Best Supporting Actress 2014

05. Carrie Coon in Gone Girl - For being a moral compass, the only reliable character, and a complete scene stealer. For her spitfire delivery while being honest, hilarious and wise. For expertly spewing brutal truths about her sister-in-law.

04. Laura Dern in Wild - For her aching empathy and sweet, tender performance. For being the ghost in the memories of her daughter. For that scene of her singing in the kitchen.

03. Emma Stone in Birdman - For her verbal acrobatics. For switching emotions like switching gears in a car. For those big, beautiful eyes and look of amazement in the final scene.

02. Patricia Arquette in Boyhood - For being the steady, quiet, all-encompassing heart at the center of the story. For showing the fortitude and strength of single mothers.  For nailing the line, "I'm a poor white with a big house."

01. Rene Russo in Nightcrawler - For portraying a woman of a certain age who is striving and clawing and determined to stay relevant and vital. For her steely exterior and her fierce control. For her questionable ethics. For being seductive and enticing and fearful and fearless. For that frightening romantic dinner scene.