The 10 Most Surprising Oscar Snubs

4) Straight Outta Compton – Best Picture

The Academy love biopics, and although Straight Outta Compton’s focus on the hip-hop culture of the 90’s isn’t your standard Oscar fare, the film has been consistently discussed as a potential contender for Best Picture at the 88th award ceremony.

Few films this year have ruled the box office and drawn such strong critical acclaim, yet F. Gary Gray’s hit movie only gained one nomination for Best Original Screenplay, despite featuring some of the year’s best performances.

The lack of recognition for Straight Outta Compton is particularly troubling upon the realization that all twenty of the acting nominations this year have been awarded to white performers. Last year’s lack of diversity led to the subject #OscarsSoWhite trending across the internet and now history is set to repeat itself.

“At least Straight Outta Compton was recognized for its screenplay!” I hear some of you claim. This may be true, but when you consider that both of the nominated screenwriters are white, a worrying picture begins to form.