The latest survey of what is fast becoming the most polled Academy Awards ever finds that far more people believe that “American Sniper” Director Clint Eastwood was robbed of a nomination than actor David Oyelowo, who played Martin Luther King Jr. in “Selma,” was snubbed.
Virginia-based Vox Populi Polling just released a poll in advance of Sunday’s Oscars that asked the question on many minds:
“What do you think is the biggest snub at this year’s Oscars?”
— Clint Eastwood not nominated for Best Director – 37 percent.
— David Oyelowo not nominated for Best Actor – 14 percent.
— Lego Movie not nominated for Best Animated Feature – 15 percent.
— Something else – 8 percent.
— Unsure – 26 percent.
The poll also found that the two movies in the snub spotlight are the most popular, with 38 percent giving “American Sniper”the best picture Oscar followed by 14 percent who chose “Selma.”
And maybe controversy is good because the poll found that more younger Americans plan to tune in to Sunday’s award show than usual, and African Americans “also seem intent to watch the Oscars.”
The poll asked several questions about”American Sniper,” focusing in on charges it is a pro-war movie that heralds cowards. Asked, for example, how people viewed the movie, 70 percent said they see it somewhere in between a pro-war and anti-war movie.
And asked about liberal director Michael Moore’s claim that snipers are cowards, a total of 77 percent either somewhat or strongly disagreed, although 37 percent of Democrats did agree with Moore’s statement.
“Although American Sniper has been at the center of controversy, a plurality of respondents disagree with the movie’s critics,” said Vox Populi Polling spokeswoman Lisa Boothe in a statement. “Not only do a plurality of the individuals who were polled believe the movie should receive the Academy Award for Best Picture, but they also believe that the movie’s director Clint Eastwood was snubbed. They also soundly reject liberal movie maker Michael Moore’s statement that snipers are cowards.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
