A slightly belated list of the DVD Diva’s favorite Oscar winners:
- A Beautiful Mind (2001): Stars Russell Crowe as John Nash, a mathematical genius, who made an astonishing discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. After many years of struggle, he eventually triumphed over his schizophrenia, and finally, late in life, received the Nobel Prize.
- Forrest Gump (1994): Follows the life of Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) and his meetings with the love of his life, Jenny. The film chronicles his accidental experiences with some of the most important people and events in America The problem is, simple Forrest doesn’t realize the significance of his actions.
- Amadeus (1984): The life and music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce) are viewed through the memories of an envious rival, Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham). Mozart’s music is featured throughout the film.
- Ordinary People (1980): The “ordinary” existence of an upper middle class family is shattered following the death of the older son and the struggle of the younger son against guilt and suicide– starring Mary Tyler moore and Donald Sutherland.
- The Deer Hunter (1978): Tracks a group of steelworker pals from a Pennsylvania blast furnace to the coal hunting grounds of the Alleghenies to the lethal cauldron of Vietnam. It is a drama of friendship and courage and of what happens to these qualities under stress.
- A Man for All Seasons (1966): A drama about the opposition of Sir Thomas More (Paul Scofield) to the divorce of King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw) and the events which led to More’s trial on the charge of treason. Also starring orson wells.
- On the Waterfront (1954): Stars Marlon Brando as an ex-fighter who gets a job working on the gang-ridden waterfront under a crooked gangster boss (Lee J. Cobb).
- The Lost Weekend (1945): A would-be writer’s dissatisfaction with his life leads him on a three-day binge. This film gives an uncompromising look at the devastating effects of alcoholism. Starring Ray Miland and Jane Wyman.
Leave your favorite Academy Award winners in the comments…
