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!
This is amazingly awesome (is reaaaallly slow to download) Thank you!!!!!
Posted by: forever1267 | February 25, 2012 at 01:16 AM
Nobody looked pissed when Paltrow won.they just didn't act surprised,cause it was expected that she wins.You have to face the fact that the industry likes her and that includes Blanchett and Streep.The same goes for Sandra,Julia and Reese.I like surprises but that rarely ever happens.
Posted by: grant | February 25, 2012 at 05:08 AM
What a rotten, mean-spirited violation of a private moment. Can a person not lose an award with a little dignity? Is it really necessary to collect all of the reaction shots and put them on display? What an immature, voyeuristic, sophomorish stunt!
I know where you can stick the camera next.
Posted by: Bill Kilpatrick | February 25, 2012 at 07:27 AM
Anne Hathaway makes me cringe.
Posted by: Tasha | February 25, 2012 at 08:11 AM
Bill, excuse me, but you are clueless. Private moment? At a television show seen by a billion people? Do not forget your medication next time.
Posted by: Gustavo H. Razera | February 25, 2012 at 09:13 AM
It sucks that the media so obsessively analyzes beforehand over who will win Oscars that by the time the actual ceremony comes around, everyone has a pretty good idea who is going to win what. It takes all of the suspense out of it and sadly, the unrehearsed reactions go too.
When Heath Ledger won for the Dark Knight, I remember all the other BSA nominees looked so bitter and bored, knowing they wasn't a chance in hell of any of them winning.
Posted by: Rachel | February 25, 2012 at 10:55 AM
The worst might be Talia Shire when Dunaway won!!
Minnie Driver looked genuinely happy when Basinger won.
Posted by: Diane | February 25, 2012 at 11:38 AM
LOL Meryl is so happy that I almost couldn't tell who won.
Posted by: theComplex | February 25, 2012 at 12:21 PM
Anyone noticed that Geraldine Page is saying "f*ck"? :D
Posted by: invoo | February 25, 2012 at 03:15 PM
No Leonardo DiCaprio?
Homeboy can't even get on THIS list. Poor bb.
Posted by: Daiya Darko | February 25, 2012 at 03:58 PM
Nothing was better than little Anna Paquin's reaction. When she got up there it was like a good 15 seconds of choking and gasping in shock.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xElXtoO_WmA
Posted by: Babs | February 25, 2012 at 04:13 PM
Thank God it was Morgan Freeman who won and not Jamie Foxx. I can't live in a world where Jamie Foxx is an Oscar winner. I love Meryl Streep! She's always so psyched! And of course she has two Oscars at home, which probably helps.
Posted by: Emily | February 25, 2012 at 04:35 PM
Seriously, did anyone want Sandra Bullock to win? Or Gwyneth? They look like very unpopular winners amongst the other nominees. Kathie Bates reprising her role in Misery for Catherine Zeta Jones
Posted by: Lizzy G | February 25, 2012 at 04:49 PM
Burt was pissed in '97, no doubt about that. That was his "return" to stardom.
Posted by: Big Ed Dunkel | February 25, 2012 at 05:50 PM
Very awesome gif wall. Have to mention though, look at all the white people...
Posted by: Bishop | February 25, 2012 at 05:52 PM
Sheesh, Talia Shire is NOT digging Faye Dunaway's win.
Posted by: Matthew | February 25, 2012 at 08:27 PM
Meryl Streep deserves an Oscar just for her gracious loser face.
Posted by: Cee | February 25, 2012 at 10:14 PM
This is so terrible and so awesome all at once.
Posted by: Rachael | February 25, 2012 at 11:40 PM
Meryl Streep should be nominated for an Oscar for the way she pretends to be happy for others!
Posted by: R.Mutt | February 26, 2012 at 05:27 AM
WOW!I`m speechless! This is unbelievable!
Posted by: JonathanN | February 26, 2012 at 09:34 AM
First of all, I LOVED this. Thank you for putting it together.
Secondly, as if I did not already know how much I loved Meryl Streep, I certainly do now. She could teach classes on how to be a gracious loser. Over and over and over again.
Finally, how ironic that it is the men who give some of the more bitter seeming reaction shots than the women. Huh.
Ashley
http://www.thedoseofreality.com/
Posted by: Ashley Taylor | February 26, 2012 at 10:27 AM
who's the DUDE in the row when Diane Keaton wins???
Posted by: PatrickWilsonIsMyBoyfriend | February 26, 2012 at 11:33 AM
I like Valerie Perrine's reaction to losing: MOUTH WIDE OPEN! LOL!
Posted by: Vana | February 26, 2012 at 11:41 AM
Diane Ladd and Lorraine Bracco look like someone shit in their laps when Whoopi won Best Supporting for Ghost.
President Roslin kept it classy of course.
Posted by: Lateshoes | February 26, 2012 at 11:48 AM
I have to say my favorite reaction was a BAFTA one. Martin Freeman's face when The Only Way Is Essex won. He looked like he wanted to murder everyone that voted (rightly so - Essex is a crap show)
Posted by: julnyes | February 26, 2012 at 02:00 PM