Among the greatest motion pictures of all time have, after all, received the Oscar for Finest Image. There are a complete bunch of films that actually had no enterprise even being nominated, no less than in my view. This record is filled with motion pictures that may not be horrible motion pictures, however they do not need to be among the many best ever acknowledged. Among the motion pictures on this record even received! So right here I’m going, risking the wrath of the web with my record of the worst motion pictures nominated for Finest Image.
Vice (2018)
I feel Vice acquired nominated as a result of there are two actually great performances from Christian Bale as Dick Chaney and Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush. The film, written and directed by Adam McKay, is definitely a very good film, do not get me incorrect, however Finest Image good? I am undecided. Bush wasn’t well-liked in Hollywood on the time, so it was additionally a political alternative, in my view.
Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
This one is hard for me. I like Rami Malik’s efficiency as Freddie Mercury, and he totally deserved his Finest Actor Oscar. Nonetheless, the historical past within the film is not precisely correct, particularly the top when the producers of the film mixed various occasions to tug on our heartstrings, however as a substitute simply made me mad. This one’s on me.
Extraordinarily Loud & Extremely Shut (2011)
Extraordinarily Loud & Extremely Shut is extensively thought-about one of many worst nominees ever. I am unable to say I disagree. I bear in mind being baffled when it was nominated, and all these years, I nonetheless am. I attempted to rewatch it a few years in the past to see if I used to be incorrect, however I wasn’t. It isn’t a film I like, and I do not assume I ever will.
The Best Present On Earth (1952)
The Best Present on Earth has all of the elements to be an ideal film. An ideal solid led by Charlton Heston and Jimmy Stewart. A legendary director in Cecil B. DeMille and an interesting topic in P.T. Barnum. It simply would not work, although. It seems like what needs to be a enjoyable watch is definitely a chore.
Physician Dolittle (1967)
Youngsters motion pictures aren’t usually nominated for Finest Image, so it is bizarre that, of all of the enduring, great, family-friendly motion pictures to be nominated, it was Dr. Doolittle. It is a enjoyable film for youths, however it would not maintain up as an grownup, in any respect. It is too dangerous it is one of many solely household flicks to ever get nominated for Finest Image.
The Blind Aspect (2009)
Even when you put aside all of the revelations which have come out about the actual historical past of Michael Oher and the way it’s vastly completely different from how it’s portrayed within the film (and the ebook the film is predicated on). Sandra Bullock is nice, as is the remainder of the solid, however the film feels extra like a TV film of the week than a Finest Image nominee.
Crash (2004)
Crash is kind of probably essentially the most infamous and controversial Finest Image Winner in historical past. It is a effective film, I suppose, however it actually by no means deserved a nomination, a lot much less the win. There’s expertise in each nook of the film, however by some means it simply misses. I did actually prefer it the primary time I noticed it, and so possibly the voters had been like me. It hasn’t held up, although. The truth that it beat out motion pictures like Brokeback Mountain, Capote, and Munich makes it that rather more confounding.
Cavalcade (1933)
Cavalcade is predicated on a beautiful play by Noel Coward, however the film is… a far cry from the stage play. What’s weirder for me is that I like the sorts of tales that herald actual historic occasions and the way they may have an effect on fictional characters, but one thing about this film merely would not work.
Babel (2006)
If I am fully sincere. 2006’s Babel is totally complicated to me. It seems like a type of motion pictures that feels smarter than it’s, or is even attempting to be. I add that I’ve solely seen it as soon as, and it in all probability deserves one other likelihood. I am going to have to alter that, I feel.
The Godfather Half III (1990)
The Godfather and The Godfather Half II are two of my favourite motion pictures of all time, particularly the primary one. I do not hate The Godfather Half III, however I do not assume it comes near the primary two, and I feel it solely took residence an Oscar nomination as a result of it concluded one of many best tales ever advised on movie with the rise and fall of Michael Corleone.
Cimarron (1931)
Regardless of Westerns being probably the most enduring and well-liked genres in Hollywood historical past, solely 4 have ever received Finest Image. Unforgiven, No Nation For Outdated Males, Dances With Wolves, and 1931’s Cimarron. The primary three on that record are stone-cold classics. Cimarron? Not a lot. Partly that is due to the dated attitudes and lightweight racism, however principally, it is simply not all that good, regardless of being an enormous hit when it was launched.
Chariots Of Hearth (1981)
I do know I am not alone in getting pissed off with Chariots of Hearth having received Finest Image in 1982, particularly because it beat out Raiders of the Misplaced Ark. I’ve a concept that the film is so liked, and was so liked on the time, due to the superb rating by early digital artist Vangelis. It additionally received an Oscar, and that was properly deserved.
Les Misérables (2012)
2012’s Les Misérables, primarily based on the legendary musical, is a good instance of a very good film, however possibly not an ideal one. The performances are memorable, particularly Hugh Jackman, however it’s not possible to not examine to the stage model of the musical, which I like, and I am at all times going to ding it for that. It isn’t truthful, I do know, however it’s how I really feel. Possibly at some point I am going to come round on this model.
Avatar: The Approach of Water (2022)
This, for me, is the simplest one so as to add to this record. I actually do not look after the Avatar franchise. To be clear, I respect the work right here, and the expertise used to make them is transformative, however I am unable to get previous the skinny plot and the design of the creatures, even when they give the impression of being actually cool, in addition they come throughout as very foolish to me. I hope James Cameron makes a bunch extra, as a result of they’re well worth the effort, they only aren’t Finest Image worthy.
The Large Chill (1983)
This was one other straightforward one for me to record right here. I am a member of Gen X, and this Child Boomer nostalgia shlock drives me loopy. I do love the soundtrack, although. I wore that cassette out after I was a child, and I nonetheless adore Motown due to it.
Struggle Horse (2011)
There isn’t a query that the Academy has by no means bestowed sufficient honor on Steven Spielberg. He’s, with out query, the most effective director of my lifetime. Even his weakest motion pictures are often very watchable. Struggle Horse is the uncommon exception, and for some motive, it was nominated for Finest Image.
Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
This can be a prime instance of nice performances making the film. With out the completely great turns by Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy, Driving Miss Daisy can be fully forgotten today. I do bear in mind liking it at one time, however subsequent rewatches have left me feeling flat. It beat out just a few nice motion pictures to win the Finest Image Oscar, too: Born On The Fourth Of July, Discipline of Goals, Useless Poets Society, and My Left Foot
Unusual Folks (1980)
Is Unusual Folks higher than Raging Bull? It beat out the Scorsese traditional for Finest Image in 1981. It beat out Coal Miner’s Daughter, too. It isn’t a dangerous film by any means, it is simply not ok to compete with motion pictures like those it triumphed over.
The Deer Hunter (1978)
This one is certain to trigger some controversy, as I acknowledge that many individuals adore The Deer Hunter. I at all times consider podcaster John Roderick when he described watching a Russian Orthodox wedding ceremony “in actual time” on this film. It’s simply brutally lengthy (and I like lengthy motion pictures). Add within the wild concept that Russian Roulette was ever a factor in Vietnam (it wasn’t), and today, The Deer Hunter simply makes me mad.
The Unintentional Vacationer (1988)
First, I love that Geena Davis received an Oscar for Supporting Actress for her efficiency in The Unintentional Vacationer. It is simply not that nice of a film in any other case. It was a cultural phenomenon when it was launched, however today, it is sluggish and, frankly, boring.
Chicago (2002)
I actually need to love Chicago, however I simply can’t. I feel it is as a result of it will at all times really feel like a highschool musical to me. That is not truthful to anybody, particularly the individuals who made this film, however I am going to by no means come round on it. Once more, that is on me. It’s what it’s.
Emilia Pérez (2024)
Emilia Pérez is perhaps a controversial alternative for this record, however in all probability not as controversial because the film was when it was launched in 2024. I actually did not like this film, however I had a whole lot of arguments over it with individuals whose opinions I respect, so possibly I am incorrect, however it’s simply not for me. It positively wasn’t one of many 10 greatest motion pictures of the yr.
Shakespeare In Love (1994)
Yet one more straightforward one for me. Like others on the record, it isn’t a foul film. However is it higher than Saving Personal Ryan? Pulp Fiction? The Shawshank Redemption? Quiz Present? These had been all launched in 1994, and Shakespeare in Love beat all of them on the Oscars. That is not the film’s fault, however information are information, and Shakespeare in Love was removed from the most effective film of that yr.
Discovering Neverland (2004)
I am frankly shocked that Discovering Neverland was a preferred because it was, and that it is endured in that reputation by its many followers. It isn’t for me. Johnny Depp was my favourite actor on the time, so possibly I used to be too excited for this and felt let down, however I did not join with this film in any respect.
Do not Look Up (2021)
I really actually like Do not Look Up, however I used to be actually shocked that it was nominated for Finest Image. The performances are nice, the script is snarky and darkish (two issues I like), and the film is rather well achieved. That is only a case of really feel for me. It would not really feel like a Finest Image nominee, although this was one of many hardest to incorporate, for what that’s value.