Top 25 Best Picture Nominated Films Part 2: 12-1.

Here is part 2 of my Top 25 Best Picture Nominated Films, featuring many of your favorites like Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. Also  Please click here to read yesterday's post, which was part 1 of this list.

At Number 12: Forrest Gump

"Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." That line pretty much sums up Forrest Gump. While many like to hate on this classic film, I find thoroughly enjoyable, yet sad at the same time. The humor is great and Tom Hanks' performance is flawless. 

At Number 11: Braveheart

"They can take our lives. But they can never take our FREEDOM!" What Braveheart lacks in historical accuracy, it more than makes up in  story and inspirational speeches.  

At Number 10: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Again, I am surprised that this received an Oscar Nomination, because it is a fun and entertaining film, but stranger things have happened. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is one of my favorite westerns ever made, and another film with great dialogue.  

At Number 9: The Fugitive

One of Harrison Ford's many best films, The Fugitive was a smart, thriller, similar to the current Bourne films, except with less action.Tommy Lee Jones won an Oscar for his fantastic performance yet the The Fugitive lost Best Picture to Spielberg's  Schindler's List.

At Number 8: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Another film that I was surprised that to be nominated for Best Picture because it is an action films with many amazing fights but Crouching Tiger, but Hidden Dragon had an excellent epic story and memorable characters. 

Note: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a foreign language, but does have a English dub version. 

At Number 7: Gladiator

Hans Zimmer, Russel Crowe, cool gladiatorial battles and stunning cinematography are just a few reasons why Gladiator is a fantastic film. One of the few action films to win the Oscar for Best Picture.

At Number 6: Inception

Although it is unrealistic to think that science-fiction could win the Oscar for Best Picture, because of those boffins who vote for the Academy, but they will eventually have to give in. However, Inception should have been the film to break the trend because it was far superior to any film that was released that year. The King's Speech was very good, but its nothing compared to the mind bending, complex story of Inception. 

At Number 5: Raiders of the Lost Ark

I was shocked to discover that Raiders of the Lost Ark has nominated by the Academy for Best Picture, because it is an action film but it definitely deserved the nomination. Few films, if any, have a more iconic her than Indiana Jones and the perfect mix of humor, action, likable characters and original plot is amazing. Its in my Top 10 Favorite films, and it has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid.

At Number 4: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, the second chapter in the second best work of fiction ever created, continued the epic story of previous entry. While, at the time, it would seem unlikely that a fantasy film would win Best Picture, there was no film that even came close to The Two Towers in any aspect. Something that I just noticed about the poster, is that Arwen is included, even though she was only in the film for two minutes at the most.

At Number 3: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The Fellowship of the Ring, the first film in the epic trilogy set-up everything that was to come. There was nothing like it since Star Wars, a movie that revolutionized film making and proved that the fantasy genre was more than just kids movies and low-budget B-movies. It added a gritty, realistic tone to fantasy, similar to how Star Wars revolutionized sci-fi with the "lived-in" environments, opposed to the pristine and shinny sets of Star Trek and other contemporaries. 

At Number 2: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

The Academy actually got it right with The Return of the King. After two incredible films, Peter Jackson and The Lord of the Rings finally got the respect they deserve. The perfect conclusion to the perfect trilogy. One of the few times were the Academy and audience agreed, with The Return of the King breaking box office records and setting the record for most Oscar wins and nominations. 

At Number 1: Star Wars

Star Wars, the film that changed the world. It is unimaginable to think where cinema would be without Star Wars. While The Empire Strikes Back is my favorite, the original Star Wars is my right behind it. I love Star Wars! I have seen it at least 40 or more times, and I will never get tired of it. Star Wars is the perfect film in every way and it will never be topped.

 

Because there are so many great Best Picture Nominations, that there are films that I left off the list and others that I have yet to see. Here are a few honorable mentions: Money Ball, Saving Private Ryan, The King's Speech, Unforgiven, and It's a Wonderful Life,

 What are your favorite Best Picture Nominations? Please comment below.

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