We’ve done posts about our stupidest pop-culture related arguments and whether or not we correct strangers when we overhear them making an error in conversation. But today, we’re sharing that one time when we were (gulp) actually wrong.
Earlier this week, I was talking with a colleague about Kevin Costner. (Because, why wouldn’t I be?) Like me, he’s pro-Kevin, and was making the point that from 1987 to 1992, Costner had an amazing run, with at least one megahit each year. Then, he started talking about the Oscar love those films received. He referenced Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves‘ nomination for Best Picture. Best Picture?! Please, the only nomination that movie got was for Best Song. (Though Alan Rickman should’ve been recognized for his unexpectedly twisted portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham. His performance was a precursor to Johnny Depp’s Keith Richards-inspired take on Captain Jack Sparrow, if you ask me. At least Rickman took home the BAFTA for supporting actor.)
When I finished laughing at this colleague, who’d been so adamant about the film’s nomination, I told him I’d be blogging our exchange — which is when he asked not to be named. Help him feel better. When were you completely and utterly wrong about a pop-culture factoid?
Mandi: Is this colleague in his late twenties? Prince of Thieves came out when I was in 6th grade, and it seemed a total masterpiece at the time. Was shocked to look back at it last year when I was working on a similar screenplay and saw that, not only did it not get nominated, it was a critical bomb and netted a razzie for Costner. (I guess my adoring 11 year-old mind didn’t care about Costner’s Britain-via-Jersey accent.) As far as the pre-teen market goes, though, Prince of Thieves is a masterpiece.
I don’t do it anymore, but I used to always be 100% certain that Al Pacino won Best Supporting Actor for the “Godfather” in 1972. People still rave about that performance so it always seemed natural to think he won that year. But now that I’ve seen Joel Grey in “Cabaret” (the actual winner), I no longer make that mistake.
Nobody can top this. A friend of mine claimed that Independence Day was not only nominated for Best Picture, but won.
Yeah, I know…
For a couple years after seeing Chasing Amy, I thought Joey Lauren Adams and Rene Zelweger were the same person.
I was 14 when Audrey Hepburn died, and just starting to get into old-timey flicks. I saw a memoriam gracing the cover of a magazine at a check out stand and sadly (yet confidently) commented to my mother how very hard it must be very hard for her aunt, Katherine. Incredulous stare from mom followed, and then a back and forth where I insisted I was right. Ha!
That Highlander won the Oscar for Best Picture, EVER!
We had an argument over lunch about whether Adam Baldwin, of the TV show Chuck was: 1) A “Baldwin” brother; and 2) appeared in “My Bodyguard”, a classic coming-of-age movie. We got a split decision: answer was “no” on the first one, but “yes” on the second.
Back when if first came out, I really believed Moulin Rouge was based on an already-existing Broadway musical. I even tried desperately to find the details about the play to prove to my friends that I was right. *sigh* I eventually saw the light.
To eliot schrefer: I was aslo 11 when it came out…but I still love it today!! Call it nostalgia…Go Kevin!
@ dom …
Not to worry, you’re not the only one. One of the Weinstein brothers (think it was Harvey) mistook Joey for Zelweger (while having a conversation with her, mind you) … this after Joey had appeared in numerous films for Miramax.
Joey told this story on an ep. of Jon Faverau’s “Dinner for Five”.
I once had to buy a woman dinner because I was convinced that Dustin Hoffman was in Star Wars.
In your friend’s defense, he was probably confusing it with Kevin Costner’s film just prior to Robin Hood, Dances With Wolves, which actually won best picture.
Does changing tastes count as wrong?
You know something you thought was cool years ago and when you see/hear/read it again your all “Craaaaaap”.
GACKMAN — You really should credit the Seinfeld writers for the joke you stole. Having to buy a woman dinner because a mistaken belief that Dustin Hoffman was in Star Wars was the Elaine sub-plot of “the Calzone” episode.
At age 13, I watched The Vanishing with my brother. I insisted the bad guy was played by Gerard Depardieu and my brother insisted it was Jeff Bridges. We debated this for years until we came across the movie in a store. He was right and he won’t let me forget it, even 13 years later.