Episode 92: Million Dollar Baby (2004)

We embarked on a journey to find the very best Best Picture, and by all accounts we succeeded. But picking just one film as the very best does not do our quest justice-- so we've nominated four films in all of the categories that you know and love from the Oscars ceremony, plus a few extra nominations that might surprise you! Check out the video version here: https://youtu.be/g0UMbPiYRsw?si=S-lpdOJqtO7uAOEC

Hey! We recorded another episode to cap off The Quest for the Bestest. But don't worry your little head! We've got more coming down the pipeline! Check out the video version here: ⁠https://youtu.be/0BvoE_see0I?si=lx1Pt1ZsbXPrTT_z

So there are 95 Best Picture Winners, right? That's what they tell you. But it's WRONG! At the very first Academy Awards they gave two films the top award of the year. F.W. Murnau's late silent film Sunrise was awarded Unique and Artistic picture, but in the nearly century since it has been retconned out of the Best Picture cannon! Well we're here to solve that omission!

Top Gun might've been nominated for the most recent Best Picture award, but back at the very first presentation of Academy Awards ever, it won! As our last regular episode of The Quest for the Bestest, we thought it only fitting to review the first Best Picture winner ever. So our adventure, our journey, our Quest comes to a end... BUT FEAR NOT! We've got more planned and the Quest format will not be going anywhere. Thanks for tuning in for all these years! You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/DMvhKfV7YfQ

It is a tale as old as time: young upstart do-gooder is transformed by the true nature of power into a corrupt and horrible dictator! But how does post-war Hollywood tackle the issue of good governance? Can it walk the walk as much as it talks the talk? You can watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/OObXSisUe38

FREEDOM! I don't think there needs to be any more description for Mel Gibson's Braveheart. But we needed a whole hour and 25 minutes to talk about it. So take that how you will. You can watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/DLj-4pvaYcc

We've thrown some punches during the occasional Quest episode, but nothing quite as dirty as what happens to ol' Maggie "mo cuishle" in Clint Eastwood's boxing drama Million Dollar Baby. But did the film impress us? Do we think it deserves a top spot on our list? You can watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/w8qZRf8GCtI

Join our procession of history way back to 1933! That's basically what the word cavalcade means, in case you didn't know. But will this film shine after all these years or has history condemned it to the dustbin? You can watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/tEDVpcJ3zYU

My mama always to me Quest is like a box of chocolates. You never know what those 4 boys will have to say. So what are you waiting for? You've heard of this movie. Click play and see what we have to say! You can watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/f5KONBIg38g

Saddle up and grab your printing press because the Back Lot Boys are going to take you on a trip through the end of the American west! It's time for everyone's favorite (and not totally problematic) Best Picture Western, Cimarron! Will we find anything of note to talk about this nearly century old movie? Or should it fade away like the frontier days of old! You can watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/DPnIj-prCSo