The Oscar nominations came out this morning and the snubs and surprises sprung to my attention rather quickly this year. Some were more obvious than others but here are a few that jumped out of me after I took all the nominations in:
- James Franco Snubbed For The Disaster Artist: Perhaps the most glaring snub goes to James Franco but it will be heavily debated as to why he was snubbed by the Academy. His performance earned raves and he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award (winning for Best Actor in a Comedy) and a SAG Award. He would seem like a sure thing but the allegations of sexual misconduct went public the night he won his Golden Globe award and right before final voting for the Oscars had to be completed. I’m guessing Denzel Washington got his nomination for Roman J. Israel, Esq and that brings me to…
2. Denzel Washington Gets Nominated For Roman J. Israel, Esq: I get that the Academy loves Denzel, he we all do and it’s cool to see an actor of his caliber get his 8th nomination BUT I don’t think he deserved it for this. The movie received mixed reviews and the roles wasn’t among his most memorable. The Globes and SAGS nominated him for this as well but I think he ultimately got Franco’s spot when his misdealings came to light.
3. Hong Chau Shut Out For Downsizing: I spent a bit wondering why Lesley Manville surprised me with her supporting actress nomination for Phantom Thread and that’s because she has been missing a bit from the conversation and Hong Chau had been in play as the lone bright spot from Downsizing. Another actress who scored Globe and SAG noms but ultimately I think the film’s poor reception is what kept her out of the pack. She’s honestly the best think about a frustrating film so her getting recognition leading up to this should make her feel good.
4. No Nominations For Wonder Woman: Despite being one of the highest grossing movies of 2017 and one of the best reviewed films of last year as well, Wonder Woman received no love from the Academy. When it was released, the studio did push for some Oscar consideration and some thought it would get some love because it was so well liked but it was up to Logan to represent the comic book fans in the adapted screenplay category and Wonder Woman had to sit this one out. The film didn’t even receive any technical awards which was a tad surprising for me as well.
5. Logan Receives A Best Adapted Screenplay Nomination: Add this to the pleasantly surprised category. This glimmer of hope was there for the film in this category when the WGA nominated it as well and it looks like the Academy followed suit. I’m personally rooting for this or Molly’s Game but above all else, I’m just happy to see them finally acknowledge that some of the comic book adaptations are quality films as well.
6. Snubs For The Big Sick: Despite receiving a Best Original Screenplay nomination, the well received film was shut out in categories I thought it had an outside chance of getting into. It easilly could’ve been in that 10th slot for Best Picture and Holly Hunter, an actress the Academy loves, could’ve snagged a Best Supporting Actress nomination. I would use the it was released too early excuse but that didn’t stop Get Out and Dunkirk for scoring signficant nominations.
7. Martin McDonagh Snubbed For Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri: The film got a big boost at the Globes and the SAG Awards, making it one of the front runners for the major awards at the Oscars. McDonagh also received a DGA nomination which is usually a great sign that your will land in the Best Director category but he was ultimately left out. I’m guessing Paul T. Anderson got his spot for Phantom Thread and that’s not bad competition to lose out to. It’s rare for a film to win Best Picture without a Best Director nomination or win but Argo pulled off this feat in 2013. Could it happen again?
8. Snubs For Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg for The Post: Queen Meryl Streep scored her 260,000th nominaton for The Post but Tom Hanks was shut out, despite also giving a strong performance (finally saw the film last night, both of them are very solid). His category was pretty tough although I would argue if they weren’t going to nominate Franco, they could’ve given some love to Hanks for his role over the Denzel Washingto performance. Steven Spielberg was also left out of the Best Director category but it’s also another strong crop. No one is denying that the flm he made was great, but maybe he’s just so good that The Post seems like one of his more simple efforts.
9. No One Called Armie Hammer By His Name: He campaigned really hard and even was in and out of the conversation for a Best Supporting Actor nomination but he was ultimately shut out for his critically acclaimed turn here. Some think he split the vote with Michael Stuhlbarg, who was also very strong, but I really think the real culprit here was Christopher Plummer. Much has been said about the great work Christopher Plummer did in All The Money In The World with very little prep time (he replaced Kevin Spacey in the already finished film mere weeks before its release) and I think that feat was something the Academy wanted to acknowledge. At least Armie can say he put in great work here because after finally seeing it, I have to say he compliments Timothee Chalamet’s Oscar nominated performance.
10. I’ Tonya Doesn’t Get A Best Picture Nomination: This is another example of a film that could’ve taken that 10th spot if they did the full ten slots for Best Picture. I’ Tonya was one of the best surprises of 2017 and it would’ve been nice to see it get more acknowledgement in other categories. It’s represented proudly by Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, who landed nominations, but I thought the film was strong enough to be a real contender for the big award.
