Saturday 10 February 2018

Alternate Best Actor 2017

And the Nominees Were Not:

James Franco in The Disaster Artist

Robert Pattinson in Good Time

Ryan Gosling in Blade Runner 2049

Jeremy Renner in Wind River

Sebastian Stan in I, Tonya

And for the Second Set of Predictions:

Song Kang-ho in A Taxi Driver

Hugh Jackman in Logan

Harry Dean Stanton in Lucky

Christian Bale in Hostiles

Thomas Jane in 1922 

65 comments:

Robert MacFarlane said...

1. Gosling
2. Renner
3. Franco
4. Pattinson
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Kang-ho
4. Bale
5. Jane

Luke Higham said...

1. Gosling
2. Renner
3. Pattinson
4. Franco
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Bale
4. Kang-Ho
5. Jane

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Ratings and thoughts on the performances you didn't save.

Calvin Law said...

Thoughts and rating for Hawke in Maudie?

1. Gosling
2. Pattinson
3. Renner
4. Franco
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Song
4. Bale
5. Jane

Omar Franini said...

1. Gosling
2. Pattinson
3. Renner
4. Franco
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Song
4. Bale
5. Jane

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Continuing on from the previous post, could you give thoughts on any lead performances that went below a 3.

RatedRStar said...

1. Gosling
2. Pattinson
3. Renner
4. Franco
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Song
4. Bale
5. Jane

Robert MacFarlane said...

Hoping Stan can get upgraded t a 5. His performance is unique to the sort of archetype he's playing. Most actors would have played Gillooly as a perpetually snarling brute, but he plays his abusive behavior in an off-handed, almost casual way.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Performances you didn't save are:

Cruise
Carell
Carell & Fishburne
Hawke
Coster-Waldau
Miller
McAvoy

And have Williams and Vinaite gone down to 4s.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Thoughts on Vince Vaughn in Brawl in Cell Block 99?

Calvin Law said...

This will be a 9 5's year I think.

Lezlie said...

1. Ryan Gosling
2. Jeremy Renner
3. Robert Pattinson
4. Sebastian Stan
5. James Franco

1. Harry Dean Stanton
2. Hugh Jackman
3. Song Kang-ho
4. Christian Bale
5. Thomas Jane

Michael McCarthy said...

1. Ryan Gosling
2. Jeremy Renner
3. James Franco
4. Sebastian Stan
5. Robert Pattinson

1. Harry Dean Stanton
2. Christian Bale
3. Hugh Jackman
4. Song Kang-ho
5. Thomas Jane

Gosling, Stanton, Jackman and Bale are definite 5s, but actually think all of them have a solid chance. Hell, I’m not even counting out Jane considering Psifonian’s endorsement.

Techno said...

1. Ryan Gosling
2. Jeremy Renner
3. Robert Pattinson
4. James Franco
5. Sebastian Stan

1. Harry Dean Stanton
2. Thomas Jane
3. Hugh Jackman
4. Song Kang-ho
5. Christian Bale

Psifonian said...

1. Gosling
2. Renner
3. Pattinson
4. Franco
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Jane
3. Jackman
4. Song
5. Bale

Louis Morgan said...

Michael McCarthy:

Yeah Bright's a strange one. I will say as misguided as it is, I did prefer it over Suicide Squad. It is such a strange bird in its sloppy mesh up of fantasy world building, buddy cop movie cliches, and horribly implemented allegories. I will say though with just how bizarre it was it was not a difficult film to get through.

Luke:

Let me finish what's left from the last post first, then I'll get to questions listed on this one. Although Luke make note of "Not in Order" in regards to the supporting actresses.

The Foreigner - (A strange throwback to the IRA movies of the 90's even stranger that it's more about Brosnan's character than it is Chan's. It's entirely fine not unlike Campbell's Edge of Darkness.)

Chan - 3(This a strictly dramatic turn from him but there's just not that much of him despite being a lead character. He's good in portraying his character's grief in the few scenes we see it in but strangely we are given very little time with him. He's more of this force Brosnan has to deal with than a fully developed character.)

Brosnan - 4(The true lead of the film and I have to give credit for Brosnan giving it his all here in a different type of role. He doesn't have any action sequences nor is the villain the trailers suggested he'd be. He's actually quite good here in this portrayal of a man who is trying to make everything work out for him despite everyone essentially hating him. He realizes the intensity of his frustration and builds it effectively as one person threatens him after another while Chan is constantly harassing him as well. Brosnan intakes every development around him and reveals the sheer exasperation of this rather well. He manages to even create a level of sympathy of the character even though film seems to want us to completely hate him.)

Going in Style - (It's not particularly good, but it is mildly entertaining if completely disposable due to Arkin and Caine.)

Caine, Arkin, Freeman - 3/3/2.5(Arkin and Caine are both pretty charming here even though they are definitely doing their usual thing. Freeman though seems bored most of the time, and just doesn't both to bring the energy that Caine and Arkin do provide.)

Colossal - (The film has an interesting enough idea but then fails to do anything interesting with it. It's mildly entertaining when it is just having mostly fun with the idea. It's shift towards the dramatic feels haphazard and it falls apart once it does that.)

Hathaway - 3(A lot of this is her doing her typical Hathaway sort of shtick. It's fine really but she never quite goes far enough with the role. She never seems broken enough at the beginning or messy enough to make her change anything. She's just generalized Hathaway making the arc vague though obviously spelled out by the script.)

Sudeikis - 3(He's fine as just the sorta seemingly small town friend in the first half. The film cements his change to creep yet the way it's done it is a sudden shift that just makes the character one note, and isn't well realized. Sudeikis kind of goes for the bully that Jason Bateman pulled off so well in The Gift but he's not half as good here as Bateman was there. He just kind of becomes pure evil and his performance becomes extremely repetitive.)

Breathe - (It's what you think it is going to be but it's not as bad as you think it could be. It's entirely fine if definitely nothing special.)

Louis Morgan said...

Garfield - 3.5(Once again his strange accent does work in context of the film rather well. Here obviously he has a bit of a limitation in his performance but he does some great face and vocal acting throughout. This is not only in terms of the moments of great physical distress but also just his charming portrayal of the man. He balances well this sense of malaise that slowly shifts towards something a bit more hopeful in an affecting manner. This arc is perhaps too fast in cinematic terms but that's as written. The rest of the time he's just generally charming, but Garfield is entirely fine at being as such.)

Foy - 3.5(The supportive wife role down to a t. This version of that common character doesn't have anything unusual about it. Foy though is definitely good in her version of it in bringing that needed warmth and general support you'd want from such a performance. It's fine work even if it is a bit limited by the material.)

The Lovers - (The film is fine if nothing terribly impressive at any point. It mostly works through the performances, but there is nothing as written that is too interesting here. I particularly found once the son showed the film lost steam by how one note the character was.)

Letts and Winger - 3.5(Both are good here in creating their chemistry as essentially their mutual arcs throughout the film. They develop well from the initial malaise of a long marriage as their interactions have little life or affection towards them. This is against their affairs where they show more interest however each properly show a level of distance there. A distance that we do not see as the two slowly become close to one another again and they both effectively creates this sense of what their relationship perhaps once was.)

Louis Morgan said...

Professor Marston - (This film was kind of terrible actually. It's a shame as the story could have been something interesting, but the film takes such a basic and surface approach at every turn. This should be an exploration of a different kind of relationship, which it obviously is, yet the film just presses it into a typical biopic formula. It doesn't help that no one is particularly good here.)

Hall, Evans, Heathcote - 2(Hall is perhaps one of my most disappointing performances of the year, as she's usually pretty consistent. She's kind of terrible here to be honest, and Evans and Heathcote are not much better. They all way over do the sort of historical mannerisms of their characters making all of them seem as these over the top caricatures. They don't realize their relationship in any way that feels like you actually get to know how their dynamics work. They instead just sort of state what is while the actors give their overcooked portrayals that are stuck in their ridiculous mannerisms.)

Edgerton - 3(Kudos for his ability to act through the makeup and give a pretty likable performance that carries more of the film than it really should.)

Smith - 2.5(Once again Smith basically wants his charm to do all the work for him without really delivering enough of an edge in his character. Smith is charming however in this and Suicide Squad it is almost as though he just goes on Fresh Prince autopilot.)

Anonymous:

Curry:

1. Replaying the Night - Clue
2. "Heya Georgie" - It
3. Exposing the blackmail - Clue
4. "Sweet Transvestite" - Rocky Horror Picture Show
5. Explaining his plan - Clue
6. "I'll kill you all" - It
7. Corruption - Legend
8. "Good shot" - Clue
9. Shower Visit - It
10. Attempted Rescue - Clue
11. "hooohah, hoohah" - It
12. Dinner - Rocky Horror Picture Show
13. His desire - Legend
14. Taking a call - Clue
15. Show - Rocky Horror Picture Show
16. The Wrong Man - Home Alone 2
17. Basement - It
18. Grinch Fade - Home Alone 2
19. Across the way - It
20. Your stolen Credit Card - Home Alone 2

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your rating and thoughts on Curry in Legend or do you still need a re-watch since he's not listed in your 85 Supporting Overall.

And Your thoughts on Damon in Suburbicon.

Michael McCarthy said...

Louis: Yeah the second sentence in your analysis of Bright is pretty much exactly what I’ve been saying. I would say it’s actually a much bigger narrative misfire than Suicide Squad, but I’ll agree that it’s much more entertaining, even if it’s for all the wrong reasons. It’s definitely joining my list of terrible movies that you can make really fun drinking games out of.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Thoughts on Brad's Status and the cast.

Bryan L. said...

Darn, I was hoping for a Cruise review, though I do think you could sum up his performance in a few sentences.

1. Gosling
2. Pattinson
3. Stan
4. Renner
5. Franco

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Kang-ho
4. Jane
5. Bale

Omar Franini said...

Louis: your thoughts and ratings on Moore in Suburbicon and Robbie in Goodbye Christopher Robin?

Maciej said...

1.Gosling
2.Franco
3.Renner
4.Stan
5.Pattison

1.Stanton
2.Kang-ho
3.Bale
4.Jackman
5.Jane

Robson Nakazato said...


1 - Renner
2 - Gosling
3 - Franco
4 - Pattinson
5 - Stan

1 - Stanton
2 - Jackman
3 - Jane
4 - Kang ho
5 - Bale

Luke Higham said...

R.I.P. Johann Johannsson

Calvin Law said...

RIP Johannsson. Great talent, but more importantly way too young to pass.

Vanna Long said...

1. Gosling
2. Pattinson
3. Renner
4. Franco
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Jane
4. Song
5. Bale

Matt Mustin said...

1. Gosling
2. Pattinson
3. Renner
4. Franco
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Bale
3. Jackman
4. Song
5. Jane

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Would Nic Cage and Kevin Bacon be your choices for Curtis and Gerry in a 2000s version of Mississippi Grind? And maybe Paul Dano in Griffin Dunne's role in After Hours for the 2010s?

Charles H said...

I expect all to get fives except Stan and Jane.

1. Gosling(Of course)
2. Renner
3. Pattinson
4. Franco
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Kang-Ho
4. Bale
5. Jane

Luke Higham said...

Charles: I think there's a decent possibility of Stan getting a five. Louis did give thoughts on him originally with a 4.5 and would be abit pointless to review him if he's getting the same rating.

Anonymous said...

1. Gosling
2. Renner
3. Pattinson
4. Franco
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Bale
4. Kang-Ho
5. Jane

Louis: Your cast and director for a 40's Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and a 60's Colors.

Emi Grant said...

1. Gosling
2. Renner
3. Franco
4. Stan
5. Pattinson

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Jane
4. Kang-Ho
5. Bale

Michael McCarthy said...

I actually wouldn't have thought Hawke getting a 5 was out of the question. It's a very transformative role when you think about it and he pulled it off quite naturally, and that doesn't even take into account how moving his later scenes with Hawkins are.

Calvin Law said...

Michael: Exactly. The power of the film's ending rests almost as much on him as on Hawkins. And yes the accent, voice, mannerisms and the troublesome character were all handled perfectly.

John Smith said...


1st Set

1.Gosling
2.Pattinson
3.Franco
4.Renner
5.Stan

2st Set

1.Stanton
2.Jackman
3.Jane
4.Kang Ho
5.Bale

John Smith said...

I feel like I should put Thomas Jane higher. Bit it will wait until the first review until i make up my mind.

I feel that he gave a great performance.

Mitchell Murray said...

I'm going to predict that Stanton, Renner or Gosling will take the top spot. Can't see Franco or Jackman making the top 5 but they certainly weren't bad by any means.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Cruise - 4.5(I will say I would've loved to review this performance since it was a great return to Cruise stepping out of the Cruise action mode performance. Now I think Cruise is just fine when doing those performances but here was proof that he can step out of that expectation. This is a terrific performance from him as he brings such a real charm to the manic energy of his Barry. He makes him immensely likable and never smarmy despite how amoral his character is throughout. He's got that devilish grin and manages to be wholly endearing to the point Cruise shows why almost everyone takes a liking to Barry. Although the film didn't quite get to be Cruise's Wolf of Wall Street, Cruise at least delivered in giving the wildly entertaining and energetic performance I was hoping for.)

Carell - Battle - 4.5(Carell is terrific here in that he captures the spirit of Riggs's character so well. Yes he's not an exact match for the man by any means instead Carell is far more entertaining. He does well to show that the man is always putting on at least a light act basically to get through life as though he needs to bring some sort of thrill. Then in his scenes with Billie Jean he properly goes bigger to show Bobby as essentially playing a wrestling heel in their scenes together. He's ridiculous and he's suppose to be ridiculous. He brilliantly though undercuts all of this properly in his scenes with Shue where he quietly reveals the more vulnerable man beneath all the acts who just doesn't know how to step out of the spotlight.)

Carell - Last Flag Flying - 4.5(He has some genuinely great moments here as well particularly in the hanger sequence where he lets out the visceral intensity of the grief. The rest of the time though he finds it properly just within this very meek guy that Carell realizes so well. In every facet of his work he just brings out this guy who just never wants to make too much trouble even when he's technically angry. When he refuses to have his son buried by the military initially Carell's great in revealing the way his Larry shows his anger which is in the most tiny outbursts in which he basically tries to avoid exposing too directly. In addition he just has great chemistry with both Fishburne and Cranston. They make their friendship just feel incredible natural finding both the humor and emotion in their interactions with such ease.)

Fishburne - 4.5(My mvp of the film and one of the most underrated performances of the year. I love what Fishburne does in essentially creating the two sides of the man. In one part having that delivery of the passionate yet soft spoken preacher. Fishburne doesn't make this false by any means but rather shows it to be the way the man has come to be in a less stressful life. He reveals a contentment and I love the little moments he has where he tries to teach or correct his friends on things. Fishburne in these moments only portrays the most genuine concern for them and that he is always trying to help even if he is being, well, a bit preachy. That's against when he's pushed by Sal too far and Fishburne brings out the guy who lived through a far more stressful world. Fishburne's fantastic in bringing out the courser old marine who give just as good as he gets, that still very much as part of the preacher whether he likes it or not.)

Louis Morgan said...

Hawke - 4.5(This is yet another example of Hawke being one of the most underrated actors around these days, hopefully he can deliver another incredible performance next year in a film that gets a bit more press. Hawke's terrific here in giving such an interesting technically mannered turn. This isn't the type of character usually given this treatment yet Hawke realizes the rough mental state, and physical nature so effectively. Hawke never breaks this in his extremely convincing portrayal of a very distinct sort of person. In addition he has great chemistry with Hawkins. In that he believable creates this slow realization of affection after treating her as almost an annoyance at first, he slowly ease this away but not in quite the way you might expect. Hawke even plays the genuinely loving moments in this coarse way that feels entirely natural to man he has established previously.)

Coster-Waldau - (This performance I will say is somewhat diminished by the film itself where its order makes the impact of the transformation not nearly as powerful as it might have been if it had been in chronological order. Coster-Waldau nonetheless gives a convincing portrayal of the white collar guy becoming this hardened criminal by the end. Coster-Waldau brings the right difficulty in this though by portraying a certain level of awkwardness as he initially becomes the killer, even making his first kill as though he has absolutely no idea what he's doing. Coster-Waldau does well in portraying the way he closes off himself the longer he continues developing that killer's edge along the way to become the monster he needs to be to survive what he's gotten himself into. He though keeps just that quiet bit of vulnerability in moments to show the old man within it all, but well covered up by the final confrontation.)

Miller - 4.5(Miller gives a pretty good subversion here of a well worn trope. In that he very much would be allowed to be the protagonist of many of film with his overt creeping the baby sitter from scene to scene, because it's all funny right? Miller breaks this down incredibly well once the switch happens and he further reveals himself. He becomes quite unnerving once he reveals kind of the slightly older Kevin McCallister whose gone all the way off the deep end. Miller's great in that he always keeps him as a this kid never just suddenly become more adult, making what he does all the more unsettling as he carries this distinct sort of bratty attitude throughout.)

McAvoy - 4.5(The only performance that tops Fassbender in Alien Covenant for the actor of the year where it seems like the director said "Now just keep acting until this gets compelling". The film is not very good but McAvoy is a whole lot of fun in trying to make it something worthwhile through the sheer will of his performance. McAvoy goes all the way whether it is as the direct controlling villain, the evil controlling mother, or the young boy with his dance sequence that is pretty amazing. He's got it all in between and McAvoy brings a certain conviction to every single moment of his performance. I will say the best moment though is when the man briefly resurfaces and McAvoy just brings a real anguish of having to bare this horrible situation. It's terrific work, and really just imagine the film for a second if a lesser actor had taken on the role.)

Louis Morgan said...

Stiller - 3.5(It's a fine performance from him to be sure in just quietly portraying the midlife crisis of his character. Stiller rightly plays well with the right low key approach of just slightly coming out from time to time behind a guy who just presents himself as doing alright. His more emotional moments Stiller nicely handles by keeping them within a certain level. His outbursts are very naturalistic and never become melodramatic. He finds them as just the surfacing of the back of his mind in a rather effective way.)

Sheen - 3.5(Classical smug Sheen to be sure. A very good example of it. It's not asking too much of him but he provides what is needed incredibly well.)

Abrams - 2.5(He's fine but there is nothing that stands out about his work. He's mostly just there not really creating any history with Stiller, that Stiller doesn't provide in his performance. He's never actively bad, but he doesn't do much.)

Damon - 2(Damon just is not the right actor for a sociopath as he needs his roles to be more expressive. This role just does not play to his strengths as he really can't create anything in the margins or in the subtle way needed for the suburban murderer. He's just there and very bland unfortunately.)

No, just going on memory and re-watching those scenes through clips.

Omar:

Moore - 2(Two boring performances from her unfortunately. She just doesn't make any sort of impact either way oddly enough. Like Damon there is no real danger in her performance nor is there even any hint of sympathy. She doesn't define herself as a villain nor any sort of strange anti-hero. She's just there.)

Robbie - 3.5(Although the film seems to want her to be much more of a monster at times I really liked what Robbie did here despite those limits in her moments of trying to humanize her character. She does these well in the moments of trying to play with her son which she grants a real earnestness to but also a definite awkwardness as she doesn't know when or how to react towards her son. It's a good performance even though the film under serves her.)

Anonymous:

I've given them before.

Bryan:

Cage's fine for Gerry, I'd actually say Sam Rockwell for Gerry.

Yes in regards to Dano.

Anonymous:

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels 1940's Directed by Victor Schertzinger:

Freddy: Bob Hope
Jameson: Leslie Howard
Janet: Dorothy Lamour

Colors 1960's directed by John Huston:

McGavin: James Caan
Hodges: Burt Lancaster

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your rating for Coster-Waldau.

Louis Morgan said...

4.5

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Would you be able to give updated thoughts on Bautista in Blade Runner 2049. I'm very happy that you upgraded him.

Calvin Law said...

I re-watched Darkest Hour today and while Oldman's still a very strong 5 for me, the film dipped down quite a bit on re-watch and the make-up and his performance are all that really stood out for me again. He's just outside my top 10 now which is a shame, not so much due to the strength of his performance but the fact that there were other performances this year which have stayed with me more.

Unknown said...

1. Renner
2. Franco
3. Gosling
4. Pattinson
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Kang-Ho
4. Jane
5. Bale

BRAZINTERMA said...

1. Gosling
2. Renner
3. Franco
4. Stan
5. Pattinson

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Jane
4. Bale
5. Kang-Ho

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

1. Gosling
2. Renner
3. Pattinson
4. Franco
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Bale
4. Kang-Ho
5. Jane

Calvin Law said...

I hope Louis will also give Jamie Bell in Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool a 4.5.

JackiBoyz said...

1. Gosling
2. Renner
3. Pattinson
4. Franco
5. Stan

1. Stanton
2. Jackman
3. Bale
4. Kang-Ho
5. Jane

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Thoughts on these casts?

L.A. Confidential

Soderbergh

Exley- Adam Driver
Bud- Channing Tatum
Lynn- Catherine Zeta-Jones
Vincennes- Matt Damon
Dudley- Michael Douglas
Sid- Luis Guzman
Patchett- Don Cheadle

Fincher

Exley- Jake Gyllenhaal
Bud- Ben Affleck
Lynn- Rooney Mara
Vincennes- Brad Pitt
Dudley- Stellan Skarsgaard (might be a bit obvious though)
Sid-Jared Leto
Patchett- Tyler Perry

Scorsese

Exley- Andrew Garfield
Bud- Jon Bernthal
Lynn- Margot Robbie
Vincennes- Leonardo DiCaprio
Dudley- Ben Kingsley
Sid- Eddie Marsan
Patchett- Robert De Niro


Matt Mustin said...

I saw Wind River. It's really not very good. I liked Jeremy Renner (although probably much less than most of you) it was paced decently enough, and Sheridan still certainly has an ear for dialogue, but the problem is... Sheridan wanted to shed light on an important issue, but it seems like every chance he had to directly address that issue, he avoided it, which to me was really bizarre. And then there's that final title card, which considering the movie that came before it actually made me kind of mad, because I just thought to myself "Well where the fuck was that movie, then?"

Renner-4.5(He's a good lead to follow through the film, but the best part of his performance is how he silently brings the central tragedy of the film to life through the sorrow in his eyes. His performance actually gives more depth to his character than I think the script does. Far from my favourite performance from Renner (that would be Kill The Messenger), but still strong work.)

Olsen-3.5(Her character's really kinda basic, but she plays it well. Her final scene in particular I thought was very well handled.)

Birminghmam-3.5(Great seeing him again. Not a lot to do, but he's very moving as the grieving father.)

Greene-3(He's enjoyable enough, but again, he's not given a lot to do.)

Bernthal-3(Brings the right warmth to his scene, and I loved seeing him not play a sleazebag for once.)

Jordan-1(Only because I don't give zeroes. I usually never judge an actor by only one performance, but based on this I never want to see this guy in anything ever again. This was truly and completely awful on all levels. I felt embarrassed watching him, honestly. )

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: You didn't rank Adam Driver's work in The Last Jedi in the overall.

Luke Higham said...

Tahmeed: He probably placed him in Lead.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your thoughts on The Last Jedi's Costume and Production Design.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Matt: I know, that title card may as well have been the one from Miami Connection. /but what I loved about Renner's work is that he avoids playing his sad character in a dour way. I could imagine several actors I like (Hardy, Fassbender, DiCaprio, both Afflecks) brooding their way through the role, but Renner plays it with a modesty and warmth. Even when the character is giving some sort of speech, he says it in a way like an old friend giving advice. He never lets the character's pain dictate his personality.

Luke Higham said...

Has anyone ever seen Renner as Jeffrey Dahmer. He's quite great there as well and apparently he was cast in The Hurt Locker due to that performance. Could be an interesting review for 2002 Lead.

Anonymous said...

Louis: From what you have seen of Heath Ledger, what roles in films made in 2010s do you see him being a good fit for? Also, your cast and director for 2000s and 2010s Taxi Driver.

Psifonian said...

Luke: I nominate Renner for "Dahmer." As a film it has its severe issues, but Renner is brilliant, capturing the man's depravity while at the same time showing how he was able to slip through the cracks by being so banal in his evil.

Bryan L. said...

Anonymous: Here's some I think he would've been great for, since I've thought about that question several times.

The Joker in TDKR :)
Avery Cross
James Hunt
Max Rockatansky
Toby Howard




Luke Higham said...

Psifonian: Could you send me a link of your Lead Actor Nominees from 1915 to 2016.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Ask again in Gosling's review.

In terms of the The Last Jedi costumes are all more than decent additions to the Star Wars cannon of costumes. Whether that are Rey's slight variations on her original getup, or The Imperial guards that are more combat practice versions of those seen in Return of the Jedi. Leia's and Holdo's formal wear is also fairly notable. I will say in terms of the story it doesn't make a lot of sense why she and Holdo are so dressed up, especially since Leia was more appropriately dressed for war in just the previous films, but they're well designed. I can't say the same for the Canto Blight costumes which are kind of dull and generic sci-fi where that was the time where it would have been okay to be a bit more memorable. Overall fine work even if there isn't anything too remarkable.

In terms of production design the film is a bit of a mixed bag. A lot of it is recycled from the original trilogy. There some good additions particularly the design of Crait. Again Canto Blight is oddly boring looking very uninspired sci-fi. None of the new ships are particularly unique or memorable. If factoring in more generalized art direction there are also some strange choices in there with the caretakers on Luke's Island, and so many of the Canto Blight aliens. There are some good things in there again, Snoke's Throne Room for example, but again a bit of a mixed bag that uses the original trilogy as a crutch.

Bryan:

I'd say your Dudley's are all too villainous types, remember Cromwell had just come off of Farmer Hoggett. I'd say Tom Hanks could be a good choice for the role.

Soderbergh:

Tatum, Damon could work. No to Zeta-Jones, Driver lacks the golden boy look needed for Exley. Unless the time period was moved you really need white men for Sid and Patchett.

Fincher:

Yes to Gyllenhaal, Affleck, Pitt and Mara. Alternate though Robert Downey Jr. for Vincennes, who I think would be perfect. Again same problem with Patchett. Leto could work as kind of a more weaselly Sid.

Scorsese:

Yes to all again, except Kingsley who is too known for villains.

Anonymous:

As has been mentioned before, Mr. O'Brien in The Tree of Life, which he was originally going to play.

Other roles:

Toby Howard - Hell or High Water
Teddy Daniels - Shutter Island
Mark Watney - The Martian
Mike Shiner - Birdman

Taxi Driver 2000's directed by James Gray:

Travis: Joaquin Phoenix
Iris: Bel Powley
Sport: Liev Schreiber
Betsy: Michelle Williams
Tom: Jason Segel
Wizard: Jon Favreau

Taxi Driver 2010's directed by the Safdie Brothers:

Travis: Robert Pattinson
Iris: Taliah Webster
Sport: James Badge Dale
Betsy: Imogen Poots
Tom: Johnny Simmons
Wizard: Dave Chappelle

Psifonian said...

Luke: Sorry, but I lost the master lists of all of my lineups a couple years ago, so I am rebuilding them, restructuring them. I am going to be releasing video albums of all my Big 6 nominees/winners going back to 1915, and as I am working on them concurrently, they should be finished sometime this summer. Seven nominees per category save for Picture, which will either have 10 or 12 (I haven't quite decided where to fall there). But by that time, I will have seen everything for 2017 that I want to, as "You Were Never Really Here" falls under 2017 by my eligibility rules and hence I have to see it before I can finalize anything.

John Smith said...

Louis, where would you rank Lewis performance in phantom thread when it comes to his top 10 performances.