1999 - Saving Private Oscar

On this episode of ‘The Oscars: What Were They Thinking?’ Bruce and “Tex” storm the beaches of one of the Academy Awards’ biggest Best Picture controversies. Of course we’re talking about the 1999 Oscars, for the films of 1998.  This is known as the year that changed everything thanks to a guy you may have heard of named Harvey Weinstein.  In a shocking upset, a brash, shameless, indie upstart managed to out-campaign the Hollywood elite and take home a best picture Oscar for an artsy film about love and Shakespeare. Using the test of time, many people look back at this year as a complete miscarriage of justice. But was it really? And what other controversies and unbelievable moments took place that evening? Bruce was there and is more than happy to share them with us.  What do you think?  Did Shakespeare deserve Oscar love? Or did Saving Private Ryan “Earn it?”       MOVIES MENTIONEDFrom Russia With LoveShakespeare in LoveElizabethSaving Private RyanThe African QueenLife is BeautifulThe Thin Red LineArmageddonA Simple PlanThe Truman ShowAfflictionCivil Action Apollo 13Pat Garrett & Billy the KidIn Like FlintShineRushmoreThe Big LebowskiRocky Horror Picture ShowA Fish Called WandaGods and MonstersHillary and JackieLittle VoicePrimary ColorsMrs. BrownSchindler’s ListAmistadWarhorseLincolnWest Side StoryMunichThe Mask of ZorroOut of SightThe Big ChillMighty Joe YoungKing KongWhat Dreams May ComePleasantvilleVelvet GoldmineBelovedThe Last DaysDance MakerThe Farm Angola USALenny Bruce:  Swear to Tell the TruthRegret to InformPrince of EgyptPatch AdamsMulanA Bug’s LifeThe Horse WhispererBabe: Pig in the CitySkyfallBarbieQuest From CamelotWickedTangoThe GrandfatherChildren of HeavenCentral StationFrankensteinBride of FrankensteinAmerican History XTwo WomenLord of the RingsOne True ThingGiaBulworthThe Best Years of our LivesE.T.The Day the Clown CriedGuilty By SuspicionOn the WaterfrontStreetcar Named DesireEast of EdenA Face in the CrowdSplendor in the GrassAmerica, AmericaGentleman’s AgreementViva Zapata Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices