JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonJohn Doe’s Nominations: Best Pictures 1997-2006
February 23rd 2007 08:17
Best Picture 1997-2007: John Doe’s Nominations
John Doe decided to do this as a continuation from yesterdays post on the worst films to take home the Best Picture Oscar.
Best Picture, it’s a bold statement. What is the best? It’s so subjective yet passes itself off as objective. Everyone looks for different things in their cinematic experiences, people are moved by different things.
“Pictures are for entertainment, messages should be delivered by Western Union.” – Samuel Goldwyn
Escapism and entertainment are relative terms. Sometimes it means zipping to another galaxy or mystical land of dragons and fairies. (Fantasy). Maybe it’s unlocking the secrets of our future, ponder the human condition and why society is inherintely self destructive (Sci Fi).
“Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and entertainment doesn't know the first thing about either.” - Marshall McLuhan (Theorist, writer)
For introspective citizens, it may just be getting inside the head and heart of someone who lives just around the corner (Urban drama). Certain people need strong manipulation to be invested in a story, they demand surprise and a constant threat of danger (Horror/thrillers).
ENTERTAINMENT, n. Any kind of amusement whose inroads stop short of death by injection – Ambrose Pierce (The Devils Dictionary)
Then there is also the “what makes us laugh” factor. (Comedy)
“To me, bad taste is what entertainment is all about” – John Waters
For John Doe to declare a film the best of the year it needs do more than just distract and amuse. It needs to also be technically faultless. The cinematography, sound design and dialogue must all be ahead of the status quo.
Masterful celluloid transports viewers to another time or place, communicating emotions, concepts and humanity in an engrossing and constantly changing reality. At the same time stimulating the mind and heightening the senses to facilitate an out of body experience, where we are no longer voyeurs but participants.
Exceptional cinema must possess that indefinable something that allows it to transcend the screen and resonate in real-life, to become art. Forcing the audience to think about the subject from an alternate perspective, long after the final credits have rolled.
“Art is moral passion married to entertainment. Moral passion without entertainment is propaganda, and entertainment without moral passion is television.”- Rita Mae Brown (writer)
For the list below, JD has tried to not prejudice the experiment, it would be insulting to readers if he just named his 5 favourite films of each year. Instead this is a concerted effort to cite the finest examples of inventive technique, individual style and infinite knowledge of the medium itself from the last 10 years. (Worth noting that I couldn’t remember the year of release for certain titles so referred to www.imdb.com)
1997
Sling Blade (JD Winner)
People Vs Larry Flynt
Lone Star
Beautiful Girls
Breaking the Waves
Scene from Sling Blade Written, Directed and Starring Billy Bob Thornton
1998
Boogie Nights (JD Winner)
The Ice Storm
Sweet Hereafter
The Spanish Prisoner
Gattaca
Affliction
1999
The Thin Red Line (JD Winner)
Dark City
Happiness
Pi
Rushmore
2000
Fight Club (JD Winner)
Being John Malkovich
The Virgin Suicides
Ghost Dog
Titus
2001
Requiem For A Dream (JD Winner)
Memento
Wonderboys
Dancer In The Dark
Traffic
Below is the the disturbingly funny fan trailer blending of Toy Story with Requiem for a Dream.
2002
Donnie Darko (JD Winner)
Mulholland Drive
The Royal Tennanbaums
The Pledge
The Man Who Wasn’t There
Hypnotic use of all the tools of cinema and a script expertise that works in all genres making Donnie Darko a unique and unforgettable film. Check out the trailer below.
2003
Adaptation (JD Winner)
Narc
Confessions of A Dangerous Mind
Solaris
LOTR: Two Towers
2004
Elephant (JD Winner)
21 Grams
The Cooler
Open Range
Bad Santa
Here is the trailer for Gus Van Sant's study of teenaged detachment and violence in Elephant.
2005
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (JD Winner)
Passion of the Christ
Hotel Rwanda
Spartan
Maria Full of Grace
An invigorating script, emotive performances and skillfull camera work make Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind dazzling to watch and complex in emotion.
2006
Mysterious Skin (JD Winner)
The Constant Gardener
Syriana
Good Night and Good Luck
A History of Violence
Sin City
2007
Children of Men (JD Winner)
Little Miss Sunshine
The Prestige
Thank You for Smoking
Brick
So what would your nominations be for any given year?
Quotes courtesy of www.thinkexists.com
Academy Poster for 2007
Best Picture, it’s a bold statement. What is the best? It’s so subjective yet passes itself off as objective. Everyone looks for different things in their cinematic experiences, people are moved by different things.
“Pictures are for entertainment, messages should be delivered by Western Union.” – Samuel Goldwyn
Escapism and entertainment are relative terms. Sometimes it means zipping to another galaxy or mystical land of dragons and fairies. (Fantasy). Maybe it’s unlocking the secrets of our future, ponder the human condition and why society is inherintely self destructive (Sci Fi).
“Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and entertainment doesn't know the first thing about either.” - Marshall McLuhan (Theorist, writer)
For introspective citizens, it may just be getting inside the head and heart of someone who lives just around the corner (Urban drama). Certain people need strong manipulation to be invested in a story, they demand surprise and a constant threat of danger (Horror/thrillers).
Then there is also the “what makes us laugh” factor. (Comedy)
“To me, bad taste is what entertainment is all about” – John Waters
For John Doe to declare a film the best of the year it needs do more than just distract and amuse. It needs to also be technically faultless. The cinematography, sound design and dialogue must all be ahead of the status quo.
Masterful celluloid transports viewers to another time or place, communicating emotions, concepts and humanity in an engrossing and constantly changing reality. At the same time stimulating the mind and heightening the senses to facilitate an out of body experience, where we are no longer voyeurs but participants.
Exceptional cinema must possess that indefinable something that allows it to transcend the screen and resonate in real-life, to become art. Forcing the audience to think about the subject from an alternate perspective, long after the final credits have rolled.
“Art is moral passion married to entertainment. Moral passion without entertainment is propaganda, and entertainment without moral passion is television.”- Rita Mae Brown (writer)
For the list below, JD has tried to not prejudice the experiment, it would be insulting to readers if he just named his 5 favourite films of each year. Instead this is a concerted effort to cite the finest examples of inventive technique, individual style and infinite knowledge of the medium itself from the last 10 years. (Worth noting that I couldn’t remember the year of release for certain titles so referred to www.imdb.com)
1997
Sling Blade (JD Winner)
People Vs Larry Flynt
Lone Star
Beautiful Girls
Breaking the Waves
Scene from Sling Blade Written, Directed and Starring Billy Bob Thornton
1998
Boogie Nights (JD Winner)
The Ice Storm
Sweet Hereafter
The Spanish Prisoner
Gattaca
Affliction
1999
The Thin Red Line (JD Winner)
Dark City
Happiness
Pi
Rushmore
2000
Fight Club (JD Winner)
Being John Malkovich
The Virgin Suicides
Ghost Dog
Titus
2001
Requiem For A Dream (JD Winner)
Memento
Wonderboys
Dancer In The Dark
Traffic
Below is the the disturbingly funny fan trailer blending of Toy Story with Requiem for a Dream.
2002
Donnie Darko (JD Winner)
Mulholland Drive
The Royal Tennanbaums
The Pledge
The Man Who Wasn’t There
Hypnotic use of all the tools of cinema and a script expertise that works in all genres making Donnie Darko a unique and unforgettable film. Check out the trailer below.
2003
Adaptation (JD Winner)
Narc
Confessions of A Dangerous Mind
Solaris
LOTR: Two Towers
2004
Elephant (JD Winner)
21 Grams
The Cooler
Open Range
Bad Santa
Here is the trailer for Gus Van Sant's study of teenaged detachment and violence in Elephant.
2005
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (JD Winner)
Passion of the Christ
Hotel Rwanda
Spartan
Maria Full of Grace
An invigorating script, emotive performances and skillfull camera work make Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind dazzling to watch and complex in emotion.
2006
Mysterious Skin (JD Winner)
The Constant Gardener
Syriana
Good Night and Good Luck
A History of Violence
Sin City
2007
Children of Men (JD Winner)
Little Miss Sunshine
The Prestige
Thank You for Smoking
Brick
So what would your nominations be for any given year?
Quotes courtesy of www.thinkexists.com
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Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
So you would have chosen "Adaptation" as the best of 2003 as well, nice.
Any that you disagree with??
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I pretty much agree with all your choices, incl. your winner picks ... although I can't stand Dark City .. the Proyas flick?
So, The Departed, three major Awards . I'm happy. Are you?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I couldn't pick best picture ...went with Babel ... or Babble as the Americans like to call it ... but i was wrong ... I guess it was the BIG pat on Scorsese's back, giving the flick best picture, director and adpated screenplay .... whatever.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Comment by Hellvis
Earache Hotel
I'm definitely out of the loop with a lot of these. My movie going dropped off a cliff after 2000 (the only year that I've seen all the films mentioned). I'll throw in my 2c anyway.
Glad to see Happiness get a mention. I love Aranofsky and wonder whether The Fountain will measure up. Anything written by Kaufmann gets my vote (except for Confessions which dissapointed me, and is the only one I've seent that I'd disagree with here). And Sling Blade! Hah! Makes me want to hrrrrmm go and get some hhhrrrrmmmm french fried potatas.
HrrrMmm
I'd chuck in for Pan's Labyrinth, but it's the only picture I've seen this year (sad, huh!).
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Earache Hotel
Hey JD,
I'm definitely out of the loop with a lot of these. My movie going dropped off a cliff after 2000 (the only year that I've seen all the films mentioned). I'll throw in my 2c anyway.
Glad to see Happiness get a mention. I love Aranofsky and wonder whether The Fountain will measure up. Anything written by Kaufmann gets my vote (except for Confessions which dissapointed me, and is the only one I've seent that I'd disagree with here). And Sling Blade! Hah! Makes me want to hrrrrmm go and get some hhhrrrrmmmm french fried potatas.
HrrrMmm
I'd chuck in for Pan's Labyrinth, but it's the only picture I've seen this year (sad, huh!).
Great comments as always hellvis,
Just watched Sling Blade again the other night and I have decided it should have taken every award