Oscar Nominee Reactions and Snubs

The nominees for the 90th Academy Awards were announced this morning. For those who didn't watch the LiveStream at 5:22 a.m. Pacific Time, you can find the full list of nominees online. Over the coming weeks until the ceremony (Sunday, March 4 at 5 p.m. Pacific Time), we'll have plenty of time to break down the races and analyze the categories.

But today, it's time to consider who did not make the final cut because they were overlooked and to celebrate some of those that did make the final cut.

Surprises:
* Get Out dominated. While it didn't make a ton of headway at the Golden Globes (beyond an odd Musical/Comedy nod), the film was a big winner, as was writer/director Jordan Peele. Peele was overlooked at the Globes, but earned both a directing and screenplay nomination. I didn't love the film, but I appreciate the craft and the expansion of these awards to include a new generation and new style.

* Logan, Best Adapted Screenplay. This was a powerful film that was much different than your average comic book film. I'm glad it was recognized here. I do wish Hugh Jackman and/or Patrick Stewart had also been recognized.

* The Big Sick, Best Original Screenplay. I thought this was one of the finest movies I saw this year, and it has been hit-or-miss during awards season. It was nice to see it recognized for the script, at least.

* Woody Harelson, Best Supporting Actor. Sam Rockwell is incredible, but Harelson is equally compelling in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," and it was nice to see him get a nod.

Snubs:
* Martin McDonagh, Best Director. His film, "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," got nominated for many awards, but it was a surprise that McDonagh wasn't recognized as a director.

* The Post. It was nominated for Best Picture, and Meryl Streep was recognized, but I was disappointed that Steven Spielberg didn't make the short list. Neither did Tom Hanks, or even a supporting nod for Bob Odenkirk.

* Holly Hunter and Ray Romano. I mentioned that I really enjoyed "The Big Sick," and I thought Hunter and Romano gave great performances and could have been nice additions to the supporting categories. It didn't happen.

* Patrick Stewart, Supporting Actor. "Logan" got a screenplay nod, but the performances were just as good. It's a shame he got overlooked.

* Molly's Game. It picked up a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, which is great, but I thought it was one of the best films I saw this year. I would have liked to see it in the Best Picture conversation, or a nomination for Jessica Chastain.

* Wonder Woman and The Greatest Showman. Oscars always breeds controversy. Some, like the lack of inclusion of minority and female nominees, were somewhat addressed this year. However, one of the other push backs is the Oscars are too insular, often overlooking populist films. "Wonder Woman" was a populist film, it was a profitable film, and it was one of the best films of the year, and yet not a single nomination. What? Really? Not even in the technical categories? This is a major snub to me. In the same vein is "The Greatest Showman," the musical that's proven to be mighty at the Box Office. It got one nod for an original song, but was otherwise shut out. It's things like this that lead a majority of viewers and movie goers to eschew the industry's biggest awards, and it's a major misstep in my opinion.