(post-1970)
BEST SCREENPLAY
*”Dead Poets Society,” 1989 (original). Not quite Patch Adams goes to Prep School, but not much better, either. “Crimes and Misdemeanors” and “Do The Right Thing” were snubbed for this?
*”Ghost,” 1990, (original). Might as well have given an Oscar to a Hallmark card.
*”The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” 2004, (adapted). Over “City of God” and “American Splendor.” More proof that sci-fi geeks have taken over.
BEST DIRECTOR
*John Avildsen, “Rocky,” 1976. Over Sidney Lumet for “Network.” Sure.
*Robert Redford, “Ordinary People,” 1980. Scorsese. “Raging Bull.” David Lynch. “The Elephant Man.” Cue John McEnroe.
*Oliver Stone, “Born on the Fourth of July,” 1989. A badly acted, plodding polemic won over vintage Woody Allen (“Crimes and Misdemeanors”).
*Kevin Costner, “Dances with Wolves,” 1990. It’s one thing to lose to Robert Redford, quite another for Scorsese and “Goodfellas” to be overlooked in favor of Kevin Costner.
*Anthony Minghella, “The English Patient,” 1996. Over Joel Coen and “Fargo.” Here’s Johnny.
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