I have discovered what I humbly consider to be the most perfect use of the gif wall medium possible: The reaction shots of Oscar losers. As they are broadcast, you simply cannot take them all in since they're spread out on the screen in tiny boxes, and last but seconds. They're just flickers of emotion. I think that placing them side by side on infinite loops works best to fully read the reactions of disappointment, bitchiness, feigned cheer and actual cheer. As much as losing an Oscar (or winning even) is kind of an emotional Rorschach for the nominated actors, reading their expressions is a Rorschach for the viewers. Except for the really bitchy ones. Those we can all agree on.
Below are so so many examples of fallen dreams. Each row is all of the (present) members of one year's given category (I'm only using actors and actresses here). On far right, I've included the reaction of the winners just for good measure. Have fun laughing at their pain!
Omg the year Catherine Zeta-Jones won... Kathy Bates' reaction is priceless.
Also, I love Meryl's sheer jubilation every time she loses!
Lastly, the year Gwenyth won EVERYONE looks pissed (except Meryl, of course).
Posted by: Erin Cragg | February 24, 2012 at 03:51 PM
Man, I don't think I ever realized how many times Meryl has NOT WON SOMETHING. And yet I'm probably more outraged than she is.
Posted by: Dru | February 24, 2012 at 04:39 PM
Bitchiest look - Jessica Lange when Sally Field wins.
Best reaction - Meryl Streep jumping up for Cher.
Posted by: marybrookeusc | February 24, 2012 at 05:07 PM
Alan Alda's nose wrinkle plus Bill Murray's nod of understanding really make this special.
This, to me, is one of the most visually interesting gif walls you have created. Well done, Rich.
Posted by: Billie | February 24, 2012 at 05:19 PM
Jessica Lange REALLY knows how to throw a shank-eye.
Posted by: cc | February 24, 2012 at 05:25 PM
Not sure if that really matters but that's Morgan Freeman winning on the Jamie Foxx's row.
Posted by: thales | February 24, 2012 at 05:56 PM
Well with Goop everyone should've been pissed. Streep, Montenegro, Blanchett and Watson and she wins? No way.
Posted by: Syrax | February 24, 2012 at 06:11 PM
Rich, this is incredible. seriously, you are a genius with this stuff.
Posted by: MikeP | February 24, 2012 at 06:12 PM
lmao at meryl for being nominated for the past 15 years... she is so graceful and lovely, should give her an oscar just for being nominated so many damn times
Posted by: ulises haro | February 24, 2012 at 06:29 PM
This is brilliant!
Posted by: Robert Franson | February 24, 2012 at 07:09 PM
Something wrong: Halle Berry's win is not from the Oscars, but from Sag Awards.
Posted by: Account Deleted | February 24, 2012 at 07:11 PM
Meryl Streep has class and great social manners; she knows how to act win or lose! Why act up when you have to deal with same academy voters next time you are up for an award LOL - being a class act is the way to go. Most of them will wind up with a lifetime achievement oscar at some point anyway if they are around long enough. Longevity counts in Hollywood
Posted by: marie a. brooks | February 24, 2012 at 08:51 PM
Erin, it was because Sean Connery only said "Catherine" when he announced the winner and Kathy Bates briefly assumed he was calling her name. So I don't blame her look. Susan Lucci suffered a worse reaction when Susan Flannery won Best Actress at the Emmys one year and started walking towards the stage, when Flannery actually won.
I'd say my favorite non-winner reaction was Faith Hill losing to Carrie Underwood at some Country award ceremony.
Posted by: James | February 24, 2012 at 09:32 PM
Man, Burt Reynolds even claps angrily when he's pissed.
If you're ever nominated for an Oscar you know you'll lose if the following two things are in your category....
-Some old actor/actress that has been nominated a million times for amazing things and is now nominated for something mundane. They will win.
-An actor/actress that gained/lost weight or had another major physical change to show how "in character" they were. They will win.
To me the most bullshit wins (off the top of my head) were when the actress won an Oscar for Network, and her entire time in the film totaled 25 minutes. Also Anna Paquin winning. Tatum O'Neal as child ingenue I can get behind. Paquin just chattered non-stop like any annoying kid.
Posted by: scorzi | February 24, 2012 at 09:46 PM
Who's the woman with the beard when Diane Keaton won?
Posted by: NJtoTX | February 24, 2012 at 10:29 PM
Nothing will ever top Samuel L. Jackson's wince when he lost Best Supporting Actor to Martin Landau (Pulp Fiction vs. Ed Wood).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc5uF1I1eNk
Posted by: Patrick | February 24, 2012 at 10:34 PM
The collection of with Thomas Haden Church, Alan Alda, Morgan Freeman, Clive Owen, and Jamie Foxx is out of order. Jamie didn't win that night for Supporting Actor (though he was up for Collateral). Morgan Freeman was the winner for Million Dollar Baby.
Posted by: vitarai | February 24, 2012 at 10:39 PM
Two words: Sally. Kirkland. lmao.
Bowing to you for this, Rich.
Posted by: dorothy porker | February 24, 2012 at 10:40 PM
This just makes me feel so sad to live in a world where Sandra Bullock, Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Roberts have Oscars and Julianne Moore does not.
Posted by: I'm just sayin'... | February 24, 2012 at 10:43 PM
I think the best is still Sally Kirkland! She had to force that smile!
Posted by: Robert Franson | February 24, 2012 at 11:09 PM
I love Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton... they are both goddesses... besides that, who wouldn't be disappointed at losing? You have to be packed with amazing talent and confidence to be glad for others when they win.
Posted by: Dana | February 24, 2012 at 11:27 PM
errr... and by that I mean, Meryl and Diane are packed with talent and probably are genuinely glad for others when they win.
Posted by: Dana | February 24, 2012 at 11:31 PM
What I see here is people who knew they did really good work, work that cost them and raised them above their every day selves and were pleased someone else knew that too, but they were happy for the one that got the Oscar none the less.
And, I see a few who were truly let down they did not get to say, "You see? I DO deserve to be on the rolls of the immortals." when they they always feared they did not.
Posted by: Todd Stuart Phillips | February 25, 2012 at 12:29 AM
I love how happy all five women seemed when Susan Sarandon won.
Posted by: Gene Bivins | February 25, 2012 at 01:01 AM
This is amazingly awesome (is reaaaallly slow to download) Thank you!!!!!
Posted by: forever1267 | February 25, 2012 at 01:16 AM