Do you think good films always get their due? We are talking about the Oscars here. Well, most of the blockbusters we see always get ignored at the Best Picture nomination or in some of the other categories and unfortunately miss it by a mile. Well, we could rattle off several names, but today we have to suffice with just a few here. These are the few masterpieces that deserved more than a few awards at the biggest award show of all in the history of World Cinema, the Academy Awards!
Don’t Look Now
This 1973 film was a horrifying watch, and the horror was played to perfection by Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland. It is a chilling film, following a couple-in-mourning journey to live in Venice after their daughter dies. They meet two sisters who claim that their daughter is trying to contact them from the grave. Was the film nominated? Well, unfortunately, it wasn’t. Now, the film has almost achieved cult status. We think the film deserved at least the Best picture award. The director Nicholas Roeg does a great job creating an absolute sense and horrifying atmosphere from there’s no respite!
Rebel Without a Cause
James Dean plays a Jim Stark role, who begins life on a fresh note in a new town. However, he ends up making more foes than friends. Dean played the role of a lifetime, of that of a titular role caught between the dominating mother and a weak father, but he didn’t win a nomination for the same. He won the award for East of Eden, although posthumously. The film gives an ardent plea for understanding and tolerance from both family and society.
American Psycho
We don’t think there could be a better adaptation of the Bret Easton Elli’s novel than this amazing film released in 2000. Christian Bale is the psycho to the American Psycho, and he does a swell job. The Academy Awards ignored it, but it created a long impact on the people. This was one of the most intensive portrayals of a man living on the edge. Despite enjoying rave reviews, it largely went empty-handed at the Oscars.
Rear Window
This film got Alfred Hitchock a nomination in the best director category. Snubbed at the Oscars, it has achieved classic status now! Played by the reliable James Stewart, who couldn’t do a better job of playing a voyeur as he was bound to his home because of a broken leg.
He let his face do all the talking as he continues to spy on the humdrum life of his neighbors, he spots a murder right before him, and things start unfolding right after. Hitchcock keeps its racy and tense, just what you want to see from for a perfect thriller film.
It’s a Wonderful Life
This 1946 film portrays the life of businessmen played by James Stewart, yet again, who is fed up with life and finds a purpose again. He discovers there is so much more to life than just running a business.
It won as many as five nominations, including one for best picture and the best director but did not win the prizes. It is Stewart’s amazing performance that wins this film the appreciation it deserves.
Mean Streets
The 1973 film is famous for many reasons. Charlie or Harvey Keitel tries to dream big to join the Mafia in little Italy (New York), but things turn awry, and nothing goes according to his plan. It didn’t win the nomination it deserved. It is one of the class acts by Robert De Niro, who could have won the best supporting actor for his superlative act.
Miller’s Crossing
Coen’s brother’s thriller captures the wars between two gangs who try to control the entire city. Tom Reagan plays Gabriel Byrne, who is at the crossfire of the gang wars. It didn’t even win a nomination. The cinematography by Barry Sonnenfeld deserved a trophy of its own, and the screenplay is as good as it gets. Do we wonder what could have happened if it had won a nomination?
Have you watched any film which you thought deserved an Oscar? There are so many other films that deserve mention which could have won the award. However, due to numerous reasons, they didn’t make the cut. Let us know in the comments section below some of your favorite films that won the Oscar and a few others that did not!