Wings 1927/1928

My Quick Thoughts:  This is the first movie to ever win the Academy Award.  I had a hard time getting through it, but that is not to say this movie wasn't fantastic for what it was.  I'm just a modern girl overstimulated with modern technology, so I found my attention all over the place while watching it.  This movie is about two men in love with the same girl who go off to fight in WWI.  This movie was ahead of its time, and it is easy to see why it won the Academy Award.  It is an over two hour long war epic.  The special effects, though cheesy by today's standards, were pretty advanced for 1927.  It's amazing to me that a silent movie can convey such an emotional story with no dialogue.  Grading this movie is difficult for me.  For my own interests and enjoyment I would give it a B-/C+, but for what it accomplished in the history of film, I give it an A.

Favorite Quote:   It's a silent film people.

                                 

Overall Rating: A (for what it accomplished)

What I Was Doing That Year:  I wasn't born yet.

Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  This is the only movie I have seen from that year.

All About Eve 1950

My Quick Thoughts:  This movie is twisted and messed up, and I loved every minute of it.  Every once in awhile I see a movie that has been around my whole life and I think to myself, "That was so good. How is it that I've never seen it before?"  This was one of those situations.  It's about a young girl in her 20s who works her way into the middle of the friendships of a veteran Broadway actor in her 40s, a director, and a playwright and his wife.  What makes this movie so great is at the beginning you are not really sure who you are supposed to be siding with, and then once you make up your mind you will probably change it a couple of times. It is filled with great writing and acting, and I really enjoyed it.

Favorite Quote:     "You can always put that award where your heart ought to be."

                                 

Overall Rating: A

What I Was Doing That Year:  I wasn't born yet.

Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Summer Stock. I have seen it a zillion times and it is the movie that introduced me to my love, Gene Kelly.

The Sting 1973

My Quick Thoughts:  The Sting stars Paul Newman (swoon) and Robert Redford. It takes place in Chicago in the 1930s and is about a con man who teams up with the ultimate con man to seek revenge for the murder of his partner.  I really enjoyed this movie. You can't really call it a comedy or a drama because it was a balance of both. The actors, Scott Joplin soundtrack, and the overall style of the movie were a wonderful blend of cool.  And...well...Paul Newman, what else needs to be said?

Favorite Quote:     "If I didn't know you better, I'd swear you had some class."

                                 

Overall Rating: A

What I Was Doing That Year:  I wasn't born yet.

Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  The Sting

The Hurt Locker 2009

My Quick Thoughts:  The Hurt Locker is about a special team whose job it is to disarm bombs during the Iraq War.  Jeremy Renner plays a man who was assigned to lead the team after the original team leader dies in the middle of disarming a bomb.  I thought this movie was good, but not as mind blowing (no pun intended) as a lot of people do.  Sure it was full of suspense and action, but I could not relate to the main character at all. Usually in war films you can sympathize with the main characters, but I could not. This guy was totally irresponsible constantly putting his team in more danger than they already were.  Like I said, this movie was still good because of the action and suspense, but I just can't relate and am not drawn to the super alpha male main character.

Favorite Quote:     "The older you get, the fewer things you really love."
                                 
Overall Rating: B
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  This is the year I bought my first house.

Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

West Side Story 1961

My Quick Thoughts:  Musicals.  Usually I either love them or hate them with no in between. I love West Side Story. I first saw it in 9th grade when my English teacher made us watch it and write a paper comparing and contrasting it with Romeo and Juliet.  I have since seen it multiple times on TV and once on stage. West Side Story is a powerful story about love and loyalty. There are no "throw away" songs in this musical.  Every song is great and helps move the plot forward. If you hate musicals on principle like a lot of people do, this one and its grit might surprise you.  Don't get me wrong, it still has its moments of cheese, it is a musical after all, but at its heart it is just a great story about love and family.

Favorite Quote:     "It's not us. It's everyone around us."
                                 
Overall Rating: A
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  I wasn't born yet :)

Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  West Side Story

My Fair Lady 1964

My Quick Thoughts:  There are musicals that I love, but this was not one of them.  My Fair Lady was just OK. It was really hard to get into in the beginning because Audrey Hepburn's voice was getting on my nerves, which I guess is a good acting job on her part because that was the point. Halfway through the three hour long movie I started to get into it a little bit more. That's another thing, it was too long. I was also a little saddened to hear that Audrey Hepburn was not really singing. I read that although she had a beautiful voice, it was too low for the part. Why not hire somebody who can sing the part, and not just her because she was a big star at the time? Having said all of that, the characters were likable and the movie had it's moments. I can see why it did win the Academy Award (it was a big epic with beautiful costumes and sets). I liked My Fair Lady, but I didn't love it.

Favorite Quote:     "Freddy loves me.  That makes him king enough for me."
                                 
Overall Rating: B
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  I wasn't born yet :)

Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  A Hard Days Night

A Beautiful Mind 2001

My Quick Thoughts:  I have seen A Beautiful Mind, which is the true story of mathematician John Nash, a few times.  I think what makes this movie so good is that there really isn't another movie out there like it.  It covers Nash's life from college in the 1950s through the 1990s. During this time the audience watches Nash struggles become greater and greater.  Every performance in this movie from the powerful lead roles played by Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly down to the smaller supporting roles of Adam Goldberg and Anthony Rapp are are wonderful, but my favorite performance in the movie is Paul Bettany. The movie is very tense and emotional and Bettany does a nice job at easing that.  To sum up A Beautiful Mind I will say interesting true story with great performances directed by one of my favorite directors, Ron Howard.

Favorite Quote:     "Despite my privileged upbringing, I'm actually quite well-balanced. I have a chip on both shoulders."
                                 
Overall Rating: A
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  I was 21 years old and in my second year of college.

Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  So many great movies came out this year. This was the year that both the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series first hit the theaters.  I love both of these, but the first movies in these series are not my favorite in the series, so I will save those for another year.  Instead I am going to go with a fun, unique movie that I love but not a lot of people have seen, Ghost World.

The French Connection 1971

My Quick Thoughts:  The French Connection is an Academy Award winning movie that has been in my Netflix queue for over a year.  I guess I didn't look at the cover too carefully because I had it in my head that this was a western, which is why I didn't watch it right away.  I found out soon after hitting play that it is a 1970s police drama instead.  It is about two New York cops that stumble across a drug smuggling ring from France.  This movie stars a young Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider as the cops.  There is a lot of violence, tough talking guys, and a big car chase.  You know, typical police drama.  The film looks real gritty, but I'm not sure if it was meant to be that way or if it was just because it was filmed in the 70s :)  Anyway, this was a good film, but nothing great.

Favorite Quote:     "Are you shitting me! That car is dirty!"
                                 
Overall Rating: B-
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  I was not born yet :)  

 Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Titanic 1997

My Quick Thoughts:  It is very easy to see why Titanic was so popular when it came out.  It has something for everybody romance, a young heart throb, action, suspense, and history.  The movie is so long and epic that you quickly get lost in its world.  I will never forget the first time I saw Titanic.  I was with my mom, dad, and younger sister.  When the movie was over, my sister was sobbing so loudly that I was embarrassed.  With it's good story telling, heart, and raw emotion it is easy to see why this movie has become a classic (despite the annoying song).

Favorite Quote:     "I don't know about you, but I intend to write a strongly worded letter to the White Star Line about all of this."
                                 
Overall Rating: A
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  In 1997 I was 17 years old, but still too afraid to get my driver's license so my parents were still driving me around.  That summer I got my first job at the local movie theater, but by the time Titanic came out in December I had already quit.  

 Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Though Good Will Hunting was very good, Titanic was my favorite from that year.

Shakespeare in Love 1998

 

My Quick Thoughts:  I can't believe it took me until 2015 to watch this movie.  I absolutely loved it!  I think it took me so long to watch it because Gwyneth Paltrow has always gotten on my nerves, but this movie was just the right mix of romance, drama, and humor.  Joseph Fiennes was wonderful as Shakespeare.  He had me swooning for sure!

Favorite Quote:     "You will never age for me, nor fade, nor die."
                                 
Overall Rating: A
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  In 1998 I was 18 years old.  I had just quit my job at the movie theater to enjoy my junior/senior years of high school, because my dad had told me "Enjoy it now because you have your whole life to work."  Thanks Dad!

 Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  The movie I have watched the most from that year is You've Got Mail because I watch that or Ferris Bueller every time I am sick, but the best movie from that year would have to be Saving Private Ryan.

Argo 2012

My Quick Thoughts:  I love this movie.  I have seen it many times.  It is one of my go to movies when I am laying in bed sick.  I am not really sure why I connected to this movie so much.  It is a very suspenseful movie, based on a true story, about a group of Americans trying to escape Tehran when so many others have been taken hostage. This movie is filled with many small parts played by very well-known actors including some comic relief from John Goodman and Alan Arkin.  I just love this movie.

Favorite Quote:     "The target audience will hate it."
                                 "Who's the target audience?"
                                 "People with eyes."

Overall Rating: A

What I Was Doing That Year:  In 2012 I was 32 years old, I went on two summer vacations to Wisconsin and Kentucky, and I ran a 5k all the way through for the first time.

 Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Argo is probably my favorite movie from the year with Silver Linings Playbook being a very close second.

Terms of Endearment 1983

My Quick Thoughts:  Looking at the list of films released in 1983, I can't believe this is the one that won.  Sure it was a good story about a mother and daughter and relationships, but not academy award quality in my opinion.  It was neat to see some pretty famous actors (Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Jeff Daniels, and John Lithgow) in their younger days, but Debra Winger was kind of annoying.  I remember an episode of Roseanne making a joke about her once, and now that I have seen her in a movie, I know what they were talking about ;)

Favorite Quote: "Don't worship me until I've earned it."

Overall Rating: B
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  I was three years old, so I was probably watching Sesame Street and eating cookies.

 Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  A Christmas Story

Ben Hur 1959

My Quick Thoughts:  I was dreading having to watch this movie. I didn’t think I would like it at all; however, I did end up enjoying it. The four hour length is something I could have done without, but you can see why this movie is considered an epic. Any movie that starts with an overture has got to be big. I was never a fan of Charlton Heston as a person, but I didn’t mind him in this movie. If a person I detest can make me root for him in a movie you know that is talent. I will probably never watch this movie again due to its length, but I can see why it is such a classic.

Favorite Quote: "Hate keeps a man alive.  It gives him strength."

Overall Rating: C (it would have been higher if the movie was shorter or I had a longer attention span)
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  Wasn't born yet :)

 Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Sleeping Beauty

The Departed 2006

My Quick Thoughts:  The opening lines and the opening song of this movie make you think "oh my, I'm in for a wild ride," but unfortunately the energy of the film slows.  I own this movie on DVD and have started to watch it probably 10 times, but have actually only seen it all the way through a couple of times.  The best part of this movie is Mark Wahlberg and Alec Baldwin.  They fit the role of Boston cop perfectly, and have so many funny one liners.  Mark Wahlberg says things to people in this movie that a normal person would never dream of saying, but have thought it many times before.  Unfortunately Mark Wahlberg's role is not that big and Alec Baldwin's is even smaller.  Overall I would say this movie is just OK, nice style, great music, a couple of wonderful supporting roles, but a bit to long and the small roles outshine the actors in the larger roles. 
 
Favorite Quote: "I'm the guy who does his job.  You must be the other guy."

Overall Rating: B
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  This movie came out the year I started teaching.

 Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Little Miss Sunshine

American Beauty 1999

 

My Quick Thoughts:  I have always loved this movie.  It is such good story telling.  I enjoy movies that focus on families and human relationships way more than special effects movies or movies that tackle world issues.  This movie takes the story of the dysfunctional family to the extreme.  It's also about fighting with what image you want to put out for the world to see verses what your life really is like.  This movie is filled with strong memorable performances.  I first saw this movie 16 years ago (holy crap), and to this day every time I see a real-estate agent I immediately think of Annette Bening and the Real-estate King.  This movie also features Kevin Spacey at his best with one of the greatest job firing scenes I've seen.  "For you Brad, I've got five."  

 
Favorite Quote: "It's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself."

Overall Rating: A
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  This movie came out the year I graduated high school, which may be why I have such a connection to this movie (three of the main characters were high school kids).
 
My Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Stars Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace.  HAHA!!!!! Just kidding.  I am going to call this year a tie between American Beauty and October Sky.  I think American Beauty is the better movie, but October Sky has a very special place in my heart.  It was a movie about following your dreams that came out at a time in my life when I was trying to figure things out, oh and of course it introduced me to Jake Gyllenhaal.  Interesting fun fact.  Both of my favorite movies from 1999 star Chris Copper in a supporting role :)

Birdman 2014

 

My Quick Thoughts:  Birdman is about an actor struggling to regain or hold on to the stardom that he had in the 90s, when he starred in a series of million dollar grossing movies about a super hero.  He is now trying his hand on the Broadway stage, so that he can feel relevant again.  This movie was filled with really strong performances that were well deserving of their Oscar nominations.  I loved the style of this movie.  It was very fast paced and things were always happening.  If you blinked or looked down at your popcorn bucket you might have missed something.  My favorite part of the movie was the score.   The entire score of the film was a drum solo, which I found was the main thing that grabbed my attention in the movie, and kept me focused.  Having said all of that the story was maybe a little too artsy for me. I most definitely can appreciate the art of this movie, but it really wasn't my cup of tea.
 
Favorite Quote: "Get that smile off your face, you're freaking me out."

Overall Rating: B
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  I was an old lady living in my house with my boyfriend and my dog wondering why the world is so obsessed with their cell phones and if 35 years old is too young to retire ;).
 
My Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Although I really enjoyed Boyhood, the movie that came out in 2014 that I will probably add to my DVD collection and watch over and over again is This is Where I Leave You

Forrest Gump 1994

My Quick Thoughts:  I have seen this movies more times than I can count.  The sign of a good movie is when you are watching for the 9th, 10th, 11th time, you are quoting it in your head along with the movie, and yet it still makes you smile and laugh.  There are so many great lines in this movie.
 
Favorite Quote: "But you ain't got no legs Lieutenant Dan."

Overall Rating: A
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  I was 14 years old when this came out.  I was at the peak of my teen magazine fandom.  Looking through the lists of movies that came out during this year (Mighty Ducks 2, My Girl 2, The War, The Client, Little Giants, Angels in the Outfield, North, Camp Nowhere, Little Women) I must have been in teenage girl crush heaven.
 
My Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  As an adult looking back, yes I agree Forrest Gump was the best movie from that year, but my 1994 self would have picked D2: The Mighty Ducks.  To say I was obsessed with The Mighty Ducks movies is a huge understatement.

Marty 1955

My Quick Thoughts:  Marty is about a lonely 35 year old guy who is feeling pressure from everybody to get married.  One night he goes to a dance, and meets a 29 year old teacher and he thinks he has found the one.  The beginning of the movie is very sweet.  I really felt bad for this guy.  About halfway through the movie it lost some of it's sweetness and the end of the movie seemed rushed.
 
Favorite Quote: "See, dogs like us, we ain't such dogs as we think we are."

Overall Rating: B-
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  Yeah, I wasn't born yet :)
 
My Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Guys and Dolls 

Annie Hall 1977

My Quick Thoughts:  Today was my first time seeing Annie Hall.  It was pretty good.  I actually can't believe I have never seen it before.  This movie is right up my alley.  It was a fun interesting perspective on relationships.
 
Favorite Quote: "I don't want to move to a city where the only cultural advantage is being able to make a right turn on a red light."

Overall Rating: A
 
What I Was Doing That Year:  Yeah, I wasn't born yet :)
 
My Favorite Movie From That Same Year:  Although Pete's Dragon was popular at my house, I would say my favorite movie from 1977 was Star Wars.

What is Sally Up To Now?

Some of you may remember a few years ago when I tried to watch and review all of the movies on A.F.I.'s Top 100 Movies of All Time list.  I was thinking about starting that again, but then I decided to start a new list instead.  I'm going to start working my way through all of the movies that have ever won the Academy Award for Best Picture.  This way I am watching a better mix of old and new movies.  Some of these movies will be re-watches and some will be movies I am seeing for the first time.  I will monitor my progress here.  The first Academy Award was from 1927, so that's a lot of movie watching.

The List:
2016-Moonlight  2015-Spotlight  2014-Birdman  2013-12 Years a Slave  2012-Argo  2011-The Artist  2010-The King's Speech  2009-The Hurt Locker  2008- Slumdog Millionaire  2007-No Country for Old Men
2006-The Departed  2005-Crash  2004-Million Dollar Baby  2003-The Lord of The Rings: Return of the King  2002-Chicago  2001-A Beautiful Mind  2000-Gladiator  1999-American Beauty 
1998-Shakespeare in Love  1997-Titanic  1996-The English Patient  1995-Braveheart  1994-Forest Gump  1993-Schindler's List  1992-Unforgiven  1991-The Silence of the Lambs  1990-Dances with Wolves   1989-Driving Miss Daisy    1988-Rain Man    1987-The Last Emperor    1986-Platoon  1985-Out of Africa    1984-Amadeus    1983-Terms of Endearment    1982-Gandhi
1981-Chariots of Fire    1980-Ordinary People    1979-Kramer vs. Kramer    1978- The Deer Hunter
1977-Annie Hall    1976-Rocky    1975-One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest  1974-The Godfather Part II    1973-The Sting    1972- The Godfather    1971-The French Connection  1970-Patton
1969-Midnight Cowboy    1968-Oliver!    1967-In the Heat of the Night   1966-A Man for All Seasons    1965-The Sound of Music    1964-My Fair Lady    1963-Tom Jones
1962-Lawerence of Arabia    1961-West Side Story    1960-The Apartment    1959-Ben-Hur
1958-Gigi    1957-The Bridge on the River Kwai    1956-Around the World in 80 Days    1955-Marty
1954-On the Waterfront    1953-From Here to Eternity    1952-The Greatest Show on Earth   
1951-An American in Paris   1950-All About Eve    1949-All the Kings Men    1948-Hamlet
1947-Gentleman's Agreement    1946-The Best Years of Our Lives    1945-The Lost Weekend   
1944-Going My Way    1943-Casablanca    1942-Mrs. Miniver    1941-How Green was My Valley 
1940-Rebecca    1939-Gone With the Wind    1938-You Can't Take it With You    1937-The Life of Emile Zola    1936-The Great Ziegfeld    1935-Mutiny on the Bounty    1934-It Happened One Night
1933/1932-Cavalcade    1932/1931-Grand Hotel    1931/1930-Cimarron   
1930/1929-All Quite on the Western Front    1929/1928-The Broadway Melody  1928/1927 Wings