Editor

It’s hard not to feel some affection – even love – for the Oscars, the biggest film industry awards ceremony. And this year is no exception. The Oscars 2008 will go down in history as the most highly anticipated award ceremony of all time, if only for the drama surrounding whether the event would go ahead at all.

And the Oscars wouldn’t be the Oscars without the stars’ dramatic acceptance speeches. With a 45 second deadline and an audience of more than a billion viewers, the pressure is on to make a big impression. And boy, do some celebrities do just that…

In celebration of this year’s awards, LOVEFiLM.com has compiled their Most Memorable Oscar Speeches. Tissues at the ready…

1. Cuba Gooding Junior: 1997 Best Supporting Actor for Jerry Maguire (1996)

For pure enthusiasm and for making a long night slightly more bearable, Cuba’s declaration of love, “Everybody, I love you! I love you all!”, and his excited refusal to leave the stage once the music had started to play, is pure Oscar gold.

2. Sacheen Littlefeather on behalf of Marlon Brando: 1973 Best Actor for The Godfather (1972)

Definitely one of the most memorable, if bizarre, events in the Academy’s history. Marlon Brando’s refusal to attend the ceremony in protest of the misrepresentation of American Indians meant that young Sacheen Littlefeather was thrust into the lime-light when she was sent on his behalf to accept the award.

3. Tom Hanks: 1994 Best Actor for Philadelphia (1993)

Hank’s loving ode to his drama teacher as one of the finest gay Americans he had the good fortune to be associated with, unwittingly out-ed him to the world. You just couldn’t make it up…

4. Gwyneth Paltrow: 1999 Best Actress for Shakespeare in Love (1998)

For the tears and the sobbing, as well as the notably ill-fitting pink dress, Gwyneth’s gushing acceptance speech is unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.

5. James Cameron: 1998 Best Director for Titanic (1997)

The director of the world’s highest grossing film ever, who can forget director James Cameron stealing lines from his own film declaring, "I am the king of the world!" last year, straight after requesting a moment of silence for the victims of the sunken ship.

6. Robert deNiro: 1981 Best Actor for Raging Bull (1980)

Not one to mince his words deNiro gratefully thanked the real-life Jake LaMotta, the man he played in Raging Bull, and then cleverly quipped “even though he's suing us”.

7. Julia Roberts: 2001 Best Actress for Erin Brockovich (2000)

For sheer girly excitement, Julia Roberts acceptance speech was a joy to watch. Clearing enjoying her space in the spotlight she warned off the Academy men trying to get her off the stage by exclaiming “I may never be up here again.” Atta girl.

8. Halle Berry: 2002 Best Actress for Monster’s Ball (2001)

Another memorably tearful acceptance speech, as the first African-American to win Best Actress ever, Halle managed to get it together enough to give a moving speech that ensured there wasn’t a dry eye in the house by the end of it.

9. Michael Moore – 2003 Best Director for Bowling for Columbine (2002)

“Shame on you Mr. Bush, shame on” shouted Michael Moore, while his attack on the American President will clearly be remembered as one of the Academy most controversial speeches. However, it didn’t go down well with the audience who booed the entire way through it…

10. Greer Garson: 1943 Best Actress for Mrs Miniver (1942)

When most Oscar-winners get a measly 45 seconds to say their thanks, actress Greer Garson holds the world-record for the longest speech EVER. Clocking in at an impressive 7 minutes, there was no stopping Ms Garson once she had started.

11. Sally Field – 1985 Best Actress for Places in the Heart (1984)

"You like me, you really like me!” (well she actually said “you like me, right now, you like me”) but Sally Field’s gushing validation of success from the Academy has gone down in history as one of the most quoted lines from any Oscar speech.

Helen Cowley, Editor of LOVEFiLM.com commented:
“Everyone loves seeing their favourite stars – if only for a minute - without a script. The dramatic rollercoaster that is the Oscars is always guaranteed to entertain, if only by watching actors squirm while in the spotlight.

She continues: “LOVEFiLM.com has over 65,000 titles to choose from – and with no late fees, you can enjoy watching your favourite Oscar nominees over and over with no fear of tears.”