Paul Schrader believes that Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver was snubbed at the 1977 Oscars due to its “controversial” subject matter. Before becoming a notable director himself, Schrader , 79, was an acclaimed screenwriter, best known for penning the screenplay for the Robert De Niro-led crime noir. Starring De Niro as the disturbed insomniac Travis Bickle , who takes a job as a New York City cab driver, the movie follows his obsessive attempt to rescue 12-year-old prostitute Iris (Jodie Foster). The cult classic landed four Oscar nods, including Best Picture. Both Schrader and Scorsese, however, were overlooked for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director, and the top prize ultimately went to John G. Avildsen’s beloved boxing drama Rocky. “I wasn’t a bit thrown that Taxi Driver did not win,” Schrader said in a new interview with Deadline , celebrating the film’s 50th anniversary.…