Top 5 Actors Who Haven't Won An Oscar

I was going to write a review of 'The Grand Budapest Hotel', which was released today, yet sadly my local cinema wasn't showing it (which destroyed me to a huge emotional extent). So instead, I decided on the spot just to do a list of talented actors who have surprisingly never won an Oscar. I touched this topic last week in my other article about the Oscars, so I just thought I should explore it further. Clearly there are hundreds of incredible actors who have not bagged an Academy Award, but I've tried to narrow it down to the top 5...

5. Edward Norton

  Eddie Norton is a man with an extremely pleasant nature, but also a sensational yet unrecognised acting career. He has stared in many cult thrillers, his most know being 'Fight Club', 'American History X' and his brilliant debut 'Primal Fear'. Norton's performances can be relatable to stirring to hilarious, and I find that it's insane how he has never won an Oscar award.

4. Albert Finney

  This British treasure has won many BAFTAS, Golden Globes and Emmys, and has been nominated for an Oscar five times, but still hasn't won one. He has received great credit for his roles in 'Murder on the Orient Express', 'Under the Volcano' and 'The Dresser', making even the coldest of souls seem likable in his completely outstanding performances. Thankfully, even in his late 70s he's still working today.

 

3. Leonardo DiCaprio

In these days, Leonardo DiCaprio seems to be everyone's favourite non-Oscar winning actor, and that's very understandable. He's been in many highly acclaimed films like 'Titanic', 'Blood Diamond' and 'Django Unchained', and gives thrilling, powerful performances in each of his roles. Having been nominated for an Academy Award 3 times without a win, it's easy to see how people get very very frustrated when this talent is yet to win. 

2. Gary Oldman

  This cinematic shapeshifter has played almost every role imaginable. From a drug dealer, to a punk rock star, to a wizard's godfather, to a British interlligence agent, it's hard to find one role he can't play. By vividly expressing emotion and personality in each if his characters, Oldman has gained the status as one of the best actors of his time, yet with still no Oscars.

1. Peter O'Toole 

  In my last post, I talked about the talent of the tragically deceased Peter O'Toole; the man with the nominations but never the award. He has starred in highly claimed films such as 'Lawrence of Arabia', 'Becket' and 'The Lion in Winter'. With striking looks, a memorable voice, bundles of talent, and a 60 year career, he has been nominated for an Academy Award a record breaking 8 times, yet has never once seized it, which I think is truly an abomination.

Honourable Mentions: Johnny Depp, Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt, Amy Adams, Ewan McGregor & Julianne Moore

- Hayley

Cymru am Byth

Hello, I have biology revision to do so this is a very rushed post which will not showcase my true talent*. (*note: sarcasm).

I thought, because Saturday was St. David's Day, I'd write a post specifically about Wales.

I’m not a patriotic person in the slightest, I find patriotism quite silly to be honest – I just don’t understand it. I’m Welsh and I speak Welsh too, which is in fact quite rare here, and besides a few good actors and a few brilliant bands, there really isn’t that much to Wales.

5. Catatonia

Catatonia, lead by Cerys Matthews, found fame in the mid 90s, and although they only had a couple of hits many people remember them. I don't own any of their albums and I only know a few of their songs, but Road Rage is a tune and Mulder and Scully was constantly on repeat when I liked a particular person. Their songs are catchy and I like their image, but if you want to listen to them I'd only recommend their released singles.

4. Marina and The Diamonds

Marina is one of my favourite female artists, her music and image is totally unique and I'm always proud to know she's from Wales. I see her as a sort of feminist icon, and the concept of her album Electra Heart was brilliantly thought out and very clever. She has songs for every occasion, and my personal favourites are Primadonna, Oh No!, Bubblegum Bitch, Girls and Teen Idle. 

3. Craig Roberts

Craig Roberts is a beautiful young actor from South Wales, mostly recognised for his role as Oliver Tate in the movie Submarine. I've been a fan of his since before that, loving him in Being Human and even the CBBC show Young Dracula. In 2013 he starred in the Manic Street Preachers music video for Show Me The Wonder; which was a glorious Welsh moment.

2. Christian Bale

This A-list actor was born in Wales, but now resides in America. Bale is associated with his weird roles, including Patrick Bateman in American Psycho and the creepy anorexic in The Machinist. Funnily enough, he also has a connection to the Manics; they used a sample of his voice on the track Peeled Apples.

1. Manic Street Preachers

If you've ever spoken to me or even just follow me on Twitter, it was probably obvious that number one would be the Manic Street Preachers. To me, not only are they the best Welsh band, they're the best band of all time - bouncing onto the music scene in the 90s with their Clash-esque punk songs, they slowly mellowed out  following the disappearance of Richey, their lyricist. They're intelligent, good looking, funny and talented - all in all, they're just bloody brilliant. If you fancy getting into them, I recommend the songs Faster, Judge Y'rself, Sculpture of Man, Sullen Welsh Heart, Stay Beautiful... or just their entire discography.

The Top Ten Greatest Directors of All Time

 Hello readers, it's Friday, which means you'll be getting an article from Hayley, wow! Anyway, since this will be my first post, I decided I wanted to talk about something I feel very affectionate for: film directors. Old ones, modern ones, comical ones, violent ones, high-grossing ones, independent ones. Hundreds are absolutely fantastic, although today I would like to give a list of the top 10 greatest of all time. This was possibly one of the hardest things I've had to do, although hopefully I've narrowed it down to both the most commercially successful and revolutionarily successful... 

10. David Lynch 

   What better way to start than with this multi talented artist? David Lynch; a master of surrealism onscreen. With a creative mind like no other, Lynch uses gorgeous imagery and twisted plots to both captivate and disturb. His debut was the magnificent horror surrealist film, 'Eraserhead', a visionary nightmare like no other, which placed him as one of the greats. With others such as the emotive 'Elephant Man', crime mystery 'Blue Velvet', and psychological thriller 'Mulholland Drive', Lynch has a legacy which demands attention forever. 

9. James Cameron

  Cameron has directed many films over the years, most being extremely exciting blockbuster epics.  His films include stunning special effects, filled with adventure and action, and have helped him to win many awards. Although it was initially 'The Terminator' which gained him his success, it's 'Titanic' and 'Avatar' which are his masterpieces. They are the two highest-grossing films of all time, making the perfectionist one of the highest earning and prosperous directors ever. 

8. Joel and Ethan Coen

 The ever witty Coen brothers are the two most original modern day directors. They're known for their black comedy movies, especially their cult classics such as 'The Big Lebowski' and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?' Although, the pair have also made tense westerns, crime dramas and neo-noirs, like 'True Grit' 'No Country For Old Men' and 'Fargo', helping them to be nominated for many awards and be placed in the hearts of thousands of film lovers. 

7. Francis Ford Coppola

  Even if you don't know the name, you will know Coppola's mafia masterpiece, 'The Godfather trilogy', a movie regarded as one of the greatest of all time, which revolutionised the film industry. As well as that, he also directed the war epic, 'Apocalypse Now'; the critically acclaimed and darkly poetic representation of the Vietnam War sealed the director as being one of the best.

  

6. Orson Welles

 Welles is possibly the most interesting, influential and honourable person on this list; he is not just director, but an actor, writer and radio personality. He was only 25 when he directed his first ever movie, the spectacular 'Citizen Kane'. Known universally as the "greatest film of all time", full of beautiful music and cinematography, it completely proves why Welles is one of the most talented people in the film industry. 

5. Quentin Tarantino

  A favourite amongst many. Quentin Tarantino. A modern day genius with witty and stylish films, filled with grueling violence, iconic dialogue, incredible characters, satirical humour and the repetitive use of the 'f-word'. Tarantino started off as an independent and completely fresh moviemaker with his (now highly popular) 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Pulp Fiction', and has now ended up as a prosperous and highly regarded superstar, with the likes of 'Django Unchained' and 'Inglourious Basterds'. The man is truly one of the most influential figures in film.

4. Martin Scorsese 

  Marty has always been someone who everyone has looked up to. A frequent collaborator with the great Robert DeNiro in his manic crime dramas, this director is a landmark. He has been nominated for 80 Academy Awards, an unbelievable amount, for films such as 'Goodfellas', 'Raging Bull' and 'Taxi Driver' which each got extremely positive feedback from critics. The director includes symbolic imagery, exceptional plot lines and classic improvisation in his works, especially the famous "You talkin' to me?" It is very hard for this man not to be number one on the list. 

3. Alfred Hitchcock

  

  Hitch was the man who did it all, who inspired possibly ever other director after him. The Master of Suspense has made classic upon classic, studying filming techniques and psychologically examining characters in each piece he's made, and was always known for including astonishing twist endings . His tense thrillers like the infamous 'Psycho', 'Vertigo' and 'The Birds' have helped him earn his popularity, making this cultural icon is one of the most intelligent and creative directors of all time.

2. Steven Spielberg

  The list of classic films this director has worked with is endless. In his 40 year career he has played with war epics, slavery dramas, si-fi... and dinosaurs. It is almost impossible for anyone to have not seen one of his films, whether it be 'E.T. Extra Terrestrial', 'Jaws' or 'Saving Private Ryan'. This director may be the master of creating blockbuster movies, with wonderful plots, characters and special effects, which are always difficult to forget.

1. Stanley Kubrick

  Even though producing this list was very difficult to do, the overall winner was obvious. Stanley Kubrick is a perfectionist with the most mesmerising and unique films, and has studied almost every genre. It is very difficult for someone to be a film lover without appreciating this director's work. From the controversial dystopian 'A Clockwork Orange', psychological horror 'The Shining', and terrifyingly realistic war film 'Full Metal Jacket', Kubrick explores imagery, symbolism and character development in his films like no other. His greatest work, however, is the dazzling '2001: A Space Odyssey'. Made in 1968, this masterpiece was literally before its time. With very little special effects, a mystifying plot line touching on many different themes and never before seen cinematography, the futuristic science fiction, which was deemed impossible to film, has influenced almost every other person in the movie making industry. Every motion picture the artistic intellectual has developed surely makes him the best of the best.