THE LORD OF THE RINGS (2001 - 2003)

The original novel by J.R.R. Tolkien was actually published in three volumes over a period of one year during 1954 and 1955. Initially the author intended it to be a sequel to his book, The Hobbit, which appeared in 1937. However, eventually it went on and became the most successful novel ever with over 150 million copies sold (outsold only by the Bible). This is also the reason given by director, Peter Jackson, why his film version was released in three part. Besides, otherwise it would be simply too damn long to sit through in one session!

Be that as it may, fact is that the three volumes tell only one story, namely that of the Hobbit, Frodo Baggins (in the films played by Elijah Wood), and his quest to destroy an evil magic ring. Of cause that is not the whole story. That is why it took three volumes adapted into a three part movie to be able to tell it all. But for purposes of this post, it will suffice. What counts here is its Oscar achievements.

Part 1: The Fellowship of the Ring (released in 2001)

It was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won four, being best:

1. Cinematography
2. Makeup
3. Music, Original Score
4. Effects, Visual Effects

Part 2: The Two Towers (released in 2002)
Nominated for four; won two for best:

1. Sound Editing
2. Visual Effects

Part 3: Return of the King (released in 2003)
Nominated for and won all eleven awards for best:

1. Picture
2. Director
3. Writing, Adapted Screenplay
4. Film Editing
5. Art Direction - Set Decoration
6. Costume Design
7. Makeup
8. Music, Original Score
9. Music, Original Song
10. Sound Mixing
11. Visual Effects

So, all-in-all, a total of seventeen Oscars; truly phenomenal! In the end I rated each part 4 out of 5 stars. 

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JNVtorI3vw

 Christopher Tolkien (son of the author) with Peter Jackson

TITANIC (1997)

Costing a whopping 200 million dollars, it was the most expensive film made at that time. But it was also the first film that broke through the one billion dollar box office earnings barrier.

Surely it is not necessary to relate the whole story of the now all too well known plot except for mentioning that it is partially based on facts but mostly fictional. A young aristocrat, Rose (Kate Winslet), falls for the young rogue artist from the wrong side of the tracks, Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) on the maiden voyage of the ill-fated, thought to be unsinkable ultra luxury liner during 1912. The rest, as they say, is history.

This movie was nominated for fourteen Oscars of which it won eleven. These were for best:

1. Picture
2. Director (James Cameron)
3. Cinematography
4. Art Direction - Set Decoration
5. Costume Design
6. Sound
7. Film Editing
8. Effects, Sound Effects Editing
9. Effects, Visual Effects
10. Music, Original Song (My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion)
11. Music, Dramatic Score

Despite all the hype back then, I was not overly impressed with this movie. Technically it was a masterpiece but for the rest it was a rather ordinary love story. Still I thought it should deserve at least 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e-eXJ6HgkQ

 The real Titanic...

OSCAR TIME! (2016)

As February is traditionally Oscars month, I decided to dedicate this month's posts to some Academy Award winners of the past. Last week I already looked at Fiddler On The Roof that won three Oscars (best cinematography, sound and music score).

To date there are actually three films that share the number one position for receiving the most Academy Awards. These are Ben-Hur (1959), Titanic (1997) and Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King (2003). Each of them won a total of eleven Oscars. However, if you take into account that the Lord Of The Rings trilogy was actually shot as one long continuous film project which was only presented in three parts, it is the clear winner by far with a total of seventeen Oscars!

Now as far as Ben-Hur is concerned I already discussed it on this blog and for details about the movie itself you can go to my post of 17 June 2014. But for puposes of this post it won Academy Awards in the following categories:

1. Best Picture
2. Best Actor in a leading role
3. Best Actor in a supporting role
4. Best Director
5. Best Cinematography
6. Best Art direction and set design
7. Best Costume design
8. Best Sound
9. Best Film editing
10. Best Special effects
11. Best Music score

Impressive indeed. Next week I'll take a look at Titanic.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (1971)

Time for yet another classic. Although musicals are not to everybody's taste they do tend to stand the test of time. Just think of other classics such as The Wizard Of Oz, The Sound Of Music and, of cause, Oliver! which I also reviewed on this blog before.

Based on the stage play by Joseph Stein, Fiddler On The Roof tells the story of Tevye (brilliantly played by Israeli actor Chaim Topol), a Russian-Jew and the troubles he faces with his nubile daughters who refuse to stick to "Tradition" (one of the many well-known song emanating from this movie). In stead of marrying the choices made by their father for them, as is the tradition, they insist on choosing their own 'for love'.

Nominated for eight Oscars and winner of three, this film contains some of the greatest show stopper hits ever, like "Matchmaker, Matchmaker", "Sunrise, Sunset" and of cause the all time favorite "If I Were A Rich Man".

Even though it ends on a somewhat sad note, director Norman Jewison done it in such a way that you still go away with a smile on your face. Highly recommended family viewing for which I give 3 out of 5 stars. 

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjfTNnznJXw

 

 Paul Michael Glaser (who plays 'Perchik' one of Tevye's sons-in-law in the movie) before he became famous as 'Starsky' from tv-series Starsky And Hutch