Oscars in the 21st Century

Oscars in the 21st Century

As enjoyable as movies are, none ever reach the pinnacle of perfection. Some movies are able to cleanly cover mistakes in continuity, character or prop placement and/or other technical flaws while others leave us wondering what the film’s editor was doing while he or she was supposed to be on the job.

Despite noticeable blunders, some moves have been able to claim the ultimate film prize; Oscar’s “Picture of the Year”. However, in addition to kudos and acclaim, each “Best Picture” winner from 2000 to 2004 has also carried the stigma of having at least one noticeable flaw. (Remember that the award corresponds with the year that the film is released.)

Gladiator

This 2000 Best Picture Oscar winner stars Russell Crowe as Maximus, a Roman general who is forced to fight in the Coliseum in Rome while trying to combat his arch nemesis, Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix.

If you watch closely during the scene when Commodus is choking Marcus Aurelius (the late Richard Harris), the hands of Marcus Aurelius are clearly on the shoulders of Commodus. However, when the scene switches to a frontal shot, his hands are back to where they were in the prior scene.

A Beautiful Mind

The 2001 Oscar winner for Best Picture and Best Director stars Russell Crowe as John Nash, a brilliant mathematician who suffers from schizophrenia.

In a scene where John’s wife, Alicia (Jennifer Connelly), is in the bathroom, the camera shows that she drinks all the water in her cup. However, the cup is once again full when she throws it out.

Chicago

Bringing the musical back to the forefront of cinema, “Chicago” won the 2002 Best Picture Oscar. The film takes place in the 1920’s and focuses on three main characters: Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger), a woman eager for fame who is accused of killing her boyfriend; Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta Jones), a murdering songstress who is accused of killing her sister and husband; and, Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), the attorney who makes Roxie the darling of the press.

In the scene where Roxie kills Fred Casely (Dominic West), his eyes are closed after the shooting. However, when the body is uncovered in a later scene, his eyes are open.

Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

The battle for middle earth continues in the third and final installment of this trilogy. The movie won the 2003 Best Picture, Best Director and each category it was nominated for.

Throughout the movie, Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) continue their trek to Mount Doom. However, if you keep a close eye on the scar on Frodo’s face, you will notice that it changes position throughout the movie.

Million Dollar Baby

The latest Best Picture Oscar winner is a story about Maggie (Hilary Swank) who is anxious for seasoned trainer, Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) to work with her.

In the scene during her first fight of the film, Maggie takes out her mouthpiece when she is in the corner between rounds. When she stands up, the mouthpiece is still gone but when the fight starts and the bell rings, it reappears.