Widely regarded as one of the biggest events in the movie industry, the Academy Awards also have a long history of producing big surprises.
As highlighted by Betway’s Oscars research, rating films is purely subjective, but that does not make some of the decisions made any less palatable.
For example, quite how anyone decided that Forrest Gump deserved the Best Picture Award ahead of The Shawshank Redemption in 1995 is one of life’s great mysteries.
However, some brilliant films do not even manage to receive an Oscars nomination. Here are four movies that were criminally overlooked this year.
Zola
This American black comedy crime film is based on a viral Twitter thread from 2015 by Aziah ‘Zola’ King and a resulting Rolling Stone article.
The film received hugely positive reviews from critics, earning nominations in numerous awards shows including seven at the 37th Independent Spirit Awards.
Co-written by Jeremy O Harris and Janicza Bravo, the film sees Taylour Paige and Riley Keough deliver the best performances of their careers as two exotic dancers.
The movie’s failure to receive at least one nomination at the Academy Awards is a great example of why it doesn’t pay to take the Oscars too seriously.
Passing
Betway may well be forced to add Passing to their list of Academy Awards snubs in the future given the widespread astonishment at its omission.
Written, produced and directed by Rebecca Hall in her feature directorial debut, it is based on the 1929 novel of the same name by Nella Larsen.
The film received critical acclaim who praised Hall’s screenplay and direction, and the performances of Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga.
This thought-provoking movie received recognition at the Golden Globe Awards, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards, but nothing from the supposed biggest show of them all.
Days
Director Tsai Ming-Liang retired from feature filmmaking seven years ago after releasing ‘Stray Dogs’, but returned in style with the brilliant Days.
The film, which took five years to make, tells the story of a chance meeting between a handsome sex worker and a young man battling severe pain.
While the dark subject matter may not be to everyone’s taste, Ming-Liang’s direction takes viewers on an intoxicating journey of exploration.
Days is undoubtedly a slow-burner, which may explain its omission from the Academy Awards. However, its lack of pace does not detract from the film’s beauty.
Respect
Jennifer Hudson delivers the performance of a lifetime in the star-studded Respect biopic that chronicles the early years of Aretha Franklin’s life.
With great support from Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess and Mary J Blige, Respect is an authentic tribute to a music legend.
From Hudson’s portrayal of the Queen of Soul to the brilliant soundtrack and more, there are several reasons why Respect should have been nominated at the Academy Awards.
Given that the heavily cliched Bohemian Rhapsody was lauded at the 2019 ceremony, Respect’s omission becomes even more mind-boggling.
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