4.) Cher is Cher and we could probably leave it at that if it weren't for the fact she has the talent to overcome her glamorous persona of stage and award shows. On screen she transforms into a real person who we can identify with more readily then her off screen self. The characters she has created in such diverse movies asTea With Mussolini, Witches of Eastwick, and Moonstruck are all real and believable. Her talents as an actor are real and deserve to be recognised.

5.) Julianne Moore has until very recently skimmed under a lot of people's radar. Very quietly going about her business establishing herself as a versatile and dependable actor. It's only been recent roles in movies like The Hours, Shipping News, and The End of the Affair that she has garnered the attention she deserves. She is one of the new breed of actors who is willing to not be a "star" and play a variation of herself on screen but instead create a new character for each production.

6.) Cate Blanchett is part of the wave of Australian actors taking the world by a storm these days. You'd swear they had a factory producing interesting, beautiful and skilled performers. Whether a regal Elf or human queen, Lord of the Rings 1,2,and 3, and Elizabeth, sleazy white trash Shipping News or a flighty and bored housewife taking a walk on the wild side Bandits she illuminates the screen. She has the power to captivate with just the lift of an eyebrow and the tilt of her head. The glamour of an old time movie star are joined to the skills of a trained actor. An amazing combination.

7.) Maggie Smith seems to be the person everyone calls on to play the crusty English lady with the heart of gold. From Harry Potter, Gosford Park and Tea With Mussolini she has proved superlative in that role. But as she proved with her first major role, The Prime of Miss. Jean Brodie her skills are superior to those constraints. Hopefully she will get a chance again to demonstrate the scope of her talent.