My Cart - You may have seen in the news recently that the Lego Movie may have captured the hearts of millions, achieved a 96% ‘fresh’ rating on web review site Rotten Tomatoes, and has become the highest grossing film of 2014. But that didn’t stop the Academy Award chaps and chapettes from completely over-looking the awesome animation in their Best Animated Picture nominations.
But maybe it’s unsurprising, given just how many bad calls the Oscar folk have made since they started slapping each other’s backs way back in 1929. From not giving the right film Best Picture, to giving the wrong person the Best Actor or Actress Award, let’s take a look at the absolute worst decisions ever made by the Academy, starting with…
Marisa Tomei
Probably the most famous flub of all time was giving the largely forgettable Marisa Tomei Best Supporting Actress for her stint in My Cousin Vinny. Sure, the film’s pretty funny. But Oscar-worthy? Geddouttatown! Some reckon that when professional lush Jack Palance opened the envelope at the 1992 award he just went ahead and read the wrong name. Given the strength of Tomei’s competition, and her utter blandness, that’s not entirely unbelievable. And to think, they could’ve given the Award to, well, literally anybody else. Anybody.
Leonardo Di Caprio
As early as 1995’s The Basketball Diaries, ol’ Leo was showing serious promise as an actor, until his managers cleaned up his image, made him kid-friendly and shoved in little known films like Romeo + Juliet and Titanic. Whatever they are. Anyway, since then he’s really come along with outstanding roles in Shutter Island, Catch Me If You Can, The Departed and The Wolf of Wall Street. And how did the Academy repay him? By literally never giving him an Oscar. For anything. Ever. Showbiz, man…
Citizen Kane (And The Maltese Falcon)
Ask any movie buff where they stand on Orson Welle’s incredible Citizen Kane and you’re sure to hear a whole lotta praise. And it’s well-deserved, often ranking as the best American picture ever made. But that didn’t stop the Academy from snubbing it. Ok, it got a Best Original Screenplay Award. But no Best Picture. They could’ve even given that award to iconic film noir The Maltese Falcon, starring Humphrey Bogart as smart PI Sam Spade. But oh no. They gave that honour to… How Green Was My Valley, about strike action in Wales – filmed in Malibu, of course.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Decades, nay, centuries from now, people will still be speculating on just how Cuba Gooding Jr. managed to nab Best Supporting Actor for his role in Cameron Crowe’s Jerry Maguire. It’s a good comic role, and Cuba plays it bang-on. But should it have won an Oscar? Really? You can’t help but wonder whether the Academy said to Gooding Jr.’s agent, ‘Show me the money!’ and his agent obliged.
The Sound of Music
Nazis, don’t you just love to hate ‘em? They’re the ultimate bad guy – pure, filthy evil distilled. There’s no need to give them any defining characteristics in films. Just call your villain a Nazi and we know immediately that they’re scum of the Earth. And what about nuns? Do you like nuns? How about singing nuns in wartime Austria? Like them? Well, the Academy certainly does, if the 1965 Best Picture Award is anything to go by. Ok, it was a pretty bad year for films, but…The Sound of Music? D’oh – oh dear…
All the President’s Men (And Taxi Driver)
Rocky is awesome. Stallone – Boom! Underdog – Boom! Amazing stuff. Proper popcorn movie that we love. But… Oscar winner? Back in 1977 they went and gave John G Avildsen Best Director for it. And that’d be fine, if it weren’t for the fact that he was sizing up against Alan J Packula for a cheeky little movie called All the President’s Men. And to add insult to (boxing) injury – Scorsese wasn’t even nominated for one of the best films of his career, Taxi Driver. You talkin’ to me?
So as you can see, the Lego Movie is part of a long and ignominious list of poor choices made by the Academy Award suits. But you can still show it some love, and tons more, on DVD! If you love watching movies, make sure you’re seeing them in the best way possible – on a television that really captures everything. And we can help – we specialise in stocking excellent Cheap TVs that look awesome and won’t break the bank. For more info on our stock, check out our website or contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
