The process of choosing a favorite actress was much more difficult than selecting a winner in the actor category. It’s not that women are less talented. Far from it. It’s just that there are few great roles available to them (see above quote by Goldie Hawn).

For example, according to Boxoffice.com, the biggest movies that played in theaters this weekend were:

* “Transformers: Age of Extinction” (mostly male cast, geared toward male audience)

* “22 Jump Street” (mostly male cast, geared toward male audience)

* “How To Train Your Dragon 2” (mostly male cast, geared toward children)

* “Think Like a Man Too” (mostly male cast, geared toward mixed audience)

* “Maleficent” (woman lede, back story of a fairy tale villain which includes a metaphorical rape scene)

In most Hollywood films, women are frequently relegated to roles that serve men: prostitutes, secretaries, strippers, maids, slaves, daughters to marry off, the token girlfriend, crime victims, etc. As such, talented actresses only have the opportunity to really shine in romantic comedies (which I love) or in films that are created/written/directed by other women. This situation is incredibly frustrating for the brilliantly skilled women working in the business, but also for women like me, who enjoy going to movies and seeing strong male and female characters on screen.

So to choose just one favorite movie actress would be impossible. I can however, urge you to seek out films featuring performances by: Glenn Close, Emma Thompson, Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts, Viola Davis, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Meg Ryan, Margo Martindale, Kathy Bates, Lois Smith, Allison Janney, Julianne Moore, Jane Lynch, Jodie Foster, Susan Sarandon, Halle Berry, Helen Hunt, Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest, Christine Baranski and Sandra Bullock.

(Photo by YunYulia.)