Ladies first...

Meg Ryan - I have the least sympathy for this actress because of her willingness to play the same character, no matter how it wastes her talents. In many ways, she is always the over-orgasming Sally, although if this role does so well for her then one has to wonder why it wasn't nominated when originally played opposite Billy Crystal. Almost always giggly and good, she may have to turn that smile upside-down if she hopes to ever sway the Oscar Nomination committee. And, no, I didn't forget about "Courage Under Fire," but I'd like to.

Ellen Barkin - Though seemingly out of the Hollywood loop these days, don't be surprised if she comes out of "hiding" and once again reveals her tremendous abilities. From a stirringly frustrated role in "Diner" to energetically steamy showings in "Sea of Love" and "The Big Easy," Barkin has been largely forgotten and for the smallest reason—witness an actress being punished for aging.

Robin Wright Penn - There was only one main character not nominated for the juggernaut that was "Forrest Gump"—Jen-nay. And the only thing that can account for this was that there was nothing particularly special about her character. She didn't compulsively name shrimp, didn't come up with phrases regarding sweets, didn't run thousands of miles, didn't lose her legs—yet why did many of the most touching moments involving the film come from this wandering troubled woman? Because Penn was forced to rely on honesty rather than gimmick and did so with quiet strength. Sometimes taking throwaway parts such as "Message in a Bottle," Penn always seems to balance it out with something as worthy as "The Pledge." Though she started out as a "Princess Bride," here's hoping Buttercup gets her due as Oscar royalty.

Parker Posey - Long dubbed the queen of Indie, this actress seems to purposely avoid anything that could possibly be labeled mainstream. Whether wickedly cast in "House of Yes" and "Clockwatchers" or asked to play an innocent Dairy Queen dreamer in "Waiting for Guffman," Posey has turned in some of the most hilarious and true performances of the last decade. The only problem is that many of the best female roles these days happen to come from wide releases. Her unspoken oath to stay in small budget features may ultimately sell her short.

Demi Moore - Poor choices have contributed to a poor awards showing for Moore, but most of the few who saw "G. I. Jane" knew that she had achieved a physical performance that few actresses could have mustered. Conversely, her vulnerable showing in Edward Zwick's "About Last Night" was a mature revelation for such a young performer. Doing a "Striptease" might have cost her, but one must admit she has more layers to peel from than most.

Gentlemen, if you please...

John Cusack - Here is an actor who refuses to grow up. Now 35, he has barely played someone who was married, let alone had kids. As long as he refuses to act his age and continues to play the unlucky-in-love role, he will never get a seat at the Oscars, unless as someone's guest. In many ways he is the male Meg Ryan, and it's only a matter of time before they do a forgetful film together, tentatively titled "What a Cute Repetition."

Forrest Whitaker - Whether as an addicted musical great in "Bird" or as the kidnapped British soldier in "The Crying Game," Whitaker seems to find the good in characters dealing with bad situations. The only thing that may stop him from the acting nom is his burgeoning ability behind the camera. Taking the helm of surprising successes "Waiting to Exhale" and "Hope Floats," his Red Carpet stroll may well come from the director's chair.

Johnny Depp - Many call Sean Penn the greatest actor of his generation, but if Johnny Depp is considered from the same era then Spicoli needs to know his place. There is no better actor working today and seemingly no one who is less affected by his talent than Depp. Known to pick roles for his personal enjoyment more than the furthering of his career, his latest "From Hell" was clearly of that first ilk. Though impressive in his myriad accents and demeanors, Depp will never be nominated until he considers more than just his present whims. That being said, he could easily have gotten the nod for either of his title character roles in sullen "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" or eccentric "Ed Wood." Depp has the two most important qualities for any artist: promise and no compromise.

Mark Ruffalo - Either a revelation or a one-trick pony, Ruffalo provided what some felt was the best acting turn not only in 2000 but maybe in the last twenty years. No other actor comes to mind who could have provided as much realism or sympathy to the confused and sometimes violent character Terry in Kenneth Lonergan's "You Can Count on Me." The nomination could have propelled Ruffalo into the national moviegoing consciousness, but the exclusion seemed to relegate him to a completely one-dimensional role in Rod Lurie's "The Last Castle." He deserves better but sadly may end up with much worse.

Bruce Willis - Yes, he may have died hard with a vengeance, lost "Hart's War" and given us the bird by making us watch "Hudson Hawk," but there is another side to Willis— The one with significant talent. "The Sixth Sense" was a prime example of an actor being overlooked because of his other lesser work. Haley Joel Osment's much-revered performance would have felt like nothing more than a lost little boy without the calming presence of Willis' brilliant psychologist role. Combined with his almost sadly brash Carl Roebuck in "Nobody's Fool" and his conscience-spinning turn in "Pulp Fiction," we are left with an action star that is something more—An actor.

-Eric Butterman