Best Of The Academy - Part 2
With two weeks to go for the 78th Academy awards, we will continue my countdown of the best picture winners from the past 77 years. Today’s films are middle of the pack, yet each of them makes for compulsory watching.
Counting Down The Best : 50-26
50. 1944: Going My Way
Bing Crosby (Best Actor) plays a young priest who brings joy and order to a parish run by a strict old priest in this feel good movie. The last scene will bring a lump in your throat.
49. 1973: Sting
Paul Newman and Robert Redford are two con-artists who pull a big scam in this delightful film. An intelligent script is handled splendidly by these two legends.
48. 1992: Unforgiven, The
One of the last western roles for the icon Clint Eastwood, this is a magnificent movie about a retired outlaw who returns for one last ride and provide justice. The cinematography is breathtaking.
47. 1938: You Can’t Take It With You
A typical Frank Capra movie which makes you feel better about yourself. Jean Arthur and Jimmy Stewart; enough said.
46. 1937: Life Of Emil Zola, The
An engrossing film about the French writer and his fight to acquit an innocent man, who is a victim of military politics. The writing and the dialogue, especially in the courtroom scenes are very good.
45. 1941: How Green Was My Valley
A John Ford film which can be considered a classic, although it is strongly believed that it robbed “Citizen Kane” of its deserved award. Having said that, lush green countryside has never looked better in black and white. This is a testament to the skills of Ford as a director. The movie itself is very endearing as it looks at the virtues of family through the eyes of a young boy. Then there is that enchanting voiceover.
44. 2000: Gladiator
Aspires for epic status, but falls short. It is a good film with magnificent set decoration which has brought ancient Rome to life. Russell Crowe (Best Actor) carries the movie which bears a passing resemblance to “Ben-Hur”. Nevertheless, I wish the Academy had shown a little imagination in giving the award to a foreign language film which was arguably the best movie of the year: the subliminal “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.”
43. 1953: From Here To Eternity
Looks at lives of people on a naval base in Hawaii, just a few days before Pearl Harbor. The ever poetic Montgomery Clift is wonderful as a troubled young man who endures cruelty from fellow soldiers but stands for his principles
42. 2001: Beautiful Mind, A
Russell Crowe is back for a brilliant portrayal of the Nobel laureate John Nash. Good acting but does bog down a bit in the middle. However, does a competent job of balancing sentimentality with drama.
41. 1935: Mutiny On The Bounty
Charles Laughton is fantastic as one of the greatest super villains, ‘Capt. Bligh’. Clarke Gable overacts a bit as ‘Fletcher Christian’ but this is one of the most well made films from that era.
40. 1970: Patton
George C. Scott was born to play this role of the controversial American General who led with great passion during WWII. His opening speech will have even the people in the audience sit in attention.
39. 1931-32: Grand Hotel
Lives of several people intersect for a few days inside the grand hotel in Berlin. Sometimes humorous, sometimes sad but always compelling, this is a fantastic character study. Plus, there is the immortal Greta Garbo.
38. 1945: Lost Weekend, The
Ray Milland (Best Actor) gives a gut-wrenching performance as an alcoholic who tries to drink himself to death over one weekend. His desperation as the hours run late and the money grows thin is quite scary at times. Another classic from Billy Wilder.
37. 1996: English Patient, The
Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes give memorable performances in this story set during WWII, of a nurse who cares for a dying man. The cinematography is spellbinding as it makes even the harshest of deserts look romantic. Although this year the competition was stiff with the brilliant “Fargo” and the heart-warming “Jerry Maguire”.
36. 1984: Amadeus
The story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is told through the jealous eyes of his contemporary Antonio Salieri. The music, as expected, is divine and so is the set decoration which brings 18th century Vienna to life.
35. 1968: Oliver!
The beloved masterpiece from Charles Dickens is set to a musical and is one of the best adaptations of the book. Ron Moody as ‘Fagin’ steals the show.
34. 1959: Ben-Hur
Nobody hams an epic like Charlton Heston (Best Actor) and this is a certified epic. The chariot race itself is worth going miles to see. One of the ‘larger-than-life’ Hollywood productions.
33. 1995: Braveheart
Mel Gibson directs and stars in this film about the 13th century Scottish warrior who fought the English for freedom. Has some of the best battle-scenes captured on camera while telling a good story.
32. 1934: It Happened One Night
Clarke Gable, Claudette Colbert and their long journey from Miami to New York. Has everything we aspire for in a good romantic movie. Grand fun.
31. 1947: Gentleman’s Agreement
One of the landmark movies to deal with the ugly topic of anti-Semitism in the pre-McCarthy era. Good performances make this one of the seminal drama’s to confront bigotry in American community.
30. 2002: Chicago
It was good to see a musical win the best picture nod, and a good movie at that. It is probably one of the most stylish movies ever made and earns its prize with a near perfect script and outstanding choreography.
29. 1943: Casablanca
Although it may be felt that this film is ranked way below its expected spot; the movie does have some flaws. However, includes an iconic performance by Humphrey Bogart and some brilliant dialogues. Must-see-before-you-die stuff.
28. 1955: Marty
Without an iota of doubt, not only the most heart-warming film to win the best picture award but also features one of the most endearing characters as the leading man. Ernest Borgnine (Best Actor) plays a lonely man who is ugly, but with a heart of gold. If he doesn’t win you over, then it’s a lost cause.
27. 1987: Last Emperor, The
A sprawling epic about ‘Pu Yi’, the last emperor of China, it tells a story of a boy who had everything, except his childhood. It is a magnificent production, especially the scenes inside the ‘Forbidden City’. Another one of those films with an emotional final scene.
26. 1999: American Beauty
A fantastic look at suburban America and the complexities in the lives of people living there. But then when you look at it, everything’s quite simple…and beautiful. A modern masterpiece.
Next week 25-1.
Counting Down The Best : 50-26
50. 1944: Going My Way
Bing Crosby (Best Actor) plays a young priest who brings joy and order to a parish run by a strict old priest in this feel good movie. The last scene will bring a lump in your throat.
49. 1973: Sting
Paul Newman and Robert Redford are two con-artists who pull a big scam in this delightful film. An intelligent script is handled splendidly by these two legends.
48. 1992: Unforgiven, The
One of the last western roles for the icon Clint Eastwood, this is a magnificent movie about a retired outlaw who returns for one last ride and provide justice. The cinematography is breathtaking.
47. 1938: You Can’t Take It With You
A typical Frank Capra movie which makes you feel better about yourself. Jean Arthur and Jimmy Stewart; enough said.
46. 1937: Life Of Emil Zola, The
An engrossing film about the French writer and his fight to acquit an innocent man, who is a victim of military politics. The writing and the dialogue, especially in the courtroom scenes are very good.
45. 1941: How Green Was My Valley
A John Ford film which can be considered a classic, although it is strongly believed that it robbed “Citizen Kane” of its deserved award. Having said that, lush green countryside has never looked better in black and white. This is a testament to the skills of Ford as a director. The movie itself is very endearing as it looks at the virtues of family through the eyes of a young boy. Then there is that enchanting voiceover.
44. 2000: Gladiator
Aspires for epic status, but falls short. It is a good film with magnificent set decoration which has brought ancient Rome to life. Russell Crowe (Best Actor) carries the movie which bears a passing resemblance to “Ben-Hur”. Nevertheless, I wish the Academy had shown a little imagination in giving the award to a foreign language film which was arguably the best movie of the year: the subliminal “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.”
43. 1953: From Here To Eternity
Looks at lives of people on a naval base in Hawaii, just a few days before Pearl Harbor. The ever poetic Montgomery Clift is wonderful as a troubled young man who endures cruelty from fellow soldiers but stands for his principles
42. 2001: Beautiful Mind, A
Russell Crowe is back for a brilliant portrayal of the Nobel laureate John Nash. Good acting but does bog down a bit in the middle. However, does a competent job of balancing sentimentality with drama.
41. 1935: Mutiny On The Bounty
Charles Laughton is fantastic as one of the greatest super villains, ‘Capt. Bligh’. Clarke Gable overacts a bit as ‘Fletcher Christian’ but this is one of the most well made films from that era.
40. 1970: Patton
George C. Scott was born to play this role of the controversial American General who led with great passion during WWII. His opening speech will have even the people in the audience sit in attention.
39. 1931-32: Grand Hotel
Lives of several people intersect for a few days inside the grand hotel in Berlin. Sometimes humorous, sometimes sad but always compelling, this is a fantastic character study. Plus, there is the immortal Greta Garbo.
38. 1945: Lost Weekend, The
Ray Milland (Best Actor) gives a gut-wrenching performance as an alcoholic who tries to drink himself to death over one weekend. His desperation as the hours run late and the money grows thin is quite scary at times. Another classic from Billy Wilder.
37. 1996: English Patient, The
Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes give memorable performances in this story set during WWII, of a nurse who cares for a dying man. The cinematography is spellbinding as it makes even the harshest of deserts look romantic. Although this year the competition was stiff with the brilliant “Fargo” and the heart-warming “Jerry Maguire”.
36. 1984: Amadeus
The story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is told through the jealous eyes of his contemporary Antonio Salieri. The music, as expected, is divine and so is the set decoration which brings 18th century Vienna to life.
35. 1968: Oliver!
The beloved masterpiece from Charles Dickens is set to a musical and is one of the best adaptations of the book. Ron Moody as ‘Fagin’ steals the show.
34. 1959: Ben-Hur
Nobody hams an epic like Charlton Heston (Best Actor) and this is a certified epic. The chariot race itself is worth going miles to see. One of the ‘larger-than-life’ Hollywood productions.
33. 1995: Braveheart
Mel Gibson directs and stars in this film about the 13th century Scottish warrior who fought the English for freedom. Has some of the best battle-scenes captured on camera while telling a good story.
32. 1934: It Happened One Night
Clarke Gable, Claudette Colbert and their long journey from Miami to New York. Has everything we aspire for in a good romantic movie. Grand fun.
31. 1947: Gentleman’s Agreement
One of the landmark movies to deal with the ugly topic of anti-Semitism in the pre-McCarthy era. Good performances make this one of the seminal drama’s to confront bigotry in American community.
30. 2002: Chicago
It was good to see a musical win the best picture nod, and a good movie at that. It is probably one of the most stylish movies ever made and earns its prize with a near perfect script and outstanding choreography.
29. 1943: Casablanca
Although it may be felt that this film is ranked way below its expected spot; the movie does have some flaws. However, includes an iconic performance by Humphrey Bogart and some brilliant dialogues. Must-see-before-you-die stuff.
28. 1955: Marty
Without an iota of doubt, not only the most heart-warming film to win the best picture award but also features one of the most endearing characters as the leading man. Ernest Borgnine (Best Actor) plays a lonely man who is ugly, but with a heart of gold. If he doesn’t win you over, then it’s a lost cause.
27. 1987: Last Emperor, The
A sprawling epic about ‘Pu Yi’, the last emperor of China, it tells a story of a boy who had everything, except his childhood. It is a magnificent production, especially the scenes inside the ‘Forbidden City’. Another one of those films with an emotional final scene.
26. 1999: American Beauty
A fantastic look at suburban America and the complexities in the lives of people living there. But then when you look at it, everything’s quite simple…and beautiful. A modern masterpiece.
Next week 25-1.
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