Snubbed Categories: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing
Duncan Jones is going to win an Oscar someday. I know that he will and it will all be because of MOON. This movie came out of nowhere to show everyone that smart science fiction is still possible. While DISTRICT 9 received all of the acclaim in 2009, MOON should have been equally recognized. Sam Rockwell is fantastic in this claustrophobic mindf*ck of a movie. I hope we continue to get this quality of original work from Jones, whether he gets the awards or not.
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Snubbed Categories: Best Picture, Best Foreign Film, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay
Ah, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN. After years of suffering through the shitty TWILIGHT vampires, we can always take solace that this movie gave us an original take on the bloodsucker mythology and one of the most genuinely atmospheric and moody thrillers in a long time. I hesitate to call this a horror movie in the traditional sense, but it is definitely a must see. Again, horror is under-represented at the Oscars and this is just another movie they missed showing appreciation for. The remake is decent, but the original is perfect.
Snubbed Categories: Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Actor
This may be a stretch, but I love THE LOOKOUT. Scott Frank knows crime movies, having written the screenplays for OUT OF SIGHT and GET SHORTY, but THE LOOKOUT is a different beast entirely. Joseph Gordon-Levitt followed up his great turn in Rian Johnson’s 2006 BRICK with this movie. Actually, those two movies should be watched one after the other and you will have no doubts left at the brilliance of Levitt as an actor. Many say the movie’s use of short-term memory loss as a rip-off of MEMENTO, but I say watch THE LOOKOUT and then try and tell me that again.
Snubbed Categories: Best Picture, Best Director – Werner Herzog, Best Actor – Christian Bale, Best Supporting Actor – Steve Zahn, Best Adapted Screenplay
Christian Bale should have won his first acting Oscar for this movie. One of his many stunning physical transformations, RESCUE DAWN is criminally underseen. Steve Zahn is phenomenal as another POW with Bale’s Dieter Dengler during the Vietnam War. Werner Herzog adapted a documentary of his own on Dengler and made this brilliant war movie. It still bothers me when people have never seen or heard of it.
Snubbed Categories – Best Costume Design, Best Editing, Best Foreign Film, Best Score
Wong Kar-Wai has always been a critical darling, especially for his movies CHUNGKING EXPRESS and IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, but he has never been recognized by the Academy Awards for his unique style. 2046 represents one of his most unique projects. The movie is a semi-sequel to IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE and alternates between that 1960s set film and a science fiction future world. The movie is lyrical and visually stunning and was one of the best movies of 2005.
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Snubbed Categories – Best Visual Effects, Best Original Screenplay
Zombie movies rarely get the love from classy institutions like the Academy, but SHAUN OF THE DEAD was something special. Sure, it was gory and full of pop culture references, but it was still a heartfelt romantic story as well as a touching look at best friends. All of that was wrapped up in a horror movie and represented one of the most original movies in years. It also used practical make-up effects that should have been recognized at the very least.
Snubbed Categories: Best Actor – Jack Black, Best Director – Richard Linklater, Best Original Song
While SCHOOL OF ROCK may not seem like Oscar material at first glance, look a little deeper. It follows a teacher who transforms a classroom with his unconventional style and also learns what it means to be part of something bigger than himself. Add to that an original song that plays well both within the movie as well as on the radio and you have the makings of both a box office success and an awards contender. Jack Black winning an acting award for this film may have been a stretch, but it definitely should have been considered a nominee.
Snubbed Categories: Best Foreign Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director
Peter Mullan is one of those actors you recognize everywhere but don’t know the name. He has appeared in the final HARRY POTTER film as well as Steven Spielberg’s WAR HORSE. But, it was this Irish film he directed that put him on the map for me. This drama about women in 1964 Ireland who are thrown into an asylum by those family members who wanted to get rid of them is a touching and disturbing look at an event many of us know nothing about. This movie deserved a lot more recognition than it got and should have been lauded by the Academy, Check it out if you can.
Snubbed Categories: Best Picture, Best Original Song, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor – John Cameron Mitchell, Best Director – John Cameron Mitchell
One of my favorite moves of the last decade, HEDWIG manages to not be a movie about sexuality or gender politics but rather a touching film about love and success despite disadvantages. It is also a kick ass rock musical that makes you laugh your ass off. One of the most critically lauded movies of 2001, the only mainstream recognition came from the Golden Globes. A shame this didn’t get Oscar buzz.
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Snubbed Categories: Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director
Christopher Guest’s best directorial effort, BEST IN SHOW was the mainstream introduction to his repertoire of improv masters including Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara. So many of these actors have gone on to enhance television shows and other films that we forget it all came together with this film. It can be said that awarding writing or directing to movies like this is hard because of the amount of improvisation, but that is why the Academy desperately needs an award for Best Cast.