That being said, thePGA nominees for Best Motion Picture make the Best Picture racea little clearer.
It is safe to say the past century has seen a surge in high-quality films.
Since the ceremony began in 1929, not all theBest Picture winnershave performed well financially.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humansis a production by F.W.
Murnau, who had created the 1922Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, prior to this.
For this reason,Sunriseis associated with 20th century German Expressionism.
However, it was for this reason that the final result was a commercial flop.
That being said,it has found its standing as a classic todayin spite of not recuperating its costs.
The 1930 production is the original version, and is based on a semi-autobiographical novel by Erich Maria Remarque.
The 1940 filmRebeccaisAlfred Hitchcock’s only Best Picture winnerat the Academy Awards.
The film follows their journey as they unexpectedly team up after being stranded during a bus trip.
The movie features a lady who marries a pilot in an act of rebellion against her father.
Schindler’s Listis arguably one of the greatest movies ever made.
While this is significant,Schindler’s Listwill remain to be remembered for itsrelevance in history.
Moonlightjoins the list of films with a 98% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans is a 1927 silent film directed by F.W. Murnau. The story centers on a married farmer who becomes entangled with a woman from the city, leading to a dramatic conflict as she attempts to persuade him to murder his wife.
Notably,Moonlightwas the first film with an all-Black cast to win Best Picture.
The cast ofMoonlightswiftly came onto stage to accept the award.
The incredibly powerful feature by Elia Kazan was re-released to theaters in April 2024.
The 4K digital restoration was put together by Columbia Pictures to celebrate its 70th anniversary.
In total, the film received six awards across multiple categories.
However, the film omitted recognition of the original short story writer, Mary Orr.
All Quiet on the Western Front is a 1930 film that follows a group of young German soldiers navigating the brutal conditions of World War I on the Western Front, revealing the stark disparity between their initial patriotism and the grim realities of war.
This is, in part, owed to the captivating performances of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
The movie has had a momentous impact, but it isthe dialogue inCasablancathat serves as it’s defining characteristic.
There have been discussions about a sequel or remake toCasablancain the past, but these ideas have never materialized.
A young bride struggles to escape the lingering influence of Rebecca, her husband Max De Winter’s late wife, whose death remains shrouded in mystery. While uncovering Max’s disturbing secret, she faces the obsessive housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, who remains fiercely loyal to Rebecca and refuses to recognize her as the rightful mistress of the home.
Parasiteastounded audiences in 2019, where it quickly became a favorite for both audiences and critics alike.
Parasitewon four Academy Awards, and became the first non-English language film to win Best Picture.
Consequently,Parasitewon fourAcademy Awards, and became the first non-English language film to win Best Picture.
It Happened One Night is a 1934 romantic comedy directed by Frank Capra, featuring Claudette Colbert as a runaway heiress and Clark Gable as a rogue reporter. The film follows their journey as they unexpectedly team up after being stranded during a bus trip.
The Oscars are often considered the most prestigious awards show in the industry and date back to 1929.
Schindler’s List is a historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg, chronicling the efforts of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust. Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, and Ralph Fiennes, the film vividly portrays the atrocities committed during World War II while highlighting Schindler’s transformation from a profit-driven industrialist to a humanitarian savior.
Written and directed by Barry Jenkins, Moonlight follows Chiron (Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, and Alex Hibbert) during three stages of his life, starting in childhood and progressing all the way up through adulthood. The film explores themes of identity and sexuality, chronicling Chiron’s life as a gay black man growing up in Miami to an abusive, drug-addicted mother.
On The Waterfront is a classic drama film directed by Elia Kazan, released in 1954. The film tells the story of Terry Malloy, a dockworker who becomes a longshoreman and gets caught up in a corrupt union. Starring Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy, the film explores themes of morality, redemption, and the struggle for justice on the waterfront.
In this backstage drama, aspiring actress Eve Harrington enters Broadway star Margo Channing’s life, weaving a tale of hardship. Welcomed by Margo and her circle, Eve’s gratitude soon reveals darker intentions as she manipulates her way into Margo’s world.
Casablanca is a classic film set in December 1941, starring Humphrey Bogart as a cynical American expatriate in Morocco. When he encounters a former lover, portrayed by Ingrid Bergman, complicated personal and political tensions arise amidst the backdrop of World War II.
Best Picture Oscar winner Parasite follows the impoverished Kim family, who live in a small apartment and consistently struggle to make ends meet. After they chance across the gullible and wealthy Park family, the Kims ingratiate themselves through lies and deceit, earning themselves jobs taking care of the household. However, their newfound luck is built on an ever-growing foundation of mistruths - one that threatens to fall down around them at any moment.
The Oscars, also known as The Academy Awards, is an annual awards show celebrating workers in the film industry for their artistic and technical abilities. The Oscars are often considered the most prestigious awards show in the industry and date back to 1929. The 96th Academy Awards will be held on March 10, 2024, and be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel on ABC.
