Don't you love articles that argue you don't need to quantify greatness - and then proceed to develop stats that quantify greatness? If that sounds like your speed, check this out. Very interesting way to rank the best actors and actresses of all time. Who do you think finishes number one on each list? The answer might surprise you.
Of course, this is all motivated by the fact that Meryl Streep didn't win last night. I thought she would, in one of those "lifetime" Best Actor or Actress Awards that Hollywood frequently gives out to someone who gets nominated all the time, never wins, and then finally does (like Jack Lemmon and Paul Newman for Actor, and Martin Scorsese for Director). In Streep's case, this motivation is complicated by the fact that she has won twice before, but that was way back in 1979 and 1982. Since then, she's been so consistently good that her greatness gets taken for granted. Being consistently stellar actually makes it harder to win Awards, since in a sense you're competing not only with your peers but also with yourself. I bet there were a number of Academy members whose thought process on who to vote for for Best Actress went something like this: "yes Meryl Streep was great in "Julie and Julia" this year, but wasn't she just as great in "Doubt" last year? She didn't win then, so why she should win this year? Plus, she'll be back, and I'll get another chance to vote for her - after all, it's Meryl!" (this is how I imagine Hollywood celebrities talk to each other). Which means that when you become really, really good at what you do, if you want special recognition, you have to stand out not just from others, but from your own history.
I haven't seen "The Blind Side" yet, but when I do, I'll bet I won't think Sandra Bullock deserved the award over Streep. Still, it probably worked out for the best, since she's likable enough and IMO gave one of the funniest acceptance speeches ever. I'm sure Meryl will pick up a few more Oscars as she enters her golden years, and Hollywood realizes she won't be around forever - just like with Katherine Hepburn, when she won a couple in the late 60s (and then another one in 1981 for "On Golden Pond") after a thirty year drought. (H/T Kyle on the ESPN link)
Update: I just saw Sandra Bullock's Razzie speech posted below - which makes two great acceptance speeches in the same year. This beats the heck out of giving Awards to Sean Penn.
very informational... educative as well, i read and felt like reading over and over again....good job!
Posted by: Acai Optimum | March 24, 2010 at 08:33 PM