The Huffington Post had an interesting article which I’d like to draw attention to surrounding 16 movies which won Academy Awards for Best Picture in years past which were probably the wrong choices.
I don’t want to completely mooch off of the work done by the HP, but I will give my reaction to a few of them.
I enjoyed 1991’s winner Dances With Wolves more than Goodfellas, and I’m guessing that the graphic violence in multiple scenes in Goodfellas tipped the scales in favor of Costner’s film.
It’s a tough call to decide if Forrest Gump was actually better than Shawshank Redemption, but given all the challenges involved in presenting Gump and all its historic moments, it seems epic compared to a film which spends the majority of its time inside the confines of a prison. I have met people who didn’t like Forrest Gump, though, and I’m yet to meet anyone who doesn’t think Shawshank is an all-time great movie.
Given that one of my grandfathers was involved in the D-Day Invasion in World War II and he was involved in similar efforts to what Tom Hanks does in the first part of Saving Private Ryan, that movie will always hold a special place in my heart, even if its gut-wrenching realism makes it difficult to watch after an initial viewing. On the other hand, the flawless execution and creativity involved in Shakespeare in Love is a great watch on a yearly basis for anyone who can appreciate how it meshes more than one of The Bard’s works. Both are deserving films, and it’s somewhat unfortunate they both came out in the same year.
Moulin Rouge and In The Bedroom were both great films, but I disagree with the sentiment that either of them were as good as A Beautiful Mind in 2002.
1997 is a tough year to decide. Titanic was hugely epic, so even as a guy, it’s hard to argue against the romantic disaster movie. LA Confidential was really good, and As Good As It Gets almost lives up to its name. My personal preference is Good Will Hunting, which is one of my top 10 all-time favorite flicks.
Was 1977’s Best Picture winner “Rocky” better than Taxi Driver? I can’t say, I didn’t see the latter.
There are 16 discussion points provided by The Huffington Post article. Check it out.
I have to say, Dances with Wolves is one of my favorite movies and I think that it deserved to win…Geedfellas was a great flick but I don’t see it as being better than Dances. I thought Forrest Gump was another great flick but so was Shawshank. That is the one I see as a tough choice. I don’t see Shakespeare as being in the same league as Saving Private Ryan.
I did not see any of the 2002 movies, but I did think LA confidential was a better story, but it would be difficult to deny the filming of Titanic with the underwater scenes.
I did see both Taxi Driver (very disturbing) and Rocky. I would say that Taxi Driver was better acted, the original Rocky story was a great movie.
That is all I have to say about that…no interesed in HP, i stay away from there.
Totally agree with a bunch of these.
Goodfellas is a much better film than Dances With Wolves.
Shawshank not winning is a crime. I love Forrest Gump, but c’mon. Its Shawshank Redemption.
Taxi Driver is a much better movie than Rocky. Poor Scorcese. Loses to Rocky and then Dances with Wolves.
LA Confidential and Goodwill Hunting are better than As Good As It Gets, imo. Either would have been better choices
can’ speak on the others that you talked about because there was at least one movie I hadn’t seen mentioned. Though I’d vote against Titanic, just cuz!