The 2010 Academy Awards: Who Got Snubbed?

Written by Greg VictorcloseAuthor: Greg Victor Name: Greg Victor
Email: Greg@parcbench.com
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About: Greg Victor (Parcbench Culture Editor) is a historian, pop culture critic, and theatrical dramaturg and has stage managed theatrical productions on Broadway and on tour, including Billy Joel's "Movin' Out", Monty Python's "Spamalot" and more.See Authors Posts (97) on February 3, 2010

The mother of all awards shows announced their nominations yesterday. But it’s definitely not the awards themselves that make it the most dreaded and anticipated awards show of the year. It’s all the rest of it: the betting pools, the red carpet blather, the fashion disasters, the cut-off acceptance speeches, and the atrocious musical performances. But before we get to all that, it’s time to partake in the first traditional event of every Oscar season – making the list of who got snubbed.

So, here it is… Parcbench’s Top 10 list of overlooked highlights of the past year in film. (And if you missed any, you owe it to yourself to rent these).

10. Best Actor: Sam Rockwell in “Moon.” As the lonely, isolated astronaut, Mr. Rockwell filled the screen with humanity. An outstanding performance by Hollywood’s greatest continually overlooked actor.

9. Best Supporting Actress: Betty White in “The Proposal.” How much would we love to watch the ceremony if she had been nominated? The lady stole every second she was on screen. Hollywood once again shows its inferiority complex by segregating the Emmy and Oscar talent pool.

8. Best Picture: “Star Trek XI.” I know. In my dreams. Here’s to number XII.

7. Best Picture: “The Hangover.” If you’re going to announce TEN nominees, shouldn’t the only critically-acclaimed audience pleaser of the summer count for something?

6. Best Actor: Tobey Maguire in “Brothers.” OK, it wasn’t “The Hurt Locker,” but still Tobey’s acting was stellar. I guess post-traumatic stress isn’t enough to get a nomination these days. Hollywood’s hero fixation is alive and well.

5. Best Actor: Michael Stuhlbarg in “A Serious Man.” A Best Picture nomination? A Best Screenplay nomination? But no Best Actor nomination? Feh.

4. Best Supporting Actor: Anthony Mackie in “The Hurt Locker.” Mr. Mackie was riveting in the near-perfect film. His talent has proven that he is the guy to watch, so I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before he gets a nomination… and an Oscar.

3. Best Supporting Actress: Julianne Moore in “A Single Man.” It was a brief appearance in a film that is clearly not for everyone, but in it Ms. Moore made a devastatingly potent impression. Any actress that does so much with so little deserves the recognition. And the thought that she might have been knocked off the list by the pathetic performance of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s in “Crazy Heart” makes me want to boycott the ceremony.

2. Best Actor: Hugh Dancy in “Adam.” This one hurts. There’s always a sublimely crafted performance that is trapped in a film that no one saw. As a newly-parentless guy living with Asperger’s syndrome in New York City, Mr. Dancy was phenomenal.

1. Best Supporting Actor: Christian McKay in “Me & Orson Welles.” Of course, anyone in this category is going to lose to Christoph Waltz (“Inglourious Basterds”), but at least the Academy could have recognized the break-through performance of the year. Christian McKay delivered a precise and inspiring Orson Welles, and he even made co-star Zac Efron look good at the same time. Give the man some credit!

On the other hand, not all snubs are disappointing. Michael Moore got passed by in the Best Documentary category for once. Hooray for Hollywood!