10 Major Oscar Nomination Snubs & My Picks

10 Major Oscar Nomination Snubs & My Picks

1. Best Picture - Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
No joke, this was my favorite film of 2010. It’s slick, witty, and visual candy; a delight from start to finish. Those who decided they tired of Michael Cera before this film quit too soon. In fact, I’d put a couple other teen-oriented films in my top ten as well: Easy A and Kick-Ass. I didn’t anticipate liking any of these films before seeing them, but I was surprised to find that they all outperformed most of the year’s adult fare.

2. Best Directing – Ben Affleck, The Town
If you had told me that I’d be demanding more accolades for Affleck a year ago, I’d have laughed. But Affleck has managed to make a terrific action/thriller complete with depth and quality; I think it’s safe to say that his directing outshines his acting.

3. Best Actor – Ryan Gosling, Blue Valentine
This film was an emotional rollercoaster that asked for everything from its leads, and Gosling was up to the challenge. Thankfully, Michelle Williams was nominated for her even better performance in this film. I know Portman will win because she’s cute and fertile, but if the Oscars were genuinely about talent, Williams would win… and Gosling would have one to match.

4. Best Actress – Emma Stone, Easy A
She may be young and it may be a comedy, but Stone proved her star power with this film. Rather than awarding a laughable role (Natalie Portman, Annette Bening), why not credit a laughable role that was intended to be laughed at? One day soon the Academy will recognize Stone’s charm and lather her with nominations.

5. Best Documentary - The Lottery
Everyone is wondering how Waiting for Superman got snubbed, but The Lottery, which addresses many of the same subjects about the public education system, deserves the bigger outcry.

6. Best Writing - Original Screenplay - City Island and Please Give
Both of these darker, slice-of-life comedies are among my favorite films of the year. I get that there were a lot of good movies made this year so they can’t all be up for Best Picture, but each of these films deserves credit for their complex, humorous story-telling.

7. Best Actor - Aaron Eckhart. Rabbit Hole
The wrong lead of this movie was nominated. True, Nicole Kidman had more screen time, but she’s had so much work done on her face that it no longer emotes, which is an especially big problem in a role devoted to emoting. Meanwhile, Eckhart had no trouble showing a range of feelings, single-handedly carrying this complexly emotional drama.

8. Best Picture - Restrepo
Though a documentary has never been nominated for best picture, it is well within the rules. This touching portrayal of army life is so raw and entertaining it deserves credit for being a great piece of cinema, not just a documentary.

9. Best Supporting Actor – Andrew Garfield, The Social Network
Jesse Eisenberg has been heaped with praise for his role in this film, but when an awkward guy plays an awkward guy, that’s not good acting, that’s good casting! The real standout performance was… Justin Timberlake. Kidding, it’s Garfield. Without him as the film’s emotional center, it would be a lot of pomp and circumstance

10. Best Supporting Actress – Rebecca Hall, The Town
While Jeremy Renner is getting all of the acting attention for this film, Hall had the most challenging role. Without giving away the story, it is crucial for Hall’s character to come across as believable and sympathetic; fortunately she succeeds and then some.

Okay, enough about people who won’t be winning Oscars. Of those who were nominated, let me tell you who should win:

Best Picture: The Kids Are All Right
Best Directing: David Fincher, The Social Network
Best Actor: James Franco, 127 Hours
Best Actress: Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine
Best Supporting Actress: Jacki Weaver, Animal Kingdom
Best Supporting Actor: Geoffrey Rush, The King’s Speech
Best Writing – Original Screenplay: The Kids Are All Right
Best Writing – Adapted Screenplay: The Social Network
Best Animated Feature: Toy Story 3
Best Documentary – Feature: Restrepo
Best Original Score: Inception
Best Original Song: “Coming Home”, Country Strong
Best Sound Editing: Inception
Best Sound Mixing: Inception
Best Art Direction: True Grit
Best Cinematography: Black Swan
Best Costume Design: The King’s Speech
Best Film Editing: The Social Network
Best Visual Effects: Inception

As for who will win, everyone already seems to have the same predictions, so what’s the point?