It’s gold, Jerry! Gold! (flickr/prayitno)
It’s that time of year again. The Oscars are back on our televisions to honor some of the best films of the year. While the Academy sometimes gets it right, it’s important to note that there were a number of instances where they got it so, so wrong. Without further ado, here are the seven movies that should have won all the things, but didn’t at the Academy Awards!
7 & 6. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring/The Two Towers
The Lord of the Rings is this generation’s Star Wars.
What Beat Them: A Beautiful Mind/Chicago
Why They Should Have Won:
How does one possibly compare a biopic about a mathematician and an old-school musical adaptation to two of the three greatest war thrillers ever made?
Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens managed to turn a virtually unfilmable epic into a smart, focused, and incredibly intense ride through the lands of Middle-Earth. While many people laud the series for its technical achievements, the biggest selling point of Fellowship and Towers is the phenomenal performances of the ensemble cast. Whether it’s Viggo Mortensen’s masterful interpretation of Aragorn or Andy Serkis’ devious turn as Gollum, each and every man, elf, and dwarf that we meet on this spectacular journey embody their roles to perfection.
Of course, the Academy honored The Return of the King for many of these reasons in 2003, but we never would have gotten to that point without the first two pieces of this magnum opus.
5. Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
Portions of this movie may seem hammy, but give it some thought.
What Beat It: Gone With The Wind
Why It Should Have Won:
Almost all of us have seen Mr. Smith in school, but it probably took a while for us to appreciate this quaint little film and the fascinating story behind it. Frank Capra’s simple, yet harrowing story of a new senator who becomes embroiled in the fight against corruption was wildly controversial in its day and age, especially in the U.S. Congress. It got to the point where future Vice President Alben W. Barkley once remarked that “It showed the Senate made up of crooks, led by crooks, listening to a crook… It was so vicious an idea it was a source of disgust and hilarity to every member of Congress who saw it.”
Yep, that sounds just about right!
Anyway, let’s not get carried away. This film is a masterpiece that remains relevant to this day, and you’ll get to see one of Jimmy Stewart’s finest performances. Go watch it!
4. Star Wars
This movie redefined storytelling as we know it.
What Beat It: Annie Hall
Why It Should Have Won:
Woody Allen may have put his own stamp on the romantic comedy, but Star Wars completely redefined the motion picture. Starting from a basic, but well-told science fantasy story, George Lucas spawned a cultural phenomenon that compelled generations of writers, artists, and craftsmen to push the arts in new directions. And above all else, it’s an absolute blast to watch from the first shootout to the final medal ceremony, even if Chewie never got one.
3. Raiders of the Lost Ark
Can anyone think of a more badass intro than this one?
What Beat It: Chariots of Fire
Why It Should Have Won:
Steven Spielberg’s love letter to the action serials of his youth is a timeless work of art. While it’s not quite on the same level as Star Wars, Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, John-Rhys Davies, and Paul Freeman act the hell out of their roles in a film that’s believable right up to the face-meltingly great ending! It’s stylish, iconic as hell, and a blast to watch, so why not go and do that when you’re done here?
Ah, yes. You could have done that… if only you spoke Hovitos.
2. Apollo 13
This movie is notable because it let the scientists be the heroes.
What Beat It: Braveheart
Why It Should Have Won:
Ron Howard’s incredible dramatization of the titular NASA mission is a wonder to behold. While there are a few historical inaccuracies in the movie, it’s still paints a fairly realistic picture of the wonderful potential and grounded turmoil of our early steps into outer space. Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton lead an all-star cast that delivers refreshingly honest performances, elevating the film as the mission veers from the hope of landing on the Moon to the fear that the the astronauts may never make it home.
It’s an inspirational story and one of Ron Howard’s best films to date.
1. Saving Private Ryan
The opening scene is one of the most realistic and terrifying depictions of combat ever captured on film.
What Beat It: Shakespeare In Love
Why It Should Have Won:
Steven Spielberg takes his creative and technical abilities to the next level from the very first frame. When he chucks the audience into an absolutely brutal re-creation of the Battle of Normandy, we get a feel for the bravery and sacrifice of those who we follow throughout the film. From there, viewers meet a well-rounded crew of soldiers and embark on an journey that encapsulates the dilemmas of war, the sheer horror that can come from the choices that we make, and all of the questions that lie in between.
It’s a haunting, yet hopeful war thriller that you need to see.
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