Best Actors

[Nick K.]

Well, Mr. Tisdale... this one is for you...

Who do you guys think is the greatest actor in teh industry? Who do you consider to be up there? Here are some of my favorites.

Al Pacino - There's nothing I can say that can flatter this man.

Kevin Spacey - Got to be one of the greatest actos out there in my opinion.

Jack Nicholson - Jack plays Jack a lot, but he still has his great performances.

Daniel Day-Lewis - This man made the embarassingly bad Gangs of New York bearable. Plus, My Left Foot owned.

Sean Penn - He rules, as well.

Ben Kingsley - Gandhi sucked, IMO. See House of Sand and Fog for what has got to be one of the best performaces by an actor ever.

Edward Norton - Tisdale! He is an awesome actor. :sad:

[cross blues]

- Robert De Niro
- Tom Hanks
- Tom Cruise
- Billy Crudup
- George Clooney
- Sean Penn
- Nicholas Cage
- Meg Ryan
- Jennifer Connelly

[Wayman Tisdale]

Let me preface this thread(I'm sure this topic comes up often) by saying this all started by me bringing up Johnny Depp as the very best around when getting into this Alan Moore From Hell conversational sway on the DCAU boards. And to rehash below what I've already said why Depp is light years ahead of any of those names "JLU Kid" mentioned:

Johnny Depp is just off the charts incredible! He has a chameleon range that I just don't see from anyone around, older, his age or younger and I don't even think it's close.

Watching him for the last 15 years I think Johnny Depp is the smartest, best, ballsiest, most creative, most original, most interesting actor around of this or any other generation. Anyone that can go from Edward Scissorhands to Ed Wood to Donnie Brasco to Hunter S. Thompson(Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) to Ichabod Crane to George Jung(BLOW) to Inspector Fred Abberline to two amazing self created characters in Captain Jack Sparrow and Agent Sands(Once Upon a Time in Mexico) is a chameleon track record that dwarfs anyone with a SAG card.

Al Pacino make no mistake is great at what he does, but he has no problem being redundant and being the exact same Al Pacino film after film. Johnny Depp is allergic to redundancy and his versatility and range is in a class by itself.

I've actually gotten into this before with Ed Norton and I simply just don't get it. I find him almost as redundant as Pacino but more subtle about it. I don't find him remotely possessing the chameleon gene Johnny Depp has in the least. Ed Norton does the exact same thing every movie! He's the Ivy-League, clean-cut, tortured, stammering, savant, genius boy, EVERY TIME, so much so he actually bores me. Whether it's The Italian Job, Primal Fear, Keeping the Faith, The Heist, Fight Club, Rounders, or 25th Hour (one of the worst/derivative Spike Lee films of all time). He doesn't do accents, impersonation or anything Deppworthy, chameleon wise. Completely redundant but is dependably effective in his own wheelhouse!

The only time I've seen Norton stray from that comfort zone was in American History X which he actually showed balls. But even there, as a basketball player I've never seen anyone look less believable in terms of on the court skills(who is he kidding) or lack there of. In fact most films Ed Norton is in he tries to crowbar a basketball scene in(American History X, 25th Hour, Keeping the Faith). As a basketball player, everytime I see him try to play on screen I'm insulted. The most ridiculous thing was in The 25th Hour he was supposed like All-City or some crap, trust me this guy wouldn't have made my girls team. As a 28 year basketball player Norton gave me ****** chills and I mean that in a bad way.

It's funny he mentioned him(Norton) I heard Vincent Gallo(Buffalo 66) on Howard Stern last Thursday call Ed Norton one of Hollywood's many Robert De Niro clones which I pretty much agree with but I'll go as far to say he's also very much a Dustin Hoffman embryo in his on screen persona, speech cadence etc. And I'm not at all sure I mean that in a complimentary way.

[Nick K.]

Light years? Are you kidding me?

He's great. I agree. But he doesn't far outweigh the others in anything wise.


Oh no, Johnny Depp took some major non-commercial(Gilbert Grape, Ed Wood) gambles that Brando never had to endure. I just can't see Brando being able to pull off Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Ichabod Crane, Hunter S Thompson or Captain Jack Sparrow in the creative way Depp did. I CAN see Depp pulling off most of what Brando has done. AND Brando vanished for quite a long time that has to work against him in terms of year to year longevity.

From DCAU Forum... hehe...

I have to disagree and say Depp couldn't do what Brando has done. No one can top his Stanley in Streetcar, his Terry in On the Waterfront or his Don of all Dons in The Godfather.

[Batman49]

Oh no, Johnny Depp took some major non-commercial(Gilbert Grape, Ed Wood) gambles that Brando never had to endure. I just can't see Brando being able to pull off Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Ichabod Crane, Hunter S Thompson or Captain Jack Sparrow in the creative way Depp did. I CAN see Depp pulling off most of what Brando has done. AND Brando vanished for quite a long time that has to work against him in terms of year to year longevity.Depp would have brought something different to each Brando role as Brando would have done with any of Depp's roles. Don't forget, if we're talking about Brando doing Edward Scissorhands, it would have been the young Brando, not the older Brando who would have done that role. I definately see him pulling it off, yet it would have been different. Check out On the Waterfront if you haven't already, I have a feeling you have though.

By the way, not sure if you are on the defensive, but Depp being similar to Brando is not a bad thing, I never meant it as a knock to him. I don't think that he is a Brando clone in any sense, but they do have a lot of similarities, especially in their approach to roles. They have their differences but they have their similarities, just like people say about De Niro and Norton. Hell, even Sean Penn can be see as another "Brando actor."

As far as gambles, The Godfather was a huge gamble, no one wanted Brando in the role except Coppola. By that point, Brando was considered finished in Hollywood and The Godfather wasn't a commercial film. I could also mention Last Tango in Paris as another huge non-commercial film gamble that he made. Speaking of gambles, Coppola sure took a gamble casting Brando as Col. Kurtz :p

Anyway, no disrespect man, I love both these actors. But when you say Depp is the greatest actor period I have to disagree, he's one of a few ever.

[Batman49]

From DCAU Forum... hehe...

I have to disagree and say Depp couldn't do what Brando has done. No one can top his Stanley in Streetcar, his Terry in On the Waterfront or his Don of all Dons in The Godfather.
I disagree, Depp's interpretations of those characters would have been different or maybe even eerily similar probably, but no less interesting. You've piqued my interest in seeing what Depp's Vito Corleone would have been like or his Terry Malloy from On the Waterfront or even Col. Kurtz in Apocalypse Now. Brando did do a hell of a job though so I wouldn't trade what Brando did in these roles for what possibly Depp would have done.

[Mike Spartz]

Male Actors - by order of favorite:

1. Tom Hanks - The Jimmy Stewart of my generation. I've watched him since I was 8 and he has never disappointed me in any of his movies. But Tom is more than an actor to me, he is a humanitrian and a loving father. He respects his fans and, more importantly, he hasn't forgotten his roots.

2. Wang Zhi Wen - Chinese actor who is very famous in Asia and China. he hasn't done much work overseas in America but check out Together, it's an international film in which he plays an old chinese music teacher named Jiang.

3. Mel Gibson - A very versitile actor who still embodies the image of the ultimate Hollywood Bad Boy to me. A man with principles who loved life and lived it to the fullest. I guess you could say that I wish I was more like Gibson when it comes to hanging out with friends.

4. Kiefer Sutherland - After many years out of the spotlight, this is a man who has finally been given the opportunity to showcase the true depth of his acting potential on screen. His character Jack Bauer on Fox's 24 is one of the most realistic and interesting characters on TV because there are many sides to him. Few actors could manage to play Bauer as both a loving father and a cold-blooded murderer convincingly and within the same hour but Keifer Surtherland is one of the those few.

5. Russel Crowe - Russel Crowe is an actor who lives the life of his characters. While not particularly versatile with his choice of roles, Russel brings to the screen a commanding presence, and a rough and tough attitude that really appeals to me. In many of his movies like Gladiator, and LA Confidential, he isn't playing a character, he is playing himself.

6. William H. Macy - One of the most unappreciated working actors in Hollywood. William H. Macy is one of those actors who never gets the main part but always manages to steal the show with an amazing supporting performance. Watch Seabiscut and Pleasntville if you don't believe me.

7. Colin Farrell

8. Barry Pepper

9. Djimon Hounsou

10. Samuel L. Jackson

11. Robert Lindsey


Female Actors- by order of favorite:

1. Samantha Morton - A highly underrated young actress who has already made a name of herself in show business with fantastic performances in such films as Minority Report, and In America. There is a subtle intelligence to the characters that Morton protrays which bespeaks of the actresses own genius and maturity as a single mother. Highly talented and mesmerizing, Sam Morton is proving to the world that she has what it takes to become an acting legend.

2. Maggie Smith

3. Cate Blanchett

4. Scarlett Johannson

5. Charlize Theron

6. Susan Sarandon

7. Marcha Gay Harden

8. Meg Ryan

[Shaggy&Daphne]

Michael Keaton - Possibly the most underrated actor in Hollywood. Michael Keaton is one of those actors that can do both comedy and drama. There are no limits to his acting ability and plays every role given to him to perfection. Whether a scene calls for humor, drama, or action, he's your man every time. I watch his face and body language closely in every one of his films, and he is always up to the demands of every role. He is as good and actor as any of the most celebrated stars, past or present, but is underappreciated.

Mel Gibson - He puts alot of heart into his performances and when necessary he has the ability to seemlessly disappear into his characters and become totally unrecognizable to the point that there is no trace of his real personality within his performance. And when an actor can do that, it really speaks volumes about the performance and the believability of that character.

Jack Nicholson - Good old Jack. He is a fine actor, although, not extremely versatile, when given the right material, he takes his roles and runs away with them giving a performance articulated to a degree one would never have imagined possible. He especially does well at playing psychotic roles as he did in such films as The Shining and Batman.

Others include:

Al Pacino
Marlon Brando
Robert De Niro
Tom Selic
Bruce Willis
Johnny Depp

[Wayman Tisdale]

I disagree, Depp's interpretations of those characters would have been different or maybe even eerily similar probably, but no less interesting. You've piqued my interest in seeing what Depp's Vito Corleone would have been like or his Terry Malloy from On the Waterfront or even Col. Kurtz in Apocalypse Now. Brando did do a hell of a job though so I wouldn't trade what Brando did in these roles for what possibly Depp would have done.Yes, it would be very cool to see Depp's take on those icons and this is not remotely a knock on Brando, whom I love.

The thing about Johnny Depp's momentum right now is I read that in Hollywood inner circles there's been this new term created for Johnny Depp after Pirates of the Caribbean and Once Upon a Time in Mexico called "DEPPcharging" a movie. The term means getting any old script and plugging Johnny Depp in and letting him do whatever he wants to the character he's playing(probably whatever the lead is). Letting him create the guy from his own head and essentially write his own lines and lend whatever ideas he has towards the film.

To my knowledge Depp is the only guy creating his own characters(besides like Mike Myers) in these already established scripts and enhancing the movie fiftyfold. For example for Captain Jack Sparrow he melded Keith Richards and Pepe LePew, for Ichabod Crane he melded Angela Lansbury and a teenage girl, for Ed Wood he melded Ronald Reagan and Casey Kasem, for Agent Sands(OUTM) he based in on his old lawyer etc and this creative license and vision that it seems none of these other guys possess.

P.S. Marlon Brando was in a film with Robert De Niro and Ed Norton called The Heist and where he wasn't required to go too nuts but I remember he blew both of them off the screen presence wise with just facial expressions and the occasional flippant remark. He is astounding at how powerful his presence is. I totally agree on Brando's genius, he and Depp worked together in the underrated Don Juan Demarco and The Brave(directed by Depp).

[Nick K.]

The movie was The Score. :p

You bring up good points, but, I must disagree again. Depp is not the only actor creating characters. You have people like Mery Streep, who is just a polar opposite of her last role and way different in almost every role she takes on, and people like Nicole Kidman who do the same, as well. And Charlize Theron blew me away during Monster. One of the best performances ever.

Uhhh... all females, eh? Some of the male actors who range would be Daniel Day. You must see the gloriousness of this man. And another good range actor is Jeffrey Wright. His work in Angels in America and Badaaaaaasss were phenomenal and just different. Plus, he was in Shaft... and that was even more different. FInally, take a look at Ed Harris. This man is so awesome. See Pollock, The Human Stain and The Hours and you'll see his awesomeness.

Johnny Depp is good, but there are a lot of other actors who match him and outweigh him. I think there is a lot of hype around him right now so that is why he is noticed more.

[Wayman Tisdale]

The movie was The Score. :p

You bring up good points, but, I must disagree again. Depp is not the only actor creating characters. Johnny Depp is good, but there are a lot of other actors who match him and outweigh him. I think there is a lot of hype around him right now so that is why he is noticed more.Yes, there are some people that have occasionally created characters here and there but not to the creative degree that Johnny Depp does(almost every film). And when the situation calls for him to play a living, breathing guy ala Donnie Brasco, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Blow etc he nails it like a 2x4. The actual people themselves will praise how eerie accurate his portrayals are.

The people you mention don't pump it out as often Depp does. A guy like Ed Harris can't just get by as some master thespian with one good depiction of Jackson Pollock. I'm sorry, it's going to take a lot more than that to remotely bring him in the same breath as Johnny Depp. The times of I've seen Ed Harris 9 out of 10 times he plays a stoic mumbling bore walking around a control room, which anybody could do.

JLU Kid I take it you haven't seen many of those Depp films I mentioned. If you need one scary example, go read Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and then watch Depp in the movie, it's eerie how dead on he is, it's like he stole Thompson's soul.

[James]

I don't think Depp is over rated. I'm not a massive Depp fan so far as seeing all his films, but each film he brings a lot of weight to a role. He's a serious actor who does his research. He plays many different character roles across the board. Many character actors play strong different characters but remain in specific genres (be it serious drama, comedy etc), Depp can go across the board.

His portrayal of Ed Wood was near perfect, his more eccentric work on "Fear And Loathing..." was show grabbing. Captain Jack Sparrow single handedly saved POTC, period. What I saw of "From Hell" was solid stuff. His accent was pretty good too. Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands... all good firm roles. Essentially, he's not let me down in any movie I've seen. I know if he headlines in a movie of any genre, his part will be done well. It's certainly not proof of the best actor in the world, but a consistently excellent.

I can't compare him to Brando having never been a big Brando fan. Therefore I've not seen enough Brando films to really offer a fair comparison. As an actor, Depp has never let me down and therefore I cannot agree with him being over rated.

Other actors I feel comfortable with... hmm, William H Macey is extremely under-rated. It's a shame that unless you are aesthetically prefect (and young) you are pretty much shunned. His work has again always been consistent, albeit the roles very similar.

Jennifer Connelly. A good female actress. I still find these days women still lack decent film roles that can really let them shine. Add to the fact that only good looking women are really allowed strong roles (more so than men definately) you again narrow your margin for both unique looks and talent. I must confess many female actresses just meld into one having to have similar looks/build and roles. Shouldn't be that way.

Nevertheless, there are some good actresses out there. Connelly is one. Natural and believable. Be it dancing with goblins or OD'ing on Heroin. She also stars in Dark City one of my favourite movies. Her role there, like in most mainstream movies offers typical female blandness, but she makes the best out of the bad situation and offers a good counterfoil to Sewell.

That's the sad thing, women are either counterfoil characters to the male leads or taking on male stereotypes (Ripley, Sarah Connor). Film goers - of both genders - still expect a certain archetype out of female actresses and until that changes, female actresses will remain in a situation where they really lack the diversity of scripts to shine.

[Wayman Tisdale]

I don't think Depp is over rated. I'm not a massive Depp fan so far as seeing all his films, but each film he brings a lot of weight to a role. He's a serious actor who does his research. He plays many different character roles across the board. Many character actors play strong different characters but remain in specific genres (be it serious drama, comedy etc), Depp can go across the board.

His portrayal of Ed Wood was near perfect, his more eccentric work on "Fear And Loathing..." was show grabbing. Captain Jack Sparrow single handedly saved POTC, period. What I saw of "From Hell" was solid stuff. His accent was pretty good too. Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands... all good firm roles. Essentially, he's not let me down in any movie I've seen. I know if he headlines in a movie of any genre, his part will be done well. It's certainly not proof of the best actor in the world, but a consistently excellent.

I can't compare him to Brando having never been a big Brando fan. Therefore I've not seen enough Brando films to really offer a fair comparison. As an actor, Depp has never let me down and therefore I cannot agree with him being over rated.

Other actors I feel comfortable with... hmm, William H Macey is extremely under-rated. It's a shame that unless you are aesthetically prefect (and young) you are pretty much shunned. His work has again always been consistent, albeit the roles very similar.

Jennifer Connelly. A good female actress. I still find these days women still lack decent film roles that can really let them shine. Add to the fact that only good looking women are really allowed strong roles (more so than men definately) you again narrow your margin for both unique looks and talent. I must confess many female actresses just meld into one having to have similar looks/build and roles. Shouldn't be that way.

Nevertheless, there are some good actresses out there. Connelly is one. Natural and believable. Be it dancing with goblins or OD'ing on Heroin. She also stars in Dark City one of my favourite movies. Her role there, like in most mainstream movies offers typical female blandness, but she makes the best out of the bad situation and offers a good counterfoil to Sewell.

That's the sad thing, women are either counterfoil characters to the male leads or taking on male stereotypes (Ripley, Sarah Connor). Film goers - of both genders - still expect a certain archetype out of female actresses and until that changes, female actresses will remain in a situation where they really lack the diversity of scripts to shine.Some great thoughts there SJJ. For me Johnny Depp was one of those actors I followed with a hypersensitive eye for years and years, and each performance he kept turning left and hopping around genres that he to me is the very personification of what I think an actor's job should be, stepping into someone else's shoes. I never dug those guys that basically bring their very own personality on screen with them and people just like them(Nicholson, Walken, Tom Cruise etc). UNDERRATED was the word to describe Depp before Pirates of the Caribbean which finally delivered him the credit he's deserved for years and years.

You bring up some interesting names there. Jennifer Connelly, you're right, though she often comes off as a bland ice-princess(attracted to tortured geniuses in Hulk and Beautiful Mind) too often, she does take edgy challenges that most actresses wouldn't because of vanity and image. Her filmography is very interesting, rangy and ballsy.

After you brought up, William H Macy, it got me to think of Alec Baldwin who I think is just brilliant in everything he does. Whether the film is a turd or not Alec will be probably be the most interesting thing about it. If you watch him in The Cooler, Outside Providence, Glenn Garry Glen Ross, you can't take your eyes off him, he's a hypnotic presence. Please don't confuse him with his doppelganger brothers. ALEC is one of the best around.

[Nick K.]

Merryl Streep destroys Depp, Tisdale. Check her out. And Depp is different, I've seen most all of his movies. I like him. I'm just debating with you on the fact he's not the supreme example of a range acvtor and is levels above all else.

[Wayman Tisdale]

Merryl Streep destroys Depp, Tisdale. Check her out. And Depp is different, I've seen most all of his movies. I like him. I'm just debating with you on the fact he's not the supreme example of a range acvtor and is levels above all else.Meryl Streep ehhh, I'm sick of her. Give me four examples of her showing the range and accent/impersonation/mimicry Johnny Depp has? I've heard her sound British and Polish and what impersonation has she ever done or balls up chameleon transformation? I've personally seen her play the exact same female, pale, melancholy victimized protagonist at least 15 times, she bores me.

Meryl Streep is a tad too worshipped for my taste, she's pretty good, but no one can seem to back up why, outside of Sophie's Choice and Kramer versus Kramer.

People LOVE to heap all sorts of praise on her, I guess it makes you sound sophisticated if you do. I find her films leaning a tad too pretentious and I'm personally not moved by her that often(IMO). She won an effin Oscar for Adaptation which was ridiculously biased selection by the pretentious Oscar commitee, she was average at best in that. That was Nicolas Cage's movie through and through.

[Nick K.]

She was only nominated for Adaptation, and I agree that movie stunk.

Meryl Streep was amazing in Angels in America. She played 3 different characters, all different. See her work in The Manchurian Candidate, out now. She is completely different from anything she's done.

Sure, she has done stuff that can be seen as redundant, but each time she tackles a role there is something new, and more than likely it is completely new.

Depp isn't always different... There is a lot of him in many of his works. Recently, in Secret Window... he was a lot of himself. It was very weak, IMO. I do expect him to be awesome in Finding Neverland.

[Shaggy&Daphne]

Depp isn't always different... There is a lot of him in many of his works. Recently, in Secret Window... he was a lot of himself. It was very weak, IMO. I do expect him to be awesome in Finding Neverland.
Secret Window was just absolutely pathetic and I found it to be a total bore. The plot was thin enough to cut through and Depps performance had lacked energy and carried no weight.

[Nick K.]

Secret Window was just absolutely pathetic and I found it to be a total bore. The plot was thin enough to cut through and Depps performance had lacked energy and carried no weight.

Ah we agree on some things! ;) Dogville and this. :p

True, and his performances in Cry Baby, A Nightmare on Elmstreet, 21 Jump Street and the like can bve characterized as basicly the same teen acting. Though, that was early on in his career and he's obviously developed.

[g_UnIt_GaNsTa]

Tom Hanks- Great acting in every one of his movies

Jeremy Davies- Pretty good and unknown. Was good in Saving Private Ryan and literally saved Solaris.


Johnny Depp- Good, but I truly hated POTC. With all my heart.

[Wayman Tisdale]

She was only nominated for Adaptation, and I agree that movie stunk.

Meryl Streep was amazing in Angels in America. She played 3 different characters, all different. See her work in The Manchurian Candidate, out now. She is completely different from anything she's done.

Sure, she has done stuff that can be seen as redundant, but each time she tackles a role there is something new, and more than likely it is completely new.

Depp isn't always different... There is a lot of him in many of his works. Recently, in Secret Window... he was a lot of himself. It was very weak, IMO. I do expect him to be awesome in Finding Neverland.
Really, I'm going to have to finally check out Angels in America, I actually don't know a lot about it, what's the premise, it's an HBO mini series right?

I actually thought Secret Window was great because of Depp, it kept suprising me(maybe I don't read enough Stephen King), it's the true test of when someone says the old cliche' of "I could watch so and so read a phone book and be entertained!" We'll I found I could watch Johnny Depp read a phone book and be entertained and eat Doritos and drink Mountain Dew. But how do you really know what the "real" Johnny Depp is? Anytime I see him real interview settings he's very soft spoken, polite, fidgity almost nervously stammering. But in his movies, I see none of this.

[Batman49]

Some great thoughts there SJJ. For me Johnny Depp was one of those actors I followed with a hypersensitive eye for years and years, and each performance he kept turning left and hopping around genres that he to me is the very personification of what I think an actor's job should be, stepping into someone elses shoes. I never dug those guys that baically bring their very own personality on screen with them and people just like them(Nicholson, Walken, Tom Cruise etc). UNDERRATED was the word to describe Depp before Pirates of the Caribbean which finally delivered him the credit he's deserved for years and years.

You bring up some interesting names there. Jennifer Connelly, you're right, though she often comes off as a bland ice-princess(attracted to tortured geniuses in Hulk and Beautiful Mind) too often, she does take edgy challenges that most actresses wouldn't because of vanity and image. Her filmography is very interesting, rangy and ballsy.

After you brought up, William H Macy, it got me to think of Alec Baldwin who I think is just brilliant in everything he does. Whether the film is a turd or not Alec will be probably be the most interesting thing about it. If you watch him in The Cooler, Outside Providence, Glenn Garry Glen Ross, you can't take your eyes off him, he's a hypnotic presence. Please don't confuse him with his doppelganger brothers. ALEC is one of the best around.
I also follow Depp very closely, actually I follow a lot of actors closely. I love film. Let me make a mention that while I wouldn't say he's the greatest actor ever, Matt Damon is probably my favorite actor right now. He's definately in my top 10 for sure. Like Depp, I think Matt Damon, whether the movie is **** or not is usually the best actor in the film. He has my respect. Plus, sentimentally, he's one of the reasons I've become a filmmaker.

Glad you mentioned Jennifer Connelly cause she is one of my favorite actresses right now. She is one of the many I follow and is probably my favorite of current actresses. I'd have to add Naomi Watts to that list too even though I have not seen a whole lot from her, but 21 Grams really convinced me that she's one to watch. I think her acting in 21 Grams was better then what Charlize Theron did in Monster. Theron was great but I think Naomi Watts was better.


Merryl Streep destroys Depp, Tisdale. Check her out. And Depp is different, I've seen most all of his movies. I like him. I'm just debating with you on the fact he's not the supreme example of a range acvtor and is levels above all else.
I have to disagree there. I respect Streep, but I think Depp is the better actor between the two. My argument with Tisdale is just that he's not the only great actor, to me he is one of a few.

[Wayman Tisdale]

Johnny Depp- Good, but I truly hated POTC. With all my heart.You're just jealous and bitter because Captain Jack probably stole your ship Capt Jim!

[Nick K.]

Really, I'm going to have to finally check out Angels in America, I actually don't know a lot about it, what's the premise, it's an HBO mini series right?

It is a 6 part/ 6 hour mini based on the play by Tony Kushner. It is really very good. Pacino is great in it as is Jeffrey Wright. I liked Justin Kirk's performance, too, as well as Mary Louise Parker's. Heh, let's just say they were a great cast.


I actually thought Secret Window was great because of Depp, it kept suprising me(maybe I don't read enough Stephen King), it's the true test of when someone says the old cliche' of "I could watch so and so read a phone book and be entertained!" We'll I found I could watch Johnny Depp read a phone book and be entertained and eat Doritos and drink Mountain Dew. But how do you really know what the "real" Johnny Depp is? Anytime I see him real interview settings he's very soft spoken, polite, fidgity almost nervously stammering. But in his movies, I see none of this.

And when I refer to a lot of himelf, I mean that he's not ranging and relies on stuff he does like little tricks he pulls out of a bag...

[Wayman Tisdale]

It is a 6 part/ 6 hour mini based on the play by Tony Kushner. It is really very good. Pacino is great in it as is Jeffrey Wright. I liked Justin Kirk's performance, too, as well as Mary Louise Parker's. Heh, let's just say they were a great cast.

How is Pacino in this? Does he play a more amplified version of himself again or is it a departure from the same ol Al?

[James]

I think we also have to serve a distinction between acting and direction. You can be the best actor, but a poor director or set atmosphere will kill a performance. I've not seen Secret Window, but I know Depp is able to pull a range of characters. Sounds to me as if the film itself stunk, regardless of how good the lead was.

[Wayman Tisdale]

I also follow Depp very closely, actually I follow a lot of actors closely. I love film. Let me make a mention that while I wouldn't say he's the greatest actor ever, Matt Damon is probably my favorite actor right now. He's definately in my top 10 for sure. Like Depp, I think Matt Damon, whether the movie is **** or not is usually the best actor in the film. He has my respect. Plus, sentimentally, he's one of the reasons I've become a filmmaker.
Who is the reason you became a filmmaker, Depp or Damon?

Matt Damon has too often gotten lumped into Ben Affleck's category and people like Affleck, when in fact he has chosen a much more cerebral and shrewd career path, script wise. He doesn't do a lot stinkers, but if I had knock it's that he seems do that clean-cut, tortured genius boy thing a bit too often. He's math genius(Goodwill Hunting), a golf genius(Legend of Bagger Vance), a stalker genius(Talented Mr Ripley), a poker genius(Rounders), a lawyer genius(The Rainmaker), a military genius(Bourne Identity), a computer genius(Ocean's Eleven) and there's probably more I'm forgetting.

BUT, he's very good at that and has done other things. I'll tell you one thing, I just watched Good Will Hunting again and that film is as close to perfection as movies get, it's a work of art! He was phenomenal in that and it was a damn shame he didn't get nominated for Best Actor performance in that. Whatever crappy movies Ben Affleck does, he for the rest of his life can always say he with Matt Damon had a major part in creating one of the best movies of all time! AND Math was my least favorite subject in higher school AND I think it's the least important and it still didn't impede me from loving this film.

[DarkAngel]

Hmm. It'd be tough for me to choose the very best since there are many actors I haven't seen a lot of. I'd say the following are among the best:

Al Pacino (my favorite actor)
Robert de Niro
Denzel Washington
Johnny Depp
Russell Crowe
Robert Duvall

If I had to choose one, I'd say Pacino.

[Wayman Tisdale]

I think we also have to serve a distinction between acting and direction. You can be the best actor, but a poor director or set atmosphere will kill a performance. I've not seen Secret Window, but I know Depp is able to pull a range of characters. Sounds to me as if the film itself stunk, regardless of how good the lead was.YES, well he takes the role and squeezes everything he can out of a depressed writer with writer's block. He does little subtle tricks to keep the guy(Mort Rainey) interesting, while on paper the guy is supposed to be immobilized by the depression of his wife cheating on him.

It's one of those love it or hate it films, not a lot of in between, I personally loved it because of DEPP and I knew what the fillmmakers(David "Spider-Man one" Koepp) were going for.

[Caffeine King]

I'd say, definitely Tom Hanks.

He's very talented.

Also, Dave Chappelle (he's a great comedian! :p )

There are lots of actresses that I love too, though... ;) :)

[Wayman Tisdale]

Hmm. It'd be tough for me to choose the very best since there are many actors I haven't seen a lot of. I'd say the following are among the best:

Al Pacino (my favorite actor)
Robert de Niro
Denzel Washington
Johnny Depp
Russell Crowe
Robert Duvall

If I had to choose one, I'd say Pacino.Good choices there Dark Angel, it's hard to argue with any of them BUT I still can't believe after a few Academy awards Russell Crowe STILL isn't brought up in the top tier, he is outstanding in everything he's in! Beautiful Mind to Gladiator to LA Confidential to The Insider to Master and Commander all great performances and films each!

[The Drizzle]

Sean Connery.

[Batman49]

Who is the reason you became a filmmaker, Depp or Damon?

They both are, Depp I just would love to work with, Damon with Good Will Hunting inspired me to really get serious about writing and directing. There are others as well but those are 2 of the people responsible for getting me into filmmaking.

[Nick K.]

How is Pacino in this? Does he play a more amplified version of himself again or is it a departure from the same ol Al?

Pacino is really different from his other roles in this. He plays a homosexual/ baby type character... He won a Golden Globe I think and is up for an Emmy for this role too. Lately he's been in a rut... but his Shylock in Merchant of Venice will be good. I have a feeling. I'm doing that monologue right now.

If you prick us, do we not bleed?

Just gold!

Also, Crowe was great in A Beautiful Mind!

[g_UnIt_GaNsTa]

You're just jealous and bitter because Captain Jack probably stole your ship Capt Jim!
Arrr, he stole me ship and won over the hearts of me crew with 'e's fancy Oscar...Arrr

[Nick K.]

Arrr, he stole me ship and won over the hearts of me crew with 'e's fancy Oscar...Arrr

Sean Penn beat him out for the Oscar! :mad: :p

[g_UnIt_GaNsTa]

Sean Penn beat him out for the Oscar! :mad: :p
Arrr, but th' treacherous Pirate Cap'n Depp stole it from 'im...Or, Y'know, Depp got one in another movie. I'm damn sure you know which one I'm talking about.

[Nick K.]

He has an Oscar? I know he has a S.A.G....

[g_UnIt_GaNsTa]

I thought he got one for that one movie...Y'know, with Mexicans and stuff.

I really don't follow Oscars that much, but my cousin is in love with Johnny Depp so I know some stuff about him.

[Joker85]

Actors:
Morgan Freeman- one of my all time favorites. I'd go to a movie where he reads the phone book
Johnny Depp
Joaquin Phoenix
Jimmy Stewart
William H. Macy
Edward Norton
Robin Williams
Russell Crowe
Sean Astin
Tom Hanks- he is an actor who I either love or hate. I think he has done some really bad and overrated movies, and then he comes along and does a Ladykillers or a Road to Perdition and proves me wrong.
Charlie Chaplin

Actresses
Maggie Smith-again, I'd see her read the phone book. She is simply my favorite actress out there. She can do comedy or drama with equal ease,and more times than not her characters seemed to be a perfect blend of both.
Katharine Hepburn
Jodie Foster
Catherine O'Hara
Whoopi Goldberg
Helen Mirren
Kirsten Dunst
Parker Posey

[DarkAngel]

Good choices there Dark Angel, it's hard to argue with any of them BUT I still can't believe after a few Academy awards Russell Crowe STILL isn't brought up in the top tier, he is outstanding in everything he's in! Yeah, absolutely. I think he's definitely up there with the best. I wasn't listing my choices in any particular order, so I think he's holds his own with any of the others I mentioned.

[Wayman Tisdale]

Sean Penn beat him out for the Oscar! :mad: :pNow that really pissed me off. Sean Penn's Oscar win for Mystic River was the most unfounded Oscar win in history(and overrated performance), Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean was ground breaking, inhuman and destroyed that big sour puss jerk in believability, creativity, captivity, and most of all likeability! My consolation which I actually feel is more important, is the fact that Johnny Depp won the SAG award for best actor, which encompasses every actor alive with a SAG card to vote. To me that's more important. It's not only that, but if Depp didn't win, I sure as hell was hoping Bill Murray would for Lost in Translation. Murray's another one who does a great job everytime out(making the film better because of him) and has a great script choosing process/ability.

When I saw Mystic River I sure as hell didn't walk out of the theatre thinking "Sean Penn was amazing!", I didn't even flinch about him, he was fine I guess, I certainly wasn't remotely thinkiing Oscar. I was very miffed and suspicious when I heard Sean Penn was nominated for that slighty overpraised movie. I somewhat thought that about Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon but not dopey Penn.

I think Oscar, much like Meryl Streep LOVES anything involving Clint Eastwood and will heap votes on him for anything or anybody affiliated with him. Johnny Depp was an Oscar pariah for years and years because he wouldn't bend to the Hallmark scripts Oscar fawns over.

[Wayman Tisdale]

If you prick us, do we not bleed?

Just gold!

HAHAhahah my first exposure to that quote was Beast on the X-Men animated series in 1992 defending mutants rights to the supreme court.

Ahead of it's time for sure and over people's heads. Beast was an amazing character on the series for the time and very well voiced and drawn.

Lil known fact, Bryan Singer used the 76 episodes of X-Men TAS as a loose, visual and characterization template for his X-Men movies as he says on the DVD.

[Batman49]

Now that really pissed me off. Sean Penn's Oscar win for Mystic River was the most unfounded Oscar win in history(and overrated performance), Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean was ground breaking, inhuman and destroyed that big sour puss jerk in believability, creativity, captivity, and most of all likeability! My consolation which I actually feel is more important, is the fact that Johnny Depp won the SAG award for best actor, which encompasses every actor alive with a SAG card to vote. To me that's more important. It's not only that, but if Depp didn't win, I sure as hell was hoping Bill Murray would for Lost in Translation. Murray's another one who does a great job everytime out(making the film better because of him) and has a great script choosing process/ability.

When I saw Mystic River I sure as hell didn't walk out of the theatre thinking "Sean Penn was amazing!", I didn't even flinch about him, he was fine I guess, I certainly wasn't remotely thinkiing Oscar. I was very miffed and suspicious when I heard Sean Penn was nominated for that slighty overpraised movie. I somewhat thought that about Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon but not dopey Penn.

I think Oscar, much like Meryl Streep LOVES anything involving Clint Eastwood and will heap votes on him for anything or anybody affiliated with him. Johnny Depp was an Oscar pariah for years and years because he wouldn't bend to the Hallmark scripts Oscar fawns over.
Yeah, Sean Penn was nominated for the wrong film last year. He should have been nominated for 21 Grams instead. Although I did like Mystic River, especially the direction, but not as much as everyone else did. Clint Eastwood can direct a damn fine film though. I agree that Depp has been dicked many times by the academy. While I'm at it, so was Saving Private Ryan. A film in which Matt Damon didn't play a genius.

[Nick K.]

Now that really pissed me off. Sean Penn's Oscar win for Mystic River was the most unfounded Oscar win in history(and overrated performance), Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean was ground breaking, inhuman and destroyed that big sour puss jerk in believability, creativity, captivity, and most of all likeability! My consolation which I actually feel is more important, is the fact that Johnny Depp won the SAG award for best actor, which encompasses every actor alive with a SAG card to vote. To me that's more important. It's not only that, but if Depp didn't win, I sure as hell was hoping Bill Murray would for Lost in Translation. Murray's another one who does a great job everytime out(making the film better because of him) and has a great script choosing process/ability.

When I saw Mystic River I sure as hell didn't walk out of the theatre thinking "Sean Penn was amazing!", I didn't even flinch about him, he was fine I guess, I certainly wasn't remotely thinkiing Oscar. I was very miffed and suspicious when I heard Sean Penn was nominated for that slighty overpraised movie. I somewhat thought that about Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon but not dopey Penn.

I think Oscar, much like Meryl Streep LOVES anything involving Clint Eastwood and will heap votes on him for anything or anybody affiliated with him. Johnny Depp was an Oscar pariah for years and years because he wouldn't bend to the Hallmark scripts Oscar fawns over.

You have to remember that these Award shows are pretty pointless besides entertainment value, though I do hope to get an Oscar when I grow up... I'm an actor. :p

As for Penn, he was overdue. He deserved one several times for movies like Dead Man Walking and the like and hadn't gotten one and this was a good year for him, IMO. 21 Grams ruled... so they got the wrong movie. Denzel Washington was another guy. Should he have won for Training Day? No. His performances in Malcolm X and Hurrican outweigh that performance by far. They just give them away if they make mistakes to right their wrongs... hehe...

Also, I think you're being too hard on Meryl Streep. I'm telling you she's fantastic man. Just because she's been honored with several nominations shouldn't take that away from her...


HAHAhahah my first exposure to that quote was Beast on the X-Men animated series in 1992 defending mutants rights to the supreme court.

Ahead of it's time for sure and over people's heads. Beast was an amazing character on the series for the time and very well voiced and drawn.

Lil known fact, Bryan Singer used the 76 episodes of X-Men TAS as a loose, visual and characterization template for his X-Men movies as he says on the DVD.

Indeed. Beast was the first time I heard that quote too. :high five:

[Wayman Tisdale]

You have to remember that these Award shows are pretty pointless besides entertainment value, though I do hope to get an Oscar when I grow up... I'm an actor. :p

As for Penn, he was overdue. He deserved one several times for movies like Dead Man Walking and the like and hadn't gotten one and this was a good year for him, IMO. 21 Grams ruled... so they got the wrong movie. Denzel Washington was another guy. Should he have won for Training Day? No. His performances in Malcolm X and Hurrican outweigh that performance by far. They just give them away if they make mistakes to right their wrongs... hehe...
Ya know that is an excellent analogy and observation with Denzel Washington! I was thinking the exact same thing about Training Day! It's a movie when I saw it that struck me as a slightly above average crooked cop movie. Then SHAZAM, Denzel is nominted for an Oscar and I'm thinking "Huh, did we watch the same movie?" I wouldn't give this thing more than a B- and Denzel has done much better work than this(the films you mentioned). I found it cliche' and predictable to say the least. IN FACT, I instantly remembered the exact same plotline on a 21 Jumpstreet two parter years ago, with the crooked cop schooling his young protege' in the crooked ways of the street. In 2001 it's a YAWN of a premise! Even stranger was how the hell Ethan Hawke got nominated for such a mediocre performance, that blew my mind where the Academy got that nomination from.

I agree these dopey awards shouldn't matter but they actually do with the magnitude of work the winner or nominee continues to get afterwards. At that point every filmmaker wants to be associated with an "Academy award winner or nominee", even though in my heart of hearts I think the SAG award is more valid and a better scope of opinions. It's sort like the popular vote of the Presedential vote and the Academy is like the Electoral votes, which vaguely decides everything.

[Nick K.]

Ya know that is an excellent analogy with Denzel Washington. I was thinking the exact same thing about Training Day! It's a movie when I saw it that struck me as a slightly above average crooked cop movie. Then SHAZAM Denzel is nominted for an Oscar and I'm thinking "Huh, did we watch the same movie?' I wouldn't give this thing more than a B-, I found it cliche' to say the least. IN FACT I instantly remembered the exact same plotline on a 21 Jumpstreet two parter years ago, with the crooked cop schooling his young protege' in the crooked ways of the street. In 2001 it's YAWN! Even stranger was how the hell Ethan Hawke got nominated for such a mediocre performance, that blew my mind.

I agree these dopey awards shouldn't matter but they actually do with the magnitude of work the winner or nominee continues to get afterwards. At that point every filmmaker wants to be associated with an "Academy award winner or nominee", even though in my heart of hearts I think the SAG award is more valid and a better scope of opinions. It's sort like the popular vote of the Presedential vote and the Academy is like the Electoral votes, which vaguely decides everything.

Totally agreed. I'd rather have a S.A.G. because you know how your peers feel... he he... and as for getting more work when you get an Oscar, that is definitely a plus.

Anyway, you always win an Oscar when you play homosexual or disabled as a male or a prostitute as a femal... hehe... stereotypes

And looking at other actors and their wins...

Al Pacino wins for Scent of a Woman... I say he deserves it for that
Kevin Spacey for American Beauty - definitely deserves it here...
Russel Crowe for Gladiator - eh.. I'd have preferred he won for A Beautiful Mind
Sean Penn for Mystic River - Preferred he won for 21 Grams or Dead Man Walking

I don't know sometimes they get it right and sometimes they mess up so they make up for their mistakes...

[Wayman Tisdale]

While I'm at it, so was Saving Private Ryan. A film in which Matt Damon didn't play a genius.
YES, but ironically Damon's character name is in the actual title but he's not in the movie that much at all. It's not the greatest Matt Damon showcase, as one would think seeing his character's name IN the title.

I'm certainly not remotely knocking him in the movie but I'm merely saying he wasn't in it that much like he should have been or I thought he would be.

[Nick K.]

I decided to make a better list of Oscar whathaveits through 1991...

2003 76th Academy Awards
Sean Penn - MYSTIC RIVER

- Got him for the wrong movie.

2002 75th Academy Awards
Adrien Brody - THE PIANIST

- Got him right, though he hasn't done too much... I go to the school he used to go to and met him. He's a cool guy...

2001 74th Academy Awards
Denzel Washington - TRAINING DAY

- Got him for the wrong movie.

2000 73rd Academy Awards
Russell Crowe - GLADIATOR

- Got him for the wrong movie.

1999 72nd Academy Awards
Kevin Spacey - AMERICAN BEAUTY

- Got him right. He has plenty of great performances and this is certainly his greatest.

1998 71st Academy Awards
Roberto Benigni - LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

- Hasn't done much but they were pretty much right here.

1997 70th Academy Awards
Jack Nicholson - AS GOOD AS IT GETS

- This is like his 2nd... but he is just awesome in this. They got it right.

1996 69th Academy Awards
Geoffrey Rush - SHINE

- Got it Right.

1995 68th Academy Awards
Nicolas Cage - LEAVING LAS VEGAS

- His only good performance in my opinion... but still wouldn't say he ranks as a winner.

1994 67th Academy Awards
Tom Hanks - FORREST GUMP

- Heck yeah!

1993 66th Academy Awards
Tom Hanks - PHILADELPHIA

- Heck yeah!

1992 65th Academy Awards
Al Pacino - SCENT OF A WOMAN

- He's had a lot of great performances. The Godfather obviously and Serpico... but he's only won one Oscar. They got it right but he should've won another one hehe/...

1991 64th Academy Awards
Anthony Hopkins - THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

- Heck Yeah!

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

2003 76th Academy Awards
Charlize Theron - MONSTER

- Definitely. I hadn't even considered her a good actress but she is one.

2002 75th Academy Awards
Nicole Kidman - THE HOURS

- My favorite actress righ here. She is definitely worthy in this movie. I feel she should get one for Dogville, as well.

2001 74th Academy Awards
Halle Berry - MONSTER'S BALL

- Her best performance... but I really don't know if this was right...

2000 73rd Academy Awards
Julia Roberts - ERIN BROCKOVICH

- Ugh... not at all. She hasn't done anything good, IMO.

1999 72nd Academy Awards
Hilary Swank - BOYS DON'T CRY

- Definitely!

1998 71st Academy Awards
Gwyneth Paltrow - SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE

- Eh... I guess she was okay here. I think she's had better performances... like in Sylvia.

1997 70th Academy Awards
Helen Hunt - AS GOOD AS IT GETS

- Definitely her best and worthy.

1996 69th Academy Awards
Frances McDormand - FARGO

- Great performance here!

1995 68th Academy Awards
Susan Sarandon - DEAD MAN WALKING

- Heck yeah! And Penn should have won with her.

1994 67th Academy Awards
Jessica Lange - BLUE SKY

Haven't seen. =[

1993 66th Academy Awards
Holly Hunter - THE PIANO

Haven't Seen. =[

1992 65th Academy Awards
Emma Thompson - HOWARDS END
Haven't seen.

1991 64th Academy Awards
Jodie Foster - THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

- She was better in The Accused.

1990 63rd Academy Awards
Kathy Bates - MISERY

- No. Just no.

[DarkAngel]

Indeed. Beast was the first time I heard that quote too. :high five:I think the first time I heard that quote was Star Trek VI.