I really struggle between Forrest Gump and Shawshank. They both deserve it, but on almost all the individual awards you have to give it to Forrest. Tom Hanks' acting is superb and definitely outshines Freeman. The direction of Forrest Gump is just about perfect from Zemekis mixing the footage, creating the different periods in history. Technically its an achievement as good as Cameron's.

If the best picture oscar is a culmination of its parts then Forrest has to get it. If the best picture goes to the most enduring movie it is Shawshank by a nose... perhaps. My heart says Shawshank, but my head says Forrest. I think it's fair.

If I'm really honest I would say that Shawshanks title as best film never to win an oscar is probably one to be proud of, but I totally disagree that Pulp Fiction was in the running at all. If there was a genuine loser, it was Three Colours Red, which barely got a mention in the oscars that year.

I loved Crash. I really did. I love the style of all those intertwined stories. Brokeback Mountain was just ok. I kept on thinking if it were a heterosexual couple would this story be worthy, and I just struggled. It was slow and a little dull.

I dont think a movie should necessarily win just because its a taboo subject. Crash on the oher hand felt tight and tense and as I watched I felt more and more uncomfortable at my own personal prejudices. I believe films like Crash and Brokeback Mountain have to make you think. It fails totally if it fails to provoke discussion, I have yet to hear a discussion following Brokeback except the academy didnt give it the gong because it's about homosexuality. Yet crash comes up regularly in discussions about racism.

You are being a little unfair though Elisabeth. Raiders is Iconic but it's popularist entertainment.

Chariots of Fire is Iconic. The fact that we still remember the images of the guys running on the beach shows how iconic it is, but it also says something about who we are, and how we have changed. Its about religion and ethics and the will to win. It's about determination and values.

There is nothing wrong with popularist entertainment, we all love it, but I believe the best picture award should go to a film that does more than just make us smile. I was entertained by Raiders, I was entertained and inspired and learnt a little something with Chariots of Fire. That is why I believe it is a more complete picture.

I think Howard the Duck was better than Shakespeare in Love.

I'm thinking you may have overdosed on testosterone.

Hate to disagree, and believe me when I say I too hate westerns as a rule, but Unforgiven is a classic and well deserved of its bounty. Having said that I agree The Crying Game is talked about often in my neck of the woods.

I do agree with you on The Departed. If the grittier original doesn't deserve the nod, then neither did Scorsese's effort.