An incredible, deserving Oscar and box office champion

Rating: 10/10 (11 July 2006)

I saw this movie 15 times from late December, 1997 until early March, 1998 in theaters (upon its release), and loved it each time. It immidiently made my 100 favorite movies of all time list, and I could see why it remained the top movie at the box office for a record 15 consecutive weeks, and even more so why it became the top grossing movie of all time by early 1998. And though I did not see the March, 1998 Oscars, I knew it was going to win the record 11 it did, and could see why it had been nominated for a record 14 (especially Best Picture, Director, and all the technical awards it did then win). It gave a very good account of the real life tragedy of the Titanic, as well as integrating the real life people on board, but its highlight was wrapping this around the fictional love story, and relationship triangle, which was at the center of its plot. Its pace and direction continues seamlessly from the opening modern day scene until the end, and I could never once tell it was over three hours long (and its climax is very exciting, realistic, and brings everything together). This was a great way to spend a few hours of some late 1997-early 1998 nights for me, and I look forward to seeing it on DVD when get the chance.