tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post6838862055891881011..comments2023-11-19T04:43:33.827+11:00Comments on Matt vs. the Academy: Best Picture of 1981Matt Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317583098531787395noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-61719435929395229962010-02-24T11:40:26.408+11:002010-02-24T11:40:26.408+11:00It's been a long time since I've seen Gall...It's been a long time since I've seen Gallipoli, but it is certainly one of the better achievements in Australian film. I do remember, though, thinking that the electronic music seemed somehow inappropriate for the time period.<br /><br />And now it occurs to me the random similarities it has with Chariots of Fire:<br /><br />* Released in 1981<br />* Set in the early 20th century<br />* Memorable score<br />* Features men running on beaches<br /><br />Of course, the men on the Chariots of Fire beach don't all get gunned down ... so that's a difference...Matt Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10317583098531787395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-2011087117776594792010-02-24T10:58:29.010+11:002010-02-24T10:58:29.010+11:00First a nod to a few non-nominated films from 1981...First a nod to a few non-nominated films from 1981. I liked the visionary take on the King Arthur legend in John Boorman's Excalibur, some of the inventive set pieces in Herbert Ross's American version of Pennies from Heaven and especially Sidney Lumet's powerful Prince of the City. It's one of the best movies dealing with police corruption I've seen. By the way Matt, another impressive 1981 film was from down under - Peter Weir's Gallipoli. How do you rate it?<br /><br />Getting to the films at hand, here's a bit of Oscar trivia: All four of the acting awards winners were elderly, aging actors - the oldest collection of acting winners ever assembled, averaging 70.75 years old: <br /><br />•76 year old Henry Fonda (Best Actor for On Golden Pond)<br />•74 year old Katharine Hepburn (Best Actress for On Golden Pond) <br />•77 year old Sir John Gielgud (Best Supporting Actor for Arthur)<br />•56 year old Maureen Stapleton (Best Supporting Actress for Reds)<br /><br />We see eye to eye on the bottom two films. I'll put Reds in third place. I was more absorbed watching it this time and really admire Beatty's direction and the performances of Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. My second place film is also the same as yours: Raiders of the Lost Ark. For pure escapism it can't be topped. <br /><br />When I re-watched Chariots of Fire, I hadn't seen it in many years, yet I seemed to know nearly every line that was coming. I don't often remember dialog too long after I see a movie. I just love its script. So, I'll agree with The Academy if not most viewers on this one.<br /><br />1937 has a wonderful cross-section of films - from epics to comedies to great adventures. Locations range from China and Tibet to Europe to the big U.S. cities of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. You'll have to go it alone on One Hundred Men and a Girl, but I should be able to see the other nine. I actually got two under my belt this week already.Mike Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953461679716236054noreply@blogger.com