Top Ten Movies People Actually Saw
It seems to me the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has totally lost touch with reality.
In light of the recent Oscar nominations, which included movies like “Secrets and Lies” and “Shine” in the best picture category and unknowns such as Emily Watson, Billy Bob Thornton and Brenda Blethyn nominated in major acting categories, one must begin to wonder what exactly Academy Awards stand for anymore.
To put things in perspective, more Americans saw the “Star Wars” re-release on its first day in theaters than have seen “Secrets and Lies” during its months-long run.
Now, I am not saying that “Secrets and Lies” isn’t a good movie, but I wonder if it is the sort of film that should be taken into consideration for an Oscar. If so few people make an effort to see a film, should it be in contention for the most prestigious movie award of them all?
Maybe not. Instead, I offer my own “best” movies of 1996. In other words, here are the best movies that people actually saw.
1. Courage Under Fire
Six months ago, no one would have doubted this film would be a front-runner come Oscar time. But now, the best movie of the year is virtually forgotten. “Courage” took a serious look at a very real human struggle and didn’t forget that, for a movie to succeed, it would have to be entertaining.
2. The English Patient
While this movie is most certainly an art film, its appeal has transcended such classification. It’s a movie that is nearly impossible to dislike, with an intricately detailed, yet accessible plot, excellent acting and nearly unbeatable cinematography. If you haven’t seen it yet, you are truly missing the motion picture event of the year.
3. A Time to Kill
Little did anyone expect that Matthew McConaughey would steal the hearts of American film audiences and make this film one of the top 10 grossing pictures of the year. Not only was it successful, it addressed an serious issue without making the film a preachy attempt to educate America’s youth.
4. The Truth About Cats and Dogs
It may not be the kind of picture that Academy voters would root for, but “Cats and Dogs” was easily the best romantic comedy of the year - maybe of the decade. Janeane Garofalo and Uma Thurman made this film a treat to see over and over again, something that is much cheaper to do now that it’s on video.
5. Romeo and Juliet
In a year riddled with Shakespeare adaptations, Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes turn spectacular performances that were nearly as compelling as the film itself. This very trendy version of the classic was a bold step in a new direction. While some wrote it off as mindless garbage, more moviegoers appreciated the careful mix of new and old.
6. Phenomenon
John Travolta has come back with style and doesn’t appear to be leaving any time soon. The best of his three successful 1996 films, “Phenomenon” puts him in a role seemingly tailormade for the actor. This is one of those films that will probably bring tears to cable-watchers’ eyes for years to come.
7. The Rock
After their extremely successful “Crimson Tide,” Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer struck again. The producers’ style made for an extremely suspenseful and poignant thriller with worldwide implication (and without the excessive violence), packing theaters again. I saw it twice and was just as breathless the second time as the first.
8. Sleepers
In a less art-film oriented year, “Sleepers” would have undoubtedly garnered a best picture nomination. This film was jam-packed with once-in-a-lifetime performances from Brad Pitt, Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman and Kevin Bacon. The question of how truthful this “true story” really was cast a shadow over the film and prevented it from being the critical and popular success it should have been.
9. Scream
I’m not sure I can believe it either but, yes, I am putting a Wes Craven film on my top 10 list. Just as outrageous as anything else he has done, “Scream” is not only thrilling but outrageously funny. Wildly caricatured performances from Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich, Courtney Cox and a cameo from Drew Barrymore made this film, if nothing else, one of the best comedies of the year.
10. Jack
Before I saw it, I viewed this story of a kid in a adult’s body with a skeptic’s eye, but was thoroughly pleased nonetheless. While there are a few themes that shouldn’t go forgotten, “Jack” was simply charming. Robin Williams is as funny as ever but doesn’t make his character so outrageous as to ruin the movie.
Every one of these films is either in major release, out on video or soon to be. If you’re disappointed about having to look for depth of symbolism to understand an Oscar nominated film, just look to this list instead. Each of these films is wonderfully entertaining without requiring a great deal of thought.
Wow, what a concept.