Norbit

Eddie Murphy: 2006 was Eddie Murphy's year. The gifted comedian, who was one of cinemas hugest stars in the '80s, rebounded and scored an ace with Bill Condon's musical "Dreamgirls." Not only did he contribute the picture's greatest, most-inspired performance, but he was also... more nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar to boot. Come January, things were clicking and he was the Oscar front-runner. But he just had to up and do that "Norbit" picture, didn't he? He just had to swath himself in latex to play an overbearing, horrifying woman in yet another portrayal of what appears to be the scariest thing known to man -- a loud, fat woman. Why, Eddie, why? Well, he didn't win the Oscar and the anger was visible on his face during the ceremony. There was some speculation that the role was what cost him the Oscar and, if so, that's just so many levels of unfair (though we were happy Alan Arkin won). Murphy left the ceremony early, reportedly in a huff. He claims he had to leave, and we say, who cares if he was angry? We'd be angry, too. But again, Murphy, a massive talent, simply needs to make better choices ("James Brown Celebrity Hot Tub: The Movie" perhaps?). After all, he can't possibly want to live the actual tagline of "Norbit:" "Have you ever made a really big mistake?" (Paramount Pictures)