HOLLYWOOD -- In a wacky year, the list of Oscar also-rans is as interesting as the nominees.
"Antwone Fisher," "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" and "Rabbit-Proof Fence" went home empty-handed. "About a Boy," "About Schmidt," "Minority Report," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and "Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones" were recognized, but didn't nab as much Academy Awards attention as some had predicted.
Other no-shows in Tuesday's nominations include directors Peter Jackson and Phillip Noyce, along with such thesps as Leonardo DiCaprio, Richard Gere, Dennis Quaid and "The Hours' " Meryl Streep; and scripters Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor ("About Schmidt").
Future generations inevitably will express surprise at some possibilities that were shut out or under-represented in Tuesday's lineup. But it may be the flood of good pics or the fact that some really terrific work wasn't seen by enough voters. As one Acad voter said, "This is the first year I can remember in ages when there were more than enough contenders for every category."
Among the other films without any noms Tuesday were Disney's "Signs" and "25th Hour"; Miramax's "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind"; MGM/UA's "Nicholas Nickleby"; Paramount's "Changing Lanes" and "Narc"; Sony/Revolution's "Punch-Drunk Love"; USA Films' swan song, "Monsoon Wedding"; and Warner Bros.' "Insomnia," "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" and "White Oleander."
Many indie pics hoped to emulate the success last year of "Monster's Ball," but they didn't make the cut. Among them: "Max," "Roger Dodger," "Secretary" and "Sonny."
The foreign-language race was crowded with worthy contenders that didn't make the grade. A record-breaking 54 countries made official submissions. Among high-profile pics that failed to make the final five were Brazil's "City of God," France's "8 Women," India's "Devdas," Italy's "Pinocchio," Russia's "House of Fools," Spain's "Los lunes al sol" and a trio of countries with first-time entries: Afghanistan ("FireDancer"), Bangladesh ("The Clay Bird") and Chad ("Abouna").
Missing docus included two well-reviewed looks at showbiz, "The Kid Stays in the Picture" and "Lost in La Mancha."
The following received guild noms but were left off Oscar's list:
SAG: In addition to Golden Globe winner Gere ("Chicago"), SAG-nominated Alfred Molina ("Frida"), Quaid ("Far From Heaven") and Michelle Pfeiffer ("White Oleander") were overlooked.
DGA: Peter Jackson ("Rings") received a DGA nom, but was replaced by Almodovar in the Oscar race.
WGA: Scripts for Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine," Antwone Fisher's "Antwone Fisher" and Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor's "About Schmidt."
Producers Guild: Sony/Intermedia's "Adaptation," IFC's "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and DreamWorks' "Road to Perdition" are contenders for the PGA's best pic trophy.
Ah, well. Somebody's got to come in sixth.
Contact Timothy M. Gray at
tim.gray@variety.com