All Best Picture Oscars rated & reviewed
Its easy to badmouth the Oscars considering the Academy‘s ignorance over foreign films, their love of fluff and Biopics and the general lack of diversity between the nominees. People tend to forget that the Oscars are designed to honour specifically English-speaking films. Also, its one of the oldest movie awards that we have, so its at least interesting to go through the years and have a look at some terrific and some not so terrific choices of the Academy.
I have now seen 84 out of 93 Best Pictures
I have now seen 84 out of 93 Best Pictures
List activity
211 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
93 titles
- DirectorChloé ZhaoStarsFrances McDormandDavid StrathairnLinda MayA woman in her sixties, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.While not quite reaching the intimacy of Zhaos documentary-like The Rider, Nomadland is a beautiful portrait of a modern-day nomad, thats surprisingly devoid of tearjerking scenes, instead going for real people and believable character arcs (or lack thereof).
Favorite nominee: Sound of Metal (seen 4 of 8) - DirectorBong Joon HoStarsSong Kang-hoLee Sun-kyunCho Yeo-jeongGreed and class discrimination threaten the newly-formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.Parasites win as Best Picture against strong competition has to be one of the most satisfying moments in the long history of the Academy Awards. This audience favorite and critical darling is also my favorite film of 2019, uniting several genres, entertainment and the ambition of a true auteur.
Favorite nominee: Parasite (seen 9 of 9) - DirectorPeter FarrellyStarsViggo MortensenMahershala AliLinda CardelliniA working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver for an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.I guess I am more disapointed by the Academy for making it Best Picture than by the film itself. Green Book is an adequate, simplistic, entertaining, if overly safe crowd pleaser. I guess, if you have never seen another movie, it will move and satisfy you - otherwise it is shockingly forgettable.
Favorite nominee: The Favourite (seen 8 of 8) - DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsSally HawkinsOctavia SpencerMichael ShannonAt a top secret research facility in the 1960s, a lonely janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity.As a Horror enthusiast, I was delighted by this film. Its not really a Horror movie, but its hardly the kind that the Academy recognizes, especially with so many great fellow nominees. The set design ranks among the very best and the fearless performances are classic. A highly entertaining film, its one for movie buffs and casual viewers alike.
Favorite nominee: Phantom Thread (seen 9 of 9) - DirectorBarry JenkinsStarsMahershala AliNaomie HarrisTrevante RhodesA young African-American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.Interesting and unique story that ultimately feels a bit limited because of its relatively short running time. Still an impressive picture.
Favorite nominee: Manchester By The Sea (seen 9 of 9) - DirectorTom McCarthyStarsMark RuffaloMichael KeatonRachel McAdamsThe true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.Nothing we havent seen for decades in this Thriller on investigative journalism, but still a good low key winner with a powerful script.
Favorite nominee: The Revenant (seen 8 of 8) - DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsMichael KeatonZach GalifianakisEdward NortonA washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.Dynamic, dynamic, dynamic - Birdman is like a rush of color and is suprisingly rewatchable. A refreshing pick as a Best Picture, that instantly generated backlash...so what? Keaton, Watts, Stone and Norton make a great weirdo ensemble. Definitely the best Best Picture of that decade!
Favorite nominee: Birdman (seen 7 of 8) - DirectorSteve McQueenStarsChiwetel EjioforMichael Kenneth WilliamsMichael FassbenderIn the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free Black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.Great movie that could have easily fell into the Oscar-bait category but McQueens unique vision and the powerful performances make it stand out.
Favorite nominee: The Wolf Of Wall Street (seen 8 of 9) - DirectorBen AffleckStarsBen AffleckBryan CranstonJohn GoodmanActing under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.Argo is perfect entertainment, nothing more, nothing less. The script does a great job of compromising matters and the acting is competent. Still not a Best Picture, really.
Favorite nominee: Amour (seen 8 of 9) - DirectorMichel HazanaviciusStarsJean DujardinBérénice BejoJohn GoodmanWhen George, a silent movie superstar, meets Peppy Miller, a dancer, sparks fly between the two. However, after the introduction of talking pictures, their fortunes change, affecting their dynamic.Charming homage to Silent Movies in the wake of Sound, that has been made better in Singin In The Rain decades before. Nice, but forgettable.
Favorite nominee: The Descendants (seen 8 of 9) - DirectorTom HooperStarsColin FirthGeoffrey RushHelena Bonham CarterThe story of King George VI, his unexpected ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer.The definition of Oscar bait. Its a charming movie and, thank god, has Geoffrey Rush in it, but its formulaic approach is tiresome.
Favorite nominee: True Grit (seen 10 of 10) - DirectorKathryn BigelowStarsJeremy RennerAnthony MackieBrian GeraghtyDuring the Iraq War, a Sergeant recently assigned to an army bomb squad is put at odds with his squad mates due to his maverick way of handling his work.Besides the great and suspensful Sniper scene, The Hurt Locker feels like an Ok Indie film that never should have been eligible in the Oscar race (in an admittedly weak year).
Favorite nominee: Prescious (seen 10 of 10) - DirectorDanny BoyleLoveleen TandanStarsDev PatelFreida PintoSaurabh ShuklaA teenager from the slums of Mumbai becomes a contestant on the show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati?' When interrogated under suspicion of cheating, he revisits his past, revealing how he had all the answers.I always felt that the 00s wasnt the best decade for Best Picture choices. With Slumdog Millionaire, while not a masterpiece, I can at least see where its coming from. Its a classic, fairy tale, not too shallow, feel good movie that is as stylish as it is touching. Entertainment at its best.
Favorite nominee: Milk (seen 5 of 5) - DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsTommy Lee JonesJavier BardemJosh BrolinViolence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and over two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.Great, suspensful movie, that nevertheless is a bit overrated as one of 21st century’s greatest. Ultimately a good winner, but surely not the Coen’s best film.
Favorite nominee: There Will Be Blood (seen 5 of 5) - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioMatt DamonJack NicholsonAn undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston.Scorcese has a varied and quality career, its weird that this by-the-numbers remake won Best Picture. DiCaprios bored performance and the strange editing drags the movie down with Matt Damon, of all things, being its saving grace.
Favorite nominee: Little Miss Sunshine (seen 5 of 5) - DirectorPaul HaggisStarsDon CheadleSandra BullockThandiwe NewtonLos Angeles citizens with vastly separate lives collide in interweaving stories of race, loss and redemption.I guess enough has been said about this movie. Its entertaining, but has enough cringe-worthy moments to remind you of its reputation. Matt Dillon saves the film.
Favorite nominee: Brokeback Mountain (seen 5 of 5) - DirectorClint EastwoodStarsHilary SwankClint EastwoodMorgan FreemanFrankie, an ill-tempered old coach, reluctantly agrees to train aspiring boxer Maggie. Impressed with her determination and talent, he helps her become the best and the two soon form a close bond.Swank elevates this movie, her casting is pitch perfect. The rest feels a bit formulaic (save for the ending) but thoroughly entertaining.
Favorite nominee: Sideways (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodViggo MortensenIan McKellenGandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.I didnt think I would like it so much. The conclusion of an impressive trilogy - a Hollywood epic done right.
Favorite nominee: Lost In Translation (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorRob MarshallStarsRenée ZellwegerCatherine Zeta-JonesRichard GereTwo death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, and a sleazy lawyer's attention.This is definitely the worst Best Picture I watched so far. This got recognition because its a Musical, or what? Utterly embarrassing, weak performances by the leads. Urgh.
Favorite nominee: The Pianist (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorRon HowardStarsRussell CroweEd HarrisJennifer ConnellyA mathematical genius, John Nash made an astonishing discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. But the handsome and arrogant Nash soon found himself on a harrowing journey of self-discovery.Better than people give it credit for but still pretty Oscar-baity. Connelly elevates this movie to greater heights - watch it for her performance.
Favorite nominee: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorRidley ScottStarsRussell CroweJoaquin PhoenixConnie NielsenA former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.Gladiator is a good movie, very much a throwback to the epics of the 50s and 60s, though gladly with quite toned down theatralics and a great Crowe in the lead.
Favorite nominee: Traffic (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorSam MendesStarsKevin SpaceyAnnette BeningThora BirchA sexually frustrated suburban father has a mid-life crisis after becoming infatuated with his daughter's best friend.Still very watchable, acidic observation of life and definitely a surprise winner after a decade of mostly fluff Best Pictures.
Favorite nominee: The Sixth Sense (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorJohn MaddenStarsGwyneth PaltrowJoseph FiennesGeoffrey RushThe world's greatest ever playwright, William Shakespeare, is young, out of ideas and short of cash, but meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays.Predictable and light-weight, but still pretty entertaining. Not a Best Picture by any means, its flaws are outweighted by Paltrows delightful lead performance and superb supporting turns by Rush and Wilkinson.
Favorite nominee: The Thin Red Line (seen 5 of 5) - DirectorJames CameronStarsLeonardo DiCaprioKate WinsletBilly ZaneA seventeen-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic.The epic of my generation - I was kind of fed up with this movie until a current rewatch. Its technical achivements are impressive, its performances watchable. After all is said and done: a worthy winner.
Favorite nominee: LA Confidential (seen 5 of 5) - DirectorAnthony MinghellaStarsRalph FiennesJuliette BinocheWillem DafoeAt the close of World War II, a young nurse tends to a badly burned plane crash victim. His past is shown in flashbacks, revealing an involvement in a fateful love affair.Overblown and strangely distanced adaption that falls short of its goal of being an epic like Lawrence or Casablanca. Entertaining, yes, and an OK winner in a weak year.
Favorite nominee: Fargo (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorMel GibsonStarsMel GibsonSophie MarceauPatrick McGoohanScottish warrior William Wallace leads his countrymen in a rebellion to free his homeland from the tyranny of King Edward I of England.What a strange selection of nominees that year. The winner, Braveheart, is a typical Oscar-winner of the 1990s: blown up, patriotic, ultimately forgettable. I guess they had to go with it?
Favorite nominee: Il Postino (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsTom HanksRobin WrightGary SiniseThe history of the United States from the 1950s to the '70s unfolds from the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, who yearns to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.For nostalgic reasons, this is a real winner in many hearts, also in mine. Of course its sentimental and simplistic, but when watched as a sort of fairy tale, its a worthy winner.
Favorite nominee: Pulp Fiction (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsLiam NeesonRalph FiennesBen KingsleyIn German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.1993 turned out to be a triumph for Spielberg. His most personal film yet is also his best. Minor gripes couldnt hurt this perfect movie.
Favorite nominee: Schindler‘s List (seen 5 of 5) - DirectorClint EastwoodStarsClint EastwoodGene HackmanMorgan FreemanRetired Old West gunslinger William Munny reluctantly takes on one last job, with the help of his old partner Ned Logan and a young man, The "Schofield Kid."Maybe not the masterpiece people make it, but a solid and atmospheric, dark Western with great performances, especially from Hackman.
Favorite nominee: Unforgiven (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsJodie FosterAnthony HopkinsScott GlennA young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims.Without a doubt one of the best Best Picture winners of all time (and a personal favorite), Silence is still as intriguing as when it was released and remains a huge influence on the genre.
Favorite nominee: The Silence Of The Lambs (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorKevin CostnerStarsKevin CostnerMary McDonnellGraham GreeneLieutenant John Dunbar, assigned to a remote western Civil War outpost, finds himself engaging with a neighbouring Sioux settlement, causing him to question his own purpose.Despite beating out Goodfellas and making many cinephiles angry in the process, you cant deny Kostner’s mastery in this movie especially his gentle observations of the natives. A good winner.
Favorite nominee: Goodfellas (seen 5 of 5) - DirectorBruce BeresfordStarsMorgan FreemanJessica TandyDan AykroydAn old Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the American South have a relationship that grows and improves over the years.Unfortunately this movie is everything you are afraid it would be: sentimental, predictable, sugary, Morgan Freeman-ish, Jessica Tandy-ish. A few good scenes save the rating.
Favorite nominee: My Left Foot (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsDustin HoffmanTom CruiseValeria GolinoAfter a selfish L.A. yuppie learns his estranged father left a fortune to an autistic-savant brother in Ohio that he didn't know existed, he absconds with his brother and sets out across the country, hoping to gain a larger inheritance.The performances, especially Cruises, make the film a worthy winner. A moving, entertaining flick that influenced so many.
Favorite nominee: Rain Man (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorBernardo BertolucciStarsJohn LoneJoan ChenPeter O'TooleBernardo Bertolucci's Oscar-winning dramatisation of the life story of China's last emperor, Pu Yi.This extremely uneven movie tries to ballance an interesting, evocative first half with a hasted, mediocrely acted second. The art direction, costume design, cinematography are, of course, fantastic, but that just doesnt make a Best Picture.
Favorite nominee: Moonstruck (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorOliver StoneStarsCharlie SheenTom BerengerWillem DafoeChris Taylor, a neophyte recruit in Vietnam, finds himself caught in a battle of wills between two sergeants, one good and the other evil. A shrewd examination of the brutality of war and the duality of man in conflict.Its certainly clever to boil down the complex story of the Vietnam war to a fight of good vs. evil (Sergeants). You just cant expect to get much more than that. Platoon is still watchable for the merciless atmosphere, not so much for the cartoonish acting of the ensemble.
Favorite nominee: Hannah and her Sisters (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorSydney PollackStarsMeryl StreepRobert RedfordKlaus Maria BrandauerIn 20th-century colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness/plantation owner has a passionate love affair with a free-spirited big-game hunter.Clicheed and predictable story that doesnt allow too many insights into African culture. Its calm and level-headed directing is its strongest plus. Also, of course, Streep. And Brandauer.
Favorite nominee: Kiss of the Spider Woman (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorMilos FormanStarsF. Murray AbrahamTom HulceElizabeth BerridgeThe life, success and troubles of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as told by Antonio Salieri, the contemporaneous composer who was deeply jealous of Mozart's talent and claimed to have murdered him.Next to Platoon, Amadeus is surely the quintessential Best Picture Winner of the 80s, another triumph for Milos Forman, who also gets his second Best Director trophy (and again nearly wins the Big Five). The movie is a complete film, everything is in place, thoroughly enjoyable for everyone and sinister enough to stay with you, grandiose and moving.
Favorite nominee: Amadeus (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorJames L. BrooksStarsShirley MacLaineDebra WingerJack NicholsonFollows hard-to-please Aurora looking for love and her daughter's family problems.Very entertaining and moving film with great performances. The pace is a bit uneven and the many deep characters tend to overwhelm you at times, but Terms of Endearment is a worthy winner.
Favorite nominee: Terms of Endearment (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorRichard AttenboroughStarsBen KingsleyJohn GielgudRohini HattangadiThe life of the lawyer who became the famed leader of the Indian revolts against the British rule through his philosophy of nonviolent protest.Lenghty, but ultimately satisfying portrait of a great mind with some positively staggering scenes and a great scope. Ben Kingsley is simply amazing in this, though some of the supporting turns fall flat.
Favorite nominee: Gandhi (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorHugh HudsonStarsBen CrossIan CharlesonNicholas FarrellTwo British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, are driven to win in the 1924 Olympics as they wrestle with issues of pride and conscience.A pretty leftfield winner, though one that contains all the seemingly nescessary elements. It is enteraining and really does not leave a lot to be desired for a Sports drama.
Favorite nominee: Raiders of the Lost Ark (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorRobert RedfordStarsDonald SutherlandMary Tyler MooreJudd HirschThe accidental death of the older son of an affluent family deeply strains the relationships among the bitter mother, the good-natured father and the guilt-ridden younger son.A great movie, even more bleak and matter-of-fact than I imagined. Obviously its a real actors movie, but it still manages to create a terrifying image of suburbian prison through its fine cinematography.
Favorite nominee: The Elephant Man (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorRobert BentonStarsDustin HoffmanMeryl StreepJane AlexanderAfter his wife leaves him, a work-obsessed Manhattan advertising executive is forced to learn long-neglected parenting skills, but a heated custody battle over the couple's young son deepens the wounds left by the separation.Moving and sincere portrait of a father-son-relationship. Its biggest asset is its unpretentiousness and, of course, its performances.
Favorite nominee: All That Jazz (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorMichael CiminoStarsRobert De NiroChristopher WalkenJohn CazaleAn in-depth examination of the ways in which the Vietnam War impacts and disrupts the lives of several friends in a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania.Probably one of my biggest movie disapointments ever. Dont like it. Cant believe that Walken won for his over the top performance.
Favorite nominee: The Deer Hunter (seen 1 of 5) - DirectorWoody AllenStarsWoody AllenDiane KeatonTony RobertsAlvy Singer, a divorced Jewish comedian, reflects on his relationship with ex-lover Annie Hall, an aspiring nightclub singer, which ended abruptly just like his previous marriages.After 40 years, Annie Hall still feels fresh - its win is kind of surprising, especially after the very conventional Rocky. One of the definitive winners!
Favorite nominee: Annie Hall (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.In this really good year, the Academy choose one for the hearts. The movie is clichéd, occasional eye-rolls included, and easily the worst of the nominees (though I havent seen Bound for Glory)..but is still pretty entertaining.
Favorite nominee: Network (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorMilos FormanStarsJack NicholsonLouise FletcherMichael BerrymanIn the Fall of 1963, a Korean War veteran and criminal pleads insanity and is admitted to a mental institution, where he rallies up the scared patients against the tyrannical nurse.One of the three movies that got the Big Five awards and deservingly so, though this was probably the best bunch of nominees ever.
Favorite nominee: Impossible to decide! Gonna say...Jaws. (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroRobert DuvallThe early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.For many this is the quintessential sequel and one of the best films of all time. While it cant be denied that Part II is an incredibly ambitious film, its script tries to cover too much ground in its generous 202 minute run time. Still, the atmosphere, performances and set design gives Part II a grande aura and makes it a captivating watch.
Favorite nominee: The Conversation (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorGeorge Roy HillStarsPaul NewmanRobert RedfordRobert ShawTwo grifters team up to pull off the ultimate con.Entertaining but terribly overrated con flick with Redford and Newman on autopilot. Shaw saves the movie as the bonky villain. Compared with the other nominees, it makes me want to downrate The Sting.
Favorite nominee: Cries and Whispers (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMarlon BrandoAl PacinoJames CaanThe aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.Almost impossible to critize, graceful and suspensful adaption. Not a fan of Mafia-movies but as a family-saga its as good as it gets.
Favorite nominee: The Godfather (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsGene HackmanRoy ScheiderFernando ReyA pair of NYPD detectives in the Narcotics Bureau stumble onto a heroin smuggling ring based in Marseilles, but stopping them and capturing their leaders proves an elusive goal.Still, after nearly 50 years, The French Connection is an adrenaline rush, as raw as it gets, as politically incorrect as it gets. An unlikely and worthy winner.
Favorite nominee: A Clockwork Orange (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorFranklin J. SchaffnerStarsGeorge C. ScottKarl MaldenStephen YoungThe World War II phase of the career of controversial American general George S. Patton.Contains some iconic scenes and a great performance from Scott, but feels dated and bloated in a period that pushed cinematic boundaries.
Favorite nominee: Five Easy Pieces (seen 5 of 5) - DirectorJohn SchlesingerStarsDustin HoffmanJon VoightSylvia MilesA naive hustler travels from Texas to New York City to seek personal fortune, finding a new friend in the process.Low key and quite controversial at the time, Midnight Cowboy is an unlikely winner, but its heartfelt performances make it an universal and deserved Best Picture.
Favorite nominee: Midnight Cowboy (seen 1 of 5) - DirectorCarol ReedStarsMark LesterRon MoodyShani WallisAfter being sold to a mortician, young orphan Oliver Twist runs away and meets a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor in 1830s London.Oliver! really fell out of time, reminding me more of a 1950s Best Picture. Its also one of the most underrated ones. This Musical version of Dickens’ eternal classic strikes a suprisingly good ballance between the light songs and the dark story. Even if the songs are a little bit drawn out (save for the sublime Reviewing my Situation), the Score, Art Direction, Cinematography and especially the Casting are pitch perfect.
Favorite nominee: Oliver! (seen 1 of 5) - DirectorNorman JewisonStarsSidney PoitierRod SteigerWarren OatesA black Philadelphia police detective is mistakenly suspected of a local murder while passing through a racially hostile Mississippi town, and after being cleared is reluctantly asked by the police chief to investigate the case.This very important winner feels a bit dated, though the theme, of course, isnt. Its still suspensful and mainly watchable for the delicate chemistry between Poitier and Steiger, who were both at the top of their game.
Favorite nominee: The Graduate (seen 4 of 5) - DirectorFred ZinnemannStarsPaul ScofieldWendy HillerRobert ShawThe story of Sir Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII when the King rejected the Roman Catholic Church to obtain a divorce and remarry.I am really not the biggest fan of period pieces, but this one is competent and strikes a surprisingly emotional note during the imprisonment. There is also Robert Shaw. Good movie.
Favorite nominee: A Man for All Seasons (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorRobert WiseStarsJulie AndrewsChristopher PlummerEleanor ParkerA young novice is sent by her convent in 1930s Austria to become a governess to the seven children of a widowed naval officer.The ultimate escapist movie. This may come as a surprise for many, but this movie is totally unpopular in Europe. So it was possible to watch this without any prejudice. Its definitely a strange movie, featuring extremely sugary songs, a jodeling puppet theatre and Nazis. Its biggest asset, Judy Andrews, pulls the movie together, making it an ultimately enjoyable ride.
Favorite nominee: Doctor Zhivago (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorGeorge CukorStarsAudrey HepburnRex HarrisonStanley HollowayIn 1910s London, snobbish phonetics professor Henry Higgins agrees to a wager that he can make crude flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, presentable in high society.Wow, I didnt expect to like this one even less than Gigi. Rex Harrison obviously owns this movie, but who wants to watch his misanthropic Higgins talk-singing his way through three hours? Yes, thats right, three hours. I dont want to appear heretic, but dont all the songs sound very much alike? Plus, Hepburn isnt as enchanting as she could have been.
Favorite nominee: Dr Strangelove (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorTony RichardsonStarsAlbert FinneySusannah YorkGeorge DevineThe romantic and chivalrous adventures of adopted bastard Tom Jones in 18th-century England.I wasnt sure what to expect from one of the so-called worst Best Picture winners. What I got was a completely disrespectful period piece that combines sword fights, Benny-Hill style comedy, fourth wall breaks, dozens of characters and kinky humour into a very unique, very enjoyable piece of filmmaking.
Favorite nominee: Tom Jones (seen 1 of 5) - DirectorDavid LeanStarsPeter O'TooleAlec GuinnessAnthony QuinnThe story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks.The quintessential Best Picture, beloved by audiences, critics and the Academy. Despite this overwhelming acclaim, it does not disappoint, making it THE Hollywood epic for all times.
Favorite nominee: Lawrence of Arabia (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorJerome RobbinsRobert WiseStarsNatalie WoodGeorge ChakirisRichard BeymerTwo youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.A so-so first half unsucessfully tries to establish the gangs as tough guys and offers mostly tiring songs, of course with the exception of the sublime America. The second half turns the movie on its head with an impossibly gritty and intense finale that is sheer movie-making delight. Bookended by some of the best credits of all time.
Favorite nominee: Judgement at Nuremberg (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorBilly WilderStarsJack LemmonShirley MacLaineFred MacMurrayA Manhattan insurance clerk tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue.Ahh Billy Wilder, who doesnt like his movies? The Apartment is quintessential Wilder, its basic idea quite daring and features great performances.
Favorite nominee: The Apartment (seen 1 of 5) - DirectorWilliam WylerStarsCharlton HestonJack HawkinsStephen BoydAfter a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.There is nothing that hasnt been said about this one. Its quite a universal movie with great set pieces, but also with all the things we dislike about epics.
Favorite nominee: Anatomy of a Murder (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorVincente MinnelliCharles WaltersStarsLeslie CaronMaurice ChevalierLouis JourdanWeary of the conventions of Parisian society, a rich playboy and a youthful courtesan-in-training enjoy a platonic friendship which may not stay platonic for long.A period piece costume Musical with a deeply questionable view on women and hardly more than a few chuckles and sing-sangy melodies on the way. But hey, its a joy to look at!
Favorite nominee: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorDavid LeanStarsWilliam HoldenAlec GuinnessJack HawkinsBritish POWs are forced to build a railway bridge across the river Kwai for their Japanese captors in occupied Burma, not knowing that the allied forces are planning a daring commando raid through the jungle to destroy it.I was quite disapointed when I watched this, mainly because of its impeccable reputation. Its really far from perfect, a bit dusty, though it still features some delicate set pieces.
Favorite nominee: 12 Angry Men (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorMichael AndersonJohn FarrowStarsDavid NivenCantinflasFinlay CurrieA Victorian Englishman bets that with the new steamships and railways he can circumnavigate the globe in eighty days.For decades this one was the most unbeloved Best Picture - its really not a great movie, but not entirely without merits. Especially Cantinflas‘ performance is delightful. However, when compared with the other nominees and La Strada as the foreign winner, its hard not to downrate it.
Favorite nominee: Giant (seen 3 of 5) - DirectorDelbert MannStarsErnest BorgnineBetsy BlairEsther MinciottiA middle-aged butcher and a school teacher who have given up on the idea of love meet at a dance and fall for each other.A landmark in American Independent cinema, Marty is a sweet little movie that famously also won the Palme d‘Or. Borgnines performance is its heart and soul and even if the screenplay feels a little on the nose nowadays, his portrayal of a lonely Italo American is nothing but sincere.
Favorite nominee: Marty (seen 1 of 5) - DirectorElia KazanStarsMarlon BrandoKarl MaldenLee J. CobbAn ex-prize fighter turned New Jersey longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses, including his older brother, as he starts to connect with the grieving sister of one of the syndicate's victims.They got it right with this one. It sticks out like a sore thumb between 1950s Best Picture winners that consist mainly of epics. It still overwhelms with its filthy atmosphere and Brandos once in a lifetime performance.
Favorite nominee: On the Waterfront (seen 1 of 5) - DirectorFred ZinnemannStarsBurt LancasterMontgomery CliftDeborah KerrAt a U.S. Army base in 1941 Hawaii, a private is cruelly punished for not boxing on his unit's team, while his commanding officer's wife and top aide begin a tentative affair.Star-studded and legendary, but actually more low-key than expected, From Here to Eternity weaves three intimate stories together on a grand scale and gives us some of 1950s best American performances.
Favorite nominee: From Here to Eternity (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsJames StewartCharlton HestonBetty HuttonThe dramatic lives of trapeze artists, a clown, and an elephant trainer are told against a background of circus spectacle.not seen yet
- DirectorVincente MinnelliStarsGene KellyLeslie CaronOscar LevantThree friends struggle to find work in Paris. Things become more complicated when two of them fall in love with the same woman.Of course there are some beautiful set pieces and Kellys energy is magnetic, but most of the musical numbers fall flat - I just dont like the style. I very much prefer the perfect Singin in the Rain, which came out only a year later.
Favorite nominee: A Streetcar Named Desire (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorJoseph L. MankiewiczStarsBette DavisAnne BaxterGeorge SandersA seemingly timid but secretly ruthless ingénue insinuates herself into the lives of an aging Broadway star and her circle of theater friends.I cant quite grasp whats so special about the movie. Its script is delicious and Davis is great, but it pales in comparison to similar acidic observations in fellow nominee Sunset Blvd.
Favorite nominee: Sunset Blvd. (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorRobert RossenStarsBroderick CrawfordJohn IrelandJoanne DruThe rise and fall of a corrupt politician, who makes his friends richer and retains power by dint of a populist appeal.not seen yet
- DirectorLaurence OlivierStarsLaurence OlivierJean SimmonsJohn LauriePrince Hamlet struggles over whether or not he should kill his uncle, whom he suspects has murdered his father, the former king.This stark and impossibly serious and bleak version of the worlds most famous play is definitely a highlight among 1940s Best Pictures. Olivier shines while the cinematography is staggering.
Favorite nominee: The Red Shoes (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorElia KazanStarsGregory PeckDorothy McGuireJohn GarfieldA reporter pretends to be Jewish in order to cover a story on anti-Semitism, and personally discovers the true depths of bigotry and hatred.I dont think I can say it better than this quote from the films Trivia section: Gregory Peck later said regarding this film, "We felt we were brave pioneers exploring anti-Semitism in the United States -- today, it seems a little dated." While it has the best intentions, the film unfortunately never goes beyond „Anti-Semitism exists and its bad“.
Favorite nominee: Gentleman‘s Agreement (seen 1 of 5) - DirectorWilliam WylerStarsMyrna LoyDana AndrewsFredric MarchThree World War II veterans, two of them traumatized or disabled, return home to the American midwest to discover that they and their families have been irreparably changed.The best thing about 1947s winner is the dignity with which it treats the subject of war veterans coming home. Like with Mrs Miniver, its very hard to rate it without context, but the very different but uniformly great performances still convince.
Favorite nominee: The Best Years of Our Lives (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorBilly WilderStarsRay MillandJane WymanPhillip TerryThe desperate life of a chronic alcoholic is followed through a four-day drinking bout.Impossibly stark and shadowy picture for its times, The Lost Weekend is an early triumph for Billy Wilder and an unlikely but deserved Best Picture winner.
Favorite nominee: Mildred Pierce (seen 2 of 5) - DirectorLeo McCareyStarsBing CrosbyBarry FitzgeraldFrank McHughWhen young Father O'Malley arrives at St. Dominic's, old Father Fitzgibbon doesn't think much of the church's newest member.Out of line sugary, irritating characters and mostly headache-inducing songs. Wow. There is a saving grace, however, his name is Barry Fitzgerald. He makes that impossibly dated picture somehow watchable.
Favorite nominee: Going My Way (seen 1 of 5) - DirectorMichael CurtizStarsHumphrey BogartIngrid BergmanPaul HenreidA cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.One of cinemas eternal classics, its most famous scenes and lines etched into our brains forever, it is hard to criticize and there is really no need to: Cassablanca is an objectively great movie.
Favorite nominee: Casablanca (seen 1 of 10) - DirectorWilliam WylerStarsGreer GarsonWalter PidgeonTeresa WrightA British family struggles to survive the first months of World War II.Obviously a movie that could only be made in its times, Mrs Miniver still has its merits. Its a heartfelt and well acted, but unquestionably naive tale about morale and class.
Favorite nominee: Mrs Miniver (seen 1 of 10) - DirectorJohn FordStarsWalter PidgeonMaureen O'HaraAnna LeeAt the turn of the century in a Welsh mining village, the Morgans, he stern, she gentle, raise coal-mining sons and hope their youngest will find a better life.not seen yet
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsLaurence OlivierJoan FontaineGeorge SandersA self-conscious woman juggles adjusting to her new role as an aristocrat's wife and avoiding being intimidated by his first wife's spectral presence.As a big Hitchcock fan I was actually a bit disapointed with it. I liked the gothic set design and the chemistry between the leads, but the by-the-numbers who-done-it of the finale destroyed the magnificent mysterious build-up in an instant. Still worth watching.
Favorite nominee: The Grapes of Wrath (seen 4 of 10) - DirectorVictor FlemingGeorge CukorSam WoodStarsClark GableVivien LeighThomas MitchellA sheltered and manipulative Southern belle and a roguish profiteer face off in a turbulent romance as the society around them crumbles with the end of slavery and is rebuilt during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods.The 1930s had some terrific Best Pictures, but Gone With The Wind still manages to top it all, if only for the spectacle. Its an engrossing experience, not without flaws obviously, and endlessly watchable.
Favorite nominee: Gone With The Wind (seen 3 of 10) - DirectorFrank CapraStarsJean ArthurJames StewartLionel BarrymoreThe son of a snobbish Wall Street banker becomes engaged to a woman from a good-natured but decidedly eccentric family not realizing that his father is trying to force her family from their home for a real estate development.I refuse to see Capra, who only four years earlier won Best Picture with the sublime and witty It Happened One Night, as a director of these wide-eyed fairy-tale-like stories. Unfortunately, You Cant take it with You is just that. While Barrymores performance is a highlight, the naivety of this film sometimes is hard to take and its stage-origin is to apparent to engage me.
Favorite nominee: La Grande Illusion (seen 2 of 10) - DirectorWilliam DieterleStarsPaul MuniGale SondergaardJoseph SchildkrautThe biopic of the famous French muckraking writer and his involvement in fighting the injustice of the Dreyfus Affair.not seen yet
- DirectorRobert Z. LeonardStarsWilliam PowellMyrna LoyLuise RainerThe ups and downs of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., famed producer of extravagant stage revues, are portrayed.not seen yet
- DirectorFrank LloydStarsCharles LaughtonClark GableFranchot ToneFirst mate Fletcher Christian leads a revolt against his sadistic commander, Captain Bligh, in this classic seafaring adventure, based on the real-life 1789 mutiny.One of many film versions of the immortal tale, the 1935 Bounty takes its strength out of the interplay between Laughton and Gable. The effective script leaves almost no fat, making it very watchable for modern audiences.
Favorite nominee: Mitiny on the Bounty (seen 1 of 12) - DirectorFrank CapraStarsClark GableClaudette ColbertWalter ConnollyA rogue reporter trailing a runaway heiress for a big story joins her on a bus heading from Florida to New York and they end up stuck with each other when the bus leaves them behind at one of the stops along the way.THE proto-Screwball Comedy still is incredibly funny and full of life, feeding off the delicious on screen Chemistry of Colbert and Gable. One of the most rewatchable movies of all time.
Favorite nominee: It Happened One Night (seen 1 of 12) - DirectorFrank LloydStarsDiana WynyardClive BrookUna O'ConnorA portrayal of the triumphs and tragedies of two English families, the upper-crust Marryots and the working-class Bridgeses, from 1899 to 1933.not seen yet
- DirectorEdmund GouldingStarsGreta GarboJohn BarrymoreJoan CrawfordA group of very different individuals staying at a luxurious hotel in Berlin deal with each of their respective dramas.The goal of this movie is pretty clear: cram as many stars into 90 minutes as possible. It works better than it should, though, because Grand Hotel is more low key than predicted, making it an interesting choice for the award.
Favorite nominee: Grand Hotel (seen 1 of 8) - DirectorWesley RugglesStarsRichard DixIrene DunneEstelle TaylorA newspaper editor settles in an Oklahoma boom town with his reluctant wife at the end of the nineteenth century.This is just half a rating because I only have seen a heavily cut and dubbed version (50min trimmed!), but its still hard to believe that film came out at that time when you compare it with the bookending Best Pictures. Bloated, but still rushed, with some progressive elements thrown in..got to watch the uncut version.
Favorite nominee: Cimarron (seen 1 of 5) - DirectorLewis MilestoneStarsLew AyresLouis WolheimJohn WrayA German youth eagerly enters World War I, but his enthusiasm wanes as he gets a firsthand view of the horror.Already the second war Best Picture in only three years, but its one for the ages. I read the book many times, but the movie still does it justice, thanks to its great cast and terrific set pieces.
Favorite nominee: All Quiet on the Western Front (seen 1 of 5) - DirectorHarry BeaumontStarsBessie LoveAnita PageCharles KingA pair of sisters from the vaudeville circuit try to make it big time on Broadway, but matters of the heart complicate the attempt.not seen yet
- DirectorWilliam A. WellmanHarry d'Abbadie d'ArrastStarsClara BowCharles 'Buddy' RogersRichard ArlenTwo young men, one rich, one middle class, who are in love with the same woman, become fighter pilots in World War I.not seen yet