1993

Best Picture Nominees:

The Fugitive
In the Name of the Father
The Piano
The Remains of the Day
Schindler's List *

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The Fugitive - Harrison Ford on the run from US Marshal Tommy Lee Jones based on the TV series.  Action packed, though not necessarily what I would call a Best Picture type.

In the Name of the Father - Another film about Irish conflict (last year's The Crying Game tread some of the same road, but in a vastly different way).  Lots of good performances, including Emma Thompson, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress here and Best Actress for another Best Picture nominee.

The Piano - A really unusual film with music from one of my favorite composers, Michael Nyman (ironically not nominated) with stand-out performances from Holly Hunter and newcomer Anna Paquin (both won Oscars).

The Remains of the Day - Another period piece with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson and super-depressing unrequited love story.  This was my friends' and my personal choice for movie to watch when celebrating Single Awareness Day (2/14).  While depressing, really well done.

Schindler's List - Fantastic movie about Oskar Schindler who saved a lot of Jews from German concentration camps.  99% black and white.  Even though film was over 3 hours long, when I saw it in the theater, no one got up to go the bathroom and everyone was touched emotionally.

***

Except for The Fugitive, which is not a bad film, here are 4 fantastic films... and yet, Schindler's List had to win the top award.  I wholeheartedly agree.  Still today, if the film is on, I am thoroughly entranced and will watch it again, and am always touched, no matter how many times I have seen it.

***

My rankings of the Best Picture Nominees:

1.  Schindler's List
2.  The Piano
3.  The Remains of the Day
4.  The Fugitive
5.  In the Name of the Father