Best Actress

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1938 and the nominees are: 1. Luise Rainer - The Good Earth 2. Irene Donne - The Awful Truth 3. Greta Garbo - Camille 4. Janet Gaynor - A Star is Born 5. Barbara Stanwyck - Stella Dallas - In 1938 Luise Rainer became the first performer to win back-to-back Oscars as well as the first performer to have two Academy Awards. Her first Oscar was won the year prior for The Great Ziegfeld. If you weren't aware, this is perhaps one of the most controversial Oscar wins because Luise Rainer, a German born woman, is portraying a Chinese woman in yellow face in The Good Earth. A big part of her win for this Oscar was the major financial support from the MGM studio she was represented by. The other nominees gave career standouts in their respective films but were freelance actors and couldn't campaign to the same lengths as a major studio. Luise Rainer was only in Hollywood for a total of 3 years before eventually leaving as a result of the lack of interest in “the glam” of movie stardom. Regardless, she set an Oscar record that has only been repeated (in leading roles) by Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, and Tom Hanks. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Chris as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 2023 and the nominees are: 1. Michelle Yeoh - Everything Everywhere All at Once 2. Cate Blanchett - Tár 3. Ana de Armas - Blonde 4. Andrea Riseborough 5. Michelle Williams - The Fabelmans - In 2023 Michelle Yeoh became the second woman of colour in the 95 year history of the Oscars to win Best Actress in a Leading Role for the critical smash hit, Everything Everywhere All at Once. This was one of the most exciting Best Actress Oscar races in recent memory. In my opinion it really came down to Yeoh, Blanchett, and Riseborough (the dark horse nominee of the century). I think a lot of people were expecting Riseborough to be the upset since her nomination shocked everyone, including the Academy, and called for a recount and investigation, which turned out to be above board. Blanchett as Tár is arguably one of Blanchett's greatest performances on screen. Yeoh was utilizing all her skills in this powerhouse performance in EEAAO. It was a real nail biter! I think the correct winner was Yeoh however when it comes down to personal taste, I have my opinions. I'm sorry to say I don't think Williams or de Armas had a real shot at this trophy. Not this year. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Cathryn Nailer as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1985 and the nominees are: 1. Sissy Spacek - The River 2. Vanessa Redgrave - The Bostonians 3. Jessica Lange - Country 4. Judy Davis - A Passage to India 5. Sally Field - Places in the Heart - In 1985 Sally Field won her second Oscar playing a widow struggling to save her farm in Places in the Heart. This was an odd year in that there were 2 other similarly nominated roles for both Jessica Lange and Sissy Spacek. Each of films portrayed a woman trying to keep her family and farm from being foreclosed by the bank. Honestly these films began to blur together while viewing. Oh this is also the famous year when Field said the famously misquoted quote, “I can't deny the fact that you like me! Right now! You like me!” Judy Davis became a first time nominee for the David Lean epic in A Passage to India. This was Lean's return to screen after a 14 year hiatus following the negative reviews from critics for the film Ryan's Daughter. Finally, Vanessa Redgrave plays a suffragette in the extremely queer coded The Bostonians. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Dylan Mahaney as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1959 and the nominees are: 1. Susan Hayward - I Want to Live! 2. Deborah Kerr - Separate Tables 3. Shirley MacLaine - Some Came Running 4. Rosalind Russell - Auntie Mama 5. Elizabeth Taylor - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - In 1959 Susan Hayward won the Oscar for her portrayal of alleged murder accomplice Barbara Graham and her eventual execution in a gas chamber. Hayward was known for delivering top shelf performances dealing with dark subject matter and she does not disappoint in, I Want to Live! Baby Shirley MacLaine received her first Oscar nomination for Some Came Running playing an uneducated naive girl from Chicago who falls in love with Frank Sinatra. Deborah Kerr gave a brief but memorable performance in Separate Tables, one of two films this year that had to be adjusted for the Hollywood Production code as to avoid discussing topics of homosexuality (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof being the second). Rosalind Russell delivers an amazing performance as the eccentric aunt (perhaps a precursor to Travels with my Aunt with Maggie Smith) known for her quirky lifestyle and outgoing personality. Finally, Elizabeth Taylor plays Paul Newman's wife desperately trying to get him to love her again (even physically (same girl)) in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Joe Arsenal as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1945 and the nominees are: 1. Ingrid Bergman - Gaslight  2. Claudette Colbert - Since You Went Away 3. Bette Davis - Mr. Skeffington 4. Greer Garson - Mrs. Parkington 5. Barbara Stanwyck - Double Indemnity  - In 1945 Ingrid Bergman won her first of three Oscars for a role that we currently use as a psychological term in Gaslight. Bergman plays a woman who becomes suspicious of goings-on in her home but is manipulated by her husband into doubting herself which leads her to question her own perceptions and behaviours; which we colourfully refer to these days as ‘gaslighting.' I think her biggest competition this year came down to Claudette Colbert or Barbara Stanwyck. Stanwyck never won a competitive Oscar but Colbert had. Perhaps Stanwyck was the bigger competition. Each film was very enjoyable minus Mrs. Parkington. Of all the Garson performances this is not one of my fav's. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Josh Murray as they discuss. 

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1954 and the nominees are: 1. Audrey Hepburn - Roman Holiday  2. Leslie Caron - Lili 3. Ava Gardner - Mogambo 4. Deborah Kerr - From Here to Eternity  5. Maggie McNamara - The Moon is Blue - In 1954 Audrey Hepburn won the Oscar for Best Actress playing a princess going from ‘riches to rags for a day' in the classic film, Roman Holiday. I've always wondered why she won the Oscar for this film and not for something like Breakfast at Tiffany's or The Nun's Story. Now having seen the other nominated performances, I get it. I wouldn't say this was a weak year necessarily but I would say there were some odd choice of nominees. Deborah Kerr was incredible in From Here to Eternity but I don't think we saw enough of her to warrant a win. Leslie Caron gets so many brownie points for having to sell those scene with those creepy ass puppets in Lili. Ava Gardner in Mogambo is the most confusing nominee in this category, as we discuss at length this episode. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Cathryn Naiker as they discuss. 

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 2015 and the nominees are: 1. Marion Cotillard - Two Days, One Night 2. Felicity Jones - The Theory of Everything 3. Julianne Moore - Still Alice 4. Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl 5. Reese Witherspoon - Wild - In 2015 Julianne Moore finally won her Oscar after her fifth nomination for arguably one of the most heartbreaking performances put to screen as a woman suffering from early on set Alzheimer's disease. An incredibly powerful performance that won her the Golden Globe, SAG, Critics Choice, BAFTA, and Oscar - the “quintuple crown.” This year was nothing short of amazing performances from each nominee. Felicity Jones absolutely slays as Steven Hawkins life partner and caretaker in another heartbreaking performance in The Theory of Everything. Marion Cotillard received her second Oscar nomination playing a woman struggling with depression fighting for her job. Rosamund Pike delivers a ‘she's fabulous but she's evil' performance in Gone Girl. Finally Reese Witherspoon gives one of her grossest (in the best possible way) performances of her career in Wild. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Robert Watson as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1956 and the nominees are: 1. Anna Magnani - The Rose Tattoo 2. Susan Hayward - I'll Cry Tomorrow 3. Katharine Hepburn - Summertime 4. Jennifer Jones - Love Is a Many Splendored Thing 5. Eleanor Parker - Interrupted Melody - Please note: My mic wasn't working and by default used my laptop mic to record. Apologies for sound quality - will be fixed for future episodes. In 1956 Anna Magnani became the first Italian - and first non-English speaking woman - to win an Oscar. Tennessee Williams became an admirer of her acting and wrote The Rose Tattoo specifically for her to star in. This was a very strong year of course for the exception of Jennifer Jones in full yellowface portraying a Chinese/European doctor in China. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Glenn Sumi as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1946 and the nominees are: 1. Joan Crawford - Mildred Pierce 2. Ingrid Bergman - The Bells of St. Mary's  3. Greer Garson - The Valley of Decision 4. Jennifer Jones - Love Letters 5. Gene Tierney - Leave Her to Heaven - In 1946 Joan Crawford won the Best Actress Oscar for Mildred Pierce in one of the greatest Hollywood comeback stories of all time. After being dropped by MGM Crawford signed with Warner Studios. She didn't work for years because she spent her time studying and learning what made a good script. Along comes Mildred Pierce and the rest is history. Some hits and misses this year. Really enjoyed Gene Tierney and Greer Garson in their respective films. Bergman is always a delight to watch but TBOSM isn't exactly a high stakes plot. Jennifer Jones was perhaps my least favourite of the group. These are just my thoughts! Tune in to this week's episode to hear more!  Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Josh Murray as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1976 and the nominees are: Isabelle Adjani - The Story of Adele H. Ann-Margret - Tommy Louise Fletcher - One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest Glenda Jackson - Hedda Carol Kane - Hester Street - In 1976 Louise Fletcher won Best Actress for playing one of the most iconic movie villains of all time, Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. This film became the first in 41 years to sweep the major categories of Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay. I would say Adjani was likely Fletcher's biggest competition as she became the youngest nominee for Best Actress at that time at the age of 20. She won the National Board of Review, National Society of Film Critics, and the New York Film Critics Circle awards for her work in The Story of Adele H. If you have never seen the movie musical Tommy, do yourself a favour, take some bong hits and enjoy. Ann-Margret's performance as Nora is honestly one of the strangest (in a good way) things I have ever witnessed on this podcast. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Bryan Hatt as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1966 and the nominees are: Julie Andrews - The Sound of Music Julie Christie - Darling Samantha Eggar - The Collector Elizabeth Hartman - A Patch of Blue Simone Signoret - Ship of Fools - In 1966 Julie Christie won Best Actress for Darling playing a young London model who sleeps her way to the top (good for you girl). She famously beat Julie Andrews in what is considered her best work in The Sound of Music. Andrews had won the award for Best Actress the year prior so it made her win unlikely. However many feel if Andrews should have an Oscar, it should have been for this film. Ultimately this year comes down to Julie vs. Julie and it didn't disappoint. A lot of really interesting films and performances. Join host Kyle Brownrigg and he discusses with guest host Joe Arsenal.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1967 and the nominees are: 1) Elizabeth Taylor - Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf 2) Anouk Aimée - A Man and a Woman 3) Ida Kaminska - The Shop on Main Street 4) Lynn Redgrave - Georgy Girl 5) Vanessa Redgrave - Morgan! - In 1967 Elizabeth Taylor won her second Oscar in a role that is regarded as one of the greatest screen performances ever in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Siblings Lynn and Vanessa Redgrave were also nominated (last time this happened was when Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Havilland were nominated in 1942). There were also two foreign language film performances nominated each respectively for Ida Kaminska and Anouk Aimée. I have to say, one of the strangest Best Actress years we've done on this podcast. Tune in on this week's episode to find out why! Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Cathryn Naiker as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] NEW EPISODE ALERT - The year is 1963 and the nominees are: Anne Bancroft - The Miracle Worker Bette Davis - Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Katharine Hepburn - Long Day's Journey into Night Geraldine Page - Sweet Bird of Youth Lee Remick - Days of Wine and Roses - In 1963 Bette Davis was odds on favourite to win her third Oscar and become the first actor to have three for her performance in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. However on Oscar night Davis famously lost to Anne Bancroft for her physically demanding role playing Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. To add salt in the wounds her on-screen (and allegedly off-screen) enemy Joan Crawford took to the podium to accept the award on Bancroft's behalf. It was viewed as a petty act of revenge toward Davis and to the Academy for not being nominated for Jane. Crawford also allegedly actively campaigned against Davis to ensure her loss. This was definitively a juicy year! You can't really talk about Bancroft's win without talking about the infamous feud between Davis and Crawford. Others nominated were Katharine Hepburn, Geraldine Page, and Lee Remick. This year really came down to Davis vs. Bancroft in our opinion. Listen to our new episode as we discuss! Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Viza Decline as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1942 and the nominees are: 1) Joan Fontaine - Suspicion 2) Bette Davis - The Little Foxes 3) Olivia de Havilland - Hold Back the Dawn 4) Greer Garson - Blossoms in the Dust 5) Barbara Stanwyck - Ball of Fire - In 1942 Joan Fontaine won Best Actress for Alfred Hitchcock's Suspicion (a movie title he allegedly hated). Many pundits think she won because she did not win the previous year when she was nominated for Rebecca (1940 (Ginger Rogers won FYI (deservedly))). There is a little bit of classic Hollywood drama this year as Olivia de Havilland (Fontaine's sister) was also nominated and lost. Not a feud of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford proportions but one that is worth researching. Plenty of YouTube docs available on this subject! Bette Davis received her fourth Oscar nomination in a row for The Little Foxes. Greer Garson gives one of her best performances in Blossoms in the Dust. Finally Barbara Stanwyck gives a hilarious performance in Ball of Fire, a sort of Snow White & the Seven Dwarves meets the Big Bang Theory sort of film. A truly enjoyable year! Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Bobby Knauff as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1934 and the nominees are: Sophia Loren - Two Women Audrey Hepburn - Breakfast at Tiffany's Piper Laurie - The Hustler Geraldine Page - Summer and Smoke Natalie Wood - Splendour in the Grass - In 1962 Sophia Loren became the first Best Actress winner to win for a performance in a foreign language film playing Cesira in Two Women. Two Women is the story of a widow (Loren) and her lonely daughter seeking distance between them and the horror of WWII. This was a very stacked year. Audrey Hepburn's performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's is arguably one of the most iconic films in movie history. Piper Laurie gives a devastating performance playing opposite Paul Newman in The Husler as an alcoholic struggling with mental health issues. Geraldine Page plays the very-conservative-girl-next-door in Summer and Smoke. Finally Natalie Wood is “obsessed” with Warren Beatty and her “urges” that eventually cause her to go insane (was a bit confused by this) in Splendor in the Grass. Wood gives a fine performance I just found the ultra-conservative plot/circumstance a bit confusing. Either way! Amazing year with amazing performances! Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Selena Vyle as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1934 and the nominees are: 1) Katharine Hepburn - Morning Glory 2) Diana Wynard - Cavalcade 3) May Robson - Lady for a Day - In 1934 Katharine Hepburn won her first of four Oscars playing Eva Lovelace, an aspiring actress who faces various career setbacks but ultimately makes it in show business. At this time in history there were only 3 nominees per category and there were was no category for supporting actor/actress. That did not happen until 1937 when Walter Brennan won for Come and Get It and Gale Sondergaard won for Anthony Adverse for supporting actor and actress (respectively). Diana Wynard and May Robson each give fantastic performances and frankly with 3 nominees it makes the Oscar race much more competitive. Frankly I think you could make an argument for any of these performances to win. I don't think there was a clear front runner. Have you seen these films? If so who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Dan Dillabough as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1952 and the nominees are: 1. Kathryn Hepburn - The African Queen 2. Vivien Leigh - A Streetcar Named Desire 3. Eleanor Parker - Detective Story 4. Shelley Winters - A Place in the Sun 5. Jane Wyman - The Blue Veil - In 1952 Vivien Leigh won her second Oscar for A Streetcar Named Desire. This film swept the acting categories with Best Supporting Actress going to Kim Hunter, Best Supporting Actor going to Karl Malden, but a surprise loss in Lead Actor for Marlon Brando (he was truly robbed). Parker and Winters gave fine performances in their respective films but they were very brief and one could argue category fraud for supporting. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Cathryn Naiker as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] NEW EPISODE ALERT The year is 1969 and the nominees are: Katharine Hepburn - The Lion in Winter Barbra Streisand - Funny Girl Patricia Neal - The Subject Was Roses Vanessa Redgrave - Isadora Joanne Woodward - Rachel, Rachel - In 1969 Ingrid Bergman presented the Oscar for Best Actress and was stunned when she opened the envelope revealing a tie for Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn. Up until this point in Academy history there had only ever been a tie twice. First in 1932 for Best Actor and a second in 1950 for Best Documentary Short Subject. In those days you could tie with a margin of difference of 3 votes. However in 1969 both Hepburn and Streisand had to have equal number of votes to win, and they did (allegedly (technically no way to prove they didn't))! Two fantastic performances were rewarded that night but we don't believe in ties on Best Actress Podcast! Tune in to find out who we think the Oscar should have gone to in 1969! Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Fiona O'Brien as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1940 and the nominees are: Vivien Leigh - Gone with the Wind Bette Davis - Dark Victory Irene Dunne - Love Affair Greta Garbo - Ninotchka Greer Garson - Goodbye, Mr. Chips In 1940 Vivien Leigh won the Oscar for Best Actress and is regarded, by some, as the greatest Best Actress Oscar win of all time. A role which Bette Davis admitted as being furious for not being cast in. If you've seen ‘Feud' they make a few funny jokes about this. Although Davis did not play Scarlett, she still was a nominee that year for Dark Victory, playing a woman with a terminal brain tumour. Irene Dunne and Greta Garbo give really fun rom-com performances in Love Affair and Ninotchka (you can watch these films on YouTube). Greer Garson became a first time nominee in a brief, but memorable, performance in Goodbye, Mr. Chips. It's hard to imagine anyone but Leigh winning this Oscar but it's fun watching these performances. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Joe Arsenal as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 2021 and the nominees are: 1. Andra Day - The United States vs. Billie Holiday 2. Vanessa Kirby - Pieces of a Woman 3. Carey Mulligan - Promising Young Woman 4. Viola Davis - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom 5. Frances McDormand - Nomadland 
 - In 2021 Frances McDormand won her third Best Actress Oscar for Nomadland. McDormand currently has the second most Best Actress Oscars won to date with three (Katharine Hepburn has four). Nomadland stars McDormand as Fern, a woman who packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. Vanessa Kirby plays a woman who loses her child in a home birth. She has some amazing scenes with Ellen Burstyn (really thought she should have been nominated for Best Supporting Actress). Carey Mulligan received her second Best Actress nomination for Pieces of a Woman (first for An Education). Andra Day made her screen debut in The US vs. Billie Holiday delivering an exceptional performance with incredible vocals. She could have won this Oscar but the movie/script really fails her. Viola Davis stars as Ma Rainey, famous blues singer, in a very well acted but terribly boring film (sorry not sorry) Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Ted Morris as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 2022 and the nominees are: 1. Nicole Kidman - Being the Ricardos 2. Penélope Cruz - Parallel Mothers 3. Kristen Stewart - Spencer 4. Jessica Chastain - The Eyes of Tammy Faye 5. Olivia Colman - The Lost Daughter - In 2022 Jessica Chastain won her Oscar (finally) for portraying the iconic televangelist, Tammy Faye. Chastain has incredible range and she certainly does not disappoint in this larger than life role. Was it my personal fav performance of hers? You'll have to listen to the episode to find out! Frankly, you could make an argument for any one of these performances as winsome. I think it was time to reward Chastain for her incredible body of work. Maybe the spoiler would have been Cruz or Kidman; I think many thought this was going to happen. Colman was semi-fresh off her recent win for The Favourite so a win was not likely. I was so happy to see Stewart get a nomination (finally) and it stands as a victory for so many reasons. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Jesse Reynolds as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1965 and the nominees are: 1. Kim Stanley - Seance on a Wet Afternoon 2. Debbie Reynolds - The Unsinkable Molly Brown 3. Sophia Loren - Marriage Italian Style 4. Anne Bancroft - The Pumpkin Eater 5. Julie Andrews - Mary Poppins - In 1965 Julie Andrews victoriously won the Best Actress Oscar for her iconic role as Mary Poppins. It was a bit of a musical vs musical of Mary Poppins vs My Fair Lady in the Best Picture category and was a snub for Audrey Hepburn in the best actress category. Andrews made Eliza Doolittle famous on Broadway and was the expected choice for the role but when Jack Warner wanted a more bankable star and gave it to Hepburn the public sunk their teeth into the drama. The win for Poppins was seen as a consolation prize for this ‘injustice' to Andrews. This made Julie Andrews insecure about the win for decades and left her Oscar in her attic. She has since seen the win for what it is, a true accomplishment (I mean MP was her first movie EVER), and Oscar is now proudly displayed on her mantle for all to see. Each performance nominated this year is so different and was a very interesting one to dissect. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Robert Watson as they discuss.

The year is 2014 and the nominees are: 1. Meryl Streep - August: Osage County 2. Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine 3. Sandra Bullock - Gravity 4. Judi Dench - Philomena 5. Amy Adams - American Hustle - In 2014 Cate Blanchett won the Oscar for her haunting performance in Blue Jasmine playing a New York socialite whose privileged life has come crashing down around her after her husband's disgraced business dealings lands him in jail and eventually leads to his suicide. In Sophia Loren's memoir “Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow: My Life”, the screen legend reveals that she still absorbs inspiration from other actors to enhance her own acting, saying, “Recently, I was struck by the last scene in Blue Jasmine, where Cate B has an expression on her face I'd never seen before. That expression crept inside me, and it lies there waiting to germinate a new plant, a new flower” - high praise. Also nominated was Meryl Streep playing a verbally abusive, drug addicted matriarch dying of cancer. Always love when Streep plays someone truly vile. Sandra Bullock was nominated for the panic attack known as Gravity. For many fans this nomination was a redemption for the controversial/lack lustre win for 'The Blind Side' and it does not disappoint. Judi Dench delivers a heart breaking performance in Philomena searching for her son after Irish nuns sold him with her consent in the early 1950's. Finally, Amy Adams becomes a first time nominee in the lead category playing a foxy con artist who uses her sexuality and wits to get what she wants in American Hustle. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Cathryn Naiker as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] NEW EPISODE ALERT The year is 1971 and the nominees are: 1. Glenda Jackson - Women in Love 2. Jane Alexander - The Great White Hope 3. Ali MacGraw - Love Story 4. Sarah Miles - Ryan's Daughter 5. Carrie Snodgress - Diary of a Mad Housewife - In 1971 Glenda Jackson won her first Oscar for Women in Love, a film that was very controversial for the time. It was banned in many countries due to its nudity and male on male naked wrestling (oh my). Jackson was not present at the ceremony as she believed, for both her Oscar wins, that she did not deserve the award. You have a lot of very different performances here and it's tricky picking which was truly the ‘best.' Sarah Miles in Ryan's Daughter was an amazing performance but the movie was borderline hated by critics. This was Jane Alexander's film debut reprising her Tony winning role in The Great White Hope. Not bad for your first film! Ali MacGraw starred opposite Ryan O'Neal in Love Story playing a tragic Romeo & Juliet figure. Finally Carrie Snodgress was nominated for Diary of a Mad Housewife, a drama/comedy film that was insane for all the right and wrong reasons. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Bryan Hatt as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] NEW EPISODE ALERT The year is 1975 and the nominees are: 1. Valerie Perrine - Lenny 2. Faye Dunaway - Chinatown 3. Gena Rowlands - A Woman Under the Influence 4. Ellen Burstyn - Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore 5. Diahann Carroll - Claudine - In 1975 Ellen Burstyn won the Best Actress Oscar for Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. This was arguably one of the most competitive years in Best Actress history. Each one of these nominees could have easily walked away with the award. In fact, they each won other ‘Best Actress' awards for their respected roles leading up to the Oscars. I think for me personally it just comes down to personal taste. One of the best years to discuss! Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Josh Murray as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 2012 and the nominees are: 1. Michelle Williams - My Week with Marilyn 2. Viola Davis - The Help 3. Rooney Mara - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 4. Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady 5. Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs - In 2012 Meryl Streep won her third Oscar (second for Lead Actress) playing Margaret Thatcher in The Iron lady. She swept award season with this performance. Weinstein's angle during the campaign season was that Meryl hadn't won since Sophie's Choice- she was over due. This award seemed to be in the bag for Streep until Viola Davis showed up to the table with her incredible performance as Aibileen in The Help. A role she would later express regret toward due to the film's white saviour narrative. White saviour narrative aside - it's a heartbreaking performance and a real contender for this Oscar. Rooney Mara made her Oscar debut in the Hollywood version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The original role was played by Noomi Rapace. Michelle Williams played Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn; which she won the Golden Globe for. Glenn Close received her 6th Oscar nomination for playing Albert Nobbs, a woman disguised as a man trying to survive in 19th century Ireland. Very strong year! Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Fiona O'Brien as they discuss.

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ] The year is 1970 and the nominees are: 1. Maggie Smith - The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie 2. Genevieve Bujold - Anne of the Thousand Days 3. Jane Fonda - They Shoot Horses, Don't They? 4. Liza Minnelli - The Sterile Cuckoo 5. Jean Simmons - The Happy Ending - In 1970 Maggie Smith won her first of two Oscars for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Smith plays an eccentric schoolteacher in a conservative school during the 1930's in Edinburgh, Scotland. She had won the BAFTA for Best Lead Actress but odds on favourite at the Oscars was Jane Fonda in They Shoot Horses, Don't They. Many speculated she (Fonda) lost this Oscar due to an arrest on Fort Hood military reservation as well as rumours of drug use and adultery had cost her the award. Remember! It was the late 1960's/70's. However Smith delivers an amazing performance in TPOMJB. Liza Minnelli became a first time nominee in The Sterile Cuckoo. A role Judy Garland urged her not to play worried it would make her seem unattractive. I don't agree! Pookie (the character Minnelli plays) is obnoxiously charming! Genevieve Bujold plays Anne Boleyn in Anne of the Thousand Days. A fantastic performance and I would recommend if you enjoy period pieces. Finally, Jean Simmons was nominated for The Happy Ending - a hilarious camp film about a woman who walks out on her family (inexplicably) and struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Luke McFarlane as they discuss.

The year is 2005 and the nominees are: 1. Sophie Okonedo - Hotel Rwanda 2. Natalie Portman - Closer 3. Laura Linney - Kinsey 4. Cate Blanchett - The Aviator 5. Virginia Madsen - Sideways - In 2005 Cate Blanchett won her first Oscar for best actress in a supporting role portraying Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator. This race really came down to her and Natalie Portman for Closer. Portman won the Golden Globe and was likely her (Blanchett) biggest competition. A very diverse group of nominees in terms of roles. It's difficult comparing Virginia Madsen in Sideways to Sophie Okonedo in Hotel Rwanda trying to discuss who was the better actress. How can you compare apples to oranges? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Bobby Knauff as they discuss.

The year is 1972 and the nominees are: 1. Glenda Jackson - Sunday Bloody Sunday 2. Jane Fonda - Klute 3. Janet Suzman - Nicholas and Alexandra 4. Vanessa Redgrave - Mary, Queen of Scots 5. Julie Christie - McCabe & Mrs. Miller - In 1972 Jane Fonda won her first Oscar for playing Bree Daniels, a New York prostitute, in the iconic thriller Klute (still don't understand why it's called Klute). This was a very interesting year in that there was a very clear winner. I generally find doing this podcast each batch of nominees has strong competition but, sadly, I didn't feel that this episode. Glenda Jackson was likely her biggest competition but having won Best Actress the year prior, it was unlikely. Also I feel her performance as Queen Elizabeth in Mary, Queen of Scots was more interesting and more deserving of a nomination. Venessa Redgrave as Mary was a wonderful performance but I felt Jackson stole the show. Julie Christie in McCabe & Mrs. Miller had such presence but it left me wanting more. Finally, Janet Suzman in her screen debut portrayed Alexandra of the Romanov dynasty gave a fine performance but the historical inaccuracies and confusing plot points distracted from the performance. Listen to the episode for all of our thoughts! Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Cathryn Naiker as they discuss.

The year is 2014 and the nominees are: 1. Lupita Nyong'o - 12 Years a Slave 2. June Squibb - Nebraska 3. Sally Hawkins - Blue Jasmine 4. Julia Roberts - August Osage County 5. Jennifer Lawrence - American Hustle In 2014 Lupita Nyong'o walked away with an Oscar for her debut film role playing Patsy in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave. It was a bit of a nail biter that evening as Lawrence had won almost every supporting trophy leading up to that night. Jennifer Lawrence had previously won for lead actress the previous year so it would make her win unlikely. Still! She had a solid shot at this award. Julia Roberts was also a strong competitor in this category for her iconic screaming-at-Meryl-Streep-scenes in August Osage County. Sally Hawkins and June Squibb became first time nominees for their respective work in Blue Jasmine and Nebraska. Amazing performances by all however I personally believe the top three to be Nyong'o, Lawrence, and Roberts. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Rob Browne as they discuss.

The year is 1993 and the nominees are: 1. Susan Sarandon - Lorenzo's Oil 2. Emma Thompson - Howards End 3. Michelle Pfeiffer - Love Field 4. Catherine Deneuve - Indochine 5. Mary McDonnell - Passion Fish - In 1993 Emma Thompson was nominated for, and won, every single competitive acting award for Howards End. If you've listened to this podcast before you know how much this movie bored me. This will shock and amaze you but I have become a Howards End enthusiast after this episode. Other nominees included Michelle Pfeiffer in Love Field and Catherine Deneuve in Indochine. They were unlikely to take home the prize that evening. Thompson's biggest competition was likely Susan Sarandon in Lorenzo's Oil and Mary McDonnell in Passion Fish. This was a fun episode to discuss! Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Josh Murray as they discuss.

The year is 2017 and the nominees are: 1. Isabelle Huppert - Elle 2. Emma Stone - La La Land 3. Ruth Negga - Loving 4. Natalie Portman - Jackie 5. Meryl Streep - Florence Foster Jenkins In 2017 Emma Stone took home the Oscar for Moonlight-sorry-La La Land! It was a pretty stacked year with very heavy performances. Natalie Portman played Jackie O navigating the emotional trauma of watching her husband be murdered right in front of her. Isabelle Huppert plays a rape victim while also trying to outlive the trauma of her childhood. Ruth Negga plays Mildred Loving who changed the constitution of America allowing people of different races to marry. Meryl Streep plays a terrible opera singer based on the real life Florence Foster Jenkins. Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Ted Morris as they discuss.

The year is 1982 and the nominees are: 1. Katharine Hepburn - On Golden Pond 2. Susan Sarandon - Atlantic City 3. Marsha Mason - Only When I Laugh 4. Diane Keaton - Reds 5. Meryl Streep - The French Lieutenant's Woman - In 1982 Katharine Hepburn became the first (and still only) actor to have 4 Academy Awards for a performance by an actor in a lead role. As Ethel in On Golden Pond she plays the wife/mother of the Fondas (Henry and Jane) in an emotional driven story about family and relationships, new and old. Hepburn was not present for the ceremony to receive her Oscar (as was her style) though neither was Henry Fonda or Sir John Gielgud (who won Supporting for Arthur). Susan Sarandon became a first time nominee in Atlantic City in a gritty gangster drama playing opposite Burt Lancaster. Marsha Mason became a four time nominee (still no wins) for Only When I Laugh playing a Broadway actress returning home from rehab. Meryl Streep received her first Best Actress in a leading role nomination for The French Lieutenant's Woman, a role which she describes as her least favourite (but it's still pretty impressive). Finally Diane Keaton plays Louise Bryant in Reds demonstrating her range and proving she can handle a historic drama. Very interesting year! Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Glenn Sumi as they discuss.

The year is 1986 and the nominees are: 1. Whoopi Goldberg - The Color Purple 2. Meryl Streep - Out of Africa 3. Jessica Lange - Sweet Dreams 4. Geraldine Page - The Trip to Bountiful 5. Anne Bancroft - Agnes of God - In 1986 Geraldine Page finally won her Oscar after being nominated 8 times over the course of 3 decades (similar to Glenn Close - 8 nominations over the course of 4 decades). When she won she was met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation. The industry felt she was overdue and wanted to celebrate her big moment, which is great, but was she the best actress that year? The Color Purple was nominated for 11 Oscars and won 0 and Steven Spielberg was even snubbed as Best Director. Many people thought Whoopi should have won for playing Celie -a black southern woman who struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over four decades. You also have Meryl Streep at her finest in the cinematic epic (and best Picture Winner) Out of Africa. This is a very stacked year. Jessica Lange gave an amazing performance as country singer Patsy Cline. Anne Bancroft played Mother Miriam Ruth in Agnes of God defending the possibility of an immaculate conception of one of her nuns (a role which Geraldine Page originated on Broadway and was nominated for a Tony). Much to discuss on this episode! Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Mayce Galoni as they discuss.

The year is 2004 and the nominees are: 1. Keisha Castle-Hughes - Whale Rider 2. Naomi Watts - 21 Grams 3. Diane Keaton - Something's Gotta Give 4. Charlize Theron - Monster 5. Samantha Morton - In America - In 2004 Charlize Theron received her first Oscar nomination and win for playing Aileen Wuornos who was a prostitute and serial killer. This haunting performance remains one of the best in Oscar history (IMO). This was a very strong year with very diverse performances each brilliant in their own way. Naomi Watts gave a devastating performance in the movie 21 Grams playing a woman who loses her children and husband in a hit and run accident. Samantha Morton plays an Irish immigrant trying to make it in America while trying to overcome the loss of her son. Diane Keaton plays in a much more light hearted rom-com defying age in a brave (and funny) performance in Something's Gotta Give. Finally Keisha Castle-Hughes gives a captivating performance in Whale Rider becoming (at the time) the youngest Best Actress nominee at 13. The current record is held by Quvenzhané Wallis who was nominated at 9. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Jesse Reynolds as they discuss. . . . . . . . . . . . . #bestactress #supporting #oscars #academyawards #hollywood #silverscreen #vintage #gay #queer #lgbtq #canada #losangeles #gaypodcast #robbed #snubbed #film #movie #podcast #supporting #lead #keishacastlehughes #whalerider #naomiwatts #21grams #dianekeaton #somethingsgottagive #charlizetheron #monster #samanthamorton #inamerica

The year is 2003 and the nominees are: 1. Salma Hayek - Frida 2. Nicole Kidman - The Hours 3. Renée Zellweger - Chicago 4. Julianne Moore - Far from Heaven 5. Diane Lane - Unfaithful - In 2003 Nicole Kidman won her Oscar “…by a nose” for playing Virginia Woolf in The Hours. With only 28 minutes of screen time Kidman had the least amount of time in front of the camera compared to her costars (Streep had 42 min and Moore had 33 min) but Miramax wanted to put her forward as lead as to not compete with Moore in a supporting category. Frankly I'm not mad at this but it probably effected Salma Hayek's chances to win as Miramax now had two of their actresses competing for a lead Oscar. Hayek gave a career best in Frida portraying iconic artist, Frida Kahlo. Renée Zellweger gave a triple threat performance in Chicago playing Roxie Hart in a world where corruption and deceit is rewarded. Julianne Moore was double nominated in 2003 for The Hours and Far from Heaven. Far from Heaven tells the story of Cathy a perfect 1950's housewife whose life and belief system comes crashing down after her husband (Dennis Quaid) comes to terms with the fact that he's gay. Definitely one of Moore's best! And finally we have Diane Lane in the steamiest performance of her career in Unfaithful. Let it be known I saw this movie for the first time when it came out with my grandmother (LOL). Unfaithful is a very divisive topic among movie fans - they either love it, or hate it. I LOVE it - FIGHT ME! Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Cathryn Naiker as they discuss.

The year is 2009 and the nominees are: 1. Melissa Leo - Frozen River 2. Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married 3. Angelina Jolie - Changeling 4. Meryl Streep - Doubt 5. Kate Winslet - The Reader - In 2009 Kate Winslet FINALLY won her Oscar for The Reader (I say FINALLY because by the time she won she should have already had at least 1 Oscar (probably for Sense & Sensibility or The Tanic')). Originally Winslet wanted to go supporting for The Reader and lead for Revolutionary Road but the Academy insisted on doubling down (no nomination for Revolutionary Road) on The Reader in a lead category. This was one of my favourite years to discuss for this podcast, each performance was incredible in its own way. Anne Hathaway became a first time nominee in Rachel Getting Married playing a manic narcissist who insists on always being the centre of attention. Melissa Leo in Frozen River delivers a gritty performance of a woman who smuggles people across the Canadian border in order to make ends meat. Meryl Streep gives another knockout performance in Doubt as the head nun/principal of a catholic school who suspects the priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of molesting a student. Angelina Jolie received her first lead nomination in Changeling playing the real life Christine Collins whose child went missing and is replaced by an imposter child by the LAPD. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Fiona O'Brien (Saint*) as they discuss.

NEW EPISODE ALERT The year is 2015 and the nominees are: 1. Emma Stone - Birdman 2. Patricia Arquette - Boyhood 3. Meryl Streep - Into the Woods 4. Laura Dern - Wild 5. Keira Knightley - The Imitation Game In 2015 Patricia Arquette won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Boyhood, a coming-of-age drama that the director spent twelve years making. Arquette plays Olivia the mother of Mason (the character whom the story is about) who struggles at various times financially and as a single parent. Arquette won all the major awards for this performance. It's hard to say who her biggest competition would have been this season. Many fantastic but very different performances. Meryl Streep was offered 3 witch roles after turning 40 and had a rule of ‘no witches' because she viewed it as ageist. She made an acceptation for Into the Woods after meeting composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim and Rob Marshall. Emma Stone received her first nomination for Birdman playing the daughter of washed up action star Riggan Thomson. Laura Dern received her second nomination since 1991's Rambling Rose, this time in a supporting role, for Wild playing the mother of Cheryl. Dern receives a terminal diagnosis and Cheryl's life spins out of control and she eventually embarks on a thousand mile hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Finally, Keira Knightley was nominated for one of my favourite films The Imitation Game playing Joan Clarke an English cryptanalyst and numismatist known for her code breaking during the Second World War and supporting character to Alan Turing. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Adrian Cronk as they discuss.

The year is 1994 and the nominees are: 1. Angela Bassett - What's Love Got to Do with It 2. Holly Hunter - The Piano 3. Emma Thompson - The Remains of the Day 4. Debra Winger - Shadowlands 5. Stockard Channing - Six Degrees of Separation In 1994 Holly Hunter won the Best Actress Oscar for The Piano directed by Jane Campion. This was the first time a female director was nominated for Best Director for directing a Best Picture nominee. Hunter plays a mute Scottish woman who uses her piano to express herself. Hunter actually played all the piano scenes herself. Angela Bassett gave a career best portraying Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It. Emma Thompson gave a familiar performance in The Remains of the Day playing opposite Anthony Hopkins in a story of unrequited love. Debra Winger was nominated for a similar film to Thompson in Shadowlands playing Joy Gresham wife of emotionally distant CS Lewis (Anthony Hopkins). Stockard Channing reprised her Tony nominated role in Six Degrees of Separation for the big screen. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Fiona O'Brien as they discuss.

The year is 1960 and the nominees are: 1. Katherine Hepburn - Suddenly, Last Summer 2. Elizabeth Taylor - Suddenly, Last Summer 3. Doris Day - Pillow Talk 4. Audrey Hepburn - The Nun's Story 5. Simone Signoret - Room at the Top In 1960 Simone Signoret became the second French actress (the first was Claudette Colbert) to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for a British film, Room at the Top. This was one of the first British films to openly depict adultery and suggest sex was enjoyable. It received an ‘X' rating and, naturally, was a huge box office success. Signoret won best actress at the National Board of Review, Cannes, and BAFTAs. Her competition was absolutely star studded! Katherine Hepburn & Elizabeth Taylor were both nominated for ‘Suddenly, Last Summer' - an INSANE movie with homophobic undertones and hilarious mental health tropes with amazing performances from both Taylor and Hepburn. Although they had extremely repetitive dialogue, I would recommend giving it a watch if only for it's campy value and Hepburn's fabulous elevator entrance(s). Doris Day was nominated for her ‘risqué' work in Pillow Talk - playing an interior decorator being deceived and manipulated by Rock Hudson for romantic purposes (lol @ the 50's). Audrey Hepburn was nominated for The Nun's Story portraying the real life story of Marie-Louise Habets who struggles with her devotion to her vows during crisis, disappointment, and WW2. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Dan Dillabough as they discuss.

The year is 1995 and the nominees are: 1. Jodie Foster - Nell 2. Miranda Richardson - Tom & Viv 3. Susan Sarandon - The Client 4. Winona Ryder - Little Women 5. Jessica Lange - Blue Sky In 1995 Jessica Lange won her second Oscar for Blue Sky playing the wife of a nuclear engineer living on a military base who eventually becomes part of a cover-up. This year is regarded as one of the most “meh” years in Oscar history for Best Actress - mostly due to the fact that the roles for women at this time weren't great. It was said by critics that these nominees were great actresses nominated for their careers or body of work rather than an individual performance on screen that year (yikes). I have to admit, I agree. This was a bit of a painful episode but one of my favourites to discuss. Other nominees included Miranda Richardson for Tom & Viv playing the wife of T.S. Eliot and is described as “morally insane” (same girl). Susan Sarandon was nominated for The Client playing a lawyer defending a child who witnesses the suicide of a mafia lawyer. Jodie Foster was nominated for Nell playing a feral woman found in the woods (many argued she should have been supporting, at best). Finally, Winona Ryder plays Jo in Little Women (fantastically so!). Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Bryan Hatt as they discuss.

The year is 1983 and the nominees are: 1. Julie Andrews - Victor/Victoria 2. Jessica Lange - Frances 3. Sissy Spacek - Missing 4. Meryl Streep - Sophie's Choice 5. Debra Winger - An Officer and a Gentleman In 1983 Meryl Streep won her second Oscar for a performance that is regarded as one of the greatest of all time in Sophie's Choice. Streep plays a Polish woman who survives the holocaust because she speaks German, French, English, and becomes an asset to the Nazi's. Her biggest competition this evening was Jessica Lange for the movie Frances playing the late Frances Farmer. For the record, the real Frances Farmer never had a lobotomy. Julie Andrews was nominated for a gender bending role in the very gay friendly musical, Victor/Victoria. Sissy Spacek received her third Oscar notation for ‘Missing' playing the wife of an idealistic American writer during the Chilean coup d'état in 1973. Debra Winger was nominated for her iconic role in An Officer and a Gentleman. Winger despises this movie and likes to deny she ever had any involvement (fair). Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Cathryn Naiker as they discuss.

The year is 1981 and the nominees are: 1. Gena Rowlands - Gloria 2. Goldie Hawn - Private Benjamin 3. Mary Tyler Moore - Ordinary People 4. Ellen Burstyn - Resurrection 5. Sissy Spacek - Coal Miner's Daughter - In 1981 Sissy Spacek won the Best Actress Academy Award for Coal Miner's Daughter playing country music legend, Loretta Lynn. This was one of the 4 roles that Meryl Streep was turned down for. Up until this point, it wasn't common for actors to win Oscars playing real people (as it is today). This win is sort of the gold standard of how an actress should approach playing a real person. Mary Tyler Moore was likely her biggest competition this evening playing an emotionally distant mother mourning the loss of her eldest son. It was a big departure from how the world knew her up until that point because of The Mary Tyler Moore show. Goldie Hawn received her first lead actress nomination for Private Benjamin, an absolute gem. Gena Rowlands was nominated for another film directed by husband John Cassavetes, Gloria. Ellen Burstyn was nominated for Resurrection playing a woman with super natural healing powers. An odd film but worth the watch (if not only for the campy value). Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Christophe Davidson as they discuss.

The year is 2019 and the nominees are: 1. Lady Gaga - A Star is Born 2. Melissa McCarthy - Can You Ever Forgive Me? 3. Olivia Coleman - The Favourite 4. Yalitza Aparicio 5. Glenn Close - The Wife - In 2019 Olivia Coleman won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for The Favourite. Glenn-always-so-Close was the favourite to win for The Wife and her campaign narrative was basically, ‘it's about time we give her her Oscar.' She was visibly disappointed by Coleman's win in the telecast (frankly, give her an Oscar just for that reaction) and rightfully so. Coleman even mentioned it in her speech. Very interesting year! Lady Gaga's star was BORN (this way) with the 4th remake of ASIB. She may not have won for acting but she at least walked away with a statue for the film (Best Original Song). Yalitza Aparicio was nominated for her very first film (the dream) for Roma playing Alfonso Cuarón's childhood nanny, Cleo. Melissa McCarthy redeemed her career (frankly) with Can You Ever Forgive Me? I feel like the title is asking for forgiveness for her string of terrible films directed by her husband Ben Falcone (Tammy, The Boss, Life of the Party). She even won worst actress at the Razzies for Life of the Party while simultaneously winning the ‘Redeemer Award' for Can You Ever Forgive Me. As a comedian, I think that's hilarious. Very interesting year! Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Robert Watson as they discuss.

The year is 1989 and the nominees are: 1. Sigourney Weaver- Working Girl 2. Joan Cusack - Working Girl 3. Frances McDormand - Mississippi Burning 4. Michelle Pfeiffer - Dangerous Liaisons 5. Geena Davis - The Accidental Tourist In 1989 Geena Davis won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for The Accidental Tourist. This film is not as well known as the rest of her work (comparatively speaking). Leading up to the Oscars Davis did not receive nominations from any other award circuit. If you watch the telecast of the win Davis looked visibly shocked when she won (as did some of the other nominees). I love Geena Davis but I find it interesting how she has an Oscar for her least known role (to the average movie goer). Working Girl received two nominations respectively for Weaver and Cusack (and for Cusack's hair). Michelle Pfeiffer was nominated for Dangerous Liaisons (the original Cruel Intentions) and probably expected to win this award (she won the BAFTA leading up to it). Finally, Frances McDormand received her first nomination for Mississippi Burning playing the wife of a Klan member in the south. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Ted Morris as they discuss.

The year is 2018 and the nominees are: 1. Sally Hawkins - The Shape of Water 2. Meryl Streep - The Post 3. Frances McDormand - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 4. Margot Robbie - I, Tonya 5. Saoirse Ronan - Lady Bird In 2018 Frances McDormand won her second of three Academy Awards for Best Actress for the film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. It was her husband Joel Coen who convinced her to take the role. She protested the gig because she felt her character from this socio-economic strata would not wait until 38 to have her first child. Honestly, fair, but I bet she's glad she accepted the role now! Her fellow nominees included Meryl Streep for The Post - the first time Streep and Spielberg worked together. Sally Hawkins in the Best Picturing winning film, The Shape of Water where she plays a mute woman who falls in love with ‘swamp thing.' Saoirse Ronan in one of her most critically acclaimed role (oddly not one of my fav films of her's (though I LOVE Ronan)) in Lady Bird. Finally, Margot Robbie in I, Tonya portraying her version of Tonya Harding's controversial global figuring skating scandal. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Rob Browne as they discuss.

The year is 1991 and the nominees are: 1. Kathy Bates - Misery 2. Anjelica Huston - The Grifters 3. Meryl Streep - Postcards from the Edge 4. Julia Roberts - Pretty Woman 5. Joanne Woodward - Mr. & Mrs. Bridge In 1991 Kathy Bathes won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her iconic performance as Annie Wilkes - Steven King's favourite character he's ever written. King was so impressed with her performance he wrote Dolores Claiborne with her in mind and re-wrote character Ray Flowers in The Stand to Rae Flowers when Bates expressed interest in playing the character. High praise! Anjelica Huston has since described her work in The Grifters as the most challenging role of her career. Julia Roberts received her second nomination playing the hooker with a heart of gold in the classic film, Pretty Woman. Meryl Streep received her ninth nomination for Postcards from he Edge, a story based on Carrie Fisher's 1987 semi-autobiographical novel of the same title. Then there's Joanne Woodward in Mr & Mrs Bridge. That's all I will say. You'll have to listen to the episode for our thoughts on that gem. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Brendan D'Souza as they discuss.

The year is 1941 and the nominees are: 1. Ginger Rogers - Kitty Foyle 2. Bette Davis - The Letter 3. Katharine Hepburn - The Philadelphia Story 4. Martha Scott - Our Town 5. Joan Fontaine - Rebecca In 1941 Ginger Rogers won her first and only Oscar for Kitty Foyle. Up to that point in her career she was known as a musical/rom-com actress and of course dance partner to Fred Astaire. We've discussed these types of wins before with Reese Witherspoon and Sandra Bullock. This was a very stacked year. You had Bette Davis at the top of her game in The Letter. Katharine Hepburn in the famous rom-com ‘The Philadelphia Story.' Joan Fontaine (sister to Olivia De Havilland) for Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca (available on YouTube I highly recommend the watch). Martha Scott for Our Town (also on YouTube). Do yourself a favour and look up these classics ( *cough* minus Our Town *cough*)! Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Dan Dillabough as they discuss. . . . . . . . . . . . . #bestactress #supporting #oscars #academyawards #hollywood #silverscreen #vintage #gay #queer #lgbtq #canada #losangeles #gaypodcast #robbed #snubbed #film #movie #podcast #supporting #lead #gingerrogers #kittyfoyle #bettedavis #theletter #katharinehepburn #thephiladelphiastory #marthascott #ourtown #joanfontaine #rebecca

The year is 2006 and the nominees are: 1. Reese Witherspoon - Walk the Line 2. Felicity Huffman - Transamerica 3. Charlize Theron - North Country 4. Judi Dench - Mrs Henderson Presents 5. Keira Knightley - Pride & Prejudice In 2006 Reese Witherspoon won the Oscar for Best Actress for playing June Carter-Cash in the Johnny Cash bio pic, Walk the Line. Many people compare this win to Julia Roberts in that they don't understand how she swept the award circuit for this role. I have seen this film many times and I've always loved Reese in it. Is a lead Oscar win? We discuss more on the podcast episode. Felicity Huffman gives one of the best performances in Transamerica. It's sad to see her movie career didn't continue to live up to the success of this film. Charlize Theron was nominated for ‘North Country' a movie about female factory workers in Minnesota and the harassment they endure. Keira Knightley was nominated for Pride & Prejudice and so began her slew of historic film roles. Finally, Judi Dench was nominated in one of the most confusing movies I have ever seen, Mrs Henderson Presents. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host David Brennan as they discuss.

The year is 1991 and the nominees are: 1. Whoopi Goldberg - Ghost 2. Lorraine Bracco - Goodfellas 3. Annette Bening - The Grifters 4. Mary McDonnell - Dances With Wolves 5. Diane Ladd - Wild at Heart - In 1991 Whoopi Goldberg became the first black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in nearly 50 years, and the second black woman to win an Academy Award for acting (the first being Hattie McDaniel for Gone with the Wind in 1940). Many argued she should have won for The Colour Purple losing out to Geraldine Page in 1986. In 2002 Whoopi sent her Oscar statue to be replated only to have it intercepted and go missing. It was later found in a trash can in a Los Angeles airport and Whoopi has since said she will never part with Oscar again. Her competition included Lorraine Bracco for Goodfellas who frankly should have been a lead but category fraud means nothing to the Academy (as I've learned with this podcast). Annette Bening gave one of her best and funniest performances in The Grifters. Mary McDonnell was in mourning in Dances with Wolves opposite Kevin Costner. Finally, Diane Ladd was nominated for one of the strangest movies I have ever seen, Wild at Heart. A film that I think you either love or you hate. Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Kate Davis as they discuss.

The year is 2007 and the nominees are: 1. Kate Winslet - Little Children 2. Penélope Cruz - Volver 3. Judi Dench - Notes on a Scandal 4. Meryl Streep - The Devil Wears Prada 5. Helen Mirren - The Queen In 2007 Helen Mirren won her Oscar for portraying a sympathetic Queen Elizabeth II, very convincingly. Easily one of her greatest performances and I've watched ‘The Queen' many, many times since its release. This was perhaps one of the toughest years to discuss because each performance was incredible. Such a stacked lineup. I mean for god sakes, Miranda Priestly. Kate Winslet is incredible in Little Children opposite Patrick Wilson (give an Oscar to his butt), Judi Dench is INSANE (in the best way) in Notes on a Scandal, and Penélope Cruz became the first Spanish actress to ever be nominated for Best Actress. SO HARD TO PICK A WINNER! Who do you think should have won? Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Cathryn Naiker as they discuss.