Rating the Oscar's best-picture winners
Posted: Thursday, February 19, 2009 6:00 AM by Paige Newman
Filed Under:
Movies
For me, getting ready for Oscar night means one thing: Indulging in Turner Classic Movies annual 31 Days of Oscar. It’s a chance to discover movies I’ve never seen before, such as the fantastic 1945 film, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” which was Elia Kazan’s first feature film. TCM is also a chance to discover a great performance, such as Jack Lemmon’s Harry Stoner in a movie that feels just right for our economic climate, 1973’s “Save the Tiger.”
I also get a chance to revisit old favorites, such as Billy Wilder’s “Double Indemnity,” which features the classic pairing of Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck. Does dialogue really get better than this?
Phyllis: Mr. Neff, why don't you drop by tomorrow evening about 8:30. He'll be in then.
Walter Neff: Who?
Phyllis: My husband. You were anxious to talk to him weren't you?
Walter Neff: Yeah, I was, but I'm sort of getting over the idea, if you know what I mean.
Phyllis: There's a speed limit in this state, Mr. Neff. Forty-five miles an hour.
Walter Neff: How fast was I going, officer?
Phyllis: I'd say around 90.
Walter Neff: Suppose you get down off your motorcycle and give me a ticket.
Phyllis: Suppose I let you off with a warning this time.
Walter Neff: Suppose it doesn't take.
Phyllis: Suppose I have to whack you over the knuckles.
Walter Neff: Suppose I bust out crying and put my head on your shoulder.
Phyllis: Suppose you try putting it on my husband's shoulder.
Walter Neff: That tears it.
This year, I've started thinking about my favorite best-picture winning films. The top 10 goes something like this:
1. “The Apartment”
2. “Lawrence of Arabia”
3. “Bridge on the River Kwai”
4. “The Godfather, Part II”
5. “All About Eve”
6. “It Happened One Night”
7. “The Godfather”
8. “The Deer Hunter”
9. “Midnight Cowboy”
10. “A Man For All Seasons”
I have to admit that “Amadeus,” “Annie Hall,” “In the Heat of The Night,” “On the Waterfront” and “Platoon” are all very close to making that list as well.
Note: I can’t believe I left off “Casablanca,” which is one of my all-time favorite movies and will hereby be squeezed in at 1 ½.
What are your favorite Oscar-winning films and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
