Because it's the most poorly produced and written awards show, it's the most fun to criticize. I don't care who wins this year, since it wasn't a particularly stellar year for movies. But I am ready for some outrageous outfits and acceptance speeches. Will our co-hosts, Anne Hathaway and James Franco, be carried out in an egg, a la Lady Gaga? Will Facebook go down if The Social Network doesn't win? Will Colin Firth stutter?
This got me thinking about past Best Picture winners. Click the following link for a list.
http://www.tif.ro/movies/oscar/lista.htm
Gone With The Wind (1939) is both horrible and fabulous, and it had tough competition with Dark Victory, Wuthering Heights, Ninotchka, and The Wizard of Oz. In retrospect, I would have picked The Wizard of Oz. I love Casablanca (1943), All About Eve (1950), Tom Jones (1963), The Godfather (1972), The Sting (1973), and Amadeus (1984).
Godfather II, one of the best sequels ever, won in 1974. But I've got to admit Chinatown had the better screenplay.
Some misfires IMHO:
- Fargo should have beaten The English Patient in 1996. Whether or not you liked it, Fargo got your attention.
- Pulp Fiction should have beaten Forrest Gump in 1994. What a travesty. Almost every director in Hollywood tried to replicate Pulp Fiction in some form. I'll have a Royale with cheese. Jungle Boogie!
- Goodfellas, Martin Scorsese's best film, should have beaten Dances With Wolves in 1990. I can still see Ray Liotta running with Gimme Shelter playing in the background.
- Brokeback Mountain should have beaten Crash in 2005. The film was visually beautiful, and Heath Ledger's performance was haunting.
What do you think?
You know where yours truly will be on Sunday night.
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