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GHcool 
"Forever a curious character."
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 Posted - 01/21/2015 : 20:18:53
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A FWFRer (I think Randall) linked to a video showing films that were snubbed by the Academy Awards. A nice little discussion occurred under that link. I thought it might be fun to continue the discussion over here.
The Lego Movie (2014) - A lot has been written about this. I'm not going to beat a dead horse.
Waiting for "Superman" (2010) - One of the best, most convincing, and most heartbreaking documentaries I've ever seen. And yet it wasn't even nominated for Best Documentary.
United 93 (2006) - When I first heard that they were making a movie based on 9/11, I thought it would be a disaster and distasteful. United 93 was extremely respectful, historically accurate, and intensely suspenseful. Generations from now, people who were born after that terrible day will watch this film and get a glimpse of how frightening it was.
Lord of War (2005) - A powerful film without a single nomination. Nicolas Cage gets a lot of flack for acting in bad movies, but when he gets an interesting role and an interesting movie, he nails it!
Hiding and Seeking (2004) - A very moving and inspiring documentary about a family of Orthodox Jews and the debt that they owe to the righteous gentiles who saved their grandfather during the Holocaust. It probably would have gotten nominated for Best Documentary if it had gotten a wider distribution.
Monster (2003) - The film is famous for Charlize Theron's performance (and rightly so), but all of the performances are excellent. The screenplay and directing is beautiful and empathetic without excusing Wuornos's crimes. It should have been nominated for Best Picture and many other awards.
About Schmidt (2002) - Like Monster, this film is basically known only for its lead performance by Jack Nicholson (which got a nomination, but not a win). That's a shame because it is evergreen and deals with noble themes in a sensitive and darkly comic way. Alexander Payne's later films (The Descendants, Nebraska) are not as good as this one, but those later ones got more recognition and nominations.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) - Like 2001: A Space Odyssey, this got mixed reviews at the time of its release, but anybody who sees it today will realize that it saw trends in technology and society that were not quite ripe at the time of its release, but are extremely important today.
Requiem for a Dream (2000) - Can there be any doubt that this film was not among the best of the past 20 years? Even if there is a doubt about that, could there be any doubt that this was a better film than Erin Brockovich, which got a nomination for Best Picture that year?
Election (1999) - Another early Alexander Payne film. This film has stood the test of time and inspired countless filmmakers, most famously Jason Reitman.
Dark City (1998) - Not a single nomination. Not a surprise since it was a box office bomb at the time of its release. Even today, nobody has heard of it except sci-fi geeks.
Casino (1995) - One of Scorsese's best films, but not nominated for Best Picture.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) - OK, maybe this wasn't Best Picture material, but I love this film. Maybe it could have gotten a Best Song nomination or something?
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) - 1989 was a good year for film, and all of the nominees that year were worthy, but I think Crimes and Misdemeanors stood the test of time better than did Driving Miss Daisy, the film that won Best Picture that year.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) - This film was so good that an Oscar was given to it in special recognition for its achievement. Yet, it did not get a Best Picture nomination.
Wings of Desire (1987) - No Best Picture nomination? No Best Director nomination? Not even Best Foreign Language Film nomination?
Hour of the Star (1986) - A Brazilian film nobody seems to remember. But its an important portrait of working class life. Alas, no Best Foreign Film nomination.
Return of the Jedi (1983) - No, its not as good as the other two, but it is still a classic with scenes and sequences that continue to inspire. No Best Picture nomination though.
The Empire Strkes Back (1980) - No Best Picture nomination.
The Shootist (1976) - Famous for being John Wayne's last film. It contains what is, in my view, his best performance. Don Siegel's directing is beautiful. It got one nomination for Best Art Direction. It should have gotten more.
Paper Moon (1973) - This feels like a modern film like Little Miss Sunshine, but with the sensibilities of the 1970s, and perfectly evokes the 1930s. It got a few nominations, but not Best Picture.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - What can be said that has not been already said. The fact that Oliver won Best Picture that year is an extra slap in the face.
Psycho (1960)
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Touch of Evil (1958) - Feels like a modern film. The Best Picture winner that year, Gigi, is nice, but not even close.
Paths of Glory (1957) - One of the greatest anti-war films of all time, but not nominated for Best Picture. The saving grace was that the winner that year was The Bridge on the River Kwai.
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
The African Queen (1951)
Born to Kill (1947)
"Northwest Hounded Police" (1946) - No Best Animated Short nomination?
"Red Hot Riding Hood" (1943) - No Best Animated Short nomination?
Pinocchio (1940)
A Night at the Opera (1935) |
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Snubbed Films
