The Actors/Actresses Topic

[KilnerLUFC]

[N.B: The topic title is at no attempt at this being an 'official' topic. The original title was going to be 'Current Favourite...', but wanted to be broader with the topic. Wouldn't mind this being an official topic, but see how popular it gets first ]

 

So yeah, basically, this was going to be a topic about your favourite actors and actresses, but then I thought about how it would just get rather repetitive after a while, resulting in people just listing their favourite, rather than discussing anything in particular. So then it got onto "Current Favourite...", but wanted to broaden it to allow for discussion of films you've just watched, regardless of the age of the the film. Basically, I want less of the lists of actors/actresses, and more discussion about them, about what films they stand out in, or your favourite scene with them in it. Or how certain actors have failed to impress you, but normally rate highly with you.

 

To start the topic off, a few of my favourite actors at the moment, and the reasons behind these choices:

 

Michael Cera

 

Been watching a load of these 'cheesy' American comedies recently, and has seen me watch films such as Juno & Superbad. I actually enjoyed both of these films, and loved Cera's characters within both of the films. This brought me to Scott Pilgrim, a 'different' kind of role for him, yet still managing to pull that 'nervous' act off perfectly. He always has that way of putting stuff bluntly, but in a nervous way Think the following sums this up perfectly:

 

 

 

So far, I've yet to see a film with him that I haven't enjoyed, bar one: Youth In Revolt. Not sure if it was the film or the acting, but them whole thing seemed weak as a whole.

 

Slightly related to this is my next one:

 

Jonah Hill

 

Wasn't really a fan of this guy when I first started watching him in movies, due to the character he tends to play. At first, just seemed like he was overplaying the anger in some of his roles, and coming across as a general prick. Knocked Up is a perfect example for this, as one, if not more, of the scenes sees him throwing a hissy fit over a minor incident, and same goes for how he acts around his mates in Superbad. Watching him in more and more films has made me realise that this is the character he actually wants to come across as, and that's when you start understanding his sense of humour throughout the films.

 

 

 

------------------------------------------------------

 

Will add more as the topic goes on.

 

So, as I stated, it doesn't matter about the age, or whether it's TV/Film, just more as a topic to discuss the people themselves, rather than just the films.

 

[GTAIndonesia]

Let's see...

Jim Carrey

Edited December 2, 2011 by GTAIndonesia

[KilnerLUFC]

Exactly the type of post that I was trying to keep out of this topic. I don't just want lists of people you like, but the reasons behind why you like them, or the films they let you down in. Who's going to be the next biggest star, or someone you believe is under-rated/over-rated.

 

Jeez, what happened to forums being for dicussions?

[Forty]

I really love Superbad. It encapsulates so many of my high school experiences. I had a friend just like Jonah Hill's character back then. The banter between the two of them is so hilarious. I've met people that don't find it funny before, but I can't relate to them. It's one of my favorite comedies for sure. Cera tends to play the same guy in every role, so sometimes I get tired of him. For his style, though, Superbad and Arrested Development were perfect. He plays the squeaky, socially awkward nerd role flawlessly.

 

I will share some of my favorites next post, I swear lol.

[Marlowe.]

Ryan Hurst

 

After spending the last past fortnight watching Sons of Anarchy (I still haven't watched the finale yet, so no spoilers, please) Ryan Hurst has clearly been the standout, to me. Dude's face says more with one expression than the few words the writers give him ever can.

The finale scene of the "Call of Duty" episode, where he finds his father's dead body up at the cabin was fantastic. He goes from grieving son, weeping over his father's dead body, to almost complete rage in a split second.

He was equally great with just a stare, after Jax told him of his plans to leave the club.

 

 

[Forty]

Ryan Hurst

 

After spending the last past fortnight watching Sons of Anarchy (I still haven't watched the finale yet, so no spoilers, please) Ryan Hurst has clearly been the standout, to me. Dude's face says more with one expression than the few words the writers give him ever can.

The finale scene of the "Call of Duty" episode, where he finds his father's dead body up at the cabin was fantastic. He goes from grieving son, weeping over his father's dead body, to almost complete rage in a split second.

He was equally great with just a stare, after Jax told him of his plans to leave the club.

Agreed he is a bad ass actor. About the finale, the one this past Tuesday was part 1 of a 2-part finale, so there's still one more episode next week!

[Robinski]

I've been a little bit infatuated with Natalie Portman these past few months.

 

She's a fantastic actress. Some have said she was hamming it up and overacting in Black Swan, but I think she captured the tortured, fragile soul of Nina perfectly. There was obviously a lot of dedication to the role as well, with learning the dancing for the film (although there was a bit of controversy over that) and getting the appearance right; she's almost disturbingly skinny. It might not be on the same level as Christian Bale in The Machinist, but she definitely convinces you that she actually has an eating disorder. I'm even prepared to forgive her for the terrible Star Wars prequels, same as I did for Ewen McGregor (who's also cool as f*ck).

 

Looking at other stuff she's done, she doesn't take herself too seriously either.

is pretty hilarious.

 

There's also the fact that she's ridiculously pretty.

 

An honourable mention goes to Helena Bonham Carter too, if only because I read some article about her yesterday. She does often get typecast as the psycho bitch (see image macro below), but f*ck, she does make an incredibly good psycho bitch.

[Forty]

She's a fantastic actress. Some have said she was hamming it up and overacting in Black Swan, but I think she captured the tortured, fragile soul of Nina perfectly.

In my opinion, anyone who thought she was overacting totally missed the theme of the movie. I loved that film for what it was, and she was the main reason why. That and Mila Kunis getting sexier and sexier as she gets older. Goddamn that girl is hot.

[Tyler]

Black Swan's companion piece, The Wrestler is just as good as Black Swan. Where as Natalie Portman is shown in a gradual mental deterioration in Swan, Mickey Rourke plays the part of a nearly washed-out wrestler still riding the 80s wave, hoping to somehow get his former glory back. I really love both of 'em.

 

Anyway, I've been getting into Ryan Gosling's films lately. He's known for some romantic things like The Notebook, and nowadays Drive, but he's in some seriously underrated independent films. I particularly enjoy Blue Valentine. While it may come across as a rom-com or something from the poster, it's one of the most real relationship breakdowns portrayed in film.

[KilnerLUFC]

I really love Superbad. It encapsulates so many of my high school experiences. I had a friend just like Jonah Hill's character back then. The banter between the two of them is so hilarious. I've met people that don't find it funny before, but I can't relate to them. It's one of my favorite comedies for sure. Cera tends to play the same guy in every role, so sometimes I get tired of him. For his style, though, Superbad and Arrested Development were perfect. He plays the squeaky, socially awkward nerd role flawlessly.

 

I will share some of my favorites next post, I swear lol.

This is why I enjoyed seeing him in Scott Pilgrim. He was still that nervous, nerd, but managed to kick some ass at the same time. Makes a difference from all those over-confident 'heroes' we see a lot these days.

 

And, you lied!

 

 

[Forty]

 

Black Swan's companion piece, The Wrestler is just as good as Black Swan. Where as Natalie Portman is shown in a gradual mental deterioration in Swan, Mickey Rourke plays the part of a nearly washed-out wrestler still riding the 80s wave, hoping to somehow get his former glory back. I really love both of 'em.

 

Anyway, I've been getting into Ryan Gosling's films lately. He's known for some romantic things like The Notebook, and nowadays Drive, but he's in some seriously underrated independent films. I particularly enjoy Blue Valentine. While it may come across as a rom-com or something from the poster, it's one of the most real relationship breakdowns portrayed in film.

 

Agreed about The Wrestler. I love that movie despite how despressing it is. Rourke looks perfect for the role of a beaten up, haggard old wrestler since he's had those sh*tty facelifts. Gives him a rugged, f*cked-up appearance.

 

I really didn't enjoy Blue Valentine. I heard a lot of good things about it and gave it a fair shake, but I just couldn't get into it. I was irritated by both characters and had trouble finishing it.

 

 

And, you lied!

 

You know who kicks ass? Robert F*cking Downey, Jr.

 

 

I love almost everything this guy does. Many years ago it seemed like his party life was going to cause the early curtain call for one of the most talented actors in Hollywood, but in the recent past his career has seen a Renaissance. He is the perfect Tony Stark, and arguably just as well suited to be Sherlock Holmes. He can be funny (Due Date), clever (Sherlock Holmes), bad ass (Iron Man), mentally unstable (A Scanner Darkly), and anything in between (Gothika, In Dreams, Good Night And Good Luck, etc). Big fan. Hope he keeps making movies for a long time.

 

 

[Slamman]

I had a thread about Character Actors, for members to site their favorites, since that only lasted a few months, I'd like to include them in your thread, For instance, I'm trying to think of a man who goes by the name MICHAEL, he had a very odd personality and he's not been in anything recent, but he played characters who were either zany or somewhat insane, at least they appeared that way. He was short, somewhat fat and white balding hair. I've been trying to think of who it is for some time now

[Forty]

I had a thread about Character Actors, for members to site their favorites, since that only lasted a few months, I'd like to include them in your thread, For instance, I'm trying to think of a man who goes by the name MICHAEL, he had a very odd personality and he's not been in anything recent, but he played characters who were either zany or somewhat insane, at least they appeared that way. He was short, somewhat fat and white balding hair. I've been trying to think of who it is for some time now

You absolutely have to provide more detail. Can you list one thing he has done? IMDB can be magical.

[A J]

Agreed with Forty on Robert Downey Junior. Good choice.

 

He was the only thing funny about Tropic Thunder, the guy's a great actor.

 

I've personally always liked the performances of Daniel Day Lewis, don't think there is a better actor alive.

 

 

 

[Cheat]

I know that this is a quite young topic, but I'm still a bit surprised that this bad-ass hasn't been mentioned yet...

 

 

 

Denzel Washington.

 

My guess is that most of you probably know him as Alonzo from Training Day - his pretty much best known, and, as far as I'm concerned, best role. You may also know him from American Gangster, Inside Man, Malcolm X or from one of his numerous other roles - check out his IMDb profile for more.

 

Denzel Washington is a tall man with a really powerful and formidable appearance and a lot of presence - just his presence in a scene is enough to make it exude with power. He is exceptional with adopting a character and thus creating really strong roles that can, if needed, carry complete movies (as seen in The Siege, amongst others, pretty much saved by Washington) or just bring that specific something needed to make a film unforgettable.

 

King Kong truly ain't got sh*t on him.

[Forty]

I've personally always liked the performances of Daniel Day Lewis, don't think there is a better actor alive.

Bill The Butcher is tied for first as my favorite film villain of all time, neck and neck with Heath Ledger's Joker.

[KilnerLUFC]

...My guess is that most of you probably know him as Alonzo from Training Day....Denzel Washington is a tall man with a really powerful and formidable appearance and a lot of presence - just his presence in a scene is enough to make it exude with power...

 

Think Training Day was the first film I caught him in, in which he played a main role, and as you mentioned, his presence is mighty, especially throughout Training Day. The power that had took over him as a cop who doesn't exactly play fair is well played, and you can see how the very thing he craves is his downfall. Great choice.

[Slamman]

I hate when you remember an actor as I mentioned with Character Actors, and you can't think of how to jog your memory, but you're still bothered by it!

 

"

You absolutely have to provide more detail. Can you list one thing he has done? IMDB can be magical."

 

 

Doesn't help when it's been too long to remember the film, the younger main star had blonde hair and he is the sibling of another famous female actor, if that narrows it down. The old actor I refer to as "Michael", I'm pretty sure that's his first name but another attribute of all his characters on film, based on his real mannerism is a slurred speech impediment I believe gets his casting gigs

Edited December 17, 2011 by Slamman

[DeeperRed]

For me this year, it has all been about Ryan Gosling

 

He was fantastic in Drive, Ides of March and even though it wasn't my sort of film I can still appreciate his skill in Blue valentine. Those 3 films alone are a testament to his versatility.

[Emhyr]

Ah Robinski already mention her..Natalie Portman.I can't get her out of my head ever since I watched Black Swan.Amazing,after that movie I watched every other where she took the role.I also like and admire to Charlize Theron (beauty,acting),Sandra Bullock(humor),Michelle Pfeiffer and Julia Roberts (acting). I have no favorite actors at the moment,but I always liked movies where Robert de Niro,Al Pacino,Jack Nicholson or Clint Eastwood (all legends) are in the role.

[SIKKS66]

 

Michael Fassbender

 

My favourite mancrush actor at the moment, has been for some time. He has such a great range; he's done the dumb but cool action movies (300 and Centurion stand out) but also a handful of films where he really shows his acting chops; Fish Tank, from a couple years ago, is a particularly dark tale where he plays a shady character. Hunger, by British director Steve McQueen, is another film where Fassbender throws himself into a role in a truly unforgettable movie. Like the great examples of actors putting their bodies on the line for a role (De Niro, Bale etc), Fassbender starved himself to become hunger-strike prisoner Bobby Sands.

 

Fassbender has worked again with McQueen on the forthcoming film Shame for which Fassbender has been nominated for a Golden Globe. He plays a sex-addict, and fearlessly throws himself into a role lesser actors would squirm at. The role that first brought Fassbender to my attention was Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds where he plays a spy. Love that film.

 

There's a bunch of his films I'm yet to see because they've either got bad reviews (Jonah Hex) or just haven't got to it yet (X-Men First Class, Jane Eyre). Regardless, I'm sure this guy is going to the top of his field. I'd say he's a cert to replace Daniel Craig down the line as the next James Bond but a guy with his skills doesn't need such a lame role dragging him down.

 

 

 

 

 

So yeah, got watch Fish Tank, Hunger and Inglourious Basterds. If you don't think he's the sh*t after seeing them, you can go straight to hell.

 

 

[Robinski]

Looking back at this thread I've realised that I never made the connection between Black Swan and The Wrestler before, but knowing Aronofsky intended them as a companion piece it's very obvious that they're two sides of the same coin.

 

I don't think I've seen Ryan Gosling in anything yet, but everyone, everywhere seems to be gushing about him. I'm especially going to have to check out Drive, as Empire magazine just gave it their 2011 top spot too.

 

@Username482: She had the same effect on me. Just in the past few months I've watched Black Swan, Thor, V for Vendetta and Garden State. All films I would've got around to watching eventually anyway, but her involvement made me actually get them.

 

@SIKKS: Basterds was just full of great acting from end to end. Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz were my particular standouts though. Apparently Landa was originally going to be played by DiCaprio,which would've been interesting,but I'm glad Waltz got it.

Edited December 18, 2011 by Robinski

[visionist]

I Deeply Miss Brittany Murphy.

 

 

In the oft-maligned world of HollyWeird, Blacklisting is practically a Death Sentence. Anger, Offend or even Inconvenience a Big-Shot, and your Career goes straight down the Sh*tter. It shouldn't have happened to her, but it did. She didn't deserve it. She was too Alive, too Compassionate, too Talented and yes, too Beautiful. How many A-Listers with her looks, fame & wealth would have given that creep Monjack a second glance, let alone tied the knot with him? She endeavored to look after the man, whose illness made him a Serious test of anybody's coping skills, and whose nature would have driven a Saint up the wall. Brittany was patient. She neglected her own health in order to tend to his, and her similarly disabled mother.

 

It was Monjack who ruined her career prospects. Seemingly overnight, her roles dried up. She was a Charming Lady by all accounts. A Bombshell with a Heart of Gold. Her infectious laugh was a Trademark all by itself. It was always as honest, as heartfelt as everybody's candid opinions of her. Ashton Kutcher called her a "Little Piece Of Sunshine". His praise is rare.

 

RIP

[Slamman]

 

I had a thread about Character Actors, for members to cite their favorites, since that only lasted a few months, I'd like to include them in your thread, For instance, I'm trying to think of a man who goes by the name MICHAEL, he had a very odd personality and he's not been in anything recent, but he played characters who were either zany or somewhat insane, at least they appeared that way. He was short, somewhat fat and white balding hair. I've been trying to think of who it is for some time now

You absolutely have to provide more detail. Can you list one thing he has done? IMDB can be magical.

I was stumped something fierce but YouTube had Auto Fill suggestions that helped me out

A very interesting factoid. This little remembered Character Actor had an auspicious middle initial that one web blog inferred that Michael J. Fox took his J. to use in his name based on the actor Michael J. Pollard!!

That's the man himself!

 

Edited December 27, 2011 by Slamman

[mrpain]

 

EMMA STONE

 

She's gorgeous and quirky! She seems like the person who would you love to hang out with in real life. She's just a really cool chick who does really cool movies. Superbad, Zombieland and Easy A. Really love her, she handles her comedic flair really well.

[Robinski]

To me, Emma Stone seems a lot like Hollywood is having a go at making Lindsay Lohan v2, and so far they aren't f*cking it up this time! I've actually got Easy A lying around here somewhere, I've been meaning to get around to watching it.

[Slamman]

I saw the trailer on a DVD I was watching, with Emma Stone, yeah, if you like red-heads, you'll likely be watching what she stars in!

 

Speaking of Where are they Now files, I was watching old George Kennedy films, over the years, I always keep wondering who has passed on, that I had forgotten about basically, Roy Schieder is one who's no longer with us R.I.P.

[Forty]

Emma Stone is really sexy. I would stick it in every hole on her body.

[Tyler]

I love how upfront about women you are, Forty. You got balls in your pants that are much larger than the ones on your shoulders. Also, I agree. Emma Stone is probably one of the most attractive young actresses in Hollywood now, and redheads are a personal favourite.

[mrpain]

\Emma Stone is probably one of the most attractive young actresses in Hollywood now, and redheads are a personal favourite.

She was actually a natural blonde before she went redhead. At least that's what I read before. So she went blonde then redhead to blonde for Spiderman and then redhead again.

 

And yes, she is super sexy