CHUD.com Community › Forums › THE MAIN SEWER › Movie Miscellany › The worst Oscar mistakes
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

The worst Oscar mistakes

post #1 of 253
1/13/09 at 12:28am
Thread Starter 
I realize this thread won't be the most original one of all-time, but it felt right with all the talks of awards going on right now. Earlier today, I made a huge mistake by going over to Ain't It Cool News to read the talkback on the Golden Globes - didn't take long for it to turn into a "The Dark Knight is going to get screwed just like Star Wars was by Annie Hall" sort of thread. Thankfully, I stopped reading before my head hurted too much.

It did get me wondering, though, what really are the biggest mistakes that the Academy has made. I know the fanboy option is the already-mentioned Annie Hall beating Star Wars, but the former is such a classic that I have a hard time seeing why it's a big deal that one went over the other.

For me, the most obvious choice is How Green was My Valley beating Citizen Kane for "Best Picture" in 1942. I'll come back to this later with some others.
Reply
post #2 of 253
1/13/09 at 12:33am
Kubrick never won an Oscar.
Awards: Invalidated.
Reply
post #3 of 253
1/13/09 at 12:36am
Taxi Driver losing to Rocky
Alfred Hitchcock getting the "sorry we fucked you for years award", otherwise known as the Lifetime Achievement Award, but never getting to claim a competetive Oscar.
Reply
post #4 of 253
1/13/09 at 12:38am
Shakespeare in Love winning over Saving Private Ryan was a triumph of campaigning, not of the better film winning.
Reply
post #5 of 253
1/13/09 at 12:39am
Goodfellas and Martin Scorsese losing out to Dances with Wolves and Kevin Costner.

I'll also add Slumdog Millionaire winning Best Picture, but that one hasn't happened just yet.
Reply
post #6 of 253
1/13/09 at 12:41am
Edit: Oh, wrong thread. Raging Bull.
Reply
post #7 of 253
1/13/09 at 12:42am
Looking through the nominees and winners of a lot of the '70s Oscars, it's hard to get too upset...French Connection over Clockwork Orange and Last Picture Show; Godfather II over Chinatown and The Conversation...basically it's just an exercise in reminding one how kick ass the '70s were for movies.

I mean, Jesus, the 48th Academy Awards were fucking amazing:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (winner)
Barry Lyndon
Dog Day Afternoon
Jaws
Nashville

The only one I might change is Patton over MASH and Five Easy Pieces. Patton was a performance for the ages, but the film itself, while very good, isn't up to MASH or Five Easy Pieces level in my book. But the times were still-a-changin' I guess.
Reply
post #8 of 253
1/13/09 at 12:43am
Speed Racer not being nominated for Best Visual Effects in this year's Oscars.
Reply
post #9 of 253
1/13/09 at 12:44am
Mel Gibson has as many Oscars as Altman,Kubrick and Scorsese combined.
Reply
post #10 of 253
1/13/09 at 12:44am
Any award that Chicago won.

Renee Zellweger winning over Shohreh Aghdashloo (perhaps Im biased due to my not liking Zellweger in anything).

Im in the Saving Private Ryan over Shakespeare in Love camp.

Taxi Driver over Rocky.

It may be kind of a cliche these days, but from the very beginning I pulled for Ledger over Hoffman.

Also, I love me some Denzel...probably more than most...but Wilkinson blew me away in In The Bedroom.
Reply
post #11 of 253
1/13/09 at 12:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Closer View Post
It may be kind of a cliche these days, but from the very beginning I pulled for Ledger over Hoffman.
I love that story about Ledger allegedly remarking after his loss that "I thought the award was for the best acting, not the most acting."
Reply
post #12 of 253
1/13/09 at 12:59am
These have sucked since the year after their existence. All of it was downhill after SUNRISE. Which may yet still be the best film to ever win an Oscar. Some years they get it right. I don't think anyone can argue The Godfather, Silence of the Lambs, or Unforgiven didn't deserve the award. I would even argue Annie Hall being one of the best choices they ever made. But when you look at 1939, that Gone with the Wind won tells you everything. So of course Scorsese wins for The Departed. Of course. And it goes on and on like that forever.
Reply
post #13 of 253
1/13/09 at 1:12am
I was 18 when Shakesphere in Love won over Saving Private Ryan, and at that moment I realized how unimportant the Oscars really were. Saving Private Ryan has its share of problems, but it changed the look of not only war movies, but of the entire WWII era for the last ten years (even video games). To me that says something about a film's longevity and it's place in popular culture. Until the entirely forgettable SiL took the best picture Oscar, it hadn't really dawned on me that the Academy would pick something so unimportant to the greater picture. I'd thought that that award represented not the 'best' film of the year, but the best best popular example of the achievements of the year.

Then, of course, I remembered that Dances with Wolves had won over Goodfellas.
Reply
post #14 of 253
1/13/09 at 1:17am
Thread Starter 
I'm sort of surprised Crash winning "Best Picture" hasn't come up yet. I don't hate the film nearly as much as some on the board, but it was definitely not the best film of 2004.

And Dre, good call on Sunrise. At least, the Academy was smart enough to give it a special award, realizing that Murnau had made something completely spectacular. Still, the film that did win, Wings, is nowhere near a masterpiece. It's just a solid epic, but Hollywood does love the epics.
Reply
post #15 of 253
1/13/09 at 1:20am
When he tried to set up a double date with himself, Felix and the Pigeon Sisters on poker night.
Reply
post #16 of 253
1/13/09 at 1:34am
I will never understand Chicago winning so many damn awards. That was Oscar's "Pia Zadora" moment.
Reply
post #17 of 253
1/13/09 at 1:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
When he tried to set up a double date with himself, Felix and the Pigeon Sisters on poker night.
I feel ashamed that it took me 10 minutes to get that.


Back to the topic, 1952....THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH taking Best Picture.
Reply
post #18 of 253
1/13/09 at 1:51am
EW has an Oscar Do-over for the 2003, 1998, 1993, 1988, and 1983 Oscars.
Reply
post #19 of 253
1/13/09 at 1:53am
Ellen Burstyn for Requiem For a Dream losing to Julia Roberts for Erin Brockovich. Crying shame.
Reply
post #20 of 253
1/13/09 at 2:01am
SPR isn't best picture material either. Why is that one always trotted out?
Reply
post #21 of 253
1/13/09 at 2:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iron Maiden View Post

For me, the most obvious choice is How Green was My Valley beating Citizen Kane for "Best Picture" in 1942.
They're both great films.
Reply
post #22 of 253
1/13/09 at 2:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bailey View Post
SPR isn't best picture material either. Why is that one always trotted out?
It wasn't even the best WWII film of that year. But it's technically brilliant, and it's influence can't be denied.
Reply
post #23 of 253
1/13/09 at 2:22am
JUDGMENT AT NUREMBURG losing Best Picture to WEST SIDE STORY.

Lee Marvin winning Best Actor for CAT BALLOU over Rod Steiger in THE PAWNBROKER, a mistake that could have easily been avoided because Lee Marvin was really supposed to be a BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR in CAT BALLOU.


Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight accidentally cancelling each other out for MIDNIGHT COWBOY by splitting the vote... okay, that wasn't the Academy's fault.

Debatable: William Wyler losing best director on THE COLLECTOR to Robert Wise on SOUND OF MUSIC... ironically, a film that Wyler was on board to direct, but turned down to do THE COLLECTOR.
Reply
post #24 of 253
1/13/09 at 2:26am
Also, Bruce Campbell not being nominated for Best Actor on BUBBA HO-TEP
Reply
post #25 of 253
1/13/09 at 2:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iron Maiden View Post
And Dre, good call on Sunrise. At least, the Academy was smart enough to give it a special award, realizing that Murnau had made something completely spectacular. Still, the film that did win, Wings, is nowhere near a masterpiece. It's just a solid epic, but Hollywood does love the epics.
I thought the awards given to both films were originally of equal importance. According to Wikipedia, it seems that more attention was paid to Sunrise. Anyone know the story in more detail?

Forrest Gump over Pulp Fiction.
Reply
post #26 of 253
1/13/09 at 2:34am
Never quite understood how 'Chariots of Fire' beat out 'Reds', 'On Golden Pond' and especially 'Raiders'. I think time has been good to only one of those four (though I do so love that Vangelis theme to this day, despite it being overused).
Reply
post #27 of 253
1/13/09 at 2:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bailey View Post
SPR isn't best picture material either. Why is that one always trotted out?
Because the internet is loaded with Spielberg fanboys.
Reply
post #28 of 253
1/13/09 at 2:36am
Also, for the record, water is wet.
Reply
post #29 of 253
1/13/09 at 2:36am
that time Halle Berry won an oscar.


And Renee Zellweger won one for playing Kathy Bates in Cold Mountain.
Reply
post #30 of 253
1/13/09 at 3:18am
Still don't get how The Golden Compass won for visual effects over Transformers. Say what you will about the film as a whole, but Transformers had some wonderful-looking effects work, while The Golden Compass looked downright terrible at times.

Alan Arkin winning over Jackie Earle Haley. Nothing against Alan at all, but I was pulling for Jackie.

But the most egregious error for me has to be Jennifer Hudson winning over Adrianna Barraza. I didn't see Babel until after the Oscars, and when that film was over, I felt this horrible sense of injustice wash over me. J-Hud's performance was the equivalent of a Britney Spears concert: lots of loud noise and flash, but no substance at all. Compared to that, Barazza's performance was like watching Pavoratti sing the goddamn Nessun Dorma.
Reply
post #31 of 253
1/13/09 at 3:19am
I keep hearing that Scorsese won as a legacy award, but what exactly should have beaten The Departed?
Reply
post #32 of 253
1/13/09 at 3:26am
In 2006? Little Children, Pan's Labyrinth, Children of Men, United 93. I'm not saying Scorsese didn't deserve it, and he may have been the best of the nominees, but The Departed is - let's face it - minor Scorsese.
Reply
post #33 of 253
1/13/09 at 3:26am
I know it's just a silly little article that no one really cares about, but EW is a major magazine and news site, this bad photoshop erasure is ridiculous bad by big gun standards.

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/i...beg-1993_l.jpg

Edit to keep on topic: I still can't believe Children of Men wasn't at least nominated for best picture.
Reply
post #34 of 253
1/13/09 at 3:33am
In the Best Picture award, none of the other movies were really better, but had the Academy nominated United 93? Yeah. That.

If Marty hadn't been fucked/passed over for Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Last Temptation of Christ, Goodfellas, Gangs of New York or The Aviator (Jesus, they really did jerk him around for 30 years), the award clearly should've gone to Greengrass. But, hey, Marty was more past due for the thing than any other director alive.

Didn't CHUD do Oscar re-do polls once upon a time? I seem to remember them popping up for each year when I started coming here.
Reply
post #35 of 253
1/13/09 at 3:45am
Ken Adam not being nominated for Production Design in 1967 for YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE.



That space-rocket could actually take off. SERIOUSLY.
I repeat: HE BUILT A WORKING ROCKET.
Reply
post #36 of 253
1/13/09 at 4:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Dellamorte View Post
Because the internet is loaded with Spielberg fanboys.
Rhetorical question, but whatever.

I also think it has something to do with the fact that a film deemed chick flick won. I mean, Braveheart winning over Sense and Sensibility is a far bigger mistake, but I rarely see that mentioned.
Reply
post #37 of 253
1/13/09 at 4:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
When he tried to set up a double date with himself, Felix and the Pigeon Sisters on poker night.
Hahaha. Nice.
Reply
post #38 of 253
1/13/09 at 5:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bailey View Post
Rhetorical question, but whatever.

I also think it has something to do with the fact that a film deemed chick flick won. I mean, Braveheart winning over Sense and Sensibility is a far bigger mistake, but I rarely see that mentioned.
Sense and Sensibility is terrific, but for my money 1995 should've been Apollo 13, hands down. Revisiting that movie recently shined me on how terrific it is.
Reply
post #39 of 253
1/13/09 at 5:22am
Renee Zelwegger for Cold Mountain. I mean, COME ON. REALLY?!
Reply
post #40 of 253
1/13/09 at 9:58am
SPR for sure. Best Pic and Hanks. Although Norton could have won it and it would have been great too.

Liam Neeson - Schindler's List.

Shawshank.

JFK.

Oh, and I guess I'll be the asshole to defend Dances With Wolves. Yes, even over Goodfellas. Directing was wonderful, acting was great, cinematography was beautiful, the score is top-notch. The subject matter was western-like, but did not fall into the typical pratfalls most westerns take. One of the most powerful movies I've ever seen.
Reply
post #41 of 253
1/13/09 at 10:20am
Titanic winning over LA Confidential.
Kim Basinger in LA Confidential winning over Julianne Moore in Boogie Nights
Forrest Gump winning over Pulp Fiction, Shawshank Redemption AND Ed Wood
Reply
post #42 of 253
1/13/09 at 10:25am
I'm still a little pissed that Bill Murray lost to Sean Penn in 2004.
Reply
post #43 of 253
1/13/09 at 10:41am
The entire 2000 slate of Best Picture nominees. Gladiator, Crouching Tiger, Traffic, Erin Brockovich, and Chocolat.

I like most of those movies individually. Gladiator and Crouching Tiger, I love on many levels. But in a year where Almost Famous, Requiem For A Dream, The Virgin Suicides, and Dancer In The Dark existed, that list is kind of a bitchslap.
Reply
post #44 of 253
1/13/09 at 11:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Dellamorte View Post
But when you look at 1939, that Gone with the Wind won tells you everything. So of course Scorsese wins for The Departed. Of course. And it goes on and on like that forever.
For some reason, in my mind this sounded like Ricky Jay dialogue from a Mamet film.
Reply
post #45 of 253
1/13/09 at 11:08am
Agreed on Apollo 13. Plus, if Howard had won that year, we may have avoided the undeserved love fest A Beautiful Mind got.
Reply
post #46 of 253
1/13/09 at 11:11am
Fuck it. I prefer DANCES WITH WOLVES over GOODFELLAS. I certainly know which one I return to more. Love GOODFELLAS, love Scorsese, but I think DWW is a tremendous film (and the extended version's even better).

I also prefer SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE to SPR, but the best film of 1998 was OUT OF SIGHT, which wasn't nominated.
Reply
post #47 of 253
1/13/09 at 11:28am
If Scorsese had won for Raging Bull or Taxi Driver, GoodFellas losing to Dances with Wolves would have been easier to swallow. It's the idea that here's MARTIN SCORSESE losing to a guy who's directing his first film that I think creates a lot of the ire.
Reply
post #48 of 253
1/13/09 at 11:30am
1985

Sydney Pollack won Best Director for Out of Africa. Over Akira Kurosawa for Ran.

1968

Oliver! wins Best Picture. 2001: A Space Odyssey not even nominated.
Reply
post #49 of 253
1/13/09 at 11:31am
Put it this way... GOODFELLAS is better directed. But DANCES WITH WOLVES is the film I enjoy more.
Reply
post #50 of 253
1/13/09 at 11:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan "Nordling" Cerny View Post
Put it this way... GOODFELLAS is better directed. But DANCES WITH WOLVES is the film I enjoy more.
That's kind of an odd statement, and one that is really impossible to argue against. Still, you're talking about the masterpiece by one of our greatest living directors being passed over by what you seem to be describing as a lesser but more likeable film.

Then again I'm pretty biased as there's probably no movie I've seen more times than Goodfellas.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Movie Miscellany
CHUD.com Community › Forums › THE MAIN SEWER › Movie Miscellany › The worst Oscar mistakes