So, on the flip side of the list from yesterday, what are my 10 least favorite wins? I left Wings off the list, simply because it was the beginning of the Oscars. But if I was going based off of just my personal enjoyment, I did not actually enjoy Wings. yes, I saw it in film school. But, I’d have to replace it with something, and I don’t know that it wasn’t actually the best film of that year. So, wings got a pass.

#10- Gone With the Wind (1939)

I know this is a HOT take. This is a classic film. but, we also get to look back on it now, and ask, would we still? really? Did you know that not only was it up against the terrific Mr smith Goes To Washington, but also The wizard of Oz? So, as grand as this was for 1939, I have no problem swapping the problematic Gone With The Wind for the iconic the wizard Of Oz. that was easy.

Honorable Mention: Rebecca (1940)

It’s hard to take away Alfred hitchcock’s only Best Picture win. but if we’re being honest, he has far more iconic works, and I’d rather his trophy be for Psycho, north by Northwest, or vertigo.

#9- How Green was My valley (1941)

truth, I haven’t even seen this. But, I do know it was up against not just the obvious citizen Kane, but also the terrific Maltese Falcon. So, sorry Alex t Trebek, but I’d swap this film, sight unseen, for citizen Kane, frequently referred to as one of the best films ever made.

#8- Going My way (1944)

Another film I haven’t seen, and I don’t need to see. I’ve never heard anyone talk about this, but it is up against the excellent Double indemnity, which would have made a far better winner, and a film that stands the test of time.

Honorable Mention: Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)

It’s kind of a weak year. I don’t have strong enough feelings about the winner, but of the five films, it would be pretty neat if it had gone to the original Miracle On 34th Street, which did manage to sneak in here, and be the only film to get its actor nominated for playing Santa Clause. However, it just misses out on the list.

Honorable Mention: All Around The World In 80 Days (1956)

Relax. it’s just an Honorable Mention. i don’t feel strongly enough of swapping this win, but I will point out that it is up against the biblical epic The Ten Commandments as well as giant. I liked giant, but I haven’t seen Around The World In 80 Days (this version anyway).

#7- West Side Story (1961)

Another HOT take. I may have mentioned this before, but I really don’t like this version. What made it easier to put on the list, instead of just an Honorable Mention, is that it beat out Judgement At Nuremberg and The Hustler. While the latter doesn’t feel like a Winner, I’m willing to swap West Side Story for the gripping Judgement At Nuremberg.

Honorable Mention: The Sting (1973)

Now, the Sting is a really great film. Truly. but, this happens to be up against the Exorcist. So, while I certainly don’t hate the Sting enough to put it on the list, it is really hard to not acknowledge the Exorcist should have won.

#6- chariots Of Fire (1981)

god. This is a slog. I would absolutely rip this Oscar away. How awesome would it be for raiders Of The Lost Ark to win Best Picture? Because if we take it away from Chariots, that is exactly who I give it to.

#5- Gandhi )1982)

Back to back. Gandhi isn’t an egregious win, until you factor in that The verdict is amazing, tootsie was hilarious, but ET: The Extra Terrestrial would have been an inspired choice. I think ET would have held up better.

#5- Out Of Africa (1985)

No. it’s an OK film, but it should not have won. Witness was excellent, but here I would have picked literally any of the other films, notably The Color Purple, but even Kiss Of The Spider Woman would be more inspired.

#4- driving Miss Daisy (1989

i don’t hate this film, but it shouldn’t be a Best picture winner. Oscar voters would have hated me, because with both dead Poets Society and Field Of Dreams in the mix, one of them would have gotten my vote. Born On the Fourth Of July and My Left foot are good nominees, but the other two films have stayed with me longer.

#3- Dances With Wolves (1990)

Goodfellas. This should be Goodfellas.

Honorable Mention: Forrest Gump (1994)

There has been this debate over whether Pulp Fiction deserved the win, but while I like both (and Quiz Show), The Shawshank Redemption should have won.

#3- The English Patient (1996)

Another easy swap. I’m not sure who still obsesses over The English Patient, but the correct answer here is Fargo.

#2- Shakespeare In love (1998)

Again, a really easy and quick swap. Saving Private Ryan.

Honorable mention: Crash (2005)

I actually like crash. I’m weird. So this is a little like Forrest Gump and The Sting, where it doesn’t quite make the cut, but it probably should have gone to Brokeback Mountain.

Honorable Mention: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Now, this one gets Honorable Mention not because its nominated competition deserved to topple it, but because this was the year the Oscar’s snubbed The Dark Knight. A snub so infamous, we now have 10 nominees again. Had The dark Knight been nominated, I would gladly move this from Honorable Mention to the Top 10.

Honorable Mention: the Hurt Locker (2009)

Not that this is a bad film, but some of the options here are strong. Of course, Avatar could have won, but I’m not sure that would have aged well. I would have voted for Inglorious Basterds. I also really love Up, a great nomination, and consolation for Wall-E not making it the previous year.

#1- the Kings Speech (2010)

Another easy swap. David Fincher’s excellent The Social Network should have taken this. The kings Speech is mostly forgettable Oscar bait.

Honorable Mention: The artist (2011)

I totally understand it, though it feels like a cheap trick. It’s a fad. It faded fast, and no one talks about The Artist anymore. I never even see the leads anymore. But, it remains an Honorable Mention because I’m not really feeling ANY of the nominees as a winner. I like some, but I wouldn’t have nominated Extremely Loud and incredibly Close or War Horse. If I was voting in that year, I probably would have picked The Help, which hasn’t aged well. if I voted now? Hugo might be an inspired choice, but again, none of these are truly winners.

Honorable Mention: Moonlight (2017)

And, no. Not because of La La Land. And don’t get to fussy. it’s just an Honorable Mention. I absolutely love Arrival, and i would have voted for it. Honorable Mention: Green Book (2018)

Yes. Just Honorable Mention. It just missed the cut. part of it is that Netflix refuses to make Roma accessible, leaving me to pick between A Star Is Born, Black Panther, and Black Klansman. I would have voted for A Star Is Born, but any of those would have sufficed.

Honorable Mention- Nomadland (2020)

And the last Honorable Mention is the Pandemic Oscars. but, looking at the ten, it is just a crap shoot. I’m one of the few who liked The trial of The Chicago Seven, but much like the year The Artist won, there really isn’t the perfect choice here. I’d argue some films shouldn’t even be here. I loved Sound Of Metal and Prmising Young Woman perhaps the most, but best Picture? Meh.