Tuesday 3 February 2015

Alternate Best Actor 2014: Results

10. Jake Gyllenhaal in Enemy - Jake Gyllenhaal effectively realizes the two "twins" unfortunately the film does not really give him anything interesting do with them.

Best Scene: Adam and Anthony meet for the second time.
9. David Oyelowo in Selma - David Oyelowo gives a great portrayal of Martin Luther King as a larger than life leader, but as well as a flawed man.

Best Scene: His final speech.
8. Brendan Gleeson in Calvary - Gleeson gives a quietly humorous and very moving depiction of a genuine decency.

Best Scene: Father James's final walk to the beach.
7. Philip Seymour Hoffman in A Most Wanted Man - Hoffman gives one last reminder of his tremendous talent with his memorable portrayal of an anti-terrorism operative who takes his victories through persuasion rather than violence.

Best Scene: Bachmann speaks with his informant who is having doubts.
6. Joaquin Phoenix in Inherent Vice - Phoenix gives a funny and entertaining portrayal as private detective trying to solve a mind bending case, while constantly on mind bending drugs.

Best Scene: Doc and Bigfoot at the Chinese restaurant.
5. Matthew McConaughey in Interstellar - Matthew McConaughey gives a heartbreaking depiction of the human quantity that always manages to ground the science fiction epic, and even when the film stumbles McConaughey's still soars.  

Best Scene: Cooper watches the messages from home.
4. Ralph Fiennes in The Grand Budapest Hotel - Fiennes gives an absolutely hilarious performance that acts as a truly delightful guide through his wonderful film.

Best Scene: Monsieur Gustave H. and Zero after the prison escape.
3. Tom Hardy in Locke - Hardy gives a consistently compelling performance that manages to carry his film alone, and makes a man simply driving and talking spellbinding to watch.

Best Scene: Locke speaks with his "father" the last time.
2. Guy Pearce in The Rover - Guy Pearce gives a masterful depiction of a man who has no sympathy for anything living in the present, yet is always haunted by his past.

Best Scene: Eric tells the story about his wife.
1. Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler - Good Predictions Luke, Anonymous, JackiBoyz, and Kevin. Well it's a good year for lead actor performances when a performance like Matthew McConuaghey's can't make the top five, you know it's a great one when a performance like David Oyelowo's is only on the very end of a top ten, and you know it's perhaps the best one ever when a performance like Oscar Isaac's in A Most Violent Year can't make it into a top ten. Even with all that I did not second guess myself once in choosing my winner for the overall year. Jake Gyllenhaal's work in Nightcrawler simply stood out for me through his endlessly fascinating and flawless depiction of a sociopath living the American dream.

Best Scene: Lou takes Nina out to dinner.
Overall Rank:
  1. Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler
  2. Michael Keaton in Birdman
  3. Guy Pearce in The Rover
  4. David Gulpilil in Charlie's Country
  5. Tom Hardy in Locke
  6. Ralph Fiennes in The Grand Budapest Hotel
  7. Matthew McConaughey in Interstellar
  8. Tom Hardy in The Drop 
  9. Channing Tatum in Foxcatcher 
  10. Joaquin Phoenix in Inherent Vice
  11. Philip Seymour Hoffman in A Most Wanted Man
  12. Brendan Gleeson in Calvary
  13. David Oyelowo in Selma
  14. Oscar Isaac in A Most Violent Year
  15. Tom Cruise in Edge of Tomorrow
  16. Jeremy Renner in Kill The Messenger
  17. Miles Teller in Whiplash
  18. Cliff Curtis in The Dark Horse
  19. Dan Stevens in The Guest
  20. Nicolas Cage in Joe 
  21. James Gandolfini in The Drop
  22. Timothy Spall in Mr. Turner 
  23. Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game
  24. Shahid Kapoor in Haider
  25. James McAvoy in X-Men: Days Of Future Past
  26. Bradley Cooper in American Sniper
  27. Eddie Redmayne in The Theory Of Everything
  28. Tye Sheridan in Joe 
  29. Ben Whishaw in Lilting
  30. Viggo Mortensen in The Two Faces of January
  31. Keanu Reeves in John Wick
  32. Ben Affleck in Gone Girl 
  33. Russell Crowe in Noah
  34. Viggo Mortensen in Jauja
  35. Bill Murray in St. Vincent 
  36. Mads Mikkelsen in The Salvation
  37. Patrick Wilson in Stretch
  38. Macon Blair in Blue Ruin 
  39. Chen Daoming in Coming Home
  40. Gael Garcia Bernal in Rosewater
  41. Chris Evans in Captain America: The Winter Soldier  
  42. Russell Crowe in The Water Diviner 
  43. Payman Maadi in Camp X-Ray
  44. Jack O'Connell in '71
  45. Noah Wiseman in The Babadook
  46. Andy Serkis in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
  47. Jake Gyllenhaal in Enemy
  48. Jesse Eisenberg in The Double
  49. Tommy Lee Jones in The Homesman
  50. Channing Tatum in 22 Jump Street
  51. Ethan Hawke in Predestination 
  52. Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy 
  53. Domhnall Gleeson in Frank 
  54. Hugh Bonneville in Paddington
  55. Ben Schnetzer in Pride
  56. John Hawkes in Life of Crime 
  57. Jack O'Connell in Unbroken
  58. Liam Neeson in A Walk Among the Tombstones 
  59. Ben Whishaw in Paddington
  60. Brad Pitt in Fury
  61. Pat Healy in Cheap Thrills
  62. Robert Downey Jr. in The Judge 
  63. James McAvoy in The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him 
  64. Jack O'Connell in Starred Up
  65. Aleksei Serebryakov in Leviathan
  66. Mos Def in Life of Crime 
  67. Jude Law in Black Sea
  68. Denzel Washington in The Equalizer
  69. Alfred Molina in Love is Strange
  70. Bill Hader in The Skeleton Twins 
  71. Iko Uwais in The Raid 2
  72. Hugh Jackman in X-Men Days of Future Past
  73. Mark Duplass in The One I Love 
  74. John Lithgow in Love is Strange
  75. Justin Long in Tusk
  76. Oscar Isaac in The Two Faces of January
  77. Liao Fan in Black Coal, Thin Ice 
  78. Nate Parker in Beyond the Lights
  79. Jonah Hill in 22 Jump Street 
  80. Simon Abkarian in  Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem
  81. Jay Baruchel in How To Train Your Dragon 2
  82. Johannes Bah Kuhnke in Force Majeure 
  83. Arash Marandi in A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
  84. Haluk Bilginer in Winter Sleep
  85. Ryan Potter in Big Hero 6
  86. Ibrahim Ahmed dit Pino in Timbuktu
  87. Steve Carell in Foxcatcher
  88. Chris Pine in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit 
  89. Jon Favreau in Chef 
  90. Alfonso Herrera in The Perfect Dictatorship
  91. Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 
  92. Kevin Costner in Three Days to Kill
  93. George MacKay in Pride 
  94. Hwang Jung-min in Ode to My Father
  95. Christian Bale in Exodus: Gods and Kings
  96. Mark Wahlberg in The Gambler
  97. Logan Lerman in Fury
  98. Tony Revolori in The Grand Budapest Hotel
  99. Rickson Tevez in Trash
  100. Eduardo Luis in Trash
  101. Gabriel Weinstein in Trash
  102. Mark Ruffalo in Begin Again 
  103. Antoine Olivier Pilon in Mommy
  104. Arnold Schwarzenegger in Sabotage
  105. Jason Clarke in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
  106. Christoph Waltz in Big Eyes
  107. Chadwick Boseman in Get On Up
  108. Seth Rogan in The Interview
  109. Chris Rock in Top Five  
  110. Max Irons in The Riot Club
  111. John Lloyd Young in Jersey Boys
  112. Vincent Piazza in Jersey Boys
  113. Harry Treadaway in Honeymoon 
  114. Kit Harington in Pompeii 
  115. Jaeden Lieberher in St. Vincent
  116. Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Godzilla
  117. James Franco in The Interview
  118. Ellar Coltrane in Boyhood 
  119. Michael C. Hall in Cold in July 
  120. Simon Pegg in Hector and the Search for Happiness
  121. Jeff Daniels in Dumb and Dumber To
  122. Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber To
  123. Alan Ritchson in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  124. Jeremy Howard in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  125. Johnny Knoxville in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  126. Noel Fisher in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  127. Ansel Elgort in The Fault in Our Stars
  128. Sylvester Stallone in The Expendables 3
  129. Brenton Thwaites in The Giver 
  130. Sullivan Stapleton in 300: Rise of an Empire
 Next Year: 2014 Supporting

42 comments:

Luke Higham said...

Thank You Louis, Once again, my request is Richard Armitage in The Hobbit, Battle of The Five Armies

Michael Fassbender in Frank
Toby Kebbell in Dawn of The Planet Of the Apes
Richard Armitage in The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies
Josh Brolin in Inherent Vice
Gary Poulter in Joe

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your Ratings & Thoughts on the 3+ performances, that you've yet to give out.

Luke Higham said...

Best Year Ever!!!!!!!!!!

Robert MacFarlane said...

Michael Fassbender in Frank
Toby Kebbell in Dawn of The Planet Of the Apes
James Corden in Into the Woods (since you think he's Supporting)
Josh Brolin in Inherent Vice

RatedRStar said...

Again I am not gonna suggest anyone because everybody has already done that multiple times lol. I should say from the previous it has been a long time since I saw Dead Ringers so we ll have to see in future, I mean some films with little story I can love, I mean I will defend Inland Empire to my grave lol =D.

Anonymous said...

Louis what is your rating and thoughts on Keira Knightley in Begin Again?

Matt Mustin said...

Ratings and thoughts on Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain in A Most Violent Year?

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your Ratings & Thoughts on Franco & Rogan, plus Woodley & Elgort in The Fault of Our Stars.

GetDonaldSutherlandAnOscar said...

Thoughts/ratings on:

Macon Blair in Blue Ruin
Gael Garcia Bernal in Rosewater
Jack O'Connell in Starred Up
Mos Def in Life of Crime
Chris Pine and Keira Knightley in Jack Ryan
Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Mark Ruffalo and Keira in Begin Again
Harry Treadaway and Rose Leslie in Honeymoon
Ansel Elgort and Shalinee Woodley in The Fault in Our Stars

Robert MacFarlane said...

Thoughts and ratings on the entire cast of ASM2?

Connor Olen said...


Please consider one or more of the following performances

Will Ferrell in The Lego Movie
Neil Patrick Harris in Gone Girl
Joaquin Phoenix in The Immigrant
Chris Pine in Into The Woods
Christolph Waltz in Big Eyes

Luke Higham said...

Louis: You might as well, post the supporting lineup tomorrow.

If you give Csokas & Foxx more than a 1, then shame on you.

Robert MacFarlane said...

You must be new. He's already listed Waltz in Lead and given thoughts on Harris and Pine. Plus by his rules The Immigrant is 2013.

Luke Higham said...

I saw Kingsman: The Secret Service, all I can say is that I enjoyed the hell out of it, personally I prefer it, way more than Kick Ass.

Firth - 4
Egerton - 3.5
Caine - 3
Jackson - 4
Strong - 3.5
Hamill - 3

Michael McCarthy said...

Toby Kebbell in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Josh Brolin in Inherent Vice
James Corden in Into the Woods
James Gandolfini in The Drop
Gary Poulter in Joe (Haven't seen it but from what I've heard I'm very interested)

I personally would rather see Michael Fassbender in Frank as a bonus review, but I have a feeling it had a stronger effect on Louis than it did on me.

Michael McCarthy said...

Also I'm overjoyed that Keaton is in the top 2 and Fiennes is in the top 5.

Luke Higham said...

Actually Louis, since you have another 2 1/2 weeks till the ceremony, I would like to see reviews for Corden and Gandolfini as well.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I just realised, that you forgot to put Alternate in the post title.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: the first comment I gave you, I meant 3+ Male Lead Performances.

Psifonian said...

Gary Poulter, Joe
Josh Brolin, Inherent Vice
Michael Parks, Tusk
Gene Jones, Sacrament
Kristofer Hivju, Force Majeure

Anonymous said...

Louis thoughts on mcavoy in days of future past?

Michael Patison said...

Thoughts and ratings:
Isaac
Tatum
Renner
Hardy

Michael Patison said...

Just wondering why you included Wilson in Stretch since it went direct-to-video

mcofra7 said...

Anonymous: McAvoy-He was quite terrific here in making himself the emotional core of the film. He was rather surprisingly moving in portraying the shattered Xavier, and very effectively explored the trauma of the character. His character's arc is technically even fairly swift but McAvoy makes it feel natural and makes a strong impact with every scene he is in
Michael Patison:
Renner-4.5(Well it must be an absurdly packed year for lead actor for Renner's performance here to be completely ignored. Renner gives a compelling portrayal of the journalist getting to the bottom of something big and effectively guides the audience through the odd road he goes down. Renner's known for his intensity, which is seen here, but Renner also is pretty charming here bringing the needed life to the scenes where he spends time with his family. He is great in his second half of his performance he portrays the growing frustrations and paranoia as it seems everyone has turned against him. The sad end for his character is well earned by Renner as he brings his character just about to this point right before the film ends.)
Hardy - 4.5(I thought he was great in making a sympathetic enough "hero" while leaving something off about Bob the whole time. Hardy leaves it the proper mystery so you might think he's just stupid, but when the truth is revealed it makes absolute sense)

L Rime said...

I see Louis has got Tom Cruise at number 20 for Edge of Tomorrow. That was a damn fine performance. Good to see him recognized here.

As for Mr Hardy, I love Locke. I've watched it a ton of times and he carries it so well. But I think I might prefer his performance in The Drop just a tad bit more. But I guess that's just personal preference at this point.

Patrick Wilson in Stretch was one of the more underrated performances of the year. He makes that film immensely watch-able. But really, that entire cast was great with a story that wasn't all that special. Even Jessica Alba of all people was charming in that damn movie.

L Rime said...

Also, a couple of really good performances came out of Jesse Eisenberg in 2014. The Double(a depressingly funnier version of Enemy) and Night Moves(Eisenberg at his most creepy and unsettling).

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Costner - 3(The film is not particularly good but Costner does a solid job of being an aged bad ass. The attempts at humor aren't done all that well though but Costner sells them best he can, and I would have not minded seeing his character in a better film)

Garfield - 3(His routine works for Spider-Man, but it does not translate well to Peter Parker. As he continues the too cool for everything attitude with Peter it just becomes a bit annoying rather than endearing. It's a solid performance though and certainly is far from the abyss of some of performances from the film)

Favreau - 3(He's likable enough here as his performance is as breezy as his film is, which is appropriate)

Pine - 3(Kinda Captain Kirk without the certain smarmy qualities. The film seems kinda a slightly halfhearted spy thriller, but Pine's solid in the role even if it never becomes anything too substantial)

Duplass - 3.5(I rather liked him in his portrayal of the nervous and confused man who slowly becomes uneasy when it is obvious that his wife is more interested in the double. Duplass is a bit less effective as the cool version, I mean he's decent, but I do feel he more of acts cool than really is)

Washington - 3.5(His role does not ask much of him other than to be cool, bad ass and charming. Well Washington is cool, bad ass, and charming, well done)

O'Connell - Starred Up - 3.5(This is a bit similar to his work in Unbroken, although his character has a bit more depth, and his character wishes to cause trouble. O'Connell brings the needed intensity in portraying just the random violence of the man and realizes his angst in an honest fashion. I do think he is somewhat overshadowed by Mendelsohn though.)

Bernal - 4(Rosewater suffered a bit from first time director trying to hard to come up with a style, nevertheless Bernal is solid in a somewhat limited role. Like O'Connell in Unbroken once again he's mostly there to be put through a mangle although Rosewater gives him much more of a character. Bernal brings a quiet charm, and some needed likability so that when he's tortured psychologically you definitely feel for him. He is effective in showing the wear on the man, and giving a moving depiction of his character's suffering)

Blair - 4(Not your standard revenge seeker. Blair is not all that charismatic, but he actually shouldn't be. Blair effectively shows a man trying to be a revenge seeking hero, but fails horribly. What I like most is how natural he is in portraying just how average, and hapless the character is. Blair though also in still conveying the emotionally sensitivity in the character that propels him to his revenge killings and then later his killings to protect his family)

Tatum - 5(He should have been nominated over Carell, and it always annoys me when the best performer is routinely ignored in a well recognized film. Tatum is extraordinary in the role by showing the complexity in simplicity. His Mark is a simple, and perhaps stupid man, but not nothing. Tatum is great in that first scene where he falters in his "inspirational" speech to students as he tells about his gold medal as though he barely can vocalize what it means to him. His scenes with Ruffalo are incredible as he portrays such a strong earnestness in trying to prove himself to his brother, as well as perhaps a discontent as Mark knows he will never be as good as his brother. Tatum realizes the relationship with John du Pont extremely well as well as he suggest the volatility of Mark that only increases under John who will be his friend one minute than his enemy in another. Tatum is great in portraying how the confusion breaks down Mark as he flounders in his attempts to coach, and even eventually fails in his attempts at wrestling glory)

Louis Morgan said...

Isaac - 5(As it's been said before Isaac's work alludes to Pacino as Michael Corleone in the best possible fashion. Isaac brings that same calm and confidence in bringing to life that particular style as a power player. Isaac effectively differs from Pacino though, since Abel Morales never gets blood on his hands directly. Isaac is very good in portraying the passion of Abel to avoid becoming a real criminal. Isaac makes a believable connection between the scenes where Abel has to derive information and impose his will to protect his company, and the scenes with his employees as he nicely shows only genuine warmth as he tries to muster up their enthusiasm to keep working even as they are continually threatened with violence. The scene of the suicide, which could have faltered because of the person playing the suicide hammed it up a bit, is a fantastic moment because of Isaac's reaction as he shows that even through the rough dealings that Abel never lost his humanity.)

Franco - 2(I laughed once, when he revealed the bullet proof vest, but I found him more annoying than funny otherwise. I definitely could have seen the character work with someone else in the role, but I'll admit I never find Franco that entertaining of a performer)

Rogan - 2.5(When he's the straight man to Franco he actually is decent enough, but technically he breaks the straight man code. That is getting flamboyant himself, and I just can't support that since I don't find Rogan's particularly funny when he's doing his shtick)

Woodley - 3.5(I'll be generous and allow the .5. She's close to being awful herself in her early scenes as she all of her line deliveries are ridiculously hammy. Thankfully she does calm down after a bit, and does a fine job of portraying her character's highs with enough charisma, and certainly hits the right notes in portraying her character's lows.)

Elgort - 1(Elgort is very bland suggesting perhaps the new Chris O'Donnell? His attempts at being the cool charming type are more cringe worthy than anything else, and his whole routine became pretty obnoxious. I'll admit selling some of his lines, like the cigarette metaphor, and such would be difficult for Daniel Day-Lewis, but Elgort does not even come close. What's worse though is Elgort made me not care about a possible death from suicide and from suicide in the same year. I mean that should elicit sure fire emotions in terms of level of manipulation but thankfully Elgort sucked out any potential for that.)

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Knightley - 3(I'll admit I did exactly warm up to the film. I did not hate it, but eh it just wasn't my cup of tea. I liked Knightely's performance as she brought a nice bit of charm in the role and if I got into the film I could easily see loving her here.)

Chastain - 4.5(It's interesting that she's the Lady Macbeth to a guy who's really not Macbeth. I liked Chastain here quite a bit though as she brings the suaveness of a trophy wife but she alludes to a certain killer's edge. Although her accent wavers a bit, I never found it distractingly so, and I did particularly love the scene with her and Oyelowo as she goes from smiling housewife to gun moll basically giving him the kiss of death)

GetDonaldSutherlandAnOscar:

I've given my thoughts on Def.

Knightley - 2.5(I did not mind her, and thought she had fairly good chemistry Pine. Unfortunately the film chooses to make her character too often problematic, and Knightley can't make up for that, although that's not her fault)

Treadaway - 2.5(Honeymoon is a whole lot of nothing in terms of being a horror film, but the performances are not entirely without merit. Well Treadaway's messes up in really the most important moments, but he's decent in portraying just honest reactions to some of the weird occurrences throughout the story)

Leslie - 3.5(Leslie's fairly effective in her role in terms of showing both the intense fear her character is suffering through, but as well is fairly chilling in portraying the slowly developing madness. Of course this is not the Babadook and the script does not give her character any sort of real closure that would allow Leslie to connect the two sides in an interesting way)

Ruffalo - 2.5(I have to say I much prefer Ruffalo doing character driven work than trying to coast on his charm. I just really don't care for his whole grinning routine. I don't hate it, but it does not work for me)

Louis Morgan said...


Robert:

Amazing Spider-Man 2:

Stone - 3.5(The best part of the film and clearly they should have just edited into a low key romantic comedy, even though I did think the writing was very repetitive in regards to the Peter/Gwen relationship. She and Garfield though do have good chemistry though and Stone is very charming. Honestly they should have just morphed the series into a Spider-Man Thin Man series where a bickering lovable couple solve crimes, since it's the only part of the film that even came close to working thanks to Stone really. Naturally they killed her off, nice going Amazing Spider-Man)

Foxx - 1(Foxx could not be menacing to save his life. His Electro scenes all flop because he's such a non-entity thanks to Foxx's inadequacy as a villain. His villain speeches where laughable, and they definitely were not meant to be. Then there are his goofy scientist scenes which are just awful on every level, and not even funny in the slightest, I mean how do you make Jim Carrey's Edward Nigma seem subtle? Well Jamie Foxx found a way)

Csokas - 1(What the....Just why....the facial movements...the eye stares.....the accent....what was this?)

Giamatti - 1(He's clearly having a blast, but he does not let us in on the fun)

DeHaan - 2(It might be a comic book movie but someone could someone try to take it seriously at all? Well DeHaan attempts a bit of it in portraying his character's desperation which he's okay at. Unfortunately he kinda compromises it with his excessively "I'm a villain" mannerisms. Once he starts going goblin he starts moving towards Foxx territory which is a most dangerous game. At least these performances show you one thing, going over the top is truly a fine art)

Jones - 2(Someone's scenes were cut)

Scott - (He's actually fine, but I really just wanted to mention that why do they spend so much time on a secret back story I really doubt anyone cares about)

Michael Patinson:

I technically don't think I ever disqualified direct to video fair, because usually it won't factor in due to quality issues anyways. I mean Stretch should have had a theatrical release anyways.)

mcofra7:

Thank you for that.

Robert MacFarlane said...

No thoughts on Chris Cooper's pathetic cameo? I thought he was the worst of the bunch.

Matt Mustin said...

Wow, 12 fives! That's incredible.

Anonymous said...

Really Louis 3.5 for Shailene Woodley? I hated Elgort and I kind of hated the movie, but Woodley gave one of the sweetest and natural performances of the year. What are your thoughts and ratings on Laura Dern in the same movie?

L Rime said...

Louis, have you seen The Guest yet? I'm particularly interested in your opinion on Dan Stevens' performance in that film. It's sort of a one note performance, but it's a one note performance done extremely well.

Also, your opinion of Emily Blunt in Edge of Tomorrow?

Anonymous said...

What are your thoughts of Joaquin Phoenix in The Immigrant and Viggo Mortensen in The Two Faces of January? I hope you are less conflicted with Phoenix now

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your Ratings & Thoughts on
Brooks & Oyelowo in A Most Violent Year
Laurent & Gadon in Enemy
Friend & Mendelsohn in Starred Up
Randall Park in The Interview

Thoughts on the films as well,

Plus, Your updated Top Tens for Female Lead & Supporting.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: You missed out Liam Neeson in A Walk Among The Tombstones, Can I have your Rating & Thoughts on him too please.

Luke Higham said...

Matt Mustin: Not Incredible, Extraordinary.

Anonymous said...

This year sure has been really strong. Keaton's win at the Oscars would have been perfect :(

Could you please give your thoughts and ratings of the best actress race this year and also comment on: Julianne Moore in Maps to the Stars, Marion Cotillard in The Immigrant, Jennifer Aniston in Cake and Scarlett Johansson in Under the Skin.

Louis Morgan said...

Robert:

I'd give him a 1 too that was an egregious case of phoning it in.

Anonymous: Definitely a 3.5. I'll agree she became sweet but she over accentuated every delivery early on like she was Jennifer Lawrence giving an interview.

Dern - 3.5(A less edited version of her performance from Wild more or less. Her part is simple but she's good in just bringing the needed maternal warmth to this part as well)

L Rime:

I'll try the Guest a watch. I gave my thoughts on Blunt back when the film came out.

Anonymous:

I'd actually like to give The Immigrant a re-watch. I've given my thoughts on Mortensen before.

Luke:

Brooks - 3(He's good as Abel's Tom Hagen, but I do feel his role was underwritten. It seems like there should have been more of a relationship between both Abel and his wife especially because of the scene where Abel confronts him over the misplaced funds. Brooks does well with what he has, it seems maybe his scenes were cut)

Oyelowo - 3(I thought he was fine at being the slightly harried official just trying to do his job for the most part. I thought he was close to being great in his last scene with Isaac where he gently alluded to the character's corruption)

Laurent - 2.5(She's fine in her extremely limited role, but does not get to do a great deal until basically her last scene which she handles well)

Gadon - 3(She's given a bit more to do than Laurent, but not that much more to do. She's decent though in conveying her character's confusion of the main matter as well as her former bitterness towards Anthony that obviously fuels her final scene with Adam)

Friend - 3(I thought he was good enough if bordering on being slightly one note. He creates enough of an empathetic figure though within the film)

Mendelsohn - 4(Mendelsohn is the most interesting presence in the film as he portrays the attempt at a estranged father to find his son again. I liked how Mendelsohn shows that his character is not the King of the prison or close to it, but rather just one of the population. He's very effective in showing how his character slowly tries to connect with his son and is rather moving in portraying his inability to know exactly how to approach the matter. Mendelsohn's performance wholly earns the film's ending that may have come across as strangely sappy otherwise)

Park - 3.5(Easily the best part of the film as he actually manages to make Kim fairly sympathetic without holding back on being crazy. He's rather entertaining in the role while still being enough of a villain)

Louis Morgan said...

Neeson - 3.5(The whole film was a bit of a pleasant surprise, and this is actually a far better example of the bad ass Neeson. Not as good as The Grey, but still the role offers him at least a bit of challenge. Neeson obviously brings the needed intimidation you'd expect from late Neeson, but he also manages to bring a bit of poignancy in portraying the character's inner demons)

Enemy - (As I wrote in Gyllenhaal's review it is a rather obvious attempt at making a David Lynch film, but without the needed talent to make such film. The attempts at atmosphere fall flat, and the weird imagery involving the spiders seems more stupid than anything else)

Starred Up - (As a film I thought it was decent enough as it went along, but just was never anything too substantial unless it involved Ben Mendelsohn. I did find that it ended on a high note though)

The Interview - (Most of the comedy did not work for me, especially since a great deal of it depends on finding James Franco really funny. I did not hate it, but I certainly did not really care for it either)

A Most Violent Year - (I will admit that it the title and the way it has been touted was somewhat misleading but there's no reason to blame it for being a entirely different film than expected since it's closer to The Drop in scale than something like The Godfather. Looking at the film as it was though I thought it was a very effective low key crime thriller, although I don't know if a film has yet to capture the eighties retroactively)

Anonymous:

I have not seen Map to the Stars, and Under the Skin. I've given my thought on Cotillard in the Immigrant and Aniston in Cake.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke: And the top tens.

Actress:

1. Essie Davis - The Babadook
2. Marion Cotillard - Two Days One Night
3. Jessica Chastain - The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby
4. Julianne Moore - Still Alice
5. Felicity Jones - The Theory of Everything
6. Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl
7. Reese Witherspoon - Wild
8. Kristen Wiig - The Skeleton Twins
9. Emily Blunt - Edge of Tomorrow
10. Rose Leslie - Honeymoon

1. Lindsay Duncan - Birdman
2. Rene Russo - Nightcrawler
3. Jessica Chastain - A Most Violent Year
4. Naomi Watts - Birdman
5. Andrea Riseborough - Birdman
6. Amy Ryan - Birdman
7. Emma Stone - Birdman
8. Hong Chau - Inherent Vice
9. Emily Blunt - Into the Woods
10. Imelda Staunton - Pride