14 March, 2012
The two best performances of the year, in the best film of the year.
The 72nd annual Academy Awards, for the film year 1999. The nominations were announced on February 15, 2000 and the awards were held on March 26, 2000.
Best Picture: American Beauty
Best Eligible Film Not Nominated: Magnolia
Most Surprising Omission: Being John Malkovich
Rank (out of 83) Among Best Picture Years: #39
11 March, 2012
"The car I've always wanted and now I have it. I rule!"
My Top 20:
26 February, 2012
The Vintage cover for Nabokov's Lolita (don't pronounce it like Sting)
18 October, 2011
George Lucas and Steven Spielberg present a special Oscar to their hero: Akira Kurosawa
So, does this supersede my original list? Well, lists are always organic – they grow and evolve over time. I’ve fiddled with some of the categories and new films have come out and I’ve seen more films from some directors. So, my original list was what it was in October of 2009. This is where I am now, two years later, and one year overdue. The list will continue to evolve over time. The list never quite stops. But here’s where I put it up.
I will remind people again that if you don’t see a director and you’re wondering why, please check the Introduction first. It became clear on the original list that people didn’t read that instruction. Please don’t repeat that. And don’t ask about Godard. See the Intro.
Also, we’ll again find out who reads this part, the film in parenthesis is not necessarily their best film (hell, with Mankiewicz, it’s his worst). But it is the film I chose to write about, for whatever reason. (more…)
5 June, 2011
He might be the emperor, but he is also still just a little boy. Bertolucci's The Last Emperor (1987)
The 60th annual Academy Awards, for the film year 1987. The nominations were announced on February 17, 1988 and the awards were held on April 11, 1988.
Best Picture: The Last Emperor
Most Surprising Omission: Empire of the Sun
Best Eligible Film Not Nominated: The Princess Bride
Rank (out of 82) Among Best Picture Years: #52 (more…)
30 May, 2011
If you killed his father, you should probably prepare to die.
My Top 20:
19 January, 2011
Jack Nicholson took home Best Actor. This is one of his quieter moments in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975).
The 48th annual Academy Awards, for the film year 1975. The nominations were announced on February 17, 1976 and the awards were held on March 29, 1976.
Best Picture: One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Most Surprising Omission: Amarcord
Best Eligible Film Not Nominated: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Rank (out of 82) Among Best Picture Years: #19
18 January, 2011
"You're gonna need a bigger boat."
My Top 20:
2 December, 2010
A performance that absolutely deserved the Oscar in a film that earned it - Gene Hackman in The French Connection (1971)
The 43rd annual Academy Awards, for the film year 1971. The nominations were announced on February 22, 1972 and the awards were held on April 10, 1972.
Best Picture: The French Connection
Most Surprising Omission: Sunday Bloody Sunday
Best Eligible Film Not Nominated: McCabe and Mrs. Miller
Rank (out of 82) Among Best Picture Years: #37
Rank note: If the Academy had nominated Sunday Bloody Sunday (which seemed headed for a nomination) rather than Nicholas and Alexandra, the year would rank #8 (more…)
21 November, 2010
one of Malcolm McDowell's calmer moments in A Clockwork Orange (1971)
My Top 20:
