For me, here are what I consider to be the Top 10 most “shocking” snubs from the Oscar nominations;
1) Emma Thompson (Saving Mr Banks)- Best Actress
I think everyone was surprised that Thompson was the Actress who didn’t make the cut. Most people were arguing about the 5th slot going to either Streep or Adams, and when both made the list, it meant Thompson was omitted. What a shame.
2) Tom Hanks (Captain Phillips)- Best Actor
Hanks seemed to be a shoo-in for another Best Actor nomination, especially considering his other strong performance in Saving Mr Banks (which also went unnominated). He lost out to Christian Bale, and a rising support for American Hustle.
3) Absolutely No Nominations Anywhere For Blue Is The Warmest Color
When you think about how well reviewed Blue Is The Warmest Color has been, and how it didn’t receive a SINGLE nomination, anywhere. That’s a pretty big omission. Even Saving Mr Banks and Invisible Woman scored 1 nomination each. Which brings me to…
4) Absolutely No Nominations Anywhere For Fruitvale Station
Also completely forgotten was Fruitvale Station. Maybe having breakthrough awards at the Oscars isn’t such a bad idea. I can’t imagine Ryan Coogler wouldn’t have been nominated for his breakthrough direction, or Michael B. Jordan for breakthrough performance.
5) Absolutely No Nominations For The Butler
Slightly less shocking, but The Butler was shut out. Even in technical races. For such a widely received film, many assumed Oprah Winfrey would make the cut.
6) The Grandmaster missed out on Foreign Language film
It’s bizarre that The Grandmaster received 2 technical nominations, but yet wasn’t considered a strong enough contender for the Best Foreign Language Film award. When will Wong Kar Wai get recognition?
7) Very Little Support for Inside Llewyn Davis
Llewyn managed to get two technical nominations, but considering that the film was a strong candidate for Picture, Actor, Director, and Screenplay… it seems like Llewyn was forgotten a bit.
8) James Gandolfini (Enough Said)- Best Supporting Actor
My personal pick for “awwwwwwww” was James Gandolfini. His last chance to be an Oscar nominee, coming off a career-best (in film at least) performance, in a well reviewed movie. Add to that the fact that Enough Said as a film got zero nominations, and it is an omission that stings.
9) Pacific Rim for Visual Effects
Like seriously. They nominated The Lone Ranger for Visual Effects but not Pacific Rim? What gives?
10) Stories We Tell for Best Documentary Feature
I thought for sure that Stories We Tell was a lock for a nomination (along with The Art Of Killing), and somehow it didn’t make the final cut. I’m less surprised about the controversial Blackfish not making the cut, and still trying to figure out what went wrong with Stories We Tell.
Those are my picks. What are yours?
