Top 10 Failed Oscar Bait Movies of 2021

Clint Eastwood might be just as legendary as the Wild American West depicted in the movies that made him famous. But despite historical evidence from the Academy archives, his attachment to a project that follows in the footsteps of the Western genre doesn’t guarantee Oscar contention. (“one word: Eastwood” clip) Eastwood plays his type, a hardened tough guy with a scowl cemented to his face, who forms an unlikely friendship with a boy who’s deciphering how to be a man. Sound familiar? (“Get off my lawn” clip) Critics were divided by the screenplay and, strangely, by Eastwood’s performance. Promotion makes “Cry Macho” seem a bit like the baby of “Gran Torino” and “The Mule,” so maybe voters weren’t interested in celebrating a familiar concept that was unable to stand as tall as its ancestors.

Though officially released at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, “Bruised” had its wider release in 2021. Directorial debuts have flowered some outstanding career shifts for superstars. George Clooney, Ben Affleck, and the aforementioned Man with No Name have all earned acclaim both behind and in front of the camera. Halle Berry hoped to add her name to that roster with “Bruised,” a film about an MMA fighter seeking a comeback. Though critics were divided, many had strong compliments for Halle the actress and the director. The superstar’s mixed martial arts training, which included breaking ribs during filming, wasn’t enough to earn a spot on the Oscar ballots. A behind-the-scenes controversy involving Berry and MMA star Cat Zingano, which resulted in Berry being sued by the latter, may have made the Academy gun-shy about giving “Bruised” the spotlight. We can’t know for sure.

Psychological thrillers can have wild outcomes during Oscar season: they can go the way of “Misery” and “Get Out,” or the way of “The Wicker Man.” In “The Woman in the Window,” Amy Adams plays a troubled woman who constantly watches her neighbors from the comfort of her home, some of which she believes are concealing violent secrets. Adapted for the screen by Tony Award-winner Tracy Letts and directed by adaptation veteran Joe Wright, the film had some momentum. Nobody was really impressed though, finding the narrative a contrived and unsatisfying reimagining of “Rear Window,” lacking intelligent commentary on agoraphobia and mental illness. The thriller might sprout some Golden Raspberries though, being nominated for five of them. On the bright side, we might gain some satirical laughs from a parody just across the street… (“Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl…” clip)

George Clooney and Ben Affleck are another pair of actor/directors with a successful Oscar track record. Clip those names together with a screenplay by award-winning dramatist William Monahan, and you’ve got catnip for Academy creatives. The coming-of-age drama, based on J. R. Moehringer’s autobiographical memoir, tells the story of Affleck’s bar owner becoming a surrogate father to Tye Sheridan’s young aspiring writer in the untamed wilderness of 1970s Long Island. Response to “The Tender Bar” proved to be lukewarm, however, with critics finding the film heartwarming but ultimately forgettable. Controversial comments made by Affleck in regards to his former marriage to Jennifer Garner may also have sullied the film’s chances, though the actor claims that his words were taken out of context.

If you want to discuss epic roles that epic performers were born to play, you probably should consider Jennifer Hudson as the legendary Aretha Franklin. Hudson was already an Oscar-winning powerhouse-with-attitude, like the soul icon she portrays. Her performance resonates with love and respect for Franklin, and she likely hoped to be as honorable as Jamie Foxx’s resurrection of Ray Charles. Unfortunately, “Respect’s” August release date put an entire ice age between its debut and the 2022 awards season. The Covid-19 pandemic may also have hurt by keeping the older target audience away from theaters. Jennifer Hudson truly disappears into the role, even making nuanced vocal changes to match Franklin’s signature style. It’s a shame her work wasn’t better stuck in our memories.

This was another chance for Lin-Manuel Miranda to earn the coveted “EGOT” (that’s Emmy Grammy Oscar Tony for the uninitiated), though it’s doubtful he’ll need much help. (“Encanto/We Don’t Talk About Bruno” clip) Based on Miranda’s explosive musical of the same name, “In the Heights” tells the story of a predominantly Dominican American community and blended musical styles before “Hamilton” made it cool.The adaptation earned Golden Globe and Grammy nods, and due to “Hamilton’s” and Miranda’s success, Warner Bros. likely expected handshakes from the golden statue. Like “Respect,” “In the Heights” likely suffered due to its release date long preceding the Oscars, and it was ultimately overshadowed by Speilberg’s “West Side Story.” Sadly, director Jon M. Chu and crew got no such kudos for Awards Twenty Two-Two…Okay, we’re done now. [supposed to be a rhyming/rapped line]

You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d seen this movie before. Cinematic auteur Wes Anderson has nothing if not a unique style, and a double take of “The French Dispatch’s” symmetrical framing and color scheme might remind you of his 2019 nominee “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” This “love letter to journalists” features three separate stories and Anderson’s greatest hits soundtrack of cast members, including Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Tilda Swinton. Box office results were plagued (literally) by multiple coronavirus-related cancellations. Despite an out-of-the-box promotional campaign, which involved the real-world creation of pop-up settings from the story, the project’s stretch of award nominations never reached the Oscars. It’s a treat for Anderson fans that earned a few pats on the back, but not much more.

Ah, the love/hate relationship with Broadway and Hollywood can go so right, and also so… (“Cats” clip) “Dear Evan Hansen” the musical was celebrated for its writing, staging and acting, as well as for spotlighting important issues regarding youth mental illness. Some things don’t age well, however, and one of them was actor Ben Platt as a high school student. “Dear Evan Hansen” the movie endured massive pushback for Platt’s lead recasting, as he turned twenty-seven while filming. Audiences saw the decision as nepotism and flung negative opinions out on social media. Despite Hansen and director Stephen Chbosky expressing justification for their choices, the film garnered mixed reviews and four Razzie nominations. “Hansen” was a hopeful that won’t be dancing down this year’s Red Carpet.

Ridley Scott’s gambit for 2022 Oscar gold was “The Last Duel,” a historical drama based on the true story about assault allegations in Medieval France that involved a trial by combat. What? You didn’t think George R.R. Martin made that up, did you? The epic was a pleasant surprise, well received for the handling of its socially relevant subject matter and stellar performances. Unfortunately, the film was a box office flop, and its handful of nominations included a Golden Razzie for Ben Affleck. Despite making the National Board of Review’s list of the Top 10 Films of 2021, not much awards discussion surrounded the production. Ridley Scott theorized that cultural dependence on cell phones might be to blame. Maybe it’s just underappreciated in its time.

To be fair, this historical crime drama did get nominated for “Best Makeup and Hairstyling,” but there was enough accolade momentum behind “House of Gucci” to make a locomotive boiler explode. (“Back to the Future: Part 3” explosion clip) Lady Gaga and Jared Leto both deliver transformative performances backed with an A-list supporting cast and fascinating subject material. Gaga and Leto both received multiple nominations, including a Golden Globe nod for “Best Actress” for the former. After the Academy nomination announcements, many were stunned at “Gucci”’s lone category, leaving them wondering if the cards had gotten switched again. (Steve Harvey/wrong card insert [if we can]) Always a lady of class, Gaga shared a heartfelt congratulations to the other nominees on Instagram, noting the dedication that it took to tell stories in the time of Covid. Like the empire of Gucci, it’s doubtful we’ve seen the last of her.