In terms of the film themselves I think the 21st century saw the academy take a diverse view of what sort of films should be included in their line-up. There did seem to be a shift away from costume drama and war movies in favour of big-budget fantasy fare or more subtle film-making. At the same time there were still a lot of people complaining that certain bigger films were being ignored by the Oscars, especially during the latter half of the decade. That's part of the reason that, as we shall shortly see, the Academy decided to widen the field again and honour up to ten films a year.
Ceremony 72 (2000)
Winner: American Beauty
Nominees: The Cider House Rules, The Green Mile, The Insider, The Sixth Sense
Did the Right Film Win? Maybe
There's no denying that American Beauty is an accomplished, well-written film filled with fine performances and therefore it's one of the better films to win Best Picture. At the same time, in my opinion, The Insider is the better film overall and ultimately deserved the win more.
Ceremony 73 (2001)
Winner: Gladiator
Nominees: Chocolat, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Erin Brockovich, Traffic
Did the Right Film Win? Yes
I think from an overall stand point Gladiator succeeded in combining stunning visuals, fine performances and a well-paced story. The only film that came close to equally Gladiator was Traffic I think that was a little much of a contemporary tale for the Academy to honour.
Ceremony 74 (2002)
Winner: A Beautiful Mind
Nominees: Gosford Park, In the Bedroom, The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Moulin Rouge
Did the Right Film Win? No
This was one of those rare occasions where all four films were in some way better than A Beautiful Mind. My pick would be the emotionally gripping In the Bedroom or the incredibly unique Moulin Rouge but any of the four would've been better than the long-winded biographical affair that ultimately clinched the prize.
Ceremony 75 (2003)
Winner: Chicago
Nominees: Gangs of New York, The Hours, The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers, The Pianist
Did the Right Film Win? No
Don't get me wrong I like Chicago but there are at least two superior films in this list of nominees. Whilst overblown, Gangs of New York is at least a worthier candidate however I'd select The Pianist as a great historical film with real heart. I suspect the only reason that it didn't win on the night is that the Academy didn't want to bestow two awards on the infamous Roman Polanski.
Ceremony 76 (2004)
Winner: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Nominees: Lost in Translation, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Mystic River, Seabiscuit
Did the Right Film Win? Yes
I feel that Oscar had to honour the Lord of the Rings trilogy at some point and it was fitting that it was the franchise's final instalment that swept the board. That being said this ceremony featured a rather strong field with the possible exception of racehorse saga Seabiscuit.
Ceremony 77 (2005)
Winner: Million Dollar Baby
Nominees: The Aviator, Finding Neverland, Ray, Sideways
Did the Right Film Win? Maybe
This is one of those years were I'm completely undecided on what film should have won the prize. In my opinion Sideways is the best film of the five but at the same time it doesn't feel like an Oscar winner. Whilst Million Dollar Baby was a worthy winner it's last act was a little too mawkish for my liking and it's nearest competition, the opulent The Aviator may just have edged it out in terms of quality. But I have no problem with Million Dollar Baby being that year's Best Picture recipient as it still stacks up nicely against previous winners.
Ceremony 78 (2006)
Winner: Crash
Nominees: Brokeback Mountain, Capote, Good Night and Good Luck, Munich
Did the Right Film Win? No
While not, as some claim, the worst Best Picture winner ever it's true to say that Crash wasn't the most accomplished nominee that year. In a year that was packed full of serious 'issue-based' films I'm going to have to go with the majority and say that Brokeback Mountain was the film that stuck with me the most. However, I also believe that Good Night and Good Luck felt more like an Oscar winner than Crash and would've been happy if either that or Brokeback had clinched the title in 2006.
Ceremony 79 (2007)
Winner: The Departed
Nominees: Babel, Letters from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, The Queen
Did the Right Film Win? Yes
Whilst there are no dud nominees this year I feel that Martin Scorsese's crime epic was the rightful winner from this group of five. It was also great to see him pick up his long-awaited Best Director Oscar after many prior nominations.
Ceremony 80 (2008)
Winner: No Country for Old Men
Nominees: Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, There Will Be Blood
Did the Right Film Win? Maybe
I really like No Country for Old Men but Oscar's eightieth ceremony had one of its best field of contenders ever. I personally think that There Will be Blood is the better film and feels more like a Best Picture winner than No Country but at the same time I do feel that the Coens did deserve their awards.
Ceremony 81 (2009)
Winner: Slumdog Millionaire
Nominees: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, The Reader
Did the Right Film Win? Yes
It's fair to say that, after the strong field of nominees the year before this was a rather weak offering in comparison. Despite its faults, Slumdog's feelgood ending and superb visuals best any other of its rival with Milk being the next best film on the list.
Next time I have more filling in the gaps to do as I go back several decades in more Days of Future Past specials.
No comments:
Post a Comment