The Academy’s infatuation with Cinemascope continued as a film using that technology won for the third straight year, even though in this particular year there were at least two and possibly three films that were more deserving. More on that later, but Gigi with all of its color and spectacle and music came away with …
Category: Best Picture Blogs
1957 Winner for Best Motion Picture – The Bridge on the River Kwai
I am somewhat embarrassed to say that this was the first time that I ever watched The Bridge on the River Kwai. It always seemed to me to be one of those films that you should see on a big screen the first time that you experience it, so I think I was always waiting …
1956 Winner for Best Motion Picture – Around the World in 80 Days
I really don’t want to spend a lot of time discussing Around the World in 80 Days. I’ve already spent 3 hours watching it and spending too much time writing about it is pretty much unwarranted. This is one of those annoying years where I go into it knowing that I’m going to be disappointed …
1955 Winner for Best Motion Picture – Marty
I don’t really have a ton to say about Marty. It’s a fine film, but to me not an outstanding one. At 90 minutes, it’s the shortest film to ever win the Oscar for Best Picture, and it feels like they (to use a football term) left a lot of plays on the field. They …
1954 Winner for Best Motion Picture – On the Waterfront
On the Waterfront is one of those films that has transcended time and become a part of popular culture. Who hasn’t seen Marlon Brando’s famous moment where he tells his brother Charlie, “I coulda had class! I coulda been a contender! I coulda been somebody Instead of a bum, which is what I am. Let’s …
1953 Winner for Best Motion Picture – From Here to Eternity
This is the first time that I had ever seen From Here to Eternity and it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. We’ve all seen the iconic scene of Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr kissing on the beach as the wave washes over them. Then there is the nearly as iconic moment a moment later …
1952 Winner for Best Motion Picture – The Greatest Show on Earth
I have to admit that I was a tad skeptical going into this film. I hadn’t really heard too much about it coming into this project and I had no idea what to expect, other than it would probably be some sort of spectacle. On that account, it was not disappointed, for a spectacle it …
1951 Winner for Best Motion Picture – An American in Paris
The first thought that came into my mind when I finished watching An American in Paris was, “How the hell did this movie win Best Picture?!” More on that later, but it is something to keep in mind. The fourth musical to win Best Picture, An American in Paris had some dance numbers that rivaled …
1950 Winner for Best Motion Picture – All About Eve
I’m almost ashamed to admit that this was my first time watching All About Eve, and I was fairly well blown away by it. It was nominated for a record 14 Academy Awards in 1950 and it won six of them, including both Best Director and Best Writing, Screenplay for Director/Writer Joseph L. Mankiewicz. This …
1949 Winner for Best Motion Picture – All the King’s Men
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. That is the theme of All the King’s Men, the winner of Best Motion Picture in 1949. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book of the same title by Robert Penn Warren, All the King’s Men follows the rise to power of Willie Stark (thought to be inspired …