I, too, am disappointed Condon wasn't recognized. But look who he was up against. If he were to get in, he would replace Stephen Frears for THE QUEEN.
There are lots of criticism for the direction of DREAMGIRLS: too explosive, too fast-paced, etc. For the same reasons, he was also praised. So because of the split, he was a borderline candidate for a nod - as far as award politics go.
We'll see what happens come Oscar time...
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle