In Reply to: Better send him some mouthwash. posted by tinear on February 19, 2005 at 16:35:27:
Of actors that are pretty good on this list! Uncle! Uncle!Morgan Freeman. Would love to see him in a slimy role like he had in "Street Smart" again. Pauline Kael asked if he was the best actor in America today. He probably is.
Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges are good, too. Travolta was great early in his career ("Carrie" thru "Blow Out") and during his comeback ("Pulp Fiction" "Get Shorty" "Michael")...not so sure about his work today but you are right, can't count him out. Denzel is good but holds himself back (except in "Training Day"). Would love to see him play a man whole, with good and bad points, in a film better than the one where he took the hospital hostage (can't think of the name off the top of my head).
The others? Good performances here and there. A couple of years of good work followed by stuff that leaves me cold. Fiennes, Malkovich, Neeson all good examples here. It will be interesting to see del Toro's work in the next 2-3 years now that the hype is not as strong.
Sean Penn just leaves me cold. I know, lots of critical acclaim but I prefer his early naturalistic work over the stuff he does today. Would love to see him play a man who comes from wealth who has never had to work...oh wait a minute! That's who he is! He is that every day...except in his films! Brando came from a well-off family too (ranch, investments, and a, what, 9-room apartment shared with his sister and mother in the 40s in Manhattan), but he could convey anyone in any situation. It's hard for me to see Penn doing the same. I could be wrong here, there may be a "beam in my eye" preventing me from seeing his genius, but what can I say?
One name you didn't mention: Jack Nicholson. Now there is an actor who tries to do something interesting in every role he plays.
Meg Ryan and Nicole Kidman are at least trying to do "challenging" roles. Cate Blanchett is pretty good.
But, Freeman and Travolta aside, I say let's wait another 5-10 years before we place these guys in the same league as Brando, Bogie, Stewart, Grant, etc. A couple of lit matches ain't quite a flame, IMHO.
Thanks for reminding me of some good things from the last 15-20 years! Going over your list brought an unexpected, "Hmmm, he's right" a couple of times!
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Follow Ups
- Re: Okay, okay, there ARE a couple... - Gee LP 19:41:47 02/19/05 (10)
- You're absolutely correct about current females, - tinear 12:13:38 02/20/05 (1)
- Re: I agree! - Gee LP 14:08:44 02/20/05 (0)
- See Penn in Bad Boys, Fast Times, and At Close Range - tinear 12:09:57 02/20/05 (7)
- Re: Do I HAVE to see any more Penn films? - Gee LP 14:18:01 02/20/05 (6)
- At Close Range showed a complete actor in - tinear 04:34:33 02/21/05 (3)
- Re: Bob Dylan's hobo period - Gee LP 10:37:14 02/21/05 (2)
- Re: "...narrow range..."? - rico 02:55:32 02/22/05 (1)
- Re: Rico, what about "I am Sam", too? - Gee LP 10:19:44 02/23/05 (0)
- Yes, you must see All The Kings Men this fall w/Penn starring. *nt* - Road Warrior 17:01:28 02/20/05 (1)
- Re: Yes, I am planning to see All The Kings Men this fall w/Penn starring. *nt* - Gee LP 22:31:32 02/20/05 (0)