THE ACADEMY AWARD 2009

Don't You Forget About Me ... This Year's Oscar Snubs
It happens every year. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences manages to miss the mark come the morning of the Oscar nominations. Without fail, the voters overlook many of the year’s finest films and paramount performances. Some are sidelined, while others are simply snubbed. Take a peek at this year’s crop of casualties to see which of your faves were forgotten.

Best Picture: The Dark Knight

The Academy undoubtedly upset both critics and fans when it decided to overlook the Caped Crusader’s latest adventure. Perhaps voters felt it was too violent. It’s conceivable to assume that they’ve agreed to forever shun superhero flicks. Maybe they just miss Michael Keaton. Who knows? In any case, the $1 billion-grossing blockbuster deserved to be decorated for many reasons, including Christopher Nolan’s precise directing, the groundbreaking cinematography, and Heath Ledger’s trumping of Jack Nicholson as The Joker. And, hello? If “Titanic” can win Best Picture, doesn’t “The Dark Knight” at least deserve a nom?

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road

Winslet’s tremendous turn as desperate housewife April Wheeler earned nothing but raves when “Revolutionary Road” opened, but the film's dark subject matter didn't do the actress any favors … nor did Melissa Leo’s breakout in “Frozen River,” which nabbed a surprising nod at the last minute. Luckily, the perennial nominee was recognized for her other poignant performance of ’08 in “The Reader,” which should finally earn Kate her first gold statuette come February 22.

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road

This year, Leo’s competition was simply too tough. Between Mickey Rourke’s dramatic comeback in “The Wrestler,” Sean Penn’s perfect portrayal of Harvey Milk, and Brad Pitt’s accent-laden journey as man-boy Benjamin Button, the thrice-nominated 34 year old found himself without a nod for the first time in a long time, despite his impressive performance as depressed suburbanite Frank Wheeler in the Sam Mendes-directed masterpiece.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Debra Winger, Rachel Getting Married

When 3-time runner-up Debra Winger delivered her superbly subtle performance as Anne Hathaway’s estranged mother in “Rachel Getting Married,” she not only solidified her status as one of Hollywood’s hidden treasures, she also proved that women of any age can convey painfully-realistic performances without reverting to tears (Amy Adams in “Doubt”), pole dancing (Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler”), or hysterics (Penelope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”).

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: James Franco, Milk

Josh Brolin bagged a Best Supporting Actor nod for his haunting portrayal of San Fran’s homicidal city supervisor Dan White, but no such luck for his fellow “Milk” castmate. Despite a glowing yet understated performance as Harvey Milk’s much younger lover, Scott Smith, in the colorful Castro neighborhood, James Franco’s incandescence was ignored by the Academy … or, perhaps it was overshadowed by his sexy (or scary, depending on your mood) ‘stache? Best performance by facial hair in a feature film, fo’ sho.

Best Picture: Doubt

With the magnificent Meryl Streep (Best Actress), the passionate Philip Seymour Hoffman (Best Supporting Actor), the astounding Amy Adams (Best Supporting Actress), and the unbelievable Viola Davis (Best Supporting Actress) all nominated for their intense roles in John Patrick Shanley’s film adaptation of his Tony-winning play, it was beyond shocking to hear that “The Reader” had stolen the fifth Best Picture slot. There’s no doubt about it; “Doubt” was snubbed.

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky

In what was supposed to be Sally’s A-list arrival, the relatively-unknown Mike Leigh muse, improv genius, and recent Golden Globe winner was robbed of a Best Actress nomination in spite of her brilliant portrayal of Poppy, an overly-optimistic Londoner who has a fondness for frisky remarks and outrageous fashions. Come February 22, the Kodak Theater will undoubtedly be a little less “happy” without Hawkins in attendance.

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Benicio del Toro, Che

The buzz coming out of Cannes last May hinted that Benicio would earn yet another acting nom (and his third overall), for his role as Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara, come this year’s awards ceremony. The rumors were validated when he snagged the Best Actor award in the south of France. Right? Wrong. When the Steven Soderbergh-directed film debuted in the States, it was met with mixed reviews, thanks in part to a 4.5 hour running time, leaving del Toro sidelined as his peers picked up the pace in the race for the gold. Good thing he already has a trophy on his mantle for his terrific turn in “Traffic.”

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Kristin Davis, Sex and the City

The astounding success of “Sex and the City” can’t be denied, nor can Kristin Davis’ fabulous return-to-form as super-cute Charlotte York, the Big Apple’s prettiest, perkiest, and preppiest mom. As the only woman in SJP’s gal pal posse to never have been recognized at an awards show for her hilarious and heartwarming hi-jinks, the Academy had the opportunity to right so many wrongs with a simple nom. Fortunately, they can fix their faux pas in 2010 when the “SATC” sequel hits the big screen.

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Ben Kingsley, The Wackness

Despite the fact that “The Wackness” earned a measly $3 million at the U.S. box office, the retro coming-of-age comedy was the most buzzed about indie film of the summer -- and Sir Ben Kingsley, Best Actor Oscar winner for 1982’s “Gandhi,” garnered kudos for his role as Dr. Jeffrey Squires, a drug-addicted shrink who befriends his teenage patient (played by Josh Peck). As the immature therapist’s life begins to fall apart, fans, and critics alike, began to fall for Kingsley’s performance. Regrettably, the Academy failed to.