67396 500 days summer 341x182 OSCARS: The Academy goes snub thumpingBy Jay A. Fernandez

It’s an unpleasant business, but calling attention to those talents overlooked for deserving Oscar recognition is a standard part of the awards circus. And this year has its share of snubbed also-also-rans. Well, according to me.

First in my mind are Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber for their “(500) Days of Summer“ original screenplay (and not just because I was wrong in predicting its inclusion). Their peers in the writers guild honored it with a nomination, and it represented a truly original take on a worn-out genre that delighted a lot of viewers and inspired a rookie director, Marc Webb, to show off his talents. On the other hand, original screenplay was an unexpectedly tight field for a change, and only five could fit, so Neustadter and Weber will have to make another run at it down the road.

No slight to Matt Damon and his “Invictus“ supporting actor nom, but there are so many deserving character actors who blasted holes in the screen this year — I’m thinking of Anthony Mackie in “Hurt Locker“ or voice actors from “Where the Wild Things Are“ and “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” Or even Bill Murray as himself in “Zombieland“ for the token comedy slot (think Downey from “Tropic Thunder”). Damon’s inclusion seems terribly conventional in contrast.

Ben Foster’s angry, wounded turn in “The Messenger” certainly would have fit nicely in the best actor category and could easily have taken Morgan Freeman’s slot for “Invictus.” If small films such as “Precious” and “Crazy Heart” could draw noms for two roles, then “Messenger’s” dynamic duo of Woody Harrelson and Foster should have been equally called out.

And I know this is some kind of sacrilege, but I don’t care if she was buried in green dots, a skull cap and a wet suit, Zoe Saldana was ferocious and riveting in “Avatar.” Does anyone doubt that Neytiri exists only because of the tender fury Saldana put into the character? Her performance should have broken the mold on a best actress nom precisely because she held the screen marvelously without even being there. (And hey, Meryl, I know it’s not your call, but whattayasay we give someone new a shot, hm?)

I also think Spike Jonze should have an honorary directing nom just for the totality of his vision in constructing the complicated universe of “Where the Wild Things Are.” Frankly, the film should be a best picture nominee, too, but conventional minds have childishly dismissed Jonze and Eggers’ achievement as “not having a story.” Did Maurice Sendak’s picture book? And is that what you remember about it? The story? Jonze’s “Wild” imagination blended beauty and heartbreak in such elemental ways that the story was nothing but a pretense. Kind of like a furry wolf suit hanging on an angry, scared, desperate, joyous, hurt, loving, out-of-control little boy.

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