7. Avoids Controversy At All Costs
That brings us to our next point avoiding the dreaded media backlash. Zero Dark Thirty was sweeping all of the early critics prizes. That was up until the torture controversy erupted. The film features torture scenes and there are those who feel it may imply that these tactics were used to obtain Osama Bin Ladens whereabouts. Both sides of the political spectrum were up in arms, including former Republican Presidential candidate John McCain. Next thing you know, the awards momentum ended. One has to wonder what merits the Best moniker after this development, but according to many awards organizations it certainly does not belong to a film with such controversy.