Best Actress of the Decade Tournament

Top 2

Meryl Streep vs. Cate Blanchett
Quantity: Blanchett's 24 films puts her out to an early lead over Streep's 16. Round - Blanchett.
Quality: In situations like this, I think it should come down to their single best performances of the decade. Here, that would be Blanchett's I'm Not There performance vs. Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. Round - Blanchett.
Oscar Nominations: Streep has been nominated three times for Adaptation, The Devil Wears Prada and Doubt. Blanchett won for The Aviator and was nominated three additional times for Notes on a Scandal, I'm Not There and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Round - Blanchett.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Streep was amazing in Angels in America. Round - Streep.
Winner = Blanchett.

So, there you have it. Cate Blanchett joins Sean Penn as the Best Actress and Actor of the Decade.
Every Wednesday in December, I'll have a Top Ten of the Decade List featuring Best Actress / Actor / Supporting and Film categories. Also, I'll be catching up on movie reviews some day this week.

Best Actress of the Decade Tournament

Top 4

Meryl Streep vs. Renee Zellweger
Quantity: Streep's 16 films just beats out Zellweger's 14. Round - Streep.
Quantity: Zellweger used to be awesome (Chicago, Bridget Jones, Cold Mountain), Streep never stopped being awesome (Adaptation, The Hours, Doubt). Round - Streep.
Oscar Nominations: Both ladies have three nominations this decade. Zellweger for Bridget Jones, Chicago and Cold Mountain / Streep for Adaptation, The Devil Wears Prada and Doubt. Zellweger won for Cold Mountain. Round - Zellweger.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Streep rocked it in Angels in America. Round - Streep.
Winner = Streep.

Cate Blanchett vs. Kate Winslet
Quantity: Blanchett's 24 films this decade easily beats out Winslet's 13. Round - Blanchett.
Quality: Both of these ladies are amazing. Basically it comes down to their best performances which would be Blanchett in I'm Not There vs. Winslet in Eternal Sunshine. Sorry, Kate but Cate played Bob Dylan. Round - Blanchett.
Oscar Nominations: These two are so evenly matched that they've both been nominated four times and both have one win this decade. Round - TIE.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Cate played Bob Dylan. Round - Blanchett.
Winner = Blanchett.

Sorry, Dane! The final on Sunday will be Streep vs. Blanchett!

Best Actress of the Decade Tournament

Top 8

Helen Mirren vs. Meryl Streep
Quantity: Mirren's 17 films just beats out Streep's 16. Round - Mirren.
Quality: Mirren was fantastic in The Queen. But Streep is amazing in everything incuding Adaptation, The Devil Wears Prada, Doubt and A Prarie Home Companion. Round - Streep.
Oscar Nominations: Streep may have three nods (Adaptation, The Devil Wears Prada and Doubt) vs. Mirren's two (Gosford Park, The Queen), but Mirren won for The Queen. Round - Mirren.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Streep was amazing in Angels in America. Round - Streep.
Tie Breaker: Helen Mirren is amazing but Meryl Streep is probably the great living actress. Round - Streep.
Winner = Streep.

Hilary Swank vs. Renee Zellweger
Quantity: Both ladies have done 14 films. Round - TIE.
Quality: Swank was great in Million Dollar Baby which apparently has gotten her pretty damn far (too far) in this competition. However, Zellweger used to be (and I stress used to be) awesome as evidenced in Bridget Jones' Diary, Chicago, Cold Mountain. Round - Zellweger.
Oscar Nominations: Swank won for Million Dollar Baby. Zellweger won for Cold Mountain and also received nominations for Bridget Jones and Chicago. Round - Zellweger.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: I'm annoyed by Zellweger less? Round - Zellweger.
Winner = Zellweger.

Cate Blanchett vs. Marcia Gay Harden
Quantity: Blanchett's 24 films just barely beats out Harden's 22. Round - Blanchett.
Quality: In December, I'm going to do top 10 lists of the decades best films and performances. For the last few weeks, I've been working on the lists. The most difficult decision has been in the Best Supporting Actress category where it's come down to my love Marcia in Mystic River vs. Cate the Great in I'm Not There. Round - Blanchett.
Oscar Nominations: Harden won for Pollack and was nominated again for Mystic River. Blanchett won for The Aviator and was nominated again for Notes on a Scandal, I'm Not There and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Round - Blanchett.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen and my brain would probably explode from too much awesomeness if they did.
Extra Curriculars: Marcia is my very, very, very, very favorite actress!! Round - Harden.
Winner = Blanchett.

Natalie Portman vs. Kate Winslet
Quantity: Portman's 19 films easily beats out Winslet's 13. Round - Portman.
Quality: Portman was great in Closer but even her very best work pales in comparison to Winslet in Eternal Sunshine, Little Children, The Reader, Revolutionary Road, etc. Round - Winslet.
Oscar Nominations: Portman was nominated once for Closer. Winslet was nominated for Iris, Eternal Sunshine, and Little Children before winning for The Reader. Round - Winslet.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Portman's SNL Gangster Rap is enough to push this into tie breaker mode... Round - Portman.
Tie Breaker: ...but not nearly enough to convince me she's a better actress than Winslet. Round - Winslet.
Winner = Winslet.

On Wednesday, the top 4. In the meantime, I'm going to try to figure out how the hell Renee Zellweger made it to the final four with Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslet...

Best Actress of the Decade Tournament

Top 16

Helen Mirren vs. Patricia Clarkson
Quantity: Clarkson's 26 films crushes Mirren's 17. Round - Clarkson.
Quality: Clarkson has been good in so many movies including The Pledge, The Station Agent, Pieces of April, Elegy and more. However, none of her performances compare to Mirren in The Queen. Round - Mirren.
Oscar Nominations: Clarkson was nominated once for Pieces of April. Mirren was nominated for Gosford Park and won for The Queen. Round - Mirren.
Shared Screen: Both women were in The Pledge. Both women were phenomenal in The Pledge. But it's Clarkson's performance that sticks out a little more for me. Round - Clarkson.
Extra Curriculars: Mirren is a Dame!! Round - Mirren.
Winner = Mirren.

Julia Roberts vs. Meryl Streep
Quantity: Streep's 16 films beats out Roberts 13. Round - Streep.
Quality: Roberts was great in a few movies like Erin Brokovich and Closer. But Streep is great all the time and proves it in movies like The Hours, The Devil Wears Prada, Doubt and more. Round - Streep.
Oscar Nominations: Well, Roberts won for Erin Brokovich. However, Streep has been nominated three times (Adaptation, The Devil Wears Prada, Doubt). I guess three nominations wins out over one nomination, even if it's a win? Round - Streep.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Streep was in Angels in America. Round - Streep.
Winner = Streep.

Joan Allen vs. Hilary Swank
Quantity: Allen's 11 films falls short of Swank's 14. Round - Swank.
Quality: Allen has been great in The Contender, The Notebook and The Upside of Anger. However, and it's unfortunate, none of those performances were as powerful as Swank in Million Dollar Baby. Round - Swank.
Oscar Nominations: Allen was nominated for The Contender. Swank won for Million Dollar Baby. Round - Swank.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: It really pains me to say that Swank was great in Iron Jawed Angels. But Allen is far more awesome! Round - Swank.
Winner = Swank.

Susan Sarandon vs. Renee Zellweger
Quantity: Sarandon's 20 films easily beats out Zellweger's 14. Round - Sarandon.
Quality: Sarandon was great in Igby Goes Down and In the Valley of Elah. Also, I say it every time but remember when Zellweger used to be awesome? Bridget Jones' Diary. Chicago. White Oleander. Cold Mountain. Yeah, me too. Round - Zellweger.
Oscar Nominations: Sarandon hasn't been nominated this decade. Zellweger was nominated for Bridget Jones and Chicago before winning for Cold Mountain. Round - Zellweger.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Sarandon was hysterical on Friends. Round - Sarandon.
Tie Breaker: I'd like to say Sarandon should move on soley because Zellweger has been making some pretty crappy career decisions in the latter part of this decade. However, when she was good back in the first half, she was really, really good. Round - Zellweger.
Winner = Zellweger.

Cate Blanchett vs. Penelope Cruz
Quantity: Blanchett's 24 films just barely beats out Cruz's 23. Round - Blanchett.
Quality: Cruz's best performance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona vs. Blanchett's best performance in I'm Not There? Blanchett wins every time. Round - Blanchett.
Oscar Nominations: Cruz was nominated for Volver and won for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Blanchett won for The Aviator and recieved nominations for Notes on a Scandal, I'm Not There and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Round - Blanchett.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Blanchett's I'm Not There performance always counts for extra. Round - Blanchett.
Winner = Blanchett.

Marcia Gay Harden vs. Zooey Deschanel
Quantity: Deschanel's 27 films beats out Harden's 22. Round - Deschanel.
Quality: Deschanel is good and adorable in a lot of movies (Almost Famous, Manic, All the Real Girls, etc.) but none of her performances even compare to Marcia in Mystic River, American Gun, The Dead Girl, The Mist, etc. Round - Harden.
Oscar Nominations: Deschanel has never been nominated. Harden won for Pollack and recieved a second nomination for Mystic River. Round - Harden.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Deschanel may front She + Him but Marcia is my very favorite actress ever. Round - Harden.
Winner = Harden.

Natalie Portman vs. Catherine Keener
Quantity: Portman just edges out Keener - 19 to 18. Round - Portman.
Quality: Portman was great in Cold Mountain, Closer and the Other Boleyn Girl. But Keener is fantastic in just about everything. To name a few: Lovely and Amazing, The Ballad of Jack and Rose, Capote, Into the Wild, etc. Round - Keener.
Oscar Nominations: Both ladies have been nominated once. Portman for Closer. Keener for Capote. Round - TIE.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Portman's hilarious SNL rap is so memorable, I've got to go with her. Round - Portman.
Winner = Portman.

Laura Linney vs. Kate Winslet
Quantity: Linney's 21 films easily beats out Winslet's 13. Round - Linney.
Quality: Linney is amazing. Her work in Mystic River, Kinsey, and The Savages, to name a few, proves it. But very little compares to Winslet in Eternal Sunshine, The Reader and Revolutionary Road. Round - Winslet.
Oscar Nominations: Linney was nominated for You Can Count on Me, Kinsey and The Savages. Winslet was nominated for Iris, Eternal Sunshine and Little Children before winning for The Reader. Round - Winslet.
Shared Screen: Both women appeared in The Life of David Gale. They were both amazing but it's Winslet I remember more. Round - Winslet.
Extra Curriculars: Linney was amazing in John Adams. Round - Linney.
Winner = Winslet

Next time there will be showdowns between my personal favorite (Cate Blanchett vs. Marcia Gay Harden) and least favorite (Renee Zellweger vs. Hilary Swank) remaining actresses!

Best Actress of the Decade Tournament

Top 32 - Round 2

Leslie Mann vs. Cate Blanchett
Quantity: Mann's 11 films pales in comparison to Blanchett's 24. Round - Blanchett.
Quality: Mann was great in Knocked Up and Funny People. However, she's nowhere near Blanchett and her powerhouse performances in The Gift, Veronica Guerin, The Aviator, The Life Aquatic, Babel, Notes on a Scandal, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and, most importantly, I'm Not There. Round - Blanchett.
Oscar Nominations: Mann has never been nominated. Blanchett was nominated for Notes on a Scandal, I'm Not There, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. She also won for The Aviator. Round - Blanchett.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Leslie Mann is one of my girl crushes and appeared on Freaks and Geeks. But Blanchett played Bob Dylan!! Round - Blanchett.
Winner = Blanchett.

Amy Adams vs. Penelope Cruz
Quantity: Both actresses appeared in 23 films. Round - TIE.
Quality: They've both done great work. Adams in Enchanted and Doubt, Cruz in Elegy and Volver. Ultimately it comes down to Adams' adorable performance in Junebug vs. Cruz's volatile performance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Volatile trumps adorable for me. Round - Cruz.
Oscar Nominations: Both have been nominated twice. Adams for Junebug and Doubt. Cruz for Volver and Vicky Cristina Barcelona. However, Cruz won for the latter. Round - Cruz.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Adams has guest starred on TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The West Wing and The Office. Round - Adams.
Winner = Cruz.

Anne Hathaway vs. Marcia Gay Harden
Quantity: Harden's 22 films easily beats out Hathaway's 14. Round - Harden.
Quality: Hathaway was great in Rachel Getting Married. But Harden is great in just about everything, to name a few: Mystic River, American Gun, The Dead Girl, The Mist. Round - Harden.
Oscar Nominations: Hathaway was nominated for Rachel Getting Married. Harden won for Pollack and was also nominated for Mystic River. Round - Harden.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Harden is my very favorite actress. Round - Harden.
Winner = Harden.

Kerry Washington vs. Zooey Deschanel
Quantity: Both ladies have done a lot of movies this decade. Deschanel's 27 just beats out Washington's 25. Round - Deschanel.
Quality: Washington was truly great in The Dead Girl and The Last King of Scotland. However, Deschanel was fantastic in Manic, Almost Famous, The Good Girl, All the Real Girls, Winter Passing and (500) Days of Summer. Round - Deschanel.
Oscar Nominations: Neither have been nominated.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: In her spare time, Deschanel rocks out with M. Ward in She + Him. Round - Deschanel.
Winner = Deschanel.

Robin Wright vs. Natalie Portman
Quantity: Wright has done 18 films but Portman just beats her with 19. Round - Portman.
Quality: For me, it would come down to Portman's fiery performance in Closer vs. Wright's AMAZING turn in A Home at the End of the World. Ultimately, I've got to go with Natalie. Round - Portman.
Oscar Nominations: Wright has never been nominated. Portman was nominated for Closer. Round - Portman.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen (although they are both in the soon to be released anthology New York, I Love You).
Extra Curriculars: Portman always gets points for her hysterical gangster rap on SNL. Round - Portman.
Winner = Portman.

Catherine Keener vs. Rachel Weisz
Quantity: This may be the most even match up of the competition. To start with, both ladies have done 18 films. Round - TIE.
Quality: They've both done a lot of great stuff. Weisz was great in Runaway Jury, The Fountain and The Brothers Bloom. But then there's Keener and her amazing work in everything from The 40 Year Old Virgin and Hamlet 2 to Capote, Into the Wild and An American Crime. Round - Keener.
Oscar Nominations: Both have been nominated once - Keener for Capote and Weisz for The Constant Gardener. The difference? Weisz won. Round - Weisz.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Tie Breaker: Seriously, so evenly matched. I love them both and I especially am on a Weisz kick since watching her in The Brothers Bloom. Still, Keener is on my top 10 favorite actress list so I've got to give her the edge. Round - Keener.
Winner = Keener.

Laura Linney vs. Frances McDormand
Quantity: Linney's 21 films beats out McDormand's 13. Round - Linney.
Quality: Two ladies who are great in everything!! I'm going to put their best performances (McDormand in Almost Famous vs. Linney in The Savages) against each other and come out with... Round - McDormand.
Oscar Nominations: McDormand was nominated twice (Almost Famous and North Country) but Linney was nominated three times (You Can Count on Me, Kinsey, The Savages). Round - Linney.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Linney was amazing in the John Adams mini-series. Round - Linney.
Winner = Linney.

Charlize Theron vs. Kate Winslet
Quantity: Theron's 21 films easily beats out Winslet's 13. Round - Theron.
Quality: Theron was great in Monster, North Country and Battle in Seattle. Unfortunately, she's up against Great Kate who is stellar in everything (Iris, The Life of David Gale, Eternal Sunshine, Little Children, Revolutionary Road, to name a few). Round - Winslet.
Oscar Nominations: Theron won for Monster and was nominated a second time for North Country. Winslet was nominated three times for Iris, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Little Children before FINALLY winning for The Reader. Round - Winslet.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Theron guest starred on the greatest TV show of all time - Arrested Development. Round - Theron.
Tie Breaker: Theron is great and no one is saying she's not. Still, it's Kate Winslet. Round - Winslet.
Winner = Winslet.

On Sunday, we get one step closer to the dreaded (by me anyway) Marcia Gay Harden / Cate Blanchett show down. Also, coming this week reviews of Paranormal Activity and The Hurt Locker (the former is mostly disappointing, the latter unbeliveably amazing).

Best Actress of the Decade Tournament

Top 32 - Round 1

Helen Mirren vs. Maggie Gyllenhaal
Quantity: Gyllenhaal beats out Mirren, 22 to 17. Round - Gyllenhaal.
Quality: Gyllenhaal has been great in Secretary and Sherrybaby. Meanwhile, Mirren's best work has been in The Pledge, Gosford Park, Calendar Girls, State of Play and, especially, The Queen. Round - Mirren.
Oscar Nominations: Gyllenhaal has never been nominated. Mirren was nominated for Gosford Park and won for The Queen. Round - Mirren.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Mirren is a Dame! Round - Mirren.
Winner = Mirren.

Patricia Clarkson vs. Judi Dench
Quantity: Clarkson's 26 films destroys Dench's 13. Round - Clarkson.
Quality: Dench was great in Chocolat, Iris and Notes on a Scandal. However, I love Clarkson and just about everything she's done especially in the films The Pledge, All the Real Girls, Pieces of April, The Station Agent, Lars and the Real Girl, Elegy, Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Whatever Works. Round - Clarkson.
Oscar Nominations: Clarkson was nominated for Pieces of April. Dench was nominated four times for Chocolat, Iris, Mrs. Henderson Presents and Notes on a Scandal. Round - Dench.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Dench is a Dame! Round - Dench.
Tie Breaker: Dench may be a dame, but I've been on a huge Patricia Clarkson kick lately so... Round - Clarkson.
Winner = Clarkson.

Amanda Peet vs. Julia Roberts
Quantity: Peet's done 10 more films than Roberts so her 23 films beats out Roberts' 13. Round - Peet.
Quality: Peet was solid in Igby Goes Down and Identity but she really can't compare to Roberts' work in Erin Brokovich, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Closer and Duplicity. Round - Roberts.
Oscar Nominations: Peet has never been nominated. Roberts won for Erin Brokovich. Round - Roberts.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Roberts did the voice of Charlotte in Charlotte's Web. Round - Roberts.
Winner = Roberts.

Emma Thompson vs. Meryl Streep
Quantity: Thompson can't even beat Streep here. Her 10 films loses out to Streep's 16. Round - Streep.
Quality: Thompson was great in Stranger Than Fiction, Love Actually and Last Chance Harvey. Meanwhile, Meryl is Meryl and was amazing in Adaptation, The Hours, A Prarie Home Companion, The Devil Wears Prada, Evening, Mamma Mia and Doubt. Round - Streep.
Oscar Nominations: Thompson hasn't been nominated this decade. Meanwhile, Streep was nominated for Adaptation, The Devil Wears Prada and Doubt. Round - Streep.
Shared Screen: They both appeared together in the TV movie Angels in America. Both were great but Meryl is Meryl. Round - Streep.
Extra Curriculars: Both appeared in the TV movie Angels in America. Round - TIE.
Winner = Streep.

Halle Berry vs. Joan Allen
Quantity: Allen's 11 films just barely beats out Berry's 10. Round - Allen.
Quality: Berry was best in Monster's Ball. Allen was great in The Contender and solid in The Notebook and The Upside of Anger. Round - Allen.
Oscar Nominations: Allen was nominated for The Contender but Berry won for Monster's Ball. Round - Berry.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Berry was great in the TV movie Their Eyes Were Watching God. Round - Berry.
Tie Breaker: Berry's acting just doesn't do it for me. Round - Allen.
Winner = Allen.

Jennifer Garner vs. Hilary Swank
Quantity: Swank's 24 films just barely beats out Garner's 11. Round - Swank.
Quality: Garner was adorable and fantastic in Juno, but Swank was amazing in Million Dollar Baby. Round - Swank.
Oscar Nominations: Garner was never nominated. Swank won for Million Dollar Baby. Round - Swank.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: I really want Garner to win. =( Round - Garner.
Winner = Swank.

Rosario Dawson vs. Susan Sarandon
Quantity: Dawson's 28 films beats out Sarandon's 20. Round - Dawson.
Quality: Dawson was kind of a bad ass in Sin City and great in Rent but Sarandon was amazing in Igby Goes Down, In the Valley of Elah and Enchanted. Round - Sarandon.
Oscar Nominations: Neither have been nominated this decade.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Sarandon did a hilarious guest spot on Friend a few years back. Round - Sarandon.
Winner = Sarandon.

Gwyneth Paltrow vs. Renee Zellweger
Quantity: Paltrow's 17 films beats out Zellweger's 14. Round - Paltrow.
Quality: Paltrow was great in The Royal Tenenbaums, Sylvia and Two Lovers. Zellweger USED TO BE AWESOME as evidenced in Bridget Jones' Diary, White Oleander, Chicago, Cold Mountain and Bridget Jones 2. Round - Zellweger.
Oscar Nominations: Paltrow hasn't been nominated this decade. Zellweger was nominated for Bridget Jones' Diary and Chicago before winning for Cold Mountain. Round - Zellweger.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Zellweger does a lot of voice work in movies like Monsters vs. Aliens, Bee Movie and Shark Tale. Round - Zellweger.
Winner = Zellweger.

On Sunday, heavyweights like Cate Blanchett, Marcia Gay Harden, Frances McDormand and Kate Winslet go head to head.

Best Actress of the Decade Tournament

Top 64 - Round 4

Robin Wright vs. Kate Hudson
Quantity: Wright's 18 films just beats out Hudson's 14. Round - Wright.
Quality: Hudson hasn't made a good movie since Almost Famous. Meanwhile, Wright was solid in The Pledge, White Oleander and A Home at the End of the World. Round - Wright.
Oscar Nominations: Penn has never been nominated. Hudson was nominated for Almost Famous, which was the last good movie she made. Round - Hudson.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen since Robin Wright makes good career decisions more often than not.
Extra Curriculars: Wright was in Empire Falls. She also has this crazy on-off relationship with my love Sean Penn. Round - Wright.
Winner = Wright.

Natalie Portman vs. Parker Posey
Quantity: Portman's 19 is just enough to beat Posey's 18. Round - Portman.
Quality: Portman was great in Cold Mountain, Garden State, The Other Boelyn Girl and especially Closer. Meanwhile, Posey did better work in the 90s but was still solid in A Mighty Wind and Fay Grim. Round - Portman.
Oscar Nominations: Posey has never been nominated. Portman was nominated for Closer. Round - Portman.
Shared Screen: They have never shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Posey was once considered the indie queen. Portman was HYSTERICAL when she rapped in an SNL Digital Short. Round - Portman.
Winner = Portman.

Angelina Jolie vs. Catherine Keener
Quantity: Keener's 18 films beats out Jolie's 16. Round - Keener.
Quality: Jolie was impressive in A Mighty Heart and Changeling but Keener is arguably one of the best actresses working today and she is always great especially in Lovely and Amazing, The Ballad of Jack and Rose, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Capote, An American Crime, Into the Wild, Hamlet 2, Synecdoche New York and Where the Wild Things Are. Round - Keener.
Oscar Nominations: Both have recieved a nomination this decade - Jolie for Changeling and Keener for Capote. Round - TIE.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Somewhere between wearing a vile of Billy Bob's blood and talking about playing with knives, Jolie became the Hollywood equivalent of Mother Theresa. Round - Jolie.
Winner = Keener.

Rachel Weisz vs. Emily Blunt
Quantity: Weisz was in 18 films which wins out over Blunt's 12. Round - Weisz.
Quality: Blunt was so great in The Devil Wears Prada. Weisz was fantastic in The Fountain and The Brothers Bloom. Round - Weisz.
Oscar Nominations: Blunt has never been nominated. Weisz won for The Constant Gardener. Round - Weisz.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Blunt was in the great TV movie Gideon's Daughter. Round - Blunt.
Winner = Weisz.

Nicole Kidman vs. Laura Linney
Quantity: Linney's 21 films beats out Kidman's 16. Round - Linney.
Quality: Both women have been great in a number of different films so it's going to come down to their best works. Kidman in Moulin Rouge! vs. Linney in The Savages. Round = Kidman.
Oscar Nominations: Linney has more nominations (3 for You Can Count on Me, Kinsey and The Savages). Kidman only has two (Moulin Rouge! and The Hours). However, Kidman won for The Hours so she wins here too. Round - Kidman.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Two words: John Adams. Round - Linney.
Tie Breaker: This is a tough one but Kidman in the later part of this decade just isn't the same as Kidman back in 2001 / 2002 / 2003. Linney just keeps getting better and more interesting. Round - Linney.
Winner = Linney.

Frances McDormand vs. Sienna Miller
Quantity: Both ladies have done 13 films this decade. Round - Tie.
Quality: Let's face it, McDormand is just way better as proven in films like Wonder Boys, Almost Famous, Laurel Canyon, North Country and Burn After Reading. Meanwhile, Miller was kind of a bad ass in G.I. Joe. Not exactly the same playing field. Round - McDormand.
Oscar Nominations: Miller has never been nominated. McDormand was nominated for Almost Famous and North Country. Round - McDormand.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: McDormand is married to the less hot Coen brother. Round - McDormand.
Winner = McDormand.

Sandra Bullock vs. Charlize Theron
Quantity: Theron's 21 films crushes Bullock's 13. Round - Theron.
Quality: Theron was great in Monster, North Country and Battle in Seattle. Bullock is always endearing but was most enjoyable in Miss Congeniality. Round - Theron.
Oscar Nominations: Bullock has never been nominated. Theron won for Monster and was nominated a second time for North Country. Round - Theron.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Theron did a hilarious five episode arc on the single greatest TV show of all time - Arrested Development. And she got to make out with Jason Bateman (No fair)! Round - Theron.
Winner = Theron.

Drew Barrymore vs. Kate Winslet
Quantity: Barrymore's 14 films just barely beats out Winslet's 13. Round - Barrymore.
Quality: Winslet just always knocks it out of the park in films like Iris, The Life of David Gale, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Finding Neverland, Little Children, The Holiday, The Reader and Revolutionary Road. Meanwhile, Barrymore is always adorable in movies like Fever Pitch. Round - Winslet.
Oscar Nominations: Barrymore has never been nominated. Winslet was nominated for Iris, Eternal Sunshine, and Little Children before FINALLY winning for The Reader. Round - Winslet.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: I love Kate but I have to give it up to Barrymore and her amazing performance in HBO's Grey Gardens movie. It was really the performance of her life. Round - Barrymore.
Tie Breaker: Sorry, Drew, you just aren't in Kate's league. Round - Winslet.
Winner = Winslet.

On Wednesday, the top 36 kicks off with a couple of dames (Mirren and Dench) and we'll see if anyone can beat Meryl.

Best Actress of the Decade Tournament

Top 64 - Round 3

Winona Ryder vs. Leslie Mann
Quantity: Ryder doesn't seem like she works much these days but her 15 films still beats out Mann's 11. Round - Ryder.
Quality: Ryder has been doing a lot of great work in small films like A Scanner Darkly and The Ten while Mann has been stealing scenes in bigger films like The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up and Funny People. Round - Mann.
Oscar Nominations: Neither have been nominated.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Ryder guest starred on friends and is just all around awesome. However, Mann guest starred on my second favorite TV show of all time - Freaks and Geeks. Round - Mann.
Winner = Mann.

Cate Blanchett vs. Scarlett Johansson
Quantity: These ladies both work a lot and Blanchett's 24 films beats out Johansson's 20. Round - Blanchett.
Quality: Even Johansson's best work in films like Lost in Translation and Match Point pales in comparison to Blanchett in The Gift, Life Aquatic, The Aviator, Notes on a Scandal, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and, especially I'm Not There where she played a version of Bob Dylan (!!!!). Round - Blanchett.
Oscar Nominations: Johansson has never been nominated. Blanchett picked up nominations for Notes on a Scandal, I'm Not There, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. She also won for The Aviator. Round - Blanchett.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Johansson just released a pretty awesome album with Pete Yorn. But Blanchett played Bob Dylan and that trumps just about everything. Ever. Round - Blanchett.
Winner = Blanchett.

Amy Adams vs. Evan Rachel Wood
Quantity: It doesn't seem like Adams works as much as she does but her 23 films beats out Wood's 14. Round - Adams.
Quality: Wood may have been good in Thirteen and Pretty Persuasion but Adams was phenomenal in Junebug, Doubt and Enchanted, the latter of which put her on the list of cuteness right behind bunnies. Round - Adams.
Oscar Nominations: Wood has never been nominated while Adams ws nominated for Junebug and Doubt. Round - Adams.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Adams may have guested on The West Wing, Buffy and The Office but Wood plays the lesbian vampire queen of New Orleans on True Blood. Round - Wood.
Winner = Adams.

Penelope Cruz vs. Taraji P. Henson
Quantity: Cruz's 23 films wins out over Henson's 14. Round - Cruz.
Quality: They've both done their good and bad films. If I match up their best work - Henson's sweet hooker in Hustle and Flow vs. Cruz's feisty / crazy artist in Vicky Cristina Barcelona - well, Cruz wins. Round - Cruz.
Oscar Nominations: Henson was nominated for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Meanwhile, Cruz was nominated for Volver before winning for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Round - Cruz.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Cruz may have a hot boyfriend (Javier Bardem) but Henson sang the female vocals on "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp." Round - Henson.
Winner = Cruz.

Katherine Heigl vs. Anne Hathaway
Quantity: Heigl's 10 films loses out to Hathaway's 14. Round - Hathaway.
Quality: Honestly, I don't like either of these actresses but Hathaway was nothing short of amazing in Rachel Getting Married. Round - Hathaway.
Oscar Nominations: Heigl has never been nominated. Hathaway was nominated for Rachel Getting Married. Round - Hathaway.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen (although that's a terrible romantic comedy waiting to happen).
Extra Curriculars: Heigl is on Grey's Anatomy although I wish her character would succumb to brain cancer already. Round - Heigl.
Winner = Hathaway.

Marcia Gay Harden vs. Christina Ricci
Quantity: Harden's 22 films beats out Ricci's 17. Round - Harden.
Quality: Ricci was great in Prozac Nation, Monster and Black Snake Moan. However, there is a reason Harden is my very favorite actress. She's been incredible in Mystic River, Mona Lisa Smile, American Gun, The Dead Girl, Into the Wild, Rails and Ties, The Mist and even the lackluster Whip It. Round - Harden.
Oscar Nominations: Ricci has never been nominated (although she should be). Meanwhile, Harden won for Pollack and was also nominated for Mystic River. Round - Harden.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Ricci has guested on Grey's Anatomy and Ally McBeal. Harden was on last season's Damages. She's also my very favorite actress of all time! Round - Harden.
Winner = Harden.

Anna Paquin vs. Kerry Washington
Quantity: Paquin has done only 11 films in the last ten years while Washington has done 25. Round - Washington.
Quality: Paquin's impressive performances in Almost Famous and The Squid and the Whale were good but supporting and don't leave the lasting impression that Washington's unbelievable turn in The Dead Girl does. Round - Washington.
Oscar Nominations: Neither have been nominated.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Paquin is the ever-loveable Sookie Stackhouse on True Blood! Round - Paquin.
Winner = Washington.

Kate Beckinsale vs. Zooey Deschannel
Quantity: Deschannel's 27 films easily beats out Beckinsale's 16. Round - Deschannel.
Quality: Beckinsale does have the auspicious honor of appearing in one of the worst movies I've ever seen called Tiptoes. Seriously, youtube that crap. It's terrible!! Still, she was great in Laurel Canyon and Snow Angels but Deschannel is an indie goddess and is great in Almost Famous, Manic, The Good Girl, All the Real Girls, Winter Passing and (500) Days of Summer. Round - Deschannel.
Oscar Nominations: Neither have been nominated.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Three words - She and Him. Round - Deschannel.
Winner = Deschannel

On Sunday, the top 64 finishes with Keener, Kidman and that OTHER great Kate (not Hudson).

Best Actress of the Decade Tournament

Top 64 - Round 2

Demi Moore vs. Halle Berry
Quantity: Moore has done 9 films while Berry just beats her out with 10. Round - Berry.
Quality: Moore sure looked hot in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. Berry was good (although not Oscar worthy) in Monster's Ball. Round - Berry.
Oscar Nominations: Moore has never been nominated. Berry won an Oscar for Monster's Ball. Round - Berry.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Demi Moore keeps getting hotter... Round - Moore.
Winner = Berry.

Joan Allen vs. Glenn Close
Quantity: Allen's 11 barely beats out Close's 10. Round - Allen.
Quality: Allen was top notch in The Contender, The Notebook and The Upside of Anger. Meanwhile, Close has been great in Chumscrubber and Evening. Round - Allen.
Oscar Nominations: Close hasn't been nominated this decade. Allen was nominated for The Contender. Round - Allen.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: One word - Damages. Round - Close.
Winner = Allen.

Jennifer Garner vs. Rachel McAdams
Quantity: Another close one - Garner's 11 just loses out to McAdams' 12. Round - McAdams.
Quality: McAdams was pretty fricking fantastic in Mean Girls. Garner was adorable in 13 Going on 30 but she really surprised me with her range in Juno. Round - Garner.
Oscar Nominations: Neither have been nominated (although I will argue Garner should have been for Juno).
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Garner kicked so much ass on Alias. Round - Garner.
Winner = Garner.

Alison Lohman vs. Hilary Swank
Quantity: Lohman's 15 films just beats out Swank's 14. Round - Lohman.
Quality: Lohman was good in White Oleander and Matchstick Men. Swank was amazing in Million Dollar Baby. Round - Swank.
Oscar Nominations: Lohman was never nominated. Swank won an Oscar for Million Dollar Baby. (Just to reiterate, she had two Oscars before Scorsese or Winslet even had one. DiCaprio still doesn't have an Oscar and Swank has two. I'm not bitter about it though.) Round - Swank.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Lohman was on one of my favorite guilty pleasure TV shows of the decade - Pasadena! Round - Lohman.
Tie Breaker: Honestly, I like Lohman better. But I'm trying to be fair here so... Round - Swank.
Winner = Swank.

Jennifer Lopez vs. Rosario Dawson
Quantity: Dawson works A LOT so her 28 films crushes Lopez's 12. Round - Dawson.
Quality: Lopez was cute in The Wedding Planner. Dawson was bad ass in Sin City, fantastic in Rent and heartbreaking in Seven Pounds. Round - Dawson.
Oscar Nominations: Neither have been nominated.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Well, Dawson is pretty bad ass. Round - Dawson.
Winner = Dawson.

Ellen Page vs. Susan Sarandon
Quantity: Page's 13 films loses out to Sarandon's 20. Round - Sarandon.
Quality: They've both been great in a lot of movies. If I put their best performances [Sarandon in Igby Goes Down and Page in Hard Candy] head to head then I'd have to go with... Round - Page.
Oscar Nominations: Sarandon hasn't been nominated this decade. Page got her first for Juno. Round - Page.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Sarandon did a hilarious cameo on Friends a few years back. Round - Sarandon.
Tie Breaker: This is tough. Page is the future, for sure. She's incredible and there's no arguing that. Sarandon hasn't necessarily done her best work this decade. However, she's still got The Lovely Bones coming out before the end of the year and I don't think we should count her out as a has-been just yet. Round - Sarandon.
Winner = Sarandon.

Gwyneth Paltrow vs. Joan Cusack
Quantity: Paltrow has done 17 films in the last ten years while Cusack has done 13. Round - Paltrow.
Quality: Cusack was hilarious in Friends with Money. Paltrow was so fantastic in The Royal Tenenbaums. She was also pretty damn good in Sylvia and Two Lovers. Round - Paltrow.
Oscar Nominations: Neither have been nominated this decade.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Joan's brother is really hot... Round - Cusack.
Winner = Paltrow.

Renee Zellweger vs. Jennifer Aniston
Quantity: Zellweger's 14 films just beats out Aniston's 12. Round - Zellweger.
Quality: Hey, remember when Renee Zellweger used to be awesome? When I usually say that I'm talking about Empire Records but now, if I could, I'd just take her back in the earlier part of this decade when she rocked in movies like Bridget Jones's Diary, White Oleander, Chicago and Cold Mountain. Meanwhile, Aniston was pretty great in The Good Girl. Round - Zellweger.
Oscar Nominations: Aniston has never been nominated. Zellweger was nominated for Bridget Jones's Diary and Chicago before finally winning for Cold Mountain. And if she keeps making movies like she has been the last few years, she'll never be nominated again. Round - Zellweger.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Zellweger does a lot of voice work but Aniston was Rachel Green on Friends. Round - Aniston.
Winner = Zellweger.

On Wednesday... Winona, Scarlett, Penelope, and two of my personal favorites - Marcia and Cate (not going against each other... yet... thank goodness)!

Best Actress of the Decade Tournament

Top 64 - Round 1

Diane Keaton vs. Helen Mirren
Quantity: Keaton has done 10 films in 10 years while Mirren has done 17. Round - Mirren.
Quality: There was a time not too long ago when I would have considered Diane Keaton one of my favorite actresses. And her old stuff is amazing. Unfortunately, she's done only two really good roles in the last decade. She was great in Something's Gotta Give (also a good movie) and The Family Stone (not such a good movie). Meanwhile, Mirren has been killing it in The Pledge, Gosford Park, Calendar Girls, The Queen and State of Play. Round - Mirren.
Oscar Nominations: Keaton was nominated for Something's Gotta Give. Mirren was nominated for Gosford Park and won for her amazing transformation in The Queen. Round - Mirren.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Mirren is a Dame. And a super hot one at that. Probably the hottest Dame ever. Round - Mirren.
Winner = Mirren.

Julianne Moore vs. Maggie Gyllenhaal
Quantity: Both of these ladies work a lot. Gyllenhaal's 22 films just barely beats out Moore's 20. Round - Gyllenhaal.
Quality: Gyllenhaal was great in Secretary, Sherrybaby and Stranger Than Fiction. Meanwhile, Moore has been stellar in Far From Heaven, The Hours, Children of Men, Savage Grace and I'm Not There. Round - Moore.
Oscar Nominations: Gyllenhaal has never been nominated. Moore was nominated twice (in the same year) for Far From Heaven and The Hours. Round - Moore.
Shared Screen: Both ladies appeared in the film Trust the Man. Both ladies were great in the film. Gyllenhaal stole every scene she was in, however. Round - Gyllenhaal.
Extra Curriculars: Gyllenhaal has great family ties and she's one half of one of my favorite Hollywood couples. Round - Gyllenhaal.
Winner = Gyllenhaal. [First shocker of the competition!]

Michelle Williams vs. Patricia Clarkson
Quantity: Williams' has done 17 films in the last ten years while Clarkson has done 26. Round - Clarkson.
Quality: Williams was great in Brokeback Mountain, I'm Not There, Incendiary, Deception, Wendy and Lucy and Synecdoche, New York. Meanwhile, Clarkson was amazing in The Pledge, All the Real Girls, Pieces of April, The Station Agent, Lars and the Real Girl, Elegy and Whatever Works. Round - Clarkson.
Oscar Nominations: Both women have been nominated once in the past decade - Williams for Brokeback Mountain and Clarkson for Pieces of April. TIE.
Shared Screen: Both ladies appeared in the lovely indie film The Station Agent. Williams and Clarkson were both great in the film but Clarkson had the bigger role and, hence, much more to work with. Round - Clarkson.
Extra Curriculars: Williams was the best damn thing about the sometimes grating Dawson's Creek. Clarkson was great on the amazing Six Feet Under. Round - Clarkson.
Winner = Clarkson.

Chloe Sevigny vs. Judi Dench
Quantity: Dench has only done 13 films in the past ten years while Sevigny has managed to do 16. Round - Sevingy.
Quality: Sevigny has never been as good as she was in Boys Don't Cry but she was still impressive in Party Monster, Melinda and Melinda and Zodiac. Meanwhile, Dench was great in Chocolat, Iris, Mrs. Henderson Presents and Notes on a Scandal. Round - Dench.
Oscar Nominations: Sevingy hasn't been nominated this decade. Dench was nominated four times for Chocolat, Iris, Mrs. Henderson Presents, and Notes on a Scandal. Round - Dench.
Shared Screen: They have never shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Sevigny is on Big Love... but Dench is a Dame and Dame's trump all (just about). Round - Dench.
Winner = Dench.

Kirsten Dunst vs. Amanda Peet
Quantity: Dunst has done 18 films in the past ten years while Peet has done 23. Round - Peet.
Quality: I'm not Kirsten Dunst's biggest fan but she was still great in Bring It On, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Marie Antoinette. Peet was great in Igby Goes Down and Identity. Round - Dunst.
Oscar Nominations: Neither have been nominated.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Peet was on the short lived (but much loved BY ME) series Jack and Jill! Round - Peet.
Winner = Peet.

Julia Roberts vs. Catherine Zeta Jones
Quantity: Roberts hasn't done much in the past decade, but her 13 films still beats out Zeta Jones' 11. Round - Roberts.
Quantity: Roberts was great in Erin Brokovich, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Duplicity and especially Closer. Meanwhile, Zeta Jones has been great in Traffic and Chicago. Round - Roberts.
Oscar Nominations: Both ladies won an Oscar - Roberts for Erin Brokovich and Zeta Jones for Chicago. TIE.
Shared Screen: They shared the screen twice. They both appeared in America's Sweethearts. Unfortunately, the only thing I remember is John Cusack's adorableness so I can't say who was better. Next, they both appeared in the AWFUL, TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE Ocean's 12. Roberts part in the film contained my single most hated part in any movie ever. Hence... Round - Zeta Jones.
Extra Curriculars: Roberts was the voice of Charlotte in Charlotte's Web. She also gave Natalie Portman a necklace that says "Lil' Cunt." Round - Roberts.
Winner = Roberts.

Claire Danes vs. Emma Thompson
Quantity: Danes has done 12 films in the past decade which just beats out Thompson's 10. Round - Danes.
Quality: There's something about Danes that has always sort of grated on my nerves. I like her though, as well, and she was spectacular in Shopgirl. Thompson was great in Love Actually, Stranger Than Fiction and Last Chance Harvey. Round - Thompson.
Oscar Nominations: Neither have been nominated.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Thompson appeared in the great mini-series Angels in America. Round - Thompson.
Winner = Thompson.

Liv Tyler vs. Meryl Streep
Quantity: Tyler's 11 films loses out to Streep's 16. Funny, this is the one category I thought Tyler would stand a chance against the great Meryl! Round - Streep.
Quality: Tyler was great in Lonesome Jim and The Strangers. Still, nothing really compares to Streep who is just great in everything, especially Adaptation, The Hours, A Prairie Home Companion, The Devil Wears Prada, Doubt and even Mamma Mia! Round - Streep.
Oscar Nominations: Tyler has never been nominated. Streep was nominated three times this decade, for Adaptation, The Devil Wears Prada and Doubt. Round - Streep.
Shared Screen: They have not shared the screen.
Extra Curriculars: Liv Tyler is my girl crush. But Meryl Streep is Meryl Streep, the greatest living actress. Round - Streep.
Winner = Streep.

On Sunday, icons like Glenn Close and Susan Sarandon vs. hot young things like Halle Berry and Ellen Page.