Introduction

AMANDA:

Just before the Oscars this year, Bob and I talked a lot about the movies we’d seen over the past year and what movie we thought should win Best Picture. I saw more movies in 2013 than I’ve seen any other year, and this is the first time I’ve seen every movie that nominated for Best Picture. Needless to say, I was much more engaged in the award show this year and not just checking out the dresses on the red carpet (and that’s compared to the only other time I’ve watched them… last year).

As we talked more about the Oscars and what movie we thought would win Best Picture, I started thinking about all the past winners that I haven’t seen and how many good movies I was missing out on. So I said I wanted to spend the next year or so watching all the Best Picture winners. I don’t think I really gave it a lot of thought or really knew how much of an effort it would be, but when you said you’d join, I thought it could be a fun project.  What did you think when we first talked about it?

BOB:
I was into the idea immediately... even when I realized I would have to watch Gone With the Wind again.  Given my love of classic movies and obsession with ranking things, I don't think that revelation is going to come as a surprise to most of the people reading this.  I also think the fact that we're doing this together is going to help us stay on track and not bail on the project.

Before we get going, how about a little Oscars background info on each of us...

1.  How many of the Best Picture winners have you already seen?  54 for me counting the newly awarded 12 Years a Slave

2.  What is your favorite one (note: Amanda is going to spend an inordinate amount of time deciding on her favorite, as she is indecisive and becomes anxious when forced to rank things)?  As is the answer for so many of life's questions, it's got to be The Godfather.

3.  What one are you looking forward to checking out the most?  I'm going to cheat a little bit on this one and say that I'm looking forward to re-watching a lot of the classics that I first watched at probably too young of an age to fully appreciate (off the top of my head... All About Eve, On the Waterfront, Amadeus, and Unforgiven)

Bonus question: What happens if we break up without finishing the project?  I will flame you on this blog until the end of the time.  Seriously.

AMANDA:

The introduction of this blog has already taken a drastic turn and I should have expected that. Here are my answers to your questions…

1. I’ve seen 26 Best Picture winners. Yes, I know I’m a little behind.

2. As much as I hate to admit it, Bob’s right, I have a really hard time ranking movies – especially if they’re completely different. After looking at my list, I’ve chosen The Departed as my top pick (for today) because I could watch that movie over and over. I love it. I’d consider Crash and The Sound of Music near the top too.

3. Truthfully, I don’t know a lot about those that I haven’t seen. I’m excited to watch the movies that I always hear about but haven’t seen (In the Heat of the Night, Gone With the Wind) and I’m also excited to re-watch those that I’ve already seen and love. 

Bonus Question: We’re practically done already - I'm not too worried about it.

Here’s a little bit more information on how we’ll be doing this blog...

We are going to watch all 86 movies that have won Best Picture at the Academy Awards - that includes the movies we’ve already seen (even if we hated them). We’re planning to watch them in chronological order, starting with the 1928 winner Wings. After we watch each one, we’ll write about it and each give our thoughts about the movie. We’ll continue the same format we’ve had here in the introduction where we go back and forth, and then we’ll rank the movies once we're all done.

And anyone who knows Bob is aware of his love for trivia, so he’ll be including a little bit of movie trivia with each review.

There's an area for comments on each blog post so feel free to include your own thoughts or questions. We’re excited about this project, and it’ll be more fun if other people get involved. Enjoy!

NEXT UP: Wings