laurainlimbo: (lost in pink)
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Comment with “SHOWTIME!” and I will give you five actors and five actresses. Then post in your journal what your favorite film of theirs is and why.

[profile] winterdahlia gave me a very good list of actors and actresses, and she probably never expected me to spend nearly two days working on my answers. They turned out to be quite lengthy (I even went back and edited a bit to make them shorter), but I just love stuff like this.

So I hope you enjoy!

Here's my list:

ACTORS
Al Pacino
Cillian Murphy
Ewan McGregor
Jake Gyllenhaal
Johnny Depp

ACTRESSES
Cate Blanchett
Jennifer Aniston
Kate Winslet
Reese Witherspoon
Scarlett Johansson

Answers below

Al Pacino – Al Pacino is one of those actors whose roles are all so distinct and intense. He’s probably best known for his roles in Scarface and The Godfather, but these are not my favorites. He’s good at playing a gangster, but I actually enjoy him more in Carlito’s Way and Donnie Brasco (with another favorite actor Johnny Depp). However, I would have to say that his best work was his earliest, especially …And Justice for All and Dog Day Afternoon . He plays a hardened criminal in “Dog Day” and a lawyer in “Justice” but is equally convincing as both.
In “Justice”, he plays Arthur, a very idealistic defense attorney who is faced with defending a truly despicable, but highly powerful judge who has been accused of rape.
The final scene of that movie will go down in history as one of the best movie endings ever. Pacino’s smoldering performance, as he manages to turn a courtroom into utter chaos, has me cheering every time I watch.

Cillian Murphy : The first time I saw Cillian Murphy was in Red Eye in which he plays a frightening hit man who terrifies Rachel MacAdam during a flight. From the start, I couldn’t help but realize that not only is he intensely gorgeous, but he is also insanely talented. I then proceeded to watch almost all of his films, and I realized that like Al Pacino, Cillian can play both villains (as in Batman Begins and Red Eye ), and every day heroes, like in the upbeat movie Sunburn and the dramas On the Edge and The Wind that Shakes the Barley . I think that his strongest performance so far was in the Irish war saga The Wind that Shakes the Barley , in which he plays Damien, a young doctor who joins the Irish Republican Army to fight for independence from Great Britain in the early 1900’s. However, my all-time favorite of Cillian’s roles is “Kitten” in Breakfast on Pluto, . Cillian not only effortlessly transforms into a beautiful woman, but his portrayal of the confused and rebellious Patrick, whose alter ego is the tender, naïve and easily lovestruck Patricia or “Kitten,” creates one of the most endearing and memorable movie characters in the last 10 years.

Ewan McGregor – Ewan McGregor has definitely played some memorable characters in some otherwise not-so-noteworthy films: Curt Wild in Velvet Goldmine , Christian in Moulin Rouge , Martin in Nightwatch , and Jerome in Pillow Book . And he’s also played key roles in some very good movies, such as Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, Big Fish, and Stay . I realized, after looking at his list of credits on imdb, that I haven’t seen most of his recent films – in fact the last movie I saw him in was Ghost Writer , which was quite dull – both his character and the movie. So I’d have to say that my favorite of his roles has to be Obi Wan Kenobi in the last three Star Wars installments. He so perfectly embodied a younger version of Alec Guinness, down to the mannerisms and the way of speaking. He has a commanding presence, is good at wielding a light saber, and of course he just looks so gorgeous in those robes!

Jake Gyllenhaal - Donnie Darko has to be hands down my favorite of Jake’s films, and one of my favorite of his characters. Donnie was such a complex character - indifference mixed with rebellion - and Jake played this duality just perfectly. My infatuation for Jake was clinched when I saw him in two very similar roles, as young men who seduce older women, in the films The Good Girl and Lovely and Amazing . Soon after I moved to Japan in 2005, Brokeback Mountain , was released, and I was able to see it via the internet (because it wasn’t playing in theaters here). His controversial role as Heath Ledger’s lover proved that he wasn’t just a pretty face – he could really act; and he took on a role which many actors his age would be afraid would ruin their reputation. But not Jake – after Brokeback, he had many strong leading roles in Jarhead, Zodiac, Proof, Rendition and Brothers . And of course he looks incredibly fine without his shirt in the recent Prince of Persia . I love Jake in pretty much everything he’s done, even the quirky, silly Bubble Boy , but my favorite role, besides Donnie Darko and Brokeback, would be that of Joe in Moonlight Mile , opposite Dustin Hoffman and Susan Sarandon. He is understated and genuine as a man grieving the murder of his fiancée, who develops a relationship with her parents. Jake is so good at just playing a real guy, someone who you could have a few beers with, but who also listens to you and cares what you have to say. And I can still get lost in those eyes for days and days!

Johnny Depp – This may be one of the tougher tasks, to choose a favorite of Johnny Depp’s movies. I haven’t liked some of his recent characters, especially his horribly creepy Willy Wonka or his nighmare-induced Mad Hatter; and even his Keith Richards –inspired Jack Sparrow in the Pirates franchise, while clever and entertaining, was definitely not my favorite of his creations. I can’t choose one favorite, so I’ll list the movies that I will watch over and over: Benny & Joon, Edward Scissorhands, Don Juan DeMarco, Sleepy Hollow and Chocolat. . Edward Scissorhands really proved that Johnny could do weird, but in a very tender and even romantic way. Benny & Joon is Johnny as pure and innocent as he can come, without the weirdness. Don Juan DeMarco and Chocolat are the two movies in which Johnny shows us how gorgeous and sexy he can be. And Sleepy Hollow is probably the funniest character I’ve ever seen Johnny do – I think his Ichabod Crane was much more entertaining than Jack Sparrow. One honorable mention: I recently watched Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street , and I thought Johnny was brilliant. Of course the sadistic barber was just up his alley, and I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing Mr. Todd – he was just perfectly creepy in a role that should be creepy.

ACTRESSES
Cate Blanchett This is embarrassing to admit, but I haven’t yet seen the movies that have made Cate Blanchett famous, and which are to be her best roles: Elizabeth, Notes on a Scandal, Oscar and Lucinda, The Missing… I guess I should add them to my viewing list. I have seen her in the Lord of the Rings movies, as well as the latest Indiana Jones movie, and she was quite good in those. But my favorite of her roles, that I’ve seen, is what the credits call “Jude” but what is really an uncanny portrayal of Bob Dylan in I’m Not There . With this role, Cate Blanchett proves that she can do almost anything. I guess I just need to see more of her films!

Jennifer Aniston – Jennifer Aniston is one of those actresses who is hard to dislike. She’s down to earth, smart, funny and beautiful. And that appeal has carried over to the roles she’s played, more so in her movies than on tv. It was easy for me to choose my favorite of her roles, though – and that would be as Olivia in Friends with Money . As the only one in a circle of friends who is not married or wealthy, Olivia is trying to re-define her life after she quits her job as a teacher and becomes a housemaid. Jennifer has this amazing ability to make her characters believable and real; Olivia (or most of Jen’s characters for that matter) is someone I would have coffee with, and someone who would listen to my problems. I don’t feel that way about someone like Meg Ryan, or Sandra Bullock. An honorable mention for Jennifer Aniston would be her performance in The Good Girl . Jen never needed to prove that she could do romantic comedy – but this drama was a brave leap for her, and shows how much potential she has to take on any type of character, and to shine.

Kate Winslet – Oh Kate, how do I love thee? Kate Winslet shines in anything that she does, and I’ve always felt that she shows a rare gift (which also shows in her maturity beyond her years) that far surpasses other actresses her age. Take Sense and Sensibility for example, easily my favorite of all of her movies. Kate was only 19 when she made this movie, and though her age is appropriate for playing Marianne, the depth of the character may have been too much for most 19-year-old actresses. But not Kate. She lost herself in that role – she utterly made me believe in her obsessions and her strong convictions. Marianne may have been emotionally weak, but she was such a strong and complex character – and Kate played her perfectly. But this is a girl who one year earlier turned heads with her dark portrayal of Juliet in Heavenly Creatures - another very complex and intense role for a brilliant prodigy. Other highlights, for me: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Little Children, and Finding Neverland . Kate is so enjoyable to watch because she seems to possess such confidence, which makes her characters all the more believable and sometimes even chilling (like her character in The Reader .

Reese Witherspoon : I really wanted to dislike Reese Witherspoon when she started dating Jake Gyllenhaal. But he’s another of those actresses who is difficult to dislike. She’s cute, smart, funny – and she can not only act, but she can sing! I have two favorite roles of hers, and they are about as different as night and day. First there’s Elle in Legally Blonde . I think anyone who doesn’t like this movie, and doesn’t like Reese in it, just doesn’t have a heart. Yes, the movie’s quite silly. And yes, Elle on the surface is shallow. But Reese wasn’t just playing a dumb blonde with a great wardrobe. She made Elle into a smart heroine, and she made us smile (perhaps even despite ourselves). The other movie was Reese’s chance to prove her acting chops, while also astounding everyone with her ability to sing. In Walk the Line Reese was a very convincing June Carter Cash, and deserved every bit of praise she got, including the Academy Award.

Scarlett Johansson – Like Kate, Scarlett is another of those actresses who started out young, and who have been able to play complex leading characters at a very young age. Scarlett already showed promise in The Horse Whisperer when she was just 14. But there’s no question in my mind which is my favorite of Scarlett’s movies: Lost in Translation . She filmed this movie when she was just 19, and perhaps it was a combination of good writing, good direction, and confident acting – but Scarlett really brought life to her portrayal of a girl who feels like a fish out of water, not only in a foreign country but also in her own life. She’s so real, so genuine, and her chemistry with Bill Murray is believable and enjoyable. I also loved Scarlett in Match Point - of course it gives her a chance to be sexy, which is she is also so good at!




Do play along if you wish.
Mood:: 'bored' bored
There are 31 comments on this entry. (Reply.)
ext_249520: (Default)
posted by [identity profile] toadflax234.livejournal.com at 04:28pm on 14/09/2010
I don't have time to play along. Lol. But I did enjoy reading all that. :-)
 
posted by [identity profile] mrs-kutcher-21.livejournal.com at 05:52pm on 14/09/2010
I enjoyed reading all your answers and would love to play as well!
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 01:47am on 15/09/2010
yay! I hope I can pick some good names for you to write about:)

Here goes:

ACTORS:
Hugh Jackman
Billy Crudup
Jim Carrey
Bill Pullman
Alan Rickman

ACTRESSES:
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Naomi Watts
Anne Hathaway
Julianne Moore
Toni Collette

have fun:)
 
posted by [identity profile] java-fiend.livejournal.com at 06:20pm on 14/09/2010
Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslet are a couple of my favorites. Elizabeth was just a fantastic film. She was seriously amazing in it. And though I didn't think Elizabeth: The Golden Age was as good as the first, it was still a very good movie and she once again was amazing in the role. You also may want to check out Kate Winslet in Quills. It's one of my most favorite movies and I thought she was just freaking superb in it.
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 01:03am on 17/09/2010
I have got to watch Quills- I've seen you talk about it, and I guess I should see it finally. She's superb in everything honestly - the girl can do no wrong!

Cate Blanchett is another who I need to see more of. I'll add Elizabeth to my list too!

thanks!
 
posted by [identity profile] java-fiend.livejournal.com at 04:27pm on 25/09/2010
I think you'd like Quills a lot. It's just such an amazing movie. It really is.

Elizabeth was wonderful... and I really never realized what a great actress she is until I saw it. She was amazing.
wolfpurplemoon: A cute cartoon character with orange hair, glasses, kitty ears and holding a coffee, the colours are bright and pinkish/purple (shannyn sossamon)
posted by [personal profile] wolfpurplemoon at 07:12pm on 14/09/2010
If I do play I don't think I'll be able to do the actors the same justice you manage!

Is Sunshine an upbeat movie? I remember that being the film that made me realise that I'd never want to go on a space ship, and it was quite harrowing.

So, I'll see how I do then shall I? SHOWTIME! :D
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 12:04am on 15/09/2010
oh I made a little mistake - the movie I was referring to was an unknown movie called Sunburn , rather than the Hollywood sci-fi movie Sunshine
Funny he was in movies with similar titles.
Here's the link about Sunburn - it's from 1999: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168199/
I don't think it's even been released on DVD, but I got a download from iheartcinema and have saved it. it's great and his character in that movie is very cute!

Okay I'll give you a list, but I'm not sure who are your favorites. so I hope these are good ones:)
Here goes:

ACTORS:
Colin Firth
Leonardo DiCaprio
Robert Downey Jr.
Michael Caine
Nicolas Cage

ACTRESSES:
Helena Bonham Carter
Angelina Jolie
Helen Mirren
Keira Knightley
Natalie Portman

do what you can with it - I have too much free time, so that's why I wrote so much:)
wolfpurplemoon: A cute cartoon character with orange hair, glasses, kitty ears and holding a coffee, the colours are bright and pinkish/purple (iron man 2: doughnut)
posted by [personal profile] wolfpurplemoon at 07:38pm on 15/09/2010
lol, I thought your description was a bit off! I've found Sunburn on YouTube, I'll watch it when I get a moment.

Let's see what I can rustle up about all these guys! :)
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 06:48am on 17/09/2010
that's interesting that the whole movie is uploaded on youtube. not very popular that one.

but it's fun!
 
posted by [identity profile] hue126.livejournal.com at 11:57pm on 14/09/2010
I'll play. "SHOWTIME!"

Not sure I did that right... :)
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 12:43am on 15/09/2010
you did it right:)

OK - Here is your list:

ACTORS:
Tom Hanks
George Clooney
Woody Harrelson
Michael Caine
Steve Buscemi


ACTRESSES:
Nicole Kidman
Susan Sarandon
Katherine Heigl
Drew Barrymore
Sigourney Weaver


have fun!
 
posted by [identity profile] hue126.livejournal.com at 12:45am on 15/09/2010
Somehow I KNEW you were gonna give me George Clooney! I dunno why.
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 12:52am on 15/09/2010
how funny - I hope that's okay:) I wanted someone to make a list of their faves of George Clooney, because he's quite versatile.

can't wait to see your list. and thanks for the commentary on my post. I'll reply soon.

 
posted by [identity profile] hue126.livejournal.com at 01:04am on 15/09/2010
Nicole Kidman's a good replacement for Natalie Portman because I was definitely hoping to land her.
 
posted by [identity profile] hue126.livejournal.com at 12:51am on 15/09/2010
You wanna sub Michael Caine since you gave it to someone else before me?
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 12:53am on 15/09/2010
oh oops sorry about that - I forgot I gave him to my other friend. How about Liam Neeson?
 
posted by [identity profile] hue126.livejournal.com at 12:54am on 15/09/2010
All right that works.
 
posted by [identity profile] hue126.livejournal.com at 12:55am on 15/09/2010
I would've picked Dirty Rotten Scoundrels for him, by the way.
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 12:56am on 15/09/2010
oh yes, that's a very good choice!
one of my favorite movies of Steve Martin too.
 
posted by [identity profile] hue126.livejournal.com at 12:37am on 15/09/2010
Have to comment on your list:

Al Pacino -- For me, The Godfather is Pacino out-and-out best film. I'm one of the few people in the world who thought the sequels were weaker than the original. But Pacino has yet to match how much growth he displays in that film. But I loved him in Dog Day Afternoon and Heat. Must mention that his best post-Oscar role has to be Insomina.

Cillian Murphy -- Sunshine or Red Eye are my favorites, though Red Eye kind of diminishes his character.

Ewan McGregor -- I don't disagree with your choice of Obi-Wan, but I gotta go with Christian in Moulin Rouge here. He's not gonna top Nicole Kidman, but he more than holds his own.

Jake Gyllenhaal -- I'd actually go with October Sky as the best role and best movie Jake's been in. But Donnie Darko and Brokeback Mountain are up there.

Johnny Depp -- Everyone loves Captain Jack, but I'd pick Ed Wood, hands down. As complete a performance as you're ever gonna get from Depp.

Cate Blanchett -- Ah, she's hard. She has a great presence in LOTR. Carries a lot of weight in Curious Case, Aviator, Notes On a Scandal. But nothing tops Elizabeth. That was a tour de force. The Golden Age couldn't replicate the magic.

Jennifer Aniston -- Performance-wise, I'd pick The Good Girl. Movie-wise, I'd go with Office Space, even though her character's weak.

Kate Winslet -- Woman's been good in too many roles to pick just one: Sense & Sensibility, Quills, Eternal Sunshine, Little Children, Flushed Away, The Reader, Revolutionary Road. She's certainly the strongest thing about Titanic. Um, throw a dart, I'd say Eternal Sunshine is her best.

Reese Witherspoon -- She gets lampooned for it, but she's probably the best thing about Legally Blonde. Underrated film from her? Vanity Fair. She gets all the kudos for Election, but I'd recommend watching her in a cute little road comedy called Overnight Delivery. She gets all of the best lines as a spunky stripper.

Scarlett Johansson -- I'm sorry, there can be no argument against Charlotte in Lost in Translation. She's underrated in Ghost World, though I'd argue that movie belonged more to Thora Birch and Steve Buscemi.
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 08:50am on 20/09/2010
finally getting back to you on this great comment.

Oh yes, I almost forgot about Heat - that's a very very good movie! I love Carlito's Way too. I wasn't as big of a Godfather fan at all - though I do know that they are very good movies. just not my style.

and I forgot about Jake in October Sky. well I didn't forget, as much as I just had other favorites. but he was very good in that, considering it was one of his very early roles. He was highly gifted as an actor.

And yes, Ed Wood was another memorable Johnny Depp role. I did like him in that one. but it wasn't my favorite.

I do need to see more of Cate Blanchett's work.

Jennifer was very cute in Office Space - I love that film!

Besides Sense and Sensibility, I'd definitely say Eternal Sunshine is Kate's best. Titanic wasn't a good film (for me at least) but she did add depth to it. kept it from sinking (pardon the pun!)

thanks for the suggestions for movies with Reese. I totally forgot about her in Election. that's a brilliant film and showed her extreme talent. wasn't that before Legally Blonde?

and finally, Scarlet as Charlotte in Lost is brilliant. that's probably one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time, really. I can relate to it on so many levels.

thanks for the comments!!
 
posted by [identity profile] hue126.livejournal.com at 04:49pm on 20/09/2010
Election was released two years before Legally Blonde.
 
posted by [identity profile] serialbathera.livejournal.com at 02:50am on 15/09/2010
What a lovely list :) I liked your description for all your choices :)

Showtime... I will play, but it may take me a few days to post
::hugs::
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 01:24am on 17/09/2010
oh I'm sorry I forgot to give you a list of actors and actresses. I'm not sure who you like, so I'll try to pick some that you will know.

here goes:

Actors:
Vincent D'Onofrio
Dennis Christopher
Tom Cruise
Hayden Christensen
Denzel Washington

Actresses:
Meg Ryan
Cameron Diaz
Rachel McAdam
Charlize Theron
Milla Jovovich

Hope these are okay. *hugs*
can't wait to see your answers:)

 
posted by [identity profile] serialbathera.livejournal.com at 05:25am on 17/09/2010
It was a good list... :) I like a weird variety of obscure actors, and actresses, and mostly from their tv work, so I had to actually think about these answers, which makes it more fun :)

::hugs::

answers posted in my journal :)
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 06:58am on 17/09/2010
yes it would have been fun if I did a TV actor meme. maybe I'll do that in the future:) I'll go and see your list now - yay!
 
posted by [identity profile] winterdahlia.livejournal.com at 01:11am on 16/09/2010
Oh, this is fun! I'm glad you got a chance to do this. :-)

A few comments on your picks (which I really enjoyed reading!)

Al Pacino - I like your choices for him, especially Donnie Brasco and ...And Justice for All. Would like to see ...And Justice again as it's been a very long time since I saw it, but I remember thinking it was really great. And Donnie Brasco is one of my favorite movies. I've been meaning to read the real Donnie Brasco's book but haven't gotten round to it!

Jake G. - I think you already knew that I absolutely love Donnie Darko, too. It's such a great film and a great character for Jake. And he was just wonderful in Brokeback Mountain. The last scene he shares with Heath, when they are arguing, and Jake is pleading with him about how difficult it is to be away from him so long...it's so powerful and heartwrenching! I feel like Jake really earned his Oscar nomination with that scene! But he's so good in everything, I'm sure he'll get his Oscar some day.

Cate - Have you seen The Gift? I think that is probably my favorite Cate movie. It's quite different than her other roles, although, she is always doing something different isn't she? Anyway, you might want to check it out!

Jennifer - LOVE The Good Girl! And I just love Jennifer in general, too. Like you said, she really does seem like such a cool, down to earth woman. And her performances are always good. I can't think of any that I didn't like!
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 01:26am on 17/09/2010
I did have fun -thanks! you gave me some great names:)
Oh I love Donnie Brasco for Al and for Johnny! it's a great film. and Donnie Darko is one of my favorite movies in general - and a great one with Jake. I just watched part of Brokeback Mountain again last night - it's such a beautiful film. such amazing actors both of them! I miss Heath too!

I haven't seen The Gift - I looked for it for a download but couldn't find it. I'll have to wait until I can rent it sometime in the future.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Michelle Williams - too bad you didn't write about her!

*hugs*
 
posted by [identity profile] blueleopard87.livejournal.com at 05:04pm on 16/09/2010
Oh, this is a fun meme! I'd love to give it a shot, if you want to give me a list. :)

And to comment a little on yours:

Cillian Murphy is such a great actor! I don't usually like scary/super suspenseful movies but I really enjoyed Red Eye when I saw it! And I agree with you, Breakfast on Pluto is such a great movie!

And Jake Gyllenhaal is one of my favorite actors too! Donnie Darko is such an incredible film, isn't it? And I must admit I've probably seen Brokeback Mountain a dozen times or so. (And even though it's kind of a cheesy movie at times, I really love The Day After Tomorrow!)
 
posted by [identity profile] laurainlimbo.livejournal.com at 01:50am on 17/09/2010
Hi - I'm glad you enjoyed it! I love Cillian so much - it was hard to choose his favorites, but Red Eye and Breakfast on Pluto are definitely tops.

I just started watching Brokeback again last night - what an incredibly beautiful movie. and yes, The Day After Tomorrow is a fun movie too - Jake's cute in it! he's always cute!

let's see - I don't know your favorite actors and actresses, so I'll try to guess good ones for you. let me know if you want others:)

Actors:
Edward Norton
Matt Damon
Kevin Spacey
Elijah Wood
Jude Law

Actresses:
Liv Tyler
Michelle Williams
Ellen Page
Gwyneth Paltrow
Uma Thurman

have fun:)

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