The soap opera known as the Clinton impeachment trial has consumed so much of everyone's time that few could spare a moment to see moviedom's 1998 offerings.  Impeachment or not, however, life goes on in Hollywood and the film industry is now gearing up for the Oscar awards.  Here are my nominations for 1998s top films and actors.

Best Film

Dark City.  The tale of a New York mega-developer that proposed building Boston's third tallest building smack dab in two residential communities — the Fenway and the Back Bay. The shadows from the structure would cast gloom from Boylston Street to the Charles River; critics said the film reminded them of another movie classic, Darkness at Noon.

Lost in Space.  The story of a woe begotten football team that couldn't find a home.  Bumped from South Boston and given the cold shoulder by House Speaker Finneran, the Patriots were last seen heading south for distant lands and unknown worlds.

Les Miserables.  The sad tale of nine candidates for the 8th Congressional District who spent a lot of time and even more money, only to see their hopes dashed in the end by a once unknown (but no longer … ) Mayor from Somerville.

The Siege.  The dramatic story of downtown residents under attack by a seemingly endless array of development proposals, from Fenway Park to (count 'em) four Millennium developments to a hotel at City Hall Plaza.

Wild Things.  A thrilling yarn of dogs and a Common and the city law enforcement agency that mobilized to make sure the leash law was enforced.  The drama in the story occurs when local dog owners revolt, letting their four-legged pals run free.

The X Files.  The saga of the Combat Zone. Once Boston's designated "adult entertainment" area, the Zone fell prey to Chinatown residents who observed, quite sensibly, that there was no good reason they should be the only site for the X-rated industry to peddle its wares.  The smut shops shut down but 1998 saw efforts at a resurgence, including several high-profile battles where new strip clubs sought (and were denied) permission to open.

Zero Effect.  The story of the MBTA red line and the noise its trains make as they cut their way underneath Beacon Hill. Residents said they were shaking, the 'T said the trains had, as the title suggests, zero effect.

Best Actor or Actress

Peggy Davis Mullen, What Dreams May Come.  One city councilor's perhaps quixotic quest for Tom Menino's job.

Tom Finneran, Enemy of the State.  The Speaker's attitude towards those state representatives who do not give him their complete fealty.

Scott Harshbarger, The Faculty.  Once attorney general, now, much to a certain sitting Governor's dismay, plotting his comeback at Northeastern University.

Shannon O'Brien, The Avengers.  The new state treasurer lost no time giving the pink slip to Joe Malone's hired-only-on-the-merits-after-a-nationwide-search staff.

Marty Pierce, Rush Hour.  With four chauffeurs, Boston's Fire Department Commissioner never has to worry about the traffic.

Jane Swift, Out of Sight.  Candidate Cellucci used Swift to lure women's votes.  Governor Cellucci has quickly made Swift a nonentity in state government.