The Kenblog: Surprising Oscar Snubs!

Howdy Folks!  It’s The Kendog With Another Edition Of The Kenblog!

Well the Oscar nominations have just been announced and once again it comes down to movies most of the movie going public haven’t had a chance to see.  “La La Land” gets a record tying 14 nominations (and I’m still ashamed to admit I haven’t seen it yet) and Meryl Streep gets nominated for the 1,000,000nth time.  (More on that later.)  Still, there were some surprising snubs on the list and one movie favorite of mine whose non-inclusion in the Oscar festivities serves more as a case of wishful thinking than an actual snub. 

The most surprising snub on this list is the outstanding performance of Amy Adams in the terrific science fiction film “Arrival.”  The film itself is nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay, yet the heart and soul of the film doesn’t even get a sniff.  Adams is in damn near every frame of the picture and gives what could have been a cold intellectual exercise a beating heart that makes “Arrival” a must see film.    Instead you have Meryl Streep, who was admittedly terrific in “Florence Foster Jenkins” but not nearly as deserving, in my humble opinion, as Adams, who gave the far more dynamic performance.

The next surprising snub comes in the form of Tom Hanks in the lead role in Clint Eastwood’s hit “Sully.”  Hanks has two wins and a bunch of nominations but found no Oscar love here.   One wonders if people remember his turn in the truly awful “Inferno” more than they remembered the earlier release of “Sully.”  Unlike the best actress category, it’s hard to argue against any of the nominees in the best actor category.

Another curious snub is the lack of animated Oscar love for “Finding Dory.”  One of the biggest domestic animated films ever and a critical darling to boot (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) it was shoved out in favor of more “artistic” fare such as “Red Turtle” and “My Life As A Zucchini.”  “Dory’s” omission probably has more to due with the fact that Disney already has two features in the running with “Zootopia” and “Moana” both expected to vie for the trophy.  Both are original films instead of sequels and I think The Academy probably believes it’s given Disney enough love on that point.

I’m also wondering about the absence of Taraji P. Henson from the lead actress category for her role in “Hidden Figures.”  Her role was arguably the largest of the three co-leads in the film, yet only Octavia Spencer gets a best supporting actress nod.  It’s another example of how the Academy seems to feel the need to include a foreign actress (in this case, Isabelle Huppert for the French thriller “Elle”) just to look edgy.

Another interesting snub can be found in the exclusion of previous Oscar darlings Martin Scorcese and Clint Eastwood from the directing categories.  Eastwood is actually easy to understand as he is a conservative in a town full of liberals who have decided to bring the verbal nukes to our new president, but Scorcese is the legend Hollywood adores and it’s surprising not to see him at get at least a director’s nod for “Silence.”

Finally, I’m furious (not really, heh) that “Deadpool” didn’t get some Oscar love.  One of my favorite films of the year featured terrific dialogue, performances, and direction and I think it’s a shame that the somewhat juvenile subject matter of the film kept it from its rightful place as one of the best picture nominees.   (Hell, you’ve got ten spots and only used nine.  . . let’s have a write-in campaign for “Deadpool” for Best Picture.)

Those are the snubs that stood out in my mind, but maybe you have some of your own.  You can check out the full list by clicking here and feel free to comment below.  The Oscars will air on February 26.   So Sayeth The Kendog!