Biggest Oscar Snubs

Since the start of the SAG Awards in 1995, "The Big 4", as it's known here at SFH, have become the most sought-after awards in the business (these are the Golden Globe, the SAG, the BAFTA, and... of course, the Oscar). The Oscar nomination is the creme de la creme of film acting accolades. It's the end-all, be-all of Hollywood distinction... but, sometimes, a well-deserving actor is left out. Let's be serious... the word 'snub' is thrown around a lot during awards season, and often it's not truly earned (i.e. Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe, The Social Network's Justin Timberlake, and Black Swan's Mila Kunis). These few performers, however, were truly snubbed, when they were nominated for 3 of the Big 4.

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.

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.

Did You Know...

... Thandie Newton was originally cast in "Charlie's Angels", but dropped out to take a role in a small, indie film. She was replaced by Lucy Lui.

Brit of the Week

Lucy Punch (Dec. 30, 1977) was born in London. She started her career early when she decided to join the National Youth Theatre. After that she tried her hand at college, attending University College London, but dropped out to pursue acting full time. She made her debut in a 1998 episode of "The New Adventures of Robin Hood". Since then she has appeared in "Greenfingers", "Ella Enchanted", "Hot Fuzz", "Dinner for Schmucks", and "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger". Up next for the funny lady: "Bad Teacher" (with Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel), "A Little Bit of Heaven" (with Kate Hudson and Gael Garcia Bernal), and "Take Me Home Tonight" (with Anna Faris and Topher Grace).

Flick of the Day

Film: KNIGHT AND DAY

Director: James Mangold

Actors: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard, Jordi Molla, Viola Davis, Paul Dano, Marc Blucas, Maggie Grace

Year: 2010

Synopsis: A rogue CIA agent teams up with a civilian to stop the sale of a special energy source.

Double Take

Malin Akerman and Cameron Diaz could be sisters.

They look alike and they even sound alike.

***Malin is best known for her work in "Watchmen", "The Heartbreak Kid", and "27 Dresses". Cameron can be seen in "Knight and Day", "There's Something About Mary", and "The Mask".

Skip It

Film: THE GREEN HORNET

Director: Michel Gondry

Actors: Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christopher Waltz, Cameron Diaz, Tom Wilkinson, Edward James Olmos

Year: 2011

I'm sure you've heard this before, but I want to reiterate. DON'T SEE THIS TERRIBLE FILM!!!! It is truly one of the worst flicks I've subjected myself to in a long time. I barely could get through it. I'm a Seth Rogen fan and Christopher Waltz was excellent in "Inglourious Basterds", but I am very disappointed.

Did You Know...

... the characters in "Lost in Translation" are based on writer/director Sofia Coppola's real life. Coppola was once married to director Spike Jonze (the film counterparts are Scarlett Johansson and Giovanni Ribisi) and they spent time in Japan. I find it interesting that Coppola cast Scarlett to play her.

Apparently she had a few run-ins with an obnoxious Cameron Diaz (film counterpart is supposedly Anna Faris), whom Spike had directed in "Being John Malkovich". Coppola has denied that Diaz was the inspiration for Faris' annoying character.

You Say It's Your Birthday!

Happy 36th Birthday, Drew Barrymore!!!

showing her natural charm

back in her 'wild' days, 1994

just before she flashed David Letterman, 1995

on the set of "The Wedding Singer", 1998

looking radiant in "Ever After", 1998

pulling double duty: leading actor and

executive producer in "Never Been Kissed", 1999

with Cameron Diaz and Lucy Lui on the set of "Charlie's Angels", 2000

in her (Golden Globe and SAG) award winning role

of 'Little Edie' in the television movie, "Grey Gardens", 2009

13 Best Wedding-Themed Films

4) MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING

Director: P.J. Hogan

Actors: Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Cameron Diaz,

Rupert Everett, Philip Bosco, Rachel Griffiths,

M. Emmett Walsh, Christopher Masteron

Year: 1997

With "Steel Magnolias", "Runaway Bride", and "My Best Friend's Wedding", Julia Roberts has the wedding-movie market cornered. In this gem, Jules (Roberts) attends the wedding of her best friend, Michael, with the sole intention of breaking the happy couple up. Look for a pre-annoying Cameron Diaz as the bride-to-be. Also British-born Rupert Everett practically steals the show as Jules gay friend, George.

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