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ENLARGE
I WAS JUST THINKIN'
Glen McAdoo
I grow weary of politics, but never of movies. I love movies. One of my absolutely favorite films is the epic western “The Big Country,” produced in 1958. I have watched it over and over. My son finally bought me the DVD. A stunning directorial job by William Wyler and great performances all around make this a film that has lasted the ages.
“The Big Country” wasn’t nominated for best picture that year. “Gigi” won — a great film, without question. Still, for “The Big Country” not to be even nominated blew my mind. Sometimes being the best just isn’t good enough. Burl Ives, who was outstanding as Rufus Hennessey, did take home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
I thought Chuck Connors and Charlton Heston both deserved nominations for Best Supporting Actor. This film, which he co-produced, was one of Gregory Peck’s best.
I never will forget a couple of lines in the movie. As Peck is about to mount a surly horse called “Old Thunder” he asks Ramón, “Any advice?” “Yeah” says Ramón,“Don’ do it.” Another moment in the film Chuck Connors, who plays “Buck Hennessey” walks into the house and says “You wanted me pa?” and Rufus replies, “Before you were born I did.”
Throughout the years there have been great films, which lost out in the Oscar race. In 1961, it was Gregory Peck and an all-star cast that included David Niven and Anthony Quinn that kept us riveted to the screen in “The Guns of Navarone.” That year the Oscar went deservedly to “West Side Story,” in my opinion, the greatest musical of all time. In Hollywood it is all timing. In other years Navarone would have won.
Speaking of timing, one of the slickest movies ever made, Roman Polansky’s “Chinatown,” the Jack Nicholson masterpiece, was nominated for best picture,and would have won except that was the year of “The Godfather II.” It wasn’t until 1997 that a film equal to “Chinatown” in it’s slick direction and performances came along. That was the year of “L.A. Confidential.” Guy Pierce, Kevin Spacey and Russell Crowe starred in this outstanding film which was nominated, but lost the Oscar to the overly hyped “Titanic.” Sorry, Titanic lovers, but “Confidential” was the best film that year and should have won. I wouldn’t have felt quit so bad had “Good Will Hunting” won.
The year before, in 1996, the best picture also didn’t win. “Fargo” the Ethan and Joel Coen film lost the Oscar to an overly long and ultimately boring “The English Patient,” in what can only be called Oscar robbery. Francis McDormand did take home the best actress Oscar for her performance as the Sheriff of Branaird, Minn.
“And it’s such a nice day” she said, as the blizzard swirled about her car.
I still shake my head when I think of “Ordinary People” a very good film in 1980 winning the Oscar over one of the greatest films of all time “Raging Bull,” the Robert De Niro classic. In 1999 I thought “The Cider House Rules’ was better than the winner “American Beauty.” In 2006 I preferred “The Queen” over the “Departed.” The best films don’t always win. Of course everyone has his or her own idea of what is the best.
In 1955, in perhaps the biggest surprise in Oscar’s history, “Marty” beat out “Mister Roberts” for best picture. Sometimes, they need to give out two Oscars. Take 1962, for example, when “Lawrence of Arabia” took the Oscar. Unfortunately that was also the year of Gregory Peck’s greatest film “ To Kill a Mockingbird.” They both deserved to win. How about 1965 when “The Sound of Music” and “Dr. Zhivago,” vied for the Oscar. Both were outstanding.
Some years, although not always, all five films are very worthy candidates for best picture. The year that stands out in my mind is 1967. How about this line-up? “In the Heat of the Night”( the winner), “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Doctor Dolittle,” “The Graduate,” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” Wow.
1982 was another such year with the winner “Ghandi” beating out “E.T.,” “Tootsie,” “Missing,” and “The Verdict.” “The Verdict” was one of Paul Newman’s finest films.
You may disagree with me about these films. That’s what makes the world go ‘round. If you are a young adult you might have missed some of them. Check them out.
One more thing, this year, some critics said that the best picture didn’t get nominated. I am talking about “The Wrestler” featuring outstanding performances by Mickey Rourke and one of my favorites, Marisa Tomei.
Glen McAdoo, a Fallon resident, can be reached at glynn@phonewave.net.
“The Big Country” wasn’t nominated for best picture that year. “Gigi” won — a great film, without question. Still, for “The Big Country” not to be even nominated blew my mind. Sometimes being the best just isn’t good enough. Burl Ives, who was outstanding as Rufus Hennessey, did take home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
I thought Chuck Connors and Charlton Heston both deserved nominations for Best Supporting Actor. This film, which he co-produced, was one of Gregory Peck’s best.
I never will forget a couple of lines in the movie. As Peck is about to mount a surly horse called “Old Thunder” he asks Ramón, “Any advice?” “Yeah” says Ramón,“Don’ do it.” Another moment in the film Chuck Connors, who plays “Buck Hennessey” walks into the house and says “You wanted me pa?” and Rufus replies, “Before you were born I did.”
Throughout the years there have been great films, which lost out in the Oscar race. In 1961, it was Gregory Peck and an all-star cast that included David Niven and Anthony Quinn that kept us riveted to the screen in “The Guns of Navarone.” That year the Oscar went deservedly to “West Side Story,” in my opinion, the greatest musical of all time. In Hollywood it is all timing. In other years Navarone would have won.
Speaking of timing, one of the slickest movies ever made, Roman Polansky’s “Chinatown,” the Jack Nicholson masterpiece, was nominated for best picture,and would have won except that was the year of “The Godfather II.” It wasn’t until 1997 that a film equal to “Chinatown” in it’s slick direction and performances came along. That was the year of “L.A. Confidential.” Guy Pierce, Kevin Spacey and Russell Crowe starred in this outstanding film which was nominated, but lost the Oscar to the overly hyped “Titanic.” Sorry, Titanic lovers, but “Confidential” was the best film that year and should have won. I wouldn’t have felt quit so bad had “Good Will Hunting” won.
The year before, in 1996, the best picture also didn’t win. “Fargo” the Ethan and Joel Coen film lost the Oscar to an overly long and ultimately boring “The English Patient,” in what can only be called Oscar robbery. Francis McDormand did take home the best actress Oscar for her performance as the Sheriff of Branaird, Minn.
“And it’s such a nice day” she said, as the blizzard swirled about her car.
I still shake my head when I think of “Ordinary People” a very good film in 1980 winning the Oscar over one of the greatest films of all time “Raging Bull,” the Robert De Niro classic. In 1999 I thought “The Cider House Rules’ was better than the winner “American Beauty.” In 2006 I preferred “The Queen” over the “Departed.” The best films don’t always win. Of course everyone has his or her own idea of what is the best.
In 1955, in perhaps the biggest surprise in Oscar’s history, “Marty” beat out “Mister Roberts” for best picture. Sometimes, they need to give out two Oscars. Take 1962, for example, when “Lawrence of Arabia” took the Oscar. Unfortunately that was also the year of Gregory Peck’s greatest film “ To Kill a Mockingbird.” They both deserved to win. How about 1965 when “The Sound of Music” and “Dr. Zhivago,” vied for the Oscar. Both were outstanding.
Some years, although not always, all five films are very worthy candidates for best picture. The year that stands out in my mind is 1967. How about this line-up? “In the Heat of the Night”( the winner), “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Doctor Dolittle,” “The Graduate,” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” Wow.
1982 was another such year with the winner “Ghandi” beating out “E.T.,” “Tootsie,” “Missing,” and “The Verdict.” “The Verdict” was one of Paul Newman’s finest films.
You may disagree with me about these films. That’s what makes the world go ‘round. If you are a young adult you might have missed some of them. Check them out.
One more thing, this year, some critics said that the best picture didn’t get nominated. I am talking about “The Wrestler” featuring outstanding performances by Mickey Rourke and one of my favorites, Marisa Tomei.
Glen McAdoo, a Fallon resident, can be reached at glynn@phonewave.net.
