Thursday, February 21, 2013

Oscars' Mysterious Side




In honor of the Oscars this Sunday, I thought it would be fun to visit a few mystery/thriller winners from years past that you may not have heard of before. 

Here is the rundown with links to movie reviews for each picture and matching recipes from Kathy Borich at Different Drummer: Movie Reviews for Film Loving Foodies.








The Departed, Best Picture - 2006
Police in South Boston wage war on the local mafia. This one gets your adrenaline pumping. 
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicolson and Mark Wahlberg with Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farminga, Anthony Anderson, and Alec Baldwin in supporting roles. 
According to IMDB, there is an untitled sequel in the works, but it was slated for last year.



Spellbound,  best Musical Score, nominated for Best Actor and Best Picture, among others - 1945
The story of what goes on in a mental asylum when the new director proves to be an amnesiac murder suspect. A wonderful Hitchcock classic with fabulous stars.
Starring Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Michael Chekhov and Leo G. Carroll. It's based on a novel by HIlary Saint George Saunders and John Palmer called The House of Dr. EdwardesMovie review and recipe.



The Secret in Their Eyes, Best Foreign Language Film, 2009
Set in Buenos Aires, a federal agent becomes involved in a rape and murder case that haunts him for years. 
Starring Ricardo Darin and Soledad Villamil. Based on the novel, by Eduardo Sacheri, La Pregunta de sue Ojos (The Question in Their Eyes). The spanish title is just so beautiful, I wish they hadn't changed it for the American version.  Movie review and recipe.




The Constant Gardener, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Film Editing, and Best Supporting Actress - 2005
Set in Kenya, a British diplomat tries to solve the murder of his wife. I thought this could have been a little shorted, but generally a good flick. 
Starring Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Hubert Kounde, Danny Huston, Bill Nighy and Donald Sumpter. The movie was based on a real case in Kano, Nigeria in the novel of the same name by John LeCarre. Movie and review. 


My friend Emily will be live tweeting from the Red Carpet outside the Oscars this year from @emiliealys. We will have real time updates from her trip this Sunday.

1 comment:

  1. This is such a refreshing idea. With all the hype about the up and comers, it's very nice to honor some past winners.

    I enjoyed your selections and commentary.

    ReplyDelete