5. Tatsuya Nakadai in A Woman's Life - I guess I'll note that I decided against reviewing both he and Steiger, as I found neither were notable examples of their talents, though for different reasons. For Nakadai it is just far too limited of a role, reduced even more so by the film's strange structure. He only gets the chance really to be charming, which he of course delivers on, but as Nakadai roles go it wastes him more than a bit.
Best Scene: Years later.
4. Rod Steiger in Hands Over the City - I'd actually say Steiger had a good role here but he's sabotaged by really a bad dub job. Obviously it's not going to be his real voice anyways, but it's worse than that because it doesn't really ever seem to be coming out of him, even with that in mind. It sadly detracts from his work even as dubbing go. This is a shame as his role is pretty meaty, but Steiger just can't shine. I'll give him credit that he does still convey a certain ego and powerful manner of a manipulative businessman. Sadly the dubbing issues keep a certain detachment there. Steiger is obviously acting his heart out at every point, but given the amount of dialogue in particular, it's a shame we can't hear him.
Best Scene: Opening
3. Geoffrey Keen in Dr. Syn, Alias the Scarecrow - Keen makes for a properly despicable villain who brings the right sort of glee and venom to his role.
Best Scene: "Don't be a fool, they'd hang anyway."
2. Anil Chatterjee in Mahanagar - Chetterjee gives an effective turn in offering humor, somberness and a bit of poignancy in his depiction of a husband slowly rediscovering his place in his family and his wife.
Best Scene: Reconciliation.
1. Alan Bates in The Caretaker - Bates fairly easily conquers this lineup for me, this even if he might reach the heights of his co-stars, gives a terrific performance between them offering the one typically "sane" man, as society would see him, who plays around with the "insane" man by acting a bit insane himself.
Best Scene: Final Scene.
Updated Overall
Next Year: 2001 Lead
58 comments:
I’d have been surprised if Bates hadn’t won this lineup, he actually left a bigger impression on me than Shaw in the same film.
Louis: Rating and thoughts on Yamazaki in A Woman’s Life? I actually thought his performance was rather interesting.
And are Nakadai in High and Low and Rains in Twilight of Honor 4s now? I seem to remember them being 4.5s before.
Michael:
They are, I noticed I placed the wrong rating for Warner who was meant to be a 4.5, in the updated review.
Yamazaki - 4(It's a shame again about the film itself, where it's nearly random structure really left a lot of interesting elements on the table to explore more. One of them being Yamazaki's character and his performance. A performance that's interesting to see him in comparison to his work in High and Low in particular, where he really accentuated the youth of his character there, against his work here where he is just as convincing portraying a more "mature" character, even it is about being the "son". This as sort of the fairly effectively playing a different type of sleaze and pompous attitude of the man now essentially doing whatever he please. A good performance and I wish the idea of that relationship had been more deliberate in its focus.)
Louis: your director and cast for an 80’s version of the lord of the rings trilogy?
Aurélien Recoing, Time Out
Lior Ashkenazi, Late Marriage
Anthony LaPaglia, Lantana
Michel Piccoli, I'm Going Home
John Cameron Mitchell, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Leonardo DiCaprio, Don's Plum
Gael García Bernal, Y tu mamá también
Anonymous:
Lord of the Rings 1980's directed by Ridley Scott:
Frodo: Johnny Depp
Sam: Alfred Molina
Merry: Aidan Quinn
Pippin: Tim Roth
Gandalf: Leo McKern
Aragorn: Rutger Hauer
Boromir: Oliver Reed
Gimli: John Neville
Legolas: Julian Sands
Bilbo: John Mills
Elrond: David Warner
Arwen: Alice Krige
Galadriel: Sinead Cusack
Gollum: Tim Curry
Faramir: Alan Bates
Denethor: Paul Scofield
Wormtongue: Joel Grey
Saruman: John Gielgud
Treebeard: Frank Oz
Eomer: Bryan Brown
Eowyn: Helen Mirren
Theoden: Patrick McGoohan
Louis: Ratings and thoughts on Jack Palance and Fritz Lang in Contempt.
Anonymous:
Palance - 2(More than anything he seems adrift the whole time, struggling seemingly to figure out what he is doing. This is as this approach probably seems more fitting for the adrift writer than the overly confident studio man. Palance though just always seems awkward in the role without a moment of assurance, ill-fitting to a character who seemingly should be in "control" of everything around him. I honestly just found it to be a strange performance from him that never seemed like he knew what film he was in.)
Lang - 1.5(Lang sadly didn't have hidden talents as an actor unlike some other directors. Lang is frankly just stilted here and can really bring a proper cinematic energy to his scenes. He too seems lost within them and unfortunately comes off as a non-actor.)
Louis: Thoughts on Raizo Ichikawa in The Third Shadow Warrior and Jean-Pierrie Kerien in Muriel?
Louis: So happy with Harris's upgrade and quite surprised to see him 3rd. Do you have anything more to add thoughts-wise.
Could you also give thoughts on Ingrid Thulin in The Silence and Rachel Roberts in This Sporting Life
And is Mukherjee 2nd or 3rd for Leading Actress.
The requests and Anthony LaPaglia in Lantana with Jake Gyllenhaal in Donnie Darko as a bonus review.
Louis: Your thoughts on Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom as a missed opportunity?
In addition to the requests:
Jake Gyllenhaal in Donnie Darko
John Cameron Mitchell in Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Louis: Or if you want, you could do Ledger as a bonus review alongside his Brokeback Mountain co-star and put Mitchell in there.
Also are there any other Female performances from 1963 that you would give a 4.5 to.
Jim Carrey-The Majestic
Choi Min-sik-Failan
Heath Ledger-A Knight’s Tale
John Cameron Mitchell-Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Mark Rylance-Intimacy
Michael: Your ratings for those performances.
Jim Carrey - The Majestic
Liu Ye - Lan Yu
Anton Yelchin - Hearts in Atlantis
Heath Ledger - A Knight's Tale
Anthony LaPaglia - Lantana
John Cameron Mitchell in Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Kevin Spacey in The Shipping News
Mark Rylance in Intimacy
Luke: I’ll give thoughts a little later, but Carrey is a 5 and Choi and Ledger are strong 4.5s. I haven’t seen the other two but they seem like interesting reviews.
Michael: Your rating for Paul Bettany in A Knight's Tale.
Actually, I'll go with Choi instead of Mitchell because I've read mixed feelings about him.
The Spirited Away thoughts...they're almost here...
Bryan: Tahmeed and myself feel the same. I can't wait to get his thoughts on Band Of Brothers.
Luke: Leaning towards a 5.
Michael: Did you ever see his extended scene in the stocks defending William. I think it's his best scene and it's a shame it got cut from the theatrical release.
Luke: I oughta check that mini-series out as well.
Anyways, your Top Ten Alec Guinness performances, with ratings?
5
1. The Bridge On The River Kwai
2. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy/Smiley's People
3. Kind Hearts And Coronets
4. The Horse's Mouth
5. Little Dorrit
6. Cromwell
7. The Lavender Hill Mob
8. Father Brown (The Detective)
4.5
9. Tunes Of Glory
10. Oliver Twist
Louis: I could only find the theatrical cut of A Knight's Tale online, could you rent or buy the extended cut because it's essential to Bettany's review.
Oh boy, Liu Ye and Anton Yelchin coming up next. Pretty excited.
Also I wonder if Christensen is going to be reviewed in lead, cause that’s where I’d place him I think (but don’t take my word, been awhile since I’d seen the film).
For the remaining place in 2001 lead outside of the requests, I’d suggest Stephen Chow in Shaolin Soccer. Rylance would also be a solid choice. Johnny Depp in Blow, maybe, Nanni Moretti in The Son’s Room, or even Gyllenhaal in Donnie Darko if Louis feels like he might go up.
And while we’re on it Tom Green in Freddy Got Fingered (okay maybe not, I don’t want to get banned from the blog).
I’d also say McConaughey and Paxton in Frailty but are they supporting?
Calvin: Frailty's 2002.
Calvin: I'd put Christensen in Supporting for now, it won't have that many contenders.
I'm pretty sure Robert wants Gyllenhaal reviewed.
And I'm sure everyone wants a five lineup for a change. The last four excluding the Oscar nominees have been tens.
Gyllenhaal is one I definitely want reviewed, but I also want Ledger reviewed for A Knight’s Tale.
Can't wait for Ledger, Bettany and Louis's thoughts on Spirited Away :)
I'll also second a review for Gyllenhaal.
Hey Louis!
If you can, please watch and rate the great performances of two Brazilian actors: Selton Mello (To the Left of the Father) and Rodrigo Santoro (Behind the Sun).
Please give a chance to the cinema of BRAZIL!
I saw Good Boys a few days ago, I quite enjoyed it actually and Tremblay was pretty good once again.
Louis: your thought on Arthur’s Theme (the best you can do)?
I did not like Hedwig and the Angry Itch that much unfortunately, Mitchell was decent but I thought the film basically ran out of gas, also didnt believe any of the relationships.
When I was younger and first heard Arthurs theme I thought it was a female voice, had no idea at the time who Christopher Cross was.
Is Liu Ye the longest wait for a winning request? I think I requested him around 2013/14 lol, good things come to the waiters xD.
Calvin: I think Tom Green is more likely to be reviewed than Spacey at least haha XD.
Hayden Christensen is bordering lead, he should be in like the Joseph Gordon Levitt 500 Days position, reviewed but not part of the official 5 nominees.
RatedRStar: Very true.
What’s everyone’s top 10 for 2001? For me,
1. The Royal Tenenbaums
2. The Fellowship of the Ring
3. Spirited Away
4. Mulholland Drive
5. Training Day
6. Shaolin Soccer
7. A Knight’s Tale
8. Hearts in Atlantis
9. Donnie Darko
10. Lan Yu
RatedRStar: I hope he’ll crack the top 5.
Calvin: I dont think Hayden Christensen will lol xD
Calvin:
1. The Fellowship of the Ring
2. In the Bedroom
3. Mulholland Drive
4. Spirited Away
5. The Royal Tenenbaums
6. Donnie Darko
7. Y Tu Mama Tabien
8. The Man Who Wasn't There
9. The Others
10. Lan Yu
1. Spirited Away
2. The Fellowship of the Ring
3. Mullholland Drive
4. A Knight's Tale
5. Donnie Darko
6. The Royal Tenenbaums
7. In the Bedroom
8. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (mostly nostalgia, but it's always held up for me)
9. Shaolin Soccer (LOVE this film)
10. Shrek
Louis: your rating and thoughts on Hideko Takamine in A Woman’s Life and Delphine Seyrig in Muriel?
Calvin:
1. Mulholland Dr.
2. The Fellowship of the Ring
3. The Royal Tenenbaums
4. Sprited Away
5. The Piano Teacher (Huppert’s best performance imo)
6. Y Tu Mama Tambien
7. The Man Who Wasn’t There
8. Donnie Darko
9. Lantana
10. The Others
1. The Fellowship Of The Ring
2. Spirited Away
3. Mulholland Drive
4. The Royal Tenenbaums
5. A Knight's Tale (Love this film dearly)
6. The Man Who Wasn't There
7. Donnie Darko
8. In The Bedroom
9. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone
10. The Others
Louis: Also, your 2010s choice for The Director (The Conversation)?
I think Michael Shannon would be a fascinating choice for that part, especially once you factor in his typecast roles.
Calvin:
1. Mulholland Drive
2. Spirited Away
3. The Fellowship of the Ring
4. The Royal Tenenbaums
5. Y tu Mama Tambien
6. Black Hawk Down
7. Training Day
Not very keen on The Man Who Wasn't There and Donnie Darko I'm afraid.
I'll give a top 5 for 2001, just because I don't think I've seen enough to give a top 10 (I'll try to see more as Louis goes through the year, and maybe give an updated top 10 at the end). Also, bearing in mind I still haven't seen LOTR.
1. Spirited Away
2. Mulholland Drive
3. In the Bedroom
4. Training Day
5. The Royal Tenenbaums
Louis: Speaking of Mulholland Drive, when you get to Supporting, I would love to see a review of Justin Theroux, if possible.
I would also like to second a review for Theroux in Mulholland Dr., since I think it's the only Lynch film that Louis hasn't covered through a review.
Matt: That's also why I only included 7 in my list as well. I have seen a couple of more films from 2001, though I wouldn't include them in a "Top" list so to speak.
@Louis you should watch Bridget jones diary when you get a chance... curious as to what you think of Zellweger's nominated performance.
Anonymous: I'll post the films to watch list in the morning and Bridget Jones's Diary will be on it.
Louis: While Arnold eventually got the role, Lance Henriksen was actually the original choice to play The Terminator. Thoughts on this?
Also, your cast for a Peter Weir version of The Favourite.
Anonymous: I'd like to take a crack at that. Would've come out in the 80s I'd imagine.
Queen Anne: Brenda Blethyn
Abigail: Miranda Richardson
Sarah: Geraldine Chaplin (Alt. Helen Mirren)
Robert Harley: Cary Elwes
Samuel: Rupert Everett
Razor:
Ichikawa - 4(His performance occasionally falls into a little much in essentially a far darker version of Kagemusha, which is saying something since that isn't exactly a film with a sunny disposition. Ichikawa though is effective in bringing the appropriate pompousness of the gungho and lusty lord. He's most notable though as the young man who is swept into something he didn't intend. This in portraying the often extreme fear of his situation as he just must follow the orders of others. He's effective though in portraying just the hints of confidence that makes him push with the ruse longer than he should. This of course falling by the wayside with one misfortune after another creating a powerful sense of the hideous despair of the character.)
Kerien - 3(His performance suffers, as most of the film does, from the experimental editing of the film which I think is a failed experiment. This with its constant purposefully confusing cutting that keeps this distance from almost every performer of the film, by how off-putting the whole thing becomes. Kerien though does a decent enough job within the confines one can appreciate his work. This portraying the low key chemistry with Seyrig and the sense of a more curiosity with re-examining circumstances and chances.)
Luke:
Not exactly in regards to Harris, in that I had nothing negative to say about his work originally. My appreciation for his combination of brutishness and sensitivity though all the more impactful on re-watch.
Did I never give thoughts on them?
She's definitely 3rd, as Roberts only cemented her position as well.
Bryan:
I mean based on the other films it's a shame that the sort of the venom of George Lucas and Speilberg, to a lesser extent, were coming out in various ways fashioned in the overtly grim film. It just doesn't have the same sense of fun, for the most part, as the other two original films, and that in lies the missed opportunity. Also I do think perhaps a different actress could've pulled off Willie Scott, some with more a more natural charm.
Brazilian Cinema:
I'll certainly try to seek them out.
Calvin:
Ah the ballad of ole' Chris Cross. It is certainly pure Yacht Rock, and in that way is dated in a more forgotten 80's way. This with the overtly electronic orchestration in every sense, fashioned for pure soft rock. I won't lie though there's a definite pleasantness to it, particularly the main chorus which is nicely upbeat, and one where the lyrics don't make a lot of sense but work anyway. I'll also give it credit as an Oscar winner song that actually refers to the film as Cross describes the synopsis which is a bit forced as a verse. Still I enjoy the song.
Omar:
Takamine - 3.5(I liked her performance just fine, even though she seemed miscast regarding the age of the character to an extent. The film though does her no favors with its odd structure, however her performance does deliver effectively a combination of the warmth and concerns of a mother, with the hardships of dealing with the betrayals of life. A sweet performance though doesn't leave, that, much of an impact.)
Seyrig - 4(The performer who manages to most get across her emotional work with the film's needlessly frantic editing. Seyrig though manages to still deliver a charismatic turn through that. This with this wonderfully charming energy that she manages to use well to sort of emphasize the way her character hides her more deep seated regrets. Regrets that she realizes with such an authentic and earnest touch. This creating most importantly something one can hold onto the film, that gets beyond the overall experiment of it.)
Bryan:
David Fincher
Anonymous:
Yes, as I recall with the rumor being he was thought too scary by someone that lead to him not being cast. I can certainly see that being the case as I do think Henriksen would've lent to a downright terrifying Terminator. This as Henriksen without any emotion would be something quite chilling, this idea being in part shown in his brilliant, underrated, work in Dog Day Afternoon where he's pretty chilling just by being an FBI agent on a specific task.
We'll say 2000's:
Queen Anne: Kathy Burke
Abigail: Kelly Macdonald
Sarah Churchill: Kristin Scott Thomas
Robert Harley: Paul Bettany
Samuel: Lee Ingleby
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