Oscar Winners

1990 Dances with Wolves       Western PG-13, 183 Minutes
Director: Kevin Costner  
Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant, Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman, Charles Rocket, Maury Chaykin, Tantoo Cardinal, Robert Pastorelli, Wes Studi

 This Academy Award winner for Best Picture is the story of a Union soldier (Kevin Costner) who is sent to a frontier outpost where he befriends a tribe of Sioux Indians. When he grows to appreciate the Indians more than his own race and falls in love with a woman of the tribe, the Army calls him a renegade. Good fare. Costner won an Oscar for Best Director. In all, seven Academy Awards were received along with five nominations, which included Best Actor (Costner), Supporting Actor (Graham Greene), and Supporting Actress (Mary McDonnell).

1990 Dances with Wolves       Western PG-13, 183 Minutes
Director: Kevin Costner  
Starring: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, Rodney A. Grant, Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman, Charles Rocket, Maury Chaykin, Tantoo Cardinal, Robert Pastorelli, Wes Studi

 This Academy Award winner for Best Picture is the story of a Union soldier (Kevin Costner) who is sent to a frontier outpost where he befriends a tribe of Sioux Indians. When he grows to appreciate the Indians more than his own race and falls in love with a woman of the tribe, the Army calls him a renegade. Good fare. Costner won an Oscar for Best Director. In all, seven Academy Awards were received along with five nominations, which included Best Actor (Costner), Supporting Actor (Graham Greene), and Supporting Actress (Mary McDonnell).

1990 Reversal of Fortune       Drama R, 110 Minutes
Director: Barbet Schroeder  
Starring: Glenn Close, Jeremy Irons, Ron Silver, Annabella Sciorra, Fisher Stevens, Uta Hagen, Christine Baranski, Julie Hagerty, Jack Gilpin, Felicity Huffman

 This black comedy is about Claus von Bulow's (Jeremy Irons) legal battles over the attempted murder of his wealthy wife, Sunny (Glenn Close). The hook is that the story is told from Sunny's viewpoint, which makes this a very funny flick. Jeremy Irons won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Claus von Bulow, and the film was nominated for two others, including Best Director.

1990 Misery       Drama / Horror / Thriller R, 107 Minutes
Director: Rob Reiner  
Starring: James Caan, Kathy Bates, Frances Sternhagen, Richard Farnsworth, Lauren Bacall, Graham Jarvis, Jerry Potter, Thomas Brunelle, June Christopher, Julie Payne

 A famous author, Paul Sheldon (James Caan), has written a series of books with a heroine named Misery Chastain. When he has a car wreck, he is rescued by a mountain resident, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), who tends to his injuries. Unfortunately, she is more than a little upset that Paul has ended Misery's life, and she decides to force him to bring Misery back to life in a new book. This movie is from the Stephen King novel by the same name. Kathy Bates won an Oscar for her performance.

1990 GoodFellas       Drama R, 146 Minutes
Director: Martin Scorsese  
Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, Frank Sivero, Tony Darrow, Mike Starr, Frank Vincent, Debi Mazar

 The New York Mafia, from the mid-1950s until 1980, is the subject of this film that captures the essence of loyalty among Family members. Based on Nicholas Pileggi's book, this is the story of Henry Hill's (Ray Liotta) long tenure as a member of the Mafia. Joe Pesci won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Five nominations were also received, including Best Picture, Director, and Supporting Actress (Lorraine Bracco).

1990 Ghost           Comedy / Drama / Mystery / Fantasy / Romance PG-13, 128 Minutes
Director: Jerry Zucker  
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Goldwyn, Rick Aviles, Vincent Schiavelli, Gail Boggs, Armelia McQueen, Susan Breslau, Martina Deignan

 New York banker Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) is mugged and killed during his attempt to obtain a computer password in order to steal from a client's account. Sam, having unfinished business here on Earth, comes back as a ghost to help uncover the reasons for his death. A psychic (Whoopi Goldberg) helps him communicate with the living to find out who wanted the computer password. A blockbuster movie that was popular at theaters. Whoopi won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress; the film also won for Best Writing and was nominated for three others, including Best Picture.

1991 The Silence of the Lambs       Drama / Thriller R, 120 Minutes
Director: Jonathan Demme  
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Brooke Smith, Kasi Lemmons, Diane Baker, Roger Corman, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Charles Napier

 FBI recruit Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is given quite an assignment for her first case. In order to get a psychological profile of the killer she is pursuing, she must go to Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) who is himself a homicidal maniac locked in a cell for eight years. The film received five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Director, Actress (Foster), and Actor (Hopkins) and was nominated for two other awards.

1991 The Silence of the Lambs       Drama / Thriller R, 120 Minutes
Director: Jonathan Demme  
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Brooke Smith, Kasi Lemmons, Diane Baker, Roger Corman, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Charles Napier

 FBI recruit Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is given quite an assignment for her first case. In order to get a psychological profile of the killer she is pursuing, she must go to Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) who is himself a homicidal maniac locked in a cell for eight years. The film received five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Director, Actress (Foster), and Actor (Hopkins) and was nominated for two other awards.

1991 The Silence of the Lambs       Drama / Thriller R, 120 Minutes
Director: Jonathan Demme  
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Brooke Smith, Kasi Lemmons, Diane Baker, Roger Corman, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Charles Napier

 FBI recruit Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is given quite an assignment for her first case. In order to get a psychological profile of the killer she is pursuing, she must go to Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) who is himself a homicidal maniac locked in a cell for eight years. The film received five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Director, Actress (Foster), and Actor (Hopkins) and was nominated for two other awards.

1991 The Silence of the Lambs       Drama / Thriller R, 120 Minutes
Director: Jonathan Demme  
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Brooke Smith, Kasi Lemmons, Diane Baker, Roger Corman, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Charles Napier

 FBI recruit Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is given quite an assignment for her first case. In order to get a psychological profile of the killer she is pursuing, she must go to Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) who is himself a homicidal maniac locked in a cell for eight years. The film received five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Director, Actress (Foster), and Actor (Hopkins) and was nominated for two other awards.

1991 City Slickers       Comedy / Western PG-13, 90 Minutes
Director: Ron Underwood  
Starring: Billy Crystal, Bruno Kirby, Jack Palance, Daniel Stern, Patricia Wettig, Helen Slater, Noble Willingham, Tracey Walter, Josh Mostel, David Paymer

 On the occasion of his 39th birthday, Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) is confronted with the fact that he is running out of time to accomplish many things he has thought about doing. He takes his two best friends Ed and Phil (Bruno Kirby and Daniel Stern) with him on a two-week cattle drive where they run into tough old drover Curly Washburn (Jack Palance) and come close to discovering the meaning of life. Jack Palance won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

1991 The Fisher King       Comedy / Drama / Romance R, 135 Minutes
Director: Terry Gilliam  
Starring: Robin Williams, Jeff Bridges, Amanda Plummer, Mercedes Ruehl, Adam Bryant, Paul Lombardi, David Hyde Pierce, Ted Ross, Kathy Najimy, Harry Shearer

 Radio talk-show host Jack Lucas (Jeff Bridges) has inadvertently encouraged a mass murder spree. Parry (Robin Williams), whose wife was one victim of the murderer, begs Lucas to help him find the Holy Grail that he believes is in a Fifth Avenue townhouse and help him win the love of his life (Amanda Plummer). Jack has been depressed since the mass murders and has been living off his girlfriend Anne Napolitano (Mercedes Ruehl). He believes that helping Parry will pull him out of his depression, comes to Parry's aid, and the search is on. Ruehl won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress. Several nominations were also received, including Williams for Best Actor.

1992 Unforgiven       Western / Drama R, 130 Minutes
Director: Clint Eastwood  
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris, Saul Rubinek, Frances Fisher, Rob Campbell, Anthony James, Shane Meier, Jaimz Woolvett

 In 1880s' Wyoming, William Munny (Clint Eastwood) is a former outlaw who has switched to the side of the law after marriage, but now his wife has died. In the nearby town of Big Whiskey, Sheriff Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman) has denied legal rights to the town's prostitutes, and they have put a $1000 bounty on the sheriff's life. The Schofield Kid ((Jaimz Woolvett) arrives on the scene and convinces Munny to come to the prostitute's aid and collect the bounty money. Munny joins up with his neighbor Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman), and they head to Big Whiskey to right the wrongs done to the prostitutes and end the rule of the corrupt sheriff. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Clint Eastwood won for Best Director, and Gene Hackman won for Best Supporting Actor. Eastwood was also nominated for Best Actor.

1992 Unforgiven       Western / Drama R, 130 Minutes
Director: Clint Eastwood  
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris, Saul Rubinek, Frances Fisher, Rob Campbell, Anthony James, Shane Meier, Jaimz Woolvett

 In 1880s' Wyoming, William Munny (Clint Eastwood) is a former outlaw who has switched to the side of the law after marriage, but now his wife has died. In the nearby town of Big Whiskey, Sheriff Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman) has denied legal rights to the town's prostitutes, and they have put a $1000 bounty on the sheriff's life. The Schofield Kid ((Jaimz Woolvett) arrives on the scene and convinces Munny to come to the prostitute's aid and collect the bounty money. Munny joins up with his neighbor Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman), and they head to Big Whiskey to right the wrongs done to the prostitutes and end the rule of the corrupt sheriff. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Clint Eastwood won for Best Director, and Gene Hackman won for Best Supporting Actor. Eastwood was also nominated for Best Actor.

1992 Scent of a Woman           Drama R, 157 Minutes
Director: Martin Brest  
Starring: Al Pacino, Chris O'Donnell, James Rebhorn, Gabrielle Anwar, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Venture, Bradley Whitford, Rochelle Oliver, Todd Louiso, Gene Canfield

 High-school student Charlie Simms (Chris O'Donnell) is hired to take care of blind, depressed, and foul-mouthed, retired Lt. Col. Frank Slade (Al Pacino) during Thanksgiving break. Slade plans to commit suicide AFTER one last fling in which Charlie is his companion. Al Pacino won an Oscar for his portrayal of the Colonel. Nominations were also received for Best Picture and Director. Based on the 1974 Italian film.

1992 Howards End       Drama / Romance PG, 140 Minutes
Director: James Ivory  
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, Joseph Bennett, Prunella Scales, Mary Nash, Samuel West, Adrian Ross Magenty, Jo Kendall

 The English social-class system in the early 20th century is the backdrop for this creative film. Ruth Wilcox (Vanessa Redgrave) is dying, and she wants to leave her country manor to Margaret Schlegel (Emma Thompson) who is not a member of the upper class. Ruth's husband, Henry (Anthony Hopkins), keeps the will a secret after Ruth dies, but he does meet and fall in love with Margaret. They marry, but their class differences cause them unhappiness. Meanwhile, Margaret's sister, Helen (Helena Bonham Carter), cannot stand Henry's snobbish ways and is trying to help working-class clerk Leonard Bast (Samuel West) improve his station in life. Thompson won an Oscar for Best Actress, and two other Oscars were awarded. Six additional nominations were received including Best Picture, Director, and Supporting Actress (Redgrave).

1992 Unforgiven       Western / Drama R, 130 Minutes
Director: Clint Eastwood  
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris, Saul Rubinek, Frances Fisher, Rob Campbell, Anthony James, Shane Meier, Jaimz Woolvett

 In 1880s' Wyoming, William Munny (Clint Eastwood) is a former outlaw who has switched to the side of the law after marriage, but now his wife has died. In the nearby town of Big Whiskey, Sheriff Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman) has denied legal rights to the town's prostitutes, and they have put a $1000 bounty on the sheriff's life. The Schofield Kid ((Jaimz Woolvett) arrives on the scene and convinces Munny to come to the prostitute's aid and collect the bounty money. Munny joins up with his neighbor Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman), and they head to Big Whiskey to right the wrongs done to the prostitutes and end the rule of the corrupt sheriff. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Clint Eastwood won for Best Director, and Gene Hackman won for Best Supporting Actor. Eastwood was also nominated for Best Actor.

1992 My Cousin Vinny       Comedy / Drama R, 119 Minutes
Director: Jonathan Lynn  
Starring: Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, Marisa Tomei, Mitchell Whitfield, Fred Gwynne, Lane Smith, Austin Pendleton, Bruce McGill, Maury Chaykin, James Rebhorn

 After many failed attempts, Vinny Gambino (Joe Pesci) had just passed the bar exam when he gets a call from his cousin Bill (Ralph Macchio) who, with his friend Stan (Mitchell Whitfield), has been mistakenly accused of murder. Vinny heads south to Alabama with his sexy girlfriend Mona Lisa (Marisa Tomei) to plead their case. Totally unprepared to try his first criminal case, with Mona Lisa's support, Vinny regains Bill's consent to represent him and finally learns to apply himself. He even manages to gain respect from all concerned–even the judge (Fred Gwynne). Tomei won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

1993 Schindler's List       Drama R, 195 Minutes
Director: Steven Spielberg  
Starring: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagall, Embeth Davidtz, Norbert Weisser, Elina Lowensohn, Andrzej Seweryn, Malgoscha Gebel

 With this film, Steven Spielberg finally won his Oscar. It is the story about Oscar Schindler (Liam Neeson) who saved hundreds of Jews from certain death at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. An Oscar was also presented to this film for Best Picture, along with five other Oscars. Neeson and Ralph Fiennes were nominated for Best Actor and Supporting Actor.

1993 Schindler's List       Drama R, 195 Minutes
Director: Steven Spielberg  
Starring: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagall, Embeth Davidtz, Norbert Weisser, Elina Lowensohn, Andrzej Seweryn, Malgoscha Gebel

 With this film, Steven Spielberg finally won his Oscar. It is the story about Oscar Schindler (Liam Neeson) who saved hundreds of Jews from certain death at the hands of the Nazis during World War II. An Oscar was also presented to this film for Best Picture, along with five other Oscars. Neeson and Ralph Fiennes were nominated for Best Actor and Supporting Actor.

1993 Philadelphia       Drama PG-13, 119 Minutes
Director: Jonathan Demme  
Starring: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Ron Vawter, Antonio Banderas, Joanne Woodward, Robert Ridgely, Tracey Walter, Charles Napier

 Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) has AIDS and has been fired from his law firm because of his disease. Instead of sitting back and accepting his fate, Beckett hires Joe Miller (Denzel Washington) to sue his former law firm. This insightful film shows the ignorance, prejudice, and unfairness experienced by AIDS sufferers. Tom Hanks won an Oscar for his performance, and the song "Streets of Philadelphia" (Bruce Springsteen) also was an Academy Award winner. Three other nominations were received.

1992 Howards End       Drama / Romance PG, 140 Minutes
Director: James Ivory  
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, Joseph Bennett, Prunella Scales, Mary Nash, Samuel West, Adrian Ross Magenty, Jo Kendall

 The English social-class system in the early 20th century is the backdrop for this creative film. Ruth Wilcox (Vanessa Redgrave) is dying, and she wants to leave her country manor to Margaret Schlegel (Emma Thompson) who is not a member of the upper class. Ruth's husband, Henry (Anthony Hopkins), keeps the will a secret after Ruth dies, but he does meet and fall in love with Margaret. They marry, but their class differences cause them unhappiness. Meanwhile, Margaret's sister, Helen (Helena Bonham Carter), cannot stand Henry's snobbish ways and is trying to help working-class clerk Leonard Bast (Samuel West) improve his station in life. Thompson won an Oscar for Best Actress, and two other Oscars were awarded. Six additional nominations were received including Best Picture, Director, and Supporting Actress (Redgrave).

1947 The Fugitive       Drama N/R, 104 Minutes
Director: John Ford  
Starring: Henry Fonda, Dolores del Rio, Pedro Armendariz, Ward Bond, J. Carrol Naish, Leo Carrillo, Robert Armstrong, John Qualen, Fortunio Bonanova, Mel Ferrer

 From Graham Greene's "The Power and the Glory" comes this film adaptation of the story of a fugitive priest (Henry Fonda) who is on the run from Mexican authorities. He has baptized a baby in spite of a Mexican dictatorship that has made religious worship illegal. The Fugitive runs into a friend, James Calvert (Ward Bond), and an enemy who is a police enformer (J. Carrol Naish) during his fateful escape attempt. Very good–what else would you expect from John Ford?

1993 The Piano       Drama R, 121 Minutes
Director: Jane Campion  
Starring: Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin, Kerry Walker, Genevieve Lemon, Tungia Baker, Ian Mune, Peter Dennett, Te Whatanui Skipwith

 Nine-year-old Flora (Anna Paquin) accompanies her mother Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter) to New Zealand. Once there, they meet Ada's arranged-marriage partner Alisdair Stewart (Sam Neill), and a crisis occurs when he refuses to move Ada's piano. Ada, a mute, has found that she can express herself through her piano. Another man, George Baines (Harvey Keitel) comes to the rescue, and his actions also lead to complications. Holly Hunter won an Academy Award For Best Actress, and Anna Paquin won for Best Supporting Actress. Five other nominations were received, including Best Picture and Director.

1994 Forrest Gump           Comedy / Drama / Romance PG-13, 140 Minutes
Director: Robert Zemeckis  
Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright Penn, Gary Sinise, Sally Field, Mykelti Williamson, Harold G. Herthum, George Kelly, Sam Anderson, Rebecca Williams, Michael Conner Humphreys

 This film tells the story of the contemporary world as seen through the eyes of Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks), a man with an IQ of only 75. He reveals simple truths about the social mores of the middle 20th century in a witty and profound manner. For his stirring portrayal of Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks became only the second actor to win back-to-back Academy Awards for Best Actor (Spencer Tracy won in 1937 and 1938); five other awards were also won, including Best Picture and Best Director. Seven additional nominations were received.