1998
Jane Horrocks
Film: "Little Voice"
The Snub: Best Actress
It was a pitch-perfect role, in a little known film. Horrocks was outstanding as a meek lady, who comes out of her shell onstage.
The Thief: Julie Christie in "Afterglow"
Our Verdict: She was robbed. Her costar, Brenda Blethyn, scored a well-deserved nod, but somehow Horrocks missed the cut.
2000
Cameron Diaz
Film: "Being John Malkovich"
The Snub: Best Supporting Actress
"Ugly-ing" yourself up usually does the Oscar trick (see Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, Hilary Swank), but it didn't do the deed this time.
The Thief: Toni Collette in "The Sixth Sense"
Our Verdict: We agreed with the Academy 100% when they ruled that Collette deserved the nod. Makeup and hair changes do not a great actress make.
2006
Ziyi Zhang
Film: "Memoirs of a Geisha"
The Snub: Best Actress
She was exceptional as a young girl who grows to be the most famous Geisha in Japan.
The Thief: Keira Knightley in "Pride & Prejudice"
Our Verdict: While we do believe Ziyi deserved the nod, we also think Knightley was worthy of the nom. We know this will be controversial, but we actually think the nod... and subsequently win for Reese Witherspoon in "Walk the Line"... was the mistake. Although she was good, the performance didn't stand up to the other nominees... or to Joaquin's stellar 'Johnny Cash'.
2009
Kate Winslet
Film: "Revolutionary Road"
The Snub: Best Actress
She was remarkable as a torn 50's housewife and her courage and horrible 3rd act mistake were heart-wrenching
The Thief: none other than Kate Winslet herself... in "The Reader"
Our Verdict: in the other races, she was actually nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her great work in "The Reader", but for some reason, her people decided to submit her name for Best Actress in the Oscar consideration race. Though two noms in the same category has happened twice before (Norma Shearer and Greta Garbo in 1931), it is highly unlikely. She managed to bump herself off. Good news though... she took home the Best Actress statue anyway.
2012
Tilda Swinton
Film: "We Need to Talk About Kevin"
The Snub: Best Actress
A gut-wrenching and wonderful performance by the queen of subtlety.
The Thief: Rooney Mara in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
Our Verdict: this is a tough one. Both Swinton and Mara were amazing. Also, all the other nominees were definitely Oscar-worthy. So, we're gonna have to agree with the Academy because, well... there were just too many great performances by leading actresses in 2011.
The always amazing Dame Helen Mirren did a marvelous job portraying the complex wife of legendary director, Alfred Hitchcock.
The Thief: Emmanuelle Riva in "Amour"
Our Verdict: It really was a toss-up. Riva was wonderful and Mirren is always outstanding. I'd give the edge to Riva because it's always nice to see newbies nominated (Mirren has been nominated four times with one Best Actress win)
2013
Helen Mirren
Film: "Hitchcock"
The Snub: Best Actress
The always amazing Dame Helen Mirren did a marvelous job portraying the complex wife of legendary director, Alfred Hitchcock.
The Thief: Emmanuelle Riva in "Amour"
Our Verdict: It really was a toss-up. Riva was wonderful and Mirren is always outstanding. I'd give the edge to Riva because it's always nice to see newbies nominated (Mirren has been nominated four times with one Best Actress win)
Marion Cotillard
Film: "Rust and Bone"
The Snub: Best Actress
Marion is astounding as a whale trainer who loses both her legs during a show.
The Thief: Quvenzhané Wallis in "Beasts of the Southern Wild"
Our Verdict: This is very difficult. Wallis is absolutely alluring, but Cotillard's performance is heartbreaking. In the end, I'm gonna lean towards Cotillard.
