My Oscar Disappointments

I rarely back a winner. My candidates for public office often lose, any horse I pick stops to smell the roses, and I usually have my fingers crossed for a loser at the annual Academy Awards show. Most of the time I take the Oscar loss with good grace, but there are a few losers that get under my skin. I don't know why I get so emotional sometimes, but I do!


2004
I was mad for "The Aviator" and was horribly disappointed when it lost in major categories. 

Although I admired "Million Dollar Baby," I really wanted "The Aviator" to win for Best Picture and Martin Scorsese to win for "Best Director." I was majorly disappointed when Jamie Foxx (for "Ray") beat Leonardo Di Caprio for "Best Actor." At least Cate Blanchett won for "Best Supporting Actress," but I was pretty bummed.

1968

I was totally in love with "A Lion in Winter" (okay, the crush on Peter O'Toole might have had something t do with that), and enjoyed "Oliver!" but was crestfallen to have stayed up so later to be so disappointed.


1981
"Chariots of Fire" over "Reds." I loved that movie to pieces and was quite sad that it lost "Best Picture."

This one really disappointed me. I'm pretty sure I turned off the TV when the winner was announced.

1991
"The Silence of the Lambs" over "Bugsy."

Another snub for Warren when he was at the top of his game.


1997
"Titanic" over anything. Sorry, but I really didn't like it. I recall being rather angry at the TV screen that night.


Peter O'Toole for losses for:
1962: Lawrence of Arabia
1964: Beckett
1968: The Lion in Winter
1969: Goodbye, Mr. Chips
1972: The Ruling Class (really, this was brilliant)
1980: The Stunt Man
1982: My Favorite Year
2006: Venus (furious over this one!)

Come on, the guy is beyond brilliant. The Honorary Oscar of 2003 just doesn't cut it. I fear Leonardo Di Caprio is developing into the next Peter O'Toole (snub-wise). I am praying that "The Great Gatsby" is a great hit and puts this to rest.

And my biggest disappointment for any category
Robert Preston's loss in 1982 for Best Supporting Actor in "Victor/Victoria"

This performance was brave, hysterical and just blew the others away (I thought). However, it was not to be and I was sad. 


Some Historical Boo-Boos That Bug Me (too late for these!)

"Going My Way" over "Double Indemnity." Sorry, Father O'Malley, I would have voted for sin.

Loretta Young in "The Farmer's Daughter" over Susan Hayward for "Smash Up" Susan is a power house, but she had to wait her turn.

Gloria Swanson in "Sunset Boulevard" and Bette Davis in "All About Eve" losing to Judy Holliday for "Born Yesterday." Aww, I love Judy in that role and she is a delight, but Norma Desmond and Margo Channing are on a totally different level.

"The Greatest Show on Earth" over "High Noon" and "The Quiet Man" and 2 other majorly great films left off  the list. Ugh. 
Gloria Grahame in "The Bad and the Beautiful" over Jean Hagen in "Singing in the Rain." Multiple pain here, since both films were NOT EVEN NOMINATED (see above: won by that circus flick). Both ladies are great in great films, but Jean Hagen as Lina Lamont is unforgettable.
and, my biggest peeve:

 No Oscar for Garbo!


Nominees I Have My Fingers Crossed For This Year

I haven't seen everything, so my picks are totally biased and could not be defended in a court of law or even on Judge Judy.

Best Picture
I am completely torn between "The Artist" and "Hugo." Either one would be okay by me.

Best Actor
I'm pulling for Jean Dujardin - the images of Fairbanks and Gilbert and even Gene Kelly that kept floating in the back of my brain while watching him makes it a very special performance for me.


Best Actress

Glenn Close was just amazing in "Albert Nobbs," so I am rooting for her. 


Best Screenplay

Here I am totally rooting for Woody Allen for "Midnight in Paris." The story was charming and original and the film was completely entertaining. Woody still has the right stuff and I'd love to see him honored (even though we know he won't be there).

Best Director

Rooting here for Martin Scorsese for "Hugo." The film is a beautiful achievement.


Well, I'll have my popcorn and will be prepared to stay up past midnight for the annual bash. I hope I'm not too disappointed this year!


Here are earlier reviews of some nominated films:
Click Here for "The Artist"
Click Here for "Hugo"
Click Here for "Midnight in Paris"