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Apr 5, 2011

Ladies of the 90s Tournament - Round 1: Gwyneth Paltrow (4) vs. Jennifer Love Hewitt (5)

Previous results: It wasn't pretty, but Sharon Stone took care of business against Particia Arquette, grinding out a workmanlike victory, 15-11. Click here to view the updated full bracket.

Gwyneth Paltrow


Comments: "What's in the box?!?! What's in the box?!?"

Born to Hollywood veterans Blythe Danner and Bruce Paltrow, you might say that Gwyneth had an easy road to stardom, but outside of a blink-and-you'll-miss-it role in a Spielberg flick (Hook), you wouldn't know it by looking at her filmography. She started small - with mostly bit parts in indie fare, prior to breaking out in David Fincher's 1995 crime thriller Se7en, playing opposite the man who would more or less define her public image (and vice versa) for most of the rest of the 90s. But her career as a leading lady took off after a starring role in Emma, in which she not only played the titular character, but convinced the world that she was British as well. An Academy Award for Best Actress eventually followed for 1998's Shakespeare in Love.
90s Highlights: Se7en, Sliding Doors, Great Expectations, Shakespeare in Love

Jennifer Love Hewitt


Comments: Unless I'm just not part of the Cool Kids Club that may or may not exist that believes Trojan War or House Arrest are underseen classics, it's true that J-Lo-He is really only famous for three movies from the 90s. But a) two of them are somewhat iconic (in their own right), b) she's the star of both of them, and c) her presence in the decade was still pretty large, due to a combination of her movies, TV work, and Tiger Beat-ish domination of young mens' thoughts.
90s Highlights: I Know What You Did Last Summer, Can't Hardly Wait, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer



9 people have chosen wisely: on "Ladies of the 90s Tournament - Round 1: Gwyneth Paltrow (4) vs. Jennifer Love Hewitt (5)"

Anonymous said...

Ohh, I actually really like Gwyneth Paltrow, more for this decade, but I still like her a lot in some of her '90s flicks.

Nick said...

For the first time, I thought this was a really tough choice. Paltrow is good and has a great resume there, but Love-Hewitt is truly a presence in the 90s. And yes, I'll count both Trojan War AND House Arrest!

But I did end up going for Love-Hewitt simply for her 90s appeal over Paltrow, despite Paltrow's filmography. Damn, that was tough.

Fletch said...

@ James - Funny; most would wonder what Paltrow has done in this decade...

@ Nick - I think you basically (not always, but usually) just pick end up picking the younger person each time. Understandable.

Alex said...

I think Gwyneth Paltrow is ok but I identify her more with roles in the 2000's. Hewitt is very 90's to me, plus I love Can't Hardly Wait and I am impressed that her small frame can sustain her large rack.

Courtney Small said...

Never thought Hewitt was that great to begin with. Yet I think Gwyneth is suffering from major overexposure right now. Plus Shakespeare in Love was good, but not best picture of the year good. I'll let the coin toss decide this one.

Fletch said...

@ Alex - ah yes, JLH's rack. It really is a marvel of modern science, ain't it? And real (I think)! JLH is probably known more for the 90s, but that might just be because her 2000s have been so unspectacular (well, unless you're one of the three people that like Ghost Whisperer).

@ CS - What did the coin say?

Lucky for me, I don't watch Glee, or listen to country music, or see movies about country music (typically), so the GwyPal overexposure train hasn't hit me. Still, I dig her 90s more. Though I voted JLH - I couldn't say no to her and her friends. It was a moment of weakness.

Castor said...

Ah nice matchup. This time, I'm going for the lower seeded Jennifer Love Hewitt. I mean folk my age literally grew up watching her in such movies as I Know What You Did Last Summer and the sequel. And the only reason to watch these movies was JLH's rack!

Fletch said...

@ Castor - How dare you besmirch the good names of Ryan Phillippe and Frederick Prinze, Jr. like that!

Courtney Small said...

@The coin picked Hewitt, so that is where my vote went.