Wednesday 5 March 2014

Alternate Best Actor 1996

And The Nominees Were Not:

Liam Neeson in Michael Collins

Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo and Juliet

Kenneth Branagh in Hamlet

Chris Cooper in Lone Star

Ewan McGregor in Trainspotting 

Blast I hate it when that happens, but it appears Hard Eight received no public release until 1997, so here's a quick replacement to allow for some more Shakespearean comparisons which is usually fun. 

47 comments:

Matt Mustin said...

I thought Hard Eight didn't qualify for this year? Wasn't it's first non-festival release in '97?

RatedRStar said...

This is off topic perhaps but does anybody think, that Matthew McConaughey could become, the best in the world =D.

Luke Higham said...

1. Phillip Baker Hall
2. Ewan Mcgregor
3. Liam Neeson
4. Chris Cooper
5. Kenneth Branagh

RatedRStar said...

Some people are giving Matthew stick for his oscar speech but, he has every right to thank himself lol =D he is that good lol.

Matt Mustin said...

He didn't thank himself though! His whole point was that he just keeps striving to be better, which is awesome and encouraging.

Louis Morgan said...

Matt: Hmm I was taking other people's word on that one I'll be back after some research, if I can't find a 96 release I will find a replacement.

Robert MacFarlane said...

My guess:

1. Hall
2. Branagh
3. Cooper
4. Neeson
5. McGregor

Maciej said...

1.McGregor
2.Hall
3.Branagh
4.Cooper
5.Neeson

I have to re-watch Trainspotting, but I remember McGregor to be the best part of it. Branagh was fun to watch in his manic performance, especially when compared to tortured, introvertic Olivier. Cooper was also great in a very understated performance, but doesn't get very much character development. Neeson tries, but the movie does not allow for any good performances, as it is much more interested in recreating history (and even that isn't done well). Haven't seen Hall.

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: I would rather go by, who is the best on a regular basis, meaning someone who's never given a bad performance. Mcconaughey is definitely one of the best in the world, top 5 even, but most of his performances pre - 2011 are just fine to average. For me, the best is Fassbender, since he's at the very least solid in every performance he's given so far & in the future, will be the first actor in many years to be the next great screen legend, as well as being a box-office star. So for me Fassbender, is probably going to be the Brando or O'Toole of this generation.

RatedRStar said...

Well Matthew and Michael could always have the great Brando/Clift rivalry =D that would be a dream lol.

Anonymous said...

The only correct answer to this year is Leonardo DiCaprio for Romeo + Juliet!

Also, Baker Hall is 97

Otherwise, this would be my ballot at the moment if I didn't count Macy Lead, which I do.

1) DiCaprio
2) Neeson
3) Macy
4) McGregor
5) Branagh

:-D

Far better than Oscar's horrid lineup!

RatedRStar said...

Leonardo DiCaprio, are you having a laugh lol haha xD

RatedRStar said...

1. Hall
2. Branagh
3. Cooper
4. Neeson
5. McGregor

Michael Patison said...

1. Ewan McGregor
2. Kenneth Branagh
3. Liam Neeson
4. Chris Cooper
5. Leonardo DiCaprio

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Since Hall is out, my second to fifth choices will be upgraded & DiCaprio will be last.

RatedRStar said...

1. Branagh
2. Cooper
3. Neeson
4. McGregor
5. DiCaprio

Luke Higham said...

Louis: If you've seen The Crucible, can I have your Ratings & Thoughts on Daniel Day-Lewis, Joan Allen, Winona Ryder & Paul Scofield, unless he's a supporting possibility.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I know that you haven't seen Branagh's Hamlet yet, so I would like to ask on what are your top 5 films of 1996, at the moment.

moviefilm said...

1) Ewan McGregor
2) Liam Neeson
3) Chris Cooper
4) Kenneth Branagh
5) Leonardo DiCaprio

Mark said...

1. Cooper
2. McGregor
3. Branagh
4. Neeson
5. DiCaprio

Anonymous said...

@Rated RStar

Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but Baz's Romeo + Juliet was one of the smartest adaptations of the 90's, and there is rarely a star turn that feels as complete and 'right' as that of pairing a budding DiCaprio with the character of Romeo.

I'm dead serious.

Maciej said...

1.McGregor
2.Branagh
3.Cooper
4.DiCaprio
5.Neeson

I personaly hated this version of Romeo and Juliet - in my opinion, it was basically dumbing down Shakespeare for the MTV generation. Having said that, I agree with Fisti about DiCaprio

RatedRStar said...

Well I am dead serious 2, =D I think Romeo + Juliet sucksssssss, and this is from a person who likes Reo Di Janeiro.

Michael Patison said...

Off topic, would you give Laurel and Hardy 4s or 4.5s for Babes in Toyland, Louis?

Robert MacFarlane said...

My new prediction

1. Branagh
2. Cooper
3. McGregor
4. Neeson
954. DiCaprio

Seriously, Luhrman's version is possibly my least favorite movies of all time. I want to punch infants whenever I see someone praise that unforgivable pile of shit. If you want to good modernized Shakespeare flick, rent the Ethan Hawke version of Hamlet. Criminally underrated.

Kevin said...

McGregor
Cooper
Branagh
Neeson
Di Caprio

George Woolf said...

Do you consider William H. Macy in "Fargo" leading or supporting?

Louis Morgan said...

Luke: Day-Lewis - 4.5(Although the adaptation is probably too by the books Day-Lewis really brings a great conviction to the part as always, and I found his performance properly moving and powerful)

Ryder - 2.5(I always felt as if I could see the wheels turning with her as if she was always reminding herself to really play up that this character is an evil manipulator, yet I never completely bought her in the role)

Allen - 3.5(A very limited role really as just the supportive and suffering wife. She is good though with what she is given)

I'll wait with Scofield as he does have a chance in supporting.

Looking over the films of 1996 I've noticed I've watched quite a few but not many ones that I would consider great. Ask me again later although I can say Fargo is easily my number one.

Michael: They would be 4.5 as they were in top form.

George Woolf: I put Macy in lead.

Matt Mustin said...

William H. Macy is so lead it's not even funny.

bondfan said...

1. Cooper
2. Neeson
3. Branagh
4. McGregor
5. DiCaprio

JackiBoyz said...

1. Cooper
2. McGregor
3. Branagh
4. Neeson
5. DiCaprio

Unknown said...

1. McGregor
2. Cooper
3. Neeson
4. Branagh
5. DiCaprio

I am surprised not to see McConaughey here for, A Time to Kill. what would your rating be of his performance there?

Lezlie said...

1. Ewan McGregor
2. Liam Neeson
3. Kenneth Branagh
4. Chris Cooper
5. Leonardo DiCaprio

Michael Patison said...

I just ran across another performance to watch for 2012, Robert De Niro in Being Flynn.

Robert MacFarlane said...

@ Travis: Hopefully not a high rating given that that film was AWFUL. Fucking Akiva Goldsman.

Kevin said...

Louis, what are your ratings and thoughts for the cast of Amistad?

Kevin said...

Also, what are your ratings and thoughts on Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels in Dumb and Dumber?

Anonymous said...

McGregor

Cooper

Branagh

Dicaprio

Neeson

Michael Patison said...

Louis, what would your rating and thoughts be for the Craig Bond girls (specifically Marlohe in the most recent one)?

Louis Morgan said...

Travis: I have not watched A Time to Kill actually.

Kevin: Ahh Amistad a film that the more I think about the more I hate. It definitely had the potential to really delve in the politics of the period. The film instead goes for all the cheapest modern sentiments, particularly the constant suggestions of a Civil War which was not he case.

Anyway the cast:

Freeman - 2.5(Potentially interesting character it would seem but the film just kinda has him be there, Freeman is fine I suppose)

Hawthorne - 2.5(So poorly written of a character as they turn Van Buren into just stupid politician obsessed with reelection. Hawthorne fulfills this overly simplistic characterization I suppose but again such a waste)

Hounsou - 2.5(Probably given the most to do, but Hounsou is as always a two note actor here. The so quite gentle man, or the guy who is screaming a the top of his lungs)

McConaughey - 2.5(Again the cahracter seemed so underdeveloped that McConaughey could not really do much of anything anyway)

Carrey - 4.5(I would say this his best purely comedic performance and find him quite hilarious while being extremely endearing with his off the wall energy)

Daniels - 4(Quite fascinating casting when you really think about it and Daniels not being a comedian makes his chemistry with Carrey really work. He is not trying to up show him, but rather work with him. Daniels stays a little more reserved, in comparison to Carrey, and creates a strong dynamic by actually making friendship actually meaningful. He's also pretty funny too)

Michael

Green - 4.5 (Excellent chemistry with Craig, which is the most important thing when it comes to Craig's Bond, as they play off each other brilliantly. She also makes the actual love story for Bond in that film work incredibly well.)

Murino - 1.5(Cannon fodder)

Arterton - 1(Lesser acted fodder)

Kurylenko - 2.5(She's given a ton to do really, but she and Craig never quite come together in the right way. She is okay but I found her mostly forgettable)

Marlohe - 3(Technically cannon fodder as well. She makes a stronger impact by creating a sympathy for her character while she brings the allure a Bond girl should have)

Harris - 2.5(She's fine but when it came to the agents Ben Whishaw had better chemistry with Craig)

Luke Higham said...

Louis: your ratings & thoughts on Hilary Swank & Chloe Sevigny in Boys Don't Cry.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Lastly, I see that you saw Kill your darlings recently, so I would like to know on what is your rating & thoughts on Ben Foster.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I heard Eva Green dominates the new 300 movie by a wide margin. She apparently plays it batshit insane. Suddenly I sort of want to see it.

mcofra7 said...

Louis: Thoughts on Dane Dehaan in the Place Beyond the Pines and Kill Your Darlings

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Swank - 4.5(The only performance of her's that I really like and actually I'm not quite as enthralled as most. Still its a strong technical achievement of playing the act her character plays, and brings gives the emotional punch the part deserves)

Sevigny - 4(Offers fine support for Swank as the two share a strong believable chemistry)

Foster - 4.5(Foster being awesome and adding a great deal of substance his film as always by giving a fascinating depiction of Burroughs rather peculiar personal style. I only wish he had been in the film more)

mcofra7: Place Beyond the Pines (A good performance although he is held back by the limitations of his act in the story)

Kill Your Darling (Although he does not stop his character from being quite punchable, he brings a real magnetism and exuberance to role while making the peeling back of his facade very effective)

Luke Higham said...

Louis: what are your ratings & thoughts for the 2010 nominees for lead & supporting actress. Jennifer Lawrence & Jacki Weaver Excluded.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Portman - 2(Although I was not opposed to the performance the first time I saw it, even then I thought it was more of a well used actress then a great performance. After that though the inadequacies and shallowness of her work began to shine through)

Bening - 2.5(She really did not leave much of an impression with this performance at all. I really could not tell you much about her character other than she was a lesbian)

Williams - 4.5(Rather strong work that complements Gosling's performance well. Her depiction of her character's distance is very effective, and it is interesting to see her chemistry with Gosling go from endearing to unpleasant)

Leo - 3(Her real character was over the top so it makes since for her to be as well. I thought she did that well enough, but really this performance still did not leave that much of an impression on me)

Adams - 2.5(Never felt as though she really fit her character that well here, and even past that she just did not add too much to the proceedings)

Carter - 2.5(Fine and fitting for the role but she's only ever kind of there)

Steinfeld - 4(An imperfect performance in that many of her line readings do sound terribly rehearsed, but I just rather liked the presence in the film)