10 Times The Oscars Recognized 'Cool' Movies
1. Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Notable Nominations: Best Director, Best Picture.
The story goes that Steven Spielberg wanted to make a James Bond film, but his friend George Lucas convinced him to tackle an original character Lucas had created. And so a new globetrotting franchise was born, one that is arguable more iconic than even 007. The combination of Spielberg, Lucas and Harrison Ford made a pulpy throwback to Saturday serials into something truly special.
Indiana Jones became one of the most beloved and famous movie characters, thanks largely to Ford's immense charisma. It's a film that knows not to take itself too seriously, seeing as it's about an archaeologist/adventurer battling Nazis for an ancient religious artefact. It's the perfect blend of action and humor, remaining one of the most rewatchable films. It's on just about every movie geeks top ten list of all time and is the perfect example of a film made for the fans instead of for awards.
Whether it was intended or not, the film was recognized at the awards in 1982. It seems the Academy hates Nazis as much as old Indy as it was nominated for 9 Oscars and won 5 of them. The real treat was the nomination for Spielberg as Best Director and the film for Best Picture.
La La Land might be a great film, but it doesn't have any melting Nazi faces, does it?