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Over the decades, the Oscars have established themselves as the film industry's most prestigious awards. However, the Academy's selection doesn't always reflect popular consensus or even the deserved recognition of great works and talent in cinema.
Many remarkable films, directors, and actors were unfairly left out or ignored at crucial moments. 🎬
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This is a topic that sparks heated debate among film fans and critics: which masterpieces have been underrated or overlooked?
Why were certain acclaimed films completely ignored? And what controversial Academy decisions continue to resonate today?
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In this text, we will explore emblematic cases that marked the history of the Oscars and raised questions about the award criteria.
Get ready to revisit productions that won audiences' hearts but didn't take home the statuette, and discover intriguing behind-the-scenes details of some of the most controversial decisions. After all, the best aren't always crowned, and these "injustices" continue to fuel heated debate in the entertainment world. 🍿
The Biggest Snubs: When the Oscars Decided Not to Open the Door to Classics
Ah, the Oscars! That glamorous event where celebrities parade their finest outfits while we try to guess whether the acceptance speech will feature more tears or forced jokes. But behind the glitter, there's a dark underworld of unfairly snubbed films. What does the Academy have against some of cinema's greatest classics? Are they heartless? Did they forget their glasses when voting? 🤔
The Case of “Pulp Fiction” and Resistance to the Tarantino Style
Just imagine: it's 1995, you just watched "Pulp Fiction" and is convinced that Quentin Tarantino deserves to take home a statuette. The film revolutionized narrative in cinema, introduced dialogue that became memes (before memes even existed), and transformed the Cheese Royale into a global concept. But what happened? It lost to "Forrest Gump."
Don't get me wrong, I love "Forrest Gump." Who doesn't love a good story about a man outrunning the GPS app in the middle of a bug? 🏃♂️ But between you and me, "Pulp Fiction" is one of those films that redefines cinema. It's like comparing a brand-new iPhone to that brick-and-mortar Nokia: both are great, but one is clearly more innovative.
- Injustice: “Pulp Fiction” lost the Oscar for Best Picture to “Forrest Gump.”
- Revolution: The film popularized non-linear storytelling.
- Cultural impact: To this day, it is a reference in film courses.
If you think it was fair, you might need to watch it again. And then watch it again, because Tarantino has that thing: the more you watch, the better it gets.
When “The Shining” Scared Everyone, Including the Academy
In 1980, Stanley Kubrick released “The Shining”, a film that made us rethink our vacations in isolated hotels in the snow. Jack Nicholson delivered such an insane performance that, to this day, if someone shouts "Here's Johnny!" near a door, we get chills. And what did the Academy do? Pretend it didn't matter. Not a Best Picture nomination. Not a Best Actor nomination. Not a pat on the back. Nothing.
Why Was “The Shining” Ignored?
Here's my theory: Academy voters probably had to sleep with the lights on after seeing the film. It was a lot of psychological stress for them to deal with. Plus, at the time, horror was seen as drama's awkward cousin, the one you only invite to parties because your mother told you to. Today, sure, "The Shining" is considered a masterpiece. But back then? Not even a "thanks for the scare," Kubrick. What a blunder!
- Total absence: No Oscar nominations.
- Absolute classic: The film is still a reference in psychological horror today.
- Memorable: “Redrum”, anyone? 🪓
I just know that if I were Kubrick, I would have sent a not-so-subtle message to the Academy… maybe something with an axe.
When "Life is Beautiful" Cried and Oscar Gave an Embarrassed Smile
If you managed to watch “Life is Beautiful” Without shedding a single tear, congratulations, you're a robot. This film is an emotional punch in the gut, but in a beautiful, poetic way that makes you cry on the bus and not care. Roberto Benigni created a work that blends humor, drama, and hope, all amidst the horror of World War II.
Why Didn't the Oscars Fully Recognize It?
In 1999, "Life is Beautiful" was nominated for Best Picture, but lost to "Shakespeare in Love." Yes, you read that right. A film about a playwright and his fictional love life won over a story about love and sacrifice during the Holocaust. Nothing against Shakespeare, but did he really need that Oscar? I think he already had enough recognition, you know?
- Partial victory: Roberto Benigni won for Best Actor (fair enough, go).
- Unexpected defeat: Lost the Best Picture award.
- Cultural impact: To this day, it is considered one of the greatest foreign films ever made.
Benigni at least climbed onto the chairs when he was giving his acceptance speech. Which is more than I would have done, because I would have stayed under the table crying.
The Big Scam: “The Dark Knight” and the Contempt for Pop Cinema
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the Oscars ignoring superhero movies once again. In 2009, “The Dark Knight” transformed the genre into something even art critics found respectable. Christopher Nolan delivered a film packed with action, tension, and a chilling performance by Heath Ledger as the Joker. But what happened? They snubbed the film in the Best Picture category.
Why Does Academia Avoid Pop?
The Academy has always had this habit of turning its nose up at films that draw crowds. It's as if they're saying, "If the audience liked it, then it's not real cinema." But "The Dark Knight" broke barriers and proved that a blockbuster can be as profound as an indie drama with a budget of three cups of coffee.
- Indications: He was nominated in several technical categories and won Best Supporting Actor (Heath Ledger, of course).
- Injustice: It wasn't even nominated for Best Picture.
- Revolution: The pressure was so great that the Academy expanded the number of Best Picture nominees the following year.
If it were up to me, “The Dark Knight” would have won an Oscar just for the line “Why so serious?” It would be fair, right? 😏
ET – The Alien Who Deserved an Oscar, But Was Abducted
In 1983, Steven Spielberg released “ET – The Extraterrestrial”, a story that made children and adults alike cry in the theater as they gazed up at the sky, waiting for a friendly alien to come visit. It was a cultural phenomenon, a rollercoaster of emotions. And what did the Academy do? They awarded the Oscar for Best Picture to "Gandhi."
Gandhi Versus ET: The Battle of the Century
Look, I'm not going to dismiss "Gandhi." It's an incredible, inspiring film with a flawless Ben Kingsley in the lead role. But "ET" brought something few films can: pure, genuine emotion. Not to mention it helped sell bicycles and phones worldwide. 🚲📞
- Indications: It received 9 nominations, but only won in technical categories.
- Impact: It is considered one of the greatest films of all time.
- Forgetfulness: Lost to “Gandhi” for Best Picture.
If the Academy had a heart, "ET" would have won. But it seems they were more interested in historical films than in films that make you want to hug your stuffed animal. 🤷♂️
Conclusion
Throughout the history of the Oscars, several controversial decisions have left their mark on the memories of moviegoers and film fans around the world. 🎥 Masterpieces that revolutionized the seventh art, iconic performances, and visionary direction haven't always received the recognition they deserve from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This leads us to reflect on the criteria adopted and the possible external factors that influence these decisions, such as politics, popularity, and even aggressive marketing campaigns. 🤔
While the prestige associated with the Oscars is undeniable, it's important to remember that a film's value isn't limited to one award. Many productions that didn't win the statuette have earned a special place in audiences' hearts and become true timeless classics. ❤️ These "injustices" can also serve as an invitation to revisit these underrated works, reevaluating their merits and recognizing their cultural impact.
So, instead of just lamenting the Academy's choices, how about we use this as an opportunity to expand our cinematic repertoire? 🌟 After all, the true power of cinema lies in its ability to move, provoke reflection, and connect people—with or without an Oscar on the shelf. 🎬
