Winner '90:
First Saw It:
Dances with Wolves
Early 1991, three times at the U.S. Army cinema on Pioneer Kaserne in Hanau, Germany
Bridesmaids: Awakenings, Ghost, The Godfather Part III, GoodFellas
My Vote: Ghost, and if that's sacrilege to you GoodFellas fans, I can take it
Overlooked: Postcards from the Edge, Reversal of Fortune, Miami Blues


Dances with Wolves
Director: Kevin Costner. Cast: Kevin Costner, Graham Greene, Mary McDonnell, Rodney A. Grant, Jimmy Herman, Floyd Red Crow Westerman, Wes Studi, Nathan Lee Chasing His Horse, Tantoo Cardinal, Robert Pastorelli, Maury Chaykin, Doris Leader Charge. Screenplay: Michael Blake (based on his novel).

Twitter Capsule: Yes, a problematic depiction. Script, lead performance often fail it. Still, powerful music, images, ambition.

VOR:   Important to keep putting pressure on this movie's depictions of First Nations tribes and the frontier, but it represents a major and earnest stab at promoting visibility and respect.



Photo © 1990 Orion Pictures

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B

(in 1991: A)


Academy Award Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture
Best Director: Kevin Costner
Best Actor: Kevin Costner
Best Supporting Actress: Mary McDonnell
Best Supporting Actor: Graham Greene
Best Adapted Screenplay: Michael Blake
Best Cinematography: Dean Semler
Best Art Direction: Jeffrey Beecroft; Lisa Dean
Best Costume Design: Elsa Zamparelli
Best Film Editing: Neil Travis
Best Original Score: John Barry
Best Sound: Russell Williams II, Jeffrey Perkins, Bill W. Benton, and Gregory H. Watkins

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners:
Best Picture (Drama)
Best Director: Kevin Costner
Best Actor (Drama): Kevin Costner
Best Supporting Actress: Mary McDonnell
Best Screenplay: Michael Blake
Best Original Score: John Barry

Other Awards:
Berlin Film Festival: Outstanding Single Achievement (Costner)
Independent Spirit Awards: Special Distinction Award (Kevin Costner and Jim Wilson)
Directors Guild of America: Best Director
Producers Guild of America: Best Picture
Writers Guild of America: Best Adapted Screenplay
Chicago Film Critics Association: Best Cinematography
National Board of Review: Best Picture; Best Director

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