After months of anticipation, the Academy Award nominations are finally in, with Mank leading the way with 10. The contenders were pretty easy to predict in certain categories, but the list of this year’s Oscar nominees still brought a couple of snubs and surprises our way.
Snub: Da 5 Bloods (Multiple Categories)
Spike Lee’s latest movie Da 5 Bloods has been a dark horse since the beginning of the race, but seeing it only receive a nomination for the best original score was still a huge disappointment.
Surprise: LaKeith Stanfield (Best Supporting Actor)
Daniel Kaluuya is the front-runner in the best-supporting actor category with Judas and the Black Messiah, but it was a delight to see his co-star LaKeith Stanfield finally get some attention, as well.
Snub: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Best Picture)
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom received a total of five Oscar nominations, including two acting nods for Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis, but it was shut out of the best picture category.
Surprise: Thomas Vinterberg (Best Director)
Another Round was always a lock for best foreign film nomination, but we didn’t expect to see Thomas Vinterberg take a best director nod for more obvious contenders, including Regina King and Aaron Sorkin.
Snub: One Night in Miami (Multiple Categories)
Speaking of Regina King, her feature debut One Night in Miami failed to get nominated for best picture and best director, while Leslie Odom Jr. ended up being the only cast member to receive an acting nod.
