One of many first important pushes by Netflix when it entered the movie awards sport was Dee Rees’ racial and sophistication drama “Mudbound.” Coming after her gorgeous debut “Pariah,” she shines a lightweight on two households in post-World Conflict II Mississippi, bringing an evocative and highly effective story to life. The movie made historical past in varied methods — Rachel Morrison grew to become the primary lady nominated for cinematography, star Mary J. Blige was the primary particular person nominated for appearing and track in the identical yr, and Rees herself was the primary Black lady nominated for tailored screenplay (which she shared with co-writer Virgil Williams). The directing effort couldn’t get sufficient traction, leaving her luscious work on the outskirts.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Paul Thomas Anderson (“Phantom Thread”), Guillermo del Toro (“The Form of Water”), Greta Gerwig (“Woman Hen”), Christopher Nolan (“Dunkirk”), Jordan Peele (“Get Out”)

Individuals are likely to overlook that regardless of the epic “Lord of the Rings” trilogy receiving three consecutive finest image nominations for every of its entries, that wasn’t the case for director Peter Jackson. The New Zealand native constructed “Helm’s Deep,” the 40-minute battle sequence that set the document for probably the most intensive and prolonged in movie historical past. Writer J.R.R. Tolkien’s story is totally realized with over 200,000 preventing characters that hold viewers on the sting of their seats. The DGA acknowledged the deserves of his imaginative and prescient, however the smaller administrators’ department regarded elsewhere.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Pedro Almodóvar (“Discuss to Her”), Stephen Daldry (“The Hours”), Rob Marshall (“Chicago”), Roman Polanski (“The Pianist”), Martin Scorsese (“Gangs of New York”)

The Academy prolonged its eligibility yr in 2020 to accommodate the results of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Hollywood trade. Many might recall “Nomadland” sweeping the awards season, finally occurring to win finest image. Oscar observers won’t know that Shaka King’s interval thriller, which appears at how the F.B.I. hunted and murdered Black Panther chairman Fred Hampton, was the seemingly runner-up. One of many closing movies to launch in February 2021, it went on to win supporting actor for Daniel Kaluuya and a shock trophy for the unique track “Battle for You” by H.E.R.

Whereas it was disappointing to not hear King’s title on nomination morning, it made historical past as the primary all-Black producing workforce to be acknowledged by the Oscars, together with his fellow producers Charles King and Ryan Coogler.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Lee Isaac Chung (“Minari”), Emerald Fennell (“Promising Younger Lady”), David Fincher (“Mank”), Thomas Vinterberg (“One other Spherical”), Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”)

Comedies at all times end final. Married filmmakers Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris’ heartwarming comedy a couple of quirky household en path to a magnificence pageant nonetheless resonates years later. Their path expertly navigates the dysfunctional dynamics of the Hoover household, making intricate decisions on when to concentrate on any of the ensemble members, together with Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette and Oscar-winner Alan Arkin. The characters and intelligent humor (due to Michael Arndt’s script) permit Dayton and Faris to indicate off their abilities in bringing a singular and endearing story to life. The PGA and SAG successful movie, which additionally garnered a DGA nom, got here up brief ultimately.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Clint Eastwood (“Letters from Iwo Jima”), Stephen Frears (“The Queen”), Paul Greengrass (“United 93”), Alejandro González Iñárritu (“Babel”), Martin Scorsese (“The Departed”)

Joe Wright’s sophomore directorial function effort after the gorgeous adaptation of “Delight and Prejudice” (2005) was the visible stunner referred to as “Atonement.” Wright’s directorial prowess within the interval drama that stars James McAvoy and Keira Knightley sees him assuredly stitching collectively the fragile narrative penned by Christopher Hampton. Nevertheless, his workforce of artisans, most notably seen in a five-minute monitoring shot with breathtaking cinematography by Seamus McGarvey, stays probably the most memorable. Seven Oscar noms later, the British auteur was left on the outskirts.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Paul Thomas Anderson (“There Will Be Blood”), Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (“No Nation for Outdated Males”), Tony Gilroy (“Michael Clayton”), Jason Reitman (“Juno”), Julian Schnabel (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”)

Other than the animated function “Up,” I can’t recall a film that made me shed tears within the first 10 minutes. Barry Jenkins’ follow-up to his finest image winner “Moonlight” (2016) depicts Black love sincerely and intentionally. In opposition to the backdrop of Nicholas Britell’s all-time unique rating and one of many most interesting ensembles of 2013, the film has solely grown in estimation as time has elapsed. The Oscars did give Regina King her overdue and deserved Oscar for supporting actress, so I have to acknowledge what they did proper.

Morever, the movie was not nominated for finest image, so it’s laborious to not nonetheless be bitter in regards to the Academy passing over what I really feel is the best movie of the 2010s. Sure, I stated it.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Alfonso Cuarón (“Roma”), Yorgos Lanthimos (“The Favorite”), Spike Lee (“BlacKkKlansman”), Adam McKay (“Vice”), Pawel Pawlikowski (“Chilly Conflict”)

Pay attention, I might write a dissertation on why Joel Coen and Ethan Coen’s “Inside Llewyn Davis” was just about shut out of the Oscars, however it’s laborious to disregard that the identical yr Spike Jonze introduced originality and emotion to the display with “Her,” the response wasn’t extra pronounced.

The futuristic romantic drama appears at a person (Joaquin Phoenix) who develops a relationship with a synthetic intelligence assistant (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) and builds a world grounded in actuality in an upgraded model of Los Angeles. With Hoyte van Hoytema’s memorable digicam work, Jonze’s path stands out in a yr that received most gadgets proper however left one colossal title on the desk. That was Jonze.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Alfonso Cuarón (“Gravity”), Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”), Alexander Payne (“Nebraska”), David O. Russell (“American Hustle”), Martin Scorsese (“The Wolf of Wall Avenue”)

On the peak of the worldwide pandemic in 2020, the precursors and the trade pundits have been all indicating Regina King’s directorial debut in “One Evening in Miami,” the story of a real-life assembly between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown and Sam Cooke, would make King the primary Black lady nominated for finest director. Nevertheless, the celebs did not align with the movie, solely mustering noms for supporting actor (Leslie Odom Jr.), tailored screenplay (Kemp Powers), and unique track. Though the Golden Globes and the DGA’s first-time directing class highlighted her achievements, the Oscar-winning star of “If Beale Avenue May Discuss” confronted an identical destiny that many actors-turned-directors encountered. Can’t look forward to her subsequent joint.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Lee Isaac Chung (“Minari”), Emerald Fennell (“Promising Younger Lady”), David Fincher (“Mank”), Thomas Vinterberg (“One other Spherical”), Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”)

In 2002, the Academy dropped a pair of huge directing snubs. One was Todd Subject for his excellent debut “Within the Bed room,” and the opposite was Baz Luhrmann for his jukebox musical “Moulin Rouge.” Daring colours, lovely costumes and a outstanding ensemble headlined by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor ought to have made the Australian auteur a shoo-in.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Robert Altman (“Gosford Park”), Ron Howard (“A Stunning Thoughts”), Peter Jackson (“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”), David Lynch (“Mulholland Drive”), Ridley Scott (“Black Hawk Down”)

Many “A Star Is Born” followers have been shocked when debut director Bradley Cooper didn’t earn an Oscar nod for the movie, one thing Cooper admitted he was “embarrassed” by. Maybe the Academy needs to be as nicely. Racking up eight nominations, the multiple-time appearing nominee grew to become one of many newest actor-turned-directors handed over by the department, together with Ben Affleck, Angelina Jolie and Ron Howard.

Nonetheless, with co-star Woman Gaga, the 2 made magic on the Oscars stage with the rendition of the Oscar-winning observe “Shallow.” Cooper went for one more swing together with his tackle famed musician Leonard Bernstein in “Maestro,” duplicating the identical outcomes with nominations for finest image, actor, and screenplay however lacking out on directing. Subsequent one?

Ben Affleck’s gripping thriller that mixes historic occasions with a Hollywood twist is cemented within the historical past books as a finest image winner. However Affleck solely nabbed one Oscar nom that yr as a producer and was ignored for his visceral path.

In 2012, “Argo” was his third directorial entry following his engrossing options “Gone Child Gone” and “The City,” which solely nabbed a single appearing bid every for supporting gamers Amy Ryan and Jeremy Renner. His thriller was an across-the-board contender and went on to win statuettes for tailored screenplay (Chris Terrio) and movie enhancing.

His final efforts with “Air” have been additionally worthy however did not catch on this previous season. Will he ever be formally acknowledged for his directing abilities? It’s too quickly to inform.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Michael Haneke (“Amour”), Ang Lee (“Lifetime of Pi”), David O. Russell (“Silver Linings Playbook”), Steven Spielberg (“Lincoln”), Benh Zeitlin (“Beasts of the Southern Wild”)

Bigelow’s “Zero Darkish Thirty” is a riveting depiction of the hunt for Osama bin Laden and likewise grew to become recognized for the one-two punch of each her and Ben Affleck being snubbed for finest director that yr. Bigelow grew to become the primary lady to win finest director for “The Damage Locker” (2009) and would have been the primary lady to garner two nomination bids. Nevertheless, a much-publicized smear marketing campaign and controversy surrounding the movie’s depictions of torture would derail its momentum. “Zero” star Jessica Chastain spoke about on the Selection Awards Circuit Podcast again in 2022, referring to disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Nonetheless, Bigelow’s visionary work, which led the precursors in 2012, continues to be a revered and revered piece that ought to have garnered the nom (and presumably win?) it deserved.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Michael Haneke (“Amour”), Ang Lee (“Lifetime of Pi”), David O. Russell (“Silver Linings Playbook”), Steven Spielberg (“Lincoln”), Benh Zeitlin (“Beasts of the Southern Wild”)

OscarsSoWhite grew to become a stain on the Academy’s legacy when voters did not nominate any actors of shade in 2015. Additionally snubbed was “Selma,” Ava DuVernay’s take a look at Martin Luther King Jr., who led the 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. With a star-making flip from David Oyelowo because the slain determine, the movie had Oscar bait written throughout it. Nevertheless, it solely managed to interrupt into two classes: finest image and unique track for the “Glory” observe, which it received. Till at this time, no Black lady has been nominated for guiding, and seeing how DuVernay’s “Origin” was additionally shut out by the Academy, it’s disappointing we nonetheless haven’t had one break into the lineup.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Wes Anderson (“The Grand Budapest Resort”), Alejandro González Iñárritu (“Birdman”), Richard Linklater (“Boyhood”), Bennett Miller (“Foxcatcher”), Morten Tyldum (“The Imitation Sport”)

“Dune” is certainly one of 5 films in historical past to be nominated in each technical Oscar class and the one a type of to not garner a point out for its director. Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s epic is a testomony to meticulous world-building and what you are able to do when ardour and expertise coincide. The Canadian auteur was broadly anticipated to land in one of the best director class after the Golden Globes, Critics Alternative Awards, and DGA all nominated him. Not solely some of the stunning omissions for a filmmaker, Villenueve’s miss is among the most notable in any class within the historical past of the Academy. With two follow-ups on the way in which, there’s nonetheless time for the Academy to acknowledge Villeneuve.

Who received nominated as a substitute: Paul Thomas Anderson (“Licorice Pizza”), Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”), Jane Campion (“The Energy of the Canine”), Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (“Drive My Automobile”), Steven Spielberg (“West Aspect Story”)

It’s the snub that modified the Academy Awards without end.

Christopher Nolan redefined the superhero style with “The Darkish Knight,” his sequel to the 2005 entry “Batman Begins.” Transcending the boundaries of comedian e-book diversifications, it boasted an iconic efficiency by the late Heath Ledger, who went on to win finest supporting actor. Many believed that the auteur, who had already been handed over for “Memento,” after which later in his profession once more for “Inception,” would garner the popularity many believed he deserved. The department had different plans, leaving the movie ignored within the high classes of finest image, director and screenplay, regardless of a hefty eight different noms. Nolan was not amongst any of them.

The next yr, the Oscars expanded one of the best image class from 5 to 10 nominees, however Nolan wouldn’t get his first directing bid till “Dunkirk” earlier than he returned as soon as once more with “Oppenheimer” (2023).

Who received nominated as a substitute: Danny Boyle (“Slumdog Millionaire”), Stephen Daldry (“The Reader”), David Fincher (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”), Ron Howard (“Frost/Nixon”), Gus Van Sant (“Milk”)