Be it the grand scale, the inflamed passions, or their universal themes, romantic epics have traditionally made for some of the most irresistible Oscar bait. That trend has been somewhat bucked in recent years, but there's something about the stillness of winter that feels like the proper time to sit down with some globe-spanning, heart-rending sagas. (Pictured: Out of Africa)
Directed by John Waters
Musical Comedy, Dance Film, Period Film, Teen Movie - Rated PG - 90 Minutes - 1988
John Waters chooses the TV dance show craze of the early '60s for his playful focus in Hairspray. Given his fondness for unrestrained envelope pushing, Hairspray seems like a real departure in content, if not sensibility. Fans of glorious kitsch will no doubt consider Hairspray a fond favorite, while others may find it more of a whimsical curiosity than an effective social satire, but one gets the impression that the iconoclastic style-over-substance director might agree with them, too.