Actors who can, but frequently don't

[StoneGold]

This isn't a category for people who can't act. It's for people who have shown that they can, but frequently end up in roles that, for whatever reason or another, don't showcase that - be it because the material is lousy, or because they're playing the same character again.


For instance, take Sam Jackson. Dude can act. Sure, in a good chunk of his movies, he's playing the Sam Jackson character - the guy who yells a lot. But he's done enough movies where he's not that guy. But because he's done so many of them basically just playing Jules, he gets the bad rap.

[Stony]

Bruce Campbell.

Honestly, I really like the guy... But easily the worst thing about the awesome BURN NOTICE.

[Atom_basher]

sandra bullock i think qualifies

[StoneGold]

Bruce Campbell.

Honestly, I really like the guy... But easily the worst thing about the awesome BURN NOTICE.

I have to disagree. Potentially on both. Because he's awesome on Burn Notice, but that said, as much as I love the guy, it's not like he has the greatest range. He's a decent actor who's found his niche, but it's not like he's had his equivalent to Caveman's Valentine. What's he ever been in that really stretched his acting chops?

[kalorama]

sandra bullock i think qualifies

I actually felt bad for her when I saw the trailer for her upcoming film.

[Davideaux]

Sarah Michelle Gellar

She was more than capable in Buffy. But outside of the cozy confines of the show, she's incredibly one-note.

[Davideaux]

sandra bullock i think qualifies

True. If only she could recapture the moment of "While You Were Sleeping"

[Stony]

I have to disagree. Potentially on both. Because he's awesome on Burn Notice, but that said, as much as I love the guy, it's not like he has the greatest range. He's a decent actor who's found his niche, but it's not like he's had his equivalent to Caveman's Valentine. What's he ever been in that really stretched his acting chops?

I have to disagree, mainly because it's you.
I know it's essentially a light comic-relief role but you really think he puts in half the effort into the show as he used to, say, in the days of playing Autolycus? Sure, it could just be that the role is what it is, but I just see him as sleepwalking through this.
It's the non-effort he puts into it that's actually jarring.
And isn't that what you're asking us for examples of?

[mr.brighteyes]

True. If only she could recapture the moment of "While You Were Sleeping"

Nah she just wishes she hadn't peaked in love potion #9

[blackdragon6]

Marlon Wayans!!!

[Muggs]

Even before clicking on this thread I some how knew that Sam Jackson would be mentioned in the first post. The dude can act. Hell they even created the best supporting actor award at Cannes to recognize his performance in Jungle Fever. But nowadays he just play's the Jules character in everything.

So with Sam out of the way, I'm going to throw Pacino and DeNiro's names in the ring. Both great actor's. Both of them have delivered some of the most memorable performances in film history, in some truely great films. The thing is nowadays I can't even remember the last great film either of them did. I can't even remember the last film they were in when they weren't just playing themselves.

[Jared]

Wait, so Campbell is sleepwalking on Burn Notice, but wasn't on Herules and Xena? I just don't see how that makes any sense.

Anyway, how about Christopher Walken? When is the last time he took a serious role?

[mr.brighteyes]

Edit never mind I miss read

[The Batman]

I'd agree on DeNiro and Pacino. Anymore, it seems, they're just doing impressions of themselves.

Having done a Rocky and Rocky Balboa with the grandpa tonight, I can't help but think that Stallone might be another example of somebody who has got talent but for whatever reason just doesn't use it.

[mgs]

I have to say this, no matter the role or movie or whatever....sometimes an actor simply can't act.

Sure, there are the occasions where it's the role, the director, etc., but for the most part, when an actor's ability is not shown, it's because they can't act, not the other way around. For even in bad movies, quality actors can still act.

[mr.brighteyes]

So with Sam out of the way, I'm going to throw Pacino and DeNiro's names in the ring. Both great actor's. Both of them have delivered some of the most memorable performances in film history, in some truely great films. The thing is nowadays I can't even remember the last great film either of them did. I can't even remember the last film they were in when they weren't just playing themselves.



"Na na nane freekin boo boo."

[Legato]

Marlon Wayans!!!

Definitly, which is why I feel his brothers is one of the reasons why his talent is being held back

[The Batman]

I have to say this, no matter the role or movie or whatever....sometimes an actor simply can't act.

Sure, there are the occasions where it's the role, the director, etc., but for the most part, when an actor's ability is not shown, it's because they can't act, not the other way around. For even in bad movies, quality actors can still act.

Oh sure, sometimes it comes down to a simple inability to get the job done, but how do you explain it when somebody who we know can get the job done doesn't?

[StoneGold]

I have to disagree, mainly because it's you.
I know it's essentially a light comic-relief role but you really think he puts in half the effort into the show as he used to, say, in the days of playing Autolycus? Sure, it could just be that the role is what it is, but I just see him as sleepwalking through this.
It's the non-effort he puts into it that's actually jarring.
And isn't that what you're asking us for examples of?

Well, not really, because Bruce isn't the world's greatest actor to begin with.

[Stressfactor]

Oh sure, sometimes it comes down to a simple inability to get the job done, but how do you explain it when somebody who we know can get the job done doesn't?
Taking a job just to get money and not really caring about the movie one way or the other. i.e. "Phoning it in".

Or in some cases, the actor signs on to a movie only to have script and/or director changes on them and, unable to back out of the contract, they simply decide to sleepwalk through the film because it's not what they signed on for.

[Paradox]

The Batman points out the self-caricatures:

I'd agree on DeNiro and Pacino. Anymore, it seems, they're just doing impressions of themselves.

Might as well through Nicholson on the pile, too. Even though no one plays Jack better, he still plays Jack in everything. And it lost its flavor quite a while ago.

[Paradox]

Stressfactor points out:

Taking a job just to get money and not really caring about the movie one way or the other. i.e. "Phoning it in".

Pretty large parts of the careers of both Gene Hackman and Michael Caine, right there. :biggrin:

[Wolf-Man]

Morgan Freeman. He's the same guy, ALL the time.

"I will reeaaad this scripppt like a storrrry boook, in the saame ollld monotone voiiice."

[Paradox]

What do you expect from Easy Reader? :tongue:

http://thumbs.fliqz.com/60181fe187ec4d979196696998fb6de8.jpg

[a. non]

David Caruso. My friend said he was in a little-known movie, and he actually was good in it :eek:

[StoneGold]

David Caruso. My friend said he was in a little-known movie, and he actually was good in it :eek:

First Blood?

[The Batman]

Might as well through Nicholson on the pile, too. Even though no one plays Jack better, he still plays Jack in everything. And it lost its flavor quite a while ago.

Fair point. I'm trying to think of the last time Jack didn't play Jack. About Schmidt maybe?

I think Walken might also belong in this category.

[Paradox]

But...but Walken can DANCE! :biggrin:

http://www.gifbin.com/bin/g616774063.gif

[kalorama]

I think Walken might also belong in this category.

True, but Walken playing Walken usually adds an element of entertainment to a picture, as opposed to Pacino, DeNiro, or Nicholson, whose limp self-parodies usually suck the life out of their films.

[Wenatchee the Hatchet]

Walken is one of those actors who can play himself and still get away with it. Not quite like the way Jackie Chan can play himself in every movie and still get away with it ... but I think that there's some kind of parallelism there. Chan has his stunts ... and Walken can dance. :)

[Valmore]

I have to disagree. Potentially on both. Because he's awesome on Burn Notice, but that said, as much as I love the guy, it's not like he has the greatest range. He's a decent actor who's found his niche, but it's not like he's had his equivalent to Caveman's Valentine. What's he ever been in that really stretched his acting chops?

Actually, as I recall after reading his autobiography years ago, Bruce Campbell is totally aware that he lacks the range to be an actor to be taken seriously, but he's fine with it. He's happy being a "B" list actor, good for a lead in certain roles in smaller-budget flicks, but otherwise a bit character in larger productions.

[joemagnum611]

How about Halle Berry? The chick has chops but the last hand full of movies she's been in she hasn't given us shit.

[OedipussyRex]

I have to disagree. Potentially on both. Because he's awesome on Burn Notice, but that said, as much as I love the guy, it's not like he has the greatest range. He's a decent actor who's found his niche, but it's not like he's had his equivalent to Caveman's Valentine. What's he ever been in that really stretched his acting chops?

Bubba Ho-tep. The man channeled Elvis, I tell you.

[Wenatchee the Hatchet]

Hey, I loved Bubba Ho-tep but that didn't exactly challenge his acting range. Having him in the lead playing off Ossie Davis was like two great tastes that taste great together and all that but let's not ascribe Campbell a bigger range than what he has. :)

Still, you reminded me of that awesome slow motion shot of two old guys rolling through the rest home to face down death.

[StoneGold]

Hey, I loved Bubba Ho-tep but that didn't exactly challenge his acting range. Having him in the lead playing off Ossie Davis was like two great tastes that taste great together and all that but let's not ascribe Campbell a bigger range than what he has. :)

Still, you reminded me of that awesome slow motion shot of two old guys rolling through the rest home to face down death.

Basically. Elvis was just a variation on Ash. Don't get me wrong, he did it well, but it was pretty much inside his wheelhouse.

[Infernorhythm]

Matthew McConaughey. He tends to play essentially the same guy in a lot of romantic comedies, but he rocked in Sahara, and actually played a good lead. And his comedy chops in Tropic Thunder were pretty strong.

Pierce Brosnan. Yeah, he was a cool Bond, but he's been kind of playing that character a lot. I saw him in Seraphim Falls (a really underrated Western) and a film at Sundance called The Greatest where he gave a moving, heartwrenching perfomance.

And on that note, Sean Connery. He rocks, but his last performances were really just phoning it in.

[Paradox]

I can cut Sean a little slack, though, since he's about 147 years old. :tongue:

[Darrell D.]

Pacino and Nicholson, for sure..
I'm gonna throw Owen Wilson on the pile.
Every movie I've seen this guy in he plays the SAME CHARACTER.

[Loren]

The actor that immediately came to mind was Cuba Gooding Jr. The guy won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, and then proceeded to do nothing but bad comedies.

[Murrocko]

Basically. Elvis was just a variation on Ash. Don't get me wrong, he did it well, but it was pretty much inside his wheelhouse.

What about that episode of X-Files he did? It was quite a different roll for Bruce and I think did in fact show his range.

[Paradox]

His commercials are certainly a different role, and they're wonderfully hideous! :biggrin:

[Gary Joyce]

Nic Cage.

For me, he's shown he's got some great ability like in:

- Red Rock West
- Raising Arizona
- Lord of War
- 8MM
- Bringing out the Dead
- a good few more films that I can't be bothered to list.

Unfortunately it seems that since Lord of War he's been absolutely embarassing in his roles. Ghost Rider, Bangkok Dangerous, the Wicker Man remake and Next, just all fucking awful films. I'm not saying these crap peformances been exclusive to his post-LoW films by the way, he was in some drivel before it too.

I read that he was considered for the lead in The Wrestler until Rourke got it but he didn't think he'd get buffed up in time or something, that could've been interesting...

[Gary Joyce]

Eric Stoltz - Great actor , curious choices in his career.

[Gary Joyce]

The actor that immediately came to mind was Cuba Gooding Jr. The guy won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, and then proceeded to do nothing but bad comedies.

You mean you aren't a fan of the classic pairing of he and Horatio Sanz in Boat Trip? MADNESS!!!

[kalorama]

Nicolas Cage has been turning out drivel for dollars ever since he won the Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas. Granted some of the bad movies he did immediately folowing were pretty entertaining (Con Air, The Rock) but they were still bad.

[stealthwise]

Nicolas Cage has been turning out drivel for dollars ever since he won the Oscar for Leaving Las Vegas. Granted some of the bad movies he did immediately folowing were pretty entertaining (Con Air, The Rock) but they were still bad.

*cough* Adaptation *cough*

The Weather Man was good too.

[StoneGold]

*cough* Adaptation *cough*

The Weather Man was good too.

Don't forget his playing Fu Manchu in Grindhouse.


http://bbs.chinadaily.com.cn/attachments/month_0709/FuManchu1_EIv9yxT5j1hW.jpg

[kalorama]

*cough* Adaptation *cough*

Every rule has its exception.

[Gary Joyce]

Ray Liotta - Not everything after Goodfellas was shit (for example Narc, Blow), but by and large he's wasted his talents. That guy is a fantastic actor.

[StoneGold]

Ray Liotta - Not everything after Goodfellas was shit (for example Narc, Blow), but by and large he's wasted his talents. That guy is a fantastic actor.

I think he still counts as the best video game VO actor ever.

[Gary Joyce]

I also think Jack Black is a lot better actor than some people give him credit for. Even though it's not the best movie, he has shown depth in several movies, and I think he could actually pull off some dramatic roles, instead of the overly silly characters.

[Infernorhythm]

I also think Jack Black is a lot better actor than some people give him credit for. Even though it's not the best movie, he has shown depth in several movies, and I think he could actually pull off some dramatic roles, instead of the overly silly characters.

I completely agree, and on that note, Adam Sandler. Funny guy, but he can actually be serious. Reign Over Me was really good. Here's hoping Funny People is serious.

[meethraa]

I think he still counts as the best video game VO actor ever.

James Woods still gets that merit, by far.

[Christopher Cross Is God]

Billy Zane fits this for me, in a way.

I think he's a fantastic actor, but he has been in so many shitty movies (I think the most recent one I saw, on cable, was Survival Island) that his talent will often go under the radar.

[StoneGold]

James Woods still gets that merit, by far.

What, as Mike Toreno?

[OedipussyRex]

Basically. Elvis was just a variation on Ash. Don't get me wrong, he did it well, but it was pretty much inside his wheelhouse.

"What do I care? I got a growth on my pecker."

[Libaax]

I think its unfair against actors like Pacino,De Niro,Walken to put them in this category.

Because they have done so much good acting in their career that the movies they get nowadays are nothing but for them to redo their old popular roles.

For example how can anyone except Pacino to care as much for movies with Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell as much he did with the great movies he was in 70s,80s,90s.

There arent movies like that for them anymore. They are too big to the small movies that are oscar material too.

[DrewTheXenocide]

*cough* Adaptation *cough*

The Weather Man was good too.

And once again, people forget Matchstick Men.

[jesse_custer]

Might as well through Nicholson on the pile, too. Even though no one plays Jack better, he still plays Jack in everything. And it lost its flavor quite a while ago.

I disagree. The Pledge and About Schmidt are two of Jack's best roles ever, and he's not playing himself in either.

He's holding up much better than Pacino or De Niro.

[Paradox]

"Everything" was too hyperbolic of me. And I agree with everything you just said.

He's still on the list, though.

[meethraa]

What, as Mike Toreno?

Yes...



.

[kalorama]

I disagree. The Pledge and About Schmidt are two of Jack's best roles ever, and he's not playing himself in either.

He's holding up much better than Pacino or De Niro.

That's kind of damning with faint praise, really. Plus, much like Walken, Jack playing Jack can still be fun to watch.

[jesse_custer]

I would consider the statement about The Pledge and About Schmidt to be quite positive, considering that they were both released in the 2000s and that Nicholson had many excellent performances beforehand.

[Dreadstar]

The actor that immediately came to mind was Cuba Gooding Jr. The guy won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, and then proceeded to do nothing but bad comedies.

I might agree with you but for the belief that the hardware was grossly undeserved.

[kalorama]

I would consider the statement about The Pledge and About Schmidt to be quite positive, considering that they were both released in the 2000s and that Nicholson had many excellent performances beforehand.

I was speaking specifically about the last sentence, actually.

[End of Time]

I second the Billy Zane nomination.

He can do it, but mostly people know him for being the a-hole on Titanic, that resulted in him playing more and more villains, when he's perfectly capable of playing a hero...

... then again The Phantom was so bad it sucked the chrome right off a wheelcap.

Pacino, DeNiro, and Connery have all been struck with the same thing. They tend to play themselves in a lot of movies, resulting in lacklustre performances that people still call brilliant... because they're the same roles they played way back when they were still a-list actors who actually mattered.

Walken is the exception for me. I can't stand him as an actor, but at least he manages to give that vibe of being self-aware about the roles he's playing. Walken, DeNiro and Connery on the other hand play it straight, giving us lifeless, soulless renditions that lack the wink Walken gives the audience.

Whatever happened to Robin Williams... there was a time when he was king of the hill, but that's an era long since gone.

[jesse_custer]

I was speaking specifically about the last sentence, actually.

In that case, you're absolutely right.

[Slam_Bradley]

Pacino, DeNiro, and Connery have all been struck with the same thing. They tend to play themselves in a lot of movies, resulting in lacklustre performances that people still call brilliant... because they're the same roles they played way back when they were still a-list actors who actually mattered.



I can't recall the last time any of the three were lauded as having a brilliant performance. It's been at least since 1992 and Glengarry for Pacino. At least '95 and Casino for DeNiro (and I think you could go farther back than that). And it's been at least twenty years for Connery (Last Crusade? Untouchables?).

These three and Walken probably head the list for me. Although I'm not convinced that Walken was ever a truely great actor.

[Ontir]

There is something that should be considered here:

Actors, particularly those who can open a film, tend to be cast as one thing or another. It's one of those very old Hollywood things that still lingers, so to some extent it's not solely their fault.

That said, the KING of can but rarely does would be Jack Nicholson. Most of the time he just phones in the same performance he's been doing since Easy Rider.

[StoneGold]

Yes...



.

I think that actually might just be an example of James Woods acting like James Woods. Which he usually does. Really, he's a pretty perfect example of this thread.

[jesse_custer]

That said, the KING of can but rarely does would be Jack Nicholson. Most of the time he just phones in the same performance he's been doing since Easy Rider.

I call bullshit. Let's just stick to the 1970s. Explain how his performances in Five Easy Pieces, Chinatown, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest are the same.

[Ontir]

It's not bullshit, and I'll use the span of his entire career, as I did in my initial statement:

Easy Rider, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, parts of the Shining, Batman, his first scene in a Few Good Men and As Good As it Gets are essentially the same performance. Almost no alterations whatsoever.

Chinatown, the courtroom scene in a Few Good Men and a handful of other performances (I've not seen Five Easy Pieces so I couldn't comment on that one.) are definite exceptions to the rule. He brought something to them that isn't often present in his work.

[Joe Rice]

Both Pitt and Clooney can act with the right direction.

[jesse_custer]

That's not an explanation, Ontir, just an opinion that doesn't make any sense.

I mean, you equate an alienated and insane alcoholic who wants to kill his child to an oversexed and obnoxious iconoclast. Going beyond that, the former is not a likeable character and the former is.

[Ontir]

No, it's a pretty clear statement. You wanted to eliminate the 80's and 90's, performances that really prove the statement the most, and chose only 2 of his best performances, and the greatest exceptions. The work that he did in the examples I gave are almost exactly the same, down to the same odd ticks that he repeats over and over.

Nicholson truly is one of the best, on those occasions that he puts forth an effort, but those efforts are rare.

[jesse_custer]

Yes, it's a clear statement! But that doesn't mean it explained anything. I've already pointed out why one of your comparisons is flawed from even a superficial standpoint. Care to respond?

And have you even seen Nicholson's 1980s output?

[Ontir]

OK, the topic thread is "can but frequently don't."

I've said, repeatedly, Nicholson most certainly can, but quite often does not. He repeates facial ticks, verbal ticks, mannerisms, faces etc. to the point of being schtick. It's a Nicholson character that he plugs in, film after film. Just like the ones I listed.

I'm not really sure why you're confused.

[jesse_custer]

This has been an incredible experience. Thanx.

[Ontir]

I'd have to say bewildering.

A large part of the Method, is that you don't just fall back on practiced twitches and mannerisms, you find the truth of the character and figure out what he would do in a given circumstance, by way of his emotional life. A good deal of Nicholson's career is just the opposite of that.

[StoneGold]

Both Pitt and Clooney can act with the right direction.

Clooney, definitely. It's been a long time since he was just the cocky pretty boy actor, even if that is something he can kind of do the old man version of now if he wants. Pitt, if he has, I haven't seen it. That said, I haven't seen a lot of his stuff.

[Dreadstar]

Clooney, definitely. It's been a long time since he was just the cocky pretty boy actor, even if that is something he can kind of do the old man version of now if he wants. Pitt, if he has, I haven't seen it. That said, I haven't seen a lot of his stuff.

As insipid as the whole movie was, I think he delivered a very decent performance in Troy. And though I enjoyed Benjamin Button for what it was, his performance there wasn't all that.

[Michael P]

Pitt was great in Burn Before Reading. He should do more comedy.

[StoneGold]

Pitt was great in Burn Before Reading. He should do more comedy.

I keep meaning to see that and then not for some reason.

[jesse_custer]

Pitt was also great in the Assassination of Jesse James.

A large part of the Method, is that you don't just fall back on practiced twitches and mannerisms, you find the truth of the character and figure out what he would do in a given circumstance, by way of his emotional life. A good deal of Nicholson's career is just the opposite of that.

At worst, half of his career is the opposite of that, and most of this effect comes from the last two decades.

Compared to other actors, Nicholson hasn't made this mistake so much that he should be included with shitkickers like Nicolas Cage.

[Dreadstar]

I didn't much like The Assassination of Jesse James partly because I thought Pitt's performance was flat. And while I'll give him due for Burn After Reading, I felt his character was the weakest of the lot, in a role that Paul Rudd or Adam Sandler could have done justice to.

[Joe Rice]

Pitt was great in Burn Before Reading. He should do more comedy.

I definitely think he's a better comic actor than a serious one. If he weren't the biggest star evarrrr or whatever he could be a good Paul Rudd.

[Spastic Minnow]

But...but Walken can DANCE! :biggrin:

http://www.gifbin.com/bin/g616774063.gif

and has every Walken fan seen Romance and Cigarettes yet?

Not the best movie, but unique with an interesting idea behind it (blue collar musical, mostly made of people who can't sing, singing along with the original song)- Tuturro could have done with a Coen Brothers script doctoring session (they produced it).

and Walken has a scene (or two) that are wonderfully crazy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEH5zmAtLks


How does this relate to the subject? Well, how can you judge whether or not something like that is "good" acting or not?
One- it's comedic acting.
Two- it is purposefully over the top.

Susan Surandon is also in this movie (and this clip) and it can be argued that she's a weak point in the film because she plays it too straight- too dramatic- or, that's she's being too "good."

Judging comedic acting is difficult. What about John C. Reilly?
If you watch Walk Hard you're almost left with the impression that he's taking it too seriously at times. It's a funny absurd movie but occasionally you are taken aback by the fact that he has range!

[Gary Joyce]

Robin Williams
The guy CAN act for sure:
Dead Poets Society, One hour photo (not that great of a movie, but he sure was awesome), The Fisher King, Good Will Hunting, Awakenings...

But then he continues to make movies like RV, License to wed. I'm not against him making comedies, it's just...they suck.

[Gary Joyce]

JON. FRICKIN'. VOIGHT.

The guy has an oscar, has been nominated multiple times, and he's starred in such obvious tripe as "Super Babies: Baby Geniuses 2", "Bratz" and "The Karate Dog"...

The kinds of films where any sane actor wouldn't get past the title before attaching the script to the writer's head with a nail gun...

I mean, look at this shit...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McGqeq600D8

[The Batman]

Jon Voight gots to get paid yo.

[kalorama]

Jon Voight gots to get paid yo.

No shit. There's only so much A (or even B-) list material for an actor in his 60s and 70s, and Nicholson, DeNiro, and Pacino have got most of it locked up. Guy's gotta eat. Not everyone has the luxury of being choosy.

[Wenatchee the Hatchet]

Gary Joyce, when you put it that way Jon Voight had to have thought Michael Bay's Transformers movie was a big step up. :biggrin:

[Serik]

Robin Williams
The guy CAN act for sure:
Dead Poets Society, One hour photo (not that great of a movie, but he sure was awesome), The Fisher King, Good Will Hunting, Awakenings...

But then he continues to make movies like RV, License to wed. I'm not against him making comedies, it's just...they suck.

Agreed. His performance in One Hour Photo is brilliant. Plus the guy's a damn good comedian; he shouldn't be wasting his talent in crappy comedy movies.

[Ontir]

Robin Williams
The guy CAN act for sure:
Dead Poets Society, One hour photo (not that great of a movie, but he sure was awesome), The Fisher King, Good Will Hunting, Awakenings...

But then he continues to make movies like RV, License to wed. I'm not against him making comedies, it's just...they suck.

While I love Robin Williams, he and everyone associated with "License to Wed" shoudl've been publicly flogged!

[Stony]

How about Timothy Dalton?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Dalton is the best actor ever to play James Bond.
Not necessarily the best Bond, but the best actor... Although Craig's certainly getting up there with the acting chops

And yet ever since the 007 days he hasn't done much at all. The last really good performance I've seen was POSSESSED
Whether he really is slumming or just can't get work, I'm not sure.


And don't throw HOT FUZZ at me, it doesn't count.

[the goddamn batman]

I mean, look at this shit...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McGqeq600D8

Are you serious? That might very well be the greatest movie ever made!

[Tobias March]

No shit. There's only so much A (or even B-) list material for an actor in his 60s and 70s, and Nicholson, DeNiro, and Pacino have got most of it locked up. Guy's gotta eat. Not everyone has the luxury of being choosy.

I'd throw Jeremy Irons in here too. I loved Richard Harris' comments re: Harry Potter.

How about Timothy Dalton?


And don't throw HOT FUZZ at me, it doesn't count.

Why not? It was a fine film and he was wonderful in it.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

Marlon Wayans!!!seconded!!!....same goes for Brian Hooks, just look at his ER performance. in fact i think theres a lot of good young black actors out there that are wasting their talent doing absoloute bullshit.

[Pól Rua]

Basically. Elvis was just a variation on Ash. Don't get me wrong, he did it well, but it was pretty much inside his wheelhouse.

Probably the strongest character he's ever played was the grieving son of a murdered police officer in a few episodes of 'Homicide: Life On The Street'.
With a great script, and good direction, the guy can bring his A-Game, but it didn't look like an easy shoot for him. I certainly think he's much happier taking it a bit easier.

[Pól Rua]

How about Timothy Dalton?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Dalton is the best actor ever to play James Bond.
Not necessarily the best Bond, but the best actor... Although Craig's certainly getting up there with the acting chops

And yet ever since the 007 days he hasn't done much at all. The last really good performance I've seen was POSSESSED
Whether he really is slumming or just can't get work, I'm not sure.


And don't throw HOT FUZZ at me, it doesn't count.

Dalton's good, but he's very arch. He has a somewhat limited range, but when he's working that range, he's gold.
The man had me almost cheer a dang Nazi in 'The Rocketeer'. Now THAT'S some acting!

[OedipussyRex]

And once again, people forget Matchstick Men.

For good reason.

And let me chime in with Steve Martin.