The Best Movies That Didnt Get Nominated for Any Oscars This Year
Lots of great movies don't get Oscar nominations. You could generously point out that the Academy only has room for so many movies. You could less generously complain that the Academy has historically had a difficult time finding room for science-fiction movies, action films, fantasy epics not directed by Peter Jackson, independent movies your mom hasn't heard of, any movie specifically designed to scare you, and any movie specifically designed to make you laugh. So each year, plenty of great movies get nominated for nothing. Over the next few weeks, we'll take a closer look at some of the essential NOscar NOminees as part of our Nominated for Nothing seriesbut for right now, here's your essential list of the best films of 2014 that couldn't even earn a measly technical nomination. They're in good company., Snowpiercer A raucous post-apocalyptic fable, with Chris Evans leading an international cast on a bloody, hilarious, and heartbreaking quest through the last train on Earth. How to watch it On Netflix, OnDemand, and Blu-Ray/DVD. The Babadook Some horror films are scary because of what you don't seethe implication of things going bump in the night. Some horror films are scary because of what you do seethe horrors of unreal monsters made manifest in our reality. The Babadook is a little bit of both. It's also an acting tour de force by Essie Davis, as a single mom who could really use some sleep. How to watch it In limited theatrical release and VOD. Top Five, Chris Rock's plotless meander is an overstuffed delight, with great small roles and funny cameos Seinfeld! DMX!. Woody Allen comparisons come to mind, but Top Five almost feels like Rock's 8 1/2, a goofy-yet-melancholy autobiographical statement. All that, and Rosario Dawson, too. How to watch it In theaters now. The Guest Imagine a mash-up of Halloween and The Talented Mr. Ripley, except with the soundtrack from Drive. Downton Abbeys Dan Stevens destroys all your Cousin Matthew daydreams, playing a charismatic maybe-psycho in the latest retro-toned thriller from the makers of You're Next. How to watch it VOD and Blu-Ray/DVD, Force Majeure An adorable family, an exciting ski vacation to the Alps What could go wrong? Everything! To say more would spoil the fun suffice it to say that Force Majeure is a film about about everything that can possibly go wrong with marriage and family. How to watch it On iTunes and VOD, and in select theaters, The Skeleton Twins SNL all-stars Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig give expert funny-sad performances in this sibling dramedy. Features one of the most gloriously sublime moments of 2014 The stars' lip-sync dance sequence, set to Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now." How to watch it VOD and Blu-Ray/DVD, Blue Ruin A meticulously stripped-down revenge movie, with bearded drifter Macon Blair facing down the demonic Cleland family. It's a Coenesque bleak comedy. If you need more convincing, Jan Brady is one of the villains. How to watch it On Netflix and VOD, Obvious Child Is the romantic comedy making a comeback from Heiglian purgatory? You hope so when watching Gillian Robespierre's indie romcom, starring Jenny Slate. Obvious Child got some attention for its abortion plotline it deserves more for being great. How to watch it OnDemand and Blu-Ray/DVD