With the 85th Academy Awards around the corner, many people are catching up on movies, both new and old. But what makes these Best Picture movies worthy of the 13 inch golden statuette? Let’s take a look at some of the previous Academy Award winners for Best Picture.
“A Beautiful Mind” (2001)
“A Beautiful Mind,” directed by Ron Howard, won Best Picture at the 74th Academy Awards. Russell Crowe artfully portrays a real life mathematician and schizophrenic named John Nash. As Nash’s condition worsens, the movie paints a very realistic picture of how Schizophrenia influences one’s life and also explores many topics including identity, accomplishments, compassion and love. “A Beautiful Mind” is a must see for those who are interested in the psychological aspects of the mind. This film is rated R due to the severity of the themes it explores and some particularly graphic scenes.
“Rain Man” (1988)
“Rain Man” received Best Picture at the 61st Academy Awards. Dustin Hoffman also won Best Actor for his part in the movie. Charlie Babbit, a short-tempered businessman, played by Tom Cruise, discovers that he has a long lost brother who is also an autistic savant. The movie follows the pair as they grow to understand one another while traveling cross-country on their way back to Los Angeles. Although the film is older compared to those that I usually watch, its age does not affect the heart of the movie at all. In addition to an original storyline, the dialogue is cunning and the acting is amazing, particularly with Dustin Hoffman’s excellent performance playing an autistic man. “Rain Man” will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. One minute I was laughing uncontrollably and the next I found myself holding back tears. This film is a great family movie and would appeal to anyone who enjoys a heart-warming tale. Rated PG-13, this movie features occasional swearing.
“The Hurt Locker” (2009)
Not only did “The Hurt Locker” win Best Picture at the 82nd Academy Awards, it also earned Kathryn Bigelow the distinction of being the first woman to win Best Director. Set during the Iraq War, the plot surrounds a military bomb technician, played by Jeremy Renner, who leads his team to disassemble bombs in the battlefield and in civilian areas. This movie reveals the many dangers of the job, from civilian threats to actually taking apart the bombs themselves. This movie is not fast paced but is definitely heart-racing and will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. For people who are intrigued by bombs or wars, this movie is perfect, especially if you can withstand intensely violent scenes. This movie is rated R due to the use of vulgar language and the high level of violence.