Talented bunch! One thing you have to give Oscar voters credit for: they honor actresses of all ages, don’t they?
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Hoyohoyo / February 7, 2012
0 Asian… Best Supporting Actress is better in terms of Asian representation I guess…
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NIk Grape / February 7, 2012
Bullock’s deer-in-the-headlights photo is perfect. Still grind my teeth over that travesty…
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scary / February 7, 2012
The Repeater Nominations of Meryl Streep(4), Nicole Kidman(3) and Judi Dench(3). Best Actresses of the Decade.
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daveinprogress / February 7, 2012
My personal favorite only lines up 4 times with Oscar in the past decade, and only 8 times since i have been following the Oscars and
noting my ‘best’ of the year since 1977.
2001 Halle Berry – mine: Judi Dench “Iris”
2002 Nicole Kidman – mine: Julianne Moore “Far from heaven”
2003 Charlize Theron – mine: Charlize Theron “Monster”
2004 Hilary Swank – mine: Imelda Staunton “Vera Drake”
2005 Reece Witherspoon mine: Felicity Huffman :”Transamerica”
2006 Helen Mirren mine: Helen Mirren “The Queen”
2007 Marion Cotillard mine: Ellen Page “Juno”
2008 Kate Winslet mine: Kate Winslet “Revolutionary road” & “The Reader”
2009 Sandra Bullock mine: Tilda Swinton “Julia”
2010 Natalie Portman mine: Natalie Portman “Black Swan”
The only other 4 i had the same preference as the Academy were Meryl Streep (Sophie’s Choice), Sally Field (Places in the Heart), Holly Hunter (The Piano) and Hilary Swank (Boys Don’t cry)
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Alice / February 7, 2012
Much as I love many of the actresses up there, that’s a lot of white faces. Although I guess Best Director would be even more depressing.
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Nichola / February 7, 2012
Interesting going from Left to Right it starts with the winner of that year, and for this year it’s Glenn Close first.
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Jonny / February 7, 2012
@Nichola, I’m pretty sure this year’s are in alphabetical order by last name.
Close, Davis, Mara, Streep, Williams
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Sasha Stone / February 7, 2012
@Nichola, I’m pretty sure this year’s are in alphabetical order by last name.
Yes. In all years but the current one it leads with winner and then goes down alpha order. This year is in alpha order.
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Sasha Stone / February 7, 2012
Much as I love many of the actresses up there, that’s a lot of white faces. Although I guess Best Director would be even more depressing.
Yup. If you did the DGA starting at the beginning you’d be horrified.
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JP / February 7, 2012
A question for all you guys: what do you think are the 3 best lineups of the last decade in order?
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JP / February 7, 2012
2 obvious conclusions:
- The girls are all (virtually all) white.
- Meryl`s face is all over the losers place.
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Bette / February 7, 2012
MISSING:
2001: Naomi Watts – Mulholland Dr. – probably should have won though Halle was great too
2002: Meryl Streep – The Hours
2003: Evan Rachel Wood – Thirteen (#2 after Charlize)
2004: Audrey Tatou – A Very Long Engagement
2005: Juliette Binoche – Cache
2006: Seema Biswas – Water (very underrated, great film)
2007: Angelina Jolie – A Mighty Heart (her best performance)
2008: Sally Hawkins – Happy Go Lucky – should have won, hands down
2009: Yolande Moreau – Seraphine – also should have won, though Carey Mulligan was also great
2010: Naomi Roopace – Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – maybe its because it came first, but I found her much more effective than Rooney.
2011: I would have nominated Michelle Williams, Meryl Streep, Kirsten Dunst, Olivia Coleman and Tilda Swinton. My #6 would have been Elizabeth Olsen (can’t believe I’m saying that) over Viola Davis, who is such a fine actress, she blew me away in Fences, and she even blew me away with her 2 minutes of silence in Antoine Fisher, but her work in The Help, while very fine, just didn’t seem to me to be as much of a challenge as the aforementioned actresses. Glenn Close’s nomination was a pity vote, she has no business competing for that performance, with barely an inner-life shown. Janet McTeer, who definitely deserved a nomination, blew Close away.
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Nichola / February 7, 2012
ugh. so sick of people playing the race card. if you look closer this is a VERY diverse group of women.
Marion Cotillard is French. Ellen Page is Canadian. Penelope Cruz is Spanish. Salma Hayek is Mexican. Charlize is South African. Catalina is from Columbia. Natalie Portman was born in Jerusalem.
Just Saying
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cinejab / February 7, 2012
2007 is my favorite lineup. Could have done without Blanchett in the unnecessary Elizabeth sequel, but the other 4 performances were so great.
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Sasha Stone / February 7, 2012
Nichola, I once made the suggestion that Penelope Cruz was a “person of color” and I got shot down. Seems like you can break through if you’re hot enough.
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Bob Burns / February 7, 2012
worth fifty thousand words.
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steve50 / February 7, 2012
“A question for all you guys: what do you think are the 3 best lineups of the last decade in order?”
I’m going for 4:
2006 – strong year, but it was no contest from the start. Mirren had the performance and the industry behind her, 100%, all the way. Any one of the others could have won in another year (or without Mirren in the race) The biggest cakewalk in Oscar history, I’m sure.
2002 – Should have been Julianne’s year, but Lane was strong, as was Kidman. Meryl was also outstanding and should have been in there for The Hours.
2007 – if only for the race between Cotillard and Christie. You honestly did not know who the winner would be until the envelope was opened and, being a huge admirer of both, there was no disappointment, although it was great to see Christie’s brilliant return.
2011 – Gotta say this is the strongest year for BA in a long time – just look at the list of who didn’t make the cut. Probably unprecedented.
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NIk Grape / February 7, 2012
@Nichola
I share that sickness a little though I can understand their outrage slightly (more so on the DGA).
What Id like to see though from Sasha and the rest who like to bring up race, is which black actress they would have picked as their nominee instead of one of the others for any of those years…because being shocked over too many white faces just because there’s too many white face doesn’t hold any water..
But anyway, @JP just off the top of my head now..
1. 2006
2. 2004
3. 2011
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bebe / February 7, 2012
That gallery is disproportionately white. That can’t be argued. Whether it’s the Academy as a microcosm of the industry or simply the Academy itself, that’s a lot of white faces. If you go back from Halle Berry to its inception, you’d see even more (nearly all) white faces. Is it possible that Academy members identify more with white performances? Is it that women of color aren’t considered for Oscar-y roles? Whatever the algorithm is behind the whiteness of the Best Actress race, it’s something that needs to be, at the very least, acknowledged.
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arjecc / February 7, 2012
Of course, Penelope Cruz is a “person of color”. I am spanish and just like in the black community, we have many shades of skin complexion. It is also very difficult for spanish and latino actors to get good roles, for Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz, for example, the accent and latino look is hard to overcome for casting directors. A lot has been said about the few african-american actors that have won Oscars, for latinos, the biggest minority in the US, we have yet to have an actor or actress win an Oscar in a leading role. Heck, being nominated are events and rare in our community. Even getting an all latino cast is rare. At least african-americans have the Tyler Perry Movies and Dream Girls, Color Purple, etc. However, the whites that win Oscars or whites in general shouldn’t be resented for it, the blameis really the system and all minorities should keep working hard to get closer to equality.
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matt / February 7, 2012
Bebe, I suggest you read Nicola’s post again:
Marion Cotillard is French. Ellen Page is Canadian. Penelope Cruz is Spanish. Salma Hayek is Mexican. Charlize is South African. Catalina is from Columbia. Natalie Portman was born in Jerusalem.
Virtual Cinematography in an Animated Film to Rango
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JP / February 7, 2012
@ bebe
The problem is that the black actress are not given the same opportunities. And this exclusion comes from the basis. How many great black actress are there in the movie business? This business as whole is unfortunatelly still a white one. Even the Oscarologists… How many of them are black or latin?
Virtual cinematography in a live-action feature: Hugo
Virtual Cinematography in a Broadcast Program or Commercial: Gears of War
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Casey / February 7, 2012
My picks for each years best nominated performance:
Sissy spacek
Julianne Moore
Charlize Theron
Imelda Staunton
Felicity Huffman
Helen mirren
Marion cotillard
Angelina Jolie
Gabourey sidibe
Nicole Kidman
Glenn close
And I’ve only chosen 3 winners.
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Saul / February 7, 2012
Still bitter about Felicity. Loved her in Transamerica.
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Saul / February 7, 2012
I really want Laura Linney to win an Oscar someday, she is always so consistently good in everything. She was impeccable in The Savages. But the Academy definitely got it right that year with Marion, my #3 favorite win from the last decade (behind Natalie and Charlize)
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Nichola / February 7, 2012
I think the Academy is clearly trying. Like someone said above, the past decade more then any other has a much more diverse group of women.
I think it’s unfair to all other cultures to look at the picture and say ‘oh well they’re all WHITE’ just because they don’t have a different color skin.
Like my examples with Charlize Theron being South African and Ellen Page being Canadian. It’s quite amazing to think how they got from where they started to where they are now.
I think Viola will win and should win. But if she does, will people still be able to continue bitching about Black Women not getting their due? I don’t think so. Halle Berry, Viola Davis, Jennifer Hudson, Monique, Octavia Spencer. I think giving the Academy crap about that after this year will just be nonsense.
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Nichola / February 7, 2012
and that’s keeping in mind that the Academy and Hollywood are two different things. The Academy can give 10 African American actresses Oscars, doing their part in solving that problem.
But it’s Hollwood’s (studio execs etc) fault if they don’t get the roles that match their talent. Don’t blame the Academy for something they can’t control.
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daveinprogress / February 7, 2012
I wonder if AMPAS would consider extending the lead actor and actress to 6 – like the Globes and Emmys seem to do from time to time. If 9 or 10 best picture candidates get the recognition, it would certainly allow them to include so many of the great performances that we all bemoan have been left out every year. 5 seems so slight!
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Sean / February 7, 2012
My choices for each year: (I’ve seen all except Albert Nobbs, The Iron Lady, and My Week with Marilyn)
2001 – Sissy Spacek
2002 – Renne Zellweger
2003 – Samantha Morton
2004 – Hilary Swank
2005 – Reese Witherspoon
2006 – Helen Mirren
2007 – Ellen Page
2008 – Anne Hathaway
2009 – Gabourey Sidibe
2010 – Annette Bening
2011 – Viola Davis (for now, though I doubt this will change)
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Alexandeets Hanffington Leeth / February 7, 2012
If any other race made up 63% of the U.S. population this chart would look radically different.
A painful reminder that Naomi Watts has but a single nomination to her name.
In 2006, although Mirren clearly had it in the bag, honestly every single one of those nominees could have taken it.
2007 is my personal favourite. I mean – Ellen Page, Laura Linney, Marion Cotillard AND Julie Christie?! Great bunch of performances!
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N / February 8, 2012
Don’t forget the brilliant Cate Blanchett has been nominated 4 times total in the past 10 years, albeit most in supporting, but nonetheless she is one of the finest actresses out there.
and for 2001, the winner should have been ISABELLE HUPPERT for The Piano Teacher
and Julianne Moore was ROBBED from her deserved Oscar for Far From Heaven
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Armando / February 8, 2012
The name of the country is Colombia, not Columbia.
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jb / February 8, 2012
You see all these great actresses and then you see Sandra Bullock.
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Michael / February 8, 2012
Still hurts about Gabourey. Talented bunch of ladies. Very white and American but until the Academy changes to become international (unlikely) it will look like this.
2010: May even be the last great actress year with the least effective one having to win. My ranking would have been: Michelle Williams, Annette Bening, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lawrence and Natalie Portman, with Lesley Manville missing the cut.
2007: Was still great with Blanchett thrown in to show how much thy love her. My order: Cotillard, Linney, Page, Christie, Blanchett with Angelina Jolie missing the spot.
Last is 2002: Impeccable year. So many great films to choose from. My order: Moore, Zellweger, Lane, Kidman, Hayek with Isabelle Huppert lacking support from American AMPAS voters.
This year was a boring one. Close’s nomination is such a travesty considering her good-but-missed perf from Fatal Attraction and Dangerous Liaisons. Streep may well be a default nominee when in fact her performance was good, but consider Forest Whitaker’s mimicry and judge whether she did a good biopic to be considered good. Mara’s nomination for me is troublesome. Had she been nominated for her future Lisbeth performances there would have been a keen judging as to how good her range as an actress may be because right now she’s limited and may even be fixated with that of Rapace (think of Weaver for Aliens). Williams chose a wrong film to push gor this year. She was much more at her best with Take This Waltz! That leaves Davis, the fairly acceptable but still not best performance of the bunch. Missing the cut? Dunst, Theron, Swinton, Olsen and the maligned best of this year: Keira Knightley.
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Roger the Shrubber / February 8, 2012
Nichola, I counted five black women that you mentioned. Add Hattie McDaniel and you get six. So you have six black women, assuming that Viola Davis wins, winning after AMPAS has been handing out awards for 84 years. You do the math. Do you think that that’s all that black women are “due”?
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James / February 8, 2012
My Picks
2001: Sissy Spacek, In the Bedroom
2002: Julianne Moore, Far from Heaven
2003: Charlize Theron, Monster
2004: Imelda Staunton, Vera Drake
2005: Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
2006: Helen Mirren, The Queen
2007: Julie Christie, Afterglow
2008: None of the Above (Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road)
2009: None of the Above (Charlotte Gainsbourg, Antichrist)
2010: Annette Bening, The Kids are All Right
2011: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
2011 is hands down the strongest.
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James / February 8, 2012
I would have picked Yolande Moreau in Seraphine for 2009, but the film was from 2008 where Kate Winslet was undeniably the best.
And Poetry was a 2010 film, so I guess I have to replace Annette Bening with Yun Jeong-hie.
1 Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge!, The Others, Dogville, Birth)
2 Bryce Dallas Howard /The Village, As you like it, Lady in the Water, Manderlay
3 Marion Cotillard (Inception, Public Enemies, Big Fish)
4 Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Star Wars Episode III, Closer, My Blueberry Nights, Black Swan)
5 Olivia Williams (The Ghost writer)
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James / February 8, 2012
Just want to mention these fantastic performances which were not Oscar-nominated.
2001: Isabelle Huppert in The Piano Teacher; Ronit Elkabetz in Late Marriage; Maribel Verdu in Y Tu Mama Tambien
2002: Samantha Morton in Morvern Callar
2003: Nicole Kidman in Dogville; Toni Collette in Japanese Story
2004: Maggie Cheung in Clean; Vera Farmiga in Down to the Bone
2005: Hanna Laszlo in Free Zone; Juliette Binoche in Cache
2006: Laura Dern in Inland Empire; Martina Gedeck in The Lives of Others
2007: Tang Wei in Lust, Caution; Juliette Binoche in Flight of the Red Balloon
2008: Kate Winslet in Revolutionary Road; Yolande Moreau in Seraphine; Sally Hawkins in Happy-Go-Lucky
2009: Charlotte Gainsbourg in Antichrist; Kim Hye-ja in Mother
2010: Yun Jeong-hie in Poetry; Tilda Swinton in I am Love
2011: Tilda Swinton in We Need to Talk About Kevin; Kirsten Dunst in Melancholia
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Mac / February 8, 2012
“Talented bunch! One thing you have to give Oscar voters credit for: they honor actresses of all ages, don’t they?”
@Jesse Crall – The Academy might nominate actresses of “all ages”, but they sure don’t reward all of them with the Best Actress Oscar. I think there have only been 8 winners aged 50+: Marie Dressler, Helen Mirren, Jessica Tandy, Shirley Booth, Geraldine Page, and Katherine Hepburn x3. It’s most egregious with actresses in their 50′s – which I find fairly young – as only one has managed to win the Oscar in that age range.
Pick any two decades and you will likely find more Best Actor winners in that age group.
It’s like the women of color argument (to a certain extent); there just are as many quality roles for post-menopausal women.
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Nichola / February 8, 2012
@Roger um..sorry. we can’t change the past. let’s remember the civil rights movement didn’t happen til the 60′s…and even then the Academy was doing something the rest of the country wasn’t. Beah Richards, Ethel Waters, Hattie McDaniel still made it through.
Not sure what you mean by ‘other women who are due? what other African American actresses out there are really ‘due’ for a nomination? it’s surely not just because of their skin color. They do have to have the talent to back it up, or one would hope so
5 African American women winning an Oscar in the last 11 years is pretty significant actually. that’s almost half. if you think that’s not enough then you are just looking for a reason to complain.
The Black, Beautiful and Talented pool of actresses is out there, and have been for a while. Surely there must some poignant stories for them to tell on film. Starring roles given to them because they are simply great actors and not because of their skin tone. They are stuck on TV and Tyler Perry’esque movies and it’s not fair Hollywood. If you look at the Oscar portfolio above a lot of the non biopic type of roles could easily have been played by an actress of african, asian, latin or whatever heritage. Hope to live to see the day when such a variety shapes the movie landscape.
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Nic V / February 8, 2012
***Of course, Penelope Cruz is a “person of color”. I am spanish and just like in the black community, we have many shades of skin complexion.***
Although I completely understand what this comment is saying it’s one of the most ridiculous comments I’ve ever seen here. I’m white by definition. But I’m half Italian and half Czech. I have 11 brothers and sisters. Three of them look like they could have stepped off a boat from Sicily. I have a sister who is so blonde and fair you’d think she’d just stepped off a plane from Berlin. I myself am caught somewhere in between and probably would be more representative of Milan. Just as there are tones of color in every race there are tones of color in the caucausian race. It’s all about your heritage and your genetic make up. Let’s stop talking like people who no intelligence and realizing that the diversity of skin color isn’t just regulated to one race. That’s just the most disrespectful comment I’ve seen here regarding race yet.
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Nic V / February 8, 2012
I’m also getting a little tired of seeing “white” no one is “white”. White in the way it’s being used here is a mentality not a skin a color.
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Nic V / February 8, 2012
And one more thing. Cause now I’m just rarin’. Take a good look at Sophia Loren’s skin color. She’s white by your definition but she sure don’t look very pale to me. Then compare her to Virna Lisi or Monica Vitti. Then compare them all to Anna Magnani and Gina Lollobrigida. Then take that one step further and compare them too Giuletta Masina and Silvanna Mangano. Then compare them all to Claudia Cardinale. Yeah they are all called white. Take a good look at them all and then tell me that there isn’t any difference in skin tone. SMH.
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tom / February 8, 2012
Nicole Kidman and Marion Cotillard were the best Oscar winners of best actress category. And I hope Meryl Streep does this time.
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Aubrey / February 8, 2012
Racial composition reflects American audience, if they pay with their own money to see who they like, that’s the studio’s business, in order to survive and compete. If they do anything other, it’s whether the niche factor is economically viable. The market dictates, the Academy reflects.
America isn’t unique. In all multiracial countries, films reflect the majority MARKET (those who pay, not the population), whether China, in Europe, India, Brazil etc which are multiracial populations.
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Tom Dewey / February 8, 2012
The snide comments about Ms Bullock’s performance have grown very tiresome. It’s just awful her performance didn’t meet some people’s required high standards- but sometimes popular performances just simply awards. To keep singling her out as unworthy just shows a lot of pettiness and snobbery. Move on kids.
It’s just awful her performance didn’t meet some people’s required high standards-
yes, I believe that’s exactly what it is.
some of us would like the word “best” to mean something.
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William James / February 8, 2012
It surprises me that snide comments about Sandra Bullock still abound when the real travesty was Reese Witherspoon’s win – she plays herself in every movie she’s in.
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John / February 8, 2012
Marion Cotillard is the most deserving of that award in the past decade.
best performance by an actress in a very long time.
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jorge / February 8, 2012
I THINK THE BEST ACTRESS WINNERS OVER THE DECADE WAS:
1.MARION COTILLARD “LA VIE EN ROSE”
2.CHARLIZE THERON “MONSTER” TIED WITH NATALIE PORTMAN “BLACK SWAN”
3.NICOLE KIDMAN “THE HOURS”
4. HELEN MIRREN “THE QUEEN”
5. HILLARY SWANK “BOYS DONT CRY”
6. KATE WINSLET “THE READER”
7. REESE WITHERSPOON “WALK OF THE LINE”
8. SANDRA BULLOCK “THE BLIND SIDE”
9. HALLE BERRY “MONSTER BALL”
IM NOT A RACIST PERSON BUT IDO THINK THE FACT THAT SHE JUST WON BECAUSE SHE IS BLACK AND THAT SEX SCENE, she was okay all the movie…
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Betsy / February 8, 2012
Sissy Spacek in 2001 in In the Bedroom was brilliant.
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Sasha Stone / February 8, 2012
Racial composition reflects American audience, if they pay with their own money to see who they like, that’s the studio’s business, in order to survive and compete. If they do anything other, it’s whether the niche factor is economically viable. The market dictates, the Academy reflects.
Simple yet spot on description of how it all works. Things won’t change, though, until the “white narrative” isn’t the only narrative. We white audiences just don’t yet have a black narrative that isn’t a cliche. We don’t accept the ones recent black filmmakers have given us, particularly, so we are only comfortable in films that either relieve whitey guilt with the magical negro, or else portray black characters in roles we’re more comfortable seeing them in. To that end, it is nearly impossible for any black actor to overcome this — I think the men have it much easier – Denzel Washington is his own demographic. Ditto Will Smith. Those guys have managed to work in both worlds fairly well. But it’s hard – filmmaking is dominated by white filmmakers. No one wants white filmmakers to tell black stories so those stories never get made. You know, it’s a snake eatings its own tail but sooner or later people have to stop shutting up about it, start talking about it, especially now that there isn’t any Oprah around.
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Sasha Stone / February 8, 2012
Nicole Kidman and Marion Cotillard were the best Oscar winners of best actress category. And I hope Meryl Streep does this time.
Not Kidman. Marion Cotillard, sure. Helen Mirren, Halle Berry and Kate Winslet are the most deserving in my eyes.
Racial composition reflects American audience, if they pay with their own money to see who they like
I will say though — look at your local multiplex offerings this week and enjoy the rarest of rare events: Two movies in theaters that feature black actors (Red Tails. Joyful Noise)
50 weeks of the year, any Black person, any Asian person who wants to take his Black date or Asian family to the movies will stand in the theater lobby and have 12 films with 12 lily white casts to chose from.
I’m saying: maybe Black and Asian people don’t buy tickets for Black and Asian movies — because there usually aren’t any decent movies with Black casts. There sure aren’t ever any films with Asian casts.
Gee, Big Macs sure are popular at McDonald’s. Why don’t McDonald’s customers ever eat a banana? Fast food customers must hate bananas. Or maybe it’s because there’s no McNana on the menu.
I’m saying: maybe Black and Asian people don’t buy tickets for Black and Asian movies — because there usually aren’t any decent movies with Black casts. There sure aren’t ever any films with Asian casts.
I’ll argue with myself here.
The larger problem had nothing to do with how many Black people will pay to see a movie with a Black cast.
What needs to change is the number of White people who will pay to see a movie with a Black cast. And that’s why I’ve stopped having misgivings about the prominence of the White characters in the help. The White storyline needed to be there if the novel and movie were to make any money.
What’s wrong with most White people that they require this lure, this hook, or else they can’t relate?
How weird would it be if a Black person said: “The Godfather? The Exorcist? Lord of the Rings? no thanks, I can’t watch those movies. Nobody for me to identify with.”
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Simon Warrasch / February 8, 2012
My Personal Favourites from the last decade: (2002 – 2012)
2002 – Nicole Kidman – Moulin Rouge
2003 – Diane Lane – Unfaithful
2004 – Naomi Watts – 21 Grams
2005 – Hilary Swank – Million Dollar Baby
2006 – Felicity Huffman – Transamerica
2007 – Penelope Cruz – Volver
2008 – Marion Cotilliard – La vie en Rose
2009 – Kate Winslet – The Reader and Anne Hathaway – Rachel getting married
2010 – Gaboure Sidibe – Precious – Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire
2011 – Michelle Williams – Blue Valentine
And from 2012 – Michelle Williams – My Week with Marilyn
TOP 5 from the Academy Award Winners between 2002 – 2011
1. Marion Cotilliard – La vie en Rose
2. Hilary Swank – Million Dollar Baby
3. Charlize Theron – Monster
4. Kate Winslet – The Reader
5. Halle Berry – Monster’s Ball
TOP 5 from the Nominees between 2002 – 2011
1. Naomi Watts – 21 Grams
2. Marion Cotilliard – La vie en Rose
3. Michelle Williams – Blue Valentine
4. Hilary Swank – Million Dollar Baby
5. Felicity Huffman – Transamerica
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iggy / February 8, 2012
It’s not only too white, it’s too blonde as well (Mara or Emma Stone should pay attention if they want Oscars in the future). Even Portman looks more blondish in that pictura than her usual self.
If Oscars could, they would photoshop any ethnicity out of their winners.
It never gets old, the issue of race and ethnicity (do you realize it comes out mostly when talking about women and not men? Interesting). I’m no expert (whaaaat? someone on the internet who’s not an expert giving his opinion??), but I think maybe the worst legacy nazis left us (apart from the most obvious terrible crimes, duh) was the indelible connection between white race and blond blue-eyed Arian features. If you close your eyes and think of someone white, that’s what comes to your mind. And that, together with the misconception that a race is uniform looking makes us forget that Anna Magnani is as white as Julianne Moore or that Marion Cotillard is as white as Reese Whiterspoon. And quite honestly, every time I read someone praising an actress for her translucent skin or her bone structure it creeps me out. If only because it means that the idea that there’s a better looking race has entered so deeply into our consciousness that we don’t even realize.
I won’t ever enter the discussion of the term latino, something used to classify and label people as different looking as Cubans or Argentinians isn’t even worthy the discussion.
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Sonja / February 8, 2012
I think Helen Mirren, Marion Cotillard and especially Charlize Theron deserved their wins the most. Those three ladies gave really intense performances. (and all of them for real persons. hmmm…. seems I have a thing for biopics)
I like Nicole Kidman’s and Kate Winslet’s wins, but they seemed a bit of a make up win to me. But I don’t dislike them.
Felicity Huffman was great in “Transamerica”, but I have not seen WTL yet, so I can’t judge Witherspoon.
I understand why Natalie Portman won, but I was more moved by Annette Bening, so I’d have given the win to her in 2010.
I don’t comment on Bullock….. I’m so over it now, finally.
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Keifer / February 8, 2012
Missing from the photo gallery, and my own personal choices of actresses who should at least have been nominated for these performances:
Audrey Tatou – A Very Long Engagement
Tilda Swinton – I Am Love
Keira Knightley – The Duchess
Frances McDormand – Burn After Reading
Anne Hathaway – Becoming Jane
Emma Thompson – Nanny McPhee
Joan Allen – The Upside of Anger
Tilda Swinton – Julia
Gwyneth Paltrow – Proof
Natasha Richardson – Asylum
Uma Thurman – The Golden Bowl
Tilda Swinton – We Need to Talk About Kevin
I guess you can surmise from the above list that I really love Tilda Swinton, right? (She also gave a great supporting performance in Burn After Reading – and again failed to get an AMPAS nomination, although BAFTA did recognize her work in that film.)
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Keifer / February 8, 2012
I agree with some of the bloggers on this site: Sandra Bullock’s win is one of the worst choices in Oscar history. Any of the other four that year were so much better. I would have given it to Mirren for The Last Station. I loved her performance in that movie.
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Joe / February 8, 2012
Is that Keira Knightly pictured instead of Natalie Portman for last year?
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Alper / February 8, 2012
Very well deserved winners (Halle, Nicole, Charlize, Marion, Kate, Sandra, Natalie)and this year Viola will win.(she really deserves).
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Alper / February 8, 2012
my personal TOP 5
1.Charlize Theron in Monster
2.Natalie Portman in Black Swan
3.Marion Cotillard in La vie en rose
4.Kate Winslet in The Reader
5.Nicole Kidman in The Hours
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César / February 8, 2012
I’m missing Kristin Scott Thomas in 2009. I adored her subtle performance in Il y a longtemps que je t’aime. But it was a tough year – there was also a Sally Hawkins, who didn’t made the cut …
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Alper / February 8, 2012
question :”the biggest loser of the decade”
answer :Meryl Streep
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Alper / February 8, 2012
August: Osage County (2013) Meryl’s last chance.
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Douglas / February 8, 2012
Damn fine line-up. Of those winners, my top three performances would go to Marion Cotillard, Helen Mirren, and Nicole Kidman.
Most undeserving? Each of them…even Sandra Bullock…was good, no dogs. Still, in my book, I’d have voted for Annette Bening in “Being Julia” over Hilary Swank for “Million Dollar Baby.” Also, I love Reese Witherspoon, but I’d have voted for Felicity Huffman in “Transamerica.”
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brainypirate / February 8, 2012
Sasha and Ryan,
Thanks for your discussion of race and how it plays out not only in the nominations, but also in the filmmaking process and in the marketing and box office.
It’s sad that white non-hispanics make up only 63% of the U.S. population but such a large % of the Oscar nominations in all categories every year. It’s easier for non-white foreigners to get nominated than for Americans of color (although we usually get 1 or 2 black Americans in the mix every year — just not enough Latinas/os, Asian Americans, Native Americans etc.).
I take it for granted that there is much more “talent of color” in Hollywood than the box-office has room for. Like you said, until the general population stops focusing on white narratives, things won’t change much.
It’s sad that white non-hispanics make up only 63% of the U.S. population but such a large % of the Oscar nominations in all categories every year.
brainypirate, thank you for highlighting that only 63% of the population is white. Instead the number usually thrown at us is “only 12% of the population is black, so what’s the problem is there’s one black girl out of 10 on the cover of Vanity Fair.”
The problem is that the country is far more colorful than black and white. The other problem is: Great job Vanity Fair! Now if only 1 out of every 10 characters on screen were black.
In a group of 20 actors, we should be seeing a fair representation of 12 White, 2 black, 3 Latino, 1 Asian and two other rainbow colors.
At least Hollywood has finally stopped casting spray-painted white people as “Indians” in cowboy movies. Johnny Depp has a fraction of Cherokee blood (so do I), so I guess we can accept him as 100% Native American Tonto (??)
2000: Gillian Anderson (THE HOUSE OF MIRTH), Bjork (DANCER IN THE DARK), Ellen Burstyn (REQUIEM FOR A DREAM), Laura Linney (YOU CAN COUNT ON ME), Julia Roberts (ERIN BROCKOVICH). My sentimental choice is Burstyn, but I’m going with what I REALLY think the best is, and that’s Anderson in the horribly underseen THE HOUSE OF MIRTH.
2001: Thora Birch (GHOST WORLD), Nicole Kidman (MOULIN ROUGE), Sissy Spacek (IN THE BEDROOM), Charlotte Rampling (UNDER THE SAND), Naomi Watts (MULHOLLAND DR.). Watts, of course, deserves to be the winner.
2002: Jennifer Anniston (THE GOOD GIRL), Diane Lane (UNFAITHFUL), Leslie Manville (ALL OR NOTHING), Julianne Moore (FAR FROM HEAVEN), Samantha Morton (MORVERN CALLAR). I would go with Manville, even though it was hard to deny Moore here.
2003: Jennifer Connelly (HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG), Zooey Deschanel (ALL THE REAL GIRLS), Charlize Theron (MONSTER), Uma Thurman (KILL BILL), Naomi Watts (21 GRAMS). I adore Zooey’s performance, but I have to give it to Charlize Theron.
2004: Nicole Kidman (BIRTH), Catalina Sandeno Moreno (MARIA FULL OF GRACE), Imelda Staunton (VERA DRAKE), Hillary Swank (MILLION DOLLAR BABY), Kate Winslet (ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND). Staunton should have taken this award, hands down.
2005: Juliette Binoche (CACHE), Claire Danes (SHOPGIRL), Felicity Huffman (TRANSAMERICA), Q’orianka Kilcher (THE NEW WORLD), Liv Ullmann (SARABAND). Not a great year. I like Kilcher’s performance the best, but I’d give it to Ullmann.
2006: Laura Dern (INLAND EMPIRE), Shareeka Epps (HALF NELSON), Maggie Gyllenhall (SHERRYBABY), Helen Mirren (THE QUEEN), Kate Winslet (LITTLE CHILDREN). I’d give it to Dern for her onscreen insanity, but I can understand why Mirren deserves it, too. Ah, heck, let’s give it to Dame Helen.
2007: Julie Christie (AWAY FROM HER), Marion Cotillard (LA VIE EN ROSE), Laura Linney (THE SAVAGES), Ellen Page (JUNO), Luisa Williams (DAY NIGHT DAY NIGHT). Cotillard, no question.
2008: Anna Faris (SMILEY FACE), Sally Hawkins (HAPPY-GO-LUCKY), Angelina Jolie (CHANGELING), Meryl Streep (DOUBT), Michelle Williams (WENDY AND LUCY). I like Williams here the best, though Hawkins is a wonder in that film.
2009: Abbie Cornish (BRIGHT STAR), Michelle Monaghan (TRUCKER), Gabourey Sidibe (PRECIOUS), Meryl Streep (JULIE AND JULIA), Tilda Swinton (JULIA). I’da given it to Swinton.
2010: Annette Benning (THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT), Katie Jarvis (FISH TANK), Natalie Portman (BLACK SWAN), Emma Stone (EASY A), Michelle Williams (BLUE VALENTINE). Emma Stone knocked me out with her perf in that movie. Sorry, Annette…
2011: Juliette Binoche (CERTIFIED COPY), Kirsten Dunst (MELANCHOLIA), Tilda Swinton (WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN), Kristen Wiig (BRIDESMAIDS), Michelle Williams (MY WEEK WITH MARILYN). I would have put Davis in the supporting category. I would happily give the award to Dunst.
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The Dude / February 8, 2012
There are a lot of white faces, but there are much more bigger and better roles for white women than there are for those that aren’t white. The problem is more in the industry- and, arguably, in the audiences- than the Academy itself, I think.
Should be noticed too that the number of male non-white actors that were nominated for best actor is certainly bigger- and with 3 in 10 wins, it also is bigger in the proportion of wins. On the other hand, the average age for this nominees would certainly be much higher.
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Keifer / February 8, 2012
Dean Treadway,
Isn’t it amazing how many really great female performances go unheralded by AMPAS? Your list proves the point. Thanks.
See my list above on this site for other performances which went unnoticed. I think Tilda Swinton has been criminally overlooked in the past few years. Perhaps winning the BSA for Michael Clayton gave her the Oscar curse? If she hadn’t won that year, perhaps they would be more inclined to vote for her now.
The problem is more in the industry- and, arguably, in the audiences- than the Academy itself, I think.
The Dude,
I believe you’re right. It’s clear — especially in recent years — when the Academy announces it’s new inductees, the newly invited members of the AMPAS seem to have been selected with a proportionate number of women and persons of color. So I think the increased diversity in the Academy in recent decades can account for the improvement in the diversity of nominees and winners.
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Mattoc / February 8, 2012
See, I am confused with the comment about white narratives. In my life, in my world, wherever I go, whatever I do there is white, black, asian people doing the same thing.
When I go to the movies I have an expectation that J Edgar will be played by a white actor and Martin Luther will be played by a black actor. I have an expectation that historical events are represented accordingly. I don’t much care if they don’t, but I do have a preconceived idea.
Outside of biopics and historical narratives, I don’t have any expectations of who plays what in a story.
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Massimo / February 8, 2012
Should Have Won(2001-2010)
2001 Halle Berry
Should Have Won – Halle Berry & Sissy Spacek *Tie
2002 Nicole Kidman
Should Have Won – Julianne Moore, Far from Heaven
2003 Charlize Theron
Should Have Won – Charlize Theron, Monster (Yay, they got it right)
2004 Hilary Swank
Should Have Won – Imelda Staunton, Vera Drake
2005 Reese Witherspoon
Should Have Won – Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
2006 Helen Mirren
Should Have Won – Judi Dench, Notes On A Scandal
2007 Marion Cotillard
Should Have Won – Julie Christie, Away From Her
2008 Kate Winslet
Should Have Won – Meryl Streep – Doubt
2009 Sandra Bullock
Should Have Won – Gaboure Sidibe, Precious
2010 Natalie Portman
Should Have Won – Natalie Portman, Black Swan (Yay, they got it right)
2011 Probably Will Win – Viola Davis
Should Win – Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
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Massimo / February 8, 2012
change my mind
2006 Helen Mirren
Should Have Won – Kate Winslet, Little Children
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Aubrey / February 8, 2012
Ryan and Sasha,
Comfort level evolves with society. Film, or should I say, film marketing, caters to stereotypes and denominators–that’s the human condition, but that always changes because economic forces spare no one. Look at what happened to your American Wasps that once pollinated every cultural landscape. Today your garden, especially the White House lawn, has a lot more hues (remember the all white gardens in carefully clipped green topiary beneath peachy magnolias, but I digress).
With sterotyping, films can either be iconic or iconoclastic, so long as it’s credible, people will pay to see it or buy DVDs. Leave it to those marketing experts who scrutinize spending behavior, to tell studios if any fare is too challenging or uncomfortable….boundaries always change in a market.
As a non-American, when I look at you across the pond, what strikes me is not the race issue, rather its the vast difference of wealth (i.e. consumer power) between people. In America, even within the same racial group, the differences in wealth, the concentration of wealth, is so staggering for an advanced country. So the agenda is not so much as white, but MONEY, whoever owns it (Jews, Wasps, pockets of super-rich minorities etc) will have film makers and pet projects catering to it. Capitalism, oh well….
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treat / February 8, 2012
3 out of 50 nominees are black, that’s 6 %
2 out of 10 of the last winners will have been black, 20 %
12 % of US population is black
I really think the cries of racism are exaggerated. The #’s are only slightly off alignment.
@Ryan: “In a group of 20 actors, we should be seeing a fair representation of 12 White, 2 black, 3 Latino, 1 Asian and two other rainbow colors.”
That would be fantastic!!! (Of course, it would also mean a lot less European actors–including the Spaniards, even if they are cast as Americans.)
@Mattoc: “When I go to the movies I have an expectation that J Edgar will be played by a white actor and Martin Luther will be played by a black actor.”
But of course, lots of roles aren’t race specific. The problem is that film and TV companies get around this by casting actors of color in supporting leadership roles — the black/female/gay boss. The leads are still white men, but their supporting cast is colorful and the authority figures are usually cast along minority/underrepresented lines.
I bet we could make a list of all the well-known authority-figure supporting roles that are filled with women/gays/people of color/etc.
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brainypirate / February 8, 2012
@Aubrey:
Yes, class if finally being unmasked in the U.S. as the real problem. For too long, class issues hid behind race issues. But as more minorities move into the upper-class, we will see more awareness of how race is less of an issue than wealth and power imbalances.
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Mike / February 8, 2012
My Ranked Winners of the Last Decade
1. Marion Cotillard
2. Charlize Theron
3. Kate Winslet
4. Nicole Kidman
5. Helen Mirren
6. Halle Berry
7. Natalie Portman
8. Hilary Swank
9. Reese Witherspoon
10. Sandra Bullock.
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Armando / February 8, 2012
I’ve always had the doubt, since Americans seem to love to categorize people by their race, where Cameron Diaz should be place, white? Latina? white Latina (they exist… I have four natural blondes sisters)?
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Keifer / February 8, 2012
Charlize Theron is the only AMPAS Best Actress winner in the past decade which I agree with.
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feisty / February 8, 2012
I’ve been coming to this site for 5 or so years and even though it is obvious (and wonderful) that its popularity has increased, it is SO VERY SAD that in 2012 still people have to revert back to race when in a discussion.
Just because there is regular reflection on the past years doesn’t mean our opinions need to be living there too.
3 out of 50 nominees are black, that’s 6 %
12 % of US population is black
The #’s are only slightly off alignment.
half what it should be is not “slightly off”
lucky it’s not 2001, or you’d be telling us, “50% of the winners are black, so stop crying”
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Micheal / February 8, 2012
2001 – Berry
2002 – Moore (who is LONG overdue for an Oscar)
2003 – Watts
2004 – Moreno
2005 – Huffman
2006 – Mirren
2007 – Christie
2008 – Leo
2009 – Mulligan
2010 – Lawrence
2011 – Mara (although I prefer non-nominee Olsen)
I guess the lesson learned here is I ALMOST NEVER AGREE WITH THE WINNERS
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JJ / February 8, 2012
I loved when Sharon Stone was nominated for Casino. She was both hot Barbie Doll and fierce actress in that film. Hollywood never knew what to do with her after that. Or she didn’t know what to do with herself. She should have done comic roles with strong male leads. Instead she did weird Oscar baiting non-starters and Basic Instinct 2. Wah wah.
where Cameron Diaz should be place, white? Latina? white Latina
officially I think White Hispanic. Wiki says her father is Spanish via Cuba. Most native Spaniards are White (right?) Her mother is English, German, and Cherokee. Pretty much mostly white — but people of mixed raced are proud to say Mixed-race
(even if it’s a fraction, I can try to say that too, but it won’t be clear that I have any Cherokee blood until I’m 105 and still don’t have any wrinkles.)
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MKing / February 8, 2012
“The larger problem had nothing to do with how many Black people will pay to see a movie with a Black cast.
What needs to change is the number of White people who will pay to see a movie with a Black cast. And that’s why I’ve stopped having misgivings about the prominence of the White characters in the help. The White storyline needed to be there if the novel and movie were to make any money.
What’s wrong with most White people that they require this lure, this hook, or else they can’t relate?
How weird would it be if a Black person said: “The Godfather? The Exorcist? Lord of the Rings? no thanks, I can’t watch those movies. Nobody for me to identify with.”
I often lurked around on this site for years (too long, actually), but Ryan you took the words right out of my mouth…..well said, Sir.
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Aubrey / February 8, 2012
Ryan,
The percentages you quote, I wonder if broken down by class, you’ll see a disproportionate amount of wealth concentrated at the top. Because their tastes rule, as reflected in “prestige” film.
For at a time of failing mortgages, bankruptcies, companies relinquishing thousands, the rich dispel the gloom by flying, in body, mind, heart and soul, to the capital of charm–whether at Midnight, the pleasure of Artists, or the marvels of Art Deco machinery. Such is their zeitgeist, for now.
Aubrey,
Well said. One of the best hypotheses we’ve heard.
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Brainy Pirate / February 8, 2012
@feisty: “…it is SO VERY SAD that in 2012 still people have to revert back to race when in a discussion.”
Oh good grief. Don’t fall for the “post-racial” mythology making the rounds. We still have a LONG way to go in this country. Just ask Mexican Americans, Native Americans and Arab Americans.
If anything we need to be having these conversations MORE often in order to get more awareness given to the disproportionate under-representation of people of color in the media.
Meanwhile, it’s not like we’re saying these actresses didn’t actually give great performances but were nominated simply because they’re white. We’re simply pointing out that for various reasons that need to be addressed, there are more Oscar roles for whites than for people of color.
Aesthetic judgments — such as what performances deserve Oscars — are *never* independent from the Hollywood system — a system that has plenty of odd beliefs about race, class, gender, sexual orientation & identity, disability, etc. So of course the overwhelming whiteness of the nominees reflects an underlying structural perspective about race and audiences, money and artistic value.
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ed / February 8, 2012
how many times did we see streep’s face? she really deserves it this year
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Daniel B / February 8, 2012
2002 is my favourite line-up by a mile. great performances. Nicole, Julianne and Diane deserved to be recognized. After this is 2001 and 2006. This year I don’t care a lot for the performances. They are very good but that is all and I blame the movies these actresses star in except Mara – I don’t think taht she has a place here at all although The Girl with the Dragon tattoo is a masterpiece.
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GoOnNow / February 9, 2012
it’s difficult for me to list a specific winner for each year, but here are my favorites:
2001: it has received a lot of criticism, but I think it was a very good year, I think I would’ve voted for Sissy Spacek
2002: Nicole Kidman “The Hours” completely and absolutely; “Far From Heaven” fans, please don’t hate me, Kidman’s Virginia Woolf is absolutely flawless and haunting in my book.
2003: Theron’s “Monster” is a very powerful performance, but I somehow see the work in her eyes. I agree with the win, but I’m not falling in love with it.
2004: Nicole Kidman “Birth”; Kate Winslet, Imelda Staunton
2005: a very confusing year, I’m OK with Reese Witherspoon’s victory; Felicity Huffman’s probably the other choice.
2006: Meryl Streep OR Judi Dench, without any doubt
2007: Marion Cotillard OR Julie Christie
2008: Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Melissa Leo
2009: Tilda Swinton OR Abbie Cornish
2010: Nicole Kidman OR Natalie Portman OR Annette Bening
2011: haven’t made up my mind yet; I didn’t particularly fall in love with anything
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joe / February 9, 2012
it was ten years ago that halle berry went wild on stage and was so enthused up on stage. finally, black woman were recognized by the academy.
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Rob / February 12, 2012
The point here is not if they are white or not.
If you look at the winners, with the only exception of Helen Mirren, they are all young and hot!
Best category by far: 2006 with Mirren, Streep, Dench, Cruz and Winslet. One of the best ever also.
Talented bunch! One thing you have to give Oscar voters credit for: they honor actresses of all ages, don’t they?
0 Asian… Best Supporting Actress is better in terms of Asian representation I guess…
Bullock’s deer-in-the-headlights photo is perfect. Still grind my teeth over that travesty…
The Repeater Nominations of Meryl Streep(4), Nicole Kidman(3) and Judi Dench(3). Best Actresses of the Decade.
My personal favorite only lines up 4 times with Oscar in the past decade, and only 8 times since i have been following the Oscars and
noting my ‘best’ of the year since 1977.
2001 Halle Berry – mine: Judi Dench “Iris”
2002 Nicole Kidman – mine: Julianne Moore “Far from heaven”
2003 Charlize Theron – mine: Charlize Theron “Monster”
2004 Hilary Swank – mine: Imelda Staunton “Vera Drake”
2005 Reece Witherspoon mine: Felicity Huffman :”Transamerica”
2006 Helen Mirren mine: Helen Mirren “The Queen”
2007 Marion Cotillard mine: Ellen Page “Juno”
2008 Kate Winslet mine: Kate Winslet “Revolutionary road” & “The Reader”
2009 Sandra Bullock mine: Tilda Swinton “Julia”
2010 Natalie Portman mine: Natalie Portman “Black Swan”
The only other 4 i had the same preference as the Academy were Meryl Streep (Sophie’s Choice), Sally Field (Places in the Heart), Holly Hunter (The Piano) and Hilary Swank (Boys Don’t cry)
Much as I love many of the actresses up there, that’s a lot of white faces. Although I guess Best Director would be even more depressing.
Interesting going from Left to Right it starts with the winner of that year, and for this year it’s Glenn Close first.
@Nichola, I’m pretty sure this year’s are in alphabetical order by last name.
Close, Davis, Mara, Streep, Williams
@Nichola, I’m pretty sure this year’s are in alphabetical order by last name.
Yes. In all years but the current one it leads with winner and then goes down alpha order. This year is in alpha order.
Much as I love many of the actresses up there, that’s a lot of white faces. Although I guess Best Director would be even more depressing.
Yup. If you did the DGA starting at the beginning you’d be horrified.
A question for all you guys: what do you think are the 3 best lineups of the last decade in order?
2 obvious conclusions:
- The girls are all (virtually all) white.
- Meryl`s face is all over the losers place.
MISSING:
2001: Naomi Watts – Mulholland Dr. – probably should have won though Halle was great too
2002: Meryl Streep – The Hours
2003: Evan Rachel Wood – Thirteen (#2 after Charlize)
2004: Audrey Tatou – A Very Long Engagement
2005: Juliette Binoche – Cache
2006: Seema Biswas – Water (very underrated, great film)
2007: Angelina Jolie – A Mighty Heart (her best performance)
2008: Sally Hawkins – Happy Go Lucky – should have won, hands down
2009: Yolande Moreau – Seraphine – also should have won, though Carey Mulligan was also great
2010: Naomi Roopace – Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – maybe its because it came first, but I found her much more effective than Rooney.
2011: I would have nominated Michelle Williams, Meryl Streep, Kirsten Dunst, Olivia Coleman and Tilda Swinton. My #6 would have been Elizabeth Olsen (can’t believe I’m saying that) over Viola Davis, who is such a fine actress, she blew me away in Fences, and she even blew me away with her 2 minutes of silence in Antoine Fisher, but her work in The Help, while very fine, just didn’t seem to me to be as much of a challenge as the aforementioned actresses. Glenn Close’s nomination was a pity vote, she has no business competing for that performance, with barely an inner-life shown. Janet McTeer, who definitely deserved a nomination, blew Close away.
ugh. so sick of people playing the race card. if you look closer this is a VERY diverse group of women.
Marion Cotillard is French. Ellen Page is Canadian. Penelope Cruz is Spanish. Salma Hayek is Mexican. Charlize is South African. Catalina is from Columbia. Natalie Portman was born in Jerusalem.
Just Saying
2007 is my favorite lineup. Could have done without Blanchett in the unnecessary Elizabeth sequel, but the other 4 performances were so great.
Nichola, I once made the suggestion that Penelope Cruz was a “person of color” and I got shot down. Seems like you can break through if you’re hot enough.
worth fifty thousand words.
“A question for all you guys: what do you think are the 3 best lineups of the last decade in order?”
I’m going for 4:
2006 – strong year, but it was no contest from the start. Mirren had the performance and the industry behind her, 100%, all the way. Any one of the others could have won in another year (or without Mirren in the race) The biggest cakewalk in Oscar history, I’m sure.
2002 – Should have been Julianne’s year, but Lane was strong, as was Kidman. Meryl was also outstanding and should have been in there for The Hours.
2007 – if only for the race between Cotillard and Christie. You honestly did not know who the winner would be until the envelope was opened and, being a huge admirer of both, there was no disappointment, although it was great to see Christie’s brilliant return.
2011 – Gotta say this is the strongest year for BA in a long time – just look at the list of who didn’t make the cut. Probably unprecedented.
@Nichola
I share that sickness a little though I can understand their outrage slightly (more so on the DGA).
What Id like to see though from Sasha and the rest who like to bring up race, is which black actress they would have picked as their nominee instead of one of the others for any of those years…because being shocked over too many white faces just because there’s too many white face doesn’t hold any water..
But anyway, @JP just off the top of my head now..
1. 2006
2. 2004
3. 2011
That gallery is disproportionately white. That can’t be argued. Whether it’s the Academy as a microcosm of the industry or simply the Academy itself, that’s a lot of white faces. If you go back from Halle Berry to its inception, you’d see even more (nearly all) white faces. Is it possible that Academy members identify more with white performances? Is it that women of color aren’t considered for Oscar-y roles? Whatever the algorithm is behind the whiteness of the Best Actress race, it’s something that needs to be, at the very least, acknowledged.
Of course, Penelope Cruz is a “person of color”. I am spanish and just like in the black community, we have many shades of skin complexion. It is also very difficult for spanish and latino actors to get good roles, for Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz, for example, the accent and latino look is hard to overcome for casting directors. A lot has been said about the few african-american actors that have won Oscars, for latinos, the biggest minority in the US, we have yet to have an actor or actress win an Oscar in a leading role. Heck, being nominated are events and rare in our community. Even getting an all latino cast is rare. At least african-americans have the Tyler Perry Movies and Dream Girls, Color Purple, etc. However, the whites that win Oscars or whites in general shouldn’t be resented for it, the blameis really the system and all minorities should keep working hard to get closer to equality.
Bebe, I suggest you read Nicola’s post again:
Marion Cotillard is French. Ellen Page is Canadian. Penelope Cruz is Spanish. Salma Hayek is Mexican. Charlize is South African. Catalina is from Columbia. Natalie Portman was born in Jerusalem.
Still diverse, just not in the manner many want.
It started the VES Awards
Winners:
Virtual Cinematography in an Animated Film to Rango
@ bebe
The problem is that the black actress are not given the same opportunities. And this exclusion comes from the basis. How many great black actress are there in the movie business? This business as whole is unfortunatelly still a white one. Even the Oscarologists… How many of them are black or latin?
Virtual cinematography in a live-action feature: Hugo
Virtual Cinematography in a Broadcast Program or Commercial: Gears of War
My picks for each years best nominated performance:
Sissy spacek
Julianne Moore
Charlize Theron
Imelda Staunton
Felicity Huffman
Helen mirren
Marion cotillard
Angelina Jolie
Gabourey sidibe
Nicole Kidman
Glenn close
And I’ve only chosen 3 winners.
Still bitter about Felicity. Loved her in Transamerica.
I really want Laura Linney to win an Oscar someday, she is always so consistently good in everything. She was impeccable in The Savages. But the Academy definitely got it right that year with Marion, my #3 favorite win from the last decade (behind Natalie and Charlize)
I think the Academy is clearly trying. Like someone said above, the past decade more then any other has a much more diverse group of women.
I think it’s unfair to all other cultures to look at the picture and say ‘oh well they’re all WHITE’ just because they don’t have a different color skin.
Like my examples with Charlize Theron being South African and Ellen Page being Canadian. It’s quite amazing to think how they got from where they started to where they are now.
I think Viola will win and should win. But if she does, will people still be able to continue bitching about Black Women not getting their due? I don’t think so. Halle Berry, Viola Davis, Jennifer Hudson, Monique, Octavia Spencer. I think giving the Academy crap about that after this year will just be nonsense.
and that’s keeping in mind that the Academy and Hollywood are two different things. The Academy can give 10 African American actresses Oscars, doing their part in solving that problem.
But it’s Hollwood’s (studio execs etc) fault if they don’t get the roles that match their talent. Don’t blame the Academy for something they can’t control.
I wonder if AMPAS would consider extending the lead actor and actress to 6 – like the Globes and Emmys seem to do from time to time. If 9 or 10 best picture candidates get the recognition, it would certainly allow them to include so many of the great performances that we all bemoan have been left out every year. 5 seems so slight!
My choices for each year: (I’ve seen all except Albert Nobbs, The Iron Lady, and My Week with Marilyn)
2001 – Sissy Spacek
2002 – Renne Zellweger
2003 – Samantha Morton
2004 – Hilary Swank
2005 – Reese Witherspoon
2006 – Helen Mirren
2007 – Ellen Page
2008 – Anne Hathaway
2009 – Gabourey Sidibe
2010 – Annette Bening
2011 – Viola Davis (for now, though I doubt this will change)
If any other race made up 63% of the U.S. population this chart would look radically different.
A painful reminder that Naomi Watts has but a single nomination to her name.
In 2006, although Mirren clearly had it in the bag, honestly every single one of those nominees could have taken it.
2007 is my personal favourite. I mean – Ellen Page, Laura Linney, Marion Cotillard AND Julie Christie?! Great bunch of performances!
Don’t forget the brilliant Cate Blanchett has been nominated 4 times total in the past 10 years, albeit most in supporting, but nonetheless she is one of the finest actresses out there.
and for 2001, the winner should have been ISABELLE HUPPERT for The Piano Teacher
and Julianne Moore was ROBBED from her deserved Oscar for Far From Heaven
The name of the country is Colombia, not Columbia.
You see all these great actresses and then you see Sandra Bullock.
Still hurts about Gabourey. Talented bunch of ladies. Very white and American but until the Academy changes to become international (unlikely) it will look like this.
@JP
2010: May even be the last great actress year with the least effective one having to win. My ranking would have been: Michelle Williams, Annette Bening, Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lawrence and Natalie Portman, with Lesley Manville missing the cut.
2007: Was still great with Blanchett thrown in to show how much thy love her. My order: Cotillard, Linney, Page, Christie, Blanchett with Angelina Jolie missing the spot.
Last is 2002: Impeccable year. So many great films to choose from. My order: Moore, Zellweger, Lane, Kidman, Hayek with Isabelle Huppert lacking support from American AMPAS voters.
This year was a boring one. Close’s nomination is such a travesty considering her good-but-missed perf from Fatal Attraction and Dangerous Liaisons. Streep may well be a default nominee when in fact her performance was good, but consider Forest Whitaker’s mimicry and judge whether she did a good biopic to be considered good. Mara’s nomination for me is troublesome. Had she been nominated for her future Lisbeth performances there would have been a keen judging as to how good her range as an actress may be because right now she’s limited and may even be fixated with that of Rapace (think of Weaver for Aliens). Williams chose a wrong film to push gor this year. She was much more at her best with Take This Waltz! That leaves Davis, the fairly acceptable but still not best performance of the bunch. Missing the cut? Dunst, Theron, Swinton, Olsen and the maligned best of this year: Keira Knightley.
Nichola, I counted five black women that you mentioned. Add Hattie McDaniel and you get six. So you have six black women, assuming that Viola Davis wins, winning after AMPAS has been handing out awards for 84 years. You do the math. Do you think that that’s all that black women are “due”?
My Picks
2001: Sissy Spacek, In the Bedroom
2002: Julianne Moore, Far from Heaven
2003: Charlize Theron, Monster
2004: Imelda Staunton, Vera Drake
2005: Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
2006: Helen Mirren, The Queen
2007: Julie Christie, Afterglow
2008: None of the Above (Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road)
2009: None of the Above (Charlotte Gainsbourg, Antichrist)
2010: Annette Bening, The Kids are All Right
2011: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
2011 is hands down the strongest.
I would have picked Yolande Moreau in Seraphine for 2009, but the film was from 2008 where Kate Winslet was undeniably the best.
And Poetry was a 2010 film, so I guess I have to replace Annette Bening with Yun Jeong-hie.
And to think that Witherspoon won the award over Dench. My goodness.
That picture of Michelle Williams scared me to s***!
The Best actresses of last decade:
1 Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge!, The Others, Dogville, Birth)
2 Bryce Dallas Howard /The Village, As you like it, Lady in the Water, Manderlay
3 Marion Cotillard (Inception, Public Enemies, Big Fish)
4 Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta, Star Wars Episode III, Closer, My Blueberry Nights, Black Swan)
5 Olivia Williams (The Ghost writer)
Just want to mention these fantastic performances which were not Oscar-nominated.
2001: Isabelle Huppert in The Piano Teacher; Ronit Elkabetz in Late Marriage; Maribel Verdu in Y Tu Mama Tambien
2002: Samantha Morton in Morvern Callar
2003: Nicole Kidman in Dogville; Toni Collette in Japanese Story
2004: Maggie Cheung in Clean; Vera Farmiga in Down to the Bone
2005: Hanna Laszlo in Free Zone; Juliette Binoche in Cache
2006: Laura Dern in Inland Empire; Martina Gedeck in The Lives of Others
2007: Tang Wei in Lust, Caution; Juliette Binoche in Flight of the Red Balloon
2008: Kate Winslet in Revolutionary Road; Yolande Moreau in Seraphine; Sally Hawkins in Happy-Go-Lucky
2009: Charlotte Gainsbourg in Antichrist; Kim Hye-ja in Mother
2010: Yun Jeong-hie in Poetry; Tilda Swinton in I am Love
2011: Tilda Swinton in We Need to Talk About Kevin; Kirsten Dunst in Melancholia
“Talented bunch! One thing you have to give Oscar voters credit for: they honor actresses of all ages, don’t they?”
@Jesse Crall – The Academy might nominate actresses of “all ages”, but they sure don’t reward all of them with the Best Actress Oscar. I think there have only been 8 winners aged 50+: Marie Dressler, Helen Mirren, Jessica Tandy, Shirley Booth, Geraldine Page, and Katherine Hepburn x3. It’s most egregious with actresses in their 50′s – which I find fairly young – as only one has managed to win the Oscar in that age range.
Pick any two decades and you will likely find more Best Actor winners in that age group.
It’s like the women of color argument (to a certain extent); there just are as many quality roles for post-menopausal women.
@Roger um..sorry. we can’t change the past. let’s remember the civil rights movement didn’t happen til the 60′s…and even then the Academy was doing something the rest of the country wasn’t. Beah Richards, Ethel Waters, Hattie McDaniel still made it through.
Not sure what you mean by ‘other women who are due? what other African American actresses out there are really ‘due’ for a nomination? it’s surely not just because of their skin color. They do have to have the talent to back it up, or one would hope so
5 African American women winning an Oscar in the last 11 years is pretty significant actually. that’s almost half. if you think that’s not enough then you are just looking for a reason to complain.
HUFFMAN WAS ROBBED.
WALK THE LINE is total dreck.
Angela Bassett, Sanaa Lathan, Kerry Washington, Beyoncé, Alfre Woodard, Nia Long, Queen Latifah, Regina King, Kimberly Elise, Vanessa Williams, Thandie Newton, Gabrielle Union, Viveca Fox, Maya Rudolph, Rutina Wesley, Naomie Harris.
The Black, Beautiful and Talented pool of actresses is out there, and have been for a while. Surely there must some poignant stories for them to tell on film. Starring roles given to them because they are simply great actors and not because of their skin tone. They are stuck on TV and Tyler Perry’esque movies and it’s not fair Hollywood. If you look at the Oscar portfolio above a lot of the non biopic type of roles could easily have been played by an actress of african, asian, latin or whatever heritage. Hope to live to see the day when such a variety shapes the movie landscape.
***Of course, Penelope Cruz is a “person of color”. I am spanish and just like in the black community, we have many shades of skin complexion.***
Although I completely understand what this comment is saying it’s one of the most ridiculous comments I’ve ever seen here. I’m white by definition. But I’m half Italian and half Czech. I have 11 brothers and sisters. Three of them look like they could have stepped off a boat from Sicily. I have a sister who is so blonde and fair you’d think she’d just stepped off a plane from Berlin. I myself am caught somewhere in between and probably would be more representative of Milan. Just as there are tones of color in every race there are tones of color in the caucausian race. It’s all about your heritage and your genetic make up. Let’s stop talking like people who no intelligence and realizing that the diversity of skin color isn’t just regulated to one race. That’s just the most disrespectful comment I’ve seen here regarding race yet.
I’m also getting a little tired of seeing “white” no one is “white”. White in the way it’s being used here is a mentality not a skin a color.
And one more thing. Cause now I’m just rarin’. Take a good look at Sophia Loren’s skin color. She’s white by your definition but she sure don’t look very pale to me. Then compare her to Virna Lisi or Monica Vitti. Then compare them all to Anna Magnani and Gina Lollobrigida. Then take that one step further and compare them too Giuletta Masina and Silvanna Mangano. Then compare them all to Claudia Cardinale. Yeah they are all called white. Take a good look at them all and then tell me that there isn’t any difference in skin tone. SMH.
Nicole Kidman and Marion Cotillard were the best Oscar winners of best actress category. And I hope Meryl Streep does this time.
Racial composition reflects American audience, if they pay with their own money to see who they like, that’s the studio’s business, in order to survive and compete. If they do anything other, it’s whether the niche factor is economically viable. The market dictates, the Academy reflects.
America isn’t unique. In all multiracial countries, films reflect the majority MARKET (those who pay, not the population), whether China, in Europe, India, Brazil etc which are multiracial populations.
The snide comments about Ms Bullock’s performance have grown very tiresome. It’s just awful her performance didn’t meet some people’s required high standards- but sometimes popular performances just simply awards. To keep singling her out as unworthy just shows a lot of pettiness and snobbery. Move on kids.
It’s just awful her performance didn’t meet some people’s required high standards-
yes, I believe that’s exactly what it is.
some of us would like the word “best” to mean something.
It surprises me that snide comments about Sandra Bullock still abound when the real travesty was Reese Witherspoon’s win – she plays herself in every movie she’s in.
Marion Cotillard is the most deserving of that award in the past decade.
best performance by an actress in a very long time.
I THINK THE BEST ACTRESS WINNERS OVER THE DECADE WAS:
1.MARION COTILLARD “LA VIE EN ROSE”
2.CHARLIZE THERON “MONSTER” TIED WITH NATALIE PORTMAN “BLACK SWAN”
3.NICOLE KIDMAN “THE HOURS”
4. HELEN MIRREN “THE QUEEN”
5. HILLARY SWANK “BOYS DONT CRY”
6. KATE WINSLET “THE READER”
7. REESE WITHERSPOON “WALK OF THE LINE”
8. SANDRA BULLOCK “THE BLIND SIDE”
9. HALLE BERRY “MONSTER BALL”
IM NOT A RACIST PERSON BUT IDO THINK THE FACT THAT SHE JUST WON BECAUSE SHE IS BLACK AND THAT SEX SCENE, she was okay all the movie…
Sissy Spacek in 2001 in In the Bedroom was brilliant.
Racial composition reflects American audience, if they pay with their own money to see who they like, that’s the studio’s business, in order to survive and compete. If they do anything other, it’s whether the niche factor is economically viable. The market dictates, the Academy reflects.
Simple yet spot on description of how it all works. Things won’t change, though, until the “white narrative” isn’t the only narrative. We white audiences just don’t yet have a black narrative that isn’t a cliche. We don’t accept the ones recent black filmmakers have given us, particularly, so we are only comfortable in films that either relieve whitey guilt with the magical negro, or else portray black characters in roles we’re more comfortable seeing them in. To that end, it is nearly impossible for any black actor to overcome this — I think the men have it much easier – Denzel Washington is his own demographic. Ditto Will Smith. Those guys have managed to work in both worlds fairly well. But it’s hard – filmmaking is dominated by white filmmakers. No one wants white filmmakers to tell black stories so those stories never get made. You know, it’s a snake eatings its own tail but sooner or later people have to stop shutting up about it, start talking about it, especially now that there isn’t any Oprah around.
Nicole Kidman and Marion Cotillard were the best Oscar winners of best actress category. And I hope Meryl Streep does this time.
Not Kidman. Marion Cotillard, sure. Helen Mirren, Halle Berry and Kate Winslet are the most deserving in my eyes.
Racial composition reflects American audience, if they pay with their own money to see who they like
I will say though — look at your local multiplex offerings this week and enjoy the rarest of rare events: Two movies in theaters that feature black actors (Red Tails. Joyful Noise)
50 weeks of the year, any Black person, any Asian person who wants to take his Black date or Asian family to the movies will stand in the theater lobby and have 12 films with 12 lily white casts to chose from.
I’m saying: maybe Black and Asian people don’t buy tickets for Black and Asian movies — because there usually aren’t any decent movies with Black casts. There sure aren’t ever any films with Asian casts.
Gee, Big Macs sure are popular at McDonald’s. Why don’t McDonald’s customers ever eat a banana? Fast food customers must hate bananas. Or maybe it’s because there’s no McNana on the menu.
I’m saying: maybe Black and Asian people don’t buy tickets for Black and Asian movies — because there usually aren’t any decent movies with Black casts. There sure aren’t ever any films with Asian casts.
I’ll argue with myself here.
The larger problem had nothing to do with how many Black people will pay to see a movie with a Black cast.
What needs to change is the number of White people who will pay to see a movie with a Black cast. And that’s why I’ve stopped having misgivings about the prominence of the White characters in the help. The White storyline needed to be there if the novel and movie were to make any money.
What’s wrong with most White people that they require this lure, this hook, or else they can’t relate?
How weird would it be if a Black person said: “The Godfather? The Exorcist? Lord of the Rings? no thanks, I can’t watch those movies. Nobody for me to identify with.”
My Personal Favourites from the last decade: (2002 – 2012)
2002 – Nicole Kidman – Moulin Rouge
2003 – Diane Lane – Unfaithful
2004 – Naomi Watts – 21 Grams
2005 – Hilary Swank – Million Dollar Baby
2006 – Felicity Huffman – Transamerica
2007 – Penelope Cruz – Volver
2008 – Marion Cotilliard – La vie en Rose
2009 – Kate Winslet – The Reader and Anne Hathaway – Rachel getting married
2010 – Gaboure Sidibe – Precious – Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire
2011 – Michelle Williams – Blue Valentine
And from 2012 – Michelle Williams – My Week with Marilyn
TOP 5 from the Academy Award Winners between 2002 – 2011
1. Marion Cotilliard – La vie en Rose
2. Hilary Swank – Million Dollar Baby
3. Charlize Theron – Monster
4. Kate Winslet – The Reader
5. Halle Berry – Monster’s Ball
TOP 5 from the Nominees between 2002 – 2011
1. Naomi Watts – 21 Grams
2. Marion Cotilliard – La vie en Rose
3. Michelle Williams – Blue Valentine
4. Hilary Swank – Million Dollar Baby
5. Felicity Huffman – Transamerica
It’s not only too white, it’s too blonde as well (Mara or Emma Stone should pay attention if they want Oscars in the future). Even Portman looks more blondish in that pictura than her usual self.
If Oscars could, they would photoshop any ethnicity out of their winners.
It never gets old, the issue of race and ethnicity (do you realize it comes out mostly when talking about women and not men? Interesting). I’m no expert (whaaaat? someone on the internet who’s not an expert giving his opinion??), but I think maybe the worst legacy nazis left us (apart from the most obvious terrible crimes, duh) was the indelible connection between white race and blond blue-eyed Arian features. If you close your eyes and think of someone white, that’s what comes to your mind. And that, together with the misconception that a race is uniform looking makes us forget that Anna Magnani is as white as Julianne Moore or that Marion Cotillard is as white as Reese Whiterspoon. And quite honestly, every time I read someone praising an actress for her translucent skin or her bone structure it creeps me out. If only because it means that the idea that there’s a better looking race has entered so deeply into our consciousness that we don’t even realize.
I won’t ever enter the discussion of the term latino, something used to classify and label people as different looking as Cubans or Argentinians isn’t even worthy the discussion.
I think Helen Mirren, Marion Cotillard and especially Charlize Theron deserved their wins the most. Those three ladies gave really intense performances. (and all of them for real persons. hmmm…. seems I have a thing for biopics)
I like Nicole Kidman’s and Kate Winslet’s wins, but they seemed a bit of a make up win to me. But I don’t dislike them.
Felicity Huffman was great in “Transamerica”, but I have not seen WTL yet, so I can’t judge Witherspoon.
I understand why Natalie Portman won, but I was more moved by Annette Bening, so I’d have given the win to her in 2010.
I don’t comment on Bullock….. I’m so over it now, finally.
Missing from the photo gallery, and my own personal choices of actresses who should at least have been nominated for these performances:
Audrey Tatou – A Very Long Engagement
Tilda Swinton – I Am Love
Keira Knightley – The Duchess
Frances McDormand – Burn After Reading
Anne Hathaway – Becoming Jane
Emma Thompson – Nanny McPhee
Joan Allen – The Upside of Anger
Tilda Swinton – Julia
Gwyneth Paltrow – Proof
Natasha Richardson – Asylum
Uma Thurman – The Golden Bowl
Tilda Swinton – We Need to Talk About Kevin
I guess you can surmise from the above list that I really love Tilda Swinton, right? (She also gave a great supporting performance in Burn After Reading – and again failed to get an AMPAS nomination, although BAFTA did recognize her work in that film.)
I agree with some of the bloggers on this site: Sandra Bullock’s win is one of the worst choices in Oscar history. Any of the other four that year were so much better. I would have given it to Mirren for The Last Station. I loved her performance in that movie.
Is that Keira Knightly pictured instead of Natalie Portman for last year?
Very well deserved winners
(Halle, Nicole, Charlize, Marion, Kate, Sandra, Natalie)and this year Viola will win.(she really deserves).
my personal TOP 5
1.Charlize Theron in Monster
2.Natalie Portman in Black Swan
3.Marion Cotillard in La vie en rose
4.Kate Winslet in The Reader
5.Nicole Kidman in The Hours
I’m missing Kristin Scott Thomas in 2009. I adored her subtle performance in Il y a longtemps que je t’aime. But it was a tough year – there was also a Sally Hawkins, who didn’t made the cut …
question :”the biggest loser of the decade”
answer :Meryl Streep
August: Osage County (2013) Meryl’s last chance.
Damn fine line-up. Of those winners, my top three performances would go to Marion Cotillard, Helen Mirren, and Nicole Kidman.
Most undeserving? Each of them…even Sandra Bullock…was good, no dogs. Still, in my book, I’d have voted for Annette Bening in “Being Julia” over Hilary Swank for “Million Dollar Baby.” Also, I love Reese Witherspoon, but I’d have voted for Felicity Huffman in “Transamerica.”
Sasha and Ryan,
Thanks for your discussion of race and how it plays out not only in the nominations, but also in the filmmaking process and in the marketing and box office.
It’s sad that white non-hispanics make up only 63% of the U.S. population but such a large % of the Oscar nominations in all categories every year. It’s easier for non-white foreigners to get nominated than for Americans of color (although we usually get 1 or 2 black Americans in the mix every year — just not enough Latinas/os, Asian Americans, Native Americans etc.).
I take it for granted that there is much more “talent of color” in Hollywood than the box-office has room for. Like you said, until the general population stops focusing on white narratives, things won’t change much.
It’s sad that white non-hispanics make up only 63% of the U.S. population but such a large % of the Oscar nominations in all categories every year.
brainypirate, thank you for highlighting that only 63% of the population is white. Instead the number usually thrown at us is “only 12% of the population is black, so what’s the problem is there’s one black girl out of 10 on the cover of Vanity Fair.”
The problem is that the country is far more colorful than black and white. The other problem is: Great job Vanity Fair! Now if only 1 out of every 10 characters on screen were black.
In a group of 20 actors, we should be seeing a fair representation of 12 White, 2 black, 3 Latino, 1 Asian and two other rainbow colors.
At least Hollywood has finally stopped casting spray-painted white people as “Indians” in cowboy movies. Johnny Depp has a fraction of Cherokee blood (so do I), so I guess we can accept him as 100% Native American Tonto (??)
The preferable nominees and winners, in my view:
2000: Gillian Anderson (THE HOUSE OF MIRTH), Bjork (DANCER IN THE DARK), Ellen Burstyn (REQUIEM FOR A DREAM), Laura Linney (YOU CAN COUNT ON ME), Julia Roberts (ERIN BROCKOVICH). My sentimental choice is Burstyn, but I’m going with what I REALLY think the best is, and that’s Anderson in the horribly underseen THE HOUSE OF MIRTH.
2001: Thora Birch (GHOST WORLD), Nicole Kidman (MOULIN ROUGE), Sissy Spacek (IN THE BEDROOM), Charlotte Rampling (UNDER THE SAND), Naomi Watts (MULHOLLAND DR.). Watts, of course, deserves to be the winner.
2002: Jennifer Anniston (THE GOOD GIRL), Diane Lane (UNFAITHFUL), Leslie Manville (ALL OR NOTHING), Julianne Moore (FAR FROM HEAVEN), Samantha Morton (MORVERN CALLAR). I would go with Manville, even though it was hard to deny Moore here.
2003: Jennifer Connelly (HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG), Zooey Deschanel (ALL THE REAL GIRLS), Charlize Theron (MONSTER), Uma Thurman (KILL BILL), Naomi Watts (21 GRAMS). I adore Zooey’s performance, but I have to give it to Charlize Theron.
2004: Nicole Kidman (BIRTH), Catalina Sandeno Moreno (MARIA FULL OF GRACE), Imelda Staunton (VERA DRAKE), Hillary Swank (MILLION DOLLAR BABY), Kate Winslet (ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND). Staunton should have taken this award, hands down.
2005: Juliette Binoche (CACHE), Claire Danes (SHOPGIRL), Felicity Huffman (TRANSAMERICA), Q’orianka Kilcher (THE NEW WORLD), Liv Ullmann (SARABAND). Not a great year. I like Kilcher’s performance the best, but I’d give it to Ullmann.
2006: Laura Dern (INLAND EMPIRE), Shareeka Epps (HALF NELSON), Maggie Gyllenhall (SHERRYBABY), Helen Mirren (THE QUEEN), Kate Winslet (LITTLE CHILDREN). I’d give it to Dern for her onscreen insanity, but I can understand why Mirren deserves it, too. Ah, heck, let’s give it to Dame Helen.
2007: Julie Christie (AWAY FROM HER), Marion Cotillard (LA VIE EN ROSE), Laura Linney (THE SAVAGES), Ellen Page (JUNO), Luisa Williams (DAY NIGHT DAY NIGHT). Cotillard, no question.
2008: Anna Faris (SMILEY FACE), Sally Hawkins (HAPPY-GO-LUCKY), Angelina Jolie (CHANGELING), Meryl Streep (DOUBT), Michelle Williams (WENDY AND LUCY). I like Williams here the best, though Hawkins is a wonder in that film.
2009: Abbie Cornish (BRIGHT STAR), Michelle Monaghan (TRUCKER), Gabourey Sidibe (PRECIOUS), Meryl Streep (JULIE AND JULIA), Tilda Swinton (JULIA). I’da given it to Swinton.
2010: Annette Benning (THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT), Katie Jarvis (FISH TANK), Natalie Portman (BLACK SWAN), Emma Stone (EASY A), Michelle Williams (BLUE VALENTINE). Emma Stone knocked me out with her perf in that movie. Sorry, Annette…
2011: Juliette Binoche (CERTIFIED COPY), Kirsten Dunst (MELANCHOLIA), Tilda Swinton (WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN), Kristen Wiig (BRIDESMAIDS), Michelle Williams (MY WEEK WITH MARILYN). I would have put Davis in the supporting category. I would happily give the award to Dunst.
There are a lot of white faces, but there are much more bigger and better roles for white women than there are for those that aren’t white. The problem is more in the industry- and, arguably, in the audiences- than the Academy itself, I think.
Should be noticed too that the number of male non-white actors that were nominated for best actor is certainly bigger- and with 3 in 10 wins, it also is bigger in the proportion of wins. On the other hand, the average age for this nominees would certainly be much higher.
Dean Treadway,
Isn’t it amazing how many really great female performances go unheralded by AMPAS? Your list proves the point. Thanks.
See my list above on this site for other performances which went unnoticed. I think Tilda Swinton has been criminally overlooked in the past few years. Perhaps winning the BSA for Michael Clayton gave her the Oscar curse? If she hadn’t won that year, perhaps they would be more inclined to vote for her now.
The problem is more in the industry- and, arguably, in the audiences- than the Academy itself, I think.
The Dude,
I believe you’re right. It’s clear — especially in recent years — when the Academy announces it’s new inductees, the newly invited members of the AMPAS seem to have been selected with a proportionate number of women and persons of color. So I think the increased diversity in the Academy in recent decades can account for the improvement in the diversity of nominees and winners.
See, I am confused with the comment about white narratives. In my life, in my world, wherever I go, whatever I do there is white, black, asian people doing the same thing.
When I go to the movies I have an expectation that J Edgar will be played by a white actor and Martin Luther will be played by a black actor. I have an expectation that historical events are represented accordingly. I don’t much care if they don’t, but I do have a preconceived idea.
Outside of biopics and historical narratives, I don’t have any expectations of who plays what in a story.
Should Have Won(2001-2010)
2001 Halle Berry
Should Have Won – Halle Berry & Sissy Spacek *Tie
2002 Nicole Kidman
Should Have Won – Julianne Moore, Far from Heaven
2003 Charlize Theron
Should Have Won – Charlize Theron, Monster (Yay, they got it right)
2004 Hilary Swank
Should Have Won – Imelda Staunton, Vera Drake
2005 Reese Witherspoon
Should Have Won – Felicity Huffman, Transamerica
2006 Helen Mirren
Should Have Won – Judi Dench, Notes On A Scandal
2007 Marion Cotillard
Should Have Won – Julie Christie, Away From Her
2008 Kate Winslet
Should Have Won – Meryl Streep – Doubt
2009 Sandra Bullock
Should Have Won – Gaboure Sidibe, Precious
2010 Natalie Portman
Should Have Won – Natalie Portman, Black Swan (Yay, they got it right)
2011 Probably Will Win – Viola Davis
Should Win – Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
change my mind
2006 Helen Mirren
Should Have Won – Kate Winslet, Little Children
Ryan and Sasha,
Comfort level evolves with society. Film, or should I say, film marketing, caters to stereotypes and denominators–that’s the human condition, but that always changes because economic forces spare no one. Look at what happened to your American Wasps that once pollinated every cultural landscape. Today your garden, especially the White House lawn, has a lot more hues (remember the all white gardens in carefully clipped green topiary beneath peachy magnolias, but I digress).
With sterotyping, films can either be iconic or iconoclastic, so long as it’s credible, people will pay to see it or buy DVDs. Leave it to those marketing experts who scrutinize spending behavior, to tell studios if any fare is too challenging or uncomfortable….boundaries always change in a market.
As a non-American, when I look at you across the pond, what strikes me is not the race issue, rather its the vast difference of wealth (i.e. consumer power) between people. In America, even within the same racial group, the differences in wealth, the concentration of wealth, is so staggering for an advanced country. So the agenda is not so much as white, but MONEY, whoever owns it (Jews, Wasps, pockets of super-rich minorities etc) will have film makers and pet projects catering to it. Capitalism, oh well….
3 out of 50 nominees are black, that’s 6 %
2 out of 10 of the last winners will have been black, 20 %
12 % of US population is black
I really think the cries of racism are exaggerated. The #’s are only slightly off alignment.
Natalie Portman to make 2 movies with Terrence malick!
http://thescreenteen.blogspot.com/2012/02/natalie-portman-terrence-malick-yes.html
@Ryan: “In a group of 20 actors, we should be seeing a fair representation of 12 White, 2 black, 3 Latino, 1 Asian and two other rainbow colors.”
That would be fantastic!!! (Of course, it would also mean a lot less European actors–including the Spaniards, even if they are cast as Americans.)
@Mattoc: “When I go to the movies I have an expectation that J Edgar will be played by a white actor and Martin Luther will be played by a black actor.”
But of course, lots of roles aren’t race specific. The problem is that film and TV companies get around this by casting actors of color in supporting leadership roles — the black/female/gay boss. The leads are still white men, but their supporting cast is colorful and the authority figures are usually cast along minority/underrepresented lines.
I bet we could make a list of all the well-known authority-figure supporting roles that are filled with women/gays/people of color/etc.
@Aubrey:
Yes, class if finally being unmasked in the U.S. as the real problem. For too long, class issues hid behind race issues. But as more minorities move into the upper-class, we will see more awareness of how race is less of an issue than wealth and power imbalances.
My Ranked Winners of the Last Decade
1. Marion Cotillard
2. Charlize Theron
3. Kate Winslet
4. Nicole Kidman
5. Helen Mirren
6. Halle Berry
7. Natalie Portman
8. Hilary Swank
9. Reese Witherspoon
10. Sandra Bullock.
I’ve always had the doubt, since Americans seem to love to categorize people by their race, where Cameron Diaz should be place, white? Latina? white Latina (they exist… I have four natural blondes sisters)?
Charlize Theron is the only AMPAS Best Actress winner in the past decade which I agree with.
I’ve been coming to this site for 5 or so years and even though it is obvious (and wonderful) that its popularity has increased, it is SO VERY SAD that in 2012 still people have to revert back to race when in a discussion.
Just because there is regular reflection on the past years doesn’t mean our opinions need to be living there too.
Shame
3 out of 50 nominees are black, that’s 6 %
12 % of US population is black
The #’s are only slightly off alignment.
half what it should be is not “slightly off”
lucky it’s not 2001, or you’d be telling us, “50% of the winners are black, so stop crying”
2001 – Berry
2002 – Moore (who is LONG overdue for an Oscar)
2003 – Watts
2004 – Moreno
2005 – Huffman
2006 – Mirren
2007 – Christie
2008 – Leo
2009 – Mulligan
2010 – Lawrence
2011 – Mara (although I prefer non-nominee Olsen)
I guess the lesson learned here is I ALMOST NEVER AGREE WITH THE WINNERS
I loved when Sharon Stone was nominated for Casino. She was both hot Barbie Doll and fierce actress in that film. Hollywood never knew what to do with her after that. Or she didn’t know what to do with herself. She should have done comic roles with strong male leads. Instead she did weird Oscar baiting non-starters and Basic Instinct 2. Wah wah.
where Cameron Diaz should be place, white? Latina? white Latina
officially I think White Hispanic. Wiki says her father is Spanish via Cuba. Most native Spaniards are White (right?) Her mother is English, German, and Cherokee. Pretty much mostly white — but people of mixed raced are proud to say Mixed-race
(even if it’s a fraction, I can try to say that too, but it won’t be clear that I have any Cherokee blood until I’m 105 and still don’t have any wrinkles.)
“The larger problem had nothing to do with how many Black people will pay to see a movie with a Black cast.
What needs to change is the number of White people who will pay to see a movie with a Black cast. And that’s why I’ve stopped having misgivings about the prominence of the White characters in the help. The White storyline needed to be there if the novel and movie were to make any money.
What’s wrong with most White people that they require this lure, this hook, or else they can’t relate?
How weird would it be if a Black person said: “The Godfather? The Exorcist? Lord of the Rings? no thanks, I can’t watch those movies. Nobody for me to identify with.”
I often lurked around on this site for years (too long, actually), but Ryan you took the words right out of my mouth…..well said, Sir.
Ryan,
The percentages you quote, I wonder if broken down by class, you’ll see a disproportionate amount of wealth concentrated at the top. Because their tastes rule, as reflected in “prestige” film.
For at a time of failing mortgages, bankruptcies, companies relinquishing thousands, the rich dispel the gloom by flying, in body, mind, heart and soul, to the capital of charm–whether at Midnight, the pleasure of Artists, or the marvels of Art Deco machinery. Such is their zeitgeist, for now.
Aubrey,
Well said. One of the best hypotheses we’ve heard.
@feisty: “…it is SO VERY SAD that in 2012 still people have to revert back to race when in a discussion.”
Oh good grief. Don’t fall for the “post-racial” mythology making the rounds. We still have a LONG way to go in this country. Just ask Mexican Americans, Native Americans and Arab Americans.
If anything we need to be having these conversations MORE often in order to get more awareness given to the disproportionate under-representation of people of color in the media.
Meanwhile, it’s not like we’re saying these actresses didn’t actually give great performances but were nominated simply because they’re white. We’re simply pointing out that for various reasons that need to be addressed, there are more Oscar roles for whites than for people of color.
Aesthetic judgments — such as what performances deserve Oscars — are *never* independent from the Hollywood system — a system that has plenty of odd beliefs about race, class, gender, sexual orientation & identity, disability, etc. So of course the overwhelming whiteness of the nominees reflects an underlying structural perspective about race and audiences, money and artistic value.
how many times did we see streep’s face? she really deserves it this year
2002 is my favourite line-up by a mile. great performances. Nicole, Julianne and Diane deserved to be recognized. After this is 2001 and 2006. This year I don’t care a lot for the performances. They are very good but that is all and I blame the movies these actresses star in except Mara – I don’t think taht she has a place here at all although The Girl with the Dragon tattoo is a masterpiece.
it’s difficult for me to list a specific winner for each year, but here are my favorites:
2001: it has received a lot of criticism, but I think it was a very good year, I think I would’ve voted for Sissy Spacek
2002: Nicole Kidman “The Hours” completely and absolutely; “Far From Heaven” fans, please don’t hate me, Kidman’s Virginia Woolf is absolutely flawless and haunting in my book.
2003: Theron’s “Monster” is a very powerful performance, but I somehow see the work in her eyes. I agree with the win, but I’m not falling in love with it.
2004: Nicole Kidman “Birth”; Kate Winslet, Imelda Staunton
2005: a very confusing year, I’m OK with Reese Witherspoon’s victory; Felicity Huffman’s probably the other choice.
2006: Meryl Streep OR Judi Dench, without any doubt
2007: Marion Cotillard OR Julie Christie
2008: Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Melissa Leo
2009: Tilda Swinton OR Abbie Cornish
2010: Nicole Kidman OR Natalie Portman OR Annette Bening
2011: haven’t made up my mind yet; I didn’t particularly fall in love with anything
it was ten years ago that halle berry went wild on stage and was so enthused up on stage. finally, black woman were recognized by the academy.
The point here is not if they are white or not.
If you look at the winners, with the only exception of Helen Mirren, they are all young and hot!