One Big Movie Missing from the Academy Awards
By Sissy Gamache
& David Greene
Bronx Voice
March 14, 2026
NEW YORK, NY - Before we all sit back and watch The 98th Academy Awards and we all hold our breath as we learn how the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) voted for ‘Best Film,’ or ‘Best Actor,’ it’s time to pay homage to those judges who watch all of these films. They are rarely praised and often panned.
Selecting the nominations for the Academy Awards is not an easy task for anyone on the planet. Objectivity is almost an impossible undertaking when it comes to art, but people need criteria to determine if a body of work is worth watching—or even generationally “groundbreaking.” But more importantly, if the work is worth remembering.
There is a big difference between quality and quantity, it goes far beyond ratings and popularity. People look up to The Oscars. It is a big deal to be nominated but apparently there are exceptions to this rule. All the films nominated for an Oscar this year are interesting and entertaining, but in all reality, not great—many, in our opinion, do not offer enough of the impactful scenes that make a movie memorable, thus standing the test of time and remembered in celluloid history. Time will call the shots. Like it or not, filmmaking is a team effort and everyone behind any production should be applauded.
One unexpected disappointment for many was that judges overlooked the impactful and well-crafted film, “Nuremberg” from the ‘Best Picture list.’ The World War II film, released at a time when wars currently underway in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa as well as unrest at home and atrocities taking place against our democracy. Vampires and a thirst for blood are more relevant—either that or it’s used as an escape from our current reality.
By not nominating Nuremberg for best picture, the Academy is being deaf, blind and mute historically and morally by making this regrettable mistake. True, sex sells and Hollywood’s known that for years. Hastily made slapstick films with cheesy lines—but this is where Hollywood is now. How far away are we from the first AI-generated feature film?
“Sinners” started off well but became a bit gory and violent, same thing with, “One Battle After Another,” an experimental film with too many holes in the plot. The objective of both movies was to shock the viewer, not entertain. Sex is used in films left and right and leaving out any room for mystery or cinematic poetry.
The latest version of “Frankenstein,” the American classic that has been redone and spun off countless times, but this film is a jewel and is likely to be one of the big winners this year. “Hamnet” is poetry in motion and deserves every nomination it got.
The Nuremberg fiasco was compounded as actor Russell Crowe’s brilliant and masterful performance was left off the list for Best Actor. Similar omission with actor Michael Shannon who gave a stellar performance that was completely ignored. One can only imagine why relevant cinema and actors are left off these lists, but popcorn films are all the rage. There is a difference between movies and cinema.
Marlon Brando was right in 1972, when he rejected his Oscar—he made a stand. He was right. His position with the members of the academy still resonates to this day. In short, the academy doesn’t have the last word, we do. What we love about movies is how it resonates in our heart and inspires our soul. The final judge will always be the box-office.
The 98th Annual Academy Awards airs live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California with host Conan O’Brien on Sunday, March 15, at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT and aired live on ABC, Hulu, ABC.com, and YouTube.
(Editor’s note: Sissy Gamache is an actor, TV host and writer who was born in Hungary, grew up in Costa Rica and has been based in New York City for the last 30 years.)
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