I understand your personal bias to those films and therefore their performances, but I wasn't particularly moved by Charlize Theron's performance, and her accent that seemed to fluctuate in every scene. As for bad accents let's not mention Geisha. As far as acting in that film goes, Gong Li should have been up for a supporting actress Oscar (she was certainly better than Frances McDormand in North Country). Ms. Theron was much better in Monster, and even if I wouldn't have her as my pick for 2003, I certainly am not disappointed by her selection.