Directed By: Michel Hazanavicius
Won: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Score, Best Costume Design
Nominated For: Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Production Design
Brief Description: While The Artist was able to dominate the 2012 Oscars because 2011 was an extremely weak year for films, and this was a film destined to be Oscar bait and appeal to the old fogies of The Academy, it's is surprisingly warm, engaging, and delightful.I wanted to hate this movie when I saw it in the theaters, but I couldn't. While I would have rather seen Moneyball win (or Drive at least get nominated), there should be no problem with this win.
Directed By: Charles Crichton
Won: Best Supporting Actor
Nominated For: Best Director, Best Original Screenplay
Brief Description: The plot is not important. Just take my word for it, you'll love A Fish Called Wanda because it's wonderfully irreverent.
8) Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Directed By: Billy Wilder
Won: Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Music
Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Editing
Brief Description: "I am big, it's the pictures that got small!" This is a Hollywood classic about a silent film star trying to resurrect her career. Even though this film is about 65 years old, it feels timeless. If you've never seen a film by the great Billy Wilder, you need to stop reading this post right now and watch Sunset Boulevard.
Directed By: Terry George
Nominated For: Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay
Brief Description: Hotel Rwanda tells the poignant and heartfelt tale about Paul Rusesabagina (Don Chedle), the manager of an upscale hotel who uses his great business acumen to survive during war torn Rwanda.
Directed By: Steven Soderbergh
Won: Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing
Nominated For: Best Picture
Brief Description: Remember when Steven Soderbergh was actually making good movies and actually putting quality time into them? If you don't, then you need to re-watch Traffic. This gritty film takes a look at multiple perspectives of the drug trade and tells multiple riveting stories.
Directed By: Craig Brewer
Won: Best Song
Nominated For: Best Actor
Brief Description: There was a time before the Oscar nominees were announced that it looked like Jeff Daniels (The Squid and the Whale) was going to earn a nomination over Terrence Howard, but the better man "won". Howard plays an actual pimp who turns into a rapper (and makes Oscar winning music) and does his best to hustle and grind it out to make it in the rap game.
Directed By: Barry Sonnenfeld
Won: Best Make Up
Nominated For: Best Art Direction, Best Score
Brief Description: O.K., so Men In Black isn't your typical "Oscar nominated film", but damn is this a fun movie. The original is marred by its two sequels, but there's no way you won't enjoy yourself watching this movie. I'd rather watch Men in Black any day of the week over such films as say....The Artist.
Directed By: Bryan Singer
Won: Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Screenplay
Brief Description: Frankly, if you not only don't know what The Usual Suspects is about, or have never seen it, then you don't deserve to be reading lists like these (or maybe these lists are perfect for you. Who knows.) Instead, enjoy this Cracked article instead.
Directed By: Joel Coen
Won: Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay
Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Editing
Brief Description: The only Coen Brothers film worth watching
Directed By: Christopher Nolan
Nominated For: Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing
Brief Description: It's a shame that this is the only Nolan film available on Netflix, but unless it's Insomnia, any Nolan film has to be at the top of any list. While many call this script, the fact that the story is told backwards, a cheap gimmick, it's brilliant when Christopher Nolan does it. If you predicted how the movie ends (or the story begins), then you're a liar.
*That I've Seen
There are a handful more films nominated for an Academy Award that you can stream, but those are obvious choices and will show up on later lists.
What is you favorite film that has been nominated for an Academy Award that you can currently steam on Netflix?
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