Actor Ben Affleck (1972)

The romantic comedy film, Shakespeare in Love (1998), was directed by John Madden. Set in London during 1593, it follows the story of William Shakespeare as he struggles with writer’s block while working for Philip Henslowe, owner of The Rose Theatre and the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. In an attempt to sell his new comedy, Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter, to rival theatre owner Richard Burbage, Shakespeare tries to seduce Rosaline, Burbage’s mistress. He also seeks advice from fellow playwright Christopher Marlowe. However, his plans are complicated when he discovers Rosaline is involved with ...

Phantoms (1998) is a science fiction horror film based on Dean Koontz’s novel of the same name. The movie, directed by Joe Chappelle and written by Koontz, follows Dr. Jennifer Pailey as she brings her sister Lisa to Snowfield, Colorado – a small ski village nestled in the Rocky Mountains where Jenny works. However, upon their arrival, they discover that the town is eerily deserted save for a few lifeless bodies. As they initially suspect a serial killer on the loose, Sheriff Hammond and his deputies are already ...

Armageddon (1998), an American science fiction disaster film, was both produced and directed by Michael Bay with Jerry Bruckheimer also on board. In the film, a colossal meteor shower obliterates the orbiting Space Shuttle Atlantis and proceeds to pummel various cities including New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Moncton, Halifax, and Newfoundland. Later in the film, we learn that these meteors were knocked out of the asteroid belt due to a collision with a rogue comet. In addition, this same collision caused a massive asteroid – comparable in size to Texas ...

Going All the Way (1997) is an American comedy-drama film directed by Mark Pellington, in his feature film debut. Set in 1954, it follows the story of two soldiers who meet on a train to Indianapolis after serving in the Korean War. One is GI Sonny Burns, while the other is popular athlete Gunner Casselman. Despite their differences, they quickly form a strong bond of friendship. Sonny’s mother Alma and his father Elwood are very strict, while Gunner’s mother Nina is more alluring. Sonny has a girlfriend, Buddy Porte, while Gunner dates Deedee. Sonny also teaches photography to Gunner and they become ...

Good Will Hunting (1997), an American drama directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, tells the story of a self-taught math prodigy from South Boston. Will Hunting, just twenty years old, has recently been released from prison and works as a janitor at MIT. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his friends Chuckie, Billy, and Morgan. One day, Professor Gerald Lambeau challenges his graduate students with a difficult combinatorial mathematics problem on the blackboard. To everyone’s ...

Chasing Amy (1997), an American romantic comedy-drama film by Kevin Smith, centers around the lives of comic book artists and best pals Holden McNeil and Banky Edwards. During a promotional event for their comic Bluntman and Chronic at a convention, they encounter Alyssa Jones, a fellow writer and friend of Hooper, an African-American writer and activist who uses a militant persona to market his comic White-Hating Coon. While Holden is immediately drawn to Alyssa, he soon discovers she identifies as a lesbian. As they spend time together, their friendship deepens much to the dismay of ...

Mallrats (1995), an American buddy comedy written and directed by Kevin Smith, follows college student T.S. Quint as he plans a trip to Universal Studios Florida with his girlfriend Brandi Svenning. Unfortunately, things take a turn when Brandi reveals she cannot join him due to filling in on her father’s dating game show, Truth or Date. This was after the original contestant tragically passed away while swimming at the local Y.M.C.A following T.S.’s hurtful comment about her weight. The couple argues and ultimately splits up. In need of support, T.S. turns to his friend Brodie Bruce, who is also dealing ...

Glory Daze (1995) is an American independent comedy film written and directed by Rich Wilkes. The story follows Jack Freeman, a 22-year-old graduating from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in art. Dealing with a recent breakup with his ex-girlfriend Dina, Jack shares a house nicknamed ‘El Rancho’ with four friends. Rob is also graduating and planning to move to Los Angeles with his girlfriend Joanie. However, he has concerns about settling down and living close to Joani’s mother. Dennis, on the other hand, is a perpetual student who has three degrees under his belt and will be ...

Dazed and Confused (1993), an American coming-of-age comedy film, takes place on the last day of school at Lee High School in Austin, Texas. As is tradition, the upcoming senior class plans to haze the incoming freshmen on May 28, 1976. In preparation for their championship season, Randall ‘Pink’ Floyd, the star football player, is asked to sign a pledge promising to abstain from drugs and any behavior that could jeopardize their success. Meanwhile, as classes come to an end, the new boys are pursued by seniors armed with paddles while the girls are corralled in the parking lot by Darla and her fellow senior girls. There they are doused with mustard, ...

The American drama film, School Ties (1992), directed by Robert Mandel, follows the story of 17-year-old David Greene. Despite his working class background in Scranton, Pennsylvania, David receives a scholarship to exclusive Massachusetts prep school St. Matthew’s Academy for his senior year due to his impressive grades and football skills. Before arriving at the school, he is involved in a fight with a nearby motorcycle gang who insults him for being Jewish, resulting in a bruised forehead. At St. Matthew’s, he meets his roommate Chris Reese and fellow teammates Rip Van Kelt, Charlie Dillon, Jack Connors ...