Best Picture Oscar Winners
These are the films that have won the Oscar for Best Picture. I have an interest in trying to see them all. There are brief descriptions of what I liked and disliked about these films.
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- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodViggo MortensenIan McKellenGandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.10/10 - This movie has impressive production designing, battles, cinematography, visuals, and a great cast, especially a moving performance from Sean Astin as Sam. With pacing being just right, this is one of the few films exceeding three hours that I can sit through in one viewing.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsCharlton HestonJack HawkinsStephen BoydAfter a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.9/10 - I need to re-watch this movie soon, but from what I remember, it has spectacular production values, and pretty good performances from the cast. The story is engaging, and the ending, which fortunately doesn't rush through dramatic development like the 2016 one, moved me so much.
- DirectorHugh HudsonStarsBen CrossIan CharlesonNicholas FarrellTwo British track athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, are driven to win in the 1924 Olympics as they wrestle with issues of pride and conscience.8/10 - Despite the fact that it beat Raiders of the Lost Ark, Chariots of Fire still had engaging acting and a well-executed story. I actually liked it more the second time I saw it.
- DirectorBruce BeresfordStarsMorgan FreemanJessica TandyDan AykroydAn old Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the American South have a relationship that grows and improves over the years.7/10 - The story is fine, the acting is fine, the direction is fine, but the pacing makes Driving Miss Daisy feel too long. I wouldn't consider it Best-Picture worthy, but it's still not a bad film.
- DirectorFranklin J. SchaffnerStarsGeorge C. ScottKarl MaldenStephen YoungThe World War II phase of the career of controversial American general George S. Patton.8.5/10 - With excellent writing and a fantastic performance from George C. Scott, Patton has enough intrigue in it to warrant a watch, even if its pacing isn't so great.
- DirectorDavid LeanStarsPeter O'TooleAlec GuinnessAnthony QuinnThe story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks.9/10 - Definitely better the second time I saw it. The story is incredible, the acting is outstanding, especially Peter O'Toole, and the dialogue was very good. The only gripe I have is that the pacing has me watching the film in two sittings.
- DirectorRichard AttenboroughStarsBen KingsleyJohn GielgudRohini HattangadiThe life of the lawyer who became the famed leader of the Indian revolts against the British rule through his philosophy of nonviolent protest.7.8/10 - An admirable biographic on Gandhi, this film has splendid acting, a great story line, and impressive production values that overshadow the slow pacing in the second half.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsHumphrey BogartIngrid BergmanPaul HenreidA cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.9/10 - The more I think of Casablanca, the more satisfying it feels. From the acting, to the dialogue, to the production design, to the ending; I like it more and more.
- DirectorMilos FormanStarsF. Murray AbrahamTom HulceElizabeth BerridgeThe life, success and troubles of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as told by Antonio Salieri, the contemporaneous composer who was deeply jealous of Mozart's talent and claimed to have murdered him.7/10 - One of the most dramatically intense films I can recall seeing, the pacing is just right, the acting is great, but the ending makes me feel unsatisfied. I'm not sure what it is, but it lets me down.
- DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.7.8/10 - With decent writing and acting, Rocky is emotionally involving enough to watch the entire way, and the ending I find to be more inspiring as I think of it (and after watching some of the sequels).
- DirectorFred ZinnemannStarsPaul ScofieldWendy HillerRobert ShawThe story of Sir Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII when the King rejected the Roman Catholic Church to obtain a divorce and remarry.8.4/10 - I found this film to be very intriguing with its writing, acting (though Robert Shaw overacts a bit), and directing.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsClark GableClaudette ColbertWalter ConnollyA rogue reporter trailing a runaway heiress for a big story joins her on a bus heading from Florida to New York and they end up stuck with each other when the bus leaves them behind at one of the stops along the way.10/10 - Overlooking cliches that the movie probably helped start (with The Broadway Melody, among other films), IHON has a terrific script, and engaging chemistry between the stars, enhanced by assured direction from Frank Capra, making this movie VERY entertaining.
- DirectorElia KazanStarsGregory PeckDorothy McGuireJohn GarfieldA reporter pretends to be Jewish in order to cover a story on anti-Semitism, and personally discovers the true depths of bigotry and hatred.7/10 - The story in this movie is VERY interesting, but some of the pacing feels slow. Gentleman's Agreement makes up, however, with good acting and a satisfying ending.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJean ArthurJames StewartLionel BarrymoreThe son of a snobbish Wall Street banker becomes engaged to a woman from a good-natured but decidedly eccentric family not realizing that his father is trying to force her family from their home for a real estate development.8.4/10 - There are moments in this comedy that are undoubtedly cheesy, in terms of dialogue, and the ending feels long. However, YCTIWY is still well-acted, funny, and has a nice story.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsLiam NeesonRalph FiennesBen KingsleyIn German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.8.4/10 - I need to see this film again, but I definitely think the acting is great, particularly from Liam Neeson, and that the direction was good enough to warrant the watch.
- DirectorLaurence OlivierStarsLaurence OlivierJean SimmonsJohn LauriePrince Hamlet struggles over whether or not he should kill his uncle, whom he suspects has murdered his father, the former king.7.1/10 - The acting in Hamlet, particularly Laurence Olivier, is superb, and the pacing is alright. Overall, this is a good adaptation of Shakespeare's play. That being said, if you are not a big fan of the play (myself included), you probably will not like the movie too much. I think it is good for what it's worth, though.
- DirectorDavid LeanStarsWilliam HoldenAlec GuinnessJack HawkinsBritish POWs are forced to build a railway bridge across the river Kwai for their Japanese captors in occupied Burma, not knowing that the allied forces are planning a daring commando raid through the jungle to destroy it.9/10 - This movie has excellent dialogue, amazing production values, terrific performances, and great direction that engaged me throughout, right up to its very intense ending. Depending on how you interpret its message, you might not like the ending very much.
- DirectorJohn FordStarsWalter PidgeonMaureen O'HaraAnna LeeAt the turn of the century in a Welsh mining village, the Morgans, he stern, she gentle, raise coal-mining sons and hope their youngest will find a better life.7.1/10 - This film starts with an OVERLY cheerful tone that eventually turns very dark. The cast occasionally overacts. The ending feels rushed, but the direction of the whole film makes up for it.
- DirectorFrank LloydStarsCharles LaughtonClark GableFranchot ToneFirst mate Fletcher Christian leads a revolt against his sadistic commander, Captain Bligh, in this classic seafaring adventure, based on the real-life 1789 mutiny.7.4/10 - This adaptation boasts terrific production designing and an excellent performance from Charles Laughton as Captain Bligh. MotB keeps most of the important parts from the book to make a good story, but it suffers most from an unsatisfying ending.
- DirectorElia KazanStarsMarlon BrandoKarl MaldenLee J. CobbAn ex-prize fighter turned New Jersey longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses, including his older brother, as he starts to connect with the grieving sister of one of the syndicate's victims.10/10 - The movie starts slowly, but surely, eventually picking itself up to provide a great story, superb acting, a well-written screenplay, fantastic direction, and an incredibly satisfying ending, probably one of my all time favorites.
- DirectorRobert WiseStarsJulie AndrewsChristopher PlummerEleanor ParkerA young novice is sent by her convent in 1930s Austria to become a governess to the seven children of a widowed naval officer.9/10 - A very family-friendly film that actually has enough appeal for everyone (if you don't mind these types of films). With great music and splendid acting, this is one of the few films nearing three hours that I can honestly say went through too quickly.
- DirectorLewis MilestoneStarsLew AyresLouis WolheimJohn WrayA German youth eagerly enters World War I, but his enthusiasm wanes as he gets a firsthand view of the horror.8.7/10 - This movie is a very good, and for the most part, faithful, adaptation of Remarque's novel of German soldiers fighting in WWI. The script is very good, and can be depressing, but it's only to the point of carrying its admirable anti-war message. Some of the cast occasionally overact. The war scenes are well-filmed, but are not for the faint of heart.
- DirectorJerome RobbinsRobert WiseStarsNatalie WoodGeorge ChakirisRichard BeymerTwo youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.9/10 - WOW. What a re-watch can do for you with a movie. I saw this movie when I was too young to understand it as a cautionary tale. And especially during Trump's presidency, the consequences of the conflicts of the Jets and the Sharks caused by their fear hit me harder than I expected. Not to mention the songs are just wonderful to listen to.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsRussell CroweJoaquin PhoenixConnie NielsenA former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.8.3/10 - With an overall good cast, the standout for me being Joaquin Phoenix as the villainous Commodus, and impressive production design (I got shivers during the gladiatorial combats), the movie's story is one that focuses on the spirit of a wronged general that pays off in the end.
- DirectorHarry BeaumontStarsBessie LoveAnita PageCharles KingA pair of sisters from the vaudeville circuit try to make it big time on Broadway, but matters of the heart complicate the attempt.6.9/10 - I think this film is kind of underrated, with a pretty good performance from Bessie Love as Hank, and a mostly passable cast. Cliches found in many modern romance movies are likely to be found here, but I'll give TBM a chance to impress, since it's probably one film that started some of those cliches. Unfortunately, the dance sequences are boring, losing points for the film.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsGreer GarsonWalter PidgeonTeresa WrightA British family struggles to survive the first months of World War II.6/10 - I may need to re-watch this movie, as it has good acting and dialogue, but feels too depressing.
- DirectorBen AffleckStarsBen AffleckBryan CranstonJohn GoodmanActing under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.9/10 - Historical inaccuracies aside, I found Argo to be very well acted, written, directed, and paced that ends up delivering a great overall product. And the ending is pretty tense, as well.
- DirectorRobert Z. LeonardStarsWilliam PowellMyrna LoyLuise RainerThe ups and downs of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., famed producer of extravagant stage revues, are portrayed.4/10 - William Powell makes much of the movie watchable as Flo Ziegfeld, but there are more problems. Luise Rainer was annoying, the movie felt overlong, and the musical numbers, while well-filmed and impressive to see, started to drag a LOT after the first half of the film.
- DirectorVincente MinnelliStarsGene KellyLeslie CaronOscar LevantThree friends struggle to find work in Paris. Things become more complicated when two of them fall in love with the same woman.5/10 - The production design and dance sequences are very good, and the acting is decent. Most of the songs are alright (I cannot remember any that annoyed me), but the movie ultimately lets down with its VERY abrupt ending.
- DirectorF.W. MurnauStarsGeorge O'BrienJanet GaynorMargaret LivingstonA sophisticated city woman seduces a farmer and convinces him to murder his wife and join her in the city, but he ends up rekindling his romance with his wife when he changes his mind at the last moment.7/10 - Sunrise has a very interesting, albeit problematic, story. Since it is a silent film, it occasionally drags. However, the cast and director held my attention more often than not, with funny, tense, and moving scenes.
- DirectorLeo McCareyStarsBing CrosbyBarry FitzgeraldFrank McHughWhen young Father O'Malley arrives at St. Dominic's, old Father Fitzgibbon doesn't think much of the church's newest member.5.4/10 - The performances, story, and script for this film are all ok, but nothing extraordinary for a Best Picture winner.
- DirectorGeorge CukorStarsAudrey HepburnRex HarrisonStanley HollowayIn 1910s London, snobbish phonetics professor Henry Higgins agrees to a wager that he can make crude flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, presentable in high society.7.5/10 - The story is actually not too bad. I liked the chemistry between Hepburn and Harrison, the songs were not annoying, and the costume designing and art direction is superb! The pacing in the last 40 minutes or so drag, however.
- DirectorCarol ReedStarsMark LesterRon MoodyShani WallisAfter being sold to a mortician, young orphan Oliver Twist runs away and meets a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor in 1830s London.6/10 - My favorite performer was Oliver Reed as Bill Sykes. Other than him, the rest of the cast is fairly serviceable. But maybe perhaps since I am unfamiliar with the musical, I was unprepared for some creative liberties that did not feel as interesting (especially the very last scene), as the novel's.
- DirectorVictor FlemingGeorge CukorSam WoodStarsClark GableVivien LeighThomas MitchellA sheltered and manipulative Southern belle and a roguish profiteer face off in a turbulent romance as the society around them crumbles with the end of slavery and is rebuilt during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods.8.2/10 - Impressive acting and chemistry between stars Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, amazing cinematography, production and costume designing, and engaging storytelling is what GwtW has to offer. Though it also has elements dealing with racism that people would find troubling, I think that if you have the time to see this film in two segments (it is currently the longest Best Picture Oscar winner), it is a worthwhile watch.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsRussell CroweEd HarrisJennifer ConnellyA mathematical genius, John Nash made an astonishing discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. But the handsome and arrogant Nash soon found himself on a harrowing journey of self-discovery.8/10 - The cast helps make it through the slow beginning. And then at the middle or so, the film's story gets more interesting, and the movie itself gets more intriguing.
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsTom HanksRobin WrightGary SiniseThe history of the United States from the 1950s to the '70s unfolds from the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, who yearns to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.6.8/10 - Meh, I wasn't too impressed with the naivety of Forrest Gump's character changing history. The cast is pretty good though. Tom Hanks is very believable as the main star, and Robin Wright's scene where she almost falls down gave me shivers.
- DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsMichael KeatonZach GalifianakisEdward NortonA washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.7.3/10 - This is one of those films that I appreciate artistically, even if I didn't like it too much. I liked the acting of most of the cast, with Edward Norton being the standout for me, and the screenplay, while depressing in its nature, kept me overall very interested in the film. The cinematography is excellent, but I felt that it dragged in the last half hour or so.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsTommy Lee JonesJavier BardemJosh BrolinViolence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and over two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.6.5/10 - This movie has excellent acting, dialogue, and direction that led to an overall incredibly suspenseful film. Anton Chigurh is one of my all-time favorite villains because Javier Bardem really made him unnerving. But the ending's message is so depressing and cynical.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsWoody AllenDiane KeatonTony RobertsAlvy Singer, a divorced Jewish comedian, reflects on his relationship with ex-lover Annie Hall, an aspiring nightclub singer, which ended abruptly just like his previous marriages.5.7/10 - Seeing the movie again, I am still not a big fan of the cynical character Allen plays, and I didn't dig the way he portrays the relationships in the film. This was my main complaint with the last 30 minutes or so of the movie. I did like some of the dialogues and the mixing it has with fourth wall breaks; I thought there were clever moments. I also thought Keaton was good, and I appreciate the fact that the love story doesn't take the easy way out.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioMatt DamonJack NicholsonAn undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston.7.8/10 - A brutal film that is expertly paced and acted (Nicholson's acting was the standout for me), despite it being around 2.5 hours. I appreciate the suspense and tension wrought in the film, even though some of it was quite uncomfortable, but I am unsure of what I thought of the ending.
- DirectorEdmund GouldingStarsGreta GarboJohn BarrymoreJoan CrawfordA group of very different individuals staying at a luxurious hotel in Berlin deal with each of their respective dramas.6.9/10 - The cast ensemble was, as a whole, very good in the movie. I was into the story for quite a bit, but it has pacing issues in the second half.
- DirectorVincente MinnelliCharles WaltersStarsLeslie CaronMaurice ChevalierLouis JourdanWeary of the conventions of Parisian society, a rich playboy and a youthful courtesan-in-training enjoy a platonic friendship which may not stay platonic for long.5.4/10 - I kept almost falling asleep that I had to often rewind the movie to see if I could catch anything that would keep me interested in this unengaging story. However, I did like the production design and the costuming, Isabel Jeans as Aunt Alice, as well as the scenes with Gigi and Gaston.
- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsClint EastwoodGene HackmanMorgan FreemanRetired Old West gunslinger William Munny reluctantly takes on one last job, with the help of his old partner Ned Logan and a young man, The "Schofield Kid."9.3/10 - Re-watching this movie makes me nervous about possibly liking films I don't like mentioned above if I saw them again. First time I saw this, I appreciated how the anti-violence message was portrayed. Second time, I liked the dialogues between the characters even more, which helped me be engaged, and feel so tense when watching the last thirty minutes or so of the movie!
- DirectorJohn MaddenStarsGwyneth PaltrowJoseph FiennesGeoffrey RushThe world's greatest ever playwright, William Shakespeare, is young, out of ideas and short of cash, but meets his ideal woman and is inspired to write one of his most famous plays.7.7/10 - Shakespearean, Old English, "noble and royal"-sounding dialogues at their most entertaining. Maybe my low expectations affected the way I saw SiL. But I thought about it more, and I still liked it quite a bit. I do think the love story and connection moved and evolved too quick, though.
- DirectorRob MarshallStarsRenée ZellwegerCatherine Zeta-JonesRichard GereTwo death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, and a sleazy lawyer's attention.6.0/10 - The set designs, performances, and singing are all excellent. I especially liked the paparazzi puppets scene. What prevents me from giving this a better rating is that Renee Zellweger's character is so selfish and unlikeable that I didn't want her to succeed. Also, the treatment of the only real moral character felt really disappointing.
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsCharlie SheenTom BerengerWillem DafoeChris Taylor, a neophyte recruit in Vietnam, finds himself caught in a battle of wills between two sergeants, one good and the other evil. A shrewd examination of the brutality of war and the duality of man in conflict.8.3/10 - The main characters are treated well enough to make me care about what happens to them (and wanting the jerks in here to get their just desserts). Oliver Stone's directing, the cinematography, and the soundtrack all contributed to making the film very emotional. I would gladly watch it again.
- DirectorMel GibsonStarsMel GibsonSophie MarceauPatrick McGoohanScottish warrior William Wallace leads his countrymen in a rebellion to free his homeland from the tyranny of King Edward I of England.7.2/10 - I'm torn about this film. On one hand, I really liked Wallace's well-intentioned, but flawed, character, the action sequences, the full first hour, and how the film doesn't feel that long (at least for me). But the dramatic scenes that were supposed to enhance the drama, such as provide motivations for the characters or conflicts between them, felt cheesy because of some of the dialogues. As a whole, though, I still think it's good.
- DirectorTom McCarthyStarsMark RuffaloMichael KeatonRachel McAdamsThe true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.9/10 - The writing was so good, that every main character has at least one chance to shine to make them more memorable. It's also a very heartbreaking film to watch, all the more so because it's based on real life. Bravo to the filmmakers for making this intense, emotional film.
- DirectorMichael CiminoStarsRobert De NiroChristopher WalkenJohn CazaleAn in-depth examination of the ways in which the Vietnam War impacts and disrupts the lives of several friends in a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania.6/10 - The Deer Hunter is an interesting film. It has a couple of great scenes of character development, and some parts showcased the actors' skills (and those roulette scenes were brutally suspenseful). I had serious issues with some of Michael's actions in the film and with the editing though. I felt that a lot of the scenes after the war fighting did not seem cohesive enough to flow together as one movie. Also, some of Michael's actions felt nonsensical, like when he was stripping and during the last forty minutes or so with Nick.
- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsGene HackmanRoy ScheiderFernando ReyA pair of NYPD detectives in the Narcotics Bureau stumble onto a heroin smuggling ring based in Marseilles, but stopping them and capturing their leaders proves an elusive goal.8.7/10 - This movie is incredibly dark, but I'm glad I re-watched this movie to make sure I knew what I was going to say. The performances are all great, the dialogues as a whole felt real, and Friedkin's direction was astounding. There are some great scenes with visual storytelling that I appreciated a lot more the second time I saw The French Connection.
- DirectorTom HooperStarsColin FirthGeoffrey RushHelena Bonham CarterThe story of King George VI, his unexpected ascension to the throne of the British Empire in 1936, and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch overcome his stammer.7.8/10 - The second half drags, but the acting by Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter is still superb, the dialogues are often very engaging, and I thought it had some pretty funny moments. It's an inspiring story of how people can overcome obstacles when they have the proper support.
- DirectorWilliam A. WellmanHarry d'Abbadie d'ArrastStarsClara BowCharles 'Buddy' RogersRichard ArlenTwo young men, one rich, one middle class, who are in love with the same woman, become fighter pilots in World War I.7.0/10 - It feels kind of dated because of its style of narration involving so many shots of just dialogue, which also makes it slow. But, the acting was pretty good, and the war sequences were well-filmed (for the time). Worth watching for its historical value.
- DirectorMilos FormanStarsJack NicholsonLouise FletcherMichael BerrymanIn the Fall of 1963, a Korean War veteran and criminal pleads insanity and is admitted to a mental institution, where he rallies up the scared patients against the tyrannical nurse.7.0/10 - Hmm, while I liked the acting, I felt that Nurse Ratched wasn't quite as evil as I've seen or read people make her out to be (nor was McMurphy as heroic as I had imagined). This made me feel conflicted about the ending. There are still some standout moments though, like when he tries to get the patients excited about different activities to get them moving, and the supporting cast was excellent as well (among them are Danny de Vito, Brad Dourif, and Sydney Lassick).
- DirectorRobert RedfordStarsDonald SutherlandMary Tyler MooreJudd HirschThe accidental death of the older son of an affluent family deeply strains the relationships among the bitter mother, the good-natured father and the guilt-ridden younger son.8.8/10 - This is the film that beat Raging Bull for Best Picture at the Oscars. I feel that that's all some people pay attention to when viewing this movie and aren't willing to judge it by its own merits. For me, I saw a well-acted, sincere, at times tough to watch, but thoroughly engaging drama about family discord and grief. Timothy Hutton was very deserving of his Oscar. Although even I admit to liking Raging Bull more, I'd recommend this movie because I think it's still really good on it's own.
- DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsJodie FosterAnthony HopkinsScott GlennA young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims.10/10 - I had heard and read a lot of great things about this movie, and man it didn't disappoint! The interactions between Starling and Lecter were some of the best parts because the script is so engaging and the acting is terrific (Hopkins in particular was SO good)! Also, I need to show respect for the late Jonathan Demme, because he made a creepy movie, but also one that feels restrained sometimes. Some of the most violent scenes in the movie are left to the imagination which I thought made it even creepier.
- DirectorSam MendesStarsKevin SpaceyAnnette BeningThora BirchA sexually frustrated suburban father has a mid-life crisis after becoming infatuated with his daughter's best friend.This movie is simultaneously well-made, and kind of off-putting to me. I respect the cinematography, and some of the writing and acting, but I'm somewhat put off by the movie's self-important atmosphere and sexual themes.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsJames StewartCharlton HestonBetty HuttonThe dramatic lives of trapeze artists, a clown, and an elephant trainer are told against a background of circus spectacle.7/10 - Maybe my low expectations for this movie helped me enjoy it more than I was supposed to. I was entertained throughout the movie despite its overlong runtime, and more than a few melodramatic scenes, because of the production values and stunt work. I also thought the characters were likable enough to watch.
- DirectorAnthony MinghellaStarsRalph FiennesJuliette BinocheWillem DafoeAt the close of World War II, a young nurse tends to a badly burned plane crash victim. His past is shown in flashbacks, revealing an involvement in a fateful love affair.4.8/10 - I'm sorry but I did not care for this movie's central romance because I didn't like how the actors interact onscreen. The "Silent Night" scene especially looked so stiff. Add to that it's really slow pacing and LONG running time, it doesn't work for me. I appreciate the production values and the cinematography though.
- DirectorJames L. BrooksStarsShirley MacLaineDebra WingerJack NicholsonFollows hard-to-please Aurora looking for love and her daughter's family problems.5/10 - The acting was pretty good (and the real scene stealers were the two child actors playing the sons), but I didn't find the female leads likable enough to be emotionally involved in the ending like others have been.
- DirectorRobert RossenStarsBroderick CrawfordJohn IrelandJoanne DruThe rise and fall of a corrupt politician, who makes his friends richer and retains power by dint of a populist appeal.8.3/10 - I thought the political themes were very investing, and the acting was very good too. It could be kind of predictable, but hey, it's loosely based on a real-life politician's career.
- DirectorBarry JenkinsStarsMahershala AliNaomie HarrisTrevante RhodesA young African-American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.
- DirectorJohn SchlesingerStarsDustin HoffmanJon VoightSylvia MilesA naive hustler travels from Texas to New York City to seek personal fortune, finding a new friend in the process.
- DirectorDelbert MannStarsErnest BorgnineBetsy BlairEsther MinciottiA middle-aged butcher and a school teacher who have given up on the idea of love meet at a dance and fall for each other.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMarlon BrandoAl PacinoJames CaanThe aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.
- DirectorPeter FarrellyStarsViggo MortensenMahershala AliLinda CardelliniA working-class Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver for an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues through the 1960s American South.
- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsHilary SwankClint EastwoodMorgan FreemanFrankie, an ill-tempered old coach, reluctantly agrees to train aspiring boxer Maggie. Impressed with her determination and talent, he helps her become the best and the two soon form a close bond.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsJack LemmonShirley MacLaineFred MacMurrayA Manhattan insurance clerk tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroRobert DuvallThe early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.
- DirectorRobert BentonStarsDustin HoffmanMeryl StreepJane AlexanderAfter his wife leaves him, a work-obsessed Manhattan advertising executive is forced to learn long-neglected parenting skills, but a heated custody battle over the couple's young son deepens the wounds left by the separation.
- DirectorSteve McQueenStarsChiwetel EjioforMichael Kenneth WilliamsMichael FassbenderIn the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free Black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.
- DirectorJames CameronStarsLeonardo DiCaprioKate WinsletBilly ZaneA seventeen-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic.
- DirectorMichael AndersonJohn FarrowStarsDavid NivenCantinflasFinlay CurrieA Victorian Englishman bets that with the new steamships and railways he can circumnavigate the globe in eighty days.
- DirectorGeorge Roy HillStarsPaul NewmanRobert RedfordRobert ShawTwo grifters team up to pull off the ultimate con.
- DirectorBong Joon HoStarsSong Kang-hoLee Sun-kyunCho Yeo-jeongGreed and class discrimination threaten the newly-formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.
- DirectorFred ZinnemannStarsBurt LancasterMontgomery CliftDeborah KerrAt a U.S. Army base in 1941 Hawaii, a private is cruelly punished for not boxing on his unit's team, while his commanding officer's wife and top aide begin a tentative affair.
- DirectorFrank LloydStarsDiana WynyardClive BrookUna O'ConnorA portrayal of the triumphs and tragedies of two English families, the upper-crust Marryots and the working-class Bridgeses, from 1899 to 1933.
- DirectorKathryn BigelowStarsJeremy RennerAnthony MackieBrian GeraghtyDuring the Iraq War, a Sergeant recently assigned to an army bomb squad is put at odds with his squad mates due to his maverick way of handling his work.
- DirectorBernardo BertolucciStarsJohn LoneJoan ChenPeter O'TooleBernardo Bertolucci's Oscar-winning dramatisation of the life story of China's last emperor, Pu Yi.
- DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsSally HawkinsOctavia SpencerMichael ShannonAt a top secret research facility in the 1960s, a lonely janitor forms a unique relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity.
- DirectorNorman JewisonStarsSidney PoitierRod SteigerWarren OatesA black Philadelphia police detective is mistakenly suspected of a local murder while passing through a racially hostile Mississippi town, and after being cleared is reluctantly asked by the police chief to investigate the case.
- DirectorWesley RugglesStarsRichard DixIrene DunneEstelle TaylorA newspaper editor settles in an Oklahoma boom town with his reluctant wife at the end of the nineteenth century.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsMyrna LoyDana AndrewsFredric MarchThree World War II veterans, two of them traumatized or disabled, return home to the American midwest to discover that they and their families have been irreparably changed.
- DirectorSydney PollackStarsMeryl StreepRobert RedfordKlaus Maria BrandauerIn 20th-century colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness/plantation owner has a passionate love affair with a free-spirited big-game hunter.
- DirectorMichel HazanaviciusStarsJean DujardinBérénice BejoJohn GoodmanWhen George, a silent movie superstar, meets Peppy Miller, a dancer, sparks fly between the two. However, after the introduction of talking pictures, their fortunes change, affecting their dynamic.
- DirectorWilliam DieterleStarsPaul MuniGale SondergaardJoseph SchildkrautThe biopic of the famous French muckraking writer and his involvement in fighting the injustice of the Dreyfus Affair.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsRay MillandJane WymanPhillip TerryThe desperate life of a chronic alcoholic is followed through a four-day drinking bout.
- DirectorSian HederStarsEmilia JonesMarlee MatlinTroy KotsurAs a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) Ruby is the only hearing person in her deaf family. When the family's fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her passion at Berklee College of Music and her fear of abandoning her parents.
- DirectorKevin CostnerStarsKevin CostnerMary McDonnellGraham GreeneLieutenant John Dunbar, assigned to a remote western Civil War outpost, finds himself engaging with a neighbouring Sioux settlement, causing him to question his own purpose.
- DirectorTony RichardsonStarsAlbert FinneySusannah YorkGeorge DevineThe romantic and chivalrous adventures of adopted bastard Tom Jones in 18th-century England.
- DirectorChloé ZhaoStarsFrances McDormandDavid StrathairnLinda MayA woman in her sixties, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.
- DirectorPaul HaggisStarsDon CheadleSandra BullockThandiwe NewtonLos Angeles citizens with vastly separate lives collide in interweaving stories of race, loss and redemption.
- DirectorBarry LevinsonStarsDustin HoffmanTom CruiseValeria GolinoAfter a selfish L.A. yuppie learns his estranged father left a fortune to an autistic-savant brother in Ohio that he didn't know existed, he absconds with his brother and sets out across the country, hoping to gain a larger inheritance.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsLaurence OlivierJoan FontaineGeorge SandersA self-conscious woman juggles adjusting to her new role as an aristocrat's wife and avoiding being intimidated by his first wife's spectral presence.
- DirectorDanny BoyleLoveleen TandanStarsDev PatelFreida PintoSaurabh ShuklaA teenager from the slums of Mumbai becomes a contestant on the show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati?' When interrogated under suspicion of cheating, he revisits his past, revealing how he had all the answers.
- DirectorJoseph L. MankiewiczStarsBette DavisAnne BaxterGeorge SandersA seemingly timid but secretly ruthless ingénue insinuates herself into the lives of an aging Broadway star and her circle of theater friends.
- DirectorDaniel KwanDaniel ScheinertStarsMichelle YeohStephanie HsuJamie Lee CurtisA middle-aged Chinese immigrant is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsCillian MurphyEmily BluntMatt DamonThe story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.