Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2014

Welcome to a returning weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion was the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed. Here’s a look back at this most recent Oscar race.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2014

Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher) for Best Director
Why it wasn’t going to happen: While it initially seemed like this film would be a major Oscar contender in many categories, by the time Oscar season started, all the attention was on stars Steve Carell and Mark Ruffalo and not on the film itself. A Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture – Drama wasn’t accompanied by a corresponding Best Director bid, and Miller didn’t score with the DGA either. Since the Best Picture field was expanded beyond five nominees, the “lone director slot” had ceased to become a thing, and therefore “Foxcatcher” not contending for Best Picture also detracted its chances to show up here.

How it happened: Miller was an Oscar nominee for his first film, “Capote,” and his next film, “Moneyball,” reaped a Best Picture bid even though he didn’t get one. Clearly Oscar voters like him even if they didn’t warm to his film, which earned only Best Original Screenplay and Best Makeup bids in addition to Miller and his two stars. Golden Globe-nominated director David Fincher’s “Gone Girl” was clearly despised by Oscar voters, knocking him out of contention, and fellow Globe honoree Ava DuVernay suffered from her film “Selma” being seen by precious few people. Clint Eastwood’s “American Sniper” peaked too late, though I think many were surprised to see Miller here over Oscar veteran Eastwood.

Was it deserved: I don’t think so. It’s an odd, chilling story, but there’s nothing about Miller’s style that really did it for me. Best Picture nominees “The Theory of Everything” or “Selma” would have been sounder selections, and even “Gone Girl” feels like a more sharply directed film than this slow burn of a dramatic thriller. It’s hardly the worst Oscar inclusion, but far from the best surprise one.

Come back next week for a look at The Deadlocked Duel of 2014. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments. There a few contenders for this one, so chime in if you have a pick!

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2012

Welcome to a returning weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion was the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed. With the 2013 Oscar season wrapped, it’s time to take a look back at the past two years.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2012

Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild) for Best Director
Why it wasn’t going to happen: It’s obvious that an argument would have been made in any year to include then thirty-year-old director Benh Zeitlin in an Oscar lineup, but that doesn’t mean it was actually going to happen. Zeitlin netted a few precursor mentions for his directing efforts, but the shutout his film received from the Golden Globes and SAG, it wasn’t even looking secure that it would be one of the ten possible Best Picture nominees. Without the “lone director” slot in existence anymore, Zeitlin’s chances seemed even slimmer.

How it happened: I’ve written much on how the lineup turned out the way it did – most recently in my Big Snub of 2012 post about Ben Affleck being omitted. But what got Zeitlin in particular here is that he was a fresh young director helming his debut feature, which is a movie you could really love. Starting out strong at Sundance helped, and being released by Fox Searchlight was also a plus. Mostly, Oscar voters just threw this whole category for a loop, one which Zeitlin rode along with his film to a four-nomination haul. Voting for Michel Haneke wasn’t enough; this was a way to honor an American filmmaker.

Was it deserved: Absolutely. This was my favorite film of 2012, hands-down, and Zeitlin was an enormous part of it. When people talk about directorial vision and auteurship, this is what they mean. This was an astounding start for a filmmaker, and it’s one of the times Oscar voters actually got it right. If only he had won…

Come back next week for a look at The Deadlocked Duel of 2012. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments. There a few contenders for this one, so chime in if you have a pick!

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2013

Welcome to a returning weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion was the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed. With the 2013 Oscar season wrapped, it’s time to take a look back at the past two years.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2013

Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street) for Best Supporting Actor
Why it wasn’t going to happen: A few years ago, no one would have said that Jonah Hill would ever be a two-time Oscar nominee. His comedic start in films like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up” and “Superbad” didn’t indicate any talent that might be termed even remotely dramatic. Somehow, in 2011, he rode the “Moneyball” buzz to an Oscar nomination for his mature but entertaining performance. His performance looked great in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” but once awards season was underway, Hill was rarely anywhere to be found even when his leading costar, Leonardo DiCaprio, was nominated.

How it happened: In 2011, Hill earned both a Golden Globe and SAG nomination, making him seem like a sure thing for an Oscar nod. Usually, those two do add up to the third, but DiCaprio found himself with Globe and SAG mentions in 2011 for “J. Edgar” only to be snubbed by Oscar. Daniel Bruhl, star of “Rush,” experienced the same thing in 2013, leaving one spot open, while Globe nominee Bradley Cooper edged out SAG’s fifth choice, James Gandolfini. Hill found himself the benefactor of that newly-open slot.

Was it deserved: To a degree. Bruhl’s performance is certainly a much more involved, accomplished one, and it was a shame to see his film shut out completely. The same is true of Gandolfini and “Enough Said.” But there is something impressive about the way that Hill burrows himself completely into this despicable role and makes his worm-like character such a delight to watch. It may not be Oscar-worthy, but it does deserve some commendation.

Come back next week for a look at The Surprise Inclusion of 2012. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments. There a few contenders for this one, so chime in if you have a pick!

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2010

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion is the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2010:

The Coen Brothers (True Grit) for Best Director

Why it wasn’t going to happen: It’s not as if this nomination comes as a complete shock, but rather, it wasn’t expected for a number of reasons. In 2007, this duo won first directorial prize for “No Country for Old Men” after taking home a screenplay trophy back in 1996 for “Fargo.” In 2009, they managed their third Best Picture nod for “A Serious Man,” and seemed on track for another one for “True Grit” despite the Golden Globe shut-out for the film. When DGA nominations rolled around, they were the exact same as the Golden Globe list, leaving the Coen Brothers destined for recognition in other categories.

How it happened: Two reasons: the first is as a result of The Big Snub discussed two weeks ago, and the second is because sometimes being popular means getting recognized frequently rather than winning once and then being forgotten. Those unimpressed with the confusing sci-fi nature of “Inception” swapped out Christopher Nolan for this duo, and their film managed a record haul for a Coen Brothers film: ten nominations.

Was it deserved? In this reviewer’s opinion, no. The film wasn’t nearly as strong as the previously mentioned three films they made earlier in their careers. Nolan didn’t deserve to be ousted for them. As it turns out, the film didn’t manage to win any of its ten bids, putting it right in line with another (albeit much better) film from an oft-nominated director, “Gangs of New York.”

Come back next week for a look at the Deadlocked Duel of 2011. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments.

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2011

Welcome back to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion is the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2011:

”Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” for Best Picture

Why it wasn’t going to happen: Precursors don’t mean everything, but they’re awfully helpful. When a film picks up just two Best Picture bids in the run-up to Oscar nominations day, from the BFCA and the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association, a bid in the top category doesn’t seem likely. Even fellow surprise nominee “The Tree of Life” achieved more than that. There certainly were other films, like “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” in line ahead of it for the up to ten spots.

How it happened: Stephen Daldry has a way with Oscar voters. His first three films netted him nominations for Best Director, and the latter two scored Best Picture bids. His fourth film peaked late but still managed to get nominated for Best Picture and for Best Supporting Actor Max Von Sydow. Having Oscar mainstay Tom Hanks and new Oscar darling Sandra Bullock in the cast probably helped, and a deftly-handled sensitive subject matter must have torn at voters’ heartstrings.

Was it deserved? Based on the fact that it was announced out of alphabetical order as a sort of tack-on to the rest of the list, most people will tell you no. I’d argue, however, that it was a strongly-constructed, immensely moving film that got painted as something more artificial and released too late for enough people to be able to see it to say otherwise. I think it’s a worthwhile inclusion for a film that was ignored far too much.

Come back next week for a look at the Surprise Inclusion of 2010. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments.

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2002

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion is the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2002:

Pedro Almodovar (Talk to Her) for Best Director
Why it wasn’t going to happen: Despite working prolifically for over twenty years, Almodovar’s success at the Oscars had been relegated to the Best Foreign Film Category. His 1988 film “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” earned a nomination, and his 1999 film “All About My Mother” took home the award. From 1996 on, the “lone director” nominee at the Oscars had been a veteran filmmaker like Milos Forman, Peter Weir, and David Lynch or the director of an English-language film rather than a foreign director. The directing field was also quite crowded, with the helmers of the five Best Picture frontrunners as well as directors like Spike Jonze and Alexander Payne.

How it happened: The time had come for this great Spanish director to be recognized. “Talk to Her” wasn’t submitted by Spain in the Best Foreign Film category, so voters presumably wanted to honor his latest work in some other way. “Talk to Her” also earned a nomination for Best Original Screenplay, along with Mexican film “Y Tu Mama Tambien.” Almodovar managed oust “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson from the Best Director field (though he would return the following year and win), and he also win the Best Original Screenplay Oscar, cementing his status on IMDB as an Oscar winner since their records give credit for Best Foreign Film honors to the film’s origin country.

Was it deserved? Absolutely. “Talk to Her” is a brilliant and beautiful film, among the best of 2002. Almodovar’s direction is magnificent, and he’s proven that in his two most recent films. It’s a good thing that Almodovar did earn his directing nod and writing win, however, since “Volver” got snubbed in the Best Foreign Film category despite earning a Best Actress nomination for Penelope Cruz and “Broken Embraces,” my fifth favorite film of 2009, didn’t earn a single mention.

Come back next week for the first installment of the next series of the Wednesday Oscar Retrospective! I’ll be taking a look at the Deadlocked Duel of 2009 to start.

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2003

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion is the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2003:

Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) for Best Actress
Preface: 2003 should go on record as the signature year in the past decade that featured the most surprising nominations announcement and most boring awards distribution. “Cold Mountain,” Evan Rachel Wood, and Maria Bello were all snubbed, while Samantha Morton, Djimon Hounsou, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Marcia Gay Harden, and Fernando Meirelles all made it in. This was a tough choice, but it’s what I remember being the most surprising.

Why it wasn’t going to happen: “Whale Rider” was an indie from New Zealand that opened on nine screens in the U.S. in June and grossed only $20 million over the course of six months. The film earned a number of nominations and wins for Most Promising Filmmaker Niki Caro and Most Promising Performer Castle-Hughes, who was only thirteen years old at the time. Castle-Hughes was not among the nominees for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes, and the film didn’t earn any nominations either. When the SAG nominations were announced, Castle-Hughes was on the Best Supporting Actress list despite being the definitive and inarguable lead of the film. Even if Castle-Hughes had a long shot chance at a nomination, it would likely be in the wrong category.

How it happened: In 2003, only the winners in each of the Golden Globe Best Actress categories went on to earn Oscar nominations. SAG nominee Naomi Watts (“21 Grams”) joined Charlize Theron (“Monster”) and Diane Keaton (“Something’s Gotta Give”) in the Oscar lineup. SAG nominee Patricia Clarkson had to settle for just one supporting nomination for “Pieces of April” since the SAG-honored “The Station Agent” didn’t sway Oscar voters, freeing up a slot for “In America” star Samantha Morton. Strangely enough, Castle-Hughes earned a promotion and beat out similarly young Evan Rachel Woood, who at sixteen played the lead role in “Thirteen,” which voters clearly thought was supported amply by Holly Hunter as the teen’s mom. Castle-Hughes defied the odds and became the youngest Best Actress nominee in history.

Was it deserved? While Wood didn’t make it in, this is one of the rare cases where Oscar voters actually got it right and honored a deserving young actress in the right category. Her post-Oscar career may not have been too bright, featuring a lead role in the flop “The Nativity Story” and a pregnancy at age sixteen, but her performance in “Whale Rider” was an excellent, mature debut.

Come back next week for a look at the Surprise Inclusion of 2002. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments. Also, what do you want to see as the theme for the next Wednesday Oscar Retrospective series, beginning in two weeks?

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2004

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion is the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2004:

Alan Alda (The Aviator) for Best Supporting Actor
Why it wasn’t going to happen: Despite winning multiple Emmy Awards and Golden Globes for his starring role on the TV version of “MASH,” Alda had never earned an Oscar nomination. His problem with surefire Best Picture contender “The Aviator” was similar to what had befallen him in the past: other supporting stars in the same film. Alda won prizes from the National Board of Review and National Society of Film Critics for “Crimes and Misdemeanors” in 1989, he found himself snubbed in favor of costar Martin Landau at the Oscars. Alda didn’t have a big part in “The Aviator,” and attention might instead be focused on previous Oscar nominees like Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, and John C. Reilly, regardless of the size of their parts.

How it happened: Mostly, Alda was carried by his film. Even though it was eventually knocked out by Clint Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby,” Martin Scorsese’s epic reaped eleven Oscar nominations. Scoring in all the top categories and most of the technical ones made it easier for another acting nominee to slip in. Alda was able to get into the Supporting Actor category particularly because his film was typical Oscar fare, giving him an edge over Golden Globe and SAG nominees like David Carradine (“Kill Bill Vol. 2” was too violent) and James Garner (“The Notebook” was too sappy). Taking the place of young actor Freddie Highmore (“Finding Neverland”) was easy – Alda been paying his dues for over thirty years.

Was it deserved? The way Alda says “Just who the hell do you think you are” to Leonardo DiCaprio’s Howard Hughes is running through my head as I write this. While I think that Carradine really deserved a nod, this is a sort of subtle tour de force performance from a fine actor who has delivered many great performances over the year and clearly deserved some recognition. Plus, it wasn’t a fluke. Alda won an Emmy two years later for his performance on “The West Wing,” continuing to do great work at an age where most actors stop trying.

Come back next week for a look at the Surprise Inclusion of 2003. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments. Also, what do you want to see as the theme for the next Wednesday Oscar Retrospective series, beginning in three weeks?

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2005

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion is the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2005:

William Hurt (A History of Violence) for Best Supporting Actor
Why it wasn’t going to happen: While there were early accolades for “A History of Violence” and its director David Cronenberg, the film quickly fell victim to an extraordinarily busy year of Best Picture contenders. Three films not nominated for the top Golden Globe – “Capote,” “Crash,” and “Munich” – joined frontrunners “Brokeback Mountain,” “Good Night, and Good Luck,” and “Walk the Line,” leaving behind this film and countless others. Hurt earned three critics’ awards for his one-scene performance but didn’t place on any major list of nominees, where the main contenders were George Clooney, Matt Dillon, Paul Giamatti, Jake Gyllenhaal.

How it happened: Hurt snuck into a category that wasn’t crowded. Voters previously nominated Hurt three years in a row for his lead performances in “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “Children of a Lesser God,” and “Broadcast News.” He won on his first try in 1985. There hadn’t been a chance to honor him since the 80s, so voters likely enjoyed the opportunity to pay tribute to an actor still doing good work. There wasn’t room for “A History of Violence” in the Best Picture, Best Director, or Best Actor categories, but this was a good place to recognize the film, which earned only one additional nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Was it deserved?: No. Putting aside the fact that I didn’t personally like Hurt in the film, his performance clocked in at less than ten minutes. I’m never in favor of that, and his case certainly doesn’t merit an exception (like, say, Mark Wahlberg in “The Departed). There were many more actors that year, like Matt Damon in “Syriana” or Ludacris (yes, seriously) in “Crash,” who should have gotten in over him.

Come back next week for a look at the Surprise Inclusion of 2004. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments.

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2006

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion is the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2006:

“Letters from Iwo Jima” for Best Picture
Why it wasn’t going to happen: Director Clint Eastwood earned twin Golden Globe nods for directing for this and his English-language version of the story from the American perspective, “Flags of our Fathers.” Because “Letters” wasn’t in English, it was relegated to the Best Foreign Film category at the Golden Globes, where it took home the award. The Oscars require stricter standards for their foreign films, so the film wouldn’t be eligible in that category. Eastwood lost the Globe to Martin Scorsese, and failed to pick up a DGA nod. The PGA and DGA lists boasted the same five films – “Babel,” “The Departed,” “Dreamgirls,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” and “The Queen” – all of which seemed primed to earn Oscar nods for Best Picture.

How it happened: “Dreamgirls” experienced a shocking backlash, snubbed in the Best Picture and Best Director races but still earning eight nominations. It seems the power of song wasn’t as influential as Eastwood, who had previously helmed three Best Picture nominees, two of which had taken home both Best Picture and Best Director. While reviews hadn’t been universally strong for “Flags of our Fathers,” “Letters from Iwo Jima” did win the National Board of Review award for Best Film as well as a handful of mentions from critics groups for Best Foreign Film.

Was it deserved? I still don’t understand why “Dreamgirls” performed so poorly in the top categories at the Oscars, but I don’t think people were too disappointed at that time. In my opinion, they’re both very good films, and I can see how “Dreamgirls” might be considered inferior to something like “Chicago,” whereas “Letters from Iwo Jima” utilizes cinematic tools well in a far less showy way. I do think that both films are much stronger than a couple of the Best Picture nominees that year (“Babel” and “The Queen”) and not nearly as terrific as the other two (“The Departed” and “Little Miss Sunshine”). Overall, I think this is one inclusion about which I don’t really have much of an opinion.

Come back next week for a look at the Surprise Inclusion of 2005. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments.

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2007

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion is the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2007:

Tommy Lee Jones (In the Valley of Elah) for Best Actor
Why it wasn’t going to happen: Despite being touted early on as a contender, along with supporting actress Susan Sarandon, Jones didn’t earn any major precursor nominations. Four actors were nominated for both the Golden Globe and SAG in the leading actor category – George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, Ryan Gosling, and Viggo Mortensen – with plenty of others who earned just one of the two – Johnny Depp, Emile Hirsch, James McAvoy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Denzel Washington – in the running. There simply wasn’t any room for Jones.

How it happened: While Gosling didn’t make the final cut, his spot was taken by Depp, whose SAG snub came as a surprise and was likely due to the film not having been screened by voters. Jones was able to sneak in by taking Emile Hirsch’s spot, likely for two reasons. SAG nominee Hirsch was only twenty-two years old, and while Oscar voters sometimes make exceptions, usually they don’t honor younger actors. The 61-year-old Jones, by contrast, was an established actor and a two-time nominee and winner for 1993’s “The Fugitive.” Jorge Rodrigues reminds me that Jones also had the advantage of having a SAG nomination for his other big role that year - in eventual Best Picture winner "No Country for Old Men." For some inexplicable reason, “Into the Wild” also experienced an Oscar backlash, earning only two nominations, film editing and supporting actor. Hirsch got snubbed, and veteran actor Jones took his place.

Was it deserved? I would say so. While Hirsch’s performance was truly terrific and I’d gladly leave off one of the others – like Clooney – to make room for Jones, there’s no denying that Jones really is an excellent actor. Front and center in one of the first major films to deal with the war in Iraq, Jones performed commendably and helped make this underrated film one of the most powerful of the year.

Come back next week for a look at the Surprise Inclusion of 2006. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments.

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2008

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion is the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2008:

“The Reader” for Best Picture
Why it wasn’t going to happen: Both 2008 films starring Kate Winslet earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Picture and Best Director along with “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Frost/Nixon,” and “Slumdog Millionaire.” In the subsequent stages of the Oscar race, both were replaced by “The Dark Knight” and “Milk” in the lineup for the DGA and PGA, and “The Dark Knight” took the final slot for Best Adapted Screenplay over both films. Just as it looked certain that Winslet would earn Oscar nominations for both films, it was just as certain that neither would make much of a splash elsewhere on the list of Oscar nominees.

How it happened: Even though “The Dark Knight” was looking like a sure thing to earn a nomination for Best Picture, many still suspected that Oscar voters wouldn’t be hip enough to reward a fantasy film about a superhero. Instead, this very traditional Oscar fare which also had to do with the Holocaust took its spot. What probably helped was that voters clearly preferred it to “Revolutionary Road,” bumping her “Reader” role up to lead and leaving the other film with a mere three minor nominations, while “The Reader” reaped five: Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actress, and Cinematography. Director Stephen Daldry also pulled off the amazing feat of earning his third nomination for Best Director – for his third film! Christopher Nolan, on the other hand, saw his previous films earn no more than two nominations apiece, and he had to settle for his latest getting eight but still not the top prize.

Was it deserved? Most people will probably tell you no. Whenever anyone discussed “The Reader” in most Oscar-related presentations, the big joke was that no one had seen it. If most people have since then (which they likely haven’t), it’s almost certain that they weren’t impressed and definitely didn’t think that it should have been nominated over fan favorite “The Dark Knight.” Consider also the Metacritic scores for each film: Batman earned an impressive 82, while "The Reader" failed with a 58.

Come back next week for a look at the Surprise Inclusion of 2007. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments. Congratulations to G1000 for correctly predicting this week’s choice.

Wednesday Oscar Retrospective: The Surprise Inclusion of 2009

Welcome to a new weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Wednesday Oscar Retrospective. The Surprise Inclusion is the third in a series of projects looking back at the past eight years of the Oscars, dating back to the first ceremony I watched and closely followed.

Each year, the Oscar nominations announcement presents several shocking names and films. This series is devoted to analyzing the biggest and most surprising inclusion of all (in any category). It has nothing to do with personal opinion but rather with what was considered a surprise at the time compared with what most people were predicting. Once again, this is a film/director/actor whose nomination was unexpected.

The Surprise Inclusion of 2009:

Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart) for Best Supporting Actress
Why it wasn’t going to happen: “Crazy Heart” was all about star Jeff Bridges and his career-topping performance. The film wasn’t even on anyone’s radar until Fox Searchlight suddenly announced at the beginning of November that it would be released the following month. No one was quite sure whether Gyllenhaal should be classified a leading or supporting contender, and she also had another performance, in Sam Mendes’ “Away We Go” from the summer, eligible in the supporting category, though she surely had no shot at a nomination for that. Gyllenhaal’s name was thrown around early on, but by the time Oscar nomination day rolled around, few were predicting her (though Nathaniel of The Film Experience managed to call it the night before).

How it happened: The Golden Globe and SAG lineups shared four actresses in common – Penelope Cruz (Nine), Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air), Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air), and Mo’Nique (Precious). The fifth nominee at the Globes was Julianne Moore (A Single Man), and she likely lost out due to her limited screen time. SAG-nominated Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds) probably split the vote with her costar Melanie Laurent. Since everyone was seeing “Crazy Heart” based on the positive buzz surrounding Bridges, it seems to make sense that they noticed Gyllenhaal as well. Additionally, Gyllenhaal had earned Golden Globe nominations and good reviews for her performances in “Secretary” and “Sherrybaby,” and some may have felt she was overdue for a nomination.

Was it deserved? Bridges’ performance is definitely the one that carries the film, and Gyllenhaal’s doesn’t even compare. It’s very much like Ethan Hawke earning a nomination in 2001 for supporting Denzel Washington in “Training Day,” something that doesn’t necessarily represent the work of the lesser performer but instead demonstrates how well the film worked. I’m not sure I agree with the recognition for this performance of Gyllenhaal’s (though she was a runner-up on my list for her turn in “Away We Go”), but she’s definitely an actress who should have at least one Oscar nomination by now.

Come back next week for a look at the Surprise Inclusion of 2008. If you have a prediction or a suggestion, please leave it in the comments.