Five Best: Misguided Best Actress Oscar Follow-Ups

courtesy of amarudontv.com

Sometimes, when you finally get the accolades, you just need to phone it in for a while. Well, it's one thing to take it easy for a little while, but it's quite another to do what these women do.Below, we look at the five mos egregious follow up films by winners of the Best Actress Oscar. It just so happens that they're all fairly recent, so who knows what that means. But, here they are, in chronological order.

courtesy of thefancarpet.com courtesy of imdb.com	Helen Hunt Won for As Good As It Gets (1997)...then did Dr. T and the Women I like As Good As It Gets, but would hardly call it a triumph in modern cinema. Still, Hunt took home the Oscar for her performance, looking to pave the way for future successes. Then she made the horrific ensemble film Dr. T and the Women with Richard Gere, Farrah Fawcett, Laura Dern, Tara Reid, Liv Tyler and Kate Hudson. And to think - she held her own against mammoth performer Jack Nicholson, only to fall into a train wreck.
courtesy of internationalenglish2std.blogspot.com courtesy of criticplanet.org	Julia Roberts Won for Erin Brockovich (2000)...then did The Mexican I've already made my thoughts known about Julia's win here (should've gone to Ellen Barkin), but she still gave a solid, respectable performance in the Steven Soderbergh film. But, then she made The Mexican. It doesn't matter that it also stars Brad Pitt and James Gandolfini. It's a trite, stupid thriller with a ridiculous premise. It's one of those films that you know the people involved just felt like screwing around out in Las Vegas for a couple weeks.
courtesy of aboutfilm.com courtesy of boxofficeprophets.com	Charlize Theron Won for Monster (2003)...then did Aeon Flux Theron uglied up for a dynamite performance as prostitute-turned-serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster, a dark, fantastic film from director Patty Jenkins. Then, she did a complete 180 and starred in the science fiction adaptation from an MTV animated series, Aeon Flux. It was nothing more than an attempt to say, "Hey, I got ugly, but I'm still hot. Check me out." Thankfully, she hasn't stalled since then, turning out some decent films and a buzz-making performance this year in Jason Reitman's Young Adult.
courtesy of telegraph.co.uk courtesy of about.com	Helen Mirren Won for The Queen (2006)...then did National Treasure: Book of Secrets Mirren gave a brilliant, understated performance as Queen Elizabeth II after the death of Princess Diana in The Queen, alongside James Cromwell and Michael Sheen. But, just as you would expect, she decided to have some fun and make a sequel in a terrible series starring a whacked-out Nicholas Cage. I'm going to assume it was for the paycheck, but still - don't slum it too much Helen. You're better than that.
courtesy of shockya.com courtesy of sheknows.com	Natalie Portman Won for Black Swan (2010)...then did Your Highness or No Strings Attached or Thor Natalie Portman gave a dark, insane performance in Aronofsky's Black Swan, seemingly draining all her energy. Then, she got this weird second wind and starred in every film made in 2011 that Jessica Chastain wasn't in, all of which were terrible. Your Highness - an emtpy-headed stoner/period comedy; No Strings Attached - a stupid, mindless rom-com with Ashton Kutcher; Thor - a run-of-the-mill superhero film with no acting talent required. Getting paid to do next to nothing, I guess.

Don't worry - we'll look at the fellas next week. But, ladies, please continue good work after your awards. Otherwise, you become a distant memory.