How do you rank the best of the best? With loads of bias and favortism, that’s how. I recently tried to finish up the past decade of best picture movies with finally watching Crash for the first time. Now that all of that is said and done, I can finally attempt to rank each of these movies. They’re all extremely good and it’s difficult to place on in front of the other for different reasons. This ranking was as difficult as ranking Pixar’s best. It’s just way too hard for someone to do without a score system of some sort. Some have really strong supporting characters, others fantastic storylines. How put one in front of the other? In the end, I decided on placing movies I’d watch again and again as top priority. Sure, my reasoning is full of holes and my descriptions don’t often justify the ranking, but I’m more doing this to hear what you guys have to say. Anyways here’s the breakdown and thus the start of my journey to seal up the 90’s Best picture. Here I come: Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, and Unforgiven.
11) Chicago (2002)
Chicago takes the last slot for no real reason. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve seen it and in all honesty I don’t remember anything fantastic or mesmerizing. I’m in favor of a musical every once in a while, but I find Hairspray and Sweeny Todd to have been more engaging as Broadway musicals than Chicago. Prove me wrong. I dunno.
10) Gladiator (2000)
The biggest action movie on this list, Gladiator succeeds with an uplifting story and satisfying…well…action. The main reason this movie is so low is that it’s simply a fairly straight forward story with no complexity involved. But that doesn’t take away how awesome this movie is, but in terms of Best Picture, I believe there are ones better suited.
9) The Hurt Locker (2009)
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Probably the best war drama I’ve seen since Saving Private Ryan. We have compelling leads and eye-opening footage on the progress in the Iraq War as well as heart-pulsing thrills. Kathryn Bigelow did a good job in making a movie that made it feel like you were a bomb defuser yourself.
8 ) The King’s Speech (2010)
This film does so well because of its superb cast. While the cast does great work to make a satisfying movie, The King’s Speech’s story isn’t as memorable/complex as the others on this list, which is why it’s this far down the ranking.. A lot of the movies on the lower end of the list are attributed to their superb casts rather than the story, including the next one.
7) A Beautiful Mind (2001)
I loved this movie, it was compelling, dramatic, and Russell Crowe gave an excellent performance. This movie is very Crowe driven which is why it’s as low as it is. It’s a great biopic that’s brilliantly done and even took me by surprise with its twist story. And with an uplifting ending as this one’s who wouldn’t enjoy it? Also, Jennifer Connelly is a darling.
6) Million Dollar Baby (2004)
As far as sports movies go, I find them in great similarity to what the superhero genre is going through today. Sports movies need to break new ground to hold relavence, and Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby certainly does that with award winning performances from Hilary Swank, Eastwood himself, and Morgan Freeman. With Million Dollar Baby, I’m able to feel the excitement of a thrilling sports movie as well as the sadness the end encompassed. What a roller coaster ride.
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Very well said!! Personally I’d put Return of the King in the first position, but that’s because I’m a LOTR geek. Very good choices!!
Oh I’m a sucker for LOTR too! It was such a good franchise. I also plan to do a post about the extended editions I saw recently. They were just so amazing!