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Hello and welcome to One Room With A View. Today we're looking at one of the most hotly
debated questions going: "What is the Best Year in Film"? So settle in as we count down
our top 10 best years in cinematic history. 10.
(2013) Before we rush into yesteryear, let's remember
how good 2013 actually was. Genuinely! We had the powerhouse documentaries of The Act
of Killing and Blackfish, the gorgeous visuals of Gravity and Rush, the strong blockbusters
Iron Man 3 and Hunger Games 2 as well as the biting wit of Blue Jasmine and The Great Beauty.
So when you think about it, 2013 had it all and it was actually all really good.
9. (1954)
Jumping back 50 years for our No. 9, it's1954. Through La Strada, Seven Samurai and Dial
M for ***, the art of cinema was achieved through style and substance. As well as this,
it saw iconic performances from two leading Hollywood stars with an uber cool Marlon Brando
in On The Waterfront and the effortlessly dazzling Grace Kelly in Rear Window.
8. (1941)
Deep in the myre of World War 2, 1941 delivered pictures way beyond its time with Sullivan's
Travels and Citizen Kane still revered today for their ambition and scale. And let's not
forget The Maltese Falcon with the suave, sophisticated Humphry Bogart at the front,
which kicked off the Film Noir movement for the next decade. The year also boasted the
best possible line up of film debuts with Ava Gardner, Charlton Heston, Cyd Charrisse,
Bruce Lee and Frank Sinatra all taking their first steps towards greatness. Now that's
not a bad line up at all. 7.
(1974) In at 7, it's 1974 when the modern legends
of Spielberg, Coppola, Friedkin and Scorsese all established themselves on the movie stage.
Coppola, in particular, delivered one of the all time greats with The Godfather Part II.
In amongst these cinematic classics, Mel Brooks delivered two of the all time classic comedies
with Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles, which have influenced pretty much every modern
movie comedian. 6.
(1967) In amongst the doom & gloom of assassinations
and the Vietnam War, 1967 proved the power of cinema through its new wave approach. Unafraid
to tackle the big problems of race in Guess Who's Coming To Dinner and In The Heat of
the Night whilst breaking social taboos over violence and love in Bonnie and Clyde and
Cool Hand Luke. 1967 was the high point of New Hollywood and pushed the boundaries for
film but sadly it only takes us up to the half way point of our list with 1967 sitting
pretty at No. 6 5.
(1994) According to IMDb, The Shawshank Redemption
is the best film of all time. Therefore, logic dictates that 1994 is the best year of all
time, right? Well, it stakes a good case with excellent quality throughout its 12 months.
From defining all British romances in Four Weddings and a Funeral, producing one of the
greatest animated films of all time with The Lion King to redefining how impressive and
important dialogue can be with the likes of Pulp Fiction and Clerks. Heck, it even showed
how us how a bus that couldn't slow down can equate to pure unadulterated cinematic joy.
However, 1994 only holds steady at No. 5. 4.
(1987) The 80s is largely recognised as the best
decade to be alive in and 1987 proved this as it comes in as our Number 4. It provided
the timeless comedies of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Princess Bride and Raising Arizona.
Open your Netflix now and prepare your lungs for laughter; all of them are timeless comedies.
1987 also had this amazing unabashed confidence that many movies lack today with Predator,
Robocop and Evil Dead II all unashamedly, brilliantly bold and unforgettable. 1987 was
the pinnacle of the 80s cinematic confidence but it just misses out on the podium places.
3. (1939)
In the bronze medal position, it's 1939. The quality of films within this simple calendar
year is phenomenal. Just look at the Best Picture nominees. You had Gone with the Wind,
Mr. Smith goes to Washington, The Wizard of Oz, and Stagecoach. I mean, wow. Cinema-goers
also had the joy of experiencing the talents of Charlie Chaplin, The Marx Brothers, Laurel
& Hardy. Buster Keaton AND The Three Stooges -- all at the same time. It's no wonder 80
million cinema tickets were sold. A WEEK! There's some truth in the old line, "they
don't make 'em like they used to". 2.
(1982) The runner-up with boombox aloft and Aviator
shades descended is the sublime 1982. Awe-inspiring sci-fi flicks arrived in the form of The Thing,
Blade Runner, Wrath of Khan and E.T. placed itself in all our hearts. 1982 stands out
because every film released is consistently rewatchable whether with a big smiles on your
face like Tootsie and An Officer and a Gentleman or through Kleenex tissues and teary eyes
like Sophie's Choice and Gandhi. It boasted an incredible variety and provided the platform
of geek to become chic for the year and for decades afterwards. It had everything, yet
just falls short of becoming our winning 365 days of film...
1. (1999)
So, it's time to reveal our winner. To give you some hints as to who is our champion,
our ultimate year provided us with the animated classics of The Iron Giant, Toy Story 2 and
Princess Mononoke, the breakout hits of The Sixth Sense, The Blair Witch Project and The
Matrix, the comedy of Election and Office Space, resounding American classics such as
American Beauty, Magnolia, Being John Malkovich and American History X, as well as a film
that's first and second rules mean we can't talk about it. And to top it all, Star Wars:
Episode I -- The Phantom Menace came out...*awkward silence* What more could you want? 1999 is
our clear victor. So what do you think? Are you applauding our
decision or are your pitchforks and torches already at hand? Leave a comment below to
let us know. Thanks for watching.