10) The Martian – Best Director
Film fans often bemoan Leonardo DiCaprio’s failure to ever win an Academy Award, but at least he has a shot this year. Another industry legend who’s been working for far longer than him was ignored yet again in the running for Best Director this time around, and his name is Sir Ridley Scott.
Despite previously being nominated for Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down, Scott failed to land a nomination this year, which is particularly surprising when you consider that The Martian picked up various other nods, including Best Actor for Matt Damon, Best Adapted Screenplay, and even Best Picture.
There is some consolation in the fact that Scott has been nominated for Best Producer due to The Martian’s inclusion in the Best Picture race, but goddammit, this is the man who brought the world Alien and Blade Runner. Give him a bloody Oscar already!