by Janelle Brown
With its much-anticipated follow-up to "Toy Story," Pixar conquers in the animated bug battle
(11/25/98)
Home Fries Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Hot buns in the oven: Drew Barrymore is sweet as cherry pie as a pregnant burger-joint clerk in the charming screwball comedy "Home Fries"
(11/25/98)
Storefront Hitchcock Reviewed by Mark Athitakis
Jonathan Demme's mesmerizing documentary brings an unlikely pop singer to the silver screen
(11/25/98)
Babe: Pig in the City Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Accidental tourist: The urban adventures of everyone's favorite talking pig makes for one of the most exhilarating films of the year
(11/25/98)
"Celebrity" Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Star dreck: As usual, Woody Allen packs his latest movie with celebrities, proving that his mockery of our fame-obsessed culture is just a put-on
(11/20/98)
"Gods and Monsters" Reviewed by Jonathan Lethem
Scream queen: Ian McKellen gives a virtuoso performance as early Hollywood's only ecstatically "out" gay director
(11/20/98)
Meet Joe Black Reviewed by Laura Miller
A death well-lived: The Grim Reaper mingles with a toothsome millionaire in the ponderous "Meet Joe Black"
(11/18/98)
The Siege By Charles Taylor
Holy terror: Far from being racist, "The Siege" shows how terrorism is used to justify
racism toward Arabs and Muslims
(11/09/98)
Elizabeth Reviewed Laura Miller
(Un)married ... with Kingdom: Shekhar Kapur's "Elizabeth" restrains her passion for men, but exhibits a ravenous appetite for ruling England
(11/06/98)
Velvet Goldmine Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
The glam that fell to earth: Todd Haynes' flashy ode to the glam-rock era may be 50 percent polyester, but it's full of heart
(11/06/98)
Life Is Beautiful Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Roberto Benigni's comic fable about one family's struggle to survive in a Nazi concentration camp is in offensively poor taste
(10/30/98)
Vampires Reviewed by Laura Miller
No fangs: Another nail in the coffin of a once-great director's career
(10/30/98)
Happiness Reviewed by Jonathan Lethem
Todd Solondz's harrowing comedy unearths the violence and desperation in suburban life
(10/23/98)
Pleasantville Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Director Gary Ross fetishizes the '50s in this high-concept parable about the dangers of conformity
(10/23/98)
Slam & SlamNation Reviewed by Hank Hyena
Word up: Two new films celebrate -- and exaggerate -- the power of spoken word
(10/23/98)
Beloved Reviewed by Charles Taylor
The designated martyr: Jonathan Demme panders to Toni Morrison's guilt-mongering in his brutal adaptation of her best-seller
(10/16/98)
Practical Magic Reviewed by Laura Miller
Hocus bogus: Yet another suburban witch story with a wishy-washy moral: A sorceress's place is in the home
(10/16/98)
What Dreams May Come Reviewed by Laura Miller
In the new Robin Williams movie, heaven is a twee B&B
(10/09/98)
Hit Me Reviewed by Jonathan Lethem
Noir way out: In an ominous hotel, a miserable bellhop gets caught in an all-too-familiar web of intrigue and doom
(10/02/98)
Antz Reviewed by Janelle Brown
Ant angst: Woody Allen is the voice of anxious and whiny worker ant "Z" in Dreamworks' charmingly hokey "Antz"
(10/02/98)
Clay Pigeons Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
Montana murder mystery: Vince Vaughn is irresistible as the psycho villain in an otherwise empty
comedy
(10/02/98)
The Impostors Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Ship of fools: Stanley Tucci's farce about two unemployed Depression-era actors sinks beneath its own vanity
(10/01/98)
One True Thing Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
One Blue Thing: Renée Zellweger buckles under the emotional weight of the brutally melodramatic "One True Thing"
(09/18/98)
A Merry War Reviewed by Charles Taylor
How to get behind in advertising: Richard E. Grant and Helena Bonham Carter shun middle-class mediocrity in "A Merry War," the film adaptation of George Orwell's "Keep the Aspidistra Flying"
(09/18/98)
Rush Hour Reviewed by Charles Taylor
A pale imitation of Jackie Chan's Hong Kong hits
(09/18/98)
The Young Girls of Rochefort Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
The color of love: Romantic fantasies are indulged in Jacques Demy's touchingly outmoded musical love letter
(09/18/98)
Permanent Midnight Reviewed by Janelle Brown
Permanent Boredom: The latest in the junkie-flick genre has plenty of low lows, but unfortunately few highs
(09/18/98)
Rounders Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Good will bluffing: The poker-faced "Rounders" deals some fine actors a bad hand
(09/11/98)
Touch of Evil Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Ballad of a fat man: Orson Welles' recently reissued noir classic "Touch of Evil" may be the sleaziest good movie ever made
(09/10/98)
How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Dance with Me, Next Stop, Wonderland Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Next Stop, Hollywood: Hollywood's glossy good-time gal movies put indie-hit "Next Stop, Wonderland" to shame
(09/03/98)
54 Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Studio 54, where are you?: Instead of offering a comic portrait of '70s excess, "54" is a disappointing '90s-style morality tale
(08/28/98)
Slums of Beverly Hills Reviewed by Mary Elizabeth Williams
Nomad's land: Tamara Jenkins' debut feature is a gritty, nostalgic trip through the wrong side of 90210
(08/28/98)
Blade Reviewed by Charles Taylor
I'm gonna git you, suckhead: Despite a thin plot and thick directing, "Blade" is a bloody good time
(08/20/98)
Avengers Reviewed by Charles Taylor
The new "Avengers" movie fails, but video
comes to the rescue
(08/17/98)
Snake Eyes Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
No dice: Brian De Palma rolls a loser with "Snake Eyes"
(08/07/98)
Nights of Cabiria Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
The little tramp: Giulietta Masina glows as a Chaplinesque prostitute in Fellini's
newly restored classic
(08/06/98)
The Decline of Western Civilization Part III Reviewed by Mark Athitakis
The damned: Almost two decades after she documented the L.A. punk scene, Penelope Spheeris returns to find its legacy -- and finds no legacy at all
(08/06/98)
Ever After By
Charles Taylor
After years of being the bad girl, Drew Barrymore finally gets the role she deserves
(07/31/98)
The Negotiator Reviewed by Charles Taylor
This cop flick may be big and noisy, but it plods along too slowly to be called an action movie
(07/30/98)
Saving Private Ryan Reviewed By Gary Kamiya
Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan" brings hell to a theater
near you
(07/24/98)
The Mask of Zorro By Charles Taylor
High Z: A glorious, rousing adventure starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones
(07/22/98)
There's Something About Mary By Charles Taylor
Dumb and somewhat less dumb: The scatological brothers Farrelly try
their grubby hands at romantic comedy
(07/17/98)
Pi Reviewed by Laura Miller
Fuzzy logic: An arty mix of math and migraines
(07/16/98)
Small Soldiers By Scott Rosenberg
Toy gory: How much mayhem can a bunch of foot-high action figures incite? Plenty
(07/10/98)
Madeline Reviewed by Fiona Morgan
"Madeline" rules! The heroine of children's books is just as plucky on the big screen
(07/09/98)
Armageddon Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Rocks in the head: This summer's other meteor movie is so dumb and unimaginative, it would even embarrass NASA
(07/01/98)
Out of Sight Reviewed by Charles Taylor
King of the thrill: George Clooney sizzles with sexy confidence in the gratifying crime thriller "Out of Sight."
(06/26/98)
Doctor Dolittle Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Animal crackers: Eddie Murphy has some dumb fun with the critters
(06/25/98)
The X-files Reviewed by Joyce Millman
"X"-Games: The movie fans have been waiting for is just a big tease
(06/19/98)
Mulan Reviewed by Jenn Shreve
Honor thy daughter: Disney's first truly heroic female protagonist battles Huns and
gender stereotypes with equal valor
(06/19/98)
I Went Down Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Friendship rings: From beneath overcast Irish skies, a surprisingly upbeat buddy/gangster movie emerges
(06/18/98)
Mr. Jealousy Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Jealousy becomes him: Noah Baumbach's new urban comedy smartly satirizes self-involvement -- without being too self-involved
(06/12/98)
Six Days, Seven Nights Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Great escapes: As cheap and predictable as a discount package tour, "Six Days, Seven Nights" is still a terrific getaway
(06/11/98)
The Truman Show Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Jim Carrey busts out of the comedy bubble
(06/05/98)
A Perfect Murder Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Dressed to kill: Gwyneth Paltrow's haute couture can't
save "A Perfect Murder" from dying a slow death
(06/04/98)
Lolita Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Nymphet mania: Lyne's unprovocative film and America's sexual hysteria
(05/29/98)
The Last Days of Disco Reviewed by Laura Miller
Play That Funky Music, Whit Boy: Whit Stillman flashes back to "The Last Days of Disco"
(05/28/98)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Reviewed by Cintra Wilson
Viva Las Vegas: Terry Gilliam's 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' captures the crazy soul of Hunter Thompson's twisted masterpiece
(05/22/98)
The Opposite of Sex Reviewed by Cynthia
Joyce
Snippy white female: Christina Ricci's bratty narration makes -- and breaks -- "The Opposite of Sex"
(05/22/98)
Under the Skin Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Two sisters navigate the shadowy realms of love, loss and sexual danger in Carine Adler's powerful debut film
(05/21/98)
Godzilla Reviewed by Gary Kamiya
IQ does matter: "Godzilla" has all the profundity of a Saturday-morning cartoon, but
it will make your kid go to the bathroom five times.
(05/21/98)
Bulworth Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Righteous wrath: Warren Beatty runs amok as a politician in South Central
(05/15/98)
The Horse Whisperer Reviewed by Stephanie
Zacharek
The old gray star ain't what he used to be: gorgeous scenery and gauze-covered lenses can't hide the tired heart
(05/14/98)
Woo Reviewed by Mary Elizabeth Williams
The girl can't help it: Jada Pinkett Smith stars in this sexy, sunny comedy about a firecracker female romancing a buppie paralegal
(05/08/98)
Not Wilde Enough Reviewed by Carol
Lloyd
Two new portraits of Oscar Wilde capture the tragedy of his life, but miss the wickedness of his style
(05/08/98)
Deep Impact By Charles Taylor
Apocalypse wow! The end of the world as Hallmark moment
(05/07/98)
He Got Game Reviewed by Gary Kamiya
Backboard jungle: Spike Lee's "He Got Game" is a soft-hearted but moving tribute to
faith, love and basketball
(05/01/98)
Les Miserables Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Le snooze: Liam Neeson stars in this high-minded film version of Victor
Hugo's epic tale of crime and obsession
(05/01/98)
Nightwatch Reviewed by Charles Taylor
It's the sadist thing: Dark, dank, disgusting, sadistic and no fun at all: It's the perfect post-"Seven" thriller
(04/17/98)
The Spanish Prisoner Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Shell game: David Mamet's clever but empty tale of con men in the Caribbean
(04/10/98)
The Butcher Boy Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
"Crying Game" director Neil Jordan probes the fine line between
normal childhood and full-on insanity
(04/10/98)
City of Angels Reviewed by Laura Miller
Where angels go, desire follows: Real romance in "Wings of Desire" remake
(04/10/98)
Mercury Rising Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Bruce Willis and Alec Baldwin in a thriller about an autistic
cryptology prodigy
(04/03/98)
A Price Above Rubies Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Renée Zellweger plays a sensual young wife rebelling against the
constraints of Orthodox Jewish life
(03/27/98)
The Newton Boys Reviewed by Laura Miller
The mild bunch: Richard Linklater takes a stab at a stale genre
(03/27/98)
Primary Colors Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Mike Nichols' film of Joe Klein's satire is the perfect political movie for today -- empty and cynical
(03/20/98)
Wild Things Reviewed by Michelle Goldberg
Neve Campbell stars in this sultry, trashy -- and devious -- Florida thriller
(03/20/98)
Love and Death on Long Island Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Long Island idol: A snobby novelist falls for a teen heartthrob in this vamp on Thomas Mann's "Death in Venice"
(03/13/98)
The Man in the Iron Mask Reviewed by Stephanie
Zacharek
Leonardo DiCaprio is king of the beasts in this loutish swashbuckler
(03/13/98)
The Big Lebowski Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
Everyman must get stoned: The Coen brothers break out of the irony ghetto in their warm-hearted --
and hilarious -- "The Big Lebowski"
(03/06/98)
The Gingerbread Man Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Midnight in the Garden of Altman and Grisham: Robert Altman goes Southern Gothic with his potent new thriller
"The Gingerbread Man," based on the John Grisham screenplay
(03/06/98)
Twilight Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Thespian pleasures: Robert Benton's modest noir about aging and death makes a safe space for great acting
(03/06/98)
Illtown Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Crime story: Nick Gomez's mesmerizing "illtown" may be the best movie you won't get to see this year
(02/27/98)
"Sliding Doors" Reviewed by Charles Taylor
"Sliding Doors" wonders what would happen if Gwyneth Paltrow missed her train.
(02/24/98)
Nil by Mouth Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
Gary Oldman's working class antiheroes find life nasty, brutish and short
(02/20/98)
Live Flesh Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Is Almodóvar all grown up or just worn out?
(02/20/98)
The Wedding Singer Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Wedding belle: Drew Barrymore steals the bouquet from Adam Sandler
(02/13/98)
Sphere Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Magical underwater photography, soggy story
(02/13/98)
The Replacement Killers Reviewed by Stephanie Zacharek
Movie star lost: A Hong Kong superstar gets lost in his Hollywood debut
(02/06/98)
Zero Effect Reviewed by Elizabeth Williams
It doesn't add up: A paranoid private detective on the trail of true love
(02/06/98)
The Apostle Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Preacherman Robert Duvall gives the finest performance of his career in the marvelously surprising "The Apostle"
(02/02/98)
Great Expectations Reviewed by Charles Taylor
A negative buzz threatens to ruin an enchanting Dickens update
(01/30/98)
Oscar and Lucinda Reviewed by Charles Taylor
A shimmering romance starring Ralph Fiennes as a misfit Australian gambler
(01/23/98)
Spice World Reviewed by Lori Leibovich
The Spice Girls' tasteless debut
(01/23/98)
Deconstructing Harry Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
Woody Allen gives his hard-core fans the final finger
(01/16/98)
Kundun Reviewed by Charles Taylor
Scorsese's exquisite Dalai Lama biopic
(01/16/98)
The Boxer Reviewed by Charles Taylor
His own man: Daniel Day-Lewis is magnetic as a former IRA prisoner
(01/09/98)
Wag the Dog Reviewed by Andrew O'Hehir
Lights, camera, WAR! De Niro and Hoffman in wicked satire on politics as showbiz
(01/09/98)
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