Dreamgirls, oh Dreamgirls — how could they do it to you? You were such a surprise, an electrifying and endearing rags-to-riches tale led by the performance of the year from Jennifer Hudson. How could you have been robbed of a Best Picture nomination?
Those are the thoughts of so many Dreamgirls supporters, bitter about last week's announcement of the Academy Awards nominees. It is true, non-believers, Dreamgirls didn't make the cut. But is that really the biggest Oscar snub of the year? I think not. In fact, in our list of the Top Ten Oscar Snubs of 2006, Dreamgirls is just the beginning — in reverse order.
10. Dreamgirls
All those nominations and no Best Picture nod to show for it. My guess is that everyone and their brother's auteur friend are all upset about Dreamgirls being snubbed from the Best Picture race just because. The film was good, yes. Jennifer Hudson shocked the world. Again, a resounding yes. But was this film the end-all-be-all best film of the year? Not really. I wouldn't even place it in the top ten.
9. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Farris
They did get a little bit of love from the Academy... okay, they got a ton of love from the Academy. But while Little Miss Sunshine is set to light up Oscar's stage, the dynamic directing duo that dual-handedly created such a fun, endearing, and twisted film is going to go unrecognized. It is disappointing, but at least they have a good shot at making it on stage — they are nominated for Best Picture, which ain't half bad.
8. Aaron Eckhart (Thank You for Smoking)
I understand why Forest Whitaker got nominated. I also agree with Leo DiCaprio getting a nod (although his performance in The Departed was better). But can't you slip Aaron Eckhart's razor-sharp performance in there somewhere? Eckhart was charming and despicable, tactful and irreverent. That has to stand for something, doesn't it?
Article comments
1 - Cara de Pescado
I completely agree about Perfume and Jack Nicholson both needing recognition. I mean, both were completely awesome in every way possible.
I wouldn't vote for Borat to win anything as I hated it. But eh, whatever. The others I either haven't seen yet or it has been so long that I don't remember it and that's probably why they didn't get the noms.
2 - methuselah
Leo DeCaprio: I was never impressed by the young Leo, but the mature Leo really wowed me with his performances in "Blood Diamond" and "The Departed" this year.