Best Pick: A Journey through Film History and the Academy Awards

Best Pick: A Journey through Film History and the Academy Awards is a book that explores the history of motion pictures through the lens of the Academy Awards, Best Picture winners, and box-office contenders. It provides a decade-by-decade exploration of the Oscars, examining the making of classic films, trends and innovations in cinema, behind-the-scenes scandals, and who won and why. Twenty films are reviewed in-depth, along with ten detailed "making-of" accounts and capsule reviews of every single Best Picture winner in history. It is a witty and enthralling look at the people, politics, movies, and trends that have shaped our cinematic world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 332 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

In Best Pick: A Journey through Film History and the Academy Awards, John Dorney, Jessica Regan, and Tom Salinsky present a captivating decade-by-decade exploration of the Oscars. For each decade, they delve into the making of classic films, examine trends and innovations in cinema, uncover behind-the-scenes scandals at the awards ceremony, and analyze who won and why. Twenty films are reviewed in depth, accompanied by ten detailed "making-of" accounts and capsule reviews of every single Best Picture winner in history. Additionally, each Best Picture winner is carefully scrutinized to answer the ultimate question: "Did the Academy get it right?"

Full of wonderful stories, cogent analysis, and fascinating insights, Best Pick is a witty and enthralling look at the people, politics, movies, and trends that have shaped our cinematic world.

The book is organized into ten chapters, each focusing on a different decade of the Oscars. The authors begin by examining the early days of the awards ceremony, when it was still a relatively new and untested event. They discuss the challenges that the Academy faced in establishing itself as a credible institution and the efforts that were made to ensure that the awards were given out fairly and objectively.

As the decades progress, the authors explore the evolution of cinema and the impact that it has had on the Best Picture winners. They discuss the rise of new genres, such as science fiction and horror, and the ways in which these films have challenged traditional storytelling conventions. They also examine the impact of technology on the film industry, from the introduction of sound to the rise of digital filmmaking.

Throughout the book, the authors provide insightful commentary on the films that have won the Best Picture award. They analyze the themes, characters, and storytelling techniques used in these films and discuss the ways in which they have resonated with audiences over time. They also provide behind-the-scenes anecdotes and information about the making of these films, including the struggles and triumphs that the filmmakers faced during production.

In addition to their analysis of the Best Picture winners, the authors also examine the politics and controversies that have surrounded the Oscars. They discuss the ways in which the awards ceremony has been used as a platform for social and political commentary and the ways in which it has been influenced by the power of Hollywood. They also explore the impact of race, gender, and sexuality on the awards ceremony and the ways in which these factors have shaped the selection of winners.

Overall, Best Pick: A Journey through Film History and the Academy Awards is a must-read for anyone who is interested in film history, cinema, or the Oscars. The authors provide a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the awards ceremony and its impact on the film industry, and their insights and commentary are insightful and thought-provoking.

Weight: 648g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538163108