7 films that were robbed of Best Picture Oscar
These are films that I feel were robbed of an Oscar for Best Picture.
It is not complete as it only goes back to 1980.
It is not complete as it only goes back to 1980.
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- DirectorJames CameronStarsSam WorthingtonZoe SaldanaSigourney WeaverA paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.This should have won for it's technical brilliance and Camerons vision alone.
Unfortunately, in a backlash against the director, it was beaten by The Hurt Locker, which in a good year would not have been nominated.
My feeling is that Avatars anti-corporation and pro-environment message did not go down well with a large section of the Acadamy's more politically conservative voters. - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTom HanksMatt DamonTom SizemoreFollowing the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.It could also be argued that The Thin Red Line should have won.
This technically brilliant and massively influential film may have been too real for some voters to take.
Shakespeare in Love is a very good film but it only won due to Harvey Weinsteins relentless marketing strategy. - DirectorFrank DarabontStarsTim RobbinsMorgan FreemanBob GuntonOver the course of several years, two convicts form a friendship, seeking consolation and, eventually, redemption through basic compassion.This is easy to argue with hindsight as Shawshank has improved with age.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroRay LiottaJoe PesciThe story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.In another year Dances With Wolves would have been a deserved winner.
But Scorceses masterclass in film making was robbed. - DirectorOliver StoneStarsTom CruiseBryan LarkinRaymond J. BarryThe biography of Ron Kovic. Paralyzed in the Vietnam war, he becomes an anti-war and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by the country for which he fought.For a short period Oliver Stone could do no wrong.
Rain Man won but has dated badly. Born on the Fourth of July is a superior film in every department and had far greater emotional depth. - DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHenry ThomasDrew BarrymorePeter CoyoteA troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet.Gandhi won on the night and even the winner Richard Attenborough had to admit that his fine film did not hold a candle to Spielbergs masterful classic.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroCathy MoriartyJoe PesciThe life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.Like Spielberg people were beginning to ask "What does Scorcese have to do to win an Oscar?"
Perhaps his film was too brutal for the Acadamy, but to lose to Ordinary People was criminal.