Let's Meet the Nominees - 2015 Oscars (Part 3)

Every year there are a handful of Oscar veterans/winners who get another chance at claiming gold. Here are this year veteran nominees...

Marion Cotillard

2015 Best Actress Nominee - "Two Days, One Night"

2008 Best Actress WINNER - "La Vie en Rose"

Reese Witherspoon

2015 Best Actress Nominee - "Wild"

2006 Best Actress WINNER - "Walk the Line"

Meryl Streep

2015 Best Supporting Actress Nominee - "Into the Woods"

2012 Best Actress WINNER - "The Iron Lady"

1983 Best Actress WINNER - "Sophie's Choice"

1980 Best Supporting Actress WINNER - "Kramer Vs. Kramer"

Robert Duvall

2015 Best Supporting Actress - "The Judge"

1984 Best Actor WINNER - "Tender Mercies"

Oscar Photos

Philip Seymour Hoffman (Best Actor)

Reese Witherspoon (Best Actress)

Rachel Weisz (Best Supporting Actress)

George Clooney (Best Supporting Actor)

2006

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Biggest Oscar Mistakes - Wins

The coveted acting Academy Award is the gold standard of acceptance and success in Hollywood. It is given to the Academy's pick for best performance of the year. Over the years, however, Oscar has increasingly turned into a massive contest, with million dollar campaigning by studios. It's no longer about the single performance, but increasingly (especially nowadays) about something totally different (career recognition, popularity, love of the character, etc).

Though a lot of great performances are left off the roster each year, generally it doesn't really matter who, out of the 5 nominees, wins... because they are all worthy. That doesn't mean that from time to time Oscar hasn't gotten it wrong... and on an even rarer occasion, VERY wrong.

Tatum O'Neal

Year: 1974

Film: Paper Moon

Award: Best Supporting Actress

Don't get us wrong... Tatum O'Neal was fantastic... for a child. It's unfortunate that the Academy stopped doling out Juvenile Oscars because, through no fault of their own, children can't stand up to adult performers. We always measure it like this: If an adult were playing the part, would it be considered Oscar-worthy. Most of the time, no.

Who Should Have Won:

Linda Blair in "The Exorcist"

She's one of three children in history who measure up to our Oscar test (the other two are Patty Duke for "The Miracle Worker" and Haley Joel Osment for "The Sixth Sense"). Blair was flawless and, arguably, gave the scariest performance in cinematic history. The fact that she was 13 when it was filmed, makes it all that more unbelievable and exceptional.

Geraldine Page

Year: 1986

Film: The Trip to Bountiful

Award: Best Actress

Geraldine Page was a terrific actor. That's very true. Her performance in "The Trip to Bountiful" was great. But, we really believe that after 8 nominations and 34 years in the business, the Academy wanted to show their love more so for her lifetime achievement. Maybe it was a good thing because Page died the very next year.

Who Should Have Won:

Whoopi Goldberg in "The Color Purple"

If there was ever a performance absolutely worthy of an Oscar, Goldberg's 'Celie' is it. To say that she was phenomenal, just seems an understatement. The sad thing is, the then-unknown-comedienne probably would have won if this film had come out 5 years later. The Academy loves to reward performers who break type (i.e. 2012 nominee Jonah Hill)

Anna Paquin

Year: 1994

Film: The Piano

Award: Best Supporting Actress

She was definitely convincing and good, but Paquin did not deserve this win. We would rate her number 4 out of the 5 nominees... just edging out Winona Ryder.

Who Should Have Won:

Holly Hunter in "The Firm"

Paquin's "The Piano" costar would have made history by being the first actor to receive 2 acting Oscars in a single ceremony and that... is exactly why we think she didn't. Academy voters probably thought, "hey, we're voting her Best Actress, let's pick someone else for Supporting". Hunter, however, was outstanding as the kooky little secretary... and definitely deserved the honor.

Kim Basinger

Year: 1998

Film: L.A. Confidential

Award: Best Supporting Actress

Popularity contest? Why, yes. The long-adored Basinger was up for her first and only (to date) Oscar nomination and we don't think the Academy was gonna let her get away without a statue.

Who Should Have Won:

Julianne Moore in "Boogie Nights"

Moore, who has long eluded Oscar glory, should have won after her very first nomination for playing a drug-addicted, porn star dealing with an emotional custody battle. We can still remember that roller coaster ride of a performance, like it was yesterday.

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Year: 2003

Film: Chicago

Award: Best Supporting Actress

Her singing was decent... dancing was fairly good... and her acting was nice... did she deserve Oscar gold? Hell, no. But the Academy sure loves triple threats (i.e. Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey), even if they aren't fantastic (i.e. Jennifer Hudson). What's the worst thing about this win? Her Chicago accent was horrific. Her Welsh twang kept sliding back in and our ears were exhausted.

Who Should Have Won:

Meryl Streep in "Adaptation"

This should have been Streep's third time at the podium, but with every nomination since 1984, the Academy remembered that she already had 2 golden guys. It shouldn't matter because, like we said before, it is only about the single performance. Oh well... we aren't crying for the lovely Meryl.

Reese Witherspoon

Year: 2006

Film: Walk the Line

Award: Best Actress

We get it. In 2006, Reese Witherspoon was the reigning "American Sweetheart"... beloved by all for her cuteness. But does that mean she deserved an Oscar? We certainly don't think so. Again, this is an example of being rewarded for playing against type.

Who Should Have Won:

Felicity Huffman in "Transamerica"

Huffman was stellar. It was not hard for us to believe that she was 'Bree'. There was no evidence of her very popular and very famous "Desperate Housewives" character in this film. Some would argue that it was due to the power of makeup, but... aha... we re-watched the flick and closed our eyes from time to time. We can honestly say, it was the acting.

Jennifer Hudson

Year: 2007

Film: Dreamgirls

Award: Best Supporting Actress

We've said this before and we stand by it. We believe this acting win... and nomination is the biggest mistake in Oscar history. Yes, Hudson was tremendous during her songs. She showed great emotion and passion. We're not gonna lie. We were clapping and crying along with everyone else at the end of "I'm Not Going". But when it came down to acting, without the crutch of a well-written song, she fell very flat. She seemed uncomfortable and unsure... and has in every role since. As far as we're concerned... Hudson is the luckiest Oscar winner in history. Cherish that golden guy because we are willing to bet, you will NEVER be up for one again.

Who Should Have Won:

Adriana Barazza in "Babel"

Unfortunately for Barazza, the studio that produced "Babel" didn't spend much money on her campaign (they certainly did for Pitt and Blanchett... neither of whom were nominated). Despite the loss, we believe she was the best supporting actress of 2007's roster.

Sandra Bullock

Year: 2010

Film: The Blind Side

Award: Best Actress

We actually are very fond of Bullock. She is a terrific romantic comedy actor. And we actually very much enjoyed her performance in "The Blind Side". But, we don't think she deserved the Oscar. She said it best herself when she admitted that she probably would never be up at the podium again. And we're thinking Academy voters thought so too... so they handed her the win.

Who Should Have Won:

Gabourey Sidibe in "Precious"

Sometimes there comes a gripping and heart-wrenching performance that just stands out from all the others. Sidibe literally came out of nowhere to deliver one of the greatest acting jobs ever. The kind of caliber she possesses as an actor became even more evident, when we all saw the real Gabourey in numerous interviews. She couldn't be further from the character of 'Precious'.

MisMatched

Actor: SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR

Film: "Cruel Intentions"

Character: Kathyrn

Year: 1999

That lifeless face, that whiny monotone voice... just a couple of things that help prove how bad Sarah Michelle Gellar was in 1999's soap-opera-esque "Cruel Intentions". Gellar played Kathryn, a spoiled, overly sexualized, slightly-evil, rich girl who bets her hot stepbrother Sebastian (miscast with a cheesy Ryan Phillippe) that he can't bed the new girl in school. Of course he takes the challenge and falls in love with Annette (played by Reese Witherspoon)... blah blah blah. Gellar is painfully bad and extremely annoying to watch.

*this is where Reese and Ryan met.

Quote of the Day

Jake: "You're shittin' me, right?"

Melanie: "I've never actually understood that expression, but no... I am not shittin' you."

Josh Lucas and Reese Witherspoon as 'Jake' and 'Melanie',

"Sweet Home Alabama", 2002

Performance of the Day

Actor: JAKE GYLLENHAAL

Film: "Donnie Darko"

Character: Donnie Darko

Year: 2001

Long before he was the ex-Mr. Reese Witherspoon or playing a gay cowboy, Jake Gyllenhaal took the lead in this unique film. It's hard to even think of a synopsis for this film because everything is pretty much debatable. This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It's weird, but more importantly, it'll have you thinking.

Did You Know...

... Rachel McAdams donned a wig in the film "Mean Girls". Her hair was shoulder-length because she had just finished filming "The Hot Chick".

Some other wig-outs in films: Reese Witherspoon at the end of "Legally Blonde" because the scene was filmed later on and she had already cut her hair for "Sweet Home Alabama". Elizabeth Taylor in the 1949-version of "Little Women". Jennifer Aniston in "Horrible Bosses" (and might we add that she should consider dark brown because it looks fabulous on her). Bryce Dallas Howard in "Eclipse" (Nikki Reed and Ashley Greene also wear pieces for the film series). Angelina Jolie donned a few in "Salt". Emma Stone in "The Help".

12 Best College Movies

4) Legally Blonde

Director: Robert Luketic

Actors: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair,

Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, Jennifer Coolidge, Holland

Taylor, Ali Larter, Jessica Cauffiel, Oz Perkins, Raquel Welch,

Linda Cardellini, Alanna Ubach

Year: 2001

Synopsis: A seemingly ditzy girl enrolls in Harvard Law

School to show her ex-boyfriend how smart she can be.

see full list

Where Have I Heard That?

Song: 'Let My Love Open the Door'

Artist: Pete Townshend

Where You've Heard it: tons of films, including "Look Who's Talking", "Dan in Real Life", "Mr. Deeds", "Jersey Girl", and in the trailer for the upcoming Reese Witherspoon/Owen Wilson/Paul Rudd film "How Do You Know".

Flick of the Day

Film: THE MAN IN THE MOON

Director: Robert Mulligan

Actors: Reese Witherspoon, Jason London, Sam Waterston, Emily Warfield, Tess Harper, Gail Strickland

Year: 1991

Synopsis: A young girl falls in love for the first time in the summer of 1957.

In her feature film debut, Reese Witherspoon perfectly portrays Dani, a 14-year-old girl growing up in 1950s Louisiana. When a family moves into the farm next door, she develops a crush on the teenage son, Court (London). The two become fast friends, but things change when Court meets Dani's older sister, Maureen (Warfield). This is a somber little film that barely made a splash, but it's one of the best romantic dramas of the 90s.

Skip It

Film: LEGALLY BLONDE 2: RED, WHITE, AND BLONDE

Director: Charles Herman-Wurmfeld

Actors: Reese Witherspoon, Sally Field, Regina King, Luke Wilson, Jennifer Coolidge, Bruce McGill, Alanna Ubach, Dana Ivey, Jessica Cauffiel, Mary Lynn Rajskub

Year: 2003

Synopsis: Elle Woods takes on the US government in her fight for animal rights.

Yea, I know what you're thinking. Sequels usually suck anyway, but I had high hopes for this one. First off, who doesn't love adorable Ms. Witherspoon and secondly, how can you go wrong with Elle Woods. Well, you can go very wrong. To sum it up, this bomb was boring, corny, and Reese wasn't glowing the way she usually is. I'm very disappointed that she would sign up for this, but I am beginning to suspect it had something to do with her reported 15 million dollar payday.

Best Dressed - 2011 Academy Awards

Trends of the Evening: sequins (Amy, Hailee, Michelle, Mandy, Hilary, Halle), purples (Mila, Cate, Natalie, Scarlett), reds (Penelope, Jennifer, Sandra), emerald accessories (Reese, Amy, Annette), highlights (Penelope, Natalie, Anne, Mila), and bobs (Scarlett, Marisa, Michelle, Cate, Helen)

BEST OVERALL LOOK:

Michelle Williams (is the #1 look of the night with this beautiful sequins dress and fabulous short 'do), Jennifer Lawrence (after a terrible looking awards season, Lawrence nailed the show that really counts. She took Scarlett's look from the Globes a few years back and made it better), Reese Witherspoon (tones down the classic Barbie look and makes it her own. She looks so chic)

BEST DRESS:

Mila Kunis (she doesn't like to play it safe and it finally paid off. She looks perfect in this lilac number. The color goes so well with her olive skin), Natalie Portman (it's hard to find a great dress when you're pregnant, but Natalie picked the right one with this beautiful, flowy Rodarte gown)

Sandra Bullock (she hasn't worked in a year and a half, but she sure knows how to wear a great dress), Melissa Leo (I know many would disagree, but I love this dress. The cut works so well on Melissa's body and apparently the crochet look is in), Jennifer Hudson (try and pull your eyes away from that disgusting hair for a minute and take a look at this incredible dress. It shows off all of Jennifer's curves and the color looks great on her skin)

BEST HAIR:

Cate Blanchett (this is a wonderful cut for her. She looks gorgeous), Helen Mirren (she goes with a young, chic bob and it looks fabulous on her)

Scarlett Johansson (I know it's messy, but I love that she went back to her "Lost in Translation" color and it just works on her), Marisa Tomei (she did the cleaner version of Scarlett's hair and I think it looks great. Can you believe this lady is nearly 50?)

WORST OVERALL LOOK:

Sharon Stone (I don't know if it's the Snooki-poof or the homage to "Black Swan", but Sharon... I'm very disappointed. I expected more from you), Florence Welch (I only learned who this girl was a few weeks ago at the Grammy's, but she is obviously an odd-ball. She's wearing curtains), Helena Bonham Carter (our list wouldn't be complete without our favorite Queen of Bad. Keep on keeping on, Helena)

WORST DRESS:

Nicole Kidman (this is just so hideous. I don't know what Kidman has been thinking. I have heard of something called 'mommy brain', so maybe that explains it), Marisa Tomei (in some shots this doesn't look so bad, but you can see for yourself that this gown is horrid.), Cate Blanchett (I was on the fence about this one. Overall, I think Cate looks marvelous, but the dress by itself is so weird. She looks like a vanity table)

WORST HAIR:

Jennifer Hudson (and the #1 worst hair of the evening goes to the one who wore the terrible hairpiece/wig. I am so confused with this one. Jennifer looked stunning at the Grammy's... why would she go this route for the Oscars?)

Mila Kunis (I'm so sick of these stiff, odd 'dos. Mila should have learned from Kate Winslet's Oscar mistake. Don't wear a football helmet to the Oscars), Natalie Portman (I know that she's pregnant and probably very tired, but the half-assed style is not cutting it. You won an Oscar honey, kick it up a notch)

Hailee Steinfeld (She's completely adorable and I know she's only 14, but this isn't the prom. Ditch the headband and let your beautiful hair down), Amy Adams (so at this point in the evening, Amy's hair wasn't so bad. Fast forward to her presenting and you will see why this didn't work. It was messy and got very frizzy. Plus with that semi-high collar, she should have gone with an up 'do)

HONORABLE MENTION:

Penelope Cruz (This dress is pretty, but it treads a little too close to Vegas showgirl. She looks fabulous though, especially considering she had a baby a few weeks ago), Helen Mirren (Dame Helen never disappoints. She would have made best overall, but I'm not feeling the color of the gown), Scarlett Johansson (I love this. The cut of the dress is spectacular and she went with a crochet look, much like Melissa Leo. I'm not too excited about the color and the fact that you can kind of see through it. Cameron Diaz should take a note from her. This is how you do the messy 'do),

Gwyneth Paltrow (despite her heinous performance, she started out the night well. I like this simple, gold gown. She is sort of channeling Sandra Bullock from last year's Oscars though), Amy Adams (I like the dress a lot. Love that cut and the sequins. I hate her hair and the fact that she added the emerald necklace and bracelet. It clashes and why do you need jewelry with a sparkling gown such as this), Halle Berry (beautiful as always, but the bottom of the dress is yuck. She should have gone sans tulle)