Ups and Downs of the Best Picture Winners (since 1990)
- Caitlin Willis
- May 4, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: May 25, 2020
This is a list of both my favourite and least favourite (I'm marking them as 'yays' and 'nays') best picture Oscar wins of the past 30 years.
By starting at 1990 I feel like I’m not just rewording other lists like this by hailing Casablanca and the films of Hollywood’s Golden Age because that’s kinda been done to death now.
This list ended up being a bit more personal than expected, I didn’t base each choice off of box office sales or critical responses. I think it’s important to understand that good films are subjective to each viewer and how they feel about it, every film impacts people differently.
YAY: The Silence of The Lambs (1991)
I am a HUGE fan of Thomas Harris’ Hannibal Lecter novels (Red Dragon is like pinnacle crime thriller fiction) and when I first saw this film, I didn’t know the accolades it held, only it’s place in pop culture (you know the scene). The film hits perfectly from characterisation, casting, pacing, score and everything else. It was the first horror film to be awarded a Best Picture Oscar and Anthony Hopkins was only on screen for 15 (some say 12, some say 16) minutes but still managed to get a Best Actor win. Iconic.
Directed by Jonathan Demme
NAY: Forrest Gump (1994)
People might come at me with pitchforks for this one but I'm sorry the film has not aged well, it dips into too many political minefields and then stands back claiming its 'non-political' when people have questioned it. Despite this, the film was the one to launch Tom Hanks' 'I'm a serious actor' career (we stan) but there was something about this movie that left a bad taste in my mouth. Although I am sceptical about the messages it promotes, it is still a classic, re-watchable, feel-good film for many fans.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
YAY: Gladiator (2000)
Maybe not the best film ever made but it never fails to make me cry, I think I also have a soft spot for anything set in this time period (Class Civ students hmu). Ridley Scott managed to revive an otherwise dead era of sword fights, emperors and chariots, the big-budget isn't lost in this story either, the narrative following revenge and loss makes you really root for the protagonist. The wave of Roman Gladiator films following this was vast yet none manage to touch the emotional impact Gladiator has, making this film memorable and a staple in pop culture.
Directed by Ridley Scott
NAY: Argo (2012)
I don’t think there’s anything obviously wrong with this one (other than major downplaying Canada’s involvement in the operation), it’s just unmemorable, no line or scene is particularly prominent. I’m not sure why I didn’t find this film as suspense-filled and dramatic as promised, but I think Zero Dark Thirty should have taken the Oscar this year.
Directed by Ben Affleck
YAY: Lord Of The Rings (2002-2003)
These films broke the barrier when it came to adapting huge fantasy epics, LOTR paved the way for film adaptations of Narnia, the ill-fated Eragon movie and even the Game of Thrones (RIP) TV show. The trilogy revolutionised CGI and visual effects and was the first time a film said stuff it, let’s have four endings and three huge battle sequences, go big or go home. As well as having a huge industrial impact the films are also some that have been endlessly referenced and parodied, marking a huge placement in pop culture.
Directed by Peter Jackson
NAY: Crash (2004)
I feel like this film had a really solid starting point and just didn’t quite hit the right tone. A strong message that gets lost in the overly manufactured storyline; the film just feels like too much effort is being put into the parts that were meant to be spontaneous and nuanced. Despite this, there were some great performances from Matt Dillon.
Directed by Paul Haggis
YAY: Moonlight (2016)
A film that beautifully navigates expectations of black masculinity over three different points in a man's life. Both heartbreaking and honest the film has been voted into several different 'top 10 films of the decade' lists and received 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film reaches out to an audience that is not always synonymous with cinema, focusing on men of colour and the LGBTQ+ community rather than the middle-class white man which creates a more personal impact on those it affects. Contemporary film is often lacking but I think that Moonlight highlights where the future of modern film can go.
Directed by Barry Jenkins
NAY: The Shape Of Water (2017)
As a fan of Guillermo Del Toro, I didn't want to put this film on the least favourite list but, despite its skilful navigation of topical themes and delightful weirdness, there's a simplicity to the characterisation that acts as a setback. The film is gloomy and grey and technically perfect but there's a complexity missing that I really craved.
Directed by Guillermo Del Toro
YAY: Parasite (2019)
Another horror (more of a comedy thriller but…) film Oscar winner (*cheer*) this film will hugely impact the future of foreign films in Hollywood (subtitles aren't that scary, promise). Long overdue, the Korean film made history by being the first non-English language film to win Best Picture, opening the doors to World Cinema rather than just Hollywood and British productions. The film follows a commentary on South Koreas economic equality in a way that's refreshing and entertaining, bringing a new lease of life to originality in the box office.
Directed by Bong Joon-Ho
I was a bit nervous posting this one but here you go, my finished list from the past 30 years. Hope to hear from you soon!
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