This past Sunday, millions of Americans watched the 82nd annual Academy Awards for films made in 2009 on ABC. For those of you who didn't watch, "The Hurt Locker" won just about everything, and its director, Kathryn Bigelow, double?fisted gold men while her ex?husband, "Avatar" director James Cameron, went home empty?handed and looking blue. Hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin roasted many of the actors, including the big winners - Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart," Mo'Nique for "Precious," Christoph Waltz for "Inglourious Basterds" and Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side" - all of whom popped their Oscar?winning cherries.
While the Oscars are meant to be a night celebrating movie?making in general, the entire show seemed like a glorification of Meryl Streep, nominated this year for her portrayal of Julia Child in "Julie and Julia." And while it is widely accepted that Bullock shone in her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy (not to be confused with former Daily columnist Devin Toohey, though they share the same affinity for Juicy Couture), there's no denying that most will remember Bullock for "Miss Congeniality" (2000). She's best known for her romantic comedies, while Streep is best known for, frankly, being the best.
A little background on these two actresses: Streep has a record?breaking 16 Academy Award nominations and two wins, in addition to her record?breaking 25 Golden Globe nominations and seven wins. Meanwhile, Bullock has been nominated for five Razzies. This year, she won Worst Actress for the film "All About Steve," making her the first to be named best and worst actress in the same year.
The Cult of Meryl Streep is both powerful and prevalent. People pray facing Meryl Streep, maintain that they will have no other god but Meryl Streep and even drink cyanide?laced Kool?Aid in the name of Meryl Streep. Ever since "The Deer Hunter" (1978) put a 29?year?old Streep on the map, critics and fans worldwide have adored her. She consistently churns out award?winning roles and dazzles fans with her versatility and acting prowess. Meryl Streep is an enigma in the world of film: She doesn't make bad movies. Moviegoers everywhere view Meryl Streep's performances in one of two ways - she is either the talented spark that anchored a fantastic movie or she is the sole bright spot in an otherwise subpar film.
Think of "Mamma Mia!" (2008). No one liked this movie, and even if they said they liked it, they only said that because there were pretty colors and Pierce Brosnan's singing sounded hilariously like the "Chocolate Rain" guy's. Yet Meryl Streep got a Golden Globe nom and even won the Irish Film and Television Award for Best International Actress. And she's from Jersey!
Part of Meryl's appeal is that she is all about the acting. Unlike her contemporaries, you'll never come across her in a tabloid. She's had a pretty scandal?free career, which has worked to her advantage. People see her as a serious actress with the chops to back it up. Keep that in mind Lindsay Lohan, wherever you are...
Deep down, we do love Meryl Streep. She's definitely been in some great films. We (and by "we" we mean "Chris," who even went so far as to drag it up as Julia Child in order to win a Wii in the AEPi costume contest) thoroughly enjoyed "Julie and Julia." But believe it or not, Meryl Streep is capable of doing wrong every once in a while. Just don't tell her we said that. We don't want to get on her bad side. That's why the dinosaurs are extinct.
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