Great current actors

Posted by: Rasher on 03 October 2006

I guess we are lucky that the cinema survived the threat of video in the 80's when it was fully expected that people just wouldn't go to the movies anymore, but it seems that movies are bigger business than ever, and the films we get are better than ever. There are some seriously good actors out there too.
Anyone see Garden State? If you haven't, then you should. Brokeback Mountain? We have new films that underline the fact that cinema isn't all about special effects and surround sound - this is the real deal.
I have been most struck by Capote and the performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman. This guy was Dusty in Twister and Scotty in Boogie Nights and you couldn't believe it's the same actor! I personally think this guy is among the best actors alive today. Proper actors that is, not "film stars".
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by Malky
Hoffman was stunning in 'Capote' and thoroughly deserved the Oscar. Edward Norton in the recent 'Down In The Valley' was also a superb performance, proving that behind every lonely cowboy misfit, there lurks a murderous psychopath.
I'd still have Sean Penn as the greatest actor of his generation though.
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by Bruce Woodhouse
Seymour-Hoffman is one of those actors who is almost always worth seeing, even when he appears in a ghastly mush of a movie such as Cold Mountain!

Other great acting talents of the moment, rather than 'movie stars' for me would be Benicio del Toro (fantastic in Traffic and easily the best thing in 42 grams) and Edward Norton who I think is really underrated. William H Macy is another who almost always intrigues.

....and BTW if you thought Brokeback was good then catch The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada for a modern cowboy movie with a real bite (and fine performances).

Malky-our posting overlapped, intersting that we agreed about Norton but I detest Penn! In recent films he always seems to be ACTING if you know what I mean. Gone is the punky edge of Dead Man Walking etc.
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by JonR
I agree with Bruce re Sean Penn. There are some American actors that have a propensity to over-act, and he is certainly one of them, IMO. I simply can't watch him for that very reason.

I like actors who can sustain a role which requires them to be 'under-stated' in their delivery. The example I am thinking of here would be Robert de Niro in 'Taxi Driver', or even Sylvester Stallone in 'Copland'.
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by Ridzwan
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
Other great acting talents of the moment, rather than 'movie stars' for me would be Benicio del Toro (fantastic in Traffic and easily the best thing in 42 grams) .


I've seen 21 grams, is that a follow up version (42grams).


cheers
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by andrew tooley
iwould rarther watch special efects than two guys bummin in a tent!
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by Bruce Woodhouse
quote:
iwould rarther watch special efects than two guys bummin in a tent!


Yeah sure, much rather watch people being shot, blown up or mutilated than two people making love. Your loss I'm afraid.

quote:
I've seen 21 grams, is that a follow up version (42grams).


Oops. Good job it was not a prescription. Smile
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by Adam Meredith
quote:
Originally posted by andrew tooley:
iwould rarther watch special efects than two guys bummin in a tent!


And back on topic .....
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by Rasher
quote:
Originally posted by andrew tooley:
iwould rarther watch special efects than two guys bummin in a tent!

u woodent lyke it anyway
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by SteveGa
quote:
Originally posted by Rasher:
Philip Seymour Hoffman.


He is also in

Almost Famous with Billy Crudupp and Kate Hudson. Well worth a look if you haven't seen it.
Love Lisa
Magnolia with an outstanding Tom Cruise

worth trying to see his "Inside The Actors Studio" (shown on Premier).

Steve
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by SteveGa
William H Macy in Fargo, The Cooler and Magnolia
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by Big Brother
quote:
Originally posted by JonR:
I agree with Bruce re Sean Penn. There are some American actors that have a propensity to over-act, and he is certainly one of them, IMO.


At least Penn has talent. Not so Bruce Willis.
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by Ridzwan
quote:
Originally posted by SteveGa:
William H Macy in Fargo, The Cooler and Magnolia


Wlliam H Macy on "door to door" based on true story.


cheers
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by Big Brother
Best of the Brits: Gary Oldman, ...BB
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by Sir Cycle Sexy
Can I be greedy and choose doubles?

Bob De Niro verses Mickey Rourke in Angel Heart.

Tilda Swinton verses Rachel Weisz in Constantine.

Noah Taylor v's Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.

Part of the problem facing actors is the frequency of cuts – the pace is now so fast there's no time for slow acting. However Weisz can flit emotion across her face in a nano second. Keira Knightley can do this (eg Pride & Prejudice) as can Angelina Jolie (Girl Interrupted).

The voice is another conduit of expression. And so that brings me to the award for best voice acting which goes to (fx fumbles envelope)….

… for the Mike Toreno character in GTA San Andreas: James Woods!
(fx riotous applause)

C
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by Ridzwan
quote:
I've seen 21 grams, is that a follow up version (42grams).

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
Oops. Good job it was not a prescription. Smile


Imagine if you're a doctor... Big Grin
Posted on: 03 October 2006 by David Tribe
Bruce Willis in Twelve Monkeys, the rest of Bruce...not so much.

DCT
Posted on: 04 October 2006 by Sir Crispin Cupcake
No mention of Kevin Spacey?!!! - Usual Suspects, American Beauty etc

Rich
Posted on: 04 October 2006 by Rasher
quote:
Originally posted by Sir Cycle Sexy:
Mickey Rourke in Angel Heart.

Yes, Mickey Rourke is good, and I don't think we've yet seen him at his peak. Maybe he'll get into his stride now he's back.
Posted on: 04 October 2006 by Hammerhead
De Niro vs Pacino in 'Heat'. Tops.
Posted on: 04 October 2006 by Sir Cycle Sexy
quote:
Yes, Mickey Rourke is good, and I don't think we've yet seen him at his peak


Favourite MR movie Rasher?

I enjoyed him as the cook in Spun - the naked pole dancer in bondage, Brittany Murphy, Debbie Harry and the Nakamichi CD player didn't hurt either!

C
Posted on: 04 October 2006 by Sir Cycle Sexy
How about couples?

Tom & Nicole in Eyes Wide Shut
Angie & Brad in Mr and Mrs Smith
Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

C
Posted on: 04 October 2006 by Deane F
quote:
Originally posted by David Tribe:
Bruce Willis in Twelve Monkeys, the rest of Bruce...not so much.

DCT


I thought Mr Willis's acting in Twelve Monkeys was excellent. As one critic remarked, his performance seems dependant on who is directing him. I'd agree with that because he certainly isn't consistent.
Posted on: 04 October 2006 by Bruce Woodhouse
He was pretty watchable in the Sixth Sense too. One of those actors that may become more interesting with age.
Posted on: 05 October 2006 by Fisbey
Most politicians.
Posted on: 05 October 2006 by Deane F
quote:
Originally posted by Fisbey:
Most politicians.


But their audiences suspend disbelief only at elections...