Top Ten | Movies That Should Have Been Nominated for an Oscar Besides 'The Blind Side'

    We at the Daily Arts Department are seriously not amused because "The Blind Side" (2009) has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Seriously, what were you thinking, Academy?  Not only is this movie unworthy of that honor, but there are plenty of other films that came out in 2009 that we think would be better suited for this prestigious nod.
   

10. Kittens Inspired by Kittens: "I'm her mom." "No ... she's not ..." Who says YouTube.com videos aren't worthy of an Oscar or two?

9. "Zombieland:" Bill Murray provides one of the best cameos ever and Woody Harrelson goes Rambo on some zombies. Plus, everyone loves Michael Cera clone-bot Jesse Eisenberg.

8. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel:" Without a doubt the best sequel subtitle since "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" (1984). A lot of talented people — including Justin Long, Amy Poehler, Jason Lee and Zachary Levi — shamed themselves and/or got their voices sped up for this movie, but hey, at least they got paid.

7. "Star Trek:" Technology came at the right time for this one. Let's face it, no one wants to see Leonard Nimoy in 3D, but Zachary Quinto?  And this Vulcan has emotions?  Uhura better watch out: BEAM US UP Scotty!

6. "The Hangover:" The picture slideshow at the end of this film speaks for itself. Is Carrot Top snorting that ... off a stripper?
5. "The Young Victoria:" Emily Blunt's strong performance as Queen Victoria of England lends a great deal to this film that explores the early years of the legendary queen's reign. The film is well acted and beautifully shot and includes enough period costume and architecture to satisfy even the most proper and historically conscious Britons.

4. "(500) Days of Summer:" There are more than 500 reasons to fall in love with this movie — the soundtrack being just one — and it's a complete crime that it's not included in the nominees. Zooey Deschanel doesn't do much aside from blink, but she's still better than Sandra Bullock.

3. "Sherlock Holmes:" Never has Sherlock been so badass — he's got the moves of a Jason Bourne, the British cool of a James Bond and the deductive reasoning of Socrates all rolled into one. So logically, this film merits an Oscar on the character's awesomeness alone! Elementary, my dear Watson.

2. "Fantastic Mr. Fox:" It's got Meryl Streep in it. Well, Meryl Streep's voice. Done deal.

1. "A Single Man:" Colin Firth gives one of the best performances of his career with his poignant portrayal of a heartbroken man learning to cope with the death of his longtime lover, played by Matthew Goode. The film is beautifully shot, courtesy of fashion designer and first-time director Tom Ford.