Who's the better actor ?
POSTED BY: AURaptor
UPDATED: Sunday, August 16, 2009 16:46
VIEWED: 6401
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of those, i think hoffman and giamanti are the best...depp is a bit overrated, in my opinion and norton has never really done anything for me...
but, i have to say, i could watch downey jr on mute forever...mmmhmm 
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Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
Was watching one of the Pirate movies last night, w/ Johnny Depp. I guess that was on my mind, when I heard an ad for his new upcoming movie, Public Enemies. Then came to mind... wow...he's been in a variety of stuff, and done them all pretty darn well. That got me thinking.... of actors about his age ( born in the 1960's ) there's some considerable talent.
Ed Norton
Robert Downey Jr
Paul Giamatti
Phillip Seymour Hoffman
I had even considered adding Nicholas Cage to the list, but then thought better of it. He's very successful, but I've not seen the range from him that I've seen from the others. I could be wrong though.
So, among the 5 ( Depp,Downey Jr, Giamatti, Hoffman and Norton ) which one is considered 'the best' ?
Or does it even matter ? I like them all.
I would also add Nic Cage to the list. When he's not overacting in forgettable films, he is an amazing actor. He can range from a pure maniac(Oh my gosh in Vampire's Kiss he was off the charts) to an astonishingly tortured soul(Leaving Las Vegas). His choices in roles usually leaves a lot to be desired, but he is a great actor.
Of the 5 you mentioned though: Johnny Depp by a long shot. My favorite films of his:
-What's Eating Gilbert Grape
-Ed Wood
-Fear and Loathing Las Vegas
-Dead Man
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Sticking with just the original five, I'd say Downey, Jr., is the best ACTOR.
Giamatti, even when taking center stage, tends to be a bit of a character actor, and both Hoffman and Depp are a bit too quirky. (Depp is two decades away from being Christopher Walken.) Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying they're BAD, but I think an actor should demonstrate a wide range, and I think these three all have some crutches that limits their range.
Personally, I've always found Norton to be overrated. He's not terrible, but I don't see what the buzz is all about. He's always reminded me of a poor man's Gene Hackman. Even his performance in PRIMAL FEAR did little to impress me, but I think that may be the script's fault, not his, for failing the capture the nuance his character had in the novel.
www.stillflying.net: "Here's how it might have been..."
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Ooop, Rip, a man after my own heart! I couldn't choose between the suggested actors, as I'm not familiar with a couple of them. But I'm a big admirer of Depp, for just the reasons you pointed out; his ability to disappear into a role. Just re-watched Benny & Joon, and I find him amazing in his range.
What caught me was what you said about Cage; I agree. I can't stand either of those movies, either, and adored National Treasure. I actually felt a bit embarrassed about that, given it's a silly little movie compared to some of the serious stuff he's done, but I can't even watch some of that, like Con Air, because they're so violent. I think his range is quite good, personally, and I would consider him an excellent actor.
Caine, on the other hand, I DO find what they call a "character actor"...like you said of Adam Sandler, some actors seem to be always themselves, just choose parts they fit in. I don't admire those as much as actors with range.
Meryl Streep blew my socks off in Postcards from the Edge. Not only her comedic ability, but her singing. I've seen her do comedy before (like Death Becomes Her) and didn't like it; but in that one, she did good!
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A lot of interesting opinions, very enjoyable, all.
I'm a big fan of Kevin Stacy and William Macy, but I don't think their range of talent stretches to that of a Hanks or Robin Williams, particularly because I don't think their comedic talents are as good. The thing about comedy being much harder than drama is right on, and many actors have said it.
I notice few women mentioned...which I find interesting. Is it a bias, or are there few who can compete? I don't like Meryl Streep personally, but her range is undeniable.
I, too, thought LA Confidential was a truly fine film, but Crowe hasn't grown on me; he seems like one of those who is getting stuck in a genre and takes himself too seriously. I feel the same about Dustin Hoffman, whose attempts at comedy, tho' I've enjoyed them, lack the abilities of others in that genre.
One who I think destroyed his career almsot before it got off the ground (and kudos to Downey Jr. for salvaging HIS) is Richard Dreyfus. I had high hopes for him after Whose Life Is It Anyway and Goodbye Girl, but he self-destructed and seems to be only now coming back in small parts. Such a lost talent, sadly, in my opinion.
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