Yes, but that was a surprise and was considered to be a fairly major upset (Winona Ryder was widely expected to win), whereas Jones was not a surprise or an upset choice. She also had the cuteness factor on her side, and I think we can agree that Fiennes didn't. There were no career achievement possibilities in Paquin's category either.

Plus, I'd argue that Paquin's competition was extremely weak and that she did in fact give the best performance in her category, whereas Fiennes may or may not have been the best in his very strong category:

Holly Hunter -- The Firm
Anna Paquin -- The Piano
Rosie Perez -- Fearless
Winona Ryder -- The Age of Innocence
Emma Thompson -- In the Name of the Father

Is it that difficult to type out "Schindler's List" instead of "SL?"

Ditto.

Could you imagine being subjected to "From Oscar Winner Rosier Perez" for the past 20 years?

I'm getting a little weary of the invented acronyms for movies that require me to click into threads just to see what's being discussed.

this coming from the guy that made poll out of that?

Yes. Was I too subtle?

It's because Fiennes is British, and they never seem to win Oscars. I wish the Academy weren't so anglophobic.

Well, there you go. If Ralph Fiennes doesn't care if he won or not, why should you??

That pretty much sums up every actor and I don't really have an issue with that. There's a skill and craft at creating your on-screen persona. Clint Eastwood, Robert DeNiro, Humphrey Bogart. Tommy Lee Jones was at his peak in The Fugitive and he nailed it. I love all five nominated performances so I'd be happy with any of them winning.

It was a tough pick from the 5, but I thought John Malkovich should have gotten it. But that's my opinion.

Malkovich was incredible in that film and elevated the entire movie with his performance.

Malkovich and Fiennes were basically playing the same role. Sadistic pudgy jerks with a hard-on for sniper rifles.

Postlethwaite deserved it that year.

Yes, Malkovich's character spent the entire film building a sniper rifle to use as the tool for an assassination.

Both roles were essentially the same.

Good points, real insight there.

This is very incorrect.

This is like saying Postlethwaite and DiCaprio played the same role, since they talked funny and had small living quarters with a long-haired immediate family member.

3-6 Mafia penned a well written song for an acclaimed film that was an essential part of said film. If I was a betting man I would say their win will be held in higher regard over time then Scorcese getting a lifetime achievement win for The Departed.

problem is that nobody talks about 3-6 Mafia like they do Scorsese...also...who still talks about 3-6 Mafia?

and yes...that The Departed win was a lifetime thing...it was solid...just not top tier Scorsese...but his solid is still better than most top tier work from other directors.

Wow......just seeing Rosie Perez nominated for an Oscar makes my jaw drop. And Holly Hunter is a fine actress, but in the Firm she was utterly average. This really shows how poor a year it was for the Oscars.

As for TLJ winning over RF, well i thought he was good in the Fugitive....but not Oscar glory goodness. Its true what someone said about it basically all being a popularity contest on who can kiss ass the best in the industry.

Exactly.

I agree Fiennes should have won, or Postlethwaite. Jones has given better performance particularly No Country For Old Men

One of the dumbest things I've ever read on any message board. And I've read a lot of dumb things.

Yeah, when I clicked this one I was thinking that "SL" stood for "Shakespeare in Love" because I mixed up the Fiennes brothers' first names (it was Joseph who was in that one) and thinking that "hey, that wasn't a great performance at all!"