Morgan Freeman in Seven
James Earl Jones in Cry, The Beloved Country
Jonathan Pryce in Carrington
Kenneth Branagh in Othello
Ethan Hawke in Before Sunrise
Rank Those Five or These Five or Both:
Mel Gibson in Braveheart
Richard Harris in Cry, The Beloved Country
Ian McKellen in Richard III
Bruce Willis in 12 Monkeys
Johan Widerberg in All Things Fair
72 comments:
1. Freeman
2. Pryce
3. Branagh
4. Jones
5. Hawke
1. McKellen
2. Gibson
3. Willis
4. Harris
5. Widerberg
And McGoohan best be in contention for Supporting.
1. Freeman
2. Pryce
3. Jones
4. Branagh
5. Hawke
1. McKellen
2. Harris
3. Willis
4. Widerberg
5. Gibson
1. Freeman
2. Pryce
3. Branagh
4. Hawke
5. Jones
1. McKellen
2. Gibson
3. Willis
4. Widerberg
5. Harris
1.Freeman
2.Pryce
3.Jones
4.Hawke
5.Branagh
1.McKellen
2.Willis
3.Gibson
4.Widerberg
5.Harris
1) Freeman
2) Jones
3) Branagh
4) Hawke
5) Pryce
1) McKellen
2) Harris
3) Widerberg
4) Willis
5) Gibson
1. Freeman
2. Jones
3. Branagh
4. Pryce
5. Hawke
1. McKellen
2. Harris
3. Willis
4. Gibson
5. Widerberg
1. Freeman
2. Pryce
3. Jones
4. Branagh
5. Hawke (I hope I'm wrong and he gets higher)
1. McKellen
2. Willis
3. Harris
4. Widerberg
5. Mel "Makes Scottie from Star Trek Seem Authentic" Gibson
1. Freeman
2. Jones
3. Branagh
4. Pryce
5. Hawke
1. McKellen
2. Harris
3. Willis
4. Gibson
5. Widerberg
Louis: Your Thoughts on The Martian and Ratings and Thoughts on the cast.
My apologies to everyone in advance, but you will hear nothing but jabs, snipes, and snark from me when it comes to Braveheart in the coming reviews.
Jabs, Snipes, and Snark - Directed by Robert MacFarlane
Watched The Martian last night. I thought it was absolutely fantastic. Loved how it wasn't just another dark gloomy sci-fi flick but instead quite wonderfully breezy and yet at certain moments, appropriately intense portrayal of a man cast away in space. It is now officially my Best Picture of the year so far, ahead of Mr Holmes and Mad Max.
Damon: 5 (brilliant career-best work, each moment of his journey was just so effortlessly handled, he had the perfect balance between the humorous and more dramatic sides of his character and just made the whole film an effortless watch. He carried the film brilliantly and if not for McKellen and Hardy, he would be my win for the year so far)
Chastain: 4 (interesting take on what must be a pretty easy sort of role for Chastain at this point, I liked how she maintained the emotional side of the character even when the film didn't dwell too much on it)
Ejiofor: 3.5 (also very good as each and every expositionary line was delivered to perfection, it's essentially a nothing role but the film doesn't suffer for it because when given the chance to shine, Ejiofor shines)
Daniels: 3.5 (could've just been a smarmy villain but Daniels does well to show where the man's pragmatic tendencies are coming from)
Wiig: 3 (she's fine as the emotional wife, a bit one-note but understandably so)
Bean: 3 (thankless role but again exposition done quite well and I really felt his character's convictions)
Glover: 3.5 (Though some may be put off by the character's eccentricities I found him very endearing actually, and I need to check Community out now because he really is quite an engaging onscreen presence)
Wong: 3.5 (Like Glover, his whole deadpan routine might not work for some, but I just really liked how he delivered his lines in general as this rather exasperated chap)
The rest of the cast was solid with no weak links, at least a 3 for everyone.
Calvin: I'm glad you liked it.
Updated Predictions
Lead Actor
Redmayne
Fassbender
Damon
DiCaprio
Depp
Lead Actress
Larson
Lawrence
Ronan
Mulligan
Blanchett
Supporting Actor
Keaton
Del Toro
Hardy
Rylance
Tremblay or Jackson
Supporting Actress
Mara
Vikander
Winslet
Leigh
Walters
Unfortunately, something came up and I'm gonna have to wait until next weekend to see The Martian. I seriously doubt it's gonna jump ahead of Mad Max for me but I can imagine it getting very close and Damon looks brilliant. Can't wait.
Calvin: I've decided to give Damon a 5 as well, as I felt my thoughts were more positive than my original rating.
Luke:
Is Damon's performance in The Martian also career best work for you like it is for Calvin?
L Rime: Easily, I've never been a huge fan of Damon and had him on my overrated list just recently (He's now been taken off) but I found him really, really entertaining and was amazing in a scene near the beginning that involved a surgical procedure.
1. Freeman
2. Pryce
3. Branagh
4. Hawke
5. Jones
1. McKellen
2. Willis
3. Harris
4. Widerberg
5. Gibson
Luke:
I've never found Damon to be overrated, mostly because I've never talked to anyone who thought he was a true top tier actor. He's clearly a movie star, but I don't think I've heard anyone call him one of the best actors around.
Louis: Your ratings and thoughts on the cast of Rob Roy.
L Rime: I never heard anyone calling him one of the best actors around, either.
Luke: I think Hurt is a 4,5.
L Rime: Well, he is a capable actor (Bourne) but most of the time, I found him either bland or disappointing (e.g. The Departed) and has a bit of a charm that some people seem to like, which never worked for me until now. I like to see everyone succeed, so I'm thankful that he's now off the list. :)
I personally think Damon is underrated actually. Louis I think has yet to see some of his best work, like the Bourne films, and The Adjustment Bureau.
I've never given him anything below a 3.5, though The Martian is his first 5 performance for me.
Anonymous: I get the feeling that he might be saving him for a review.
I do agree with both you and L Rime on him ever being called one of the best in the world or some other dumb shit.
Calvin: Haven't yet seen The Adjustment Bureau, which I need to check out.
John Smith:
THANK YOU LOUIS, I LOVE YOU MAN!!!
Scetion 1:
1.Pryce
2.Freeman
3.Hawke
4.Branagh
5.Jones
Section 2:
1.Widerberg (God if you exist...)
2.Mckellen
3.Harris
4.Willis
5.Gibson
John Smith: How many here has seen 'All Things Fair'? And if you have what are your thoughts?
I think the overall top 10 will be:
1. Freeman
2. McKellen
3. Pryce
4. Cage (upgrade to 5?)
5. Harris
6. Jones
7. Willis
8. Penn
9. Branagh
10. Hawke
Calvin: Louis has placed Spacey in Lead for The Usual Suspects.
1. Freeman
2. McKellen
3. Harris
4. Spacey
5. Willis
6. Cage
7. Jones
8. Pryce
9. Branagh
10. Penn
Though I wouldn't underestimate Gibson.
Freeman - 5
Jones - 4.5
Pryce - 4.5
Branagh - 4.5
Hawke - 4.5
Gibson - 4.5
Harris - 5
McKellen - 5
Willis - 4.5
Widerberg - 4
Luke: I'd say you're mostly right about the ratings, with the exception of Harris (even though I'd wish he would finally get a 5).
Anonymous: It's wishful thinking on my part. :)
1. Freeman
2. Pryce
3. Branagh
4. Jones
5. Hawke
1. McKellen
2. Gibson
3. Willis
4. Harris
5. Widerberg
RatedRStar: What ratings do you predict for those you have seen.
From these movies all I have seen is Braveheart. I have heard of Seven , Othello, Before Sunrise, Richard III , and 12 Monkeys. Have not heard of the rest of the movies.
Freeman (5)
Hawke (4)
McKellen (5)
Gibson (4.5)
Willis (4.5)
Love these choices.
Why doesn't anyone think Jones and Harris will get fives? I thought they were both absurdly moving.
I have recently seen The Apartment. It is a very well made movie by Billy Wilder. Excellent mixture if comedy and drama. And here are my ratings on the cast.
Lemmon: 5
MacLaine: 4.5
MacMurray: 4
Kruschen: 3
I have just finished watching The Opposite Sex today. As a remake of The Women, it is weak. By adding the men in it, the film loses the impact the original had (I hold that one in high regard). A lot of musical numbers were not necessary, but I had fun watching it.
June Allyson: 3 I feel she tries to impersonate Shearer too often, but she does well.
Joan Collins: 3.5 or 4
Dolores Gray: 3.5
Ann Sheridan: 3.5
Ann Miller: 3
Agnes Moorehead: 3
Charlotte Greenwood: 2 Really just comes in and then leaves
Joan Blondell: 2.5
Barbara Jo Allen: 2 Same as Greenwood
Leslie Nielsen: 2
Jeff Richards: 1.5
Michael: I'm predicting a 5 for Harris and have Jones as my #2 for the first lineup, so I do share your sentiment.
Just saw Me & Earl & The Dying Girl. I must confess I quite liked it, though with a couple of pretty big reservations, namely some of the more stylized dialogue/visual choices and the male lead, but it really did pack quite an emotional punch for me and was quite a heart-warming watch overall.
Mann: 2.5 (he's not bad and I do think his deadpan wisecracking worked for the narration and the more light-hearted moments. The main problem I do have with his approach is that it just doesn't earn the character's more emotional and poignant moments, nullifying his overall impact. He doesn't really make himself very sympathetic or likable either, which leaves a lot of the emotional weight of the film to be carried by...)
Cooke: 4 (verging on a 4.5, I haven't seen her in anything else yet but she was fantastic here. Like Mann she's quite good at the whole deadpan humour the stylized dialogue necessitates in the lighter sections, and I found her entertaining enough. Her best moments though are in the more serious moments where she really nails each and every emotional beat. It's incredibly strong dramatic work and she makes up completely for Mann's lack of impact in these scenes)
Cyler II: 4 (I liked how he made the stylized dialogue come so naturally to his tongue, unlike Mann who always seemed like he was putting it on as a bit of an act, it comes very trippingly to Cyler's tongue, also he brings quite a bit of gravity to his character's more serious scenes. Mostly though he's just effortlessly funny.)
Bernthal: 3.5 (quite nice to see Bernthal as a nice guy. It's not a particularly big role but he's quite a bit of fun as a kooky teacher)
Offerman and Britton: 3 (do well to match Mann's deadpan approach but with perhaps just a tad bit more actual humour which worked well enough)
Shannon: 3.5 (quite a convincingly disparate mother and I could've done a lot more of her)
Michael McCarthy: I give them both 5's too. McKellen is my win for the year but Jones is a close second. As for Harris I committed (slight) category fraud by placing him in Supporting where he's my win.
Calvin: MEATDG, just didn't work for me, but I'm in agreement on Cooke.
Watched a couple of science fiction movies this morning. Spike Jonze's Her and Colin Trevorrow's Safety Not Guaranteed. Was quite impressed with both.
1. Freeman
2. Jones
3. Branagh
4. Pryce
5. Hawke
1. McKellen
2. Harris
3. Willis
4. Gibson
5. Widerberg
Louis: Who would be your cast and director for:
Heat (1930's version)
Midnight Cowboy (1950's version)
Crossfire (1970's version)
The Big Heat (1980's version)
The Quiet Man (1990's version)
Double Indemnity (2010's version)
Calvin: I do agree (to a somewhat lesser degree) that Cooke managed to rise above the quality of the rest of the film, but that didn't help me get past how emotionally insulting and incompetently made the film itself was. I felt plenty of emotions, just not the ones the film wanted me to feel.
1. Morgan Freeman
2. Jonathan Pruce
3. Kenneth Branagh
4. Ethan Hawke
5. James Earl Jones
1. Ian McKellen
2. Mel Gibson
3. Richard Harris
4. Bruce Willis
5. Johan Widerberg
1. Ian McKellen
2. Richard Harris
3. Bruce Willis
4. Mel Gibson
5. Johan Widerberg
I'll make predictions for the other set after I see Carrington, which should be very soon.
Saw Black Mass, it was good, though it did have potential to be great. Depp and Edgerton give career best work and the ensemble was really good as a whole.
Ratings
Depp - 5 (It's Chilling work from an actor who hasn't fared well with me over the past 10 years, but he's mesmerizing in his portrayal, as he delivers an assured viciousness and is frightening in his scene with Nicholson)
Edgerton - 5 (A really great performance as both he and Depp have superb chemistry with each other and I very much liked his journey from a law enforcement official who has a deep-seated admiration for Whitey to a massively corrupt enabler for Bulger's rise to Kingpin status)
Cumberbatch - 3
Johnson - 3/3.5
Bacon - 3
Plemons - 3.5
Stoll - 3.5
Sarsgaard - 4
Harbour - 4
Cochrane - 3.5
Nicholson - 3.5
Luke:
I'm saving Damon and it is not just because he could possibly be nominated for it.
Daniels, Bean, Ejiofor - 3.5(All extremely important performances actually since their characters technically are so limited. They never make them feel as though they are underwritten. All three of them got across their exposition moments extremely well, but also managed to bring a nice bit of extra character in the margins. You understood their characters past just what they said and they deserve a lot of credit for getting quite a lot out of very little.)
Glover, Wong, Pena, Chastain, Mara - (Also all good in a similair way to the previously three, but I did not feel they managed to quite do as much as Ejiofor, Daniels and Bean did)
Anonymous:
Heat (1930's directed by Michael Curtiz)
McCauley: James Cagney
Hanna: Humphrey Bogart
Shiherlis: Robert Montgomery
Cheritto: Wallace Ford
Nate: Edward G. Robinson
Waingro: Boris Karloff
Midnight Cowboy (1950's directed by Elia Kazan)
Joe Buck: Paul Newman
Ratso Rizzo: Montgomery Clift (late fifties)
Crossfire (1970's directed by Martin Ritt)
Capt. Finlay: Jack Lemmon
Sgt. Keeley: James Caan
Montgomery: Harry Dean Stanton
Ginny: Valerie Perrine
The Big Heat (1980's directed by Michael Mann)
Dave Bannion: Harrison Ford
Debby Marsh: Lesley Ann Warren
Vince Stone: Bob Hoskins
The Quiet Man (1990's directed By Jim Sheridan)
Sean Thornton: Russell Crowe
Mary Kate Danaher: Emily Watson
Michaeleen Flynn: Ian Holm
Will Danaher: Brendan Gleeson
Father Lonergan: Brian Cox
Reverand Playfair: Pete Postlethwaite
Feeney: Michael Palin
Dan Tobin: Richard Harris
Sarah Tillane: Miranda Richardson
Double Indemnity (2010's version)
Walter Neff: Liev Schreiber
Phyllis Dietrichson: Naomi Watts
Barton Keyes: James Woods
Thoughts on The Martian as a film itself.
2 things:
1. I just realized I never used my request for 1940 Lead. My request depends on something:
If Aleksey Kravchenko in Come and See has been unrequested, then I request him.
If not, Mads Mikkelsen in After the Wedding
2. Saw Sicario. Very good, but not great. Last third seems like it's from a better film entirely. First two-thirds lacks focus, despite knowing what the goal of the op is pretty early on. Del Toro is excellent, Brolin great, Blunt reliably good.
Louis: Your overall thoughts on The Martian.
Michael Patison: Kravchenko was my request from '07 Supporting but changed it to Ghassan Massoud for KOH, so I'm happy enough with you requesting him instead.
Louis: Just one final premake question: Who would be your cast and director for a version of On the Waterfront in the 1930's?
Oops, posted my question twice. Sorry.
My 5s and 4.5s for the year so far.
5
Alicia Vikander - Ex Machina
Ian McKellen - Mr. Holmes
Alicia Vikander - Testament Of Youth
Carey Mulligan - Far From The Madding Crowd
Tom Hardy - Legend
Matt Damon - The Martian
Johnny Depp - Black Mass
Joel Edgerton - Black Mass
4.5
Domhnall Gleeson - Ex Machina
Oscar Isaac - Ex Machina
Cate Blanchett - Cinderella
Tom Hardy - Mad Max: Fury Road
Charlize Theron - Mad Max: Fury Road
Nicolas Hoult - Mad Max: Fury Road
Matthias Schoenaerts - Far From The Madding Crowd
Michael Sheen - Far From The Madding Crowd
Paul Dano - Love & Mercy
Luke:
Your ratings for the cast Far From The Madding Crowd makes me want to watch it now. And I've always been a pretty big Michael Sheen fan. I'm assuming you think the movie is great and worth the watch?
L Rime: I do recommend it. It's an effective adaptation, though Tom Sturridge's performance as Sgt. Troy does weaken it slightly.
Louis what are your ratings and thoughts on Anita Louise and Gladys George in Marie Antoinette?
By the way, I've seen Sicario and I thought it was pretty great. Del Toro was excellent, Blunt was fantastic (and, to me, the MVP) and Brolin was fine, although way underused.
Prediction:
1. Freeman
2. Branaugh
3. Jones
4. Pryce
5. Hawke
Also, could you give your thoughts on Teresa Wright and rate her performances in The Little Foxes, Mrs. Miniver, Pride of the Yankees, Shadow of a Doubt, Best Years of our Lives, Casanova Brown, The Men, The Good Mother and any other performance you have seen Louis? I discovered her properly only recently and for me, she nailed it in all her performances.
Anonymous:
The Little Foxes - 4.5
Mrs. Miniver - 4
Shadow Of A Doubt - 5
The Best Years Of Our Lives - 4.5
Calvin:
Thoroughly enjoyed the film, and is my current #2. I agree I liked the upbeat attitude of the whole film, which I found quite endearing considering the nature of so many films set in space. It's methods are simple and straight forward, but in a good way as it goes about telling its direct story, telling it well.
Anonymous:
1930's On The Waterfront:
Terry Malloy: Lon Chaney Jr.
Edie Doyle: Barbara Stanwyck
Johnny Friendly: Walter Huston
Father Barry: Pat O'Brien
Charley Malloy: Louis Wolheim
Anonymous:
I really don't recall much of George's performance.
Louise I thought brought an abundance of warmth and charm with her work making her scenes the few moments of reassurance near the end making her gruesome end particularly disconcerting.
Anonymous:
I love Wright as I find she had one of the most effortless charms out of any actress from the period. As much warmth and sweetness she could convey though Wright also proved always up to the task when the part asked for particularly in Shadow of A Doubt.
Ok now that I've seen Carrington...
1. James Earl Jones
2. Morgan Freeman
3. Kenneth Branagh
4. Jonathan Pryce
5. Ethan Hawke (I also hope he ends up higher, Before Sunrise is a wonderful film.)
Louis: What are your ratings and thoughts on Clark Gable in A Free Soul and Night Nurse (Blondell as well), and John Wayne in Baby Face?
Anonymous:
Gable - 4/3.5(Both are good examples of Gable just playing up the thug angel as he's actually fairly good at being the lout. This is just in an extremely straight fashion in the Night Nurse, but with A Free Soul he importantly adds in a nice bit of his trademark charm to the proceedings)
Blondell - 3.5(She's not given too much to do but offered some actual support by providing someone who felt like another character where at the time many supporting players were particularly bland and forgettable)
I did not feel Wayne had enough of a part to really make an impact there.
One of the many reasons I love this blog is that whenever Louis reviews a film from the S + E era I always like to find their vid and see how it compares since the comparison between their opinion and yours on this film is very wild indeed =D.
Its probably no surprise that Branagh and the others missed out on Best Actor since the Best Actor category for 1995 could win the award for most awards bait performances lol, a suicidal alcoholic, an inspirational teacher, a president, a posthumous performance with a giant campaign behind it, and a man on death row lol =D.
Wrong review lol
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