2008 Oscar Nominations Get it Wrong: Snubs Take the Fun Out of This Year's Race

In a year when the Oscar ceremony is in peril because of the ongoing writers' strike, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to save us the back and forth will-they or won't-they drama and just killed the Oscars themselves. In a year of groundbreaking film and breakout performances, the Oscar nominations went to old favorites and left out several deserving nominees.

The historical British film "Atonement" was nominated for Best Picture, but the major players in the film, director Joe Wright and leads Keira Knightley and James McAvoy were all snubbed by the Academy. George Clooney's overhyped performance in "Michael Clayton" took what should have been McAvoy's nomination

Ryan Gosling's critically acclaimed performance in "Lars and the Real Girl" also failed to turn the Academy's head. The film wasn't widely seen, and while Gosling has been overshadowed somewhat by Daniel Day-Lewis and Javier Bardem his name had been listed by some critics as a possible contender. Denzel Washington also gave a strong performance in "American Gangster." His snub is one that will likely leave movie-goers scratching their heads, but it is an example of a role that resonates with the public but not the Academy voters.

In the Best Actress category, the biggest shocker was the exclusion of Angelina Jolie for her role in "A Mighty Heart." It was Jolie's finest performance since her Oscar-winning turn in "Girl, Interrupted." The Academy instead inexplicably chose to honor "Juno's" Ellen Page, Page performance was wonderful,but it lacked the strength and emotional resonance of Jolie's turn as Marianne Pearl, the widow of murdered reporter Daniel Pearl. Many critics also thought Amy Adams had a chance to secure her first nomination as Princess Giselle in the Disney fantasy "Enchanted." Cate Blanchett was a dual nominee this year, with a nomination in this category for "Elizabeth" and a nomination for Supporting Actress as Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There."

In the Best Picture category, "Sweeney Todd" was left out in the cold, as was director Tim Burton. Johnny Depp received an Best Actor nod for his turn as the title character, but Burton's adaptation of the Broadway musical may have proven too bloody for squeamish Academy voters. Burton wasn't the only big name left off the list of Best Directors. Sean Penn was expected to be a shoe-in for "Into the Wild," but he found himself on the outside looking in.

Source: http://www.oscars.org/