Category Archives: The Phenomenal 5

The Top 5, The 5 Best, we love to list things. Here we call it “The Phenomenal 5”. Sure it sounds lame, but at least it’s uniquely ours!

TOP 5 SUPPORTING ACTOR PERFORMANCES OF 2012

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Yesterday it was the ladies, today it’s the men. Today I’m listing the Top 5 Supporting Actor Performances from 2012. This category was a very strong one and I had a tougher time narrowing this field to five than any other. I think you’ll notice that there is such a wide range of performances on this list. There are good guys, bad guys, and some guys you just can’t figure out. But everyone gives a wonderful performance and deserve the recognition. So enough rambling. Here are the 5 Best Supporting Actor Performances (according to me)…

#5 – TOM HIDDLESTON (“The Avengers”)

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This is certainly not an Academy-like pick but it’s a worthy one. I love Tom Hiddleston and he could easily appear in two spots on this list. He was fabulous in “The Deep Blue Sea” but I’m going with the flashier and definitely more explosive performance from “The Avengers“. When Hiddleston is on screen as the mischievous villain Loki you can’t take your eyes off him. His conniving smiles, his devilish arrogance, and his way with words make the character one of the most entrancing villain you’ll see. I love the performance and I’m making up for where the Academy dropped the ball.

#4 – BRUCE WILLIS (“Moonrise Kingdom”)

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Writer and director extraordinaire Wes Anderson quite possibly writes some of the most quirkiest characters in cinema history and I love them. “Moonrise Kingdom” has a couple of great characters and performances that could have made this list but I’m going with Bruce Willis. He plays a small community police captain with his own bit of baggage. Willis melds perfectly into Anderson’s accentuated world. He brings some great laughs as well as some pretty heartfelt moments. Willis gets it all right and even his funky blonde hairpiece works to perfection.

#3 – DWIGHT HENRY (“Beasts of the Southern Wild”)

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It’s hard to believe that this was Dwight Henry’s first real acting gig. His performance as an ill-equipped and ill-tempered father in the poverty-stricken New Orleans delta was outstanding. Henry owned a bakery before landing this role but you would never know it. He brings such a boisterousness and volatility to the character that is essential to making everything work. At times you want to punch him in the face. Other times you want to cry for him. Henry has made a big splash with his first role and hopefully more people will now get to experience it in “Beasts of the Southern Wild“.

#2 – GUY PEARCE (“Lawless”)

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I don’t think there is a role that Guy Pearce can’t handle. In “Lawless” he plays a rather twisted special deputy sent to the hills of Franklin County, Virginia to put a kink in the moonshiner rings. Pearce has an absolute blast with the role and shows it through his creepy appearance and violent temperment. Several of his scenes stand out including his initial face-off with Tom Hardy. Pearce gives us a true villain and you hate him without any question. I loved this performance and it was one of my favorite bits of supporting work of the year.

#1 – MICHAEL FASSBENDER (“Prometheus”)

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Michael Fassbender has become one of cinema’s best actors and I knew from the opening moments of “Prometheus” that I was in for a real treat. In the movie he plays an android named David and throughout the film we are trying to figure him out. Fassbender’s emotionless demeanor and cryptic forms of speech make him impossible to read and I loved watching him slither in the background of many of the scenes. This was a unique and pivotal role in the movie and Fassbender handles it with ease. I know some have had issues with “Prometheus” but how can you not love his performance.

So there are the 5 Top Supporting Actor Performances for 2012. What are your thoughts on the category? Where did I go wrong? Tommorow it’s back to the ladies as I unveil my Top 5 Lead Actress Performances.

TOP 5 SUPPORTING ACTRESS PERFORMANCES OF 2012

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It’s that time of year again. People are reflecting back on the 2012 movie year and throwing lists together. The Golden Globes are done and the Academy Award nominees are announced. Last week I looked at the movies and listed my Top 10 Films of 2012. This week I’m looking at the performances. As I did last year, I’m going to break down the four major acting categories and list my personal Top 5 performances of 2012 from each. I’m a firm believer in ladies first so today we start with the Top Supporting Actress Performances of 2012 (according to me).

#5 – AMY ADAMS (“The Master”)

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I’m a big fan of Amy Adams and throughout her career she has shown a great range. In Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” she plays Peggy Dodd, the wife a philosophical sect leader. While her husband seems to be in control and it’s his flash and pizzazz that gets all of the attention, there are several scenes where Peggy looks to be pulling the strings. Adams embodies this mysterious and sometimes calculating character and she has no problem holding her own with the other heavyweight performances.

#4 – JUDI DENCH (“Skyfall”)

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We all know Judi Dench is a great actress. She is one of those performers who you know is going to deliver regardless of what she’s in. One of her most recognized roles is “M” from the James Bond films. In “Skyfall” she reprised that role but, unlike the previous Bond appearences, here she is given a lot more to do. Dench gets to flex her acting muscles as her “M” character is fleshed out a bit more. We also get to experience a better look at her relationship with Bond. Dench is fantastic and she doesn’t miss a beat.

#3 – SALLY FIELD (“Lincoln”)

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I remember when I heard Sally Field was going to play Mary Todd Lincoln a smile spread across my face. And as expected she doesn’t diappoint. This was a tough role, not just because she was playing the wife of Abraham Lincoln, but because she was sharing scenes with the great Daniel Day-Lewis. But Field is spectacular in “Lincoln” and the on screen chemistry between her and Day-Lewis is undeniable. Field uncovers the uniquenesses and complexities of her character with great craft. This was a spot-on performance and certainly worthy of praise.

#2 – CECILE DE FRANCE (“The Kid with a Bike”)

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I don’t know how many people have seen the touching French and Belgian film “The Kid with a Bike” but more people should. It’s a beautifully crafted and deeply moving film from the Dardenne brothers about a young boy unable to accept that his father has left him. The performance from de France is an absolute joy to watch and you never doubt her character’s sincerity or tenderness. It’s unfortunate that her great work has flew under the radar but I can promise that if you watch this film you’ll be blown away.

#1 – ANNE HATHAWAY (“Les Miserables”)

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I’ve been a luke warm Anne Hathaway fan for a while now. But I’m slowly growing more and more impressed with her work. My excitement reached it’s pinnacle after seeing her in “Les Miserables“. Talk about a heartfelt and devestating performance. From her physical acting to her beautiful voice, Hathaway stole the show and had me wishing her part was bigger. For me, this performance was the whole package – the voice, the expressions, the emotions. It all flows naturally out of Hathaway. I felt for her and I cried with her. This was the best supporting performance by an actress from 2012.

Day 1 is done and my favorite supporting ladies have been given their due. So which performances did I miss? What was your favorite? The guys are next. Tomorrow I’ll throw out the Top 5 Supporting Actor Performances of 2012.

5 Phenomenal Movies That I Like But No One Else Does

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Ok, I’m opening myself up to tons of mockery and ridicule but that’s the nature of the Phenomenal 5 right? After a break for the holidays I thought it would be fun to start back up with a list that should have people letting me know how nutty my taste in movies can sometimes be. I’m listing five phenomenal movies that I really like and but that few others do (ok “phenomenal” may be a stretch but just go with it). There have been several movies over the years that I (and apparently I alone) have really liked. In fact, I bet we all have some of those films in the backs of our minds. I mean just here recently I took some good ribbing over my positive review of “Snow White and the Huntsman”. Well you won’t find it on this list but I’m offering up five flicks that I’ve seen multiple times and still thoroughly enjoy, even if no one else does.

#5 – “WATERWORLD”

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It’s not that “Waterworld” is hated, but it’s safe to say that few people really appreciate the movie as much as I do. Everyone knows the story. At the time, “Waterworld” was the most expensive movie ever made and it never actually made a profit until well into it’s home video release. I’ve always believed this played into the reason why it never left much of an impression. It’s certainly doesn’t feature the most polished storytelling but as for creative post-apocolpyptic sci-fi goes, I found it to be a lot of fun. It didn’t do Kevin Costner’s career any favors. And it’s still laughed at by some and deemed utterly forgettable by others. But I feel “Waterworld” is clever and unique and still a lot of fun.

#4 – “JOHN CARTER”

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I honestly still struggle in understanding the backlash against this year’s “John Carter”. Like “Waterworld”, it wasn’t the most even movie that you’ll see, but it was far from terrible. And to be honest, I had a great time watching it on the big screen with my son. It also held up well after a second viewing. This isn’t a movie that has any chance of making it on my top 10 of 2012, but I thought it to be a visual feast of cool effects and futuristic creativity. I also found myself interested in the story throughout even though there were a few rough patches. This movie was slammed by critics and moviegoers alike, but it’s a movie that I liked and I can appreciate despite its smattering of flaws.

#3 – “STAR WARS EPISODE 1: THE PHANTOM MENACE”

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Okay, it’s probably safe to say that not everyone hates this movie. But it’s also safe to say that millions of Star Wars fans took great issue with Episode I. In fact, many people still blast this film as a devilish plot to kill the Star Wars franchise. I certainly don’t consider it to be as good as any of the three films in the original trilogy. But it does feel like a Star Wars movie to me and it has its own special moments that set it apart. Yes, I dislike Jar-Jar and yes, midichlorians are absurd. But the space sequences never looked better and it probably gave us the best light saber duel in the entire franchise. It was a no win situation for Lucas, but for me he pulls it off.

#2 – “CLASH OF THE TITANS”

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Talk about a movie that I spent a lot of time defending! With the exception of my lovely wife and 10-year old son, I don’t think I found another person that I know who liked it. It was criticized for everything from the cheesy dialogue to Sam Worthington’s haircut. But I still think people completely missed what this movie was aiming for. I grew up adoring the “Sinbad” movies, “Jason and the Argonauts”, and of course “Clash of the Titans”. This remake was a simple tip of the hat to that past movie genre. It wasn’t trying to be new or groundbreaking. It was a fun, creature-filled action romp that took me back to my childhood. It’s sequel is utter crap, but I still proudly stand by this one. And I still think is does more things right than it will ever be given given credit for.

#1 – “THE TIME MACHINE”

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I really like every movie that I’ve mentioned, but this is the one film on the list that I truly love. It’s hard to explain especially because I recognize that this film has flaws. But for me it’s a great example of how a great lead performance and a handful of wonderful scenes can lead to a genuinely memorable experience. Look, I admit the special effects are sometimes laughable and it flies a little off the rails in the second half. But I love Guy Pearce’s performance and I buy into everything his character is doing and feeling. It’s authentic and heartfelt from the opening sequence to the beautiful final shot. And while most people have dismissed this movie, it still moves me each time I watch it.

So go ahead, get your verbal firearms ready. I’ve made myself an easy target. Which of these movies have I lost my mind defending? How about you? What are some movies that others hate but you adore? Please share your thoughts and please….go easy on me.

A Letter to Santa – A Cinema Wishlist…

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Dear Santa,

It’s that time of year again. I will forgo the slanted justifications as to why I deserve Christmas presents this year. Instead I’ll get right to the goods. As a movie-oholic I have a very specific list this year. I’m listing five actors or actresses that I think are deserving of a major starring movie role.

Now Santa, I’m not talking about a lightweight part or even another strong supporting role. No, I think these five performers are fantastic and have proven so good at their craft that they deserve a leading part in a career changing film. So lets get down to it!

#1 – GUY PEARCE

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Santa, I don’t think there is an actor more underrated and underused than Guy Pearce. He has had a few starring roles and he’s performed well. But he’s never been given a top role in a big film that I think would give him the recognition he deserves. When I think on many of today’s “leading men” I can’t help but think of how much better of an actor that Pearce is. Anyone who has seen films like “Memento” and “The Proposition” know exactly why he’s on this list.

#2 – TOM HIDDLESTON

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Santa, Tom Hiddleston has been very good this year. In his second turn as Loki in this year’s “The Avengers” he was wonderful. He was also brilliant in “The Deep Blue Sea” and who can forget his great work in last year’s “Midnight in Paris”? Talk about a master of his craft. He’s a guy that I’ll watch in almost thing. Santa please bring him that big role that will show the unbelievers that he is truly one of cinema’s greatest current actors.

#3 – EMILY BLUNT

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Ok Santa, I know Emily Blunt has starred in a number of films but few really extend her or utilize the true screen talent that she has. Blunt has an effortless genuineness to her that can’t be overstated. She has shined in supporting roles but has mostly been limited to romantic comedies. But regardless of the role, Blunt has always been wonderful to watch and I’m convinced that she could handle any part. It’s great to see her range of opportunities growing but I’m style anxiously awaiting that one big opportunity.

#4 – WILLIAM FICHTNER

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William Fichtner may be one of the most recognizable faces in movies and on television. He’s an amazing actor who instantly catches your eye with every performance. But for some reason he has been restricted to supporting character roles in a variety of films. Santa, if there was every a high quality actor who deserves a big time starring shot it’s Fichtner. “Heat”, “Black Hawk Down”, and even “The Dark Knight” are just a few of the films that prove his talents.

#5 – REBECCA HALL

rebecca-hall___ It may be a stretch and many may view Rebecca Hall as unproven, but I find her to be a great actress and I can see her taking on a big role and doing great things with it. Santa, I can honestly say that she has been excellent in everything I’ve seen her in. I first saw her and loved her in Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige”. She was also wonderful in “Vicki, Cristina, Barcelona”, “Frost/Nixon”, “Please Give”, and “The Town”. Rebecca Hall is an actress that may not be on many people’s radar, but she should be.

So there they are Santa. I really hope you can come through for not only me but movie fans everywhere. These five actors and actresses deserve a bigger shot and they could do a heck of a lot better than many of today’s bigger names. And if anyone can make this happen it’s you. I know Hollywood isn’t getting it done. Thanks Santa and Merry Christmas!

Keith

5 Phenomenal Movie Redemptions

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Everyone loves a good story of redemption and the movies have given us plenty of them. Through almost every film genre you can find stories involving characters who redeem themselves in a wide variety of ways. That’s what this list is all about. I’m listing five of my favorite movie character redemptions. Now since this list is dealing with redemption, there will be a few spoilers. Now anyone who loves movies know that there are a countless number of choices so it would be insane to call this the definitive list. But there is no doubting that these five movie redemptions are absolutely phenomenal.

#5 – BEN WADE – “3:10 to Yuma”

I really appreciated the 1957 film “3:10 to Yuma”. But I loved the 2007 remake even more and one reason is because of Russell Crowe’s great performance as Ben Wade, an outlaw and killer who has been captured by the authorities. He’s being escorted to the train station in Contention where he will be put on the 3:10 train to Yuma prison. The problem is his gang is there waiting and only a poor rancher named Dan (Christian Bale) and his son are willing to take him to the station. We get hints to Wade’s inner conflict especially as he grows closer to Dan and his struggles. And in the end when his gang comes bearing down with guns blazing, it’s Wade who stands up and in his own way puts an end to things. Crowe is fantastic and Ben Wade’s redemption is one reason this underappreciated movie works so well.

#4 – EBENEZER SCROOGE – “Scrooge”

Everybody knows the story of Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol”. There have been many versions of this Christmas classic but my personal favorite is the 1970 British film simply titled “Scrooge”. In it the great Albert Finney plays the cantankerous old miser who is visited by three ghosts who wake him up to the joy of Christmas and more importantly life. Scrooge is a mean old cuss who hordes his money, scares little children, bullies his one employee, and hurts the poor and needy through his greed. But the ghosts do their job and Scrooge’s life is forever changed. He stuns the town on Christmas morning buying toys, tearing up debts, donating to the poor, and especially blessing the family of his employee Bob Cratchit. It’s a unique story of redemption but a wonderful one nonetheless. Finney is superb and even though I’m not a fan of musicals, this one works perfectly.

#3 – BOROMIR – “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”

While far from the main character, Boromir from the first film in Peter Jackson’s epic “Lord of the Rings” trilogy is a key character. I loved Boromir and a lot of that had to do with Sean Bean’s great performance. From the early moments of Boromir, we are immediately suspicious of him. The way he eyes the ring at the center of the fellowship’s quest and his questions about its destiny show a weakness that the ring can exploit. The seduction of the ring proves too powerful and once alone with Frodo he tries to take the ring for himself. Frodo escapes and Boromir realizes what he has done but it’s too late. The army of orcs and Urak-Hai arrive. In an effort to save Merry and Pippin, Boromir draws the attention to himself and does everything in his power to save the Hobbits. He loses his life in the struggle but not before sharing one of the most emotional scenes in the entire trilogy with Aragorn. Boromir gets a bad wrap. He was consumed by the ring but gave his life to correct his mistake. It’s a great, great moment in the series.

#2 – OSKAR SCHINDLER – “Schindler’s List”

Throughout the first half of Steven Spielberg’s gripping classic “Schindler’s List”, Oskar Schindler is all about making money and being successful. He’s exploiting the war through his shady business tactics and kissing up to the Nazi’s who are occupying Poland. He buys a factory and hires Jewish workers because they are cheaper and things are going well. But Schindler comes face to face with the brutal horror of the Nazi’s and their death camps. It’s here that he makes the decision to use his acquired status to try to help as many of the Jewish people as he can. Schindler’s transformation is a key part of the story and we watch him turn from a despicable opportunist to a true hero of the Jewish people. Schindler’s plans don’t work out perfectly and he never shakes the poor decisions of his past, but his work to save the Jews is powerful and he’s a wonderful picture of redemption.

#1 – DARTH VADER/ANAKIN SKYWALKER – The “Star Wars” series

We all know “Star Wars” and its even more in the news with Disney’s recent aquasition of the property. It’s a series filled with fantastic worlds, cool space ships, wild alien races, and plenty of iconic characters and scenes. But at its core, the “Star Wars” series is really the story of Anakin Skywalker (a.k.a. Darth Vader) and his story of redemption. Counting the three prequel films, we follow Anakin from his life as a young slave boy to his rise of power as Darth Vader, second in command of the Galactic Empire. But in episodes 5 and 6 we begin to see internal struggles within him mainly brought on by the reconnection with his son Luke. All of this comes to a head when Luke is about to die at the hands of the Emperor, Vader’s superior. Feeling the good in him once again, Vader sacrifices himself to kill the Emperor, save his son, and in turn save the galaxy. It’s a story than spans six pictures but when put together it’s redemption at its finest.

So, there you have them my young padawans – 5 Phenomenal Movie Redemptions. I know of several others that could have made this list. How about you? What do you say is the greatest movie redemption?

5 Phenomenal Actors Who Never Won an Oscar

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A few weeks ago I looked at 5 phenomenal actresses who were never given an Academy Award despite their incredible talent and strong careers. Today we are focussing on the men. I found this to be a much tougher list to put together. The number of great actors that never won the highest acting award would surprise you. And I found it incredibly difficult to leave certain names off this list. But I think a great case can be made for the five that made the cut. Now, as with the ladies, Lifetime Achievement Oscars don’t count. I’m talking about men who never received the heralded Best Actor or Best Supporting Actor awards. With such a healthy selection, it would be silly to call this the definitive list. But it’s clear that these 5 Oscarless actors are certainly phenomenal.

#5 – FRED ASTAIRE

While I’ve never been a huge fan of musicals, I’ve always appreciated the amazing contributions Fred Astaire made to the once flourishing genre. So it came as a big surprise to see that Astaire never won an Oscar. Now he did receive an honorary Academy Award after one of his retirement stints. But he was never recognized for his acting. Astaire was an amazing talent both with his dance and with his voice. But he was also a talented and always likable actor who made many quality films. There was a lot of doubt about whether he would make it in the movie industry but he would end up putting that to rest. He will always be recognized for his collaborations with Ginger Rogers. The two made a total of ten movies together including “Top Hat”, “Swing Time”, and “The Barkleys of Broadway”. He was superb in “Holiday Inn” alongside Bing Crosby. He would also make many well-received movies with the likes of Rita Hayworth, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, and Audrey Hepburn. Fred Astaire made many films that should have garnered some Oscar attention. And this is coming from a guy not that crazy about musicals.

#4 – LEONARDO DICAPRIO

From an early age, Leonardo DiCaprio defined himself as an exceptional actor through several incredible performances. He first caught the attention of movie fans with his portrayal of a mentally handicapped boy in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”. This would earn him his first Academy Award nomination. He would star in several recognizable films before making his big splash (pun intended) in James Cameron’s mega-hit “Titanic”. Following it, he began a defining collaboration with Martin Scorsese in films like “Gangs of New York”, “The Aviator” (which earned him his second Oscar nomination), and “The Departed”. Hey would then earn a third nomination in “Blood Diamond”. He would continue to do top-notch work particularly in “Shutter Island”, his fourth movie with Scorsese, and the fantastic “Inception” with director Christopher Nolan. DiCaprio has an impressive resume and several intriguing roles lined up. He’s earned his numerous nominations but cases could be made that one or more of them could have translated to wins.

#3 – ROBERT MITCHUM

It’s hard to believe that an actor who was so highly revered and with so many good movies on his resume never received an Academy Award for his work. Such is the case with Robert Mitchum. Mitchum really made a name for himself in the film noir genre with movies like “Crossfire”, “Out of the Past”, and “The Big Steal”. He also starred in “The Story of G.I. Joe”, a solid picture that would earn him his one and only Academy Award nomination. After playing in a variety of roles, Mitchum would give a mesmerizing and menacing performance in “The Night of the Hunter”. The rest of Mitchum’s career would feature numerous Oscar worthy performances in some really good films such as “The Sundowners”, the creepy “Cape Fear”, “The Longest Day”, “El Dorado”, “The Friends of Eddie Coyle”, and “Ryan’s Daughter”. Mitchum had a recognizable look and unmistakable voice. But he also had a booming screen presence that made his performances all the more memorable. It’s truly amazing that the Academy never recognized him for his work.

#2 – JOSEPH COTTEN

Joseph Cotten had a long film career that spanned over five decades. He was an actor that was always working but was never quite as popular as many of Hollywood’s big names. But personally I loved Cotten and he starred in some of my favorite classic movies. You know things are good when one of your very first feature films in the beloved “Citizen Kane”. Cotten’s performance as Leland stands out and it’s one of the film’s many strong points. After another wonderful collaboration with Orson Welles in “The Magnificent Ambersons”, he would star in one of my very favorite Alfred Hitchcock pictures “Shadow of a Doubt”. In it he delivers yet another true Oscar-calibur performance. The 1940’s were a great year for Cotten as evident by his work in “Gaslight”, “Portrait of Jennie”, and a spectacular movie that I think may offer his very best performance “The Third Man”. While not as strong as the 40’s, the rest of his career would offer several memorable roles in films like “Niagara”, “Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte”, “Soylent Green”, and “Airport ’77”. It’s stunning to me that Cotten never garnered any recognition from the Academy especially for his early work.

#1 – CARY GRANT

It almost doesn’t seem possible. Has Cary Grant really never won an Academy Award especially when considering his brilliant resume? Nope, he never won an Oscar and he was only nominated twice! In 1970 the Academy did give him a “We Feel Terrible for Always Passing You Over” honorary Academy Award, but that doesn’t make up for the shunning. Cary Grant’s career stands on its own and it goes without saying that it was a great one. Grant’s good looks and undeniable charm always translated well to the big screen. He gave so many brilliant and charismatic performances from the 1930’s until his retirement in the mid-60’s. Instead of giving a history, let me just name some of the wonderful films he’s been in and you explain to me how he never won and Oscar – “Bringing Up Baby”, “Gunga Din”, “His Girl Friday”, “The Philadelphia Story”, “Penny Serenade”, “The Talk of the Town”, “Arsenic and Old Lace”, “Notorious”, “To Catch a Thief”, “Houseboat”, “North By Northwest”, “Operation Petticoat”, “Charade”. There are several other great Cary Grant pictures but I think you get the point. He was a wonderful actor who always commanded the screen. He also gave us some of cinema’s greatest films.

There you go. Those are my five phenomenal actors who have never won an Oscar. What say you? Agree or disagree with my list? Please take some time to share your thoughts on this week’s Phenomenal 5.