I loved this film and watch the DVD frequently. Since I do not know the other films that were nominated, I will not knock them. I thought Buck was an incredible and inspirational film for everyone, not just for horse people. I do not care for most Hollywood films, so a film like this is refreshing.
shareAmen. I felt this was very deserving. Quite often, Hollywood's politics are reflected in the documentary awards. This was a beautiful movie with no agenda and it was a shame to miss out. Hopefully the five films that did get nominated are truly deserving.
shareIt was a very strong year for documentaries (this is their Golden Age), but the nominations couldn't disagree more with the rankings according to mentions on critics' Top 10 lists. Here are all the docs that were ranked among the Top 150 movies of the year, with their rank, Oscar nominees in bold:
28. The Interruptors
31. Cave of Forgotten Dreams
36. Nostalgia for the Light
49. Project Nim
59. Into the Abyss
61. Bill Cunningham New York
71. The Arbor
73. Tabloid
74. Buck
76. Pina
79. The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu
89. We Were Here
92. Hell and Back Again
100. Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey
104. El Sicario, Room 164
110. Senna
114. How to Die in Oregon
123. Petition
133. The Last Lions
144. Into Eternity
If a Tree Falls was released but didn't make any critic's list. The Undefeated just opened and Paradise Lost 3 has yet to open, I believe, but they both qualified for this year by playing a week last year in just LA and/or NY, whatever is required by the rules.
So we have the three remaining spots going to the 10th, 13th, and 21st most critically acclaimed docs!
Now, I thought Pina was one of the best films of the year, period, and probably would be much higher on this list if it hadn't been in 3D and opened in late December. But so many excellent films have been passed over ...
My own ranking so far is Pina, Bill Cunningham, Nim, Buck, Nostalgia, but I'll be seeing Hell and Back, If a Tree Falls, The Interruptors, Tabloid, Senna, and The Last Lions (at least) so I don't know if I'll end up thinking Buck was snubbed or not. But no one should shy away from this film just because it didn't get a nom: it's terrific.
Prepare your minds for a new scale of physical, scientific values, gentlemen.share