Though it seems like the Oscar are right around the corner they're actually 89 days away!
So let's talk 1989 while your host here works on current Oscar charts. The 62nd Academy Awards has always struck us as an odd Best Picture vintage... maybe because we'd nominate none of them. But all were very popular with audiences at the time. The Oscars went for 2 blockbuster hits with Dead Poet's Society and Born on the 4th of July (yes, kids, audiences used to go for a little of every genre at the movies, not just superhero films. Both were among the top ten grossers of the year alongside things that would be hits nowadays like Batman and Ghostbusters II). The eventual winner was another very big hit in Driving Miss Daisy. To fill out the category a not-so little sleeper success Field of Dreams, and 1 arthouse favourite My Left Foot. With the exception of the Oliver Stone war drama and My Left Foot (inexplicably rated R), all were family friendly, too...
Another noteworthy thing about the lineup is that it implies that movies exist all year long (imagine that!) and not just around the winter holidays with one spring release, one summer release, a November release and two Christmas releases. We appreciate the calendar spread but we still don't love the lineup.
Nathaniel's 1989 ballot
That Oscar vintage would have aged much better had it included two critical sensations and summer breakthroughs for young directors: Steven Soderbergh's sex, lies and videotape and Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing; they both had to settle for screenplay citations. Disney's still-beloved comeback queen The Little Mermaid would have also been a beautiful Best Picture contender, too. This would surely be unthinkable to Gen Z but Disney was not popular at all at the time (and considered strictly "for kids"). The Little Mermaid totally reinvigorating the Mouse House and Beauty and the Beast's Oscar nomination in 1991 never would have happened without Ariel's leggy dreams paving the way. Two favourites from 1989 are more personal, Heathers and The Fabulous Baker Boys, but Oscar at least admired the latter giving it four nominations (though it deserved eight nominations plus two wins!). This list give or take When Harry Met Sally, War of the Roses, and Crimes and Misdemeanors depending on the mood.
What are your favourites from 1989?
Some other films from 1989: Camille Claudel, Roger & Me, Glory, Blaze, Enemies a Love Story, War of the Roses, She-Devil, Valmont, Steel Magnolias, Mystery Train, Henry V, Bloodhounds of Broadway, The Bear, Fat Man and Little Boy, Drugstore Cowboy, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Crimes and Misdemeanors, A Dry White Seaon, Back to the Future II, Batman, Lethal Weapon II, Sea of Love, Shirley Valentine, Casualties of War, Uncle Buck, The Abyss, Parenthood, Turner & Hooch, When Harry Met Sally, Great Balls of Fire!, Honey I Shrunk The Kids, Ghostbusters II, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Miracle Mile, Earth Girls are Easy, Scandal, Say Anything, Heathers, New York Stories, Chances Are, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Lean on Me, The Burbs, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Tap.