There are now only ten winners of the Best Picture Oscar that I haven't seen
(See image below.)
 |
| From top left: Wings (1927-28), The Broadway Melody (1928-29), Cavalcade (1933), Hamlet (1948), Gigi (1958), In the Heat of the Night (1967), The Deer Hunter (1978), Gandhi (1982), Out of Africa (1985), Braveheart (1995) |
Not many of these instill fervent anticipation, but I'm probably most looking forward to Norman Jewison's "In the Heat of the Night". The final three of those winners look daunting, but particularly Mel Gibson's "Braveheart", which I've seen about ten minutes of and could. not. stand.
If anybody has any suggestions as to which I should leave until last, I'd be happy to hear.
8 comments:
What?!! You haven't seen The Deer Hunter yet?!! It's SO GOOD, but it'll leave you an emotional wreck.
I like being left an emotional wreck on occasion! :) The Deer Hunter appears to be one of the most political/divisive films there, so I may well leave it until near the end.
I couldn't stand Laurence Olivier in Hamlet - sorry for the pun, but he was a little too hammy.
If you don't enjoy musicals for their music, then you aren't going to be too excited about Broadway Melody. It gained the Oscar probably because it was the first colour musical & first talking musical movie. The story is quite unimaginative & it's only saving grace: an occasional good tune & costume.
A better movie - Cavalcade is chock-full of old songs. It focuses more on the human drama and true-life stories of the time than many other movies of this era.
I think Gigi is over-rated though superior to Broadway Melody. The costuming is wonderful though. It's more the costumes, the accepted social & moral views at the time and the downright silliness of traditions that probably make this memorable.
In the Heat of the Night was disappointing because I expected so much more at the time. Though now I know what to expect, I would probably enjoy it more for it's handling of prejudice. The acting is fine, but it's quite slow.
Gandhi & Out of Africa are very good and definitely worth watching, though Meril Streep's character was a little difficult to know at first. I grew to like her & admire her strength.
I enjoyed Braveheart though the fact that it's Mel Gibson in the title role kept me from really getting into the character for a while. It did give me some understanding of historical events at that time, even if coloured by Broadway biases.
I enjoy true stories in movies, so, may I suggest for the last three movies you watch Braveheart, Out of Africa and Gandhi.
Oh dear. You said three of the ones I'm wary of.
I've heard wildly mixed things about Gigi, so I really don't know what to think. I generally like musicals, but it does look a bit refined.
I don't think I can leave Out of Africa until the end, because I've heard that it's one of the worst of Meryl Streep's nominations. I don't want to end my experience of Oscar Meryl on a sour note, so I'll probably get that out of the way and save Ironweed.
Gandhi looks like one to keep.
I am not exagerating.
I have been trying to finish HAMLET for more than 3 months now. On my second blog, I was looking at all the BP winners myself chronologically ... and then I hit Hamlet... I still have an hour, dunno how I'll do it... :)) so keep it last for sure.
Out of Africa is great. Definitely NOT one of the worst Meryl Streep.
Wings is unexpectedly well made.
I myself haven't seen Deer Hunter yet.
Cavalcade in a mess and so far the worst BP I've seen. Yes, worse than Cimarron :))
Broadway Melody joins some of the worst, even though it has nice musical numbers.
I don't remember Gigi a lot, but it was pleasant to watch.
Braveheart is boring, but has very beautiful cinematography and original score.
Gandhi was... long.
In the Heat of the Night... not as good as one might expect.
:)
Three months? Yikes! You've probably given yourself a bit of a complex about it now. That happened to me with one of those John Ford Westerns a while back, so sent it back and intend to return to it when I'm in a better frame of mind.
But yes, you're one of many who wince when I mention Cavalcade. If you're endorsing Out of Africa as the best of that list, then I'm surprised. It does carry some intrigue, but it's been on an awful lot of Bad Best Picture Winner lists I've come across.
I'm totally leaving The Deer Hunter until last.
but how can someone not anticipate Out of Africa? Meryl in a period movie, in the heart of Africa, living a romance with Robert Redford? If I'd have more time, I'd totally watch it again.
Don't get me wrong, I worship The Color Purple, but I remember Out of Africa as a very good movie itself, with a couple of fascinating directorial tricks.
Post a Comment