MY FAVORITE PERFORMANCES BY BEST ACTOR OSCAR WINNERS:
( 1949 ) BRODERICK CRAWFORD in “ALL THE KING’S MEN”
Broderick Crawford IS King Kong. Yes, absolute power corrupts absolutely…and loses everything. How did he even get PICKED for this role? Helen Broderick’s baby boy.
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( 1954 ) MARLON BRANDO in “ON THE WATERFRONT”
It’s Brando. And if just saying that isn’t enough of a reason, you’re right. It may be chic to knock him now. But he gives a wonderful performance. He was different and interesting. He worked from the inside out.
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( 1955 ) ERNEST BORGNINE in “MARTY”
To come off of “From Here to Eternity” as the sadistic Fatso and be this sad little man is a testimony to Borgnine’s acting. His pathos will break your heart in this movie. The suspense of his almost blowing the best thing to come into his life is killer. “Whaddya you wanna do?” “I wanna win an Oscar!” Well you did Ernie, ya DID win an Oscar!!! Well-done.
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( 1957 ) ALEC GUINESS in “THE BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI”
“What have I done?”
A spine of steel…and as wrong as he could be. To see him realize in that one moment, his wrong-headed, misguided decisions is a thing to behold. Guiness holds your attention. As an Actor should. And he’s An Actor.
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( 1962 ) GREGORY PECK in “TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD”
I find Peck’s earnestness an aphrodisiac. He is a man of quiet strength and integrity in this. And he’s handsome as all get out. He always is different in each perfor-mance. I am in love with Gregory Peck. There, I said it out loud!
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( 1975 ) JACK NICHOLSON in “ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST”
Jack. Just Jack! ( And of course…much much more ). He’s a rebel.
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( 1985 ) WILLIAM HURT in “KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN”
Love, is love. I believed him. Wonderful performance. See, if the actor truly believes he is, then you will behlieve him. ( I miss Raul Julia, desperately. )
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( 1991 ) ANTHONY HOPKINS in “THE SILENCE OF THE LAMB”
Oh no doubt he’s a monster. But why did I find him ingenious and brilliant and charming. Ohhkay… I’m funny that way.
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( 1993 ) TOM HANKS in “PHILADELPHIA”
He gives such a great perfor-mance as a man dying of AIDS still fighting for his right to be treated humanely, fairly. Grand job Tom.
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( 2000 ) RUSSELL CROWE in “GLADIATOR”
His testosterone makes me swoooon. But that aside, I think Russell Crowe did a magnificent job as a gladiator, fighting to get back to his family. Crowe’s a very fine actor; hunkers down into the depths of the characters he plays. His off-screen antics get him into a lot of trouble and after all, the Academy IS a popularity contest. Play the game…win some Oscars. Or be like Russell Crowe – the games be damned; judge him for his talent.
NEXT: My Favorite Performances for BEST ACTRESS…
CineMaven's ESSAYS from the COUCH 
Bravo, T. I’m still fuming over GIGI, a static bore, having won best picture over THE DEFIANT ONES, (’58) as well as CRASH (not a bad film, btw) over Brokeback Mountain. And (gasp!) MIA FARROW not even nominated for Rosemary’s Baby, thanks to Frank Sinatra, who campaigned AGAINST her. (long story) I like your choices.
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Thank you Rob. Again, I thank you for reading my blog and offering your comments. I fume alongside you, brother, with what you’ve named above. The Academy is not a brave body of people. “Brokeback Mountain” was a fantastic film. There’s so many years they get it wrong. ( I’m going to my grave howling against Garbo not winning for “Camille” and Gable not winning for “Gone With the Wind” ). But I s’pose there are soooo many years that the Academy got it right. ( “The Silence of the Lambs” is a case in point ). I’ll be watching tonight, but breaking from tradition. Instead of being alone with my Haagen-Dazs ( Rum Raisin ) and all the lights out in my little apartment, I will go to an Oscar party in the city, if my friend goes. I will throw my self into an Oscar pool and drink myself silly so I won’t be pissed at the snark and sarcasm that will surely make itself known in a bar full of drunks. And the Oscar goes to…
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Interesting, entertaining blog Theresa! I like your choices for wins tonight, especially rooting for Rosamund Pike! (But you’re right; Julianne Moore will likely win!) As far as those who “were robbed” in the past, I have to say I thought Spielberg deserved to win as Best Director for “The Color Purple.” Loved that film! Incredible acting and direction! Have fun tonight and don’t drink too much! 🙂
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Liza, thank you so much. I’m glad you liked it. Yeah, Rosamund Pike did a fantastic job, but what Academy likes a cold blooded calculating killer dame, I ask you. Spielberg did a great job with “The Color Purple” but I guess politics got in the way. (( Sigh! )) Last night was about a series of causes: racial equality, women’s right to fair & equal pay, ALS, Alzheimer and Immigration. All worthy issues. I basically enjoyed the show. But I have to tell you, I don’t know if I can EVER promise not to drink too much. Thanks for your comment. 😀
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