Best best picture winners (filming, script, action, comedy)

[LargeKingCat]

OK This is something we do every year, and the more opinions the better as the Oscar Awards are not too far away now, I looked over the list of all the films that won best picture and chose what I thought were the best of the best (I know, Citizen Kane never won best picture..shame because it would be on the top)
SO in no particulr order
1 THE GODFATHER classic Brando and an excellent cast take this beyond a biography and really bring the characters to life in a gritty no holds barred sort of way. Truly a great film to watch over and over

2 Gone with the Wind Really set the standard for Epics some 70 years ago Also broke ground by casting an African American actress in a serious role (as in not for comic relief only) Use of imagery and sound beyond what had been seen up to that time

3 Casablanca Classic film set the standard for what a romance film is and would be

4 Best Years of Our Lives The film that changed the face of American Cnema; films were no longer propaganda or escpae entertainment; this film brough real likfe issues to the forefront of American society (One of my all time faves BTW)

5 One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest Satire? Comedy? Social Commentary? Classic Nicholson !!!

6 On The Waterfront Another powerful film that deals head on with social issues

7 Schindler's List What made the film so unique was the style (Black and WHite with some color mixed in) Also the social commentary again, which film addresses

8 Lawrence of Arabia Wow War still goes on in the nmiddle east, and maybethat is part of what makes this film a classic

9 The Deer Hunter what a powerful film

10 Patton OK I'm a Guy

SO which films on the list would you leave out and what would add? remember, this is the list of the Best films that won Best Picture ..SO films that were nominated that SHOULD have won but didn't, as in The afore mentioned Citizen Kane, and Clockwork Orange, Saving Private Ryan, and Fargo are not eligible on this list.

[bs13690]

So everyone has it, here is a list of winners. Academy Award for Best Picture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. INPO, below is my list

The Bridge on the River Kwai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. One of the few older WWII movies to feature a cynical solider. The best shot was the look on AG's face at the end when he realized what he had done.

Casablanca What can you say about this one that hasn't already been said?

No Country for Old Men Loved this movie. An example of how to make a movie that doesn't insult the intelligence and doesn't have to spell everything out for the audience.

Unforgiven - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Clint at his best. He had this script several years before filming it because he thought he wasn't right for the part yet. What other actor would do that? Great twist on the classic Western showing the consequences of actions that were always glamourized in these films.

The Godfather Part II - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. I liked this one better than the first. Made back in a time when DeNiro could actually act instead of just being DeNiro.

[LargeKingCat]

Originally Posted by bs13690

So everyone has it, here is a list of winners. Academy Award for Best Picture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. INPO, below is my list

The Bridge on the River Kwai - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. One of the few older WWII movies to feature a cynical solider. The best shot was the look on AG's face at the end when he realized what he had done.

Casablanca What can you say about this one that hasn't already been said?

No Country for Old Men Loved this movie. An example of how to make a movie that doesn't insult the intelligence and doesn't have to spell everything out for the audience.

Unforgiven - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Clint at his best. He had this script several years before filming it because he thought he wasn't right for the part yet. What other actor would do that? Great twist on the classic Western showing the consequences of actions that were always glamourized in these films.

The Godfather Part II - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. I liked this one better than the first. Made back in a time when DeNiro could actually act instead of just being DeNiro.

THANKS!!!!!

I did not include Unforgiven because I don;t think it was THAT Great as in enough to become a classic. NOW granted, yes, Some past winners (like Cimmaron for one) YES It was better than those-- BUT at the same time, It may be a top 25 film not quite a top ten BUT above all else I value your reasoning
I want to see how good No COuntry for Old Men is in say 5 years. I liked that film, yes, but classic? MAYBE it will have to stand the test of time.

I really want to hear what other oscar winners people like (And don't like ) I started a thread for that as well
I think when you look at the timelessness of a film likeGodfather or Gone with the Wind you can see a classic element People can still enjoy watching it today
One the other hand, you look at the significance of a film like Best Years Of Our Lives and see how it influenced and radically changed the course of filmmaking, and the move away from propaganda and fluff in film that had been so prevelent before Such a film can be appreciated over and over to this day
I thought Dances with Wolves would become a classic at the time, but yars later, it really has not stood the test of time like many of the others. Likewise for Titanic. It is easy to list the more recent films because we all have a greater memory of them, but to do ourselves a favor and watch a film like Lawrence of Arabia or Best Years of Our Lives is to see what a classic REALLY is.....Thanks

[Mark S.]

First of all: When it comes to the Oscars, I totally agree with George C. Scott.

That being said, Lawrence of Arabia is probably the greatest movie ever made. It's flawless and beautiful.

The Godfather ... same thing. Perfect in every way.

Titanic ... meh. I've honestly never been able to sit through the whole thing. Zzzzz.

Gone With the Wind has it's moments, but for the most part is too maudlin. It isn't grand so much as grandiose. And not in a good way.

The Deer Hunter hasn't aged well for me. It just plain tries too hard.

[LauraC]

My 10 favorite best picture Oscar winners in no special order because I don't know which ones I like more than the others:

1. Casablanca (Do I have to say?)

2. Ben Hur (I think because it's a long religious movie, this is not on TV more often)

3. The Godfather (I can relate to a lot of things in both Godfather movies but the movies are just superbly done and the story is just so memorable in every way)

4. The Godfather Pt II

5. The Departed (Saw this movie recently. Would like to see it again. Highly entertaining and waaaay better than anything nominated that year.)

6. Platoon (Without a doubt, the movie of my generation)

7. Ordinary People (This tear-jerker movie disturbs me in a good way)

8. Rain Man (I stop and watch this movie whenever I'm channel surfing. It's an odd story when you think about it and that's why I like it but it is so well done, too)

9. A Beautiful Mind (I think I like this movie because I have a paranoid schizophrenic family member but it's such an unusual story, while being entertaining, and has such great acting by Crowe that it has to make my list.)

10. Titanic (Note to James Cameron: I liked Terminator 2 better but that didn't get Best Picture in its year. Wonderful story. I've seen other Titanic movies, too. P.S. Please tell your Lord of The Rings peer about the value of an intermission.)

[shy chic]

1. Gone With the Wind--my all time favorite!
2. Casablanca--comes very close!
3.Godfather I & II--not exactly 'feel good' movies but great nonetheless
4.The Best Years of Our Lives
5. Titanic
6. The original Star Wars if only for the ground breaking special effects(not a winner,but good)
7. Charley (based on the book "flowers for Algernon") I think this is a touching story.
8.All About Eve--loved both Betty Davis and Ann Baxter in this!
9.A Beautiful Mind--I don't especially like Russell Crow,but his acting in this was exceptional
10.Pretty much anything with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy (Adam's Rib comes to mind).
There are so many other old movies I'd include,but I'll limit my list to ten.