Marion Cotillard, Felicity Jones, Julianne Moore, Rosamund Pike and Reese Witherspoon face off for the best actress crown. Who will win?

THE NOMINEES

Marion Cotillard (Two Days, One Night)

I didn’t see this movie, but she doesn’t have a chance of winning this award. I’m going to call this early. Sorry Marion…you’re out.

Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything)

Jones was absolutely fantastic. I first saw her in “The Amazing Spider Man 2” earlier in 2014 in a very limited role, but that franchise doesn’t exist anymore so I won’t talk about it. In “The Theory of Everything,” she’s incredible. I’m excited to see her act for years to come.

Julianne Moore (Still Alice)

Moore is the frontrunner for this award, and will probably win. That being said, I didn’t see the movie so I really don’t know if it was the best. I can only judge what I have seen.

Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)

Pike proved that she could act in this film. Before this, she had starred as a Bond girl and in “Jack Reacher” and “Wrath of the Titans.” In “Gone Girl,” she finally had a chance to finally show us what she’s got. Pike didn’t disappoint.

Reese Witherspoon (Wild)

Witherspoon played a similar role to what James Franco played in “127 Hours.” You know you have a good actor or actress when he or she could be alone on screen for a lot of a movie and keep audiences riveted. That’s what Witherspoon was able to accomplish, and it was nice to see her back in a role of this caliber.

THE DEBATE

Like I said, Cotillard will not win the award, and since I didn’t see the movie I won’t attempt to talk about her performance.

Also, Moore appears to be a lock for the Oscar this year. I didn’t see “Still Alice” so let’s make this interesting and pretend that she wasn’t a nominee this year.

Jones was great in a movie that already had an Oscar-worthy performance from Eddie Redmayne. She gave a strong female performance that shouldn’t be overlooked but when compared to the other two nominees, she doesn’t quite match up. You’ll get other chances, but as far as this year goes, I’m sorry Felicity…you’re out.

I always admire an actor or actress that can handle long periods of time being alone on screen, including the aforementioned Franco and I’ll also throw Will Smith in for “I am Legend.” Witherspoon did just that. Where I struggle is that I have seen Emile Hirsch play a similar role in “Into the Wild,” and he did it better. The movie was also better. Also, I don’t think she defined a year as much as the actress that earned the top spot in my book. Sorry Reese…you’re out.

WINNER: Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)

There was no other performance as chilling as Pike’s in 2014. She also played both sides of the coin. It was like night and day. She was the greatest wife ever, and she eventually jumped to being the most terrifying person ever. She also makes you realize the importance of body language and facial expressions in acting. She was the most talked about female character this year, and defined 2014 more than her fellow competitors. Just thinking about “Gone Girl’ makes a shiver run up my spine. I believe this movie deserved more Oscar attention, but the best part was clearly Pike. Congratulations Rosamund…the Oscar for Best Actress goes to you.

THE RECAP

WINNER: Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl)

DARK HORSE: Reese Witherspoon (Wild)