Best Scene: Any bonding moment.
9. Sean Gullette in Pi - Gullette has the occasional scene, however he frequently is overshadowed by the vision of the film, and often provides somewhat thin reactions to that vision.
Best Scene: Any talk with Margolis.
8. Hugo Weaving in The Interview - His film frequently wastes him through a plot no one cares about, but Weaving is consistently captivating whenever he's onscreen in his portrayal of a serial killer.
Best Scene: Confession.
7. Christopher Lee in Jinnah - The film tries to cover too much in too little time, but Lee gives a striking gravitas to the central character and offers any other levels whenever he can.
Best Scene: Seeing the violence.
6. Han Suk-kyu in Christmas in August - Han gives a moving portrayal of the kind man and the emotional distress of his tragic situation.
Best Scene: One more picture.
5. John Hurt in Love and Death on Long Island - Hurt manages the tone of the piece quite effortlessly in portraying the very specific fascination of his character with a subtle emotion and humor.
Best Scene: Confession.
4. Bob Hoskins in TwentyFourSeven - Hoskins is charismatic as usual in portraying a man with a vision but also excels whenever he is allowed to reveal the character's vulnerabilities.
Best Scene: Apology to no one.
3. Shah Rukh Khan in Dil Se...- Khan impressively deals with the various changing tones of the film, managing to keep them together even as they are so disparate.
Best Scene: Final scene
2. Peter Mullan in My Name is Joe - Although bogged down by some plot mechanics later on, Mullan gives a charming and moving portrayal of a man trying to find a new leaf.
Best Scene: Why he quit drinking.
1. Matthew Lillard in SLC Punk - Well color me as surprised as anyone else that Lillard topped this year, but actually watching the film was no surprise at all, as it was the performance that hit that "extra something" that makes a performance truly great for me, where his performance energy is ideal for the role, however he also excels in being the straightman to the other "punks" while also bringing that comedic chaos himself, while also finding depth in this journey that ends up being surprisingly moving in the end.
Best Scene: "Now what am I doing to do for friends?"
52 comments:
Fitting that Lillard tops this year.
How would you rank the female leading and supporting performances?
Can't ask for much more than Lillard winning and Khan getting into the top 10.
Obviously in favor of a Penn/Caviezel/Nolte review. Would advocate for Macy and Daniels in Pleasantville, but if I remember correctly you hate that movie. Alright, I remember laughing a lot to Matt Dillon in Something About Mary, but it is a fuzzy memory.
Louis: Ratings and thoughts on the rest of the lead performances plus updated thoughts on Banderas and Hopkins.
Your Female Lead and Supporting top 20s with ratings and other 4+ honourable mentions.
Thin Red Line Ensemble
Festen Ensemble
Kiefer Sutherland (and Rufus Sewell - Dark City
Donald Sutherland - Without Limits
Mike Myers - 54
Tom Wilkinson - Shakespeare In Love
Jeremy Davies - Saving Private Ryan
Ralph Fiennes - The Prince Of Egypt
Park, Choi and Song - The Quiet Family
Matt Dillon - There's Something About Mary
Louis: Thoughts on Michael Caine's It's Over from Little Voice.
Lillard getting the lone 5 in the category after being initially underestimated in the predictions is a sweet note to end this run on.
For Supporting '98, it may be interesting to see a review for Gazzara in Buffalo '66.
Louis: Could you add Richard Lintern in Jinnah and Ethan Hawke in Great Expectations to the ranking.
Maybe the right time to ask this. Aside from Louis, I wanted to know what the rest of you guys make of his and Skeet Ulrich's performances in Scream?? His performance, in particular gets singled out as MVO from that film. I don't know, how much I agree on that, but SLC Punk! is definitely his best performance for me.
Louis: When watching Dark City, the director's cut is the preferred cut and Connolly supposedly has a stronger impact in that version.
I have a feeling the supporting lineup will just be 5 and not 10, possibly with some bonus reviews
Louis: And could you also add the leads from Velvet Goldmine and Dougray Scott in Ever After.
Louis: Lowest 4.5, 4, 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2 and 1.5 on this list?
Louis: Lastly, Campbell Scott in The Spanish Prisoner.
As for Supporting, the requests plus The Thin Red Line ensemble review (either Caviezel, Penn or Nolte for prediction contest)
Luke: Have you asked Louis to watch Kore-eda's After Life yet?
It's from this year.
Very much approve of Lillard taking it. So specifically perfect of a showcase for him that you literally could not picture someone else in that role. Still think I'm a Nolte or Bridges voter, but I love that this performance is your win.
Louis: What are your Costume and Song top 5s.
Hello Louis!
Tell me from the year 1998 which are your Top 7 with ranking of:
- Song
- Score
- Poster
- Editing
- Screenplays (adapted and original)
- Cast
- Blockbuster Films
Louis: Once you've posted the Supporting lineup, could you update the 1998 lead nominees ranking page.
On Re-Watch, I do think Sewell will be in the top 10, maybe top 5.
Just watched Another Day in Paradise and that movie wrecked me.
With someone who has struggled with drug abuse this is amon the most authentic depictions of it.
A masterpiece.
James Woods is my win for this year. SRK is second.
Never imagined that.
McKellen jumped from #2 to #14, I just noticed. That's a giant leap.
Also Khan won from his lineup.
Opa. I almost forgot to register.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnLNDuKya04
I leave you with one more request for another great performance by Fernanda Montenegro in The Deceased (1965).
Gene Hackman in Enemy of the State!
Nolte and Dano (Love & Mercy) are the only actors who have been well below #10 in the ranking and then jumped to #2.
Another actor in a Schrader film that came in at #2.
Benicio Del Toro in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
PSH in Happiness
Kiefer Sutherland in Dark City
Ben Gazzara in Buffalo 66
Tom Wilkinson in Shakespeare in Love
PSH & Turturro in The Big Lebowski
You know, I wonder if I could go back in time to 10 years ago and say to Louis: Gleeson is going to lose to Lillard.
Everyone would laugh and say, "Oh c'mon, the guy who played Shaggy and did that epic fart?"
And I would say to Louis and everyone: "I'll be right back!"
Louis: Your #6-#10 for Director in 1998
Shaggy: It was actually McKellen who got the win at first but your point still stands.
Louis: Now whether you'll decide to watch it or not when you get to 2004 is up to you due to a terrible first film, but Lillard is way more enjoyable as Shaggy in Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, mainly beacuse he has better material to work with. It's not a cinematic masterpiece for sure, but it actually feels like a Scooby-Doo film compared to the first installment, which was just a dumb teen comedy with some supernatural parts.
Louis: Would your score top 5 be the strongest lineup of the 90s.
Luke: McKellen for Apt Pupil was a win??? 😳😳. That's a massive drop.
Ytrewq: 🤣🤣 have to concur. Second part was better. Used to have a DVD of that as a kid. Liked it a lot then.
People talk about Lillard as Shaggy. I also thought Linda Cardellini as Velma was perfect casting.
Louis: Your rating for Summer Phoenix in SLC Punk!
Also, while I know you're probably waiting for the rewatch, is Perfect Blue a 5 or 4.5 for you.
Luke and Perfectionist: Nope, it was Gleeson who had the win, not McKellen. Shaggy had it right the first time.
Tony: I've been on here regularly since 2013, It was McKellen then swapped to Gleeson around the time he was reviewed for Calvary. Louis can vouch for me on that.
Tony: If I remember correctly, McKellen was the only 5 and he had the win at first. And then Louis gave the win to Gleeson and upgraded him. It was only rather recently that they were both downgraded to 4.5's.
Tahmeed and Luke: Then the 1998 Lead Actor journey has had more twists and turns than I thought.
Perfectionist: A little late to answer your question, but I'll give my two cents.
Of the first "Scream" film, I'd actually say Campbell is the MVP overall, largely for being a grounded presence that keeps the movie's proceedings/tone in check. (Side Note: Had a bit of a crush on Neve when I was young, but moving past that, I do think she's a rock solid horror lead in the franchise).
Lillard is entertaining to a degree, and I'd say him being obnoxious and over the top sort of works for Stu's clear immaturity. Still, I'd say there are moments where he could've reigned it in, and even Lillard himself has poked fun at his performance or at least his appearence back then.
Ulrich, meanwhile...to this day I'm not sure what to make of him. He doesn't hide the twist of his character even remotely. He's not that charming. It's kind of distracting how much he resembles Johnny Depp. I guess you could argue he plays Billy as written/needed, but I think there was potential for a more striking performance than what Ulrich gave. Though having said that, I think he's more effective than Foley and Roberts in their villain roles.
Louis: For an 80s SLC Punk!, do you think Robert Downey Jr. could have been good as either Stevo or Heroin Bob?
Ytrewq: Pretty sure Weaving is the lowest 4.5, Lau Ching Wan is the lowest 4, and de Oliveira is the lowest 3.5.
Really enjoyed A Story of Floating Weeds.
Louis: Your thoughts on Ozu's direction, and thoughts on the supporting cast, if you haven't given them already?
A:
Lead:
1. Fernanda Montenegro - Central Station
2. Frankie Potente - Run Lola Run - 5
3. Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth (Yes she's still the same rating)
4. Elodie Bouchez - The Dreamlife of Angels - 4.5
5. Natacha Regnier - The Dreamlife of Angels - 4.5
6. Christina Ricci - Buffalo '66
7. Christina Ricci - The Opposite of Sex - 4.5
8. Alexandra Dahlstrom - Show Me Love
9. Rebecka Liljeberg - Show Me Love
10. Louise Goodall - My Name is Joe
11. Manisha Koirala - Dil Se..
12. Robin Tunney - Niagara Niagara
13. Emily Watson - Hillary and Jackie - 4.5
14. Shim Eun-ha - Christmas in August
15. Rachel Griffiths - Hillary and Jackie - 4.5
16. Lisa Kudrow - The Opposite of Sex - 4.5
17. Ally Sheedy - High Art - 4.5
18. Natasha Lyonne - Slums of Beverly Hills - 4
19. Sandra Oh - Last Night - 4
20. Oprah Winfrey - Beloved - 4
And:
Jane Horrocks - Little Voice
Catherine Deneuve - Place Vendome
Kim Dickens - Zero Effect
Supporting:
1. Lynette Curran - The Boys - 4.5
2. Kimberley Elise - Beloved - 4.5
3. Laura Linney - The Truman Show
4. Beverly D'Angelo - American History X
5. Parker Posey - Henry Fool - 4
6. Angelica Huston - Ever After - 4
7. Toni Collette - Velvet Goldmine - 4
8. Sissy Spacek - Affliction
9. Jennifer Connelly - Dark City
10. Bridget Fonda - A Simple Plan
11. Natasha Gregson Wagner - Another Day in Paradise - 4
12. Jane Adams - Happiness
13. Toni Collette - The Boys
14. Na Moon-hee - The Quiet Family - 4
15. Marisa Tomei - Slums of Beverly Hills - 4
16. Kathy Bates - Primary Colors
17. Preity Zinta - Dil Se...
18. Lisa Gay Hamilton - Beloved - 4
19. Cayetana Guillén Cuervo - The Grandfather - 4
20. Meryl Streep - One True Thing - 4
Luke:
I suppose I'll be reviewing Woods at some point.
Villeret - 4.5(He is his film in almost in its entirety as frankly I don't know if the material is even great but Villeret just is able to bring such a silly yet in a way wily energy that just brings to the film such a genuine momentum. Villeret is able to make every little scene a set piece of sorts in his character both bumbling yet competent in his way of going about life, and trying to fix things in this situation where he brings the right high flying energy where you see him both as a fool, but also smart in his strange way. While also wholly delivering in his reactions of the betrayal scene where he brings a natural humanity within the role, partly because he never goes absurd to the point of completely unbelievable to begin with. Creating a convincing "fool" who could also be accused of being a mad genius.)
Gallo - 4.5(Gallo is one of the weirdest presences to discuss because he is actively off-putting in just his general presence, yet for some reason it works in a very specific arena. In this instance, in his film, it does work where somehow as horrible as he plays his part, there is something strangely fascinating about him all the same, and perhaps it is the way Gallo is able to contain a strange reality within the character's rather extreme reactions throughout, making the random moments of some kind of solace or potential change hit harder, because you believe the despicable degenerate without question, so Gallo making him something more than that, without denying that is most impressive, though how it works or why it does, is still a little bit of a mystery.)
Banderas - (Banderas just excels in everything asked of him, as he's an entertaining bumbling fool, though with a genuine intensity as well around his brother, he brings the right comedy with Hopkins in his inadequacies, yet then naturally balances actions scenes in showing the building confidence of Zorro. Banderas creates the right sense of growth basically how in the first mission is a lot of luck but in each further you see him growing in his ability each time, then becomes such a charismatic hero by the end of it. While also bringing an alternative charm as the fake noble that brings the right facade and of course having great chemistry with Zeta-Jones in every iteration of it where they do so much in a look, though often more. Banderas basically is anything the film needs him to be.)
Hopkins - (I mean him as old Zorro seems ridiculous so the fact that he actually does pull it off more or less, is quite impressive in itself. Hopkins though makes it look easy by the end, which is remarkable, but in doing so has such pontent gravitas in the role just instantly creating his own presence while striking up great chemistry with Banderas himself both in the moments of dramatic intention in their discussions of revenge, and their moments of comedy. But also while completely delivering on his quiet distress over his daughter, while also bringing a warmth and tenderness there too, particularly in the final scene.)
Owen - 4(Purely based on a low key presence, however Owen certainly delivers on that Mitchum style noir protagonist who is passive in a way despite being active, and Owen offers that with an easy style that carries the film most effectively.)
Woods - 4(You can tell Woods is just making stuff up with truly random smarmy improvs but it actually grants the film some much needed energy misses from almost all other places. Woods manages to throw himself around to give the film any kind of life where he can and succeeds to an extent, even if he can't save it entirely.)
Owens - 4(I would say maybe slightly less convincing late in the film, where the film itself becomes less convincing because of where it goes so suddenly. Having said that, Owens gives a good performance that manages to create some emotional depth within a purposefully often irreverent performance, that is filled with a wild manic energy, that isn't exactly endearing yet convincingly creates this boy in a horrible situation getting through it by living in his own world.)
Donovan - 4(His deadpan work is consistently funny in the film where everything he faces with a well timed shrug. What is more impressive is the fact is that he does have an emotional core within the character's rather quiet demeanor that creates a sense of the man, even as his work often is best just by showing this expression of a man who has to deal with way to much shit, for a lack of a better word.)
Leung - 4(The only thing that comes to life for the whole movie where he's not just droning on about whatever in the dullest tone. Leung actually comes to life emotionally and manages to make an impact even within the very contained limitations of the script.)
Wenham - 4(I mean effective in just being psychopathic trash, without charisma or charm, though there is a hideous power he brings in showing just how vile every inch of him is. Wenham is the worst by being convincing as just being a man of no value, who yet is given the time of day.)
Washington - 4(As previously stated his side plot is unneeded, but Washington brings some much needed gravitas, lacking in the true leading man, and brings a nice balance in terms of the character's overall charisma with the balance of the emotional sensitivities of the man around his son. Washington brings the layers of alluding to the past at all times, though not as straight regret, rather there's still a sense of denial even in the scheming and Washington brings that complexity with a natural ease.)
Stiller - 4(The film doesn't quite know what to do, however Stiller actually is pretty good in creating the ever increasing intense state of the man who gets worse and worse with his drug habit. Finding powerfully the moments of manic highs mixed in with the exceptionally pathetic lows that shows a lot of potential for what could have been potentially a great performance if the film was a little better.)
Ryan - 4(Oddly charismatic while not being charismatic in a way in that his character is espousing nonsense but with this commanding voice and strange confidence that it makes the character just oddly fascinating at times.)
Redford - 4(Proper star Redford on display as he brings such an easy presence here, so much natural warmth, natural wisdom and even the natural romantic quality. He has that ease which is Redford at his best.)
Jacobi - 3.5(The film is too scattershot to have him build towards something but he does have moments where you see this sudden intense sadism in his eyes that are rather striking even if everything is too all over the place for it to all work.)
Vince - 3.5(Manages to give honesty to every one of his character's EXTREMELY earnest lines, however Vince really is earnest here that he makes them kind of work to an extent, because he just seems so genuinely pure in his friendship and passions.)
McKellar - 3.5(Self-direction always can go a few ways, he's entirely good though portraying this kind of stunted emotional state of the character not exactly knowing what he's doing despite having this very specific manner of a man who does. But as a man who doesn't, which might not seem like it makes sense but it does.)
Urbaniak - 3.5(Kind of purposefully the more passive less charismatic one, and he does a fine job at that...I suppose. In bringing this sort of clinging energy that always bends to the will of Henry, if also seeming insular in his own way. Although I would say it is always not quite a caricature but you only feel like it goes so deep.)
Gomez - 3.5(Brings the needed sort of cold gravitas that slowly moves away to some warmth that manages to bring a certain emotion within the man effectively enough.)
Scott - 4(His note is enjoyable in just seeming kind of annoyed by being in the thriller more than anything, and appreciated always his "what the hell" reaction to everything that was going on as someone not quite sure why it was happening to him but surely not at all loving any of it. In a way made it all more tangible since he brought such a down to earth manner through all of it.)
Glover - 3.5(I'll give him credit for not completely failing in some truly terrible scenes of ridiculousness, in that Glover does try his best to push through them even if he's maybe not always entirely successful and is sometimes brought down by Newton's bizarre work. He has good moments though with Oprah in particular in this almost loving, but not quite manner, and just a sense of a seasoned man worn by the years a bit.)
Scott - 3.5(He's decently charming here, didn't quite knock my socks off, but more or less liked him.)
Craig - 3.5(Kind of see how Craig's presence isn't *quite* there yet, but his talent is evident in parts in some of the intensity he brings but it isn't quite perfect either. Although thankfully it does largely work for the part which is man all out of sorts almost at all times.)
Culkin - 3.5(Actually does a fine job in terms of really trying to sell the sometimes questionable material, bringing an endearing energy even if he sometimes has to get a little lost within a more questionable line or two.)
Adams - 3.5(A very specific performance that is basically like a self-imposed caricature, however I did find he had a definite charm in that performance.)
Ganz - 3.5(His reactions are effective, but he's dubbed and this very much is a director's film)
De Niro - 3.5(Really good in the early parts where he gets to bring some more atypical energy into the exposition scenes showing the wily and eccentric method while being professional. Unfortunately as the film goes on he's asked just to be a straightforward tough guy, though he's of course fine at that.)
Henson - 3.5(He and Culkin I think were game to make something special, even if the script and direction isn't quite there. He has some moments in the more emotional scenes that are a little off, however in terms of portraying the sort of timidness that becomes passion fueled by "freak", he does bring an honesty there that works more often than not.)
Beach - 3(This might be his best performance, however he's an actor where you can always see the limitations where he's always on the edge of stiffness, and there' s a lot of moments where he could bring so much more than he does. He also does have some moments, but overall Beach just isn't that good of an actor unfortunately.)
Penn - 3(This might surprise some, but Penn's not the problem with the film, he's actually trying really hard to sell the material and doesn't go into hammy Penn too often. The material though is just wretched beyond belief, however he's not always terrible in selling it, even if he basically just has to be all over the place and it isn't exactly cohesive.)
Lhermitte - 3(Doesn't exactly make himself likable even when the film wants you to start sympathizing with him, however he is completely fine in bringing a contrasting pompous energy albeit always overshadowed by his co-star)
Thomas - 2.5(Goes in and out of effectiveness, there are times he feels very real with Tunney, other times where his performance seems extremely forced and just goes back and forth between both. He's not terrible, but he's just not consistent.)
Roth - 2.5(This part needed someone who had an innate spirit and magic to their work that made you believe their slightly otherworldly quality. Roth though is just too down to earth and in a way his presence is too innately kind of unpleasant that he just was the wrong choice for this role. He can't find the right style for the tone and flounders within it.)
Kartheiser - 2.5(Comically I found the opposite age and gender pairs the compelling half for each. Kartheiser I don't think is atrocious or anything, however I don't think he's great at all, and someone had the potential to be truly great here. Instead I feel the performance too often which is a real problem for such material particularly when I felt Woods and Wagner just felt real, where he and Griffith felt too often performative.)
Caine - 2.5(It's over is well acted in bringing such emotional desperation, shame and sadness in his bad singing that gives the moment some power in itself. However, outside of it, it's really lost because the extreme switches of his character make no sense, and Caine doesn't portray them well. He never smoothes over the edges of the transitions just becomes whatever the script needs immediately. Worse though is the rest of his performance where he just is loud, overselling every line and every moment. No charm, no comedic, just annoying. )
Hawke - 2.5(Occasionally you see some semblance of his talent, more often though Hawke accentuates this smug indifference that is rather unappealing, particularly in some scenes where his character definitely seems like he ought to care about something.)
Branagh - 2.5(He could be worse here, in that his accent could be more ridiculous and some of his reactions less believable. But this is not a great generic leading turn from him by any measure.)
Williams - 2(The wrong man for this role, as this is one that just plays into his worst sensibilities of overplaying the sentiment to such extremes and really making everything so overly twee with that specific Williams delivery of wonderment, that just makes it all seem a bit fake.)
Allen - 2(He is *okay* in some of his scenes with Washington, and I mean just *okay*. The rest of the time he's stiff as a board, and whenever he is asked to be emotional it is just overwrought instantly.)
Probably, it's a pretty strong lineup.
Jonathan Williams:
Costumes:
1. Shakespeare in Love
2. Elizabeth
3. The Big Lebowski
4. The Mask of Zorro
5. Velvet Goldmine
Song:
1. "I'll Make a Man Out of You" - Mulan
2. "When You Believe" - The Prince of Egypt
3. "Deliver Us" - The Prince of Egypt
4. "Iris" - City of Angels
5. "The Plagues" - The Prince of Egypt
Brazinterma:
Song:
6. "Reflection" - Mulan
7. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" - Armageddon
Score:
6. Run Lola Run
7. Saving Private Ryan
Poster:
1. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
2. Eternity and a Day
3. The Truman Show (TV)
4. Happiness
5. The Prince of Egypt
6. Ever After
7 .Saving Private Soldier (Lone Soldier)
Editing:
1. Run Lola Run
2. Saving Private Ryan
3. The Thin Red Line
4. The Mask of Zorro
5. The Quiet Family
6. The Truman Show
7. Eternity and a Day
Adapted Screenplay:
6. The Prince of Egypt
7. Out of Sight
Original Screenplay:
6. The Quiet Family
7. Eternity and a Day
Ensemble:
1. The Thin Red Line
2. The Big Lebowski
3. Run Lola Run
4. Buffalo '66
5. The Quiet Family
6. Affliction
7. SLC Punk
Blockbusters:
1. The Truman Show
2. The Mask of Zorro
3. Saving Private Ryan
4. Shakespeare in Love
5. The Prince of Egypt
6. Rush Hour
7. Mulan
Tahmeed:
3.5.
Given it is a twist based thriller, 4.5 until a second viewing.
Perfectionist:
I should note my Scream rankings are based on having seen the film in like 97.
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