EmmaMcG said:

gandorb said:

I agree that Depp has excellent talent. However, he used to make artistic choices for his movies but now seems to be content to mostly playing this look how weird I am schtick that is a waste of his talent. I would now nominate him for one of the most disappointing actors.

Supposedly Marlon Brando once told him he was too good an actor to do movies and that he should do more theatre work. Maybe he misunderstood and that's why he keeps doing those over the top performances in his movies. Or maybe he would just rather earn 30 or 40 million for playing a pirate than earn 10 times less making a movie with more merit. But I agree, he's definitely one of the most disappointing actors because you know he's got the talent to do something special but for one reason or another, he doesn't do it.

I feel like he doesn't have the depth to deliver a three-dimensional performance. He is (was?) a very good-looking guy who's made a career out of playing caricatures (the easiest performances to give, in my opinion).

But more power to him. To quote a Robbie Robertson lyric, "'You've got to play the hand what's dealt ya' / That's what the old man always said".

I can think of a couple off the top of my head:

Giancarlo Esposito

Tony Leung

John Hawkes

Kirstin Scott-Thomas (who for a while, for my , was the best actress in the world, Streep included)

Ace said:

KoolEaze said:

Both are really, really great. Full of self reflection, bitterness, sadness and much deeper than I ever expected from Jean Claude Van Damme.

You should really give at least JCVD a try. And if you like it I´m sure you´ll watch at least a couple of episodes of Jean Claude Van Johnson.

I loved it !

Stern's talked about how much he enjoyed JCVJ and apparently Springsteen's a fan of the JCVD flick (story has it that he wanted the cinematography of the live Darkness on the Edge of Town album performance DVD to mimic it).

You really HAVE to see that scene in JCVD where he really cries.

I know Jean Claude Van Damme has a certain reputation and his movies are probably not exactly the kind of movies you and I like to watch but seriously, JCVD is a very touching, funny, sad and deep movie about an action movie has-been who knows that his glory days are over and how he deals with that fact.

Really a great movie.

The TV show JCVJ kind of picks up that motif and takes it to a whole different level.....a bit more absurd, much more over the top but still very enjoyable.

namepeace said:

I can think of a couple off the top of my head:

Giancarlo Esposito

...

he also had a few very memorable appearances on 'nypd blue'...i like him a lot.

Ace said:

EmmaMcG said:

Ace said: The thing is though, he's answered that question before. Numerous times. And it's a bit insulting really to ask it in the first place because in asking him that question it insinuates that all his movies are just about the violence. There are some stories that can't be told properly WITHOUT showing a certain level of violence. Very rarely do you see QT putting in violence just for the sake of it. It's always there to get across a point he's trying to make like how fucked up in the head Mr. Blonde is when he chops off the cops ear in Reservoir Dogs or how badly black slaves were treated in America in Django Unchained. Sometimes it's shocking but its never without reason.

I know he's answered it before. Which should have given him ample opportunity to sharpen his response.

I don't feel that it's an insulting question or that it insinuates that all of his movies are just about violence.

Are there stories that can't be told properly without showing a certain level of violence? Probably not. But I think "a certain level" is the key phrase here. In Match Point, for instance, graphic violence is never shown onscreen, but you know that it's been done and you're aware of the brutality of it.

Tarantino seems to have a graphic-violence fetish (and I have close friends who love his films, so I'm not necessarily going to pass judgment on that). He should just own it without getting so defensive (it makes one think, 'Why does this question rankle him so?'); like, 'I'm not the first purveyor of graphic violence in films and I probably won't be the last. I like these kinds of films and I'm not running around killing anybody. Studies have shown...' (if studies have shown).

He'll probably be fielding this question again, at some point, so why not have a better reply ready than, "I'm shutting your butt DOWN."?

...But I have a feeling he'll be more inundated with questions about Weinstein, Thurman and Polanski when he does the rounds for the next pic. Unless he decides not to do any promo personally, to avoid them.

But I doubt that. Quentin loves to talk and he loves the spotlight.

i dunno...i don't think he's obligated at all to have to explain, justify or rationalize his art one way or another. he's a free american. if he decides he doesn't want to answer one of a series of questions that he is generously providing his time for someone to ask, he should be able to say 'i don't want to address that' without much else being said about it.

peedub said:

Ace said:

I know he's answered it before. Which should have given him ample opportunity to sharpen his response.

I don't feel that it's an insulting question or that it insinuates that all of his movies are just about violence.

Are there stories that can't be told properly without showing a certain level of violence? Probably not. But I think "a certain level" is the key phrase here. In Match Point, for instance, graphic violence is never shown onscreen, but you know that it's been done and you're aware of the brutality of it.

Tarantino seems to have a graphic-violence fetish (and I have close friends who love his films, so I'm not necessarily going to pass judgment on that). He should just own it without getting so defensive (it makes one think, 'Why does this question rankle him so?'); like, 'I'm not the first purveyor of graphic violence in films and I probably won't be the last. I like these kinds of films and I'm not running around killing anybody. Studies have shown...' (if studies have shown).

He'll probably be fielding this question again, at some point, so why not have a better reply ready than, "I'm shutting your butt DOWN."?

...But I have a feeling he'll be more inundated with questions about Weinstein, Thurman and Polanski when he does the rounds for the next pic. Unless he decides not to do any promo personally, to avoid them.

But I doubt that. Quentin loves to talk and he loves the spotlight.

i dunno...i don't think he's obligated at all to have to explain, justify or rationalize his art one way or another. he's a free american. if he decides he doesn't want to answer one of a series of questions that he is generously providing his time for someone to ask, he should be able to say 'i don't want to address that' without much else being said about it.

Oh, he's not obligated. But it looks suspect.

As for generously providing his time, he's there to try and increase the profits on his product (and stroke his own ego). Nothing wrong with the former and we all like to stroke it from time to time.

One could also say that the network, the interviewer, and everyone else involved is also generously providing their time. But, of course, we all know why they're providing it.

Quentin better buckle up and prep well for future interviews. 'Cause the ride's about to get really rough...

Jeffrey Wright.

Hamad said:

Jeffrey Wright.

He had a great (if small) turn in Celebrity!

Allison Janney, I really hope she wins the Best Supporting Actress at this year's Oscars. She was amazing in I, Tonya. It was a master class performance

[Edited 2/28/18 20:36pm]

Goddess4Real said:

Allison Janney, I really hope she wins the Best Supporting Actress at this year's Oscars. She was amazing in I, Tonya. It was a master class performance

[Edited 2/28/18 20:36pm]

You really think she's underrated? Every time I see her, she's pickin' up hardware.

Ace said:

Hamad said:

Jeffrey Wright.

He had a great (if small) turn in Celebrity!

He lifts every project he takes on (good, bad, so-so) to another level.

Ace said:

Goddess4Real said:

Allison Janney, I really hope she wins the Best Supporting Actress at this year's Oscars. She was amazing in I, Tonya. It was a master class performance

[Edited 2/28/18 20:36pm]

You really think she's underrated? Every time I see her, she's pickin' up hardware.

But it's only recently that she has been picking up the hardware, she was been a character actress since the early 90s.

Goddess4Real said:

Ace said:

You really think she's underrated? Every time I see her, she's pickin' up hardware.

But it's only recently that she has been picking up the hardware, she was been a character actress since the early 90s.

She's been earning raves for as long as I can remember. But I'll take your word for it.

Incidentally, she was about two feet away from me at TIFF. Tall woman. Looks a little older in-person (or a least she did to me, that day). Has a very proud bearing and seemed to either be in a hurry or that she just didn't have the patience that day to deal with extraneous stuff (I think she blew by some waiting fans). I didn't approach her (I respect her as an actor, but I didn't want to bother her and I had bigger fish to fry that day).

Did you ever see her in The Rewrite? Private Parts?

[Edited 3/2/18 1:40am]

EmmaMcG said:

Another actor who is really underrated, underappreciated and downright underused in Hollywood is Timothy Olyphant. Now, even leaving aside that I'm very much in love with him and would definitely break off my engagement if he were to come calling, he is a great actor. Probably best known for starring in the TV shows Deadwood and Justified where he plays two different types of lawmen, both great, he deserves a chance to shine on a bigger scale. So far his only major movie roles are playing the title character in Hitman and the villain in Die Hard 4. He definitely deserves better than that. Tarantino called him one of the best actors on television during Justified's initial run so maybe he'll have his chance to show his stuff in one of QT's future movies but if not, at least we've got the Deadwood revival to look forward to. Now, I don’t know how to do it but if one of you would like to post a picture of Timothy Olyphant for me, preferably wearing a cowboy hat, I'd be very grateful.

I still can't forgive Olyphant for his horrendous performance in Scream 2, in particular the finale/reveal. He was absolutely terrible in that, just an awful Skeet Ulrich impression that ruined the film ... I guess you can lay some of the blame on the script, but still ....

I'm totally with you on Schwarzenegger though. He's had his dodgy moments for sure, but when he's on form in the right role he's excellent. And he's getting better as he gets older. Did you see Maggie? He was stunning in that.

DaveT said:

namepeace said:

Ace said:

He had a great (if small) turn in Celebrity!

He lifts every project he takes on (good, bad, so-so) to another level.

I agree. One of the most charismatic actors in our lifetime.

Michael Wincott, Angela Bassett, Alfre Woodard, Robert Pattinson, James Cromwell, Edward Burns, Ron Livingston, Robin Wright, Don 'The Dragon' Wilson, Christina Ricci, Jennifer Jason Leigh

EmmaMcG said:

DaveT said:

I still can't forgive Olyphant for his horrendous performance in Scream 2, in particular the finale/reveal. He was absolutely terrible in that, just an awful Skeet Ulrich impression that ruined the film ... I guess you can lay some of the blame on the script, but still ....

I'm totally with you on Schwarzenegger though. He's had his dodgy moments for sure, but when he's on form in the right role he's excellent. And he's getting better as he gets older. Did you see Maggie? He was stunning in that.

I can't stay mad at Timothy Olyphant. He's just too damn sexy. But if you need some convincing, Deadwood or Justified will help you forget Scream 2. He's also really good in a movie called A Perfect Getaway. Small budget movie but it's got a decent cast. Chris Hemsworth and Milla Jov... Jovovo.... The woman from The Fifth Element. I think you might like it. Yeah Arnie was great in Maggie. Likewise in Aftermath. With the right material he could have a second acting career as a serious actor rather than the action star he is.

Ta for the tips, always appreciate good film recommendations ... and I love Milla Jovovich in anything (which might have something to do with her penchant for flashing her lady garden at the drop of a hat! )

As a big Arnie fan (he was a huge inspiration to me growing up) I really hope he gets that second acting life doing interesting character roles. Little known fact but he actually won a Golden Globe for newcomer performance for Stay Hungry (1976) so he has the pedigree. Sadly the only stuff on the horizon though is yet another Terminator sequel and Expendables 4

DaveT said:

spacedolphin said:

Michael Wincott, Angela Bassett, Alfre Woodard, Robert Pattinson, James Cromwell, Edward Burns, Ron Livingston, Robin Wright, Don 'The Dragon' Wilson, Christina Ricci, Jennifer Jason Leigh

I find Burns very likeable. He tells a good story about Saving Private Ryan (which I've never seen) being his first role in a big film. Was incredibly nervous and blew a few takes right off the bat. Says Spielberg and Hanks were super-nice and encouraging.

Re: JJL, have you seen Greenberg? Her part is not that big, but she's very good (and it was based on a story she and her (then-)husband Baumbach conceived ("Story by...").

Re: Ricci, Have you seen Anything Else? A great Woody Allen script which is marred by horrible, cartoony performances from her and Jason Biggs. I'm sure she's a good actor, though. I thought she was really good in Buffalo '66.

DaveT said:

I love Milla Jovovich in anything (which might have something to do with her penchant for flashing her lady garden at the drop of a hat! )

Anthony Hopkins hasn't been good in years.

kpowers said:

2freaky4church1 said:

Anthony Hopkins hasn't been good in years.

He was very, very good in You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger.

Despite the history of academy award nominations, I think many underestimate Nicole Kidman. I used to think she was good but perhaps not deep in her acting. Perhaps it was her beauty that actually worked against her. However, I became a true believer after I saw Rabbit Hole. Truly a devastating portrayal of a woman who lost her child without any Hollywoody pretensions. She gave another great performance in Big Little Lies. While she might be eye candy, there is more behind her alluring surface.

Re Resevoir Dogs: Steve Buscemi for the tipping scene alone. He really didn't get any cracker jack prizes until Boardwalk Empire.

Since you quoted Robbie Robertson, Ace, my The Band (worship) brush with him was catering a small party in Brooklyn, early nineties. He and his wife could not have been nicer. I still have the group photo of us Party Girls with him in the middle.

shitty movie.

uh, who?

[Edited 3/4/18 18:06pm]

Giancarlo Esposito. Always loved his acting.

[Edited 3/4/18 18:05pm]