Which of today's actors would you classify as brilliant?

[Braincase]

Just rewatched Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote and Scent of a Woman. This guy is one of the greatest actors of our time, right there with Daniel Day Lewis.

[eazyb81]

Stephen Seagal. I now know what heaven is like after watching Under Siege 2: Dark Territory.

[penguinz]

Pauly Shore

[BigChiefFan]

Phillip Seymour Hoffman was awesome in Almost Famous.

[CanadianChief]

I thought Tom Green was brilliant in "Freddy Got Fingered"

[Brock]

John C. Reilly is pretty good, though he's tarnished himself some with lame comedies.

[stevieray]

Paul Giamatti
Chris Cooper

[Gonzo]

Richard Greco

Thread Ovah!!!

[Sully]

Depends...

I think if you take into account decisions on what they will be in, as well as acting skill, you'd have to put Hanks at the top of the list.

But you'd also have to add Clooney, Pitt and Damon, simpy because every movie they are in (IMO) is pretty damn good. They don't simply play "themselves" in every movie, either.

[Brock]

AFAIC, Tom Hanks does play himself in every movie.

[keg in kc]

Johnny Depp has to make the list. And while he makes some strange choices, I've always been a big fan of Morgan Freeman. George Clooney's really solid, too.

Strange as it is to say, Will Smith is really developing into something.

[keg in kc]

AFAIC, Tom Hanks does play himself in every movie.That sounds about right to me. I've always thought that, if the term "overrated" fit anybody, it was him. At least as an actor. As much as I'm not a fan of seeing him, I think he's used his influence to bring some good things to the screen (big and little).

[Braincase]

John C. Reilly is pretty good, though he's tarnished himself some with lame comedies.

Was it in Chicago that he sang that song IIRC "Mr. Cellophane"? Guy has pipes in the 9's.

[Sully]

AFAIC, Tom Hanks does play himself in every movie.

Andrew Beckett
Forrest Gump
Michael Sullivan
Chuck Noland
John H Miller...


To me these were all very divergent characters, which Hanks played completely differently. Did he still come through in all of them to an extent? Yeah, he did. But he certainly wasn't plaing himself in all those, IMO.

[Brock]

Andrew Beckett
Forrest Gump
Michael Sullivan
Chuck Noland
John H Miller...


To me these were all very divergent characters, which Hanks played completely differently. Did he still come through in all of them to an extent? Yeah, he did. But he certainly wasn't plaing himself in all those, IMO.

I guess I was thinking more in terms of Apollo 13, Cast Away, Saving Private Ryan, etc. Some of those that you listed make a decent argument the other way, though.

[Braincase]

Johnny Depp has to make the list. And while he makes some strange choices, I've always been a big fan of Morgan Freeman. George Clooney's really solid, too.

Strange as it is to say, Will Smith is really developing into something.

Johnny Depp absolutely. The Fresh Prince has come a long ways... as well as that guy that played the ugliest, horniest woman on MadTV...

[BucEyedPea]

Russell Crowe
Daniel Day Lewis
Renee Zellweger

[boogblaster]

Hanks-Pitt-Cuban Jr ...

[Frazod]

I would add Gary Oldman to the list. He and Morgan Freeman are probably my favorites.

[QuikSsurfer]

Bill Murray

[keg in kc]

Just to make it a little more obscure, who would everybody's favorite television actors be?

[milkman]

Just to make it a little more obscure, who would everybody's favorite television actors be?

That guy that played Joey on Friends.

[milkman]

Just to make it a little more obscure, who would everybody's favorite television actors be?

Oprah Winfrey.

Gotta be the greatest actor ever.

She makes people actually believe that she cares about anything but herself and her bank.

[Adept Havelock]

Anthony Hopkins...the modern Richard Burton (sans sauce).

Just to make it a little more obscure, who would everybody's favorite television actors be?

Edward James Olmos, Terry O' Quinn.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Among those not already mentioned:

The late Heath Ledger
Benicio Del Toro
Cate Blanchett

Two that are fantastic actors, but generally pick poor movies to showcase their talents, are Will Farrell and Adam Sandler. Both tend to stick to their schtick, but once in a while they shine - Farrell in Stranger than Fiction, Melinda and Melinda; Sandler in Reign Over Me, Punch Drunk Love.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Was it in Chicago that he sang that song IIRC "Mr. Cellophane"? Guy has pipes in the 9's.

That was the movie, but no. The guy absolutely has a decent voice, but there are a TON of people that are better. He can hold his own, but I wouldn't put him in the upper echelon of singers.

[Brock]

Adam Sandler sucks at everything he does.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Adam Sandler sucks at everything he does.

Have you seen either of those movies I mentioned? I don't care for 99 percent of Sandler's movies, but those two films are fantastic performances on his part.

[keg in kc]

I don't remember who said it, but someone on some interweb site made the comment that a director who can get Sandler out of the "angry comic" mode and stretch himself out can turn him into something special (like Punchdrunk Love), and that someone who can get Farrell out of "physical comedy" mode can do the same.

[Fire Me Boy!]

I don't remember who said it, but someone on some interweb site made the comment that a director who can get Sandler out of the "angry comic" mode and stretch himself out can turn him into something special (like Punchdrunk Love), and that someone who can get Farrell out of "physical comedy" mode can do the same.

That's the point I'm making. It takes someone special to get them out of their schtick, but both are VERY capable actors. In their normal comedic roles, I don't like either of them at all. Farrell was BARELY watchable in The Wedding Crashers, and I love that movie.

Robin Williams is another. If you get a director who can pull him in and not let him run free has a special talent on his hands.

[eazyb81]

If we're talking about just guys we like, I would go with Vince Vaughn and...gulp....Owen Wilson. I think they're both hilarious but I certainly wouldn't go as far as to call them brilliant.

For truly brilliant, DeNiro is an obvious choice for me.

[Direckshun]

You guys are all forgetting Christian Bale, who's my pick.

[Fire Me Boy!]

You guys are all forgetting Christian Bale, who's my pick.

Damn! I knew I was forgetting somebody.

[vailpass]

Andrew Beckett
Forrest Gump
Michael Sullivan
Chuck Noland
John H Miller...


To me these were all very divergent characters, which Hanks played completely differently. Did he still come through in all of them to an extent? Yeah, he did. But he certainly wasn't plaing himself in all those, IMO.

Completely agree.

[vailpass]

Keanu Reeves is clearly among the elite.

[Fire Me Boy!]

For truly brilliant, DeNiro is an obvious choice for me.

As much as I like Deniro, he's a lot like Pacino. I will see either of them sit and stare at a wall and call it art, but both of them are shells of their former selves.

I haven't seen Deniro really be something special since Flawless. Before that I'd have to go back to Casino. But he really hasn't been "incredible" since Awakenings, which was 18 years ago.

Pacino has done some incredible work more recently, but it's only when paired with an incredible director. He was great in Angels in America, Insomnia and The Insider, directed by Mike Nichols, Christopher Nolan and Michael Mann respectively.

But both actors have a tendency toward same old-same old.

[Frazod]

Also add Kevin Spacey and Guy Pearce.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Also add Kevin Spacey and Guy Pearce.

Spacey, yes, but I've never been all that impressed with Guy Pearce. Aside from Memento and L.A. Confidential, I've not cared for many of his performances.

[eazyb81]

As much as I like Deniro, he's a lot like Pacino. I will see either of them sit and stare at a wall and call it art, but both of them are shells of their former selves.

I haven't seen Deniro really be something special since Flawless. Before that I'd have to go back to Casino. But he really hasn't been "incredible" since Awakenings, which was 18 years ago.

Pacino has done some incredible work more recently, but it's only when paired with an incredible director. He was great in Angels in America, Insomnia and The Insider, directed by Mike Nichols, Christopher Nolan and Michael Mann respectively.

But both actors have a tendency toward same old-same old.

Good point, but I'm judging DeNiro more on his overall body of work, rather than where he's at right now.

I love the mafia stuff he did, but my absolute favorite job he did was in The Deer Hunter. That was some insanely great acting, I still get chills watching it.

[Chiefnj2]

Charleze Theron and Sean Penn are pretty good.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Charleze Theron and Sean Penn are pretty good.

I'd like Penn a lot better if he were less of a dick. But as an actor, he is very, very good.

[Adept Havelock]

I've always been kind of impressed with William H. Macy.

[Demonpenz]

hoffman was awesome in along came polly

[Sully]

hoffman was awesome in along came polly

Rain Drops!!!

[Molitoth]

You guys are all forgetting Christian Bale, who's my pick.

Mine as well.

[beach tribe]

I love the look on PSH's face in The Big Lebowski, when bunny says "I'll suck your cock for a thousand dollars"

[Fire Me Boy!]

I love the look on PSH's face in The Big Lebowski, when bunny says "I'll suck your cock for a thousand dollars"

Ahaaa.... That's marvelous.

[Fire Me Boy!]

hoffman was awesome in along came polly

Hank Azaria was great in that too.

[Demonpenz]

i liked hoffman in seriousness in these movies Boogie nights, the movie where he huffs gasoline to get high and he is the main character the name escapes me. I also liked him in almost famous. I heart that movie.

[gblowfish]

I've seen a lot of good picks here.

I think the following guys were brilliant at times, maybe not all the time, but had brilliant moments. Here's 10 I like:

1) Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles.
2) Jack Nicholson in "Cuckoo's Nest."
3) Clint Eastwood in "Unforgiven."
4) Robin Williams in "Good Will Hunting."
5) Denzel Washington in "Glory."
6) Dustin Hoffman in "Rain Man."
7) Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham."
8) John Cusak in "High Fidelity."
9) Kevin Kline in "A Fish Called Wanda"
10) Tom Berenger in "Platoon."

[Adept Havelock]

hoffman was awesome in along came polly

He stole the show in "Charlie Wilson's War" as Gust Avrakotos.

[Sully]

He stole the show in "Charlie Wilson's War" as Gust Avrakotos.

Absolutely.
That was HIS movie.

[RockChalk]

If you're into bad cop or good cop roles, then Denzel is your man. Sorry, but I can't stand him. Plays the same f'in character in every movie.

So I guess I pretty much described my worst actor of this generation

[Fire Me Boy!]

i liked hoffman in seriousness in these movies Boogie nights, the movie where he huffs gasoline to get high and he is the main character the name escapes me. I also liked him in almost famous. I heart that movie.

One of Hoffman's greatest roles ever is Owning Mahowny.



Oh! One I forgot - Jude Law. Big fan.

[Frazod]

Spacey, yes, but I've never been all that impressed with Guy Pearce. Aside from Memento and L.A. Confidential, I've not cared for many of his performances.

Did you see The Proposition?

[Fire Me Boy!]

If you're into bad cop or good cop roles, then Denzel is your man. Sorry, but I can't stand him. Plays the same f'in character in every movie.

So I guess I pretty much described my worst actor of this generation

Ever hear of an actor by the name of Ben Affleck?

[RockChalk]

I've seen a lot of good picks here.
9) Kevin Kline in "A Fish Called Wanda"


:clap:

[RockChalk]

Ever hear of an actor by the name of Ben Affleck?

i thought that went without saying

[Fire Me Boy!]

Did you see The Proposition?

No. That's one of the ones I have not seen.

[Frazod]

If you're into bad cop or good cop roles, then Denzel is your man. Sorry, but I can't stand him. Plays the same f'in character in every movie.

So I guess I pretty much described my worst actor of this generation

You need to watch Glory.

[Chazno]

Michael Caine

[Fire Me Boy!]

You need to watch Glory.

And skip John Q.

[Frazod]

No. That's one of the ones I have not seen.

Check it out. An Australian western. Very arty. You'll love it. :)

[RockChalk]

some of my favs are the already mentioned PSH, Tim Robbins in Shawshank, Morgan Freeman in just about anything, Gene Hackman in Royal Tenenbaums.

Somebody mentioned Segal earlier, so I will say that Tommy Lee Jones plays the nutjob in that perfectly

[Braincase]

i thought that went without saying

No sh*t. It's like asking, "Did you ever hear of this British cat named Laurence Olivier?.

[RockChalk]

Michael Caine

Ever seen the movie A Shock to the System?

it's a hidden gem

[keg in kc]

You need to watch Glory.Is Gloryhole Creampies 6 close enough?

[RockChalk]

You need to watch Glory.

haven't seen it...I'll have to check it out. Just tell me he isn't playing a cop of some sort?

[keg in kc]

haven't seen it...I'll have to check it out. Just tell me he isn't playing a cop of some sort?Civil War drama, great film.

[Brock]

Tommy Lee Jones is a guy who can pull off an Oscar whenever he feels like it.

[Frazod]

haven't seen it...I'll have to check it out. Just tell me he isn't playing a cop of some sort?

He played an escaped slave fighting in a colored Union regiment. He won an Oscar for the role.

Glory is my second favorite movie of all time, behind only Casablanca. Magnificent film.

[MVChiefFan]

You need to watch Glory.


Without a doubt! He was great, as was Morgan Freeman. Easily one of my top five movies of all time.

[Sully]

Now that I think of it, Val Kilmer done some cool shit, as well.

[Fire Me Boy!]

No sh*t. It's like asking, "Did you ever hear of this British cat named Laurence Olivier?.

RockChalk is the one that said that Denzel was the worst actor of all time. I assumed he hadn't heard of Ben.

[DaneMcCloud]

Five pages and no Ed Norton?

Ed Norton's probably one of the most gifted actors (multi-talented as a screenwriter as well) out there. While he's been great in everything, his turn in "Primal Fear" is still a blast to watch.

I used to be huge fans of Pacino, DeNiro & Dustin Hoffman but they've all chosen so many bad movies since their primes that it's hard to hold them in the same light as before. I guess if Ed Norton does a "Meet the Fockers" type movie or a "Gigli" (like Pacino), I'd have to re-evaluate him as well.

[Sully]

Five pages and no Ed Norton?

Ed Norton's probably one of the most gifted actors (multi-talented as a screenwriter as well) out there. While he's been great in everything, his turn in "Primal Fear" is still a blast to watch.

I used to be huge fans of Pacino, DeNiro & Dustin Hoffman but they've all chosen so many bad movies since their primes that it's hard to hold them in the same light as before. I guess if Ed Norton does a "Meet the Fockers" type movie or a "Gigli" (like Pacino), I'd have to re-evaluate him as well.

GAAAHHHH!!!
I can't believe I didn't think of Norton. Loved Primal Fear, but I equally loved him in 25th Hour.

I also want to add a guy who definitely plays the same guy in every movie, but I tend to like his movies... Edward Burns.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Five pages and no Ed Norton?

Ed Norton's probably one of the most gifted actors (multi-talented as a screenwriter as well) out there. While he's been great in everything, his turn in "Primal Fear" is still a blast to watch.

I used to be huge fans of Pacino, DeNiro & Dustin Hoffman but they've all chosen so many bad movies since their primes that it's hard to hold them in the same light as before. I guess if Ed Norton does a "Meet the Fockers" type movie or a "Gigli" (like Pacino), I'd have to re-evaluate him as well.

I'm still convinced Pacino did Gigli as a favor to Marty Brest. It's like Brest called him up and said, "Al... I have a terrible movie on my hands. And I need you for a cameo. Come on... you owe me! I got you your first Oscar!"

[Fire Me Boy!]

GAAAHHHH!!!
I can't believe I didn't think of Norton. Loved Primal Fear, but I equally loved him in 25th Hour.


American History X, best performance.

[Sully]

American History X, best performance.

He was great in that movie, but as a whole, I'm not as impressed with that movie as most people.

[RockChalk]

RockChalk is the one that said that Denzel was the worst actor of all time. I assumed he hadn't heard of Ben.

i said that mainly in jest because I get sick of him taking such shitty good cop/bad cop roles. in all honestly, the guy is (was) a good actor, he just clearly is more about making big money than making quality movies of late

[Braincase]

Five pages and no Ed Norton?

Ed Norton's probably one of the most gifted actors (multi-talented as a screenwriter as well) out there. While he's been great in everything, his turn in "Primal Fear" is still a blast to watch.

I used to be huge fans of Pacino, DeNiro & Dustin Hoffman but they've all chosen so many bad movies since their primes that it's hard to hold them in the same light as before. I guess if Ed Norton does a "Meet the Fockers" type movie or a "Gigli" (like Pacino), I'd have to re-evaluate him as well.

You need to modify your posts per page. I set mine to 80, that way Ed Norton now shows up on page one where he belongs.

Look for my future post on the 10,000 greatest guitar rifts of all time.

[RockChalk]

He played an escaped slave fighting in a colored Union regiment. He won an Oscar for the role.

Glory is my second favorite movie of all time, behind only Casablanca. Magnificent film.

nevermind, i've seen it. we watched it in high school and i believe i watched in when i was in college at some point. just forgot the title.

you're right, great flick!

[Brock]

He was great in that movie, but as a whole, I'm not as impressed with that movie as most people.

Neither was the director.

[keg in kc]

I actually thought of Ed Norton, but I'm withholding judgement until I see the new Hunk.

[Chiefnj2]

I used to be huge fans of Pacino, DeNiro & Dustin Hoffman but they've all chosen so many bad movies since their primes that it's hard to hold them in the same light as before. I guess if Ed Norton does a "Meet the Fockers" type movie or a "Gigli" (like Pacino), I'd have to re-evaluate him as well.

IMO, some of the great actors have overdone what made them famous. Pacino has to many roles in recent years where he just yells an raises his voice for no reason. I even thought Nicholson was lame in the Departed. I liked Meet the Fockers and thought DeNiro has done a good job in some of the comedic roles he has done.

[Sully]

Neither was the director.

Really?
Hadn't heard that story...
Do tell...

[Brock]

Really?
Hadn't heard that story...
Do tell...

I'm sure one of the wannabees can come along and tell the story way better than I.

[xbarretx]

Andrew Beckett
Forrest Gump
Michael Sullivan
Chuck Noland
John H Miller...


To me these were all very divergent characters, which Hanks played completely differently. Did he still come through in all of them to an extent? Yeah, he did. But he certainly wasn't plaing himself in all those, IMO.


lets not forget

Carl Hanratty

[MTG#10]

Would Jack Nicholson qualify as "today's actors"? If so he's my pick. He's not in much anymore, and has been in a few horrible movies but his acting is superb.

[MTG#10]

I actually thought of Ed Norton, but I'm withholding judgement until I see the new Hunk.
Ed Norton is a great actor, regardless of the Hunk.

[Simply Red]

Matt Damon. Very believable. IMO

[Donger]

Heath Ledger.

[The Franchise]

Steve Buscemi

[CrazyPhuD]

Alyssa Milano no doubt. Have you seen Embrace of the Vampire? Her finest work ever.

[CrazyPhuD]

Five pages and no Ed Norton?

Ed Norton's probably one of the most gifted actors (multi-talented as a screenwriter as well) out there. While he's been great in everything, his turn in "Primal Fear" is still a blast to watch.

I used to be huge fans of Pacino, DeNiro & Dustin Hoffman but they've all chosen so many bad movies since their primes that it's hard to hold them in the same light as before. I guess if Ed Norton does a "Meet the Fockers" type movie or a "Gigli" (like Pacino), I'd have to re-evaluate him as well.

:stupid: no doubt can't believe it took so long for someone to mention him. The classics are great too. Pacino, Penn, Hoffman, Hanks.

[kepp]

I cannot believe I am the first to mention...Chuck Norris! I celebrate his entire body of work.

[The Franchise]

Alyssa Milano no doubt. Have you seen Embrace of the Vampire? Her finest work ever.

Greatest movie EVER!

[POND_OF_RED]

Leonardo Dicaprio. Not really so much young Leo with Titanic, Basketball Diaries, and What's eating Gilbert Grape. From Gangs of New York on he has been tremendous. (Gangs of New York, Catch Me if you Can, The Aviator, The Departed and Blood Diamond.)