I wonder which year people think is most memorable. I started watching Oscar ceremony in 1998, my freshman year in college. In these 8 years, 2003 left the biggest mark on my mind, because a lot of films/people that I was pulling for won, and it was really an exciting show from the beginning to the end (not necessarily the quality of the show itself, but how the results unfolded and the tension they created). There was Spirited Away's win to start out. Eminem won Best Song for Lose Yourself. Michael Moore's rant. Talk to Her's wins. And most excitingly, the comeback of The Pianist from nowhere after Chicago seemed to be on its way to a big sweep. I remember when The Pianist scored a big upset in winning screenplay, its first of the night, I said to myself: this is going to be interesting. Then Best Actor came up, and all of us at OscarWatch forum were discussing "could it be possible? Brody?", and it was Brody indeed. Forum exploded, and then "Polanski? this is really happening?". BTW, Brody gave the classy speech of the night when he talked about the film making him more realize the dehumanization of war. And when Polanski's name was actually announced and received a standing ovation even though he wasn't there, it's just incredible. I felt the whole internet was shaking, with people cursing, jumping, and doing all kind of stuff. 2003, a ceremony that had many deserving winners and actually upped the suspense toward the end and made us believe an upset was possible.

Yes but 2003 had what has got to be one of the worst Best Picture winners in history. It was a disappointing ending to show.

1999,roberto benigni jumping and walking on seats acting like a retard,Spielberg wins best director for SPR and the worst ending to an oscar show ever,SIL winning BP over SPR.

I agree with xiayun, 2003 was one of the memorable ones - I was completely shocked (eventhough I predicted him for a win at BOM forums) when Adrien Brody was actually called and The Pianist also got Director and Screenplay, beating Chicago. The "Frida" song was pretty good also, and "Gangs" was shut out.

But 1997 still holds a special place for me: The year when the acting winners were McDormand, Rush, Gooding, and Binoche and I was like.... WHO? Granted, The English Patient swept, the acting winners above at least gave me a small reassurance the Academy somewhat, sort of, still gets it right.

Who can forget Angelina Jolie declaring her love to her brother in her acceptance speech?! Or Bjork's swan dress?

How about when Lauren Bacall didnt hide her disgusted face when she lost the best supporting actress to the woman from the english patiant,she threw a fit infront of the camera,that was gold!

Of course there was the streaker in the 1970s. Obviously wasn't around for it, but...yeah.

Or "Sacheen Littlefeather" going up and accepting Marlon Brando's Oscar by protesting Hollywood's treatment of Native Americans.

Why am I remembering something about one of the actresses having toilet paper stuck to her shoe?

I started watching a year later than xiayun.

I think the year that satisfied me the most was 2004 when ROTK sweeped. Not because I thought the movie itself deserved it, but because I felt that the Trilkogy and the fantasy genre deserved it.


The most memorable, though?

I think 2002. I was just....blown away when Berry and Washington have won. I would have never never expected Washington to actually get this one over Crowe.

2003 is a close second. I agree that Polanski's (well-deserved) win blew me away.

Last year was by far the most boring one I have seen thus far. The whole show was...uninspired.

That's Christine Lahti from the Golden Globes!

Here's hoping she'll never, ever be in an Oscar ceremony.

though I was not living at the Time 1977 ( or was it 78? ? ? ). Star Wars losing is amzing that film is great, not the best ever made but around the quality of one of the LOTR films IMHO, its jsut amazing the film did not win.