SPECIAL REPORT: Who Did Oscar Snub?

By R. Kurt Osenlund, The Good Life film critic

Each year there are dozens of films and individuals that the Academy looks over, and 2010 was no different. Before the nominations were announced on Tuesday morning, anyone who'd done their homework knew that such deserving movies as "Animal Kingdom," "Blue Valentine," "Fish Tank" and "Shutter Island" had virtually no shot of making it into the Best Picture 10, just as stellar performances from Tilda Swinton ("I Am Love"), Kimberly Elise ("For Colored Girls"), Miles Teller ("Rabbit Hole") and Tahar Rahim ("A Prophet") wouldn't come anywhere near the major acting categories.

But there were a number of contenders who did have a plausible shot at landing a nomination, yet still found themselves snubbed on Oscar morning. Here's who lost out in each of the six big races:

BEST PICTURE: "The Town"

Many believed that Ben Affleck's remarkably accomplished sophomore feature would factor into the Best Picture lineup, considering its impressive box-office haul, critical acclaim, solid precursor presence and the luster of Affleck's Hollywood-comeback-kid appeal. But the noms revealed the film was perhaps a little too populist, and Danny Boyle's "127 Hours" likely claimed its spot.


BEST DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan, "Inception"

Astonishingly, the visionary Christopher Nolan, who already lost a nomination in this category for both "Memento" and "The Dark Knight," was once again left in the dust. Though nominated by the Directors Guild of America (as he was for both of his aforementioned efforts), Nolan didn't join the company of David Fincher, David O. Russell, Darren Aronofsky and Tom Hooper. He was instead unseated by Academy faves Joel and Ethan Coen.

BEST ACTRESS: Hailee Steinfeld, "True Grit"

Of course, Hailee Steinfeld wasn't exactly snubbed -- she picked up a supporting actress nomination. But most people who've seen "True Grit" can concur that Steinfeld's character, Mattie Ross, is a leading role and worthy of such recognition. A number of votes were undoubtedly pushing Steinfeld toward lead, but more of them edged her into supporting, a demotion that cost other deserving, truly supporting ladies their chance at the gold.


BEST ACTOR: Ryan Gosling, "Blue Valentine"

Many will argue that Robert Duvall, whose turn in "Get Low" performed well in the precursors, is the true snubbee here, but considering that Ryan Gosling's "Blue Valentine" co-star, Michelle Williams, earned a nomination, there's really no excuse for Gosling's omission. He's just as shatteringly great as Williams, if not better, and like her, he gives a career-best performance. With the abundance of youth in this category (Jesse Eisenberg, James Franco), someone had to suffer. But if we're being honest, it's Jeff Bridges, not Gosling, who doesn't belong here.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Lesley Manville, "Another Year"

Another victim of category confusion (and, most likely, a lack of viewership for her film), gifted Brit Lesely Manville ended up empy handed Tuesday morning, despite being an ongoing part of the awards season discussion, If you ask me, hers is a supporting role -- the self-destructive and socially inept pity case in Mike Leigh's rich and lovely dramedy "Another Year." The film landed a well-deserved screenplay nom for Leigh, but Manville, who often steals the show and whose damaged face is the last haunting image the movie delivers, had to settle for a trophy from the National Board of Review and a BAFTA nomination.


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Andrew Garfield, "The Social Network"

The most egregious snub this year is by far and away the dismissal of Andrew Garfield's phenomenal work in "The Social Network," the year's best film. As the movie's emotional center, Garfield catapults himself into the realm of an in-high-demand Hollywood performer, delivering a performance that's every bit as effective as that of nominated co-star Jesse Eisenberg. His climactic outburst is among 2010's most arresting emotional turning points, and it's largely due to the rising star's tack-sharp actorly instincts. No supporting actor field this year should be without him, especially the preeminent one.

To read the full list of Oscar nominees, visit http://www.oscar.com/.