2012 Oscar Contenders

Here are some of the films that could be the next big winner for the 84th Academy Award show.

The Tree of Life

 

Director: Terrence Malick (The Thin Red Line, The New World)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn

Reasons It’s a Contender:

This was a film tagged as a possible Oscar contender for the 2011 Award show season; however, Malick’s picture was ineligible for the 83^rd Oscars. The anticipation was very high for this movie, too, as distribution issues constantly delayed it. Tree was finally able to premiere at Cannes Film Festival. Once the film finished, it was reported that it drew both cheers as well as boos from the crowd. Regardless, Tree took home the Palme d’Or, or in layman’s terms, the best film featured at Cannes. A humbling story exploring the depths of the human psyche, and reflecting on life, love, and loss definitely does sound like a strong Award show contender. The film led by Malick and helped by the usual strong acting from Pitt and Penn should help give Tree some steam come the Award show season. Tree is also easily one of the best films of the summer of 2011.

Reasons It’s a Pretender:

Tree is a rather polarizing movie, as non-linear, abstract stories like this one do not really do well during Award season. While it holds overall positive reviews, this film will most likely have a bit of difficulty garnering the attention it needs to be a strong contender when the Award race heats up. Being released in the summer really doesn’t help its chances either.

Release Date: 27 May 2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. II

Director: David Yates (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part 1)

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint

Reasons It’s a Contender:

While Potter probably won’t be up for very few, if any, Oscars, it could be a dark horse for Best Picture. Why? Well, even though the Academy doesn’t usually give out “favors,” Potter could be given a nommy just out of desperation to one, get more viewers, and two, as a tribute to the contribution the Potter franchise gave to cinephiles everywhere. While this is a long shot, other “smaller” award categories, such as Visual Effects, Cinematography, etc., are not out of the question.

Reasons It’s a Pretender:

While Potter and pals have been a dynamo in Hollywood, the Academy has always shied away. Even though Potter is the highest grossing franchise of all time, money doesn’t buy awards… Only Half-Blood Prince has received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography.

Release Date: 15 July 2011

Tinker, Tailor, Solder, Spy

Director: Tomas Alfredson (Let the Right One In- 2008)

Starring: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong, John Hurt, Benedict Cumberbatch

Reasons It’s a Contender:

A riveting spy tale set in the 1970s during the Cold War and based on the acclaimed novel by John Le Carre, Tinker  seems to have all the ingredients to be able to whip up some Award show fun-food. Alfredson has proved his directorial chops with the critically acclaimed film Let the Right One In, and Soldier, Spy should allow him the mainstream success he deserves. Oldman, Firth, Hardy, Strong, Hurt, and the rising star of Cumberbatch are an all-star cast that should also help this project.

Reasons It’s a Pretender:

Well, thrillers aren’t usually well received come Award show season. Although… this film does look to be a strong contender. It really depends on how this film becomes marketed. If it comes off as a money maker rather than a stylish drama, the Academy may avoid Soldier, Spy like the plague. Regardless, Soldier, Spy should be one of the better films of 2011.

Release Date: 16 September 2011

Moneyball

Director: Bennett Miller (Capote)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, Phillip Seymour Hoffman

Reasons It’s a Contender:

At all, Brad Pitt looks fantastic as the charismatic and eccentric general manager of the Oakland Athletics, Billy Beane.But…it could be more than just another feel good sports flick because of Aaron Sorkin. Sorkin is known for penning A Few Good Men and The Social Network, the latter of which burst onto the Hollywood scene last year, and gave the overwhelming favorite, The King’s Speech, a serious run for its Oscar money. Pitt’s performance could definitely carry him to an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. The acting chops of Hoffman will also carry this film. Hoffman reunites with Miller, who has a Best Director and Best Picture nomination under his belt for the Hoffman starring film Capote.

Reasons It’s a Pretender:

It seems like it could be easily seen as a feel good, sports story. The clichés and prototypical tropes of said films could be detrimental to a deep award show run. I almost impossible see Pitt’s or Hoffman’s performance, Miller’s directing, or Sorkin’s writing being questioned at all. Moneyball should be an early leader in Oscar talks, similar to Sorkin’s other film, The Social Network.

Release Date: 23 September 2011

The Ides of March

Director: George Clooney (Good Night, and Good Luck, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind)

Starring: George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood

Reasons It’s a Contender:

Politics. Dirty Politics. Moral Ambiguity. Those themes tie into the premise of Ides and coupled with superb acting talents of Clooney and Gosling, this film should easily be a top contender for the Oscars. Clooney has displayed that he can not only be a terrific actor, but a skilled director as well. It also helps that he has the talents of Gosling, Giamatti, and Tomei along for the ride. Gosling and Clooney could both be nominated for Best Actor with a chance that Clooney could also grab a Best Director nod. Trashy political films that deal with the corrupting and questioning of the morals and ethics that happen during a campaign should make for an intriguing premise that Oscar folks love

Reasons Its a Pretender:

Perhaps this film could be a little too ambitious… Its premise could be its own demise, as the “politics corrupts” trope is something that audiences see as overly cliché. The cynical view on politics could also turn people off, mainly due to the fact that annoying political trash is happening right now. We don’t really need to go to a movie to hear or see it in action... The acting and directing should be exceptional, regardless of plot clichés.The Ides of March will probably be a film that we will be hearing a lot about come the award show circuits.

Release Date: 7 October 2011

The Rum Diary

Director: Bruce Robinson (Withnail and I)

Starring: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Richard Jenkins, Aaron Eckhart

 

Reasons It’s a Contender:

This Robinson film listed in last years Oscar Watch post, but due to a release date change, The Rum Diary, originally a novel by Hunter S. Thomson, would have been ineligible for the 2011 Oscars. With an end of October release, Diary will be thrust into the thick of the Oscar race. Depp’s performance, playing Paul Kemp, a disenchanted New York journalist, should garner a fair bit of Oscar attention. Thankfully, Depp drops the gimmicky, “Captain Jack” shtick. While this film will be no Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which is also material by Hunter S. Thomson, (and that could be a good thing…) The Rum Diary should have just enough outrageous and provocative substance to keep fans of Las Vegas and Depp thoroughly intrigued. Depp isn’t the only quality star in this film, Jenkins, Eckhart, and Heard help round out this talented cast.

Reasons It’s a Pretender:

It could be a little too outrageous and provocative for its own good. While it’s allegedly based on a true-ish story, the antics of and Johnny-Depp-playing-Paul-Kemp character will most likely have a lot of “oh dear, I shouldn’t have laughed at that…” humor. The premise could also be rather disjointed, much like other Thomson-based material. The whole “find your inner strength” type plot could also be a bit tedious as well. That trope definitely was not well received in the movie Eat, Pray, Love.

Release Date: 28 October 2011

A Dangerous Method

Director: David Cronenberg (A History of Violence, Eastern Promises)

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightly

Reasons It’s a Contender:

Cronenberg is due for an Oscar win… Violence and Promises are both excellent, underrated films, both starring Mortensen. Once again, Cronenberg teams up with Aragorn Viggo and Peter Suschitzky, who was Cronenberg’s cinematographer in Easter Promises, in this period piece about two of the greatest philosophical/analytical/psychological minds of the 20^th Century. Mortensen portrays Sigmund Freud, who is battling the wits of his apprentice, Carl Jung, played by Fassbender. Fassbender burst onto the scene playing Erik “Magneto” Lensherr in X-Men: First Class, in which he was one of the few bright spots. The acting chops of Mortensen and Fassbender, along with the psychological material that Cronenberg has to work with, should be an Oscar lock. It also helps to have screenwriter, Christopher Hampton, on board with this ambitious project. Hampton not only wrote the play, The Talking Cure, of which Method is based upon, but he is probably best known for being nominated for his writing work for Atonenment, another beautifully presented period piece. So… Cronenberg + Mortensen + Fassbender + Suschuitzky = Potential Oscar Boom.

Reasons It’s a Pretender:

 Well, Cronenberg’s films have been snubbed in the past… While Method should be a sure to attain an Oscar nomination or four, it faces stiff competition from other contenders. Other than that… The source material may be a little too dark. However, that could also be very attractive to Oscar voters. Overall, A Dangerous Method should be one to watch out for come the award circuits.

Release Date: 23 November 2011

J. Edgar

 

 

Director: Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby, Flags of Our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima, Gran Torino, Invictus, Hereafter)

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Judie Dench, and Naomi Watts

Reasons It’s a Contender:

One of the most controversial figures in United States history finally gets his much anticipated biopic. It also helps that said figure is played by one of the top actors in Hollywood. DiCaprio under Eastwood’s direction should garner plenty of Oscar attention. Look for Hammer (The Social Network) to share some of that limelight with Eastwood and DiCaprio. Even though Eastwood denies it, J. Edgard could very well deal heavily with the allegations that Hoover was a closeted homosexual. While it may not go as far as having DiCaprio cross-dress, the script is written by Dustin Lance Black, who also wrote the script for Milk, which dealt with the openly gay politician, Harvey Milk, so I would have to suspect that Hoover’s sexuality will be incorporated into the film. Judi Dench also lends a hand as Hoover’s mother.

Reasons It’s a Pretender:

Recent Eastwood works have been unfortunately snubbed at various award shows, and J. Edgar could follow suit. While DiCaprio is a phenomenal actor… And it seems that he’s incorporating his Dom Cobb character into his Hoover character… The makeup for the elder Hoover scenes also looks less-than-convincing. While J. Edgar should grab some Oscar attention, it may not have enough to separate itself from an already crowded award show race.

Release Date: 14 December 2011

The Iron Lady

Director: Phyllida Lloyd (Macbeth, Mamma Mia!)

Starring: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent

Reasons It’s a Contender:

 Meryl Streep playing, well, anyone will be enough to grab Oscar headlines. Streep performing as the polarizing British politician, Margaret Thatcher, will definitely garner some Oscar attention. Let’s think of another period biopic that was on a British politician… Oh yeah, The King’s Speech. That one film that swept Oscar voters off their feet, and won huge. Coincidently, The Weinstein Company is distributing Iron Lady, as it did with The King’s Speech. While Speech was helped by Firth’s excellent performance, Streep isn’t what you would consider an acting slouch.

Reasons It’s a Pretender:

 Well, after the distributor, top actors, and their British-ness, the comparisons between The King’s Speech and Iron Lady end quite abruptly.  While The King’s Speech burst onto the scene with a standing ovation at the Toronto Film Festival, Iron Lady is already receiving some flak from Thatcher’s family. The portrayal of Thatcher in frail health will also be interesting, as reactions will probably be negative. Oh, and Streep isn’t British. Sure she’s a fantastic worldwide name, but for a film that needs to be as authentic and as evocative as possible (Oscar ingredients…), having a British actress playing a British PM would have been preferred. All-in-all, Iron Lady will probably help Streep receive her 16th Oscar nomination, and possibly even win her 3rd Oscar trophy.

 Release Date: 16 December 2011

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Director: David Fincher (Se7en, Fight Club, Zodiac, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Social Network)

Starring: Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer, Robin Wright

Reasons It’s a Contender:

While the original, Swedish version came not but a few years ago, the English version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo should be just as critically acclaimed as its predecessor. Boasting a solid cast, led by the emerging star Mara, and an excellent director in Fincher, Dragon Tattoo should be a force to be reckoned with come the award shows circuit. With dark, gritty, in-your-face source material that Oscar people eat up, Dragon Tattoo definitely has a legitimate chance at grabbing some awards.

Reasons It’s a Pretender:

 Well… It’s not exactly the typical Oscar fare… It may be too dark and drab for even the morbid-loving Oscar voters. It’s been four years since a pretty depressing film won the top prize at the Academy Awards (No Country for Old Men). Being promoted as the “Feel Bad Movie of the Season” isn’t exactly going to help this aspect either… While Fincher is a fantastic director, Oscar voters tend to shy away from his films, as again, they’re not the typical Oscar go-around. Also, the fact that the ridiculously highly acclaimed Swedish version was just out… The whole remake thing is probably going to hurt Dragon Tattoo’s Oscar chances as well.

Release Date: 21 December 2011

War Horse

Director: Steven Spielberg (Everything you’ve ever heard of…)

Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, Benedict Cumberbatch

Reasons It’s a Contender:
Touching story? Check. Touching war story? Check. Touching animal story? Check. Strong cast with up-and-comers mixed with veterans? Check. Gorgeous landscape shots? Check. Iconic director? Check. Epic music? Double check. War Horse seems to have all the right ingredients to stir up some Oscar buzz. From Spielberg’s deft directorial touch, mixed with what should be a gorgeously shot film, War Horse is definitely a movie that should be a force to be reckoned with come Award season.

Reasons It’s a Pretender:
While Dragon Tattoo is far from a stereotypical Oscar film, War Horse is dripping with Academy Award sentiment that it may end up hurting the film in the long run. Seriously. Look at the trailer. It’s just oozing Oscar goo all over you… With all the schmaltz and majesty, War Horse should be a strong Oscar favorite, but ultimately it falls short because, well, it’s just trying too hard.

Release Date: 28 December 2011

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Director: Lynne Ramsay (Ratcatcher)

Starring: Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller

Reasons It’s a Contender:

Obscure, indie films on dark subject matter are usually gobbled up by Oscar audiences (see Winter’s Bone), and We Need to Talk About Kevin is just that. Based on the book with the same title, Kevin follows the perspective of a mother whose son shoots up a school. Yikes. Talk about a character study! While it did not take home the top prize at Cannes (that went to Malick’s Tree of Life), Kevin did receive high praise from the critics. Led by a strong cast, Kevin could get its name tossed around by Award show voters.

 

Reasons It’s a Pretender:

It might be too much of a fairly obscure, indie flick. This one more like last year’s Winter Bone, an independent film that gets lauded by critics, gathers some Academy Awards, but ultimately, never really becomes a serious player.

Release Date: TBA in U.S.; 12 May 2011 (Cannes)

The Hosts of Oscar in 2011

Punching the air triumphantly at the end of the Oscars ceremony, it was clear that Anne Hathaway and her co-host James Franco were ready to pat themselves on the back for a job well done.

Anne was later seen partying up a storm at the Weinstein after-party, throwing back champagne and dancing animatedly with a borrowed Oscar statuette.

But as the actress toasted her hosting gig, critics were already writing up scathing reviews of her and co-host James Franco's 'clumsy and downright painful' skits.

It had been hoped that employing Anne and James as hosts for this year's Academy Awards would give the ceremony a young and fresh feel.

But despite bringing their considerable comedic talents to the plate while presenting the Academy Awards, using skits and montages to add to their hosting duties, the pair's performance was met with mixed critical reception.

The 83rd Academy Awards opened with a montage of Hathaway and Franco delving into the mind of former Oscar winner Alec Baldwin in an Inception-inspired moment, narrated by the smooth-voiced Morgan Freeman.

And things continued to get more and more surreal, as the pair poked fun at The King's Speech, which took home four Oscars, The Fighter and True Grit, as well as The Social Network and Back to the Future.

Perhaps the funniest moment of the opening montage, however, was Hathaway and Franco both donning leotards and tutus to join Natalie Portman in Black Swan. 

The pair attempted to impress the hard-nosed Vincent Cassel with their dancing abilities, and left Portman looking flustered with their 'talent'.

Hathaway also returned to her former duty at the Oscars in 2009 when she joined then-host Hugh Jackman for a duet to open the show.

However, if he had been hoping the joke would earn him a reputation as a controversial host, it paled in comparison to Ricky Gervais' choice numbers at the Golden Globes earlier this year.

Other montages throughout the show included a look back to Gone With The Wind and Lord of the Rings.

And one of the most memorable montages of the evening was a clever piece using auto-tune technology to make songs out of dialogue from films including Twilight, which saw Edward and Bella sing 'He Doesn't Own a Shirt' about Jacob, Toy Story 3 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

One of the advantages of having a younger host, however, is that Franco used is considerable knowledge of social networking site Twitter to tweet fans throughout the show as the ceremony went out live on US television.

Using the hash tag #OscarsRealTime, Franco tweeted photographs and video of himself, as well as a group shot with Hathaway and Oprah Winfrey, before later adding another one of the presenting pair and former host Billy Crystal.

He later posted photographs of himself still wearing his tuxedo and enjoying a cocktail with 'Goodbye LA' scrawled over it in blue writing.

It remains to be seen whether Franco and Hathaway's attempts to make the ceremony more modern and accessible for younger viewers was successful enough to ensure similar hosts next year, or whether producers will go back to a veteran host like Billy Crystal.

Before the awards, Franco said: 'Nobody thinks I'm Chris Rock or Billy Crystal. I can try anything and nobody has high expectations, so nobody cares if I'm not great.'

A day of Oscar

We followed Access Hollywood reporter Maria Menounos during the Academy Awards and found out how this champion interviewer spent her day.

7 AM: I wake up in my comfy bed and head right to the kitchen to boil some hot water—my morning ritual.

7:30 AM: Throw on my shower cap. No need to wash my hair; it’s better dirty. Jump in the shower.

8 AM: As I say in my book, The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life, organization is the key to happiness, so it’s time to start organizing my stuff for the day. I pack my research cards that list talking points on every nominee and presenter, as well as sweats and Uggs in an overnight bag for later in case we shoot or party late.

9:15 AM: Kiss my pups goodbye and head to the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, next door to the Kodak Theatre, where the Oscars are held. My glam squad is waiting in my room. We discuss the look I’m going for and get to work.

10 AM: Hair time! This is my last chance to read my research. My makeup artist quizzes me—I’m right 50 percent of the time. I’ll get it by the time I head out for sure. Hopefully.

11 AM: While in makeup, I order room service. Cheeseburger and fries with extra ketchup, please!

NOON: My food arrives. Panic sets in. My glam squad wants more time. One hour to go!

12:30 PM: Final touches. The Access Hollywood wardrobe angels pop in to get me into my dress and accessorize. I never wear Spanx. If I have to hide something in a dress, it’s not the right dress for me.

12:45 PM: Photo time! I text my mom a shot—she loves it!

1 PM: Time to hit the red carpet. Our Access Hollywood publicist arrives to walk me down it.

1:15 PM: Bulbs flash like crazy. All I hear is, “Maria, over here; Maria, over the shoulder!”

1:30–5 PM: Interviewing away. Time starts to fly because once the carpet gets going, it’s like rush hour. Everyone comes at the same time, and we get backed up. Madness!

5:05 PM: Off to the InStyle Oscar viewing party to socialize and watch the show.

8:05 PM: Start the party circuit. Mingle with the winners and congratulate them.

10:30 PM–MIDNIGHT: Tape Access Hollywood for the following day.

12:05 AM: Party-hop with a friend.

3:30 AM: Home in my bed.

Best Pictures

Since 1929, 82 movies have held the distinguished title of Best Picture, as named by the Academy of Motion Pictures, and the majority of them are bona fide classics 

25. 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'

Why It Won: The Academy essentially took this opportunity to recognize the entire trilogy Peter Jackson and his merry men cranked out.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Even if you don't know an Orc from orca, Jackson offered an approachable-yet-faithful adaptation of JRR Tolkien's sprawling fantasy saga.

24. 'Rocky'

Why It Won: Though it was up against heavy hitters like 'Taxi Driver' and 'Network,' 'Rocky''s inspirational story was tough to beat. How could you not root for the underdog?

Why We Think It's a Winner: 'Rocky' set the tone for all future sports movies. There wouldn't be a 'Fighter' without it.

23. 'The Departed'

Why It Won: Longtime Oscar bridesmaid Martin Scorsese finally won the Academy over with rollicking this Boston crime drama.

Why We Think It's a Winner: It's hard to single out Best Supporting Actor nominee Mark Wahlberg among the A list of wicked-good performances (by Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, to name a few).

 

22. 'Unforgiven'

Why It Won: It had been a long time since anyone made a decent Western. Plus, the Academy loves actors who direct (see: Robert Redford, Kevin Costner, Mel Gibson, et al).

Why We Think It's a Winner: Only Clint Eastwood can make us root for the "bad" guy in a standoff between a gun-for-hire and a shady sheriff.

21. 'In the Heat of the Night'

Why It Won: This stark police drama deals with racism as both the cause and effect of a seemingly incidental murder in small-town Sparta, Miss.

Why We Think It's a Winner: One-man civil rights movement Sidney Poitier (they call him Mr. Tibbs!) squares off against Chief Bill Gillespie (Best Actor Rod Steiger) in this explosive flick.

20. 'No Country for Old Men'

Why It Won: After a slew of nominations, voters couldn't resist the Coen brothers' chilling western, which combined all of their strengths into one bloody-good movie.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Years later, Javier Bardem's Oscar-winning performance still gives us the willies. We'll never look at a coin toss the same way.

19. 'Terms of Endearment'

Why It Won: It reminded us that life is funny, even when it isn't -- not by cracking lame cancer jokes, but by crafting characters who face a death sentence with true humanity.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Best Actress Shirley MacLaine showed us why we all love our mothers, even when they're as complicated as Aurora Greenway.

18. 'The French Connection'

Why It Won: This action-packed cop drama perfectly captured the gritty world of 1970s New York, boasted an endlessly quotable -- and Oscar-winning -- performance by Gene Hackman ("I'm gonna nail you for picking your feet in Poughkeepsie!"), and climaxed with an epic car chase that still hasn't been topped.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Did we mention the car chase?

17. 'My Fair Lady'

Why It Won: Best Director George Cukor's musical retelling of the George Bernard Shaw play 'Pygmalion' is just lovely.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Best Actor Rex Harrison, reprising his Broadway role, is as good an imperious snob as he is a smitten suitor. And Audrey 'epburn's -- er, Hepburn's -- Cockney accent is winning.

16. 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'

Why It Won: Mental-health reform dominated the '70s, and Oscar has always loved films about people with infirmities, physical or otherwise (see: 'Rain Man').

Why We Think It's a Winner: Best Actor Jack Nicholson blurs the line between audacious and insane to such great effect that rumors circulated that he'd actually undergone electroshock therapy.

15. 'The Deer Hunter'

Why It Won: With the end of Vietnam still an open wound, the film mines the tricky territory of the soldiers' plight when they return home.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Amid a stellar cast, it's Christopher Walken's chilling Best Supporting Actor–winning performance -- and the Russian roulette scene -- that still haunts.

14. 'The Sound of Music'

Why It Won: It had the perfect blend of great music, historical drama and a lovely leading performance by the legendary Julie Andrews.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Forty-six years after its release, the music still resonates with audiences both young and old. The hills are very much alive, indeed.

13. 'It Happened One Night'

Why It Won: Frank Capra won his first directing Oscar for what has been called the original screwball comedy.

Why We Think It's a Winner: The chemistry between rogue reporter Peter Warne (Clark Gable) and on-the-run socialite Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) carries this light romp of a film all the way from Miami to New York.

12. 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'

Why It Won: A can-do military thriller that pits an international cadre of World War II POWs against their Japanese captors is a no-brainer.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Made just 12 years after the end of WWII, this war drama still stands up for the gritty reality of its depiction of tensions between combatants -- and allies.

11. 'All About Eve'

Why It Won: Oscar buckled its seat belt and enjoyed every second of this smart, sardonic and bumpy night.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Who better than hellcat Bette Davis to show us a good catfight? Best Director and Best Screenplay winner Joseph L. Mankiewicz's poison pen spawned a cottage industry of quotable quotes.

10. 'Gone With the Wind'

Why It Won: The epic scope of the story and the sumptuous visuals of Reconstruction-era Atlanta (in gorgeous Technicolor) brought Margaret Mitchell's popular novel to the masses.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Frankly, it's the tumultuous love affair between Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) and Scarlett O'Hara (Best Actress Vivien Leigh).

9. 'The Silence of the Lambs'

Why It Won: Thomas Harris' bestselling novel already had a built-in audience, as did the film, the first Best Picture winner available on VHS well before awards night.

Why We Think It's a Winner: The rapport between Best Actress winner Jodie Foster and Best Actor winner Anthony Hopkins is part battle of will, part creepy seduction.

8. 'The Apartment'

Why It Won: By 1960, writer-director Billy Wilder was an Academy darling, having amassed an impressive 17 noms and three wins. This is his 'Some Like It Hot' follow-up.

Why We Think It's a Winner: The talented cast and peppy script keep the tone of the dark story light and the pacing brisk. The plot was quite daring for its time.

7. 'Schindler's List'

Why It Won: Because it was directed by Steven Spielberg and it's about the Holocaust, a frequently-rewarded topic of the Academy.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Because Ralph Fiennes' Amon Goeth put a handsome face on evil. And because, ultimately, the story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) is a tragedy infused with optimism and hope.

6. 'Lawrence of Arabia'

Why It Won: David Lean's sprawling bio-epic of British officer T.E. Lawrence was perfect fodder for a Best Picture win.

Why We Think It's a Winner: It also won Oscars for art direction and cinematography -- it's a beauty to watch. Peter O'Toole (as the title character) and Omar Sharif (as an Arab soldier) were both nominated for their acting.

5. 'On the Waterfront'

Why It Won: The odds were against it being a contendah, since Best Director Elia Kazan ID'ed suspected communists for Congress. Did it make him a favorite son -- or a pariah?

Why We Think It's a Winner: We feel Terry Malloy's pain. Marlon Brando's tightly wound performance redefined all subsequent depictions of on-screen masculinity and rage.

4. 'The Godfather: Part II'

Why It Won: Francis Ford Coppola expanded the second installment, with flashbacks about the earnest start of young Vito Corleone (Best Supporting Actor Robert De Niro).

Why We Think It's a Winner: We see how it all begins to topple. A move to Las Vegas exposes the family to new threats, including the petty jealousies of a brother passed over.

3. 'Annie Hall'

Why It Won: Woody Allen tapped into the zeitgeist of the Me Generation with a quirky story of a woman's self-discovery through a very modern love affair.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Instead of a "punch line" movie ('Bananas,' 'Sleeper'), Allen gave us an odd-but-real heroine (Best Actress Diane Keaton) we could fall in love with.

2. 'The Godfather'

Why It Won: Oscar likes big stories, and the saga of the Corleone family is a veritable history of the New York Mafia.

Why We Think It's a Winner: By now, the mob genre has been done to death (RIP, 'Sopranos'), but writer-director Coppola's vast opus went there first, and was also an affecting family (with a small "f") drama.

1. 'Casablanca'

Why It Won: Life imitated art when the Allies invaded Casablanca in November 1942, bringing topical resonance to the film's pre-invasion setting. Its timeless romance didn't hurt its odds, either.

Why We Think It's a Winner: Admit it -- you were in love with Ingrid Bergman or Humphrey Bogart after watching it.