Boo Radley75
Distinguished Member
Recently I have started a new hobby, collection, challenge. I am going to buy the DVDs of and watch every single film that won Best Film at the Oscars, starting with the most recent and working my way back. There are 90 odd of them, going back to the 1920s. I'm looking forward to the journey and learning how the film industry seems to have evolved here and what I enjoy or not in this skeleton of it. I already own 26 Oscar winning films and have probably seen 30 - 40 of them. I owned all the 90s ones. I've since bought on e-bay all the gaps in this century ones, I don't own, so thats the first 30, already I've got to work my way through. It's a pretty cheap thing to do, picked most of them up for between 1 and 2 quid. I'll write a review of each film as I watch them but am also interested in your thoughts and opinions on them. What are you favourites and least favourites, etc? These are the ones I've watched, in this challenge, so far...
Parasite (2019) - Took a good 20 -30 minutes to get into it but when I did, very good. Dark and sometimes quite hilarious 4/5
Green Book (2018) - Already had this film and the third time I've watched it. Have to say it's a grower and much better watching the second time. Apparently it had a load of critism for racial stereotyping. I'm not Italian or Black so would be ignorant of me to comment on that as wouldn't know how hurtful or not they were. I personally thought they dealt with it well, the issues of racism and the whys of people trying to get away from their culture but learning to embrace it. Actually a good Christmas film too, given the ending. The dynamics of the two lead characters bouncing off each other was excellent 4.5/5
The Shape of Water (2017) - Pretty ok film in a weird kind of frog fetish/ noir/ creature from the black lagoon/ Splash kind of way. Wouldn't call it a classic and not particularly my kind of thing but 3.5/ 5
Moonlight (2016) - Wish there were subtitles as the strong black, ghetto American accent is fairly hard to follow. On that line, it's pretty atmospheric and easy to get into but the last third really drags, completely changes and is far too slow. 3.5/ 5
Spotlight (2015) - True and very important story. I found the acting either underacted or overacted for the most part, couldn't really connect with most of them. The way they covered 9/11 was a bit of a pigs ear too. Was expecting more from this. 3.5/ 5
Birdman (2014) - There was some great acting in this, especially Ed Norton but where does it go? What's the point of it? The first half hour was torture, got quite atmospheric, in a good way after that but was so slow and nothing much happening. In truth, it's an acting business w**kfest by people in the acting word who think their work, behind the scenes, is far more interesting than it is. No wonder they awarded themself the biggest prize for this snooze fest. 2.5/5
12 Years a Slave (2013) - Finally back to a proper good film! Powerful stuff, awesome acting. Can drag a bit in parts 4.5/5
Argo (2012) - I like a true story, bit mystified why a film with Ben Affleck and Malcolm in the Middles dad and directed by Affleck won an Oscar. To be fair, Malcolm in the middle's dad has grown into a good actor. It says a lot that I think Ben Afflecks role would have been played miles better by Keanu Reeves. That says a lot! (Could have done with more John Goodman) Average and entertaining film but Oscar worthy winner it is not! Were films really bad this year? 3/5
Hopefully I should be getting through another 2 or 3 tonight so more reviews up soon.
Parasite (2019) - Took a good 20 -30 minutes to get into it but when I did, very good. Dark and sometimes quite hilarious 4/5
Green Book (2018) - Already had this film and the third time I've watched it. Have to say it's a grower and much better watching the second time. Apparently it had a load of critism for racial stereotyping. I'm not Italian or Black so would be ignorant of me to comment on that as wouldn't know how hurtful or not they were. I personally thought they dealt with it well, the issues of racism and the whys of people trying to get away from their culture but learning to embrace it. Actually a good Christmas film too, given the ending. The dynamics of the two lead characters bouncing off each other was excellent 4.5/5
The Shape of Water (2017) - Pretty ok film in a weird kind of frog fetish/ noir/ creature from the black lagoon/ Splash kind of way. Wouldn't call it a classic and not particularly my kind of thing but 3.5/ 5
Moonlight (2016) - Wish there were subtitles as the strong black, ghetto American accent is fairly hard to follow. On that line, it's pretty atmospheric and easy to get into but the last third really drags, completely changes and is far too slow. 3.5/ 5
Spotlight (2015) - True and very important story. I found the acting either underacted or overacted for the most part, couldn't really connect with most of them. The way they covered 9/11 was a bit of a pigs ear too. Was expecting more from this. 3.5/ 5
Birdman (2014) - There was some great acting in this, especially Ed Norton but where does it go? What's the point of it? The first half hour was torture, got quite atmospheric, in a good way after that but was so slow and nothing much happening. In truth, it's an acting business w**kfest by people in the acting word who think their work, behind the scenes, is far more interesting than it is. No wonder they awarded themself the biggest prize for this snooze fest. 2.5/5
12 Years a Slave (2013) - Finally back to a proper good film! Powerful stuff, awesome acting. Can drag a bit in parts 4.5/5
Argo (2012) - I like a true story, bit mystified why a film with Ben Affleck and Malcolm in the Middles dad and directed by Affleck won an Oscar. To be fair, Malcolm in the middle's dad has grown into a good actor. It says a lot that I think Ben Afflecks role would have been played miles better by Keanu Reeves. That says a lot! (Could have done with more John Goodman) Average and entertaining film but Oscar worthy winner it is not! Were films really bad this year? 3/5
Hopefully I should be getting through another 2 or 3 tonight so more reviews up soon.
