1 January, 2013
A couple of star-making performances in the best film of the year.
My Top 20:
15 May, 2012
A shot that kind of sums up the greatness and problems of Chicago (2002).
The 75th annual Academy Awards, for the film year 2002. The nominations were announced on February 11, 2003 and the awards were held on March 23, 2003.
Best Picture: Chicago
Most Surprising Omission: Adaptation
Best Eligible Film Not Nominated: Spirited Away
Best Eligible English-Language Film Not Nominated: Minority Report
Rank (out of 84) Among Best Picture Years: #1 (more…)
8 May, 2012
The talent from down under shines in The Two Towers: David Wenham, Karl Urban and, of course, Miranda Otto.
My Top 20:
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 March, 2011
Ordinary People: The film and Timothy Hutton won Oscars in 1980 over Raging Bull and Joe Pesci when they shouldn't have. Mary Tyler Moore should have but lost to Sissy Spacek.
The 53rd Academy Awards for the film year 1980. The nominations were announced on February 17, 1981 and the awards were held on March 31, 1981.
Best Picture: Ordinary People
Most Surprising Omission: The Stunt Man
Best Eligible Film Not Nominated: Breaker Morant
Rank (out of 82) Among Best Picture Years: #10 (more…)
23 February, 2011
The rabbits prepare to defend their warren in Watership Down (1978) - the best animated film since the 50's
1970 - 1979
Total Films I’ve Seen: 755
Films That Make the Top 5 in Any Category: 38
Best Film Not to Make the Top 5 in Any Category: Mean Streets
Film of the Decade: The Godfather
Worst Film of the Decade: Caligula
Worst Best Picture Nominee of the Decade: Love Story
Worst Film of the Decade Made by a Top 100 Director: The Brood (more…)
12 January, 2011
"I know it was you." The tragic revelatory scene in The Godfather Part II.
The 47th annual Academy Awards for the film year 1974. The nominations were announced on February 24, 1975 and the awards were held on April 8, 1975.
Best Picture: The Godfather Part II
Most Surprising Omission: Day for Night
Best Eligible Film Not Nominated: Day for Night
Best Eligible English-Language Film Not Nominated: Badlands
Rank (out of 82) Among Best Picture Years: #16
Rank Note: If they had nominated Day for Night instead of The Towering Inferno, it would rank #1 (more…)
9 January, 2011
Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown - the best film of 1974, or almost any year
My Top 20:
4 November, 2010
the original Modern Library dust jacket for Tess of the d'Urbervilles
25 October, 2010
101 Dalmations - the best of a weak decade for animation
1960 – 1969
Total Films I’ve Seen: 801
Films That Make the Top 5 in Any Category: 40
Best Film Not to Make the Top 5 in Any Category: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Film of the Decade: Bonnie and Clyde
Worst Film of the Decade: Horrors of Spider Island
Worst Best Picture Nominee of the Decade: Doctor Dolittle
Worst Film of the Decade Made by a Top 100 Director: Tonight for Sure (more…)
