Actors

[JB]

It is often hard to seperate a performer from the character played. The more skilled the performer, the harder it gets.<br /><br />Most of my life I believed that H. Bogart was the most skilled actor I had seen.<br /><br />Now I have studied another one that is magic at conveying the character's thoughts with very few, if any, words at all.<br /><br />Most of you probably saw her riveting 8 minute performance as Queen Elizabeth I in "Shakespeare in Love". I think it got her an Oscar, or at least a nomination.<br /><br />My children gave me DVDs of 9 years of a British TV show that is my very favorite, "As Time Goes By". I have been watching a few episodes a day.<br /><br />Dame Judi Dench portrays her character more convincingly and artistically than any performer I can think of.<br /><br />Your thoughts on her, or other performers?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Actors

Heres Another.....Jack Nicholson.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Actors

Haven't seen it JB, but always love a riviting portrayal.

 

[dogsdad]

Re: Actors

Pacino seems to do a pretty convincing job. <br /><br />In Lonesome Dove, Robert Duvall played Gus McRae so well I can hardly remember he is Robert Duvall and not Gus McRae.<br /><br />Tom Hanks is so good at what he does it's scary.<br /><br />There are many great actors and actresses around. It's a shame they think they know better than everyone else how the world should be run.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Actors

I always liked Gregory Peck. Two movies I remember best...almost....12 O'clock High is my favorite. The other, he plays a sorta' greenhorn in the old west...really a good flick....just can't remember the name.<br /><br />And one other....I think it was called the Chasing Moon????? It had moon in it anyways....he was a calvary scout trying to save the wife and child of some nefarious indian chief. Lot of intensity.

 

[Pony]

Re: Actors

I just recently watched "The Terminal".....I now agree with the Tom Hanks comment above.<br /><br /><br />I like Jim Carey a lot, which I am sure most of you disagree with because of some his comedic performances, but "The Truman Show" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" were GREAT performances.

 

[QC]

Re: Actors

I think Judi Dench is awesome. Did some Bond movies too; she was great as "M".<br /><br />I am a big Hanks fan as well.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Actors

I had the good fortune to meet James Coburn who was starring in a movie I worked on (American Gun). The man was a professional (and a real party animal too! )and his abilities amazed me.<br />I have worked with alot of great people however, I consider him the most impressionable to me. <br />It was his last movie but he won't be forgotten. <br /><br />Harrison Ford also impressed me when we filmed What Lies Beneath but.... still not as good as Coburn. <br /><br />A close friend of mine is Gene Hackman's stunt double and I enjoy all his work too.<br /><br />I also enjoy any part that Morgan Freeman has played.<br /><br />This coming Tuesday I will be working with Tim Daly (remember Wings) on a movie. I have to supervise a few special effects for him.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Actors

Did a Google image search for Judi Dench and this was the 2nd hit. Is this the right one JB?<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br />.<br /> <br />

 

[pjc]

Re: Actors

I have to agree with DD regarding Robert Duvall. That actor is so much his character it is very real. Also Gene Hackman. Is very believable and real.<br /><br />My pick for male actors....Morgan Freeman......unreal how this guy is believable and real for the characters he is portraying.<br /><br />Female actors, Catherine Hepburn is first class. God I love that woman for her characters!

 

[JB]

Re: Actors

Nope, Boat Buoy.<br /><br />Dame Judi is pretty close to my age. Not gorgeous, but nice looking.<br /><br />Most of the really great actors, in my experience, are rather ordinary looking. Ingrid Bergman was an exception to that.<br /><br />I have to agree about Tom Hanks. Brilliant.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Actors

I'm going back a ways, but I always thought Spencer Tracy was a most excellent actor. I'll never forget "Boys Town". <br /><br />And for you younguns', no, it's not a movie about gays.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Actors

Recently I watched a movie that I saw many years ago, The Miracle Worker (1962). I came into the movie at the scene of Annie Sullivan (Anne Bancroft) try to get Helen Keller (Patty Duke) to eat at a dinner table using a spoon and napkin.<br /><br />What an ordeal !! I was exhausted just watching those two go at it in a battle of wills. I'd bet money that they didn't do a re-take of that scene, it was that physical.<br /><br />I guess they both had time to perfect their respective roles , as they played their parts for over a year on Broadway before being approached to make the film. Small wonder they both took Oscars for their talents, and rightly so.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Actors

Morgan Freeman, yep..<br />Robert Duvall, too..<br /><br />Jessica Tandy, specifically for her work in "driving Miss Daisy"...<br /><br />I always liked Tommy Lee Jones work, especially when he played the "country" roles.... <br />The River Rat<br />Coal miners daughter<br />The Good Ol' Boys<br />Lonesome dove

 

[Pony]

Re: Actors

I was going to say i like Sean Penn, but i everytime I say that on this board............. <br /><br /> "21 grams" is a great movie, and "Mystic River" both Sean Penn goodies.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Actors

Not usually a big Leonardo DiCaprio fan, but I thought his portrayal of Howard Hughes in "The Aviator" was outstanding as was Kate Blanchett's portrayal of Katherine Hepburn in the same movie.

 

[heycods]

Re: Actors

What happend to John Wayne. Da-- aint yall patriotic(sp) I loved the quite man. heres a stick to beat the lovely lady Just my 4 cents worth.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Actors

Hey, what about Jimmy Stewart, Walter Mathou (sp). Both of those guys were class acts.

 

[BassCat73]

Re: Actors

Daniel Day Lewis. I'm very interested in following the rest of his career. Unfortunately, he doesn't do a lot of movies, but he's very impressive. My Left Foot, Last of the Mohicans. He stole the show in the movie Gangs of New York with his portrayal of Bill the Butcher. I can't imagine anyone nailing that character as well as he did. If you can ever catch and interview with him (it's extremely rare), watch it. He's incredibly fascinating and modest, at the same time.

 

[DaleT]

Re: Actors

One actor that I really like is Steve Buscemi. He doesn't do alot of main stream work and mostly takes odd roles but he has a unique way of bringing a character to life. Johnny Depp is another whose portrayals I find very enjoyable.<br />Tom Hanks is a good actor but it seems like the studios he works with like to push him so much that the stories almost take a back seat.<br />A young actor to watch for is Topher Grace, "That 70's Show," many pundits are touting him as the next Hanks. On the female side Natalie Portman is extremely talented. Dakota Fanning, is eerily talented for her age. Only hope she doesn't burn out as some many other young actors have done.