by Michael Fox

Created on: December 11, 2011

There are many disputes over what the AMPAS does with the Academy Awards. Here are a few of the biggest mistakes that have happened since 2000 with the Oscar awards:

1. Moulin Rouge receiving a Best Picture nomination in 2002.

Seriously? Moulin Rouge is one of the most overwrought and pretentious musicals in history. The film has a beautiful look and some stunning effects but the film was over the top and ridiculous. The fact that so many contemporary songs that would not be around for 60+ years were featured in the movie hurts just as much. Oh well, whatever, nevermind.

2. Paul Giamatti snubbed for Best Actor for Sideways in 2005.

Sideways is not only a good comedy but it's also a telling look at relationships. The entire well is very well acted. However, Giamatti didn't get the nomination that he deserved. At least Thomas Hayden Chruch got one.

3. Wall-E being snubbed for a Best Picture nomination in 2009.

I consider Wall-E to be the best film that the Pixar studio has made. It's funny, emotional, visually impressive and a real adventure. Unfortunately, the Academy has an aversion to animated films, thinking that they're emotional cash grabs made to appeal only to children. I understand that opinion but that does not mean this is a genre that can't be taken seriously.

4. Juno winning Best Original Screenplay in 2008.

Maybe it's just me but I found Diablo Cody's screenplay to be too hipster-like.

5. Charlize Theron winning Best Actress for Monster in 2004.

I found Theron's performance to be an intention attempt to deglamorize someone for awards purposes.

6. Children of Men losing Best Adapted Screenplay in 2007.

Don't get me wrong, the category was stacked in 2007 - eventual winner the Departed, Children of Men, Little Children and Borat were all in there. The Departed is an amazingly acted and suspenseful film but I think it would have been a good second behind the chilling, suspenseful and creative story that Children of Men used.

7. Avatar receiving nine nominations in 2010.

Avatar looks beautiful; unfortunately, the movie was nothing more than James Cameron's remake of the forgettable 1990s animated film Ferngully: The Last Rainforest. Fortunately, the Hurt Locker ended up going away with more awards.

8. The King's Speech winning Best Original Screenplay in 2011.

The King's Speech is an interesting story and is beautifully acted. I just think Christopher Nolan's screenplay for Inception was incredibly detailed, intricate and vague enough to create plenty of interpretations without being pretentious.

9. The 2002 Oscars going nearly four and a half hours long.

Fortunately, the AMPAS has been working hard to keep the Oscars less than three and a half hours long in recent years.

Learn more about this author, Michael Fox.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.