The Oscars are TODAY!!!! And with all Oscars there are snubs, whether the wrong person wins the awards or great performances don't even get nominations. In anticipation of the potential snubs we'll see tomorrow I decided to count down what I believe to be the top 15 performances of this decade to go unrecognized by the academy. As a side note, I will not be including any performances that were snubbed this year, as this is already a big list.
As always I have some honourable mentions
Ralph Fiennes- The Grand Budapest Hotel
Fiennes goes against typecasting and delivers one of the best comedic performances in recent memory. His performance doesn't have the weight of some other films due to the enormous ensemble Wes Anderson assembled for this film but Fiennes really should have been nominated for his work.
Ryan Reynolds- Deadpool
Based on the type of performance this is it makes sense that Reynolds wasn't nominated, but he really should have been. He perfectly embodied his character and had some of the best comedic timing I've seen. Last year didn't have the strongest Best Actor class either so Reynolds should have slid in.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead- 10 Cloverfield Lane
We all knew that this film wouldn't be recognized by the Academy. Its release date and genre did not work in favor of nominations. Mary Elizabeth Winstead's work in this film was incredible, and with the weak Best Actress class we had last year this would have been an exciting performance to nominate. Winstead brings stress and emotion in bunches and is mesmerizing on screen.
Jason Mitchell- Straight Outta Compton
Most people expected to see Mitchell nominated for this role. He burst onto the scene bringing a near perfect performance as Eazy-E. This film only received one nomination at the 88th Academy Awards and Mitchell's performance would be a great place to give more credit to a great film. He perfectly embodies Eazy-E and steals every scene he is in.
Now onto the top 15
15. Aaron Taylor-Johnson - Nocturnal Animals
This is a performance that I was surprised to not see at the Oscars. Not only did Taylor-Johnson get nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes, he won the dang award. So while I was happy to see his great costar Michael Shannon get a nomination it was weird to see Taylor-Johnson not get credited because his performance is incredible. He goes off of type and delivers an insane performance that stayed in my head for a while.
14. Michael B. Jordan - Fruitvale Station
The Oscars are usually good at giving powerful emotional performances nominations, but this is one they somehow missed. Fruitvale Station despite being a fantastic small film with very important subject matter received no nominations. Michael B. Jordan brings arguably his best work portraying a tragic real-life character, and while the rest of the Best Actor field was strong I don't think many of the nominees managed to hit the emotional notes as well as Jordan.
13. Emily Blunt - Sicario
I love Sicario as it is not only a fantastic film, but the one that got me into film and led me to where I am today. The 2016 Best Actress class had some very strong performances, but the fact that Jennifer Lawrence got a nomination for a movie no one cared about over a strong, layered performance by Emily Blunt baffles me. Blunt gives her all to this role bringing a strong performance, but one that also feels very real given the circumstances. Along with the strength she portrays she also does a great job of showing weakness, which is integral to her character. The Academy definitely messed up on this one.
12. Andy Serkis - The Planet of the Apes Trilogy
This is tough, as Serkis' body is replaced by CGI in this franchise. However the way he acts with his body is more than deserving of a nomination, and I'm sad to see that he still hasn't managed to score one. The way he acts using mostly just his eyes and physicality is breathtaking as fully becomes his character. Here's hoping we eventually get to see Serkis honored by the Academy.
11. Ben Foster - Hell or High Water
Jeff Bridges got a nomination for this film, but Foster is light-years better in it. Foster loses himself in the role as a robber that just doesn't know when to slow down. He does a great job portraying his character emotionally and physically, stealing every scene he is in. Bridges is good in the film, but his performance is nowhere near as important, nor impressive as Foster's.
10. Tom Hardy + Joel Edgerton - Warrior
I'm lumping these two together because each actor's performance is important to the other's. This is a deeply emotional film and both Hardy and Edgerton bring their all. They also physically embody their characters, whom are both MMA fighters. Warrior is a fantastic film and the chemistry these two have alongside their strong acting is deserving of some recognition.
9. Leonardo Dicaprio - Django Unchained
Christoph Waltz earned a Best Supporting Actor nom for this film, and he deserved it, but Dicaprio's performance has aged much better in my opinion. One of the most common things people talk about regarding this film is the scene where Leo cuts his hand and never breaks character. That scene as well as his work in the rest of the film is incredible, and shows his commitment to his craft. I don't see any reason this performance should have missed out.
8. John Goodman - 10 Cloverfield Lane
I already discussed Mary Elizabeth Winstead being snubbed for this film, but John Goodman should without a doubt have been recognized. He goes against type and delivers one of the most intense and honestly terrifying performances of recent memory. I get that this is a genre film, and genre films typically don't get recognized but Goodman gives the performance of his career and has nothing to show for it.
7. Joaquin Phoenix - Her
This is one of the performances that I was surprised to see not nominated. Phoenix is a highly respected actor and this film received a lot of praise. Phoenix gives a layered and complex performance, carrying a film where the only other notable performance is Scarlett Johanssen's voice acting. While this Best Actor class was strong, Phoenix's work should have scored a nomination.
6. Hugh Jackman - Prisoners
Hugh Jackman is a phenomenal actor, and this is his best performance. It is emotional, intense, and very upsetting. This film features a very strong cast, but Jackman is the standout, as he reaches the deepest depths of his character. This film deserved numerous awards and was left with only one nomination. No actor in 2013 managed as impactful of a performance as Jackman's and he should have had his name called on Oscar night.
5. Amy Adams - Arrival
Amy Adams has 5 Academy Award nominations, making it a big surprise that she wasn't nominated for this. Her performance is deeply emotional and she seemed like one of the surefire bets to score a nomination. She was left un nominated despite a fairly weak class, and based on the competition this could have been the year she finally took the award home. Adams is a superstar so hopefully she'll get a win some day.
4. Benicio del Toro - Sicario
This is a perfect case of when the person that should have won wasn't even nominated. Del Toro is perfect in this film, bringing a darkness and brutality to his character that cannot be matched. I haven't seen Mark Rylance's winning performance but from what I've heard it isn't quite as good as Del Toro in Sicario. Despite his smaller role he steals the entire show. This movie got snubbed from a lot of categories so it would have been great to at least see Benicio score some recognition.
3. Michael Fassbender - X-Men: First Class
I know that this performance is in a superhero movie, which by itself probably takes it out of consideration by most, but his performance is incredible. In my opinion, Fassbender's performance in the X-Men films is the best ever in any comic book films (yes even over Heath Ledger), and one of the best of the decade. His performance is steeped in emotion and the arc he shows from ally to villain is overtly powerful. His villainous turn is made even more impactful as his performance and circumstance allow the audience to identify with him. Not a typical Oscar performance but one I think more than deserved credit.
2. Miles Teller - Whiplash
Miles Teller is simply upstaged in this film. JK Simmons is incredible in the supporting role so people tend to forget how incredible Miles Teller is. Just look at his face any time he's playing the drums and you can see just how much he's putting into his role. His performance is powerful and emotional and the fact that he manages to give a performance that stands out despite being overshadowed so heavily is amazing. Teller hasn't had a great run lately so it would have been great to see him credited for this.
1. Jake Gyllenhaal - Nightcrawler, Prisoners, Enemy, Stronger, Nocturnal Animals
I know I said I'd exclude snubs from this year but I'm pissed about this so I'm lumping it all together. Jake Gyllenhaal is my favourite actor and one of the best working today, so that fact that his one and only nomination was 12 years ago is ridiculous. Denzel Washington's nominated performance this year is so unspecial it is almost offensive that he is nominated instead of Gyllenhaal for Stronger. I feel as if he was promoted as the lead of Nocturnal Animals, which he really is, he could have scored a nomination for that as well. I understand the snub for Enemy, because although he gives a strong performance the film went well under the radar. For Prisoners he is outshone by Jackman, but still gives a very important performance. Now onto Nightcrawler, the film that he should have won by a landslide for, and yet didn't even receive a nomination. This is in my opinion the best performance ever, I know that may be an unpopular opinion but the way his insanity grows throughout the film is fascinating. His delivery of a lot of lines is straight up terrifying and the famous mirror scene is deserving of a nomination of his own. This is a special film, and a performance that will go down as a classic. Not a single actor nominated over his performance in Nightcrawler was even close to as good so I'd call this one of the all time greatest snubs.
As always I have some honourable mentions
Ralph Fiennes- The Grand Budapest Hotel
Fiennes goes against typecasting and delivers one of the best comedic performances in recent memory. His performance doesn't have the weight of some other films due to the enormous ensemble Wes Anderson assembled for this film but Fiennes really should have been nominated for his work.
Ryan Reynolds- Deadpool
Based on the type of performance this is it makes sense that Reynolds wasn't nominated, but he really should have been. He perfectly embodied his character and had some of the best comedic timing I've seen. Last year didn't have the strongest Best Actor class either so Reynolds should have slid in.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead- 10 Cloverfield Lane
We all knew that this film wouldn't be recognized by the Academy. Its release date and genre did not work in favor of nominations. Mary Elizabeth Winstead's work in this film was incredible, and with the weak Best Actress class we had last year this would have been an exciting performance to nominate. Winstead brings stress and emotion in bunches and is mesmerizing on screen.
Jason Mitchell- Straight Outta Compton
Most people expected to see Mitchell nominated for this role. He burst onto the scene bringing a near perfect performance as Eazy-E. This film only received one nomination at the 88th Academy Awards and Mitchell's performance would be a great place to give more credit to a great film. He perfectly embodies Eazy-E and steals every scene he is in.
Now onto the top 15
15. Aaron Taylor-Johnson - Nocturnal Animals
This is a performance that I was surprised to not see at the Oscars. Not only did Taylor-Johnson get nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes, he won the dang award. So while I was happy to see his great costar Michael Shannon get a nomination it was weird to see Taylor-Johnson not get credited because his performance is incredible. He goes off of type and delivers an insane performance that stayed in my head for a while.
14. Michael B. Jordan - Fruitvale Station
The Oscars are usually good at giving powerful emotional performances nominations, but this is one they somehow missed. Fruitvale Station despite being a fantastic small film with very important subject matter received no nominations. Michael B. Jordan brings arguably his best work portraying a tragic real-life character, and while the rest of the Best Actor field was strong I don't think many of the nominees managed to hit the emotional notes as well as Jordan.
13. Emily Blunt - Sicario
I love Sicario as it is not only a fantastic film, but the one that got me into film and led me to where I am today. The 2016 Best Actress class had some very strong performances, but the fact that Jennifer Lawrence got a nomination for a movie no one cared about over a strong, layered performance by Emily Blunt baffles me. Blunt gives her all to this role bringing a strong performance, but one that also feels very real given the circumstances. Along with the strength she portrays she also does a great job of showing weakness, which is integral to her character. The Academy definitely messed up on this one.
12. Andy Serkis - The Planet of the Apes Trilogy
This is tough, as Serkis' body is replaced by CGI in this franchise. However the way he acts with his body is more than deserving of a nomination, and I'm sad to see that he still hasn't managed to score one. The way he acts using mostly just his eyes and physicality is breathtaking as fully becomes his character. Here's hoping we eventually get to see Serkis honored by the Academy.
11. Ben Foster - Hell or High Water
Jeff Bridges got a nomination for this film, but Foster is light-years better in it. Foster loses himself in the role as a robber that just doesn't know when to slow down. He does a great job portraying his character emotionally and physically, stealing every scene he is in. Bridges is good in the film, but his performance is nowhere near as important, nor impressive as Foster's.
10. Tom Hardy + Joel Edgerton - Warrior
I'm lumping these two together because each actor's performance is important to the other's. This is a deeply emotional film and both Hardy and Edgerton bring their all. They also physically embody their characters, whom are both MMA fighters. Warrior is a fantastic film and the chemistry these two have alongside their strong acting is deserving of some recognition.
9. Leonardo Dicaprio - Django Unchained
Christoph Waltz earned a Best Supporting Actor nom for this film, and he deserved it, but Dicaprio's performance has aged much better in my opinion. One of the most common things people talk about regarding this film is the scene where Leo cuts his hand and never breaks character. That scene as well as his work in the rest of the film is incredible, and shows his commitment to his craft. I don't see any reason this performance should have missed out.
8. John Goodman - 10 Cloverfield Lane
I already discussed Mary Elizabeth Winstead being snubbed for this film, but John Goodman should without a doubt have been recognized. He goes against type and delivers one of the most intense and honestly terrifying performances of recent memory. I get that this is a genre film, and genre films typically don't get recognized but Goodman gives the performance of his career and has nothing to show for it.
7. Joaquin Phoenix - Her
This is one of the performances that I was surprised to see not nominated. Phoenix is a highly respected actor and this film received a lot of praise. Phoenix gives a layered and complex performance, carrying a film where the only other notable performance is Scarlett Johanssen's voice acting. While this Best Actor class was strong, Phoenix's work should have scored a nomination.
6. Hugh Jackman - Prisoners
Hugh Jackman is a phenomenal actor, and this is his best performance. It is emotional, intense, and very upsetting. This film features a very strong cast, but Jackman is the standout, as he reaches the deepest depths of his character. This film deserved numerous awards and was left with only one nomination. No actor in 2013 managed as impactful of a performance as Jackman's and he should have had his name called on Oscar night.
5. Amy Adams - Arrival
Amy Adams has 5 Academy Award nominations, making it a big surprise that she wasn't nominated for this. Her performance is deeply emotional and she seemed like one of the surefire bets to score a nomination. She was left un nominated despite a fairly weak class, and based on the competition this could have been the year she finally took the award home. Adams is a superstar so hopefully she'll get a win some day.
4. Benicio del Toro - Sicario
This is a perfect case of when the person that should have won wasn't even nominated. Del Toro is perfect in this film, bringing a darkness and brutality to his character that cannot be matched. I haven't seen Mark Rylance's winning performance but from what I've heard it isn't quite as good as Del Toro in Sicario. Despite his smaller role he steals the entire show. This movie got snubbed from a lot of categories so it would have been great to at least see Benicio score some recognition.
3. Michael Fassbender - X-Men: First Class
I know that this performance is in a superhero movie, which by itself probably takes it out of consideration by most, but his performance is incredible. In my opinion, Fassbender's performance in the X-Men films is the best ever in any comic book films (yes even over Heath Ledger), and one of the best of the decade. His performance is steeped in emotion and the arc he shows from ally to villain is overtly powerful. His villainous turn is made even more impactful as his performance and circumstance allow the audience to identify with him. Not a typical Oscar performance but one I think more than deserved credit.
2. Miles Teller - Whiplash
Miles Teller is simply upstaged in this film. JK Simmons is incredible in the supporting role so people tend to forget how incredible Miles Teller is. Just look at his face any time he's playing the drums and you can see just how much he's putting into his role. His performance is powerful and emotional and the fact that he manages to give a performance that stands out despite being overshadowed so heavily is amazing. Teller hasn't had a great run lately so it would have been great to see him credited for this.
1. Jake Gyllenhaal - Nightcrawler, Prisoners, Enemy, Stronger, Nocturnal Animals
I know I said I'd exclude snubs from this year but I'm pissed about this so I'm lumping it all together. Jake Gyllenhaal is my favourite actor and one of the best working today, so that fact that his one and only nomination was 12 years ago is ridiculous. Denzel Washington's nominated performance this year is so unspecial it is almost offensive that he is nominated instead of Gyllenhaal for Stronger. I feel as if he was promoted as the lead of Nocturnal Animals, which he really is, he could have scored a nomination for that as well. I understand the snub for Enemy, because although he gives a strong performance the film went well under the radar. For Prisoners he is outshone by Jackman, but still gives a very important performance. Now onto Nightcrawler, the film that he should have won by a landslide for, and yet didn't even receive a nomination. This is in my opinion the best performance ever, I know that may be an unpopular opinion but the way his insanity grows throughout the film is fascinating. His delivery of a lot of lines is straight up terrifying and the famous mirror scene is deserving of a nomination of his own. This is a special film, and a performance that will go down as a classic. Not a single actor nominated over his performance in Nightcrawler was even close to as good so I'd call this one of the all time greatest snubs.
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