Summer movies of 1998: The glory of Jay Mohr


The great "Summer Movies of 1998" tournament marches on, with voting going on for the round of 32 to see what films advance to the round of 16.

Twenty years ago, in the summer of 1998, the box office was led by such films as Hope Floats, Bulworth, Blade, and Armageddon. Star attractions like Sandra Bullock, Warren Beatty, Wesley Snipes, and Bruce Willis headlined these movies to much fanfare.

There is one man out there who some may argue was not at the same level as the aforementioned. A man who took part in two movies that glorious summer (and four altogether in 1998).

You might remember Jay Mohr from his days on Saturday Night Live, notably appearing in sketches impersonating Christopher Walken.

Or you might remember Mohr from his turn as Bob Sugar in the film Jerry Maguire. Here, Mohr played an agent tasked with the responsibility of firing Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) and later stole prized draft prospect Frank Cushman (Jerry O'Connell) right out from under Maguire's nose.

It's even possible you might remember Mohr from his frequent appearances on the Jim Rome show.

No matter the case that points you to a memory of Mohr, the man had a chance to reign supreme in the 1998. He starred in two movies released that summer -- Small Soldiers and Jane Austen's Mafia! -- plus one just prior to the summer months, April's Paulie and one released in February, Playing by Heart.

Combined gross total at the box office for these films: Roughly 105 million (Nearly 54.7 of which belonged to Small Soldiers).




Now, Mohr was not the top-billed in all of these movies. His roles ranged from the lead to supporting cast to voicing a character. Many of the films were ensemble filled, acting alongside names like Christina Applegate, Denis Leary, Lloyd Bridges and Angelina Jolie.

Mohr had quite a run in 1998 and has built quite a steady career for himself. He's had his own television shows (Gary Unmarried) while appearing on others (The Ghost Whisperer, Scrubs). Mohr has also been in both smaller films (Go, 200 Cigarettes) and larger box office fare (Pay it Forward, Hereafter).

It was the year of 1998, however, in which Mohr was ever-present in the box office.

Playing by Heart

Ensemble films with multiple characters and story arcs can sometimes relate to box office gold and critical acclaim.

Films like Robert Altman's Nashville, Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights and Magnolia, and to some extent Garry Marshall's Valentine's Day all found some sort of success.

Others, like Duets and Playing by Heart, found neither.

Playing by Heart had the right pieces in place, at least as far as cast is considered. Jolie, Gena Rowlands, Jon Stewart, Sean Connery, Ryan Phillippe, Gillian Anderson, and Mohr were just a few among the many talented people involved in this film.

Released in February, the love stories in this filmed failed to garner a national audience, grossing only just short of four million (off a budget of 14 million). Mohr played a gay man dying of AIDS in the film and while his performance was one of the many fine performances in the film, not much can be said of the film itself.

Not to worry, though, as Mohr would return to the big screens in April as the voice of a talking parrot.

Paulie

The numbers are not staggering for this April released movie starring Mohr as the voice of the titular lead of this film, a parrot named Paulie.

Paulie is a nice little family film in which Paulie recants his life and struggles to a Russian immigrant janitor. Sentimental -- with a few life lessons to boot -- this film hit just over 27 million dollars at the box office.


Small Soldiers

The first of two films released in July with Mohr's name on the cast list was Small Soldiers.

This film tells the tale of toys come to life, but not quite in the Toy Story way we've all come to enjoy over the years. These toys -- soldiers -- have been outfitted with microchips that we're designed with military implications in mind, not entertaining little kids.

Mohr plays Larry Benson, one of the two men who created these toys and later sets out to help undo the damage he caused.

Tommy Lee Jones, Kirsten Dunst, and Denis Leary are among the others who star in this film directed by Joe Dante.

Jane Austen's Mafia!

Long before the genre was deflated by such titles as Epic Movie, Meet the Spartans, and Disaster Movie, Mohr was starring in 1998's Mafia! (or the preferred Jane Austen's Mafia!).

Directed and co-written by one of the minds from the Airplane! movies (Jim Abrahams), Mafia! delves into the world of -- yep, you guessed it -- the mafia. Mohr plays the lead in this film that goes the route of The Godfather, in which a son must take over the reigns of a mafia kingdom from his dying father.

While perhaps not on par with the level of comedy seen in Airplane! and later Scary Movie, the film still delivers a few laughs. A notable line is delivered by Mohr's character, Anthony Cortino, "You lost a lot of blood but we found most of it."

Both Small Soldiers and Mafia! won their first round matchups in the "Summer Movies of 1998" tournament. The July region is a stacked one, so both films face heady opponents (Saving Private Ryan and There's Something About Mary, respectively). 

Wouldn't it be nice, however, if an "all Jay Mohr" final took place? Your votes matter so make sure to head over to Twitter to vote.

And we'll see you at the movies. Or on the streets. Or an office building. Or over the internet. Wherever it is, just watch a film or two. Okay?

photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org

Be sure to follow the "Summer of Movies 1998" tournament and more of Jason's thoughts on sports, wrestling, pop culture and more over @jasonrh_78

Comments