Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Oct 11, 2014 16:17:39 GMT -5
THE 10 BEST OSCAR WINNERS FOR BEST PICTURE#10 - TITANIC (1997)The love story is cliche and Leonardo DiCaprio was in his annoying Pretty Boy phase. So, I completely understand the complains by certain male viewers. But those two factors never bothered me. I was too caught up in James Cameron brilliantly re-creating the tragedy surrounding the Titanic. The film is a cinematic achievement. No one can deny that. Nearly 15 years later, when the movie transition from the old lady to Kate Winslet, it feels like you've been transported in time. If Avatar did a groundbreaking job of creating a new world and the species that live in it, then Titanic was equally groundbreaking in re-creating history. #9 - BRAVEHEART (1995)This is arguably the most badass movie that ever won Best Picture. Until Mel Gibson murders someone, I won't let his personal life affect my judgement of his films. It also doesn't bother me to see the King of England kick his son's gay lover out of a window. The scene was too funny and random to get upset about. Besides, if in the 21st century gay people are struggling for their rights, then just imagine the 13th century. The moment fit the scene and the historical context. #8 - AMERICAN BEAUTY (1999)Dark tales about suburbia are as old as episodes of the Twilight Zone. But while past writers used the suburbs as inspiration for comedy, horror, and even fantasy, Alan Ball chose to do a satire of life. Aided by director Sam Mendes, cinematographer Conrad Hall, composer Thomas Newman, and a steller cast, American Beauty is a contemporary masterpiece. #7 - KRAMER VS. KRAMER (1979) Kramer vs. Kramer is more relevant now than in 1979. Divorce rates are higher than ever while some couples choose not to get married. Plus, given our current economy, lots of breadwinners are struggling to make ends meet. But that's all besides the point. At the heart of the film, is a story about a father and his son. Conventional wisdom indicates that women are better parents, and while that's usually true, it isn't a fact. And that's the argument that this film makes. #6 - THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971)To quote Chris Rock, there are issues I'm liberal about and ones I'm conservative about. When it comes to the police, I definitely lean to the right. 1971 was a year when movies started the debate on cops. Dirty Harry, for example, was highly criticized by liberals. The French Connection, which is based on the true story of the biggest drug bust in New York history, is a lot more moderate by comparison. Popeye Doyle is definitely a Dirty Harry type, but William Friedkin's documentary-style direction gave the film a realistic tone. So, the movie is more of an observation than a chronicle. And since life isn't black & white, there's a lot to applaud Popeye Doyle for, but also some stuff to raise an eyebrow at. #5 - ROCKY (1976)The 49th Annual Academy Awards are, by far, the most talked about in Oscar history. It was one of the VERY few ceremonies where most of the nominees were great, classic films. Taxi Driver is considered an artistic masterpiece. Network is a classic of `70s social commentary. And, All the President's Men chronicles one of the most famous historical events of the decade. So, as expected, the jury is divided and no one can agree on a clear winner. As a result, Rocky has its critics. But let's look at the facts. Rocky is a classic in its own right. It is, by far, the most popular and iconic of all the nominees. And it's the one that audiences got emotionally invested in. #4 - SCHINDLER'S LIST (1993)1993 was a great year for Steven Spielberg. It was so great that he, unsuccessfully, tried to replicate it in 1997, 2002, 2005, and 2011. Basically, he took us on a wild ride with Jurassic Park and then gave us some harsh reality with Schindler's List. It's safe to say that this is one of the more depressing winners. I can't think of many people, except teachers, who have seen the film more than 2 or 3 times but it definitely sticks with you. I can't think of the Holocaust without this movie randomly popping into my head. #3 - AMADEUS (1984)Back in high school, if someone had told me that a movie about Mozart would be amazing, I would have questioned their sanity. And I think most people would agree. The reason I say that is because almost no one has seen it. Except music students forced to watch it at school. Even here, this film is very under-the-radar. I remember a few years ago I created a thread for the movie and no one responded. It's a shame so many people have ignored it, just because the subject matter seems boring. As Dracula would back me up, this film is a masterpiece. #1 & #2 - THE GODFATHER, PART I & II (1972, 74)The Godfather Saga is Citizen Kane for a contemporary audience. Michael Corleone, the central character in the series, was ruined by the excess of power and the paranoia that comes along with it. Combine that with the immigrant tale of Vito Corleone and you have a story that connects with viewers on a deeper, psychological level. The Oscars, in a VERY rare moment, honored the correct two films. Although, at the same time, they dropped the ball. The Godfather only won 3 awards and Al Pacino lost Best Actor for Godfather II. Meanwhile, John Cazale didn't even get nominated. It just comes to show that the Oscars wouldn't be the Oscars if they weren't pissing someone off. It's their trademark.
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Oct 11, 2014 16:22:26 GMT -5
PG COOPER 10. GladiatorYeah, there were plenty of better movies that year ( Memento, Traffic, Requiem For A Dream, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, etc) but that doesn't mean Gladiator isn't awesome. It's got Russel Crowe being a badass stabbing people. Plus it's actually a pretty smart film too, with an interesting theme of using the media to gain power at the center of the film. 9. The Deer HunterThe Deer Hunter has some amazing scenes. The Russian roulette scene, the guys last hunt, and the final scene all come to mind. It also features great acting, especially from Robert De Niro and Best Supporting Actor winner Christopher Walken. But there's also large stretches which aren't terribly interesting, hence why it's only at nine. 8. Ben-HurI was apprehensive about watching a four hour film, but Ben-Hur really delivered. It was dramatic, exciting, grand, and had great performances from both Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd. The final chariot race is one of the best action scenes ever. But after that, the film goes on for about 45 minutes and everything slows down. Ben-Hur would probably be a lot higher if not for the overly long epilogue. 7. The ApartmentThis movie is extremely charming. It's a screwball love story with an interesting love triangle and a great cast. How can you not love Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine? It's not exactly the deepest of films, but it's impossible to watch this film and not feel good. 6. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's NestThe cast to this film is incredible. Brad Dourif, William Redfield, Danny DeVito, Christopher Loyd, Will Sampson, and others breath life to the inmates at the hospital. And of course there's Jack Nicholson, who delivers a performance which may be the best of his career. Louise Fletcher creates one of cinema's most powerful villains in Nurse Ratchet. The film balances being both side splitting funny, but also heartbreaking. So why does it not make the top five? There's a few scenes that I really dislike. Such as the ending, and a certain scene where they escape the hospital, but there aren't any real repercussions. I think Ebert said it best when he described it as "...a film so good in so many of its parts that there's a temptation to forgive it when it goes wrong. But it does go wrong...". 5. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingSure, it has about twelve different endings, but Return of the King is still an epic ending to a grand achievement in filmmaking. The stakes are insanely high. You really feel the scope of what the characters are fighting for. The action scenes are spectacular, and being the last film in the trilogy, all the actors bring out their A-game. It's a monumental film which is both emotional, as well as epic. It may not be my favourite Rings film ( Fellowship forever), but it's still a tremendous film. 4. Annie HallThis movie works because the relationship between Alvy and Annie works. Throughout all the ups and downs, you always like these two. You also want them to stay together, not so much because they're a great couple, but because they're just so much fun to watch. Woody Allen and Diane Keaton play off each other wonderfully, and the dialogue is superb. It's a film that makes me laugh, it's a film that makes me think, it's awesome. Also, the amount of small cameos here from people who would later find success is insane. Shelley Duvall, Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum, and Sigourney Weaver?!? Damn... 3. The Departed Go ahead and tell me about how it was a pitty Oscar, guess what, I don't give a s***, cause I freaken love The Departed. I loved it the first time I saw it, I love it now, and I'll likely continue to love it for a very long time. The cast is perfect. Nicholson, Damon, DiCaprio, Baldwin, Farmiga, Wahlberg, Sheen, Winstone, and a crap load of others. The movie also has some wicked dialogue and Scorsese pumps the whole thing with so much energy that you're on the edge of your seat for the entire two and a half hours. It's also got a pretty intricate plot. People complain there isn't a lot of subtext or themes in the film. Maybe not, but even if there was it be hard to tell. There's so much going on that you're focus is on the plot the whole time. And in case anyone's wondering, no, this was not my favourite film of 2006. I preferred Letters From Iwo Jima and Children of Men. But that doesn't mean I can't be happy about The Departed winning. Yeah, I love this film, sue me. 2. PlatoonOf the few Vietnam films I've seen, Platoon is probably my favourite. It's a brilliant study on the war and the effects it had on the soldiers. It studies the conflict that existed between not just the Americans and the Viet Cong, but also Vietnamese villagers, and the conflict within America. Particularly with praising are the excellent performances from Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger. The whole cast is great, but those two? Damn. The cinematography is also incredible, and Oliver Stone gives the film a certain cold atmosphere. It's a film that can be appreciated on multiple levels. One of the best war films I've ever seen. 1. The Silence of the Lambs"Good evening Clarice." I love everything about this film. I love the chilling atmosphere, the fact that you could cut the tension with a knife. I love the writing. It's an intelligent thriller with some brilliant dialogue. I love the blunt, unstylish, and realistic cinematography. I love the haunting music. I love the tight pace. But most of all, I love the acting. Jodie Foster is great as the young Clarice Starling, an F.B.I trainee who grows immensely through the film. Ted Levine is criminally underrated as the sick and twisted Buffalo Bill. And then there's Anthony Hopkins. Hopkins creates Hannibal Lecter, one of my all time favourite characters in film. Everything he does and says is memorable. I will remember Hannibal Lecter til the day I die. Overall, it's a brilliant film which succeeds on all levels. Thank you to Jonathan Demme for bringing all this to the screen flawlessly.
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Post by Fiverrabbit2014 on Oct 13, 2014 14:53:11 GMT -5
Niels Arden Oplev's Speed Walking shortlisted for Oscar Submission Based on a novel by Morten Kirkskov, it is set in 1970s Denmark and centres on young Martin, whose mother's sudden death triggers a series of events that affect his small community.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Oct 13, 2014 17:31:34 GMT -5
How about we start our own lists of the 10 worst Best Picture Winners?
In no particular order...
10. Cimarron 9. Oliver! 8. An American In Paris 7. Out of Africa 6. Gigi 5. The Greatest Show On Earth 4. Around The World in 80 Days 3. Crash 2. Shakespeare In Love 1. Tom Jones
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Post by Jibbs on Oct 13, 2014 18:05:21 GMT -5
I think I've only seen three of those...
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Oct 13, 2014 18:10:11 GMT -5
If there's one thing I learned from my summer of watching all the Best Picture winners, it's that there are a lot of really crummy Best Picture winners.
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Oct 13, 2014 18:42:27 GMT -5
From best to worst:
10. Out of Africa 9. How Green was My Valley 8. West Side Story 7. Crash 6. Cavalcade 5. An American in Paris 4. My Fair Lady 3. Chariots of Fire 2. Around the World in 80 Days 1. Driving Miss Daisy
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Oct 13, 2014 18:43:18 GMT -5
Keep in mind I've only seen four of the films Doomsday listed, and I've also only seen 65 Best Picture winners.
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Oct 13, 2014 18:44:33 GMT -5
Also, I should quickly mention my list of the Best best picture winners had the stipulation that I wouldn't have any of the films that either Neverending had listed, or Dracula had referenced in response. Otherwise it would look very different.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Oct 13, 2014 19:11:04 GMT -5
Eff, HOW did I forget Out of Africa??
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Dracula
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Post by Dracula on Oct 13, 2014 19:18:50 GMT -5
Best 1. The Godfather Parts I and II 2. Lawrence of Arabia 3. The Apartment 4. The Bridge on the River Kwai 5. Annie Hall 6. Casablanca 7. Platoon 8. No Country For Old Men 9. Amadeus 10. 12 Years a Slave
Worst 1. Cimarron 2. The Greatest Show on Earth 3. The Broadway Melody 4. Oliver 5. Driving Miss Daisy 6. GiGi 7. Going My Way 8. A Beautiful Mind 9. Shakespeare in Love 10. The King's Speech
Asterisk, I barely remember anything about Cavalcade, Grand Hotel, or The Great Ziegfeld, they might be worse.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Oct 13, 2014 19:21:42 GMT -5
How about we start our own lists of the 10 worst Best Picture Winners? In no particular order... 10. Cimarron 9. Oliver! 8. An American In Paris 7. Out of Africa 6. Gigi 5. The Greatest Show On Earth 4. Around The World in 80 Days 3. Crash 2. Shakespeare In Love 1. Tom Jones Updated. I left a couple out that were much worse than the ones I previously had. Oliver, I hated that film.
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Oct 13, 2014 19:51:46 GMT -5
Worst1. Cimarron 2. The Greatest Show on Earth 3. The Broadway Melody 4. Oliver 5. Driving Miss Daisy 6. GiGi 7. Going My Way 8. A Beautiful Mind 9. Shakespeare in Love 10. The King's Speech You're telling me that there are four Best Picture winners worse than Driving Miss. Daisy? Looking forward to those....
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Oct 14, 2014 13:57:20 GMT -5
Just wait, just you wait...
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Oct 15, 2014 16:39:02 GMT -5
Neil Patrick Harris will host the Oscars. The horror. Just because he did great at the Tony's doesn't mean that'll translate to the Oscars. It's two completely different audiences. Just stick to Billy Crystal.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2014 12:35:46 GMT -5
THE 10 BEST OSCAR WINNERS FOR BEST PICTURE #9 - BRAVEHEART (1995)This is arguably the most badass movie that ever won Best Picture. Until Mel Gibson murders someone, I won't let his personal life affect my judgement of his films. It also doesn't bother me to see the King of England kick his son's gay lover out of a window. The scene was too funny and random to get upset about. Besides, if in the 21st century gay people are struggling for their rights, then just imagine the 13th century. The moment fit the scene and the historical context. What's even funnier is his awful Scottish accent. Let's also not forget Gibson's unmentioned pregnancy during the filming.
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Oct 18, 2014 0:49:40 GMT -5
THE 10 MOST ENDURING BEST PICTURE OSCAR WINNERS! Inspired by Dr. Jonesy, here is a list of what I consider the 10 most enduring/re-watchable Best Picture Oscar winners. Some will disagree, I'm sure of it, and you're free to present your counter-lists. To me, this is an interesting topic because, quite frankly, a lot of politics go into selecting the Oscar winner for Best Picture. The Academy doesn't always have audiences and critics in mind when they make their choices. So more often then not they hand out awards to movies that leave people scratching their heads years later. I mean... is Out of Africa really better than Back to the Future? Secondly, there's GREAT films that are simply tough to watch. Schindler's List is a masterpiece, and very deserving of its Best Picture win, but nobody re-watches it unless they have to. So, I guess one could argue that this is simply a list of the more entertaining winners and artistic value may not be present in some cases. With all that being said, here we go: HONORABLE MENTION Titanic (1997)CS! is mostly populated by guys and we never truly embraced Titanic except for its technical achievement. However, it cannot be denied that the film has become a classic among females. So, for those reasons, I'm giving it an honorable mention. Although, in truth, this is one of the 5 most enduring films to win a Best Picture Oscar. Titanic was, and is, a worldwide sensation and that's not something you normally associate with a top-prize Oscar winner. #10 - AMADEUS (1984)Yes, of all the pictures I could have possibly chosen, I'm going with that one because I'm a pervert. Anyway... I absolutely love this movie and most people that have watched it seem to love it as well. But that's the key issue. How many people under 40 have actually seen Amadeus? That's why I'm ranking this at #10. Awareness for Amadeus isn't great but if you ever get a chance to see it, it'll stay with you forever. #9 - LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING (2003)I'm not entirely certain how a 4 hour movie with 10 endings can be "enduring" but there is no denying that the fanbase for LOTR is quite large and they'll support this movie till the very end. I'm sure there's a few people here that have seen the Extended Cuts of the trilogy over a hundred times. #8 - THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991)I'm sure I'm gonna get a lot of s--t for ranking this at #8 since many would easily rank it at #1, but I've never been "a fan" of it per say. It's certainly a very effective thriller with memorable characters and performances, but I've never found the story to be all that great. However, from an entertainment standpoint, it certainly among the most re-watchable Best Picture winners. #7 - RAIN MAN (1988)There's nothing more cliche' than an Oscar winning movie about disabilities, but Rain Man manages to standout by largely being a comedy. In fact, that's actually very dangerous when you think about it. Rain Man had the potential to be incredibly offensive to mentally handicapped people, but director Barry Levinson and star Dustin Hoffman always avoid crossing the line. It also has to be noted that perhaps the reason why the movie works so well is because Tom Cruise is the central character. He isn't the most likable of characters but his relationship with Rain Man is very believable, natural, and sweet. #6 - AMERICAN BEAUTY (1999)Earlier, I mentioned how political the Oscars can be. However, sometimes, that can be a good thing. American Beauty is a quirky comedy that would have likely been ignored by the Oscars had it not been made by DreamWorks, a studio that's co-owned by Steven Spielberg. The film covers a wide-range of topics like mid-life crisis, teen melodrama, homosexuality, sex, drugs, and suburbia. And that's why I think it holds up so well. It analyses human nature and that's more relatable and fascinating than, say, a movie about a king with a speech impediment. #5 - BRAVEHEART (1995) There's nothing more cliche' than an Oscar winning historical drama. Except that there's nothing cliche' about Braveheart. Mel Gibson, essentially, made a blockbuster action-comedy that just happens to revolve around an important historical figure. It's badass, epic, ruthless, unapologetic, and easily one of the most entertaining movies to ever win a top prize at the Oscars. #4 - THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971)It's hard to believe this movie won 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture. The French Connection is everything the Oscars hate. That may seem difficult to believe in 2013 because we think of it as a gritty crime drama. But in reality, it's a mainstream action film that was trying to one-up Steve McQueen's Bullet. If you don't believe me, just remember that Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry was released the same exact year and it's essentially the same movie. And yet, it got no Oscar love whatsoever. The difference, I guess, would be that Dirty Harry is very politically in-your-face while The French Connection is based on a true story and presented as an observational piece so the filmmakers could distance themselves from any controversy. It's like comparing Zero Dark Thirty to Argo. But while Argo is a comedy-drama that features an important contribution by Hollywood in a major American political crisis, The French Connection is about a tough New York cop going after a French heroin dealer. It just doesn't feel like an Oscar movie, and yet, it is, and that's pretty cool. #3 & 2 - THE GODFATHER, PARTS 1 & 2 (1972 / 74)These two movies are unique because they're popular with mainstream audiences, movie buffs, critics, and the Oscars. If you want an example of enduring, here it is. HOWEVER, they're not quite #1. #1 - ROCKY (1976)Film Snobs and Critics really, really, really, really, REALLY hate that Rocky won Best Picture over Taxi Driver and Network, but can they really argue with an American cinematic landmark? Of course not. If you want the definition of an enduring Best Picture Oscar winner than look no further than Rocky. He may have lost to Apollo Creed but he won our hearts.
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Oct 18, 2014 0:53:48 GMT -5
OSCAR REWIND: 10 MOVIES & ARTISTS CELEBRATING BIG ANNIVERSARIES THIS YEAR! As we patiently await the 85th annual Academy Awards, hosted by Seth MacFarlane, let's take a trip to the past and re-visit some big Oscar moments that are turning an important age this year. You guys are more than welcomed to add some of your favorites. #10 - ROMAN POLANSKI WON BEST DIRECTOR FOR THE PIANIST!Some people were furious when Roman Polanski won an Oscar. Here's a rapist and fugitive winning a major award. Personally, I try my best to separate an artist from his personal life but it's definitely very difficult with Polanski. So, I understand people who believe this was a low point for the Oscars. #9 - EMINEM BECOMES AN OSCAR WINNER!Roman Polanski wasn't the only surprise winner 10 years ago. Controversial rapper Eminem won Best Song for 8 Mile. White people across the nation hadn't been so upset since the O.J. trial. And it would be deja vu three years later when Three Six Mafia won for It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp. As for me, I'm a minority and from an urban environment so I was thrilled since 8 Mile is my generation's Purple Rain. And that movie won an Oscar too. #8 - AL PACINO FINALLY GETS AN OSCAR!Al Pacino is considered one of the greatest actors of the last 40 years. In fact, he was nominated 4 years in a row back in the `70s. That's almost unheard of unless you're Meryl Streep. In 1992, it was crazy to think he hadn't won yet. So when he became a double-nominee for Scent of a Woman and Glengarry Glenn Ross everyone knew he had to win one of them. Conventional wisdom should have been Supporting Actor for the latter since Denzel Washington and Robert Downey, Jr. delivered amazing performances for Malcolm X and Chaplin, but there's also the political side of things. Pacino had never won. You can't just randomly give him a Supporting Actor award. It was okay for Gene Hackman in Unforgiven since he had won Best Actor over 20 years earlier for The French Connection, and so, Pacino got the big price. It's hard to say if he deserved it or not, but the Oscars tend to make mistakes when they're trying to correct other mistakes. In this case, they messed up when they didn't give Pacino the Oscar for The Godfather, Part II. #7 - MARISA TOMEI MUST HAVE SLEPT FOR AN OSCAR!In the soon-to-be 85 years of Academy Awards history, one of the most controversial things to ever occur was Marisa Tomei winning Best Supporting Actress for My Cousin Vinny. Gay people have never been so upset in their entire lives. How dare she win an Oscar over Vanessa Redgrave. Did her entire Oscar campaign involve opening her legs? Outrageous! Except... not. 20 years later, who the hell remembers Howards End? Or Enchanted April? Or Damages? My Cousin Vinny is a bonafide classic comedy and Marisa Tomei delivered a very memorable performance. She was the heart and soul of that movie. At the end of the day, she was the rightful winner. Her performance is the only one that stood the test of time. So, Vanessa Redgrave, go suck a ****. Is she even alive? Whatever. #6 - THE LAST EMPEROR WON BEST PICTURE AND NO ONE GIVES A S--T!If you've ever bothered to watch The Last Emperor it's understandable why it won the Oscar for Best Picture. However, 25 years later, it has become one of the most forgettable winners of all-time. Which is a shame because Bernardo Bertolucci is a great filmmakers and it's nice to know he has an Oscar. But in hindsight, the movie that should have won was Fatal Attraction. It's a classic and it's one of the few box office sensations made specifically for adults. And for the record, I'm not pulling Fatal Attraction out of a hat. It was nominated for Best Picture. I know that's difficult to believe since it's an erotic thriller... but it happened. #5 - GORDON GEKKO, CHER, AND JAMES BOND WON OSCARS!The 60th Academy Awards gave us some of the most fascinating actors to win an Oscar. Michael Douglas won for his iconic performance in Wall Street. Cher won for slapping Nicolas Cage in Moonstruck. Her co-star, Olympia Dukakis, also won. And James Bond himself, Sir Sean Connery, won for his memorable role in The Untouchables. If that isn't the most awesome collection of actors to win in a single year, then I don't know what is. #4 - GANDHI vs E.T.30 years ago, Richard Attenborough's biopic, Gandhi, went head-to-head with Steven Spielberg's record-breaking blockbuster, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. Over the past 84 Oscars there have been numerous instances of "art versus entertainment," but there's something about this one that really stands out, and I'll tell you why. Gandhi - kind of - sucks. It's difficult to say that because it's a movie about Gandhi, but there's no denying it's the type of film you fall asleep watching in a high school history class. I'm sure some will disagree, and I'm prepared for the flaming, but there's no doubt that E.T. is the more - enduring - of the two. By the way, did you guys know Tootsie was also nominated for Best Picture that year? How awesome is that? See, now THAT movie should have won. #3 - MARLON BRANDO GIVES HOLLYWOOD THE MIDDLE FINGER!This year marks the 40th anniversary of the most jaw-dropping moment in the history of the Academy Awards. Marlon Brando won Best Actor for his iconic portrayal of Don Corleone in The Godfather, but instead of showing up to accept the award, he sents an actress named Sacheen Littlefeather to complain about Hollywood's mistreatment of Native Americans. To say everyone in the room was pissed is an understatement. John Wayne almost beat the s--t out of this poor woman backstage. I kid you not. And look at the expression on Roger Moore's face. He knew some s--t was about to go down. And this all happened before the Internet. I'm sure the Oscars are crossing their fingers, hoping, that nothing like this ever happens again. #2 - 2012 vs 1962Everyone believes there was no clear-cut winner in 2012. This is considered the tighest Oscar race in recent memory, which is why tomorrow's ceremony will be so interesting. But for those of us with some knowledge of Oscar history, this year is deja vu. Half-a-century ago, Lawrence of Arabia won Best Picture, but it's easy to forget the other movies being honored that year. First up is To Kill a Mockingbird. It lost the big prize but Gregory Peck won Best Actor for playing Atticus Finch, a lawyer that defends a Black kid from a wrongful rape charge. This year, Ben Affleck's little desert movie, Argo, may win Best Picture, but Daniel Day-Lewis is a lock to win Best Actor for his portrayal of the man responsible for ending slavery. Interesting parallel, huh? But wait. It gets better. In 1962, The Music Man, based on a popular broadway musical, was nominated for Best Picture. This year, we have Les Miserable nominated in the same category and it's also based on a popular broadway musical. Weird, huh? Other movies being honored that year include Birdman of Alcatraz, The Manchurian Candidate, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, Divorce Italian Style, and Days of Wine and Rose to name a few. #1 - THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH IS ONE OF THE WORST MOVIES TO WIN BEST PICTURE... OR MAYBE NOT?Cecil B. DeMille is one of the most iconic filmmakers in the history of Hollywood. He put the show in show-business. So when he made a movie about Charlton Heston's struggles to put together the biggest circus show in America, it's understandable why it won the Academy Award for Best Picture. DeMille made a movie that's a metaphor for Hollywood. So, considering that the Oscars are an industry award, it's easy to see why they related to it. HOWEVER, for those of us who don't work in Hollywood, we see only one thing. High Noon was robbed. But let's also keep in mind that High Noon wasn't fully appreciated in 1952. It was the first movie to spit on the traditional American western. So, despite its obvious supporters, it also had people that wanted to see it fail, most notably Mr. John Wayne who ended up making a rival movie. You may have heard of it. It's called Rio Bravo. So, while it may seem crazy that this movie won, it makes sense within the context and Hollywood politics of 1952. In 60 years, I wonder what people will be saying about Zero Dark Thirty losing to Argo or Lincoln. It certainly seems like a similar scenario.
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Oct 18, 2014 8:58:44 GMT -5
Good lists, particularly the second one.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2014 10:51:08 GMT -5
John Wayne was a one-trick pony anyway.
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Doomsday
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Post by Doomsday on Oct 18, 2014 13:38:11 GMT -5
Man, I love The Last Emperor. Very underrated nowadays even considering the Oscars it won.
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PG Cooper
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Post by PG Cooper on Oct 18, 2014 14:32:29 GMT -5
The Last Emperor is one of my most painful Best Picture blind spots. Very disappointed in myself for not seeing it yet.
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Neverending
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Post by Neverending on Oct 18, 2014 15:16:19 GMT -5
Man, I love The Last Emperor. Very underrated nowadays even considering the Oscars it won. 1987. The year that gave us Lethal Weapon, Robocop and The Untouchables. Yeah... there's a reason why no one cares - or even remembers - The Last Emperor.
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Dracula
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Post by Dracula on Oct 18, 2014 15:51:45 GMT -5
Adjusted for inflation, The Last Emperor was actually the lowest grossing Best Picture winner of the modern Post-1980 era until The Hurt Locker came along.
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Post by Neverending on Oct 18, 2014 16:02:09 GMT -5
Fatal Attraction should have won. Dracula hates it but the rest of the world loved it.
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