Best Of The Academy - Part 1
Each year, for the past 77 years, the The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences honors the best motion picture of the year. In the early years, up to 10 movies were nominated and from amongst them, the members of the academy choose the top film. Since the 50’s only 5 films are selected for the final nominations before crowning the victor. Sometimes, the most deserving film does not get the nod, but then that may be my discrimination rather than a fair evaluation. However, there is no denying the fact that each of these movies is special and the reason that cinema is the most sublime art form on earth. There are only 77 of them so far and I thought that with the 78th Academy awards in about 3 weeks time, it would be fun to rank them according to my preference. Each of these films has been seen by me within the last 2 years, and so they are still fresh in my memory. In ranking them I considered several factors some of them being: the direction, the writing, the acting, the overall production, the importance and relevance for its time, the technology available then, the timelessness, the grandeur, the feeling of witnessing an epic, the larger-than-life appeal and of course my personal favorites. It is difficult not to be prejudiced but I think I managed to consider every aspect. However, most importantly, I considered that supreme intangible called “magic”; that one reason why I love the movies. It is that feature which has earned them the select title of “The Best Picture Of The Year”.
Counting Down The Best : 77-51
77. 1956: Around The World In 80 Days
Jules Verne’s novel brought to screen but lacking the imagination of the book. It is more of a showcase for the production which is interested in parading the cultures of different countries, rather than going back to telling an adventure story which it is.
76. 1932-33: Cavalcade
A historical look at Britain from 1899 to 1933 through the eyes of a wealthy London housewife, who witnesses first her husband and then her son go off to separate wars. It tries to cover all the major events of those years, sometimes with overt sentimentality and thus feels dated today.
75. 1930-31: Cimarron
A look at the early settlers of Oklahoma, right from the pioneer days of 1889 to the industrial age of 1929. It is an interesting concept with competent execution, but feels terribly dated due to some amateurish acting.
74. 1928-29: Broadway Melody, The
A story of two vaudevillian sisters and their love triangle with a young man. It gets predictable at times, but a bearable watch on rainy nights.
73. 1963: Tom Jones
Albert Finney is likable as a brash young man in this satirical look at British aristocracy in the 18th century. However, its farcical humor may not suit every palate.
72. 1966: Man For All Seasons, A
A serious drama about King Henry VIII vs. the church, it is a study of a man who is morally entrenched in his beliefs and thus opposes the King to tragic consequences. Paul Scofield (Best Actor winner) gives a good performance as ‘Sir Thomas Moore’.
71. 1942: Mrs. Miniver
Made during the dark years of WWII, it is about a British family (Miniver) whose son is away at war and who endure bombing every night while Mrs. Miniver does her best to bravely lead a normal life. It was an inspiration for all the people at that time and gave them hope of survival.
70. 1971: French Connection, The
A fast-paced action thriller about a NYC cop who is out to bust a drug cartel whilst trying to work within the system. The car chase scene has become legendary.
69. 1958: Gigi
A light musical about a young French girl, in training to be a courtesan, but who just wants to be carefree and in love. Maurice Chevalier is a delight as usual but not the best from director Vincente Minnelli.
68. 1952: Greatest Show On Earth, The
Cecil B. DeMille looks at the workings of a circus and the lives of people in it, while trying to tell a story of a love triangle. The movie gets too bogged down in the circus acts and becomes a platform for them rather than the characters. Charlton Heston hams as usual but the incomparable Jimmy Stewart steals the show in a brief performance as a clown.
67. 1951: American In Paris, An
There are few greater pleasures in life than watching Gene Kelly dance and though he does it brilliantly, the movie never enamors you like his other famous act where he dances in the rain.
66. 1983: Terms Of Endearment
A story of a mother and her daughter and several years of their lives where their relationship between each other keeps fluctuating, but the love never falters. It aims for greatness but falls short in the writing. Having said that, Jack Nicholson (Best Supporting Actor) is spectacular as a philandering retired astronaut.
65. 1936: Great Ziegfeld, The
A look at the up’s and down’s in the life of one of America’s famous showman; it has some of the most extravagant set decorations and of course, Myrna Loy!
64. 1948: Hamlet
Laurence Olivier and his adaptation of the classic play. It is a good movie though Olivier overplays his role a bit.
63. 1949: All The Kings Men
Showcases how power can corrupt a simple man from a small rural town when he goes on to become the Governor of that state. It is a morality check for those who choose to ignore rather than act.
62. 1989: Driving Miss Daisy
A sweet look at 20 years in the life of an old lady of the south and her African-American driver. Extremely well-acted, it is one of the simplest stories to win the best picture award.
61. 1940: Rebecca
Laurence Olivier is back to over-act, along with the exquisite Joan Fontaine, in this Hitchcock thriller. While it never matches up to the other films of the ‘master’, it is engrossing and does keep the viewer guessing. Though how this beat out the fantastic “Grapes Of Wrath”, one would never know.
60. 1961: West Side Story
A modern day Romeo & Juliet musical set on the streets of New York, it has some of the most outstanding choreography captured on the screen. However, weak acting prevents it from reaching for greatness.
59. 1969: Midnight Cowboy
Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman are terrific as two men who form an unlikely friendship while struggling to survive the urban life of NYC. Dealing with issues which were taboo at that time, it remains the only X-rated movie and one of Academy’s boldest choices as the best picture winner.
58. 1975: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
Here is where the frowning starts since this is an American classic and yet occupies this lowly spot on my countdown. That is not to deride this film which features an outstanding performance from Jack Nicholson (Best Actor) and a magnificent one from Louise Fletcher (Best Actress) who creates one of the most despicable characters ever. It just means that I like the other 57 movies better.
57. 1988: Rain Man
Stars Dustin Hoffman (Best Actor) and Tom Cruise as two brothers who bond emotionally over a cross-country trip across America. Hoffman gives a realistic portrayal of an autistic man without having to resort to unnecessary sentimentality.
56. 1979: Kramer vs. Kramer
Dustin Hoffman (Best Actor) once again, gives a great performance as a father who fights to keep custody of his son after his wife leaves them. Wonderful acting and a satisfying ending made this simple film a surprise winner considering that it was competing with “Apocalypse Now”. For me however, the best film of the year was one which atrociously, was not even nominated: Woody Allen’s greatest masterpiece, “Manhattan.”
55. 1985: Out Of Africa
Meryl Streep plays a Danish woman who inherits a farm in Africa from her husband and eventually grows to love it more than anything else. Outstanding cinematography and music, Africa has never looked better while Robert Redford charms as usual.
54. 1986: Platoon
A disturbing look at the Vietnam War, the movie takes you right to the heart of the battle and the struggle for survival whilst maintaining your morality. Not the best Vietnam movie but a must-see nevertheless. Though this was the year that Woody Allen, yet again, made another masterpiece which should have won; “Hannah And Her Sisters.”
53. 1957: Bridge On The River Kwai
Alec Guinness (Best Actor) is the leader of British troops who are forced to build a bridge for their Japanese captors during WWII. Rather than being just another war film, this is a fascinating character study of 3 men.
52. 1927-28: Wings
The very first best picture winner, it is surprisingly good and has special effects which are fantastic for that era. The air-battle sequences can be enjoyed even today and the story is involving as well.
51. 1967: In The Heat Of The Night
Sidney Poitier is an African-American cop who is investigating the murder of a white industrialist in a southern town rampant with racism. The look on his face as he says these famous words, “The call me MISTER Tibbs!” still evokes chills.
Next week: 50-26.
Counting Down The Best : 77-51
77. 1956: Around The World In 80 Days
Jules Verne’s novel brought to screen but lacking the imagination of the book. It is more of a showcase for the production which is interested in parading the cultures of different countries, rather than going back to telling an adventure story which it is.
76. 1932-33: Cavalcade
A historical look at Britain from 1899 to 1933 through the eyes of a wealthy London housewife, who witnesses first her husband and then her son go off to separate wars. It tries to cover all the major events of those years, sometimes with overt sentimentality and thus feels dated today.
75. 1930-31: Cimarron
A look at the early settlers of Oklahoma, right from the pioneer days of 1889 to the industrial age of 1929. It is an interesting concept with competent execution, but feels terribly dated due to some amateurish acting.
74. 1928-29: Broadway Melody, The
A story of two vaudevillian sisters and their love triangle with a young man. It gets predictable at times, but a bearable watch on rainy nights.
73. 1963: Tom Jones
Albert Finney is likable as a brash young man in this satirical look at British aristocracy in the 18th century. However, its farcical humor may not suit every palate.
72. 1966: Man For All Seasons, A
A serious drama about King Henry VIII vs. the church, it is a study of a man who is morally entrenched in his beliefs and thus opposes the King to tragic consequences. Paul Scofield (Best Actor winner) gives a good performance as ‘Sir Thomas Moore’.
71. 1942: Mrs. Miniver
Made during the dark years of WWII, it is about a British family (Miniver) whose son is away at war and who endure bombing every night while Mrs. Miniver does her best to bravely lead a normal life. It was an inspiration for all the people at that time and gave them hope of survival.
70. 1971: French Connection, The
A fast-paced action thriller about a NYC cop who is out to bust a drug cartel whilst trying to work within the system. The car chase scene has become legendary.
69. 1958: Gigi
A light musical about a young French girl, in training to be a courtesan, but who just wants to be carefree and in love. Maurice Chevalier is a delight as usual but not the best from director Vincente Minnelli.
68. 1952: Greatest Show On Earth, The
Cecil B. DeMille looks at the workings of a circus and the lives of people in it, while trying to tell a story of a love triangle. The movie gets too bogged down in the circus acts and becomes a platform for them rather than the characters. Charlton Heston hams as usual but the incomparable Jimmy Stewart steals the show in a brief performance as a clown.
67. 1951: American In Paris, An
There are few greater pleasures in life than watching Gene Kelly dance and though he does it brilliantly, the movie never enamors you like his other famous act where he dances in the rain.
66. 1983: Terms Of Endearment
A story of a mother and her daughter and several years of their lives where their relationship between each other keeps fluctuating, but the love never falters. It aims for greatness but falls short in the writing. Having said that, Jack Nicholson (Best Supporting Actor) is spectacular as a philandering retired astronaut.
65. 1936: Great Ziegfeld, The
A look at the up’s and down’s in the life of one of America’s famous showman; it has some of the most extravagant set decorations and of course, Myrna Loy!
64. 1948: Hamlet
Laurence Olivier and his adaptation of the classic play. It is a good movie though Olivier overplays his role a bit.
63. 1949: All The Kings Men
Showcases how power can corrupt a simple man from a small rural town when he goes on to become the Governor of that state. It is a morality check for those who choose to ignore rather than act.
62. 1989: Driving Miss Daisy
A sweet look at 20 years in the life of an old lady of the south and her African-American driver. Extremely well-acted, it is one of the simplest stories to win the best picture award.
61. 1940: Rebecca
Laurence Olivier is back to over-act, along with the exquisite Joan Fontaine, in this Hitchcock thriller. While it never matches up to the other films of the ‘master’, it is engrossing and does keep the viewer guessing. Though how this beat out the fantastic “Grapes Of Wrath”, one would never know.
60. 1961: West Side Story
A modern day Romeo & Juliet musical set on the streets of New York, it has some of the most outstanding choreography captured on the screen. However, weak acting prevents it from reaching for greatness.
59. 1969: Midnight Cowboy
Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman are terrific as two men who form an unlikely friendship while struggling to survive the urban life of NYC. Dealing with issues which were taboo at that time, it remains the only X-rated movie and one of Academy’s boldest choices as the best picture winner.
58. 1975: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
Here is where the frowning starts since this is an American classic and yet occupies this lowly spot on my countdown. That is not to deride this film which features an outstanding performance from Jack Nicholson (Best Actor) and a magnificent one from Louise Fletcher (Best Actress) who creates one of the most despicable characters ever. It just means that I like the other 57 movies better.
57. 1988: Rain Man
Stars Dustin Hoffman (Best Actor) and Tom Cruise as two brothers who bond emotionally over a cross-country trip across America. Hoffman gives a realistic portrayal of an autistic man without having to resort to unnecessary sentimentality.
56. 1979: Kramer vs. Kramer
Dustin Hoffman (Best Actor) once again, gives a great performance as a father who fights to keep custody of his son after his wife leaves them. Wonderful acting and a satisfying ending made this simple film a surprise winner considering that it was competing with “Apocalypse Now”. For me however, the best film of the year was one which atrociously, was not even nominated: Woody Allen’s greatest masterpiece, “Manhattan.”
55. 1985: Out Of Africa
Meryl Streep plays a Danish woman who inherits a farm in Africa from her husband and eventually grows to love it more than anything else. Outstanding cinematography and music, Africa has never looked better while Robert Redford charms as usual.
54. 1986: Platoon
A disturbing look at the Vietnam War, the movie takes you right to the heart of the battle and the struggle for survival whilst maintaining your morality. Not the best Vietnam movie but a must-see nevertheless. Though this was the year that Woody Allen, yet again, made another masterpiece which should have won; “Hannah And Her Sisters.”
53. 1957: Bridge On The River Kwai
Alec Guinness (Best Actor) is the leader of British troops who are forced to build a bridge for their Japanese captors during WWII. Rather than being just another war film, this is a fascinating character study of 3 men.
52. 1927-28: Wings
The very first best picture winner, it is surprisingly good and has special effects which are fantastic for that era. The air-battle sequences can be enjoyed even today and the story is involving as well.
51. 1967: In The Heat Of The Night
Sidney Poitier is an African-American cop who is investigating the murder of a white industrialist in a southern town rampant with racism. The look on his face as he says these famous words, “The call me MISTER Tibbs!” still evokes chills.
Next week: 50-26.
2 Comments:
Dropped in here via SmugBug's page... I just loved reading through the countdown and have even made a list of movies from here that I need to watch asap! :)
[ditty]: Thank you for the response. I love films and can't help but express myself when I see something great. So if I can convince anyone to watch a movie which I had previously enjoyed, then I consider my blog a success.
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