What is his/her BEST role?

[Banshee]

Here comes the next active Top List: "WHAT'S THEIR BEST ROLE?" Here's how it works...We go from big star to big star and for each one, we discuss what their best role is. Why is it their best role? Has the role caused the actor/actress to be Type-cast?


THE BIG BOARD
1. SAMUEL L. JACKSON - BEST ROLE: JULES WINNFIELD- PULP FICTION
2. KEVIN SPACEY - BEST ROLE: JOHN DOE- SE7EN
3. TOM CRUISE - BEST ROLE: VINCENT- COLLATERAL
4. BENICIO DEL TORO - BEST ROLE(S):JAVIER- TRAFFIC/ JACK JORDAN- 21 GRAMS
5. HARRISON FORD - BEST ROLE: INDIANA JONES- INDIANA JONES franchise
6. ROBERT DE NIRO - BEST ROLE: TRAVIS BICKLE- TAXI DRIVER
7. STEVE BUSCEMI - BEST ROLE: MR. PINK- RESERVOIR DOGS
8. JUDE LAW - BEST ROLE: HARLEN MAGUIRE- ROAD TO PERDITION
9. TOM HANKS - BEST ROLE: FORREST GUMP-FORREST GUMP
10. NATALIE PORTMAN - BEST ROLE: MATHILDA- LEON: THE PROFESSIONAL
11. MORGAN FREEMAN - BEST ROLE: RED-THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
12. GEORGE CLOONEY - BEST ROLE: EVERETT- O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU/SETH GECKO-FROM DUSK TILL DAWN
13. CHARLIZE THERON - BEST ROLE: EILEEN- MONSTER
14. GENE HACKMAN - BEST ROLE: ROYAL TENENBAUM- THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS
15. LEONARDO DICAPRIO - BEST ROLE: HOWARD HUGHES - THE AVIATOR
16: CHRISTIAN BALE - BEST ROLE: BRUCE WAYNE/BATMAN - BATMAN BEGINS
17: JACK NICHOLSON - BEST ROLE: JACK TORRANCE - THE SHINING
18: MATT DAMON - BEST ROLE: WILL HUNTING - GOOD WILL HUNTING
19: BEN AFFLECK - BEST ROLE: FRED O'BANNION - DAZED AND CONFUSED
20: CATE BLANCHETT - BEST ROLE: KATHERINE HEPBURN - THE AVIATOR
21: MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL - BEST ROLE: LEE HOLLOWAY - SECRETARY
22: GARY OLDMAN - BEST ROLE: STANSFIELD - LEON
23: ROBIN WILLIAMS - BEST ROLE: SY PARRISH - ONE HOUR PHOTO
24: NICOLAS CAGE - BEST ROLE: CHARLIE KAUFFMAN - ADAPTATION
25: BRUCE WILLIS - BEST ROLE: JOHN MCLANE - the DIE HARD franchise
26: JOHNNY DEPP - BEST ROLE: JACK SPARROW - the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN franchise
27: JIMMY STEWART - BEST ROLE: GEORGE BAILY - IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
28: FOREST WHITAKER - BEST ROLE: GHOST DOG - GHOST DOG: THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI
29: PARKER POSEY - BEST ROLE: DARLA MARKS - DAZED AND CONFUSED
30: JOHN LEGUIZAMO - BEST ROLE: BENNY BLANCO - CARLITO'S WAY
31: PETER STORMARE - BEST ROLE: GAEAR GRIMSRUD - FARGO
32: DUSTIN HOFFMAN - BEST ROLE: RAYMOND BABBITT - RAIN MAN
33: WILLEM DAFOE - BEST ROLE: ELIAS GRODIN - PLATOON
34: NICOLE KIDMAN - BEST ROLE: SUZANNE STONE MARRETTO - TO DIE FOR
35: ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGAR - BEST ROLE: THE TERMINATOR - the TERMINATOR franchise
36: MARLON BRANDO - BEST ROLE: VITO CORLEONE - THE GODFATHER
37: WILL SMITH - BEST ROLE: CHRIS GARDNER - THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
38: JADA PINKETT SMITH - BEST ROLE: COLLATERAL - ANNIE
39: JOE PESCI - BEST ROLE: TOMMY DEVITO - GOODFELLAS
40: ANGELINA JOLIE - BEST ROLE: SARA 'SWAY' WAYLAND - GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS
41: PAUL NEWMAN - BEST ROLE: HENRY GONDORFF - THE STING/REGGIE DUNLOP - SLAP SHOT
42: CHRIS PENN - BEST ROLE: 'NICE GUY' EDDIE CABOT - RESERVOIR DOGS
43: SEAN PENN - BEST ROLE: DAVID KLEINFELD - CARLITO'S WAY
44: ROBIN WRIGHT-PENN - BEST ROLE: JENNY CURRAN - FORREST GUMP
45: TUPAC SHAKUR - BEST ROLE: BISHOP - JUICE
46: ADAM SANDLER - BEST ROLE: ROBBIE - THE WEDDING SINGER
47: HARVEY KEITEL- BEST ROLE: WINSTON "THE WOLF" WOLFE - PULP FICTION
48: SUSAN SARANDON - BEST ROLE: JACKIE HARRISON - STEPMOM
49: TIM ROBBINS - BEST ROLE: ANDY DUFRESNE - THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
50: JOAN CUSACK - BEST ROLE: ROSALIE MULLINS - SCHOOL OF ROCK
51: JOHN CUSACK - BEST ROLE: MARTIN Q BLANK - GROSSE POINTE BLANK/ROB GORDON - HIGH FIDELITY
52: EDDIE MURPHY - BEST ROLE: AXEL FOLEY - BEVERLY HILLS COP franchise
53: KIRK DOUGLAS - BEST ROLE: SPARTACUS - SPARTACUS
54: MICHAEL DOUGLAS - BEST ROLE: JACK COLTON - THE JEWEL OF THE NILE/ROMANCING THE STONE
55: CATHERINE ZETA JONES-DOUGLAS - BEST ROLE: VIRGINIA BAKER - ENTRAPMENT
56: JEFF DANIELS - BEST ROLE: HARRY DUNNE - DUMB & DUMBER
57: CLINT EASTWOOD - BEST ROLE: FRANKIE DUNN - MILLION DOLLAR BABY
58: JODIE FOSTER - BEST ROLE: CLARICE STARLING - THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
59: LOUIS GUZMAN - BEST ROLE: JACOPO - THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO
60: BILL MURRAY - BEST ROLE: PHIL CONNORS - GROUNDHOG DAY
61: MELANIE GRIFFITHS - BEST ROLE: LUCILLE VINSON - CRAZY IN ALABAMA
62: ANTONIO BANDERAS - BEST ROLE: EL MARIACHI - DESPERADO/ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO
63: GUY PEARCE - BEST ROLE: EDMUND JENNINGS 'ED' EXLEY - LA CONFIDENTIAL/LEONARD SHELBY - MEMENTO
64: BRAD RENFRO - BEST ROLE: MICHAEL SULLIVAN - SLEEPERS
65: HEATH LEDGER - BEST ROLE: SIR WILLIAM THATCHER/SIR ULRICH VON LICHTENSTEIN OF GELDERLAND - A KNIGHT'S TALE
66: DANIEL DAY LEWIS - BEST ROLE: BILL 'THE BUTCHER' - GANGS OF NEW YORK/DANIEL PLAINVIEW - THERE WILL BE BLOOD
67: ROY SCHEIDER - BEST ROLE: ?? - ??
68: ?? - BEST ROLE: ?? - ??
69: ?? - BEST ROLE: ?? - ??
70: ?? - BEST ROLE: ?? - ??

[Stork]

Not only is Jules Sam's best role, it's THE best role ever. A philosophical, extremely confident and eloquent hitman is one recipe for perfection.

[Krossroads]

Great idea Banshee!

Jackson hasn't had a whole lot of different roles recently, but movies like Unbreakble were a great departure for him and I think Black Snake Moan will be one of his best and most original performance in a long time (I'll even go as far as to say he could get nominated). As of right now, I gotta go with his performance in Pulp Fiction as Jules. It's the role that made him the star he is today and the role that wouldn't have been as good without out him. Sure the character was written to perfection, but can you imagine anyone else doing a better job with it then Sam Jackson?

[namini69]

No I can't. Great Movie, Great Actor, Great Role..

[justbink07]

He wasn't a good "actor" in Snakes on a Plane but, damn did he make that movie the ride it was! He brings such a presence to the movies he's in. He is truely one of the greatest actors we will ever see. Although lately he's been going for Quanity over Quality.

[Krossroads]

You have to admit bink that Jackson really wasn't giving anything to work with for Snakes on a Plane. He was a cop who had to kill some snakes. No character development at all. I'm not saying there needed to be some, there didn't, but Jackson played the role as best as he could.

Jackson just loves to work, much like Walken. I respect that. Some movies they pick to appear in aren't a hit, but they're doing what they love and they're already established stars so it's not like it really matters.

[justbink07]

Don't get me wrong, Kross. I love Sam Jackson just as much as anyone else. I knew Snakes was mediocre. What I meant was that he did an amazing job with how little he was given. He MADE that movie what it is. And it's awesome.

[Krossroads]

lol. I agree. Had Jackson not been in this movie it would have been called Pacific Air and it would have featured PG-13 snake action (How lame would that have been). Everyone would have hated it.

[justbink07]

The film is being extremely under-rated because of the title. Which is the gayest thing I have ever heard in my life. You cannot judge a movie by it's title unless it's White Chicks 2 or something. :lol:

[Banshee]

I must have seen Pulp Fiction at least 5 times by now, and still everytime i hear Sam give the speech to Tim Roth my hair goes on end. You know the one: "Im tryin real hard to be the sheppard..." Sure, its fantastic writing...But Sam MADE that role. He was a cool guy and all in Snakes, but the movie was such absolute filth its hard to say he elevated it.

Ok, if its okay with you guys im gonna present the next actor up for debate. He's one of the most talented and versitile actors we've got, and two of his best roles should cause quite a stir when put up agaisnt eachother.
Actor #2 is:

KEVIN SPACEY

Ok, so what's his best role? Verbal from The Usual Suspects? Possibly one of the greatest supporting roles of all time. But what about John Doe from Se7en? Easily the most terrifying villain since Hannibal Lector. Lester from American Beauty? Prot from K-pax, or Lex Luthor? Which do you think is his best?
My vote is for John Doe. He's said that he based the charecter off of Iago from Shakespeare's Othello. His cerebral and shocking portrayl of pure evil became instant film legend in 1995. What do you guys and gals think?

[namini69]

I think His most memorable role was in American Beauty. He did such a great job..

[Krossroads]

What it comes down to for me is which performance was most memorable. So because of that, I'm going to go with John Doe. Like you said, he was extremely creepy. Spacey is in the movie for such a short period of time, yet he gives a performance that I will never forget.

Note: I haven't seen Usual Suspects in a long time. I do remember it being a great performance, but I don't remember exactly how good it was. I'll watch it again sometime soon though, cause I'd like to see his performance again.

[ClarkParker]

Definitely Spacey's best role is in Se7en. Personally, I find him overrated and doesn't really vary much from role to role (as if he's always just playing an exaggerated version of Kevin Spacey) but as John Doe he was so perfectly creepy. I credit the writing for making the character so psychologically complex, and genuinely sadistic, but Spacey embodied all that. I have to say, though, I loved him as Lex Luthor in the new Superman. That was a role that was pretty much begging for him.

[Banshee]

I guess to some extent Spacey plays himself on screen, but no more than many other actors do. Verbal was nothing at all like Lester, which are the two roles he has won Academy Awards for. But then again, Lex Luthor was a lot like John Doe except they were different movies with different audiences, so obviously it was a lot more tame. Verbal was so fantastic its tough for me not to go with that, but like Kross said John Doe gave the "Hannibal Lector" effect. That is, he had such limited screentime but still was able to horrify us completly. One of my all time favorite scenes is when Spacey waltzes into the police station covered in blood to turn himself in. Watching it the first time, you can't believe it, and watching it the second time, you're in such pain for Brad Pitt's charecter because now you know that the blood all over Spacey is the blood of his wife and unborn child. You know the writing is good when they are doing things to appeal specifically for re-watch.

[ClarkParker]

Exactly! It's the complexity of the character as much as Spacey's performance that makes him so memorable.

And I hated American Beauty.

[That Kid]

Spacey was funny in American Beauty. I just didn't like the pretentious teen sh*t.

[thebigscreen]

It's american beauty for me. I absolutely loved Spacey in that one. Everytime I watch it, it's like I uncover a new aspect of his performance that takes my breath away. Terrific film, great acting. Top Notch. But yes, he's done some beauties in his time, its hard to pick.

[Banshee]

Alright everybody, great discussion so far. When we get to 5 stars i'll start putting up THE BIG BOARD on the first post, which will list all the actors we've settled on with their best role(s). Alright, next up we have a super-star who has been in the news a lot lately. Personally i think he is a fantastic actor and he has more great roles under his belt than most actors his age. Alright, Actor #3 is...

TOM CRUISE

Okay, so what's his best role? Jerry Maguire? Vincent from Collateral was a spectacular performance. What about Frank Mackey from Magnolia? He was nominated for that role as well and I know a lot of people who adore that film. Ethan Hunt from the Mission Impossible Trilogy is among the greatest action stars of the past 10 years. Maverick from Top Gun? What about his most unique role, Ron Kovic from Born on the Fourth? There are A LOT of great roles to debate over.

My vote is for Jerry Maguire. I think he was robbed by Geoffry Rush that year...that was a truly rare performance. You never felt a hint of acting from him in that movie, he really became the charecter. To me, Vincent and Ethan tied for second right behind Jerry. Im curious to see how many people think Vincent is his best...come on, i know there's some of you out there. Discuss!

[thebigscreen]

Gentle Jesus are you mad? Has anyone seen a little film called Interview with a Vampire?

http://www.cubaliteraria.com/img/arteext/cine/Entrevista_Vampiro/louis_lestat_p.jpg

This is truly Cruise's greatest film role to date. His unusual and very unlike Cruise performance was simply astounding.

[ClarkParker]

I agree, I think Cruise is an amazing talent that has made himself a target for media ridicule, though never before as easy as he has in the past year, my God. I've lost respect for the man personally, but as for his acting ability, I'm still a huge fan.
I pretty much have to say I love him in everything. He has that ease and charisma he brings to whoever he plays, and can fall into pretty much any role and pull it off in a spectacular way.
He has so many memorable roles, Rain Man, Born of the Fourth of July, Interview with a Vampire, Mission Impossible, Jerry Maguire, Collateral...it's all great.

For me because the movie holds such a special place in my heart and I find it a brilliant work of art, I'm going to choose his performance as David Aames in Vanilla Sky as my very close second. But his best performance I'm going to go with one he was nominated for and that's Frank Mackey in Magnolia. Another movie that worked on so many levels and totally wowed me, Magnolia's main strength was its cast, and Cruise gave such a nuanced performance. You could really sympathize with the character and how deep the wounds with his estranged father went. It was brilliant how he's just such a creep and a lech and a chauvanist at first, and so arrogant about it, but the film peels it slowly away unti we see the man underneath. Brilliant stuff.

[Stork]

Kevin Spacey: American Beauty (The Usual Suspects easily takes 2nd place)

Tom Cruise: Collateral (it's been too long since I've seen Jerry Maguire but I have a feeling I would have picked this otherwise)

[Dogbone]

Sorry I am late to the party.


Samuel L. Jackson - Pulp Fiction - Greatest role ever writen and acted out better than anyone could have done it.

Kevin Spacey - Se7en - One of the few characters to actually creep me out.

Tom Cruise - Tough one. Jerry Maguire. He plays smarmy to the nines.

[justbink07]

I loved Cruise the most in his last three films:
-Collateral
-War of the Worlds
-M:i-III

But, Collateral beats anything he has ever done. note: i have yet to see Jerry M.

[Krossroads]

I gotta go with my boy Vincent (he said he'd kill me if I didn't).

That was the most impressive performance I've seen Cruise give. He completely transformed into that character. Lots of credit goes to the writer for creating such a complex guy, but Cruise gave him that great confidence and intensity that not many could have matched. It's really ridiculous he wasn't nominated for it (Best supporting actor. Jamie Foxx was reallly the main character of the movie).

Note: I haven't seen Born on the Fourth of July.

[Banshee]

Well, Im not sure if Foxx was the "main" charecter. Remember that up until his death, Mark Ruffalo is the protagonist in that film. That's what's part of what makes the film so great, it performs possibly the most difficult task in writing... a hero transfer. But its not like two actors can't both be nominated for best supporting actor for the same film (Platoon anybody?) In whatever case, i agree i think he should have been nominated.

[thebigscreen]

SPOILER BANSHEE SPOILER!!! After you guys were waxin lyrical about Jerry Maguire, I was going to get it and finally watch it after all the times it's appeared on TV. But now I know that Jamie Foxxx dies. Is that a big part of the film?

[justbink07]

What the hell are you talking about???

[namini69]

Am I the only One Who Doesn't like Tom Cruise here?

The Only thing Tom Cruise has ever done decently in mi oppinion would The Last Samurai.

[thebigscreen]

You obviously have never seen Interview with a Vampire. See it. It iwll change your perspective on Tom Cruise AND Vampire Movies in general.

[Krossroads]

SPOILER BANSHEE SPOILER!!! After you guys were waxin lyrical about Jerry Maguire, I was going to get it and finally watch it after all the times it's appeared on TV. But now I know that Jamie Foxxx dies. Is that a big part of the film?

First of all, I think you wrote Jerry Maguire instead of Collateral.

Don't worry about what Banshee said. Just go watch the movie. Nothing has been ruined trust me.

And by main character I meant "The character who has the most screen time." Isn't that usually who the main character is? The one with the most on-screen time?

[namini69]

your rigth, I haveant seen it, And right now I feel like watching a diferent movie so mybe some other time.

[thebigscreen]

Oops your right I meant collateral.

[ClarkParker]

No one likes Vanilla Sky? No one thought it was brilliant?!

[thebigscreen]

I liekd it, but I'm just so impressed by his performance in Interview.

[Banshee]

First of all, I think you wrote Jerry Maguire instead of Collateral.

Don't worry about what Banshee said. Just go watch the movie. Nothing has been ruined trust me.

And by main character I meant "The character who has the most screen time." Isn't that usually who the main character is? The one with the most on-screen time?

I think its debatable. Ask a lot of people who the main charecter was in "Silence of the Lambs" and a lot of them will say Jodie Foster...but a lot of them will also say Hannibal Lector. Screentime: 14 minutes. I think that (especially in recent cinema) the role of "the main charecter" has been twisted and has almost become interchangable. No matter, that's not what this thread is about. Oh, and Namini, trust Kross, I didn't spoil Collateral for you. Just catch it on HBO its been on constantly lately. Ok, it looks like debate on Mr. Cruise is wrapping up so lets move onto our 4th actor. Actor #4 doesn't have quite as long a resume as the last few choices, but it seems like all his roles are instant gold. Actor #4 is...

BENICIO DEL TORO

Okay, so what's his best role? His oscar winning performance as Javier the cop in Traffic? Franky Four Fingers from Snatch? The fact that he was a believable Israli was enough, but the guy made a fantastic role out of it! Jack Jordan from 21 Grams was an amazing performance. What about Fred Fenster from The Usual Suspects, or Jackie Boy from Sin City? Let's not forget about Dr. Gonzo from Fear and Loathing! Some of the cocaine-charged scenes between him and Johnny Depp were really brilliant.
Im gonna go with Jack Jordan from 21 Grams, I think most people who have seen it would agree. It was by far his deepest charecter, and the way he runs with the charecters acceptance and betrayl by God was spectacular. What do you guys and gals think?

[ClarkParker]

I agree it's 21 grams. That movie was somewhat overlooked. It's actors might have all given their career performances all at the same time, and that's pretty amazing. That was half what made the movie work so well on a believability level. I think he's going to become iconic and possibly an oscar winner when he plays Che Guevarra in Geurilla, though. That's such a perfect part, this movie is going to be huge!

[Stork]

Traffic.

[Banshee]

I agree i cannot wait for guerilla...then we get to argue about who made the better Che Guevara...Gael Garcia Bernal or Benicio Del Toro.

[namini69]

It's between 21 Grams and Traffic

But gunna have to give it to Traffic

[justbink07]

SIN CITY as Jackie Boy

[Banshee]

Alright, rolling right along we're gonna supercharge this debate. Our 5th actor is one of the most legendary of the 20th century. The movies he stars in have grossed more than any other actor BY FAR. He was one of the first action heroes. So let's get the debate goin on...

HARRISON FORD

Okay, so what is his best role? Obviously the debate is mainly between Han Solo and Indiana Jones. But what about Dr. Jack Ryan? Dr. Richard Kimble from The Fugitive? That was an amazing role! Rick Deckard from Blade Runner, or Allie Fox from the Mosquito Coast? Or what about the only role he was nominated for an Academy Award for- John Book from The Witness?

Its damn hard to say no to Han, but i gotta go with Indy. That charecter Became the template for the American Action hero that is still used today. Raiders of the Lost Ark is STILL the greatest action movie ever, and it was because of Harrison. What do you guys and gals think? Han? Indy? Jack Ryan? Kimble? What's his best?

[Krossroads]

Han is his best. No doubt.

Easily one of the coolest and most badass characters in the universe.

[Banshee]

The reason i picked Indy was for that one legendary scene in Raiders where his charecter really became popular with the American public. You know the scene. He's being chased through the Arabic town and suddenly the crowd of villagers seperate for one super-solider. He begins his routine of screaming, spinning, and wheeling his giant swords to scare Indy. And after his entire routine, Harrison just shoots him. That was Harrisons idea according to Spielberg. Apparently he wasn't feeling well that day and thought it went with the charecter. The only guy who was upset was the stuntman who had been training with the swords for the past month. But Harrison is that kind of rare actor. All of his greatest roles have so much of his own ideas and thoughts put into the most critical scenes...Han too.

[That Kid]

He originally thought Han should die. But he never got to work that one in.

[Stork]

Indiana Jones

[ClarkParker]

I'm going with Indy over Han for no other reason than Indy was the backbone of the films, and thus the character was the soul of those movies where Han was an iconic and kickass character, but he was part of an ensemble cast, so less important.

[justbink07]

So does everyone agree that is best roles are either Indy or Han?

[That Kid]

He also made a decent President, but I'm gonna have to go with Han because he has a better sense of humor than Indy.

[ClarkParker]

http://www.kinoweb.de/film97/AirForceOne/pix/ford.jpg

GET OFF MY PLANE!!

[elrocho]

hey yall sorry for the late fees but here goes : Sam Jackson : his best role i think is in Jackie Brown its almost the same character has pf but i think more complexe, he did a really good job in fresh
Spacey : I think his best performance is in L.A confidential
Cruise : never like that actor and never will I just dont think he is that graet is best role is in risky buisness
Ford : his best role is defenitily ihis role in blade runner
Tel Toro : i realy like is perfomance in License to kill but is best role is fenster in the usual suspects : ill flip ya

[VeronicaJ]

starwars was AMAZING, but i prefer his acting in Indiana Jones

[Banshee]

i thought Gary Oldman made air force one a good thriller, not harrison ford. I think Han and Indy are his best...but Jack Ryan and Dr. Kimble are next below them. Anybody else love that scene in clear and present danger where he marches into the Oval Office and screams at the President? That was great film acting. The big board is goin up, and the next actor should be up tonight.

[Banshee]

Alrighty, the big board is up so let's keep the discussion goin. Our next actor is one of the greatest of all time. Actor #6 is...

ROBERT DE NIRO

Okay, so what's his best role? His Oscar winning portrayl of Vito Corleone? Johnny Boy from Mean Streets? Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver, or Jack La Motta from Raging Bull? Michael Vronksy from The Deer Hunter, or Harry Tuttle from Brazil? Rodrigo Mendoza from The Mission, or Al Capone in the Untouchables? Sam from Casino, or Sam from Ronin? Jimmy from Goodfellas, or Max Cady from Cape Fear? Maybe even Jack Byrnes from Meet the Parents? So many great roles to choose from, but what's his absolute best?

This one was especially tough with so many great roles. Taxi Driver is my FAVORITE role, but i think Vito is his BEST role, so that's what im gonna have to go with. Vito Corleone is the king, whether its Brando or De Niro.

[elrocho]

DeNiro really gave us memorable performances, almost everything he touches turn's to gold.His most memorable role is in Taxi But his best role and perfomance for me is His role in JACKIE BROWN as LOUIS GARA . he is amazing in that role cuz that role is all about body emotions and not really much dialogue. If he really looks like a guy who went for five years in prison and is rediscovring evrything for the first time. And the scene when he shoot's fonda is just pure candy

[elrocho]

Id like to ad that for me is second best performance is in HEAT. He is so cold and cool in that one . it"s realy an amazing performance.

[Banshee]

nobody else wants to talk about De Niro? come on!

[Stork]

It's too hard to choose, man. But with pressure on and everything, I'll choose Heat because that's the best movie featuring him.

[Krossroads]

I haven't seen a lot of De Niro's big films (Casino, Godfather 2, Deer Hunter, Untouchables), but from the ones that I have seen I have to go with Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver. Great performance; memorable character.

[elrocho]

Hey Kross you have to threat yourself and watch CASINO,and GODFATHER PART 1 and 2 nevermind 3. Now for untouchables is performance as Al Capone is just terrifiyngly great but the film is too cop friendly to me.And if you want to be scared by DeNiro watch ANGEL HHEART. And come on people I cant beleive no one wants to talk about one of the best actor in the world

[Krossroads]

Well I have seen the first Godfather. I didn't mention it because De Niro is not in it.

[ClarkParker]

This is almost sacrilige to try to choose, but I'm going to go with Taxi Driver. Everyone knows the name Travis Bickle and his infamous line even if they haven't seen the movie. I consider Taxi Driver to not only be one of the best films of all time, but also Scorsese's finest work, yes, even better than Raging Bull and Mean Streets. DeNiro really makes that movie work. Bickle is a complex character, and made believable by DeNiro's performance and the subtle changes he goes through before the big ones in the film. The scene where he's talking to himself in the mirror is spine-chilling.

[Banshee]

Alrighty he's goin up on the Big Board for Taxi Driver.

I have a feeling this next actor is gonna get a hgue response. So let's get it crackin. Our next actor is unique because he's never "starred" in a movie. In fact, most people call him a strictly charecter actor. But is that a bad thing? Actor numero 7 is...

STEVE BUSCEMI

Okay, so what's his best role? Mr. Pink? Mink from Miller's Crossing? His charecter Carl in Fargo was amazing! Donny from the Big Lebowski, or Garland Greene from Con Air? What about Rockhound the materialistic weasel from Armageddon? Norther Winslow the bank-robbing poet from Big Fish?

My vote is for Carl from Fargo, although Mr. Pink will probably win out. He made Fargo such a great film from my perspective. He was incredibly genuine, and he plays the greasy weasel better than anybody. What do you guys and gals think?

[elrocho]

Wow Banshee great choice, a hard one too. But i have to correct you. He did start in 2 films : IN OBLIVION , it's about a low budget movie making film funny by the way. and TREE'S LOUNGE he wrote it and directed it, it's o.k.
I got to agree is 2 most memorable role are in RESERVOIR DOGS and FARGO. But his best performance for me is in DESPERADO, that role was made for him espesialy when he is telling is story at the bar, the end is just fantastic, . I loved him in ESCAPE FROM L.A. he is the perfect rat. And if you want to see a chilling performance from him check out is story with Christian Slater in TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE

[Stork]

Mr. Pink

[Krossroads]

Mr. Pink. Yet again QT gives another actor his best role. Buscemi's delievery of the "Why do I have to be Mr. Pink?" and "I don't tip" lines feel so geniune and so real, that you truly believe him. It's a classic character with memorable lines and a great performance by Buscemi.

Fargo was good too as well was Donny. Though Steve really didn't have a whole lot to do with the Donny role. It was a small part and really only great because of John Goodman's hilarious insults.

[ObnoxiousElephant]

I gotta go with the Professional Man and say Mr. Pink. I just can't go against that character when he is so memorable and gives a good performence.

[Banshee]

What i love most about Buscemi is his genuine style...there's nothing fake about him. Very few actors have that. Jimmy Stewart had it, so does Tom Hanks. Buscemi has it but what's different about him is that he is strictly a supporting actor and ususally plays oddball and goofy charecters. I love Mr. Pink for the same reasons Kross said, but everytime i watch Fargo my eyes are glued to the screen during his scenes. One thing is for certain...he is the best actor to ever be fed into a woodchipper.

[elrocho]

Yeah he is great in Fargo but I think Peter Stormare stole the show in that movie( in constantine too ).I got to say that i dont think there was a better crimanal-duo in movie history than those 2

[ClarkParker]

Come on you guys, Mr. Pink is a great character, but his best performance? Seymour in Ghost World was a brilliant performance. That was the character that felt the most real, and he brought a sympathy to the man that was perfect. Most of his characters are soulless, so this was a nice change to show he had the range you always knew he did.

[Bolger]

You guys are all wrong his best role is gotta be Crazy Eyes in Mr. Deeds....but honestly Steve as Mr. Pink in Reservoir Dogs has my vote the performance is just brilliant.

[Banshee]

Alrighty, looks like discussion on Mr Pink is over. HE'S GOIN ON THE BIG BOARD! Next up we have a fantastic young british actor who gets gets better and better with every role. He made the jump from broadway star to film actor...something very few people do successfully. So, actor #8 is...

JUDE LAW

Okay, so what's his best role? Vassili from Enemy at the Gates? Jerome from GATTACA? Harlen Maguire the assasain from Road to Perdition? His oscar-nominated role as Inman from Cold Mountain? I think in a year where he wasn't up against Johnny Depp and Sean Penn he mighta won that award. Brad from I Heart Huckabees, or Sky Captain himself? Alfie? Last but not least, Dan from Closer? That was an incredible film and he was a big reason why.

My vote goes to Dan from Closer. I think every person in that film gave career performances, which is why it was so good. It was some really graphic material, even for a mike nichols movie...and yet it was presented with grace and style by the great corps of actors. Jude is great because he instantly creates chemistry with whoever he is on screen with, and his charecters are very genuine and believable...whether he's playing a russian sniper or Alfie. What do you guys and gals think?

[Krossroads]

Harlen from Road to Perdition. Law didn't have a whole lot of scenes, but when he was on, it was amazing. Such a creepy performance.

[elrocho]

I got to say that I saw almost every movie with Jude Law and, I know I lot of people will disagree whit may, but i dont think that is performance are so memorable, there good but most of the times someone else could of done an equal or better performance.But of got to agree with Krossroads and say Harlen from Raod to perdition , I really cant picture someone else doing a better and creepier job than him.
There's an other role were i think he his really good but I dont remember the title of the movie.It's a movie about criminals with him Rhys Effans and Jhonie Lee Miller

[elrocho]

And as for Alfie I dont think that he did a better job than Micheal Cain

[VeronicaJ]

id go for his role Dickie in talented mr Ripley, but he had some other very good roles :)

[Bolger]

Jude Law in Road to Perdition was in my opinion his best performance. Even though the part was small when he was on the screen he went head to head with Tom Hanks!

[Banshee]

wow, this is surprising me. but thats why this thread is great. Im gonna have to go buy road to perdition, i havnt seen it in a long long time.

[elrocho]

it's a pretty good comic book to. I tought that it was a really good adaptation

[Banshee]

Alright then, Mr. Law goes up on the big board. (who cares what chris rock says?) I've decided that i won't keep you all in suspense any longer. I know its been on your minds, why havnt we done him yet? Well, im finally conceding. Actor #9 is the GREAT...

TOM HANKS

Okay, so what's his best role? There's a lot to choose from, that's for sure. Let's start it with arguably his best, Forrest Gump. But what about Andy Beckett from Philidelphia? Cpt. Miller from Saving Private Ryan? Chuck Noland from Cast Away, or Michael Sullivan from Road to Perdition? Jim Lovell from Apollo 13, or Carl from Catch me if you Can? Jimmy Dugan from A League of their own? Paul Edgecomb from The Green Mile, or Professor Dorr from the Ladykillers? Josh from Big, or Woody from Toy Story? Robert Langdon from Da Vinci?
My vote is for Gump, although its a close call. I don't think there ever was or ever will be a charecter like that again. No other actor could have gotten it that perfectly. It was truly one of the best performances in history. What do you guys and gals think?

[Bolger]

This is the hardest one yet. Tom Hanks has been in so many good movies and acted so well in all of them. I have it down to four movies. Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, Cast Away and Apollo 13. There is no doubt all of these movies are great and that he does a fine job acting in all of them but I have to say the best job acting was Cast Away. Only because he had nobody to work with but a stupid volleyball named Wilson and when that volleyball falls off the raft you actually are sad. That my friends is talent.

[Stork]

Forrest Gump

[elrocho]

I wont be surprise to see Forest Gump on the big board and I wont be disapointed cuz it's really an amazing performance but I have to go with the first role I ever saw him in Josh In Big. He really showed the world that he was an actor to look out for. I f he would not of done a so graet job in that film I am not sure that he would of got all those great roles.

[Krossroads]

Forrest Gump

...and That's all I have to say about that.

[VeronicaJ]

without a doubt forrest gump. Nu question about it

[ClarkParker]

This is the hardest one yet. Tom Hanks has been in so many good movies and acted so well in all of them. I have it down to four movies. Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, Cast Away and Apollo 13. There is no doubt all of these movies are great and that he does a fine job acting in all of them but I have to say the best job acting was Cast Away. Only because he had nobody to work with but a stupid volleyball named Wilson and when that volleyball falls off the raft you actually are sad. That my friends is talent.

I would agree with everything here, although Forrest Gump is a better movie overall than Cast Away, and a close second for his performance. Hanks really is just awesome in everything, though one performance that no one's mentioned yet that he really excelled in was Victor Novorski in the Terminal. He really brought a nuanced charm to that role that made him instantly likeable, but not a parody of himself.

[Dogbone]

Forrest Gump

[Banshee]

A lot of people overlook Cast Away because he didn't win the oscar for it, but folks it was a pretty incredible role. The thing that is so unique about Cast Away is that unlike every other shipwreck island movie or tv show, nothing extraordinary happens. No pirates, no underground mole people, no spaceships. Its just the drama of the elements. Finding food, water, shelter, and companionship. And it took almost 100 years in cinema for somebody to have the guts to make a movie about just those things. I think its an incredible film, and an incredible role. But up against Gump...man, its tough.

[elrocho]

I dont think that people overlook cast away because he did not won the oscar.It is because his performance was not exceptionnal. When I choose an actor best role i ask myself if i can picture some one else in that role doin an equal or better job . if yes then it is not his best role. and in cast away I can easly picture some one else doing an equal or better job.

[Krossroads]

I just haven't seen Cast Away.

[ClarkParker]

LOL! :lol:

(seriously, though. go watch it.)

[ObnoxiousElephant]

It's been on TV like three thousand times also. Its an enjoyable movie.

[Krossroads]

It's been on TV like three thousand times also. Its an enjoyable movie.

Yeah well, some of us have lives asshole.

kidding. :wink:

I don't like watching movies for the first time on TV. You have to deal with commercials and they cut it up for time.

If I remember it next time I'm in Blockbuster I'll pick it up.

[ClarkParker]

I don't like watching movies for the first time on TV. You have to deal with commercials and they cut it up for time.

I agree. It's great when you have the movie channels like MovieCentral and TCM that don't edit the crap out of the movies.

[Banshee]

I LOVE HBO. if it were a woman, i'd marry her.

[ObnoxiousElephant]

Banshee you're going to Towson? I know someone who just graduated from there.

[ClarkParker]

I thought Banshee was 16.

[VeronicaJ]

I LOVE HBO. if it were a woman, i'd marry her.
who does not love HBO? We doint have it here but in Tanzania i watched HBO for 2 days (only 2 days we had free to spend in any we we wanted to) I LOVE HBO so much id marry it anyway.

[Banshee]

What the hell, im a sophmore in college i ain't no 16. lol. Hanks is goin up on the big board, next actor will be up soon.

[ClarkParker]

Well, that makes me feel less like a loser for hanging out on here, because now that most of the old schoolers are not around, and Carl just pokes his nose in to make me look bad I feel really old. So, for the record, that makes you, like, 20?

[Banshee]

19 duder

[ClarkParker]

Cool, Cool. So are we going to do females in this thread? We've done only male actors thus far.

[Banshee]

yep, i was planning on doing the first actress as the 10th actor...which means she's next (whoever she is). Sorry for the delay, im thinking about who to do and i got a lot of studying to do as well.

[ClarkParker]

No worries. Let us know if you want us to pick someone.

[elrocho]

Come on Banshee take a break from studying and put a actor on it wont take long

[Banshee]

Alright guys and gals, very sorry about the delay. Its was tough to figure out which actress would get the honor of being the first on our list. After much internal debate, i decided to go with an actress of our generation instead of one of past generations. So, actor #10 succesfully made the jump from child star to sexy starlet and is currently one of the worlds hottest young actors. Oh yeah, and unlike most pretty faces...she can actually act! So, actor #10 is...

NATALIE PORTMAN

Okay, so what's her best role? Her oscar-nominated performance as Alice in Closer? Sam in Garden State? Sara in Cold Mountain, or Evey from V for Vendetta? Padme from Star Wars I-III? What about one of her fantastic child roles as Lauren from Heat or Mathilda from Leon (The Professional)? I don't think Leon would be considered one of the greatest action movies ever if not for her...she really pushed that movie over the top.

My vote is for Mathilda from Leon, although Alice from Closer is a very close second. As i said before i really think she is what made that movie so great. And i think that role is what paved the road for other child actresses to get more adult-oriented roles. (Dakota Fanning anyone). So, what do you guys and gals think?

[elrocho]

I"m with you on that one MATHILDA in LEON THE PRFESSIONAL( great movie by the way). It was a really though role to play and she really did an amazing job. I havent saw her play whit such intensity and realism since then

[ClarkParker]

Definitely, Alice from Closer. (By the way, I never posted my Jude Law vote, either, but it's the same movie). Here's why. Closer, on a second viewing wasn't as good for me, because I realized how much more contrived the characters were than the first time I saw it. Still, I think it's a great movie, and the actors in it all did such an amazing job playing characters of such depravity. A role like that, even though it's just a movie, I think would really require a total seperation from your normal self, and would affect your life off the set for the sheer vaccuum those characters lives were. The biggest respect when someone tackles roles like that. It must be hard.

[Banshee]

I agree. Closer was really unique.

[Krossroads]

Closer is her best role so far though I can guarantee she'll be able to top it many times over before she's finished.

I do have to recognize Garden State though. I loved her in that role.

[elrocho]

Have you all seen LEON cuz for her first role her acting is impeccable. And I think that it was a tougher role to pull then THE CLOSER

[Krossroads]

I have seen Leon. It's been at least 2 years since I've seen it though so if I watch it again I may change my mind. For now, I'll stick with Closer.

[Banshee]

brand new special edition of Leon Rocks!

[ObnoxiousElephant]

brand new special edition of Leon Rocks!

It was a "gift from Matilda".

[earthO2fireH2O]

I'll go with Garden State. And I agree that she will be able to top herself in the years to come.

[elrocho]

hope some one else givr there vote cuz it's gonna be a drawwwwwww

[Dogbone]

The Professional

[Banshee]

Alrighty, Ms. Portman is goin up on the big board as our first actress. Next up we have perhaps the classiest actor around. He's one of my personal favorites, and his voice is features in pretty much eevry narration these days. Actor #11 is...

MORGAN FREEMAN

Okay, so what's his best role? Red from The Shawshank Redemption? Detective Somerset from Se7en? What about his academy award winning performance as Eddie from Million Dollar Baby? Hoke from Driving Miss Daisy, or Rawlins from Glory? Theodore from Amistad, or The President from Deep Impact? Ned Logan from Unforgiven? There are certainly a ton of roles to debate over.
My vote goes to Red from Shawshank. I think he really did that role in a way nobody else could with his classical narration. The role felt so perfect for him, it was really an amazing work of art and I still think its a shame that the film came out the same year as Gump cus he could have won that Oscar any other year. Somerset and Eddie were both fantastic performances as well, but i gotta go with my boy red. What do you guys and gals think?

[earthO2fireH2O]

I think a lot of his movies are the same. How many times has he been in a murder mystery with Ashley Judd? I don't think he was necessary in Batman Begins either. To me he's kind of like Samuel L. Jackson, in every damn thing. I'm just glad they didn't put HIM in Star Wars. I'll have to go with Shawshank Redemption though.

[elrocho]

I will say detective Sommerset from SEVEN. I got to agree that he his cast to repeat the same performance in diferent movie's. now it was a hard choice between Shawshank and seven. But I think that in seven it was a tougher job to pull than shawshank so SEVEN is my pick

[Stork]

It's between The Shawshank Redemption and Se7en, but I'm gonna go with him as Red.

What was so great about Million Dollar Baby? I was really bored with it.

[elrocho]

I did like million dollar baby , but I did think a lot a people made a big fuss about the ending and I dont think it is the best boxer movie. A great boxer movie is GLADIATOR with cuba gooding j,r any one saw that one

[Banshee]

I think a lot of his movies are the same. How many times has he been in a murder mystery with Ashley Judd?

two. kiss the girls and along came a spider. is that so bad?

I don't think he was necessary in Batman Begins either.

He was absolutly necessary. Without him there would be no batmobile, or bat suit, or anything else! In the comics Lucious was a huge part of the development of the first set of bat-gear, and batman begins was the first batman movie to include him. That's part of why it was so good.

[ClarkParker]

To be honest, I'm going to go with God in Bruce Almighty, though I may be shot for saying it's his best role. I just felt Freeman's nuance and patience with the character brought God to the screen in a real way that no movies I'd seen before had done. It was an image of God you could actually somewhat believe and trust in.
But definitely, he's an amazing actor. His performances in Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Amistad, Shawshank Redemption, and Se7en are top notch. Let's not forget his great narration of March of the Penguins!

[earthO2fireH2O]

I think a lot of his movies are the same. How many times has he been in a murder mystery with Ashley Judd?

two. kiss the girls and along came a spider. is that so bad?

I don't think he was necessary in Batman Begins either.

He was absolutly necessary. Without him there would be no batmobile, or bat suit, or anything else! In the comics Lucious was a huge part of the development of the first set of bat-gear, and batman begins was the first batman movie to include him. That's part of why it was so good.

I didn't say the character wasn't necessary, I said HE wasn't necessary. Someone else could've played the part just as easily. And no, two movies with Ashley Judd isn't bad at all, it's just that all of his roles seem the same. Detective here, detective there, is there any role where he truly stretches as an actor? Or is it just his voice and demeanor that get him cast?

[elrocho]

He did make a great god you know what id like to see in a movie him playin god against Peter Stormare has satan ( one of the best satan ever ) maybe it will hapen in a future constantine movie.

[ClarkParker]

A lot of great actors are typecast. Bruce Willis is always a cop, you can't fault an actor because they do one thing well and continously, I don't think. Freeman HAS proven he can do other roles as well.

[Krossroads]

Watch Lucky Number Slevin if you want to see Freeman in a different role. He's still got that sweet old man charm, but he also makes you believe he could kill you if he wanted. One scene with him and Ben Kingsley is truly awesome and Freeman is so damn good.

I gotta go with Red. Banshee pretty much summed it up perfectly.

[Banshee]

How the hell can you say all his roles are the same? He's played a convict, the president, a detective, a general, God, a boxer, a limo driver, a civil war soldier, a slave...the man has had just about every role a Black actor can have! And he always does it well! A little respect where respect is due!

[Bolger]

Morgan Freeman in Shawshank is my favorite role of his. He is a very talented actor and to say all his characters are the same is bullshit.

[earthO2fireH2O]

A lot of great actors are typecast. Bruce Willis is always a cop, you can't fault an actor because they do one thing well and continously, I don't think. Freeman HAS proven he can do other roles as well.

No, you can't fault them, but praising the same role over and over gets old. Every time I see a Morgan Freeman movie I see the same damn guy every time. If he were a drag queen in a movie, I would still see Morgan Freeman being Morgan Freeman. That's not to say I despise all of his movies though, I just enjoy someone who in my opinion can stretch. And I agree about Lucky Number Slevin.

[ClarkParker]

So I'm guessing Shawshank wins? NEXT!

[Banshee]

Alrighty. Next up...

GEORGE CLOONEY

Okay, so what's his best role? His Academy Award winning performance from Syriana? Johnny Ocean from the Oceans saga? Seth Gecko in From Dusk til Dawn, or Jack Foley from Out of Sight. Everett from O' Brother Where Art Thou? Batman? Major Gates from Three Kings, or Captain Tyne from The Perfect Storm? Miles Massey from Intolerable Cruelty, or Fred Friendly from Good Night and Good Luck?

My vote goes to Everett from O Brother. I love that movie and I love all three lead performances in it. I think the charecter Clooney created was a pretty unbelievable take on Odysseus, and really pushed the movie over the edge into greatness. What do you guys and gals think?

[Stork]

Seth Gecko all the way!!! He isn't my avatar for nothing.

It's Danny Ocean, not Johnny. He would be my second choice.

[Krossroads]

I love Clooney, but he didn't deserve that Oscar that year. It just needed to be said.

hmmmm, looking at this list of his roles makes me realize that he really hasn't had a classic movie role yet. Popular characters sure, but nothing on the level of Morgan Freeman as Red. Of course, he will have one eventually. Maybe even The Good German.

Anyways, my favorite role of Clooney's was Seth Gecko. I mean, who doesn't want to see Clooney as a bad ass killer? Great character, cool performance.

But his best performance is probably O Brother. So I'm putting my vote towards Everett.

[earthO2fireH2O]

Danny Ocean from Ocean's Eleven. He oozes sex and makes it look like its nothing. 8)

[elrocho]

I dont know if any one saw is great perfomance in RETURN OF THE KILLER TOMATOES or in RETURN TO HOROR HIGH

Anyway I agree with Krossroads that he din't deserve that oscar that role.

Now I loved him in BROTHER WERE.... but i got to say Seth Gecko cuz it was is first major role and he had a lot to prove .

[Banshee]

Interesting...looks like the top two choices are Gecko and Everett. One charecter written by Ethan Cohen and the other by Tarantino. Its a write-off!

[Bolger]

It has to go to Everett in O Brother he was just bonified.

[ClarkParker]

Are you all crazy?! His best role is Batman!!!

































Just kidding. My real choice goes to Chris Kelvin from Solaris. The movie may not have been amazing, but the performances were, considering the entire movie pretty much took place with a handful of people, he did a lot with the psychological depth of the character coming to terms with his losses.





Can we do Will Smith next?

[VeronicaJ]

Seth Gecko all the way!!! He isn't my avatar for nothing.

It's Danny Ocean, not Johnny. He would be my second choice.

Id agree on Seth Gecko, i didnt like him in the Ocean flicks.

[elrocho]

Yo so whats going on the big board.

And please could we wait like 5 or ten yers before doing Will Smith maybe he will have played some memorable roles by then. Dont get me wrong I like him it just that he did not get the chance yet to really show off .(And I think that his nosy wife is holding him back to become a grat actor

[justbink07]

Wait til The Pursuit of Happyness come out. Smith will win an oscar. I can just tell from the trailer.

[elrocho]

Yeah saw the trailer. He looks pretty good but i'm sorry the movie looks kinda boring and that kind of movie has been done so many times

[Krossroads]

If Smith can top his performance in Ali, I'll be amazed.

And please could we wait like 5 or ten yers before doing Will Smith maybe he will have played some memorable roles by then.

Are you going to still be here in 5 to 10 years? I know I won't. Sry guys. I may pop in every now in then, but I'll have too much going on by then.

[elrocho]

Now you see I really was not impressed by his performance in Ali I thought that it was worthy of a t.v. movie

[Krossroads]

Have you ever seen the real Ali in action? In interviews? Smith not only had somewhat the same look as Ali, but acted exactly like him.

[elrocho]

Yes I did and to tell you the truth it was more like a cheap imitation to me . Now the only memorable performance of Will Smith for me is his first movie role in 6 degree's of seperation , not a classic movie but pretty good

[Krossroads]

So you must have not liked Jamie Foxx in Ray as well then, right?

[elrocho]

No you see i did think he deserve that oscar.
another one to look out for I think will be Mike Epps as Richard Pryor (or I could be wrong and It can be a t.v. movie performance too). It's hard to pull a biographie role cuz most of the times the actors does an imatations and try to hard to be like him.Fox did it right , Will tryed to hard.
Well thats my opinion

[elrocho]

So whats up whit this thread is it done .

[Stork]

Have you ever seen the real Ali in action? In interviews? Smith not only had somewhat the same look as Ali, but acted exactly like him.

He nailed his voice as well. All of this, however, didn't change the fact that the movie was dead boring.

[Banshee]

I havnt had the time recently to host this thread, if somebody else wants to do it then please be my guest. dont let me kill the discussion just because i havnt had the time to imdb all the actors.

[ClarkParker]

SOLD!

Moving on to our next actress, then. We're going with a woman who's been around long enough to be considered a serious actor, won the Oscar, and done a hefty helping of films...so with Charlize Theron...

What's her best role?
Is it her Oscar-winning performance as Eileen Wouarnos in Monster? Her nominated Josey Aimes from last year's North Country? Maybe Adele from the Legend of Bagger Vance? Candy Kendall from the Cider House Rules, or even Jill from Mighty Joe Young? What do you think?

[Krossroads]

Honestly I haven't seen a whole lot of her films. From the ones that I have seen, I will say Monster has to be her best.

[namini69]

Monster

It wasn't one of my favourite movies tho

[elrocho]

About time . Glad yout taking over cp but got to sa that your first choice is a bit boring to me ( I would of had more fun if you would a put will smith like you wanted lol).

Ill go with the obvious and and say Monster

[ClarkParker]

I agree, it's pretty consensual that Monster is her best role, the total transformation she went through to make herself virtually unrecognizable totally sold the character. We'll give everyone else some time to respond, but I think Monster will go on the board.

[Krossroads]

Who's next CP? How bout some Walken?

[elrocho]

How about some Norris lol , now the two actors i'm dreading too do cuz I will have a hard time choosin are Nicholas Cage and Johny Depp

[ClarkParker]

Nope, next up is the illustrious GENE HACKMAN. You can't not like the guy, he brings something of himself to every role that you just love, in that way he's kind of like Harvey Keitel. His list of films spans 40 years. At acting school, he and his then-classmate Dustin Hoffman were voted LEAST likely to succeed, and then he ended up making a million dollars per movie back in the 70's.
So, what's his best role? Popye Doyle in the French Connection? General Sosabowski in A Bridge Too Far? How about as the original Lex Luthor in Superman? Bill Dagget in Unforgiven? Or how about a more recent role like Royal in the Royal Tennenbaums? You choose!

[Krossroads]

I'm going to sit this one out. I really haven't seen enough of his films to give a fair pick. I will say though that he was great in Runaway Jury and Bonnie and Clyde.

[elrocho]

Wow thats old school , Let me think about this one (ill check my movie collection)

Now i havent hadf the chance to see the french connection heard it,s real good

[Stork]

Nope, next up is the illustrious GENE HACKMAN. You can't not like the guy, he brings something of himself to every role that you just love, in that way he's kind of like Harvey Keitel.

Funny you should say that. 3 or 4 years ago, I really didn't like him for some reason. When this occured to me, I sat down and pondered as to why I felt this disapproval of him and I couldn't really give myself an answer so I stopped not liking him.

On the matter of selecting his best role, I'm afraid I once again fail to come up with an answer.

[justbink07]

Lex Luthor! I loved him as the character. He was perfect for the role.

[namini69]

The French Connection!!! Hands Down he was brilliant in that role.. well kinda..

[Banshee]

You guys are all inasne! Its by far Royal Tenenbaum!

[elrocho]

Yo I thought about it and my choice is with Banshee on this one : ROYAL TENNENBAUMS. I just loved the scene were Stiller ans his lawer accuse him of steallin is money , Havkman's reaction is pure candy

[ClarkParker]

Royal Tennanbaums was just an awesome film all around, but the way Gene makes you actually like the character even though he's such a dick is priceless. My vote goes there too, but it would be close between that and the sherrif from Unforgiven.

[Krossroads]

So Royal Tennenbaums wins.

Whos next?

[ClarkParker]

The hell if I know. You want to do Jonny Depp?

[namini69]

I think we should to Leo Dicaprio

[ClarkParker]

Well, someone make a managerial decision.

[elrocho]

Well that's an easy role for me (havent seen the departed so my jugement is not affected by that film. It's BASKETBALL DIARY'S , man that performance was an oscar worthy one , it really showed the world that he is not only a pretty face but a young actor to watch out for

[ClarkParker]

I think it's the Aviator. I didn't know anything about Howard Hughes before I saw that movie, but the narrative arc of the story and how Leo captured all the man's highs and lows and that he managed to make the character believeable and also sympathetic was truly impressive. That said, I'll be seeing the Departed soon, and I wouldn't be surprised if that changed my mind. Everyone is saying "career performance" from both him and Damon, so we'll see.

[Banshee]

To me its either The Aviator or Gangs. It's clear that Scorsese has unlocked something in him that just isn't there with other directors. He's amazing at accents...whether its Irish, Southern, Boston, and coming up in Ed Zwick's Blood Diamond he will don South African. If i had to pick one role, i'd pick the Aviator.

[ClarkParker]

It was a more complex role, psychologically, not to mention a slightly better movie as a whole.

[elrocho]

Wow i'm surprised no one on my side. I think that a biographie role is easy for a great actor to pull cuz they got all real footage to study . Now a drug addict is a tough role to pull he in Basketball Diary's he did it really perfectly. That scene when he's begging is mom for money then trethens her is just chilling to watch ,

And for gangs he's good but that not is best work and role by a long shot

[ClarkParker]

I agree, I think Basketball Diaries was a better performance than Gangs of New York, but still not as good as Aviator.

[Krossroads]

Its the Aviator for me. For the exact same reasons as CP. If it weren't for Jamie Foxx, Leo would have won that award.

And I haven't seen Basketball Diaries.

[namini69]

Yeah His Best performce was the Aviator, but I thought his performence in the Departeed was acedmy award material and I very much enjoyed it.

[ClarkParker]

So Aviator it looks like it is!

I'll post the next one later today.

[Krossroads]

It was a great performance, as I always expect from him, but he was outshined by Nicholson and Wahlberg.

[ClarkParker]

Okay, for the next round we're going to go with an actor who's been getting a lot of talk lately for a string of great performances and great movies, but he goes back a ways. CHRISTIAN BALE.

What do you consider his best? Was it his first big role in Spielberg's Empire of the Sun? Patrick Bateman in American Psycho? Sam from Laurel Canyon? Or how about the lead in the underrated Euilibrium? Then of course there's the recent, more popular roles like Rolfe in The New World, the newest Batman, or Trevor Reznik in the Machinist.

WHAT IS HIS BEST PERFORMANCE?

[elrocho]

Now heres an actor destined for greatnes . good choice , forgot to mention his great performance in the so-so Reign of fire.

I thought i was only dreadin to do Depp and Cage but i forgot about him . I'm a bit torn here between American psycho , the Machinist and Equilibrium , .Ill say his best performance to date is in The Machiniste but my best role is Patrick Bateman in AMERICAN PSYCHO , that speech he does just before he is about to kill Jared Leto is just pure candy

[justbink07]

I have been dying to see The Machinist! I hope I do soon. So far, I think BALE was best in Batman Begins and Equilibrium. But, I have great belief that he will be amazing in The Prestige.

[Krossroads]

Great pick CP.

Machinst is definitely a great performance made even more impressive because of how far he went to pull the role off.

I would say his best performance so far is American Psycho. Just watch the film and you'll see why its so good. Its hard to imagine anyone else pulling that role off better and besides Batman, its the first thing that I think of when I think of Bale.

I'm really looking forward to see how far Bale goes. I see a Best Actor Oscar in his future.

[Banshee]

The Machinist. I have NEVER heard of or seen an actor show so much commitment to a role. Its almost frightening when you look at how much weight he lost for that role. Even though i think in the long run he will be remembered as the greatest Batman ever, i gotta give him extreme props for his dedication to do what he did in the Machinist.

[ClarkParker]

Granted, I haven't seen American Psycho, but I will definitely go with The Machinist for all the reasons Banshee said. It is scary how dangerously skinny he got for that role, and how he pulls you into the world of that character who you never quite know what to think of. It's a very eerie movie overall, but the way Bale keeps you guessing as to his sanity and reality it really works wonders.

[Keylime]

I just saw Equilibrium for the first time last night, i thought he was very good as an emotionless person, but i think his best is batman begins.

[Stork]

Well, this is an impossible choice.
I haven't seen The Machinist, but in Equilibrium, American Psycho and Batman Begins he rocked. Plus, Empire of the Sun would have been nothing without him. I think I'm just gonna pick the movie I overall liked the best and so Batman wins.

[Krossroads]

So we've got 2 for Machinist, 2 for American Psycho, and 2 for Batman Begins.

...Bink may hold the winning pick.

[ClarkParker]

But Bink hasn't seen the Machinist!

Bink, that's your assignment for this weekend, watch the Machinist and then make your call between those three.

[Krossroads]

And you haven't seen American Psycho. That is your mission this weekend CP.

The only film of his I haven't seen his Empire of the Sun.

[justbink07]

I will do my best to see The Machinist this weekend.

Kross, your mission is to watch Empire of the Sun this weekend. :)

[namini69]

I thinik his best role was Batman Begins but I have seen niether american physco nor The Mechanist.

[ClarkParker]

I can try, but I won't be around tomorrow...maybe this round we'll have to have a moratorium on this round.

[BlackPanther028]

Reese Witherspoon is a great actress in my opinion. I like her in Sweet Home Alabama, Just like heaven, and Walk the line.

[helmithair131]

thanks for sharing

[ClarkParker]

I don't think she understands the thread. LOL!

So, Bale is postponed until we can see more of his movies, especially now that the Prestige is out. We'll come back to him later, and take all new opinions.

I'll think about the next actor and post it soon.

[Stork]

I could just switch to American Psycho and we'd be done with him. Bateman and Batman aren't that far apart - both characterwise (not in similarity of course) and namewise.

[namini69]

Well I rented American Physco and The Mechanist and I have to say that I did not like The Mechanist that much, it found it a little dull i guess. American Physco on the other hand was pretty good and his performence is just terrific. But out of all his performences his best is Batman Begins followed very closely by American Physco. It was such a hard choice but thats that.

[elrocho]

Well at least some one did some studying , cant say I agree whit that choice and i dont beleive my eyes what i'm reading but hey thats whats so great about this thread .

One of the reasons i'm not that impress whit this role is the batman accent he uses it hurts my ears . I thought that he should of kept his english accent for Bruce Wayne and do an american accent for Batman

[ClarkParker]

Next up is going to be a tough one.

The immortal Jack Nicholson has been in more movies than probably anyone so far on this list. His roles run from Cop to Criminal to Twisted Psychopath. He has memorable roles like Jake Gittes in Chinatown, Robert Dupea in Five Easy Pieces, McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Jack Torrance in The Shining, The Joker in Batman, Melvin Udall in As Good As It Gets, and Frank Costello in The Departed, among many others...

So...What's his best role?

[elrocho]

Fuck thats a tough one , and theres a lot of his early films i havent seen . I'm torn between 6 roles The shinning , Batman , One flew over the cuckoo's nest , About shmidt , Has good has it gets and The withs of eastwick so ill get back to you after ive done some thinking , could take a while im kinda sloooooooooowwwwwwwwwww

[ClarkParker]

I'm also torn, I loved him in the Shining, One Flew Over the Cucko's Nest, As Good As It Gets, Batman, Something's Gotta Give, Chinatown, and The Departed. They were all fantastic roles, so I will have to think long and hard before I give my decision on this one...which I think will be the case for a lot of us.

[Krossroads]

This is actually an easy one for me. He's been great in everything he's done, but his performance in The Shining was his best. Watching Jack slowly fall into darkness was incredibly fascinating and Nicholson captured it perfectly.

[Banshee]

One flew.

[Keylime]

I think hes best in Shining also.

[ClarkParker]

I've narrowed it down to The Shining, One Flew, and The Departed. Tough choice to make.

[justbink07]

Back to Bale for a sec... I watched The Machinist. Not too great IMO. After seeing The Prestige, I will say that this is Bale at his best. Hands down.

Now to ol' Jacko... The Shining, Batman, and The Departed are the ones for me.

[elrocho]

Now ive got to say that is best performance are The shining and One flew.... but is best role for me is The Joker in Batman , now i said it ill live with it

[elrocho]

So whats up whit this actor . He's too good everybody cant decide or what

[Banshee]

12 oscar nominations and another one on the way for The Departed...yeah i'd say he's good.

[ClarkParker]

I'm going with the Shining, but know it's a very close race.

[elrocho]

Hey cp I think no one else will respond to this actor so why dont you put a new one

[ClarkParker]

Someone else can pick...I don't have time.

[justbink07]

Did we do Cruise yet?

[elrocho]

Yep we did I say we do Matt Damon

[justbink07]

Matt Damon sounds good. He has been in some very well done roles in his time.

[ClarkParker]

I'm going to go with Syriana...but with The Departed as a VERY close second.

[elrocho]

I'm going to go with Syriana...but with The Departed as a VERY close second.

I havent seen those two but i'm sure tey are pretty good but i dont think they would change my mind. My vot goes to Tom Ripley in THE TALENTED MR.RIPLEY , now this his one of most chilling disturbing performance too come from a young actor of his generation

[Banshee]

Uhhh...Good Will Hunting no doubt in my mind what-so-ever.

[Stork]

Uhhh...Good Will Hunting no doubt in my mind what-so-ever.

Seconded.

[ClarkParker]

Also a great performance, but I found his accent not so believable.

[Stork]

I should just interject that I haven't seen neither Syriana nor The Departed yet.

[Krossroads]

The Departed.

And since no one else has mentioned it...Damon rocked it in the Bourne movies.

[namini69]

hmmm.. Damon is a tough one I would have to say that he was awsome in The Oceans Movies and The Departed but his best work is proberly from Good Will Hunting

[Banshee]

Also a great performance, but I found his accent not so believable.

Funny cus Damon is from South Boston.

[elrocho]

Wow im kinda suprise i'm the only one voting for his role hsa Tom Ripley , any one saw the sequel with John Malkovich , I thought that it was a bit ironic to see his arch nemesis in Rounders ( another great performance from him, a bit like Good will hunting dho ) would play his older version of his Tom ripley's role in Ripley's game

[Banshee]

I actually thought Jude Law is what made mr. ripley a good film. Hence the oscar nomination he got.

[ClarkParker]

Funny cus Damon is from South Boston.

I thought GWH was set in New York...lol. Maybe that's why it didn't wound right!

[Banshee]

No its set in Boston...im not sure how you could miss that if you know where Harvard is. The whole movie takes place in or around Harvard.

[Stork]

Wow im kinda suprise i'm the only one voting for his role hsa Tom Ripley , any one saw the sequel with John Malkovich , I thought that it was a bit ironic to see his arch nemesis in Rounders ( another great performance from him, a bit like Good will hunting dho ) would play his older version of his Tom ripley's role in Ripley's game

I hated it so much that I turned it off.

[ClarkParker]

No its set in Boston...im not sure how you could miss that if you know where Harvard is. The whole movie takes place in or around Harvard.

Now that you mention it, I don't know how I didn't piece it. I must have forgotten since I first watched it, and last time I saw it not caught enough to hear where it was. But I think it's MIT, not Harvard, isn't it? Not that it matters, they're in the same place.

[Banshee]

MIT might have been the school he was the janitor at but he met Skyler in the harvard bar and thats where she went so most of the story took place there. I'll have to watch it again.

[ClarkParker]

I think you're right. But like I said...it really doesn't matter since they're both in Mass.

[ClarkParker]

Anyways, since we're on Good Will Hunting at the moment, let's use it to get the next actor out of the way. He's taken a lot of abuse over the years, and I for one don't see why. He's done a few bad movies, but who hasn't? He's also done some pretty good ones, and while he may never be DiCaprio or Sean Penn, and seems to be getting surpassed by his little brother, there has to be a role you enjoyed BEN AFFLECK in.

Some of his notable roles are early ones like Chesty Smith in School Ties, Fred O'Bannon in Dazed and Confused, Jack in Glory Daze, Holden Macneil in Chasing Amy, A.J. Frost in Armageddon, the third Jack Ryan in The Sum of All Fears, Matt Murdock/Dardevil in Daredevil, and the most recent and most talked about of his career as the real life George Reeves in Hollywoodland.

WHAT'S HIS BEST PERFORMANCE?





I haven't yet seen Hollywoodland, but I've heard he's great in it. So that exempted, I have to go with Chasing Amy. Kevin Smith gave the world the chance to see that Affleck really doesn't suck. Holden is a great character in a great movie. He's not special, but he seems real, and Affleck embodies that in the film.

[Stork]

The only good movies he's been in are Good Will Hunting, Shakespeare in Love and Changing Lanes (not as good as the other two, but still perfectly watchable). He didn't have the most prominent roles in the first two so I'll go with him as Gavin Banek opposite the great Sam Jackson in Changing Lanes. Now, the role of Mr. Banek was in no way memorable but it wasn't dreadful either.

[elrocho]

Fred O'Bannon Dazed and confuzed no doubt about it

[namini69]

His best performence is in Dazed and Confused I love his crazyness..

[Krossroads]

Affleck certainly isnt one of the best actors working today, but I'm definitely not a hater and I really don't like the people who are without a good reason.

His best is probably Hollywoodland, but I haven't seen it.

So for now, my vote goes to Dazed and Confused.

[ClarkParker]

Dazed and Confused as it is now...any more votes?

[Banshee]

He was great in Hollywoodland. That gets my vote.

[Stork]

I haven't seen Dazed and Confused. Should I?

[Banshee]

Its American Graffiti for the 70's. its pretty hilarious, and it was also a breeding pit for many of the best actors around right now. Afleck, McConaughey, and a lot more got their start with that movie.

[Krossroads]

Its also 10x better than American Graffiti.

Dazed and Confused is an excellently written and incredibly entertaining movie. So yeah, you should see it pronto.

[ClarkParker]

It's a Linklater. Do you even have to ask?

[Stork]

It's a Linklater. Do you even have to ask?

Yes.

[ClarkParker]

Yes.

Has the man really done anything that wasn't worth watching?

[Banshee]

i didnt care for a scanner darkly, or the weird cell-sahded romantic comedies he made before it.