And the Oscar Didn't Go to ... Good Will Hunting

The Academy Awards are coming up this Sunday. While we're excited to enter multiple pools and prep themed food with our families, we're also kind of depressed about the whole thing because we're really disappointed with the nominees. (No Gosling = No Go!) And we know we'll be even more disappointed with the winners. Because, well, it's happened plenty of times before ...

THE YEAR: 1998


THE OTHER NOMINEES:

• As Good As It Gets
• The Full Monty
• L.A. Confidential
• Titanic

THE WINNER: I'll give you one good guess. Titanic. You know, the one with the ship.


WHY IT (PROBABLY) DIDN'T WIN: Need I remind you of the competition? Titanic is one of the most epic romances of all time (though maybe not one of my personal favourites) and to this day is still highly praised for its stunning visuals. It was the highest-grossing film ever at the time (only until James Cameron would surpass himself with Avatar). Plus, who'd really heard of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck?


WHY IT SHOULD HAVE: It was beautifully written by two yet-unknown film stars waiting to break out who showed off that they could also act. It's got some of the best one-liners, with one of my favorite soundtracks of all-time (mostly song-writing genius Elliott Smith), brilliant acting from nearly everyone, and it's completely inspiring in not-at-all cheesy way. It's entertaining, charming and it makes you feel really uncomfortable before making you feel so much better. That's not to say that of all the movies nominated that year that I didn't like the one about the ship, but this one was so much more relatable, especially for young people who are bitter, confused or lost and need a subtle reminder that things can work themselves out.