# Most Ripped Off at Oscar Time **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 8, 2000, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505 "2000-09-08T15:51:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JosephFinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JosephFinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JosephFinn)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/1 "2000-09-08T15:51:27Z")
In your humble opinion, give me one (1) person who you think was most deserving of an Academy Award acting nomination that was simply shanked when the nominations came out. I’ll start off with Johnny Depp, for (a) _Edward Scissorhands_ and (b) _Ed Wood_. Whether playing a leather clad guy with scissors for hands or the oddest and hardest working director off all time, I think he brought a huge sense of odd dignity to thoese oddballs. He makes an emphatic link between the audience and the characters and actually manages to make us care about what happens - not a mean feat in these days of post-ironic slacker characters & characterless action figures. I still cry during _Ed Wood_, especially the scenes with Ed and Bela Lugosi. Damn, what a fine piece of acting. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/2 "2000-09-08T16:04:15Z")
Malcolm McDowell, _A Clockwork Orange._ Christopher Reeve, _Superman._ Crissy Rock, _Ladybird, Ladybird._ John Malkovich, _Being John Malkovich._ (I’m actually not a Malkovich fan, I just really wanted there to be an Oscar won by an actor playing himself.) [Edited by slythe on 09-08-2000 at 10:42 PM] ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/3 "2000-09-08T16:19:30Z")
Ed Norton - _Primal Fear - People v.Larry Flint - American History X - Rounders - Fight Club_ - Such diverse characters and believable as every one of them. Vincent Gallo - _Buffalo '66_ - Heartbreaking performance, in my opionion. The next one I’m pretty sure everyone will disagree with, but to hell with ya. Bobcat Goldthwaite - _Shakes the Clown_ - The Citizen Kane of alcoholic clown movies. Seriously, I can’t explain it, but I love that movie. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/4 "2000-09-08T16:31:00Z")
Jim Carey - Man on the Moon. I am not a Jim Carey fan, and I am not an Andy Kaufman fan, but while watching that movie, I couldn’t believe how eerily dead on Jim was playing Andy. ---
**Author:** ![JosephFinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JosephFinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JosephFinn)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/5 "2000-09-08T17:21:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jack Batty \* > \*\*The next one I’m pretty sure everyone will disagree with, but to hell with ya. > > Bobcat Goldthwaite - _Shakes the Clown_ - The Citizen Kane of alcoholic clown movies. Seriously, I can’t explain it, but I love that movie. > \*\* Actually, I have to agree with you that this is a seriously twisted, strangely great movie. Could use a little more drama, but works great as a so-black-it’s-ultraviolet comedy. Also has Adam Sandler’s only good performance as another clown, a running gag about beating up mimes, and Robin Williams in an unbilled role as a psychotic mime teacher. The only other great mime in a movie (besides Marcel Marceau in _Silent Movie_ is Jeremy Piven in _Singles_. ---
**Author:** ![Needs2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5e925/32.png) [@Needs2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Needs2know)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/6 "2000-09-08T17:31:33Z")
Leonardo DeCaprio…for the retarded brother in “Gilbert Grape”. Back before he became a hack and a household word. And I do believe he was nominated for best support. Robert Downey Jr…for the coke addict in “Less Than Zero”. Rather prophetic I’d say. Edward Norton…“Primal Fear” great performance but like the above two personal nominations I have no idea who beat him out. Leslie Ann Warren…as James Garner’s gun moll in “Victor/Victoria”. She may have been nominated that year can’t remember. She did prove with that performance she was capable of doing something other than cry a lot during a made for TV movie. Really big rip off… wasn’t even nominated…Kevin Bacon as the abused prisoner in “Murder in the 1st”. Blow you away performance. And on a happier note…Hillary Swank deserving every praise she recieved. Wow! Needs2know ---
**Author:** ![Needs2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5e925/32.png) [@Needs2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Needs2know)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/7 "2000-09-08T17:35:55Z")
I almost forgot the biggest ripoff in Oscar history…Steven Spielberg…to give that man a “liftime achievement” award because they knew he had deserved it so many other times before. Assholes! Needs2know ---
**Author:** ![Needs2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5e925/32.png) [@Needs2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Needs2know)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/8 "2000-09-08T17:42:49Z")
Damn! thought of another one… Christian Bale in “Empire of the Sun” (John Malkovitch being his brilliant self as usual.) Another Spielberg gem that was over looked for a film of much lesser impact. The big picture winner that year I believe went to the film about the kid living through the WWII bombings in England. Based on the director’s life. Can’t remember the name. Decent film but did not compare in impact or performances to this one. Needs2know ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/9 "2000-09-08T17:47:21Z")
I’m not a fan of him generally, but Russell Crowe should have gotten at least something for _L. A. Confidential_ and _The Insider_. ---
**Author:** ![JosephFinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JosephFinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JosephFinn)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/10 "2000-09-08T17:52:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Needs2know \* > \*\*Damn! thought of another one… > > Christian Bale in “Empire of the Sun” (John Malkovitch being his brilliant self as usual.) Another Spielberg gem that was over looked for a film of much lesser impact. The big picture winner that year I believe went to the film about the kid living through the WWII bombings in England. Based on the director’s life. Can’t remember the name. Decent film but did not compare in impact or performances to this one. > > Needs2know \*\* Actually, the Best Picture winner in 1988 was _The Last Emperor_. Interestingly, Christian Bale is now the stepson of Gloria Steinem, as she and his father married each other a few days ago. Betcha they won’t be discussing _Jesus_ or _American Psycho_ at Thanksgiving. ---
**Author:** ![Gomez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d78d45/32.png) [@Gomez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gomez)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/11 "2000-09-08T18:13:01Z")
Jim Carrey should have at least been nominated for The Truman Show. Brando should have gotten best Supporting Actor for Apocalypse Now. Two I’m not 100% sure about: Did Joe Pesci win anything for his protrayal of Tommy Devito in _Goodfellas?_ If he didn’t he should have done. The Same goes for Tom Cruise in \* Born on the Fourth of July.\* ---
**Author:** ![Ivar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ivar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ivar)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/12 "2000-09-08T18:20:35Z")
Bill Murray’s supporting role in Rushmore was outstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/13 "2000-09-08T18:27:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Needs2know \* > \*\*Really big rip off… wasn’t even nominated…Kevin Bacon as the abused prisoner in “Murder in the 1st”. Blow you away performance. > \*\* Oooh, good one. I was trying to dredge my memory for films I really liked and were ignored, and this was definitely one of them, it just totally slipped my mind. I, the man with the iron emotions, cried at his performance. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/14 "2000-09-08T18:35:02Z")
Jeff Daniels in _Pleasantville_. I second the nomination for Jim Carrey in _Man on the Moon_. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/15 "2000-09-08T18:46:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JosephFinn \* > \*\*The only other great mime in a movie (besides Marcel Marceau in _Silent Movie_ is Jeremy Piven in _Singles_. \*\* How could you omit Billy Crystal’s hors d’oeuvre serving mime scene in _This is Spinal Tap_? ---
**Author:** ![JosephFinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JosephFinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JosephFinn)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/16 "2000-09-08T19:35:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jack Batty \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by JosephFinn \* > > \*\*The only other great mime in a movie (besides Marcel Marceau in _Silent Movie_ is Jeremy Piven in _Singles_. \*\* > > How could you omit Billy Crystal’s hors d’oeuvre serving mime scene in _This is Spinal Tap_? \*\* Crap. No, not BC, but my memory. Personally, my favorite scene in that movie is Fran Drescher as their record label rep explaining to them exactly why the cover art for “Smell the Glove” is offensive. God, I am going to be so there at the Fine Arts to see that movie again… ---
**Author:** ![Needs2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5e925/32.png) [@Needs2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Needs2know)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/17 "2000-09-08T19:52:18Z")
Hey Joe…“The Last Emperor” huh? OK I’ll buy that. Not a bad movie but a little long and a little bit slow. No really outstanding performances either that I can remember. Visually stunning at times but then so was “Empire”. Do you remember the British film I described? Believe it came out that same year? Needs2know ---
**Author:** ![JosephFinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JosephFinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JosephFinn)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/18 "2000-09-08T19:53:34Z")
Thought of another (yes, it is slow at work today): Philip Seymour Hoffman, in _The Talented Mr. Ripley_ & in _Boogie Nights_. Watch those two movies and then think to yourself, “That was the same guy?” Brilliant actor. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/19 "2000-09-08T20:02:50Z")
Philip Seymour Hoffman’s fantastic. He and Jude Law made _Ripley_. Anyway: Christina Ricci and Lisa Kudrow in _The Opposite of Sex_. Wesley Snipes in _New Jack City_. Natalie Portman in _The Professional_. _Three Kings_ should’ve been nominated last year for Best Picture. Michael Clarke Duncan should’ve won Best Supporting last year for _The Green Mile_. Phenomenal job. I’m sure I’ll think of more. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2000, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505/20 "2000-09-08T20:08:00Z")
Speaking of Jeremy Piven, it’s a crime that his show _Cupid_ was cancelled two years ago. The concept was fresh, the writing was dazzling, and Piven himself was incredible. Awesome characterization. (Oh, and while I’m on the subject of television–someone explain to me how _Homicide_, and Andre Braugher in particular, got so few Emmy nominations over its lifespan?) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-ripped-off-at-oscar-time/32505.md?page=2)