The Academy award nominations were announced on Jan. 16 with many surprises and snubs. While "American Hustle" and "Gravity" led the way with 10 nominations, many films fell short of expectations. The following is a list of the biggest surprises and snubs at this year's Oscar nominees.
"Fruitvale Station" gets no Nominations
The Sundance winner was once considered a Best Picture contender especially after Harvey Weinstein bought the movie out of Sundance. The movie not only scored great reviews but obtained acclaim for its stars Michael B. Jordan and Melonie Diaz. However, its absence from the BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild, and Golden Globes demonstrated its weakness in the awards race. Additionally the Ryan Coogler film was never able to move out the Best First Film or Breakthrough categories.
Brie Larson and "Short Term 12" Shut Out
The SWSX Film Festival winner was one of the biggest surprises of 2013. The movie not only garnered critical acclaim but was also nominated for a number of critics circles. Brie Larson was also nominated for a number of awards including the Critics' Choice and even beat out Cate Blanchett at the Gotham awards. However, the movie was never able to break out of the indie realm and the overcrowded Best Actress category left no room for Larson.
"Lee Daniel's The Butler"
The movie failed to conquer a Best Picture nomination and even a Best Supporting Actress nomination, which many predicted. The movie was said to have been embraced at the early Academy screenings but buzz for the film quickly faded. "The Butler" failed to garner a number of BAFTA, Critics Choice and Golden Globe nominations and was even ignored throughout the critics precursor awards. Additionally, the film received mixed reviews but it was expected that with Harvey Weinstein backing the movie's campaign, the film would score big nominations.
"Inside Llewyn Davis" Shut Out of Best Picture
Joel and Ethan Coen's latest film only obtained two nominations but failed to score a Screenplay, or a Best Picture nomination. The film, which won the Gotham award and the Grand Prix at Cannes, was always thought to be a big contender for Best Picture. However, the fact that the guilds ignored the movie only showed the film's weakness and ended in a no show for the big awards.
Thelma Schoonmaker for "The Wolf of Wall Street"
Although the Martin Scorsese film was big hit with the Academy, the Oscars did not embrace the film's editing. The movie is no longer a contender to win Best Picture after missing out on this important nomination. No film since 1981 has won the Best Picture award without a Best Editing nomination.
"Rush"
Ron Howard's biggest achievement to date was ignored and missed every technical nomination. Daniel Bruhl was also expected to get nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the role of Niki Lauda but was cancelled out by Jonah Hill or his work on "The Wolf of Wall Street"
Emma Thompson for Best Actress
The "Saving Mr. Banks" actress was not nominated after many had predicted her to be a big contender. Thompson's performance was hailed as her best in many years but the lack of support for the film was evident as the Academy also failed to nominate the movie for Best Picture. Instead the movie only got a Best Score nomination.
"12 Years a Slave" Shut out of Best Score and Best Cinematography
The Steve McQueen film was expected to get the most nominations with the Academy. However, it failed to get a nomination for Best Cinematography, which many critics had hailed as the best of the year. Hans Zimmer's latest score was another favorite. However, the Academy wrote it off and instead chose other scores that were less critically acclaimed.
"Monster University" Get No Animated Nomination
Pixar has been a favorite of the Academy for a number of years but the new film failed to garner the Best Animation nomination. The film was not a critical favorite but neither were "The Croods" or "Despicable Me 2," which were nominated for the Oscars. The latest snub is the second Pixar film to be left out of the Oscars. "Cars 2" was the first back in 2011.
Tom Hanks and Paul Greengrass for "Captain Phillips"
Tom Hanks was expected to land a nomination for his critically acclaimed turn in "Captain Phillips." Critics had raved about his work for months and his nominations for the Critics Choice, BAFTA, Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild awards fortified his campaign for Best Actor. However, he fell short of the nomination. Likewise, Paul Greengrass missed out on the nomination for Best Director after having received major nods with the Directors Guild of America and Golden Globe awards. All in all these two snubs hurt "Captain Phillips" for the Best Picture.