Another year, another surprising Oscar nominations list revealed, with no love for Sam Mendes’ exceptional Skyfall, a surprising amount of nominations for both Beasts Of The Southern Wild and Silver Linings Playbook, and an Original Screenplay nod to a film based on real-life events. Not entirely sure how that works…
Aside from Seth MacFarlane’s Hitler joke (always onto a winner with Nazi-based humour, I find) and the traditional problems with production values that bafflingly always seems to effect any Academy ceremony, there were a number of glaring mistakes in the nominations, as ever.
Though of course no nominations list could leave everyone happy, the fact that the following ten films or individuals did not make the list will be considered the ten biggest snubs of this year’s round of nominations.
7. Skyfall – Best Picture
To be perfectly frank, it was never going to be a popular choice with the Academy, given the heritage of the Bond franchise, and the rather unfortunate connotations that sort of extended lifespan can have for films. The sorry fact is that the Bond franchise is viewed much like a soap opera is in TV circles, or Call of Duty is among gamers – all can be critically acclaimed, but when it comes to higher brow awards time, even in their own industries they’re likely to be looked down upon.
But Skyfall was unlike a Bond we’d seen for a while – yes it paid service to the older Bonds, and offered a revisionary opportunity for whoever makes the next Bond film, but it was good enough to have been classed as so much more than “just a Bond.” Sam Mendes’ direction was top-notch, the writing was particularly strong, and the acting across the board was excellent.
Quite how it was pushed out by Django Unchained, I’ll never know.
We are currently seeking Film contributors on WhatCulture. To find out more about the perks of being a Film contributor, click here.
11 Comments
Can’t say I disagree – I’m surprised they only nominated 9 films this year. Sure there was room for one other.
I do, however, think Django Unchained deserved its place up there and that Tarantino was unlucky not to be nominated for Best Director. Thrilled to see Tom Hooper snubbed though – I don’t know what it is about that guy…
To be honest. I actually was hoping Waltz would be nominated. He completely stole the show and had fantastic development
The most glaring omission from this list was the massive snub for Rian Johnson and his film Looper. Seriously, no best original screenplay nod for him? The snub for best director & best film of Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom was outrageous as well. The Academy snub of Perks Of Being A Wallflower was another idiot move.
My number one would have to be Matthew Mcconaughey (I’ve probably messed up the spelling of that big time) not being nominated for Best Actor in Killer Joe. Although – the KFC scene isn’t exactly academy material, which is a real shame.
Toby, totally agree with you! Matthew McConaughey in Killer Joe was a revelation for him as an actor, and the KFC scene….crazy man!
The Master snubs for Best Director, Best film and best original screenplay are all so, so, so wrong.
I personally thought Michael Caine deserved a shout for Best Supporting Actor for TDKR, the man had many people I know with a few tears in their eyes, Judi Dench I think was another surprise
Judi Dench definitely didn’t deserve a nomination. But The Master for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Director, Best Cinemetography, and Best Film Editing. Too bad The Master is too smart for the Academy.
The Master was not well represented, way too risque. The biggest outrages there were PT Anderson not being nominated for Screenplay or Direction, as well as the amazing cinematography by Mihai Malaimare. It also would have been nice to see McConaughey nominated for either Killer Joe or Magic Mike.
I am absolutely amazed that Cloud Atlas hasn’t even been mentioned….It is for me, a class above every film nominated for best picture…It is the only film, despite perhaps, Life of Pi, that is not formula, re-hashed,and ultimately un-enlightening…..It is in short, a masterpiece amongst common folk….I suppose it is ahead of (and behind) it’s time
Agreed about Dicaprio! He was brilliant (as always) and how he got snubbed is beyond me. However waltz should be nominated too- he was amazing. Leo should have taken Arkin’s spot. And Django Unchained definitely deserves best picture, not Skyfall. The biggest picture snub was The Master. PTA and Tarantino should have gotten best director noms. I also agree that hawkes should have been nominated, but he should have replaced Hugh jackman- cooper was outstanding. How les mis got anything is baffling to me.