'The Pianist'

'The Pianist' is my number three film of all time.

There are Holocaust films and then there is 'The Pianist'. Most will argue for 'Schindler's List' or 'Sophie's Choice' and I'd respectfully disagree. I actually found 'Schindler's List' void of emotion. And with all I've read about why, I still don't get that girl running around in that red coat. What the hell was that?

'The Pianist' won three Oscars but not Best Picture which went to 'Chicago'. Let me see: Best Screenplay, Director (the brilliant Roman Polansk)i and Best Actor Adrian Brody. But not Best Picture! Another one Oscar got wrong. So Wrong!!!

Adrian Brody. Damn was he great. One of the most deserved Best Actor Oscars of all time second only to Gregory Peck. He was odds on to lose and then defied the odds. I'm proud to say he won me the Oscar pool that year. I was the only one who voted for him. All the others voted for Daniel Day Lewis for 'Gangs of New York'. Now I'm not always the winner though my pick is usually the right one I admit with no humility at all. Like this year when Julie Christie lost. Shame on you Hollywood but more on that at a later date.

And now 'The Pianist':

To Kill A Mockingbird - 1963

I'm challenging myself. I have already picked my Favorite Film of all time, 'The Lion in Winter'. Kate Hepburn in my mind gave the greatest female performance on screen. None have surpassed though some have come close.

My second, and a very very close second is 'To Kill A Mockingbird'. Gregory Peck gave the best all time performance by an actor in this film. The screen is a lesser place without him.

This is a film about civil wrongs, the injustice of justice, prejudice, hate and it's consequences. But most importantly it was a love story. The love of a parent for his children and vice versa. Atticus Finch was the father most wish they had had. Not to take anything away from anyone's own dad...but Atticus? He was the embodiment of what was good in all dad's just multiplied by a hundred million and then some.

It also show cased the talents of three child actors who were anything but "child actors". This was due to the brilliant direction of Robert Mulligan.

The best of the three was Mary Badham as his daughter Scout. As far as iI know Mary has only made two other movies, the most notable 'This Property Is Condemned' with Natalie Wood. She was Oscar nominated in a supporting role. Patty Duke won for an amazing Helen Keller in 'The Miracle Worker'. Patty had played the role on Broadway and won a Tony Award. She was rehearsing for a long time for that movie. Mary gave a new fresh, spunky and loving performance. Mary should have won! Another Oscar mistake.

I love this film (obviously). If you don't know then it rent it. You will thank me.

The Lion in Winter - 1969

When pressed to name my favorite film of all time I always go back to "The Lion in Winter"
Great screenplay, direction and the brilliant performances of Peter O'toole and the GREAT Katherine Hepburn. This gave Kate the Great her third Oscar win.

I also give it best line ever when Kate states, "In a world where they can raise carpenters from the dead ANYTHING is possible".