[Editor’s note: this list was originally published in December 2017. It has since been updated with new entries.]
The 21st Century is only two decades old, but its first batch of Best Picture winners already paints an extraordinary portrait of a world in flux. From historical epics to intimate digital indies, from a musical that riffs on showbiz standards to period drama that reflects on present crises, from a sparse modern western to an overstimulating multiverse martial arts story, these 24 films range from “problematic” to “perfect” and hit all points in between. More than that, they illustrate Hollywood’s evolving definition of greatness and the relationship between the film industry and the times that forge it.
Here are the 24 Best Picture winners of the 21st century, ranked from worst to best.
With editorial contributions from David Ehrlich and Eric Kohn.
24. “Crash” “Crash” ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Brokeback Mountain” deserved better, but the Academy didn’t know it. Paul Haggis’ painfully obvious ensemble drama about racial prejudices in Los Angeles was a smug,...
The 21st Century is only two decades old, but its first batch of Best Picture winners already paints an extraordinary portrait of a world in flux. From historical epics to intimate digital indies, from a musical that riffs on showbiz standards to period drama that reflects on present crises, from a sparse modern western to an overstimulating multiverse martial arts story, these 24 films range from “problematic” to “perfect” and hit all points in between. More than that, they illustrate Hollywood’s evolving definition of greatness and the relationship between the film industry and the times that forge it.
Here are the 24 Best Picture winners of the 21st century, ranked from worst to best.
With editorial contributions from David Ehrlich and Eric Kohn.
24. “Crash” “Crash” ©Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Brokeback Mountain” deserved better, but the Academy didn’t know it. Paul Haggis’ painfully obvious ensemble drama about racial prejudices in Los Angeles was a smug,...
- 3/11/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Green Book actor Frank Vallelonga Jr.’s manner of death has been ruled an accident more than four months after his body was found, according to the New York Medical Examiner’s Office, with his cause linked to fentanyl and cocaine.
The cause of death for the actor was acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine, a rep for the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner told The Hollywood Reporter.
On Dec. 1, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department reported that Vallelonga Jr. had been unconscious and unresponsive but with no observable trauma in the early morning outside a factory in the Bronx. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the time, the investigation was ongoing, with an individual arrested and charged with concealment of a human corpse. THR has reached out to the NYPD.
Vallelonga Jr. most notably played Rudy Vallelonga,...
The cause of death for the actor was acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine, a rep for the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner told The Hollywood Reporter.
On Dec. 1, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department reported that Vallelonga Jr. had been unconscious and unresponsive but with no observable trauma in the early morning outside a factory in the Bronx. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the time, the investigation was ongoing, with an individual arrested and charged with concealment of a human corpse. THR has reached out to the NYPD.
Vallelonga Jr. most notably played Rudy Vallelonga,...
- 4/11/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
The NYPD identified a body found in the Bronx as Green Book actor Frank Vallelonga Jr., The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
The actor, who was 60, portrayed a relative of Viggo Mortensen’s bouncer Frank “Tony Lip” Vallelonga. In real life, he was the son of the bouncer portrayed in the film.
The police found Vallelonga Jr., unconscious and unresponsive but with no observable trauma, early Monday morning on the ground outside of the address of a sheet-metal factory.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing, and the medical examiner will determine the cause of death, but someone has been arrested and charged with concealment of a human corpse.
Vallelonga Jr.’s manager, Melissa Prophet, also confirmed his death to THR.
His other recent credits include crime film The Birthday Cake (2021) that starred Val Kilmer and Ewan McGregor and a 2018 episode of CBS’ The Neighborhood.
The NYPD identified a body found in the Bronx as Green Book actor Frank Vallelonga Jr., The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
The actor, who was 60, portrayed a relative of Viggo Mortensen’s bouncer Frank “Tony Lip” Vallelonga. In real life, he was the son of the bouncer portrayed in the film.
The police found Vallelonga Jr., unconscious and unresponsive but with no observable trauma, early Monday morning on the ground outside of the address of a sheet-metal factory.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing, and the medical examiner will determine the cause of death, but someone has been arrested and charged with concealment of a human corpse.
Vallelonga Jr.’s manager, Melissa Prophet, also confirmed his death to THR.
His other recent credits include crime film The Birthday Cake (2021) that starred Val Kilmer and Ewan McGregor and a 2018 episode of CBS’ The Neighborhood.
- 12/1/2022
- by Abbey White and Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Green Book” actor Frank Vallelonga Jr. has died at the age of 60, Variety has confirmed.
The NYPD responded to a call early Monday morning just before 4 a.m. in the Bronx and found Vallelonga Jr. laying unconscious and unresponsive on the ground. Following the arrival of Ems to the location, the actor was pronounced dead on the scene. The NYPD also confirmed the arrest of a 35-year-old man named Steven Smith on charges of concealment of a human corpse.
Vallelonga Jr. was the son of late actor Tony Lip, whose real name was Frank Vallelonga. Before Lip died in 2013, he consistently took on roles as mafia crime bosses throughout his acting career, notably portraying Carmine Lupertazzi in HBO’s “The Sopranos.” Lip also portrayed mobster Philip Giaccone in “Donnie Brasco” and real-life Lucchese crime family mobster Francesco Manzo in “Goodfellas,” in addition to playing a small role in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather.
The NYPD responded to a call early Monday morning just before 4 a.m. in the Bronx and found Vallelonga Jr. laying unconscious and unresponsive on the ground. Following the arrival of Ems to the location, the actor was pronounced dead on the scene. The NYPD also confirmed the arrest of a 35-year-old man named Steven Smith on charges of concealment of a human corpse.
Vallelonga Jr. was the son of late actor Tony Lip, whose real name was Frank Vallelonga. Before Lip died in 2013, he consistently took on roles as mafia crime bosses throughout his acting career, notably portraying Carmine Lupertazzi in HBO’s “The Sopranos.” Lip also portrayed mobster Philip Giaccone in “Donnie Brasco” and real-life Lucchese crime family mobster Francesco Manzo in “Goodfellas,” in addition to playing a small role in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather.
- 12/1/2022
- by EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
Photo: Road Trip Movies Introduction The open road calling to travelers is a time-honored theme. Humans have been journeying across the world as long as they’ve been walking on it. The term “road trip” is a more modern conception in terms of its meaning. The characters are leaving something behind, or they are heading off to find something. For this article, we pick out tales of journeys on the road. Related article: New Releases: Your Comprehensive Guide to Every New Movie Coming Out in February 2021 Related article: Video | The Artist Evolves: All Leonardo DiCaprio Roles & Performances, 1980s to 2020 Filmography 10 Amazing Road Trip Movies 'Green Book' ‘Green Book’ follows the story of an Italian-American bouncer as he becomes the driver of an African-American pianist in the 1960s American South. The film is inspired by the true story of Frank Vallelonga and Don Shirley. It made $321 million of a $23 million dollar budget.
- 2/17/2021
- by Drew Alexander Ross
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
Whether you like arthouse, the multiplex or streaming on your smartphone, this quiz is for you
In January, a Us teenager in Utah caused a highway collision while driving blindfold – she was taking a challenge, inspired by which movie?
Eyes Wide Shut
Bird Box
The Blind Side
Crash
According to Sight and Sound magazine, what was the best film of 2019?
Frozen 2
Last Christmas
The Souvenir
Avengers Endgame
This year Barbara Broccoli dispelled rumours that the new Bond film would be named after a dysfunctional body part – an alias used by Bond’s arch nemesis Blofeld in Ian Fleming’s 1964 novel You Only Live Twice. What was the title?
Crackedelbow
Brokenleg
Shatterhand
Dodgyknee
The best film Oscar was won this year by Green Book, the real-life story of Frank Vallelonga, an Italian-American guy – nicknamed “Tony Lip” – who in the 1950s got a job driving an African-American jazz musician. The real Tony...
In January, a Us teenager in Utah caused a highway collision while driving blindfold – she was taking a challenge, inspired by which movie?
Eyes Wide Shut
Bird Box
The Blind Side
Crash
According to Sight and Sound magazine, what was the best film of 2019?
Frozen 2
Last Christmas
The Souvenir
Avengers Endgame
This year Barbara Broccoli dispelled rumours that the new Bond film would be named after a dysfunctional body part – an alias used by Bond’s arch nemesis Blofeld in Ian Fleming’s 1964 novel You Only Live Twice. What was the title?
Crackedelbow
Brokenleg
Shatterhand
Dodgyknee
The best film Oscar was won this year by Green Book, the real-life story of Frank Vallelonga, an Italian-American guy – nicknamed “Tony Lip” – who in the 1950s got a job driving an African-American jazz musician. The real Tony...
- 12/23/2019
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
At this year’s Oscars, “Green Book” pulled off a shocking upset when it won Best Picture along with two other awards: Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali) and Best Original Screenplay. It also ended up becoming the fifth film in Oscar history to win the top prize without a directing nomination, following in the footsteps of “Wings” (1927), “Grand Hotel” (1932), “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989) and “Argo” (2012). Speaking of “Driving Miss Daisy,” the results of this year’s ceremony feel very reminiscent to 1989.
SEENeedless to say, Spike Lee was not happy about ‘Green Book’ winning the Best Picture Oscar: ‘The ref made a bad call’
“Green Book” tells the true story of Italian-American bouncer Frank Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen), also known as “Tony Lip,” who searches for new employment after his nightclub closes for renovations. He eventually lands an interview to drive for famed African-American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley (Ali), and the...
SEENeedless to say, Spike Lee was not happy about ‘Green Book’ winning the Best Picture Oscar: ‘The ref made a bad call’
“Green Book” tells the true story of Italian-American bouncer Frank Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen), also known as “Tony Lip,” who searches for new employment after his nightclub closes for renovations. He eventually lands an interview to drive for famed African-American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley (Ali), and the...
- 2/26/2019
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
Are we underestimating “Green Book” for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars? It already surprised us by winning for its script at the Golden Globes, and in the 2010s so far the Globe winner for Best Film Screenplay has gone on to repeat in one of the Oscars’ two writing categories five times. But in the last three years the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Oscars have parted ways when it comes to writing. So how does that bode for this film’s chances moving forward?
“Green Book” tells the true story of Italian-American bouncer Frank Vallelonga, also known as “Tony Lip” (Viggo Mortensen), who searches for new employment after his nightclub closes for renovations. He eventually lands an interview to drive for famed African-American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), and the two travel together through the South, with Vallelonga serving not only as Shirley’s driver for his concert tour,...
“Green Book” tells the true story of Italian-American bouncer Frank Vallelonga, also known as “Tony Lip” (Viggo Mortensen), who searches for new employment after his nightclub closes for renovations. He eventually lands an interview to drive for famed African-American classical and jazz pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), and the two travel together through the South, with Vallelonga serving not only as Shirley’s driver for his concert tour,...
- 1/21/2019
- by Jeffrey Kare
- Gold Derby
We are recognizing “Green Book”: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali. Our Hollywood Film Tributes recognize films and talent for their excellence in the art of filmmaking. From our rave review last month: They don’t make em like this anymore. Sometimes that’s a bit of a slight, as film has evolved over the years. In the case of Green Book, aside from a small complaint or two, it’s almost exclusively a compliment. This movie is an absolute crowd pleaser, one that almost defies you not to smile. All of the Academy Award buzz is well founded (more on that later on), creating a likable awards player that will have some big time fans within the voting community. Top to bottom, it’s so well done, you never quite mind the simplistic feel of the story. The film is a biographical dramedy about an unlikely friendship. Set in the 1960’s,...
- 12/5/2018
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
They don’t make em like this anymore. Sometimes that’s a bit of a slight, as film has evolved over the years. In the case of Green Book, aside from a small complaint or two, it’s almost exclusively a compliment. This movie is an absolute crowd pleaser, one that almost defies you not to smile. All of the Academy Award buzz is well founded (more on that later on), creating a likable awards player that will have some big time fans within the voting community. Top to bottom, it’s so well done, you never quite mind the simplistic feel of the story. Opening this week, it’s going to be a force this season. The film is a biographical dramedy about an unlikely friendship. Set in the 1960’s, we first meet Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), an Italian working stiff in the Bronx. A bouncer at the Copacabana,...
- 11/14/2018
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Sad news for fans of Tony Lip, the character actor who shined as a kingpin mob figures in the hit HBO series. "The Sopranos" and several critically acclaimed movies, died last week, according to a funeral home in Lodi, New Jersey. Lip, born Frank Vallelonga, died on January 4, said an official with the Santangelo Funeral Home, which posted his obituary online. He was 82. Tony Lip is from the Bronx, New York. He worked for twelve years at the world-famous Copacabana Nightclub in New York City. At the Copa, he played host to the most famous personalities of the era, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Bobby Darin. Lip then went on to a career in acting.
- 1/31/2013
- by April MacIntyre
- Monsters and Critics
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