Red Carpet Cliche?

Not a big fan of high paid rollers slapping each others' backs and having the world tune in to watch them do so (for which brand name advertisers shell out big bucks) I was not much inclined to watch the 2012 Oscars. However a few interesting takes on standard cliches in the movie industry in the past year (that I had the accident of watching) did make me want to observe who got nominated for respective categories. A name that sticks out for me is Gosling (no relation to a bird) - Ryan Gosling. Ides of March and Money Ball were two of my picks. He seems to have always been in the Hollywood backstage doing small parts until suddenly (to me anyways) landing some prominent roles with a wide variety. And he pulled them off with remarkable believableness.. George Clooney being George Clooney had no trouble producing, directing and acting his way in to some spots on those contending to walk with the statue. Meryl Streep seems to always want to make a comeback - she looks like she tries too hard - she is good talent but somehow I am not a fan yet...have not watched her portrayal of Maggie but am planning to soon. Few other culprits not necessarily nominated but gracing the above mentioned movies have been some of my favorite actors in the form of Phllip Seymour-Hoffman, Daniel Craig, Brad Pitt, Colin Firth.. not to sound sexist but no good women off late that I thought had depth and believability in their roles - I must admit I have not watched 'The Help' yet - perhaps that is what I need - some help to see the other side.