Eight movies and actors that actually deserve Oscar wins in 2018

This article was originally published on November 5, 2017.

2018 is here, and in that time we've seen amazing performances by actors and great movies in 2017. But which ones will take home a golden Academy Award?

The Academy of Motion Pictures released the nominations earlier today. Just by scrolling through the lists, you can see that most of the films and performers on this list got snubbed.

Regardless of what you think of the Oscars, there’s a difference between what audiences believe are good films and Hollywood’s standards. We all know Hollywood falls into “La La Land” territory when it comes to selecting Oscars and getting them wrong.

Taking an outsider approach to the Academy Awards, and since all of us have better things to do besides watching a Hollywood awards show, here are eight movies and actors that actually deserve Oscar wins at the 2018 Academy Awards.

1) Hugh Jackman in "Logan (2017)" - Best Actor

Despite the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it's great actors and storytelling, Hollywood as a whole is biased against superhero movies when it comes to Oscar nominations. When was the last time you saw an actor win Best Actor for starring in a superhero movie, aside from Heath Ledger as the Joker? If any actor deserves to win an Oscar for playing a superhero, it's Hugh Jackman. The man has played Logan/Wolverine for over 15 years and told Fox News that this film is very personal to him. Jackman’s commitment to staying in shape to play Wolverine should give him an Oscar win.

2) “Logan (2017)” – Best Picture

The third film in the “Wolverine Trilogy” of 20th Century Fox’s “X-Men” franchise should be a finalist for the Best Picture. It sets a different tone than previous superhero films and has Hugh Jackman play an older and battle-scarred Wolverine. Instead of focusing solely on action or mindless explosions, the characters are at the center of this film. “Logan” had a good chance to become the first live-action superhero feature film to receive a Best Picture win.

3) Christopher Nolan, "Dunkirk (2017)" – Best Director

An acclaimed filmmaker, Christopher Nolan proves himself to be a master of cinema with his latest outing. He sought to recreate the historical event of WWII where Allied soldiers struggled desperately trying to get to England in order to escape the Nazis (long before America got involved in the war). Unless Hollywood listens to historically-inaccurate critics who condemned Nolan’s film for not using minorities and more women in the movie, Nolan should be a strong contender for Best Director.

4) Matt Reeves and Mark Bomback, "War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)" - Best Adapted Screenplay

Like superhero movies, science fiction films fall under the ire of Hollywood but resonate with viewers. This latest film in the “Planet of the Apes” reboot series continues to add heart and a good story for audiences. Thanks to a screenplay by Matt Reeves and Mark Bomback, the film manages to portray the apes as sympathetic characters and not portray all humans (including the soldiers) as evil. It therefore earns a shot at an Oscar win.

5) "Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)" - Best Special Effects

Even before the new Star Wars film has come out, the trailers showcase advanced CGI effects. These effects continue the intense atmosphere in the Star Wars Galaxy established in "The Force Awakens" and "Rogue One," creating more intense dogfights and shootouts than in the previous "Star Wars" films. Except for that whole Ghost Yoda scene, of course. And the Porgs. The production crew behind "The Last Jedi" merit an Oscar win for their use of practical and special effects in the movie and the new "Star Wars" trilogy overall.

6) Gal Gadot, "Wonder Woman (2017)" -- Best Actress

Gal Gadot's portrayal of the most recognized D.C. Comics heroine has received praise from both critics and fans alike. She gave the DCEU a hero who inspired ordinary men and women to rise above themselves and do the right thing. Wonder Woman's success on the big screen helped keep the DCEU franchise alive, but that wouldn't have been possible without Gadot's solid performance. She deserves to take home Oscar gold.

7) "The Lego Batman Movie (2017)" - Best Animated Feature Film

Seriously, there weren’t a lot of good quality animated films in 2017. One exception is "The Lego Batman Movie." This film follows the storyline of "The Lego Movie" and focuses on the Caped Crusader's life fighting crime in Gotham. It managed to keep the spirit of "The Lego Movie" without falling flat on its feet, and anyone who's a fan of the Lego building blocks or Batman would like this film. So in a year where most people in Hollywood decided to make animated cash-grabs instead of animated films with good character and plot development , Batman deserves to win Oscar gold.

8) Harrison Ford, "Blade Runner 2049 (2017)" - Best Supporting Actor

While I haven't seen the new "Blade Runner" film, I believe Harrison Ford gave a performance worth of Oscar gold. He reprises his role from the original film, and he offers Ryan Gosling's character (and moviegoers in general) an answer to whether his character is human or a robot. Director Ridley Scott and Ford have argued about Deckard's (Ford) humanity, with Ford saying he believes his character is a human man. It's interesting to see if Ford can take home an Academy Award in a year where his only competition is Patrick Stewart in "Logan," and Robert Downey, Jr. in "Spider-Man: Homecoming."