Ever watch the Oscars and see the movie you're cheering for get blown away by such an overrated film? I have. LOTS. OF. TIMES. It seems as if discussions like these really started sparking since the mid 90's. Admit it-we all have our favorite movies, and we all wish they would've been nominated, or at least would've won. (For me...Evil Dead 2...but that's just wishful thinking) So I've been giving this some thought lately, and did some research. So below are the top five movies that SHOULD HAVE won Best Picture. Don't worry you biased die hard Marvel fanboys...TDK is not on this list.
5. LA Confidential (1997)
WHO WON THAT YEAR: Titanic
One of the best crime dramas around, LA Confidential boasts a thought provoking and heartpounding plot that ends brilliantly. Now, how is it that no matter what movie James Cameron makes it can rack up 200+ million? I just don't get it. Titanic sold 600 million domestically (second behind another Cameron movie, Avatar), probably because of the many women wanted to take their dates to this movie four weeks in a row. LA should have won because with it, the title didn't give away the ending.
SHIP SINKS!....all you need to know. Oh and there is some sexual content...
4. Gran Torino (2008)
WHO WON THAT YEAR: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
The Slumdog Millionaire is another solid film from Danny Boyle. But it isn't deserving of the title. While the camera work is interesting and original, Slumdog isn't really up to par with one of its contenders...Gran Torino. This is one of my favorite Clint Eastwood films. At first it was advertised as a revenge thriller, but it was more of a movie to teach you why racism is worthless and doesn't make sense. Many cheered this film on at the Oscars, but since Clint already has a few in his case, the Academy handed it over to Danny and Slumdog. Sad day.
3. Glory. (1989)
WHO WON THAT YEAR: DRIVING MISS DAISY
While Driving Miss Daisy is a popular film, Glory tops it in every way. Boasting four powerful perfomances from its four lead stars, Glory went in with its hopes held high. But it went home empty handed. Grant it Denzel took home the prize, but the movie should've recieved the trophy as well. Glory is a masterful War epic, and the best movie ever made about the Civil War. The ending (Spoiler Alert) where they all die stays with you long after the movie is over. Long after indeed. I think it has a lot to do with the amazing score by James Horner.
2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
WHO WON THAT YEAR: Forrest Gump
Now, don't get me wrong...I love Forrest Gump. I really do. Its a very moving film that stays with you after its over. But Shawkshank is much better. Shawkshank told the grim story of a wrongfully convicted man spending his life in Shawkshank prison. He goes through many beatings, makes a couple of friends, and escapes. The scene where Tim Robbins stretches his arms out as the rain beats against him is unforgettable and one of the best cinematic achievements in history. Forrest and Shawshank were in a tight race that year, but by the end of the day, Shawshank should have been the one to cross the finish line.
1. Saving Private Ryan. (1998)
WHO WON THAT YEAR: Shakespeare in Love
Saving Private Ryan was HANDS down the best movie of 1998. THis and Schindler's List are Spielberg's greatest achievements. My grandfather was WW2 Veteran, fought on the first wave of Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. He told me after he watched that movie that it left him in tears. He said the depiction of D-Day was spot on; it made him want to walk out of the theater because it brought back painful memories. Saving Private Ryan was a thought provoking, powerful and moving motion picture. It was a damn shame to see this not win best picture, but the Oscars voted against it because Schindler's List already took best picture five years earlier. Shakespeare In Love was a bad movie. It is, in my honest opinion, the most overrated film. (For those who think TDK is, get a load of this) Saving Private Ryan took home 5 awards. Shakespeare took 7. However, Spielberg took home the gold that night so the movie got some justice.
My theory to why the Academy does this is because it brings an opportunity for those who were apart of the best picture to have careers later on. I mean seriously, Gweneth Paltrow would not be Pepper in Iron Man if it were not for Shakespeare in Love. Jeremy Renner wouldn't have too much of the career status he has now if it wasn't for The Hurt Locker. I know many people were disappointed last year, but none were as disappointed as the mass amount of folks who sat through the horror of the 98 awards.
But that's just me ranting.
Agree?
Disagree?
Let me know in the comments.
Editors Note - Please comic related films, thank you.