8 Biggest Omissions From The Oscar Nominations 2014

7. Tom Hanks - Best Actor, 'Captain Phillips.'

For many Tom Hanks is thought of as one of those actors who is nominated year in year out, but since 2000 the two-time winner and former darling has failed to receive a single nod from the Academy. If most of the praise for the film were to be believed it seemed that 'Captain Phillips' would be the role that gave Hanks a slew of nominations. The BAFTAs, the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild all agreed but the Oscars panel were unmoved. Despite giving the film six nominations there was still nothing for Hanks in the Best Actor category in which he was last nominated for 'Cast Away.' The film itself was a solid Paul Greengrass project with all the expected style, tension and pace associated with that. Hanks seemed to relish being front and centre of a major action film. It was fun and exciting but not outstanding. For much of the film there was little else to comment on until in the final moments as the titular Captain Phillips is finally rescued. Where most films in this genre would either end or skip ahead to the lead character returning home to their family, the audience followed the Captain directly to medical where he is assessed, finally succumbs to shock and releases all the tension and emotion of his ordeal. It is in this incredible few minutes that Tom Hanks delivers one of the finest scenes of his long career. After so many years it is easy to become complacent about his abilities but here there is no doubt that he is one of the greatest actors of his generation. The intensity and power of his acting showed a rawness and vulnerability that few actors are capable of.