60 Years of Oscar Winners (1980-1989)

60 YEARS OF OSCARS:

WHAT MOVIES WON VS. WHAT MOVIES SHOULD HAVE WON?

PART 2 OF 5 (1980-1989)

Read: PART 1

I was pleased to see so many interesting replies and comments here on Facebook to PART 1 of this series on Oscar-winning movies. I expect even more pushback and discussion as we move into movies that more people will remember in the 1980s. As promised, here’s PART 2. I also changed the parts up in this article — and will do the rest of the way BY DECADE. So, this segment is 1980 through 1989.

[Note: Each year refers to the Academy Award ceremony and winner for BEST PICTURE from movies released the year before.]

60 Years of Oscar Winners (1955-1979)

60 YEARS OF OSCARS:

WHAT MOVIES WON VS. WHAT MOVIES SHOULD HAVE WON?

PART 1 OF 3 (1955-1979)

Sorry to say, I’ve lost much of my interest and most of my affection for Academy Awards. Has any cultural institution become so utterly uninteresting and embarrassingly lacking in social significance?

Indeed, I lament the decline of Oscar night — coming up next weekend — with a deep personal sadness. It used to be one of my favorite nights of the year. For most of my life, I loved the Oscars. But for many reasons, which I may write about later, the Academy Awards just don’t mean much to me anymore.

Still, that doesn’t change traditions and a fascinating history that’s not only been controversial many times, but has also reflected who we are and what society aspires to, sometimes in the most embarrassing fashion.

Let’s take the “BEST PICTURE” winner each year. What follows is this: I’ll give my opinion not only on if the Oscar winner stands up over time, but also comment on what movie from that same year should have won. I’ve also included some of the “underappreciated” films that deserved more nominations and awards and were overlooked at the time.

Let’s go in chronological order and see where you agree, or disagree–and please feel free to do so!: