At the 2014 Academy Awards, films from the previous year were honored for their excellence. 2013 brought movie-goers some astonishing films that have astounded audiences ever since. Films like Safe Haven, were released that year, though none of those films were honored at the award ceremony.
The Best Picture category at the 66th Academy Awards included: Dallas Buyers Club. Looking back at these films, there is certainly a handful the Academy may have neglected and could have undoubtedly replaced nominated films with these other choices instead.
Should Have Been: Prisoners
This thriller feature film was directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Aaron Guzikowski. The film boasts a very impressive cast, starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano.
The film did very well at the box office and even better in critics' reviews, with some thinking this film would be a shoo-in during award season, which turned out to not be the case.
Should Have Been: Now You See Me
This heist thriller was directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Mélanie Laurent, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman. This impressive ensemble cast tells the story of a team of magicians who used their skills to pull off bank robberies.
The film was not only a box office success but was a favorite amongst fans the year it was released. Despite its positive reception, the film didn't end up getting any nominations from any of the big award ceremonies that year.
Nominated: Philomena
This feature film starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan was a success internationally, but wasn't as well received by American audiences. The film had average success at the box office, but was still nominated for a lot of awards by Academy voters in the year it was eligible.
Those nominations were in categories like Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress, and the coveted Best Picture, but the film received no awards in the categories for which it was nominated.
Should Have Been: Labor Day
This dramatic feature film was written and directed by Jason Reitman and based on the novel of the same name. The film stars Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet, two of the Academy Awards favorite actors to vote for in any given season.
The film was a mediocre success, but still received some traction during awards' season, getting a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress, but the film and the performances were all snubbed at the Academy Awards.
Should Have Been: The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty
This adventure comedy was directed by, produced by, and stars Ben Stiller. The film is an adaptation of a short story by James Thurber, which was written in 1939.
The film did well upon its release and received a handful of nominations, but none of those nominations were from any of the major award shows. Despite being screened at the renowned AFI Fest, the film's traction fell short, which surprised not only the filmmakers but the early ers of the film as well.
Nominated: American Hustle
This David O. Russell film stars a wonderful ensemble cast including Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, and Christian Bale, all of whom are actors that Academy voters love to nominate.
David O. Russell's films also have a great track record with the Academy, so it's no wonder this film received so many nominations, including Best Picture, though some fans and critics think that this film was nominated only for the filmmakers involved and because the film itself was good.
Should Have Been: Lee Daniels' The Butler
This historical drama was inspired by Wil Haygood's Washington Post article "A Butler Well Served by This Election." The film, produced and directed by Lee Daniels, stars Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines, a butler who has served as White House butler for over three decades.
The film did very well at the box office and received a lot of praise from critics and movie-goers, but that didn't seem to be enough to secure a nomination for Best Picture or any Academy Awards the year it was eligible.
Should Have Been: The Way Way Back
This independent coming-of-age film was the directorial debut for the film directors and writers Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. The film tells the story of a fourteen-year-old boy on summer vacation with his mom and her abusive boyfriend in Cape Cod.
The film holds an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and was a favorite with film critics in 2013. It received a handful of awards but was left out of the biggest ceremonies and the larger categories, despite being such a great film with great performances.
Nominated: Gravity
This film from the mind of Alfonso Cuarón stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as two astronauts who find themselves stranded in space. The film was very well received by critics and gained a lot of praise at the box office.
However, compared to other films Alfonso Cuarón directed before this one and has gone on to create since, Gravity seems a little safer than what we're used to seeing from Cuarón. It's strange that the Academy didn't realize this and still nominated the film in the Best Picture category.
Should Have Been: Belle
This film could easily be considered the biggest snub of the year. Starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw and directed by Amma Asante, this film presented a great opportunity for the Academy to stray from their old ways and nominate something new, creative, and extremely well-executed.
On top of that, this film was made by Black female filmmakers and answered the call the public has put out for the Academy to include more diversity in their awards.
