Monday 9 October 2017

Alternate Best Actor 1974: Warren Oates in Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia

Warren Oates did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Bennie in Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia.

Bring Me the Head Of Alfredo Garcia, despite some particularly extreme negative reactions by some, I found to be a great crime thriller about an American bartender in Mexico going about trying to collect a bounty by finding the head of a dead man.

Now something already intriguing about the film is casting an actor like Warren Oates in the lead of the film. Oates is of course an incredibly reliable character actor, and just one of those guys who you can sense a story through their performance even if they don't have a lot of screentime. I love seeing when such an actor gets their chance to take on a leading role, and see how they can explore a role when they aren't technically working in the margins of a story. Oates's casting is further fascinating in that it seems to set a different type of tone for the film right from the outset when we see him working in his bar in Mexico, which is visited by two hitmen looking for the titular man. If this was Steve McQueen, or say a William Holden, and this nothing against those two actors I like very much, the viewer would likely immediately take to this "hero" for us to follow, as you'd just assume they'd have to be lovable rogues. When we see Bennie played by Oates, that's not the case, though I have to admit I love simply the look of Oates as Bennie, but I digress. Oates's unique presence offers something very different there which is a most unpredictable protagonist for us to follow throughout the film.

Oates's whole approach makes Bennie feel right within the rundown atmosphere of the bar. Oates carries that harshness of a man who has obviously been through some things being an army veteran, yet there is almost a levity within this that alludes to the man seemingly stuck in a definite aimlessness. Bennie more or less accepts the job of recovering Garcia, initially in a way that Oates portrays with a proper "why not" as he exudes this casual air of not quite a despair, yet an understanding of his situation. This becomes more complicated, but also simpler in a way when he gets more information from his girlfriend Elita (Isela Vega). It's more complicated because he learns that Elita was also having an affair with Alfredo, but simpler because he learns that Alfredo already died in a car accident. Now Oates's portrayal of Bennie's relationship with Elita is something truly fascinating as he creates such a striking realization of Bennie basically drifting even with her. He portrays any sense of betrayal with this delay of a man detached through experience, he does lash out at her for this eventually yet even this Oates depicts as a painful delay of the man's messy mind. Oates makes his anger real, yet instinctual in the moment, as though his wavering mind has fallen where it should be for a moment.

Now despite the infidelity the two decide to set off to get the bounty for Alfredo since they only need the head of the dead man. Oates is terrific though in making his acceptance of Elita in a way quite fascinating and surprisingly affecting. There is a moment before their journey really begins with where Oates so tenderly portrays just the genuine love Bennie has for Elita. Oates's performance again is so terrific how he even acts so effectively through sunglasses. Yet Oates through just a bit of cracking in his voice, and waver in his mouth reveals that vulnerability Bennie has with Elita that shows how much he does care for her. Unfortunately their journey gets off to a poor start when they accosted by two bikers who plan to rape Elita where again the unpredictability about Oates's performance makes the scene particularly remarkable. Obviously a Steve McQueen would of course save the day, but with Oates that is not a guarantee. Oates utilizes this in the moment as he portrays such an internalized anguish in his physical tension as he sits there, yet there is almost a potential consignment that makes the moment particularly unnerving. Again though Oates shows less a hero gaining his confidence, but rather depicts the shaken man coming to the right thought that allows him to take his action. What follows though is not a typical badass, rather the scene is particularly notable given Oates atypical approach that isn't as a hero, but rather a truly desperate man committing this act of violence.

Bennie and Elita eventually reach the village where Alfredo is buried, though Elita has more than a few second thoughts of desecrating the grave of her former lover. Bennie is not as concerned and Oates again is great in so well realizing the particularly mindset that is going on with Bennie in the moment. As always he Oates suggests the man who isn't thinking clearly as he keeps that certain detachment in the moment but I love the way Oates inserts the moments of such genuine emotion in there at times. It's purposefully messy though in natural way as he reveals Bennie in one moment attempting to justify himself though there is more the sense of that urge towards the greed involved with the head. When he says he'll put the grave back together as it was though in that delivery Oates is wholly sincere in showing Bennie's concern for his girlfriend, and he even takes a moment in revealing more than a bit guilt for his actions. This subsides for him to continue with his task, again though Oates doesn't make this a switch. He instead so effectively portrays this as more of a flow of Bennie's mind, in that even in the same moment he wants the money, and wants to do right by Elita, and it is all logical in the moment. Bennie though is attacked and buried in the grave instead waking up in a shocking scene where he discovers a murdered Elita next to him in the grave.

Oates is downright amazing in the moment of discovering as he not only reveals the terrible anguish in Bennie in every one of his wails, but also depicts essentially a man breaking the rest of the way through this anguish. After this scene Oates's performance takes Bennie to this different state of mind altogether and it is astonishing to watch. From this point on Oates essentially shows that Bennie has basically gone off the deep end, yet the task of collecting the money for the head of Alfredo keeps him together to at least some degree. What Oates realizes is this sort of stream of consciousness in everything about him, as Oates makes Bennie not a man on the edge but far past it. In every moment of the final act Oates is in this extraordinarily compelling portrayal of Bennie's state of mind. As he goes about his task still Bennie begins to speak to Alfredo as though he is on the car ride with him. Oates is brilliant in the way he rambles in these that allude to the emotional madness of the man as he attempts to reason himself to complete his task despite that horrific grief that Oates holds as an undercurrent to this insanity. Oates is downright amazing as in these scenes he is what would be in most films the cool badass taking down the bad men by shooting them one by one. Now indeed that is what Bennie is doing as he continues to kill everyone as he brings Alfredo to his destination. In every one of these moments Oates paints a man at his most extreme margins, as he keeps Bennie at this state of sheer dementia as he prods himself to keep killing. What is so remarkable in this is again how emotional Oates makes this in creating how the randomness of the emotions are flowing through Bennie, as Oates shows that grief at times, that callousness at others, or just a sheer moment of glee such in his exuberant yet aching delivery of "because it feels so good" after killing a man. When Bennie reaches his destination it is only logical to Bennie's illogical state that Oates has so convincingly realized that he'd take the money then proceed to kill the man and his men who hired him for not paying enough respect to the head that led to the deaths of so many. I love this performance as again in that moment Oates is so mesmerizing to watch as he brings that viciousness to the killing yet makes it so heartbreaking in its own way as he has shown how this man has gotten to this place. This is an outstanding performance by Warren Oates as he crafts such a lurid and unique portrait of a man falling right off the brink of his own mind.

92 comments:

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Thoughts on the rest of the cast.

Calvin Law said...

Hot damn, you loved the film way more than I did (I think it's good but a bit dated), but glad to see we share a love for Mr Oates here. It's simply one of the great leading turns by a great character actor, and my win for 1974.

Re-watched Blade Runner 2049 and I have to admit this time round I appreciated it a lot more. Still don't think it's quite perfect but a lot of stuff I liked more this time round. Still can't nail down a rating for Gosling though.

Calvin Law said...

Also, thoughts on Don Murray on TP? He's just awesome.

Luke Higham said...

OK I was wrong, Oates could finish runner-up here and he's definitely ahead of Pacino.

Anonymous said...

Louis: your top 10 sharon stone acting moments

Calvin Law said...

Stallone's directing Creed 2.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Not sure if I'm happy about this to be honest.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Webber & Young - 3.5(I quite liked their impact in their few scenes in creating a real sense of two vile men who just carry this striking callousness for much of their business. I really love their out of character scene at the end creating such a tension when speaking in their facade, and then I loved Webber's brief actually emotional moment at the end.)

Vega - 3.5(I liked her performance overall in that she offers the right type of sincerity to her work even if her character is questionable in a certain way. She has effective chemistry with Oates she creates both the sense of warmth along with the right tension at the same time. I will say though that while she's good, I do feel it's Oates performance more than her own that made me care about the character.)

Kristofferson - 3(Makes for a pretty good sleaze ball for a single scene.)

Calvin:

The definitely seventies feel is part of what I loved about the film.

Would've liked to see Coogler come back, but Stallone tends to know what he's doing when it comes to Rocky.

Anonymous:

Uhhhhhhhh.....

Calvin Law said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0CbN8sfihY

The Last Jedi trailer. Warning: might give away too much for some.

Anonymous said...

Louis: your top 20 nick nolte acting moments

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

Murray - (I love this performance so much as he makes one of the all time great bosses in the history of tv. Murray brings such a memorable warmth about that is absolutely endearing in his supportive moments to Dougie and his wife that is just something so wonderful. Murray captures sort of that energy of the idea of Battlin Bud that is so special and he's particularly great in his moments of a righteous take down later on, that I won't mention now since I don't know if you're there yet. He also though just knows exactly how to bring that Lynch humor to life so beautifully whether it is in those supportive moments to Dougie, or just bringing so much conviction within some of the insanity such as when he says "you've given me a lot to think about" after he receives Dougie's insane drawings.)

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Nolte:

1. Destiny - The Thin Red Line
2. Final Confrontation with his father - Affliction
3. Water - The Thin Red Line
4. Doubts - The Thin Red Line
5. Assume I'm Right - The Thin Red Line
6. Describing his theory - Affliction
7. "You're Dirt" - Hotel Rwanda
8. Light - The Thin Red Line
9. Finding his mother - Affliction
10. Lashing out at the women - Affliction
11. Getting Fired - Affliction
12. Failing as an officer - Affliction
13. "Justice" - Affliction
14. Attacking the bar tender - Affliction
15. Following Jack - Affliction
16. Suspicion - Affliction
17. Seeing his son - Warrior
18. The Killing - Under Fire
19. Thumbs Up - Warrior
20. A Tribute - Tropic Thunder

Anonymous said...

Louis what would be your cast and director for a 2010 version of this film?

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia directed by Joe Carnahan:

Bennie: Liev Schreiber
Elita: Morena Baccarin
Sappensely: Garret Dillahunt
Quill: James Remar
The Biker: Kevin Durand


Also it must be said Tom Waits would have been the perfect Bennie for a 90's version.

Louis Morgan said...

Also re-watched Blade Runner 2049 which only further confirmed it as my favorite film of the year so far, and I'd raise Hoeks to a 4.5 and Juri to a 4.

Bryan L. said...

Sharon Stone isn't considered a good actress? I've only seen her in Casino, which she was fine in.

Calvin: Thanks for the heads-up!

Anonymous said...

Louis: For the 1995 bonus rounds, could you watch Ghost in the Shell? I think you'll find it to be quite interesting.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

I rewatched The Godfather Part II yesterday, and I must say, Pacino remains my 1974 win with some ease. Hope he at least remains in Louis's top 5.

Anonymous said...

Luke Higham

Tahmeed: Pacino's 5th and Hurt's 6th.

Henry W said...

Tahmeed:

He's certainly amazing. That was probably one of the few times he'd ever use a subtle approach for a character?

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Henry: In my opinion, it's an all-time great, restrained portrayal that is filled with the complexity that embodies my favorite fictional character.
Also, I think the scene where Kay tells him about the abortion is the greatest acting moment of all-time, bar none.

Henry W said...

Interesting. What would your top ten acting moments of all time be Tahmeed, and you guys?

Mine would look somet

Calvin Law said...

For me:

1. 1st Gondola No Uta - Takashi Shimura in Ikiru
2. Timothy Evans finds the body - John Hurt and Richard Attenborough in 10 Rilligton Place
3. 'I meant to do it Frank!' - Celia Johnson in Brief Encounter
4.'MERRY CHRISTMAS' - James Stewart in It's a Wonderful Life
5. Crawl Space Laugh - Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad
6. Phone Call to his wife - Al Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon
7. The audition scene - Naomi Watts in Mulholland Drive
8. Francis kills Maddie - Ian Richardson in House of Cards
9. The Revelation - Amy Adams in Arrival
10. Atticus' Final Speech - Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Henry: My top ten favourite acting moments would be-
1. Learning of the Abortion - Al Pacino in The Godfather Part II
2. Writing the Requiem- F.Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce in Amadeus
3. 'His name was Hank' - Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad
4. The Church - Mads Mikkelsen in The Hunt
5. 'Gondola No Uta' (both times) - Takashi Shimura in Ikiru
6. 'No Prisoners' - Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia
7. George lashes out - James Stewart in It's a Wonderful Life
8. Phone call to Leon- Al Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon
9. 'I coulda been a contender' - Marlon Brando and Rod Steiger in On the Waterfront
10. Rhett leaves Scarlett - Gone with the Wind

Álex Marqués said...

That's too hard, man... I'll post some scenes that haven't been mentioned yet

Opening scene-Inglorious Basterds
Bess speaks with God-Breaking The Waves
Carol's speech at the party-Safe
Al recounts his past-Deadwood
Tony talks to Dr. Melfi in the car-The Sopranos
In Dreams-Blue Velvet
Indianopolis speech-Jaws
Lunch-Manchester by the Sea

Calvin Law said...

Damn completely forgot about Mikkelsen in The Hunt. Also, in my list would also be Michael Redgrave's final speech in The Browning Version.

Alex: I really need to see Safe, Moore seems like she's amazing in it.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

I'd add Blanche's confrontation with Mitch in A Streercar Named Desire, the break-up scene from Room at the Top and the second peep show scene in Paris, Texas.

Calvin Law said...

Everyone: your top 10 of the year so far? For me,

1. Detroit
2. Get Out
3. Dunkirk
4, Logan
5. Lucky
6. Okja
7. Wind River
8. Blade Runner 2049
9. It
10. The Big Sick

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I'll give my top 10 at the end of the year, though for now, my top 5.

1. Dunkirk
2. Detroit
3. Logan
4. It
5. Wonder Woman

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your top 10 actors that have grown on you a lot over the years.

Louis Morgan said...

94dk1:

Haven't seen anything where she was anything above okay, if that.

Anonymous:

I certainly will.

Calvin:

Here's my top five.

1. Blade Runner 2049
2. Dunkirk
3. Okja
4. Detroit
5. Logan

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Has your appreciation of Okja gone up or has Detroit waned slightly for you.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Are you still reviewing Bruno S. or do you have someone else in mind, without revealing who it is.

Álex Marqués said...

Calvin: She's indeed incredible, although the trickiness of her role is in how seamlessly she has to go through a massive change while staying basically the same.
I think the movie is a fantastic psychological horror film, I really recommend it if you're into movies with an unique, unnerving atmosphere.

Luke Higham said...

Louis and RatedRStar: Got some really bad news, The Snowman has been received poorly in Norway.

So, I'm not gonna request Fassbender in Alien: Covenant and will be making my request later tonight.

Calvin Law said...

I feel like Louis' appreciation for Detroit may have dwindled slightly, which to be honest I can kind of understand, though I feel as strongly about it as I did with my first watch.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Tom Cruise
Keanu Reeves
Joaquin Phoenix
Matthew McConaughey
Boris Karloff
John Goodman
Burt Lancaster
Edward G. Robinson
James Cagney
Woody Harrelson

Luke:

Just in terms of lasting impression so far, haven't re-watched either film yet, Okja's stayed with me longer.

Well I wouldn't say the film's done in terms of reception yet since reception per country can sometimes differ wildly particularly if the film heavily relates to a certain country.

Bryan L. said...

Luke: Really wish Fassbender would have a box office hit for once outside his franchises :/

Luke Higham said...

94dfk1: Me too. :(

Luke Higham said...

Louis: In some cases yes, but I have a really bad feeling it's gonna be a major flop critically and although Fassbender's a great actor, he's not a box office star.

Deleted this comment by mistake.

Luke Higham said...

My Lead Actor ranking prediction
1. Hackman
2. Oates
3. Carney
4. Nicholson
5. Pacino
6. Hurt
7. Matthau
8. Mitchum
9. Salem
10. Wilder
11. Caan
12. Finch
13. Blaise
14. Bridges
15. Eastwood
16. Falk

Charles H said...

I agree with Luke on how the ranking will be.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: From what you saw from the Last Jedi trailer, does Hamill appear to be Lead or Supporting.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: he seems supporting, as does Boyega. In fact, it seems like Ridley and Driver will be the co-leads.

Louis: your thoughts on 'Just You' from The Return. Isn't it just great that Lynch doesn't care about what some people hate, he likes James Hurley and he likes the song so he puts it in? I loved it, as did the whole of Part 13, MacLachlan has been so amazing.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

I really don't like James Hurley in the original series but he was tolerable in the third season. I still feel Marshall is among the ensemble's least remarkable members, but he was okay.

Calvin Law said...

Hurley's had barely anything to do but I do love that callback moment. Loved a lot of the returns this episode like Big Ed, and Nadine/Jacoby was really sweet.

One of the best things about this season is how some of the already great performances in the original series get even more to do and excel even more, I'm thinking especially Horse and Amick, while others like Ashbrook and Beymer get such refreshing new arcs.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

I love Ashbrook in the third season. And Horse is terrific too, especially in his few scenes in which Hawk talks to the Log Lady.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: What are your thoughts on Watership Down and your ratings/thoughts on the cast.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

Well Lynch doing a musical number is a guarantee of greatness, I still feel he should do a full on musical, and this is no different. It's the exact same song however here Lynch again makes it so special in making it have that emotionalism through the woman in the crowd's reaction.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: My request is Christopher Lee in Jinnah.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Calvin: Here, I ranked all the ones I've seen -

https://letterboxd.com/koook160/list/2017-rankings/

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

Anonymous said...

Louis: your top 20 billy bob thornton and john lone acting moments

RatedRStar said...

The poor reviews that The Snowman is getting in Norway has me worried considerably more than I was, I need a film to root for, a personal film to me (since I have read most of the book) and there hasn't been that personal film for me so far this year.

Calvin Law said...

Saw The Shape of Water. It's wonderful, though very, very Del Toro. It's up there with Detroit, Dunkirk, and Get Out as my favourites of the year.

Hawkins - 5
Jenkins - 4/4.5
Shannon - 3.5
Spencer - 3.5
Stuhlbarg - 3
Jones - 3.5

Omar Franini said...

Calvin: thoughts on Hawkins?

Calvin Law said...

Omar: a fantastic minimalist performance, and so different to her other great performance this year. Hawkins carries the film wonderfully in I'd daresay a Chaplin-esque style. She doesn't shy away from the character's loneliness and her humdrum daily routine, but also finds a real beauty in the little joys she gets from the little things in life, and her chemistry with Spencer and especially Jenkins is superb. She also works incredibly well as a luminous and almost otherworldly contrast of goodness in contrast to the nasty, sickening and sexually repressed villain Shannon plays to perfection (I'm raising him to a 4, by the way).

Of course the most essential element of the performance is her 'chemistry' with the Asset, and this romance is absolutely perfect. It may seem questionable and more than a bit icky at the start, it swiftly blossoms, and the Asset is always just slightly terrifying and not that cutesy, but I absolutely loved the connection she brings with the creature. Honestly, the film could have completely floundered without Hawkins, but she carries this element, and all elements of the film beautfiully. A daring and great performance.

Omar Franini said...

Calvin: I'm glad you liked her in both TSOW and Maudie, i saw the latter yesterday and i was so impressed by her, she's actually my best actress winner and i can't wait to see her in The Shape of Water.

Calvin Law said...

Omar: I can't decide which one of her performances is my winner for now. What did you think of Ethan Hawke? I thought he was terrific too.

JackiBoyz said...

Happy Death Day looks really good, Groundhog day as a horror film lol.

my winning request is Donald Pleasence - Fantastic Voyage

Henry W said...

Saw CMBYN guys, you won't be disappointed by it. Chalamet is luminous. The kid can convey so much behind those eyes of his. It has a distinctly Bergman-esque feel to the direction as well. It's great overall. For the guys that will get awards attention, I'd rank them:

Chalamet - 5
Hammer - 4
Stuhlbarg - 4.5 (Just for that monologue)

Omar Franini said...

Calvin: i really liked Hawke, he was terrific in Maudie and had excellent chemistry with Hawkins, i could see Louis giving a strong 4,5/low 5 when he will see the movie.

Henry: do you think it will be an awards thing, or just a critical artsy movie?

Luke Higham said...

Omar: It depends on how many screeners they send out to build further buzz, since everyone had Mudbound as a major contender after Sundance but weirdly, the buzz died down to some degree, though it should pick up again after it's release.

Luke Higham said...

Omar: And I think Screenplay and Picture Nominations are its best bets.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: What are your thoughts on Watership Down and your ratings for the cast.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the Punisher scenes where Howard Saint kills Quentin Glass and his wife.

Anonymous said...

Luke: It's been a long time since I've seen Watership Down. That film is something else.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I absolutely love it. It's one of my top 5 animated films of all-time. However I've been wondering whether Hurt or Briers could actually be reviewed (A first for a vocal performance). Though I have considered requesting a special review for Tony Jay in The Hunchback Of Notre Dame next. My favourite Animated vocal turn of all-time.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I don't have any Anime films in my top ten as I'd like to separate each style into different lists.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Tony Jay had such a great voice. By the way, I recommend watching Ghost in the Shell, in Japanese, of course. It's a pretty interesting film, with great voice work from the whole cast. I'll say this right now, the lady who voices the protagonist has a very soothing voice.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check it out sometime over the next fortnight. :)

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your rating for Peter Lorre in Think Fast Mr. Moto.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I haven't seen it in awhile. I really liked how it didn't shy away from the dark nature of the book, with just the right amount of joy and innocence, and of course that great Simon & Garfunkel song to boot.

I don't remember enough about the specific voices, but I do remember liking Hurt, Briers, and Andrews' work.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Could either Law or Duncan go up for 1999 Supporting.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I hate to say it, but if anything Duncan should go lower.

Omar Franini said...

Luke: i really want Call Me by Your Name to do well since i like Guadagnino in general and because he's Italian like me :)

Álex Marqués said...

I didn't care for A Bigger Splash outside of Fiennes and Swinton, but CMBYN sounds like it could be great judging by those reviews.

Calvin Law said...

Yeah I really hated A Bigger Splash, but CMBYN looks great.

Luke Higham said...

Reviews are coming in for The Snowman and looks like it's the biggest disappointment of the year.

Calvin Law said...

Robert may well be vindicated. Personally I hope it's watchable at the very least.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Damn, what a shame. Well, I hope Fassbender's good.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Well, At least I'll be able to enjoy the reviews more this year without feeling anxious for a Fassbender review.

My most anticipated reviews are still Jackman and Stewart. There was a point in time where I felt Stewart would never get a five and Jackman gives the best leading performance ever in a comic book movie.

I'm wholly expecting fives for Poulter, Stanton, Rockwell, Oldman and Day-Lewis.

Calvin Law said...

My most anticipated review is Jackman as well, actually.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I'm really hoping Jack Dylan Grazer gets reviewed for It. He's currently my Supporting Actor choice.

Also, can I get everyone's bottom five performances of the year so far? My current list:

1. Ellar Coltrane in The Circle
2. Naomi Watts in The Book of Henry
3. Nat Wolff in Death Note
4. Jeremy Jordan in Wind River
5. Emma Watson in Beauty and the Beast

Luke Higham said...

Robert: I think there's a good chance for Grazer as well as Skarsgard, with the Detroit and Baby Driver guys saved as well. All we need is Three Billboards and we'll definitely have a 10 film lineup.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Poulter and Hamm didn't stick with me as long as I thought they would. Foxx (surprisingly) has.

Michael McCarthy said...

Robert: Jeremy Jordan? I don't think he was in Wind River.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Michael: Sorry, I meant James Jordan.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Which reminds me, did Louis have a rating for him?

Luke Higham said...

Robert: No

Robert MacFarlane said...

I swear, Wind River just annoys me the more I think about it.

Michael McCarthy said...

Also to answer your previous question:

1. Jake Gyllenhaal in Okja
2. Hilary Swank in Logan Lucky
3. Nat Wolff in Death Note
4. Miranda Richardson in Stronger
5. Danny Huston in Wonder Woman

In terms of anticipated reviews, I'm still holding out for John Boyega to get a five for Detroit. I think he's still my favorite performance of the year.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Thornton:

1. Giving Up - A Simple Plan
2. "I would kill this man" - Fargo
3. Fake girlfriend - A Simple Plan
4. The Elevator - Fargo
5. For God's Sake It's Christmas - Bad Santa
6. All of it - The Man Who Wasn't There (Again the genius of that performance is its exact consistency)
7. Bear Trap - Fargo
8. Fake Confession - A Simple Plan
9. Meeting the manager - Bad Santa
10. Confrontation with son - Monster's Ball
11. Meeting Mr. Wrench - Fargo
12. Diner - Fargo
13. "Good for you" - Fargo
14. Interrogation - Fargo
15. Passing out - Bad Santa
16. Two Paths - Fargo
17. Forgiveness - The Apostle
18. Back in the asylum - Sling Blade
19. Highway stop - One False Move
20. A gift - Bad Santa

Lone:

1. Elderly Puyi visits his home - The Last Emperor
2. "Open the door" - The Last Emperor
3. Singing - The Last Emperor
4. Suicide Attempt - The Last Emperor
5. Meeting the soldiers - Year of the Dragon
6. Leaving the city - The Last Emperor
7. The Cultural revolution - The Last Emperor
8. Lashing out his wife - The Last Emperor
9. Imperialist - The Last Emperor
10. Duel - Year of the Dragon
11. The Iceman "escapes" - Iceman
12. Farewell to Reginald - The Last Emperor
13. Arriving to his cell - The Last Emperor
14. Meeting Joey Tai - Year of the Dragon
15. The Iceman awakes -Iceman
16. No pretense - M. Butterfly
17. Pestering to kill - Rush Hour 2
18. Meeting the performer - M. Butterfly
19. Staff interrogation - Year of the Dragon
20. Before Ricky Tan's "death" - Rush Hour 2

Anonymous:

Rather underwhelming due to both the direction and Travolta's performance. Travolta just doesn't ever have it as villain, as his villainy always feels very playacting this is no different. I would say actually written, though it isn't all that well written, there was potential to create something emotional through the mobster's personal story of self-destruction. The scenes though are lifeless as directed, and Travolta doesn't help.

Luke:

3

Law yes.

Robert:

1. Ellar Coltrane - The Circle
2. Nat Wolff - Death Note
3. Thomas Mann - Kong Skull Island
4. James Jordan - Wind River (I agree he was not good, incidentally a role Billy Bob Thornton would've excelled with back in the day.)
5. Emma Watson - The Circle