Twenty years ago, the summer months at the cinema were spent watching Harry Stamper try to save the world and a group of soldiers saving a private in World War 2. Were these the best movies in the summer of 1998?
The 1990's were an innovative decade when it came to the film industry. Advancements in technology helped bring to life such creations as Jurassic Park, the world of Pixar, and a little movie released in 1997 called Titanic.
1997 was a special year in movies, but the following year was no slouch itself.
Movies that gained cult status -- like The Big Lebowski and Rushmore -- were released that year, as was eventual Academy Award winner Shakespeare in Love.
The great Robin Williams gave us What Dreams May Come and Patch Adams. Adam Sandler released two of his better films, The Wedding Singer and Waterboy. And who can forget breakout star Chris Tucker being teamed with Jackie Chan for Rush Hour.
Let's not forget about movies starring Jerry Springer, Carrot Top, and the chart-topping singing group the Spice Girls.
Believe it or not, none of the aforementioned movies were released during the summer months of 1998. *(Author's note: Summer months for this piece are the months of May thru August.)
The box office was dominated by the likes of competing "end-of-the-world" movies Armageddon and Deep Impact plus a giant-sized failure in Godzilla.
These are only a small portion of what was released in that glorious year. So, naturally it got me thinking: Do these movies stand the test of time? And how much different do we feel about them now than we did twenty years ago? (Or saw them for the first time after their release).
It being smack dab in the middle of summer, I decided we needed a little fun to break up the bleak news we hear on a daily basis. So I created a bracket.
Four regions. 64 movies. 1 winner to rule them all. And it's up to you to help decide the winner. Voting will take place over the next few weeks.
Seeding was based off of the overall USA box office of 1998, with the regions categorized by month released, with 16 movies in each region. Here's a look at the number one seeds and films in each region.
The May Region
Number one seed in this region belongs to Deep Impact.
Starring Morgan Freeman and Frodo himself, Elijah Wood, Deep Impact ultimately lost the box office showdown of apocalyptic events to Armageddon. Released a few months prior, Deep Impact is often seen as the more critically-acclaimed of the two films.
Star power in this region is fruitful, with names like Matthew Broderick, Warren Beatty, Patrick Swayze, Sandra Bullock, and Denzel Washington among the performers with May 1998 releases.
A look at the bracket:
- 1) Deep Impact
- 16) Dancer, TX Pop. 81
- 8) Black Dog
- 9) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
- 5) Bulworth
- 12) The Opposite of Sex
- 4) Hope Floats
- 13) Woo
- 6) Quest for Camelot
- 11) Almost Heroes
- 3) Horse Whisperer
- 14) The Last Days of Disco
- 7) He Got Game
- 10) I Got the Hook-up
- 2) Godzilla
- 15) Wilde
The June Region
Believe it or not, Dr. Dolittle starring Eddie Murphy locks down the number one seed for this region.
Murphy was still a few years away from losing his touch at the box office and this kid-friendly film helped drive the numbers at the box office.
This region also delivered to audiences The Truman Show, the first look at Jim Carrey stepping into a dramatic role. And we also were treated to Can't Hardly Wait, a film that didn't quite live dominate the box office, but later became a teen cult classic.
Star power in this region has Harrison Ford, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and the great Norm MacDonald.
The matchups:
- 1) Dr. Dolittle
- 16) Dream for an Insomniac
- 8) Can't Hardly Wait
- 9) Dirty Work
- 5) Six Days/Seven Nights
- 12) High Art
- 4) X-Files
- 13) Cousin Bette
- 6) Mulan
- 11) The Land Girls
- 3) A Perfect Murder
- 14) Buffalo '66
- 7) Out of Sight
- 10) Smoke Signals
- 2) The Truman Show
- 15) Mr. Jealousy
The July Region
It's quite possible July might be the toughest region to vote on.
Not only are top box office earners like Saving Private Ryan and Armageddon in this region, we also see releases like Lethal Weapon 4, The Mask of Zorro, and the highly, highly underrated BASEketball.
Oh, and a little movie that took many by surprise: There's Something About Mary
Even outside of these films, star power litters this bracket. Drew Barrymore, Samuel L. Jackson, Katie Holmes, and the arrival of Darren Aronofsky (Pi) are among the names with films released in July of 1998.
Who will emerge victorious?
- 1) Saving Private Ryan
- 16) The Thief
- 8) Small Soldiers
- 9) The Negotiator
- 5) The Mask of Zorro
- 12) Disturbing Behavior
- 4) Lethal Weapon 4
- 13) BASEketball
- 3) There's Something About Mary
- 14) Pi
- 6) Parent Trap
- 11) Mafia!
- 7) Ever After
- 10) Madeline
- 2) Armageddon
- 15) Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss
The August Region
Strong as the film releases in July stand, the month of August is conversely opposite. August -- especially the later part of the month -- used to be a dumping ground for movies that studios may have already written off or figured might not find an audience. Families go outside more, school is on the horizon, and time spent inside a movie theater is on the back burner.
That being said, there are solid movies from this month, including a handful of independent films.
The number one seed belongs to Blade. And we also got to see the movie that kicked the Marvel Universe into gear: The Avengers. Wait? What? I was just handed a news item across my desk. The Avengers from 1998 stars Sean Connery and has nothing to do with the current MCU.
Nicholas Cage, Jamie Lee Curtis, Angela Bassett, a golden retriever, and the greatest actor in the land Lochlyn Munro all appeared in films released in August of 1998.
See the rankings:
- 1) Blade
- 16) Next Stop Wonderland
- 8) Dance with Me
- 9) Dead Man on Campus
- 5) How Stella Got her Groove Back
- 12) Wrongfully Accused
- 4) Mysteries of Egypt
- 13) Return to Paradise
- 6) The Avengers
- 11) Air Bud: Golden Retriever
- 3) Halloween H20: 20 Years Later
- 14) Slums of Beverly Hills
- 7) 54
- 10) Why do Fools Fall in Love?
- 2) Snake Eyes
- 15) Your Friends and Neighbors
Voting will continue over the next few weeks until we have the ultimate summer movie of 1998. Be sure to head over to IMDB if you need to look up a movie.
And may the odds be forever in...well, this doesn't apply here. But have fun. Share with your friends. And stay tuned.
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See more on the summer movies of '98 topic:
picture credit: maxipixel.net
Keep up to date with this bracket and other thoughts on sports, movies, pop culture and more by following Jason on Twitter: @jasonrh_78
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