The Oscars were Selma’s last hope. The civil rights drama from director Ava DuVernay seemed, upon its first screening in November, like it could sweep awards season and make history in the process. But “Selma’s” awards dreams were largely crushed Thursday when the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences granted just two nominations to the film —best picture and best original song. When the nominations and awards started to roll out, and “Selma” nods were largely absent.
