Before the Golden Globes, many assumed that Kathryn Bigelow's drama "Zero Dark Thirty" was beelining for The Best Picture Oscar. However, after Ben Affleck's "Argo" took home the Globe -- and the SAG award, we could have a bit of an upset on our hands.
But, of course, it wouldn't be the Oscars if there weren't a few of those. Over the years, there have been plenty of surprise Academy Award winners, from "Crash" beating "Brokeback Mountain" in 2005 to "Rocky" taking out "Network" for Best Picture in 1976.
In honor of this year's Academy Awards, let's take a look at the biggest upsets in Oscar history.
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From Gwenyth Paltrow to Marion Cotillard to Natalie Portman, recent conventional wisdom might lead you to believe that the predominantly old, white and male Academy...
To paraphrase the old baseball adage, you can't tell a Best Picture contender without a video mashup. Thank goodness, then, for Moviefone's Best Picture montage...
That was not a good movie, that "Shakespeare in Love". It was OK, not great and Paltrow was not deserving of Best Actress. I believe that the Academy gave it to her out of sympathy for her father Bruce Paltrow who had cancer at the time. No way her performance in that mediocre movie should have garnered her that Oscar.
kicksave7: That was not a good movie, that "Shakespeare in Love".
Gwyneth Paltrows Oscar was bought and paid for by the Weinstein Bros who produced it. They sent gifts along with tape asking for votes. Since I live in West Hollywood I'm up on Oscars etc and its "PHONEY" as Hollywood. 85% of voters arent qualified in most acting oscar roles.
RuffyofLA: Gwyneth Paltrows Oscar was bought and paid for by the
I'm not too keen on Angelina Jolie and her erratic behavior, but that night was one of the handful of creepy things she's said or done...knowing that she put a SERIOUS non-sisterly lip lock on her own brother after the award show, and her comment to the audience of "I'm SOO in love with my brother right now" before the kiss happened. Ewwww just doesn't cover it for me.
marymrevis: I'm not too keen on Angelina Jolie and her erratic
One of the biggest upsets was Barbra Streisand winning, and tieing w/ Katherine Hepburn, Best Acress. Especially since she was not yet eligible for the nomination or win. But A.M.P.A.S. says what is done, is done.
ae12wrangell: One of the biggest upsets was Barbra Streisand winning, and
1081 Chariots of Fire was far superior than On Golden Pond. Henry Fonda was getting on in years and everyone expected him to win a last award before he died. That's what the Lifetime Achievement Award is for. Not the Oscar.
sutt202: 1081 Chariots of Fire was far superior than On Golden
I'd have to dispute that Gwyneth Paltrow's victory for Shakespeare In Love was an upset. In hindsight many people seem to think that Kate Winslet's performance in a more "serious" movie should have been the choice. And that's a perfectly reasonable position, though hardly the slam dunk that some apparently consider it, However, it was Paltrow who won the SAG award. She also won a Golden Globe and a number of critics awards. In the coverage leading up to the awards Paltrow was clearly the "golden girl" of that year, and I seem to remember that most of the predictions I saw actually had her as the favorite.
debpet: I'd have to dispute that Gwyneth Paltrow's victory for Shakespeare
Who cares?! Hollywood hasn't produced a decent film in over a decade worth the price of admission. Hollywood + T Ball teams = all participants get a trophy!
driverstest: Who cares?! Hollywood hasn't produced a decent film in over
Not sure why I even clicked on here. I won't be watching because I don't care what Hollywood thinks or does--and I usually prefer films and actors other than their choices. The entire ceremony is often nothing more than a showcase for nepotism as the son or daughter of so and so wins for something inane--or for a liberal message carried into a film. It's a display of Hollywood patting each other on the backs--and they don't need me nor do I need them. I go to see what intrigues me and watch television shows on off-channels--like Justified and Southland as well as Masterpiece Theater. Enjoy. I won't spend my money on much of what they hype. But I did LOVE Skyfall. .
meg8907: Not sure why I even clicked on here. I won't
These people can't give themselves enough awards. Thank Goodness this is the last awards
or at least I think and hope it is. The should all go the way of the Tony. AWAY! The Tony awards haven't been on TV for years now.
mickeyd675: These people can't give themselves enough awards. Thank Goodness this
The Tony awards are televised every year, and every year the producers of the show have been nominated for an "Emmy" award. Please get your facts straight before you post!
mcc1cam: The Tony awards are televised every year, and every year
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First Posted: 02/20/2012 12:19 pm EST Updated: 02/22/2013 1:38 pm EST