films that won the Oscar and deserved it (since 1990)
1- The Lord of the rings: the return of the king"
Finally this year Peter Jackson saw rewarded his huge effort to adapt the classic text by professor Tolkien. This adaptation seems to have pleased everybody (even Tolkien fans) and has made thousands of spectators to enjoy 9 hours of adventures (which is not an easy thing to do!). Chapeau mr Jackson!
2- Todo sobre mi madre (All about my mother)
This film meant the Almodovar's consumption in Hollywood (he had been nominated but never won the Oscar). This wonderful story, funny and dramatic in equal terms, conquered the heart of the American people and of half world.
3- The silence of the lambs
Isn't incredible that a thriller won the oscar for best picture? Well, The silence of the lambs did win it in 1991. It is a film that creates an atmosphere of tension and anxiety, although most of what the film is worth is due to the main actors. We find here a wonderful Anthony Hopkins and a young, weak and fragile Jodie Foster (in what it has been, maybe, the best acting of her career...).
4- The English Patient
One of the films of the style that the Academy likes. It is based on the novel by M. Ondaatje, and tells the story of a spy during WW2. It goes back and forth in time, after and before the accident. A nurse (Juliette Binoche) is devoted sadly to take care of the burned patient in his last days of life (she herself volunteers to do it). Interesting and emotive, although maybe not everybody will like it, because of its long duration and its flash-back way to tell the story.
5- Shakespeare in love
This was another amazing academy decision. This clever comedy was a box office success and got the Oscar in 1998. The story tells the facts that surrounded the moment in which Shakespeare wrote his famous Romeo and Juliet. The story of the creation that the film tells is totally fictitious, of course, but it's interesting to see how the screenplay writers mix all the pieces and include humoristic references for Shakespearians. However, not everybody agreed with the Oscar to Gwyneth Paltrow as best actress or with the one to Judi Dench as best supporting actress for her 8 minutes on screen performance of queen Elizabeth.
6- American Beauty
In an (honourable) sixth position we find this successful criticism of the American system by Sam Mendes. In the film, the rose and its petals, very strongly linked to the States, only served to cover the body of a young girl in Kevin Spacey's erotic dreams. In my opinion, the film is not so critical with the States in particular as has been said, but it's more a criticism of a system and its values in general terms.
7-Forrest Gump
And finally, in the last position we have the tender story of Forrest Gump, a borderline boy. The film tells the story of his life, his dreams, his ingenuity, and how they mix and at the same time are part of the History of USA. Although it is a very American story, the film also contains universal messages, such as the famous line: "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get". Good film, but not a masterpiece.
And this list ends in the number 7, because I haven't found any more films that (in my opinion) were worthy of the Oscar and won it. It must be said that many could have been included here but did not win it. Amelie, Elizabeth or The Sixth Sense are only some examples. There might be also some good film among the oscar for foreing language winners, but I can't go that far...