We here at CineMunch love actresses. Probably more than we love movies themselves. Possibly more than we love the Oscars, cheese, or our cats, Tilda & Scout, but let's not get too carried away here. In CineDrunk's latest podcast, we come out as proud actressexuals (a term popularized by the incredible Nathaniel R. from The Film Experience).

We could've spent an eternity rhapsodizing on and obsessing over our favorite cinematic ladies, so we needed to set some boundaries and narrow the field. The criteria for our epic (three-part!) showdown was as follows:
1. The actress must still be alive (sorry, Bette Davis - we love you!).
2. They must still be working in cinema (apologies to you, Angela Lansbury!).
3. They must be Oscar nominated (one day soon, Scarlett Johansson!).

After winnowing down to 48 of the silver screen's best and brightest, we split them into six groupings of eight to square off in an epic battle to determine the Queen Supreme. In part one, we investigate the women who the Academy loves most (our Oscar Faves bracket, if you will) and those who seem to be just starting their ascendence (the New Wave).

And of course there were drinks - by George, there were drinks! We love gin almost as much as we love actresses, so gin was our leading lady throughout.

Gin Gin Mule
adapted from Serious Eats

8 mint leaves
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1/2 ounce lime juice
1 1/2 ounces gin
2 ounces ginger beer

Muddle mint leaves with simple syrup and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Add gin and fill with ice. Shake and strain into glass with ice. Add ginger beer and stir.

OSCAR FAVES

Amy Adams
Cate Blanchett
Diane Keaton
Nicole Kidman
Jessica Lange
Julianne Moore
Meryl Streep
Kate Winslet

THE NEW WAVE

Jessica Chastain
Anne Hathaway
Keira Knightley
Jennifer Lawrence
Carey Mulligan
Lupita Nyong'o
Saoirse Ronan
Emma Stone

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