R.I.P. Michael Anderson (1920-2018)

Michael Anderson

On April 25, 2018, director Michael Anderson passed away at the age of 98 in London, England. Over the course of a career spanning 50 years, he produced a lot of great and powerful cinema ranging from the Best Picture-winning epic Around the World in 80 Days to the 70's sci-fi classic Logan's Run. He was game for any genre, and usually brought his all to making the films as great as possible. His influence continues to be seen in the filmmakers who have taken influence from his work, and his general openness to try anything. He leaves behind an impressive resume, and one that is going to entertain for generations to come.

R.I.P. Ken Adam (1921-2016)

Ken Adam

On March 10, 2016, production designer Ken Adam died at the age of 95 in London, England. Over the course of his career, and specifically between the 1960's and 1980's, he was known for designing some of the most iconic set pieces for the early James Bond films as well as additional work for Stanley Kubrick on the films Dr. Strangelove and Barry Lyndon, the latter of which he won his first of two Oscars for. He leaves behind an impressive, inimitable body of work that lasted for over 40 years and continues to serve as some of the most iconic imagery in sci-fi and action film history.

Nothing But the Best: "Around the World in Eighty Days" (1956)

Scene from Around the World in Eighty Days

Welcome to the series Nothing But the Best in which I chronicle all of the Academy Award Best Picture winners as they celebrate their anniversaries. Instead of going in chronological order, this series will be presented on each film's anniversary and will feature personal opinions as well as facts regarding its legacy and behind the scenes information. The goal is to create an in depth essay for each film while looking not only how the medium progressed, but how the film is integral to pop culture. In some cases, it will be easy. Others not so much. Without further ado, let's start the show.