Oscars 2016: Spielberg, Scott, Tarantino, Sorkin and Carol All Get Snubbed
This morning, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (AMPAS) announced their nominations for the 88th Academy Awards. The Revenant is leading the race with 12 nominations with Mad Max: Fury Road scoring a strong 10, but some heavy favourites where left out in the cold. We expect the odd omission, the occasional left-field choice but this morning seemed to feature a few more shockers and jaw-droppers than usual.
Steven Spielberg: Snubbed for Best Director
Spielberg’s last few movies have been mediocre by his high standards, yet Bridge of Spies was his strongest in a number of years — even though it’s not one of his finest, either. Many expected the two-time Oscar winner to receive a Best Director nod, but in a year of strong contenders who achieved some visually impressive feats, Spielberg was left on the sidelines. It comes as a double-whammy as earlier in the week he was snubbed by the Directors Guild of America (DGA).
Ridley Scott: Snubbed for Best Director
Another director who can feel hard done by is The Martian helmer Ridley Scott. Almost everyone expected Scott to get the nod and crown off a year that saw the filmmaker return to the top of the mountain as one of the most skilled directors working. The Martian was a sort of comeback for Scott who hadn’t made a significant film for a few years. But, like Spielberg, Scott’s achievements this year didn’t tickle the taste buds of voters.
Aaron Sorkin: Snubbed for Best Adapted Screenplay
Sorkin last Sunday picked up the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay for the biopic, Steve Jobs. Many amongst Hollywood’s most powerful had him as a shoo-in to win the Best Adapted Screenplay category but Academy members have really thought differently this year by denying Sorkin the honour of a nomination. What went wrong? Steve Jobs didn’t perform well at the box office, and although it’s an enjoyable watch, it is heavy on dialogue. Did that put voters off? Or, is it time to start honouring a new breed of writer?
Quentin Tarantino: Snubbed for Best Original Screenplay
Tarantino’s latest offering The Hateful Eight seems to be performing well amongst audiences. It has received strong and favourable reactions from critics and continues to perform admirably at the box office. But something wasn’t right heading into award season for Tarantino? Momentum wasn’t been behind the director and his hateful eight this year. Not many expected it to get a Best Picture nomination with Jennifer Jason Leigh being the only likely acting nomination. Yet, many expected QT to land an Original Screenplay nom, but he even fell short in the category he sort of owns. We all know he’s a fine writer with a deft touch for writing dialogue, but did Academy voters feel that he may have touched on the Western too often for their liking?
Carol: Snubbed for Best Picture & Best Director
Probably the biggest snub of the morning. The festival darling of 2015 which many expected to turn into the award darling may have ran out of steam. New York City critics fell in love with Carol and handed it their best film of the year. It racked up nine nominations from BAFTA but since then, has found the going tough. It received five nominations from the Golden Globes but failed to win any. So, has that sentiment rolled into the Academy’s way of thinking? Carol did get nominated in both female acting categories, Best Adapted Screenplay and three other categories, landing a healthy total of 6 nominations. Helmer Todd Haynes fell short in his quest to gain a Best Director nod — another shock but not as surprising as the Best Picture omission, which will leave a bitter taste for many.
Honourable Mentions
Although I didn’t realistically see it happening, momentum was building behind Straight Outta Compton to gain a Best Picture nom and Best Director nod for F. Gary Gray. It wasn’t successful in either but did manage to bag itself a Best Original Screenplay nomination. It’s rejection will lead many to question the Academy’s diversity. African-Americans who may be feeling the sting from the Academy’s seemingly lack of diversity — Will Smith for Concussion; Ryan Coogler for Creed, and Samuel L. Jackson for The Hateful Eight should be the most hurt on missing out. Another should be British actor Idris Elba who many saw as a guarantee in the Best Supporting Actor category. Maybe Academy members didn’t take too kindly to a new platform of putting movies out?
Steve Carrell was a late comer in the discussion of Best Actor contenders for his part in Adam McKay’s The Big Short. Last year Carrell was nominated for Foxcatcher and really opened many eyes to his ability as a leading man. That sentiment has grown even more with his performance in The Big Short, but even with his stock high, the Academy decided to turn the heat down on him.
