Oscar nominated movies over the years

Oscar nominated movies are supposed to be the cream of the crop, the best films of the year. Too often, however, oscar nominated movies fall short of that mark and are predictably lumped into the best marketed films of the year. Or the most banal films of the year that have the most connected producers.

The Academy has been giving out Oscar nominations for over seventy years now, and the process of making the nominations has, in itself, become big business. Because business mixes into the process, then, you can be sure that oscar nominated movies aren't always going to be the best ones, but rather the ones with the most people in high places pushing for its consideration.

The history of The Academy - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which oversees oscar nominated movies - goes back to 1929. Since then oscar nominated movies have gained both audience and prestige from the Academy's work, and that continues to this day.

The Academy was originally started by Louis B. Mayer, legendary head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, as a way to settle labor disputes. He also intended the academy to improve the image of the industry, and as a result came up with an awards show with a banquet. What was to come would eventually be the biggest night of stars seen anywhere in the world.

The original Oscar nominated movies from taht first year were Wings, by William Wellman, which was the eventual winner, The Racket by Lewis Mileston, and 7th Heaven by Frank Borzage. Wings is better rememberd today for being the film that launched Gary Cooper's career than any other profound effect it had on the industry, though Wellman is considered by many to be one of the finest directors of the silent era.

Until 1940 oscar nominated movies were nominated for "Best Production." At that point the award was changed to "Best Picture." There were also many more oscar nominated movies, with as many as 10 getting noms before the academy put a limit of five oscar nominated movies in any year starting in 1944.

Some of the most award-winning movies, though, haven't aged that well. For every "The Best Years of Our Lives," there's been a "The Greatest Show on Earth." For every "Casablanca" there's been a "Marty", and for every "Bridge on the River Kwai" there's been a "Ben-hur." So the Academy, while enduring, is nothing if not mistake-prone.