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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2020 6:29:26 GMT
Robert De Niro in The King of ComedyWith the exception of Olivia de Havilland, Robert De Niro is the greatest actor alive. Its amazing that through 1981-1989 he received zero Oscar nominations. The King of Comedy, Once Upon a Time in America, Angel Heart, and The Untouchables were all sublime performances.
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Post by pacinoyes on Apr 17, 2020 14:08:16 GMT
Robert De Niro in The King of ComedyWith the exception of Olivia de Havilland, Robert De Niro is the greatest actor alive. Its amazing that through 1981-1989 he received zero Oscar nominations. The King of Comedy, Once Upon a Time in America, Angel Heart, and The Untouchables were all sublime performances. I always say this but for me his top 6 performances (Mean Streets, Godfather II, Taxi Driver, Deer Hunter, Raging Bull, King of Comedy) are almost without parallel in acting history............ some maybe can equal those 6 but that's like literally a few guys from any country, ever - and it's 6 - not 2 or 3. I'm not as impressed with the other 3 (I'll take Jacknife and Midnight Run over those as his '84-'89 peaks tbh) - but King of Comedy is just his most creative, loosest and left-field performance ever.........and every one of those "big 6" performances are interconnected in a specific way too: Each has an element of genuine danger in him in them - and not just a danger to others (in all 6) - but often there's a whole other aspect of danger to himself, emotionally and physically. He invented that stuff - and I love Joaquin Phoenix but he studied from that De Niro textbook in a lot more than just Joker.
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Post by therealcomicman117 on Apr 17, 2020 22:11:46 GMT
Bill Murray in Groundhog DayOne of the most rewatchable films ever, and Bill Murray's performance is a big reason why. In the pantheon of the best comedic performances of all time, this has to be up there. Similar to Scrooged, Murray plays a very self-centered bitter person, who through the course of being trapped in a repeating day, learns to be better. He starts out like the typical smartass Murray we all know and love, but we see his frustration as he realizes he's trapped in eternity, that frustration turns to boredom, then death, and then finally acceptance. Mix that in with Murray's typical great comedic timing, and you've got a truly terrific turn.
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Post by pupdurcs on Apr 18, 2020 4:23:51 GMT
Bill Murray in Groundhog DayOne of the most rewatchable films ever, and Bill Murray's performance is a big reason why. In the pantheon of the best comedic performances of all time, this has to be up there. Similar to Scrooged, Murray plays a very self-centered bitter person, who through the course of being trapped in a repeating day, learns to be better. He starts out like the typical smartass Murray we all know and love, but we see his frustration as he realizes he's trapped in eternity, that frustration turns to boredom, then death, and then finally acceptance. Mix that in with Murray's typical great comedic timing, and you've got a truly terrific turn. Nice write-up. A brilliant performance by Murray.
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Post by Viced on Apr 18, 2020 15:33:13 GMT
Ben Foster in Alpha DogThis crazy sunnuvabitch really went for it here, huh? IMDb trivia:
He goes for broke and kind of overdoes it... but never feels unnatural. It's a shame that the movie is such a strangely put together mess (though I mostly enjoyed it) and his character is either stuck with bizarre moments (a scene where he beats the shit out of a bunch of random people at a party that reminded me of a dream sequence from Dumb and Dumber) or never heard from again after screaming a threat to kill someone on the phone.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2020 15:55:50 GMT
He goes for broke and kind of overdoes it... but never feels unnatural. It's a shame that the movie is such a strangely put together mess (though I mostly enjoyed it) and his character is either stuck with bizarre moments (a scene where he beats the shit out of a bunch of random people at a party that reminded me of a dream sequence from Dumb and Dumber) or never heard from again after screaming a threat to kill someone on the phone. Dumb and Dumber lol.
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Post by pacinoyes on Apr 18, 2020 19:33:09 GMT
Kenneth Branagh & Emma Thompson - Much Ado About Nothing (1993) -
Exceedingly fizzy, buoyant and well-acted Shakespeare adaptation that features at its center these two having great and witty fun. Branagh is hilariously exasperated and Thompson is positively radiant and whip-smart here. Their Olivier/Leigh routine was never quite so appealing.......though Oliver/Leigh never played this iirc (because Olivier found it too small, whatever .........hack!)
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Post by JangoB on Apr 18, 2020 21:35:04 GMT
As I understand it, far from everyone was impressed by Winona Ryder in "The Age of Innocence" with even Family Guy making fun of her in it (in a funny sketch, I must say). I'm certainly inclined to think that the nay-sayers are totally wrong on this matter. Having just rewatched the film - a masterpiece by the way - I found her performance to be completely astonishing with the later scenes being particularly multi-layered. Pacinoyes likes to talk about movies and performances being deceptive and now I think I'll borrow that description for Ryder - this is one of those turns that requires a rewatch to fully understand how masterful of a job Ryder is doing. While everyone including the audience is led to believe that she is an oblivious delicate flower who's perhaps a little bit empty on the inside she is actually one step ahead of everyone, doing that one thing that people around her are scared of - actively taking her happiness in her own hands and doing the best to achieve it. We may feel pity for her but she actually comes out the winner and Ryder portrays all of those layers magnificently. Daniel Day-Lewis is also absolutely astonishing in the piece - the emotional turmoil the character finds himself in is captured masterfully by the actor. The performance is full of magnificent touches and nuances and those that express his inner pain just hit you within your soul.
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Post by notacrook on Apr 19, 2020 22:28:29 GMT
Orson Welles, The Third ManOnly just getting round to discovering Welles, as a director and actor (late to the party, I know). I watched Citizen Kane (where he was also excellent) and The Third Man in the last week, and his portrayal of Harry Lime in the latter instantly struck me as one of the most interesting, layered performances I'd seen in a while. Welles is an actor of intense charisma, and he channels that here in creating the charming, smarmy facade of Lime, with his cocksure speeches and devilish smirks. However, every now and then he'll deliver a line with such cool, straight-faced menace, letting us know that despite his beguiling charms he's absolutely not a guy to fuck with. The way Welles subtly slips in these threats, before dancing back to smiles and pats on the back, is genius. There's also a sense of well-contained fear and desperation that comes through in the film's final act, suggesting that while he has perhaps become a darker shell of his former self, he's still a man in over his head, seeking an escape. He's not in the film for long, but still manages to leave the greatest impression once the credits have rolled.
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Javi
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Post by Javi on Apr 21, 2020 22:59:31 GMT
Anthony Hopkins in Nixon - Glad I finally watched this (running time intimidated me). A magnificent, haunting perf, and the last 20 minutes or so take it to the next level. I seem to use the word "haunting" a lot when it comes to Hopkins... even in light material like The Two Popes, he is exactly that. He sure ain't ghostlike, though: his are the most vivid inner wars imaginable, evidence I think of unparalleled depth. And he has an immediacy that I frankly don't often see in other British greats. His Nixon a magnetic, repulsive, fascinating figure; his downfall electrifying and it's all Hopkins'.
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Post by therealcomicman117 on Apr 21, 2020 23:12:13 GMT
Anthony Hopkins in Nixon - Glad I finally watched this (running time intimidated me). A magnificent, haunting perf, and the last 20 minutes or so take it to the next level. I seem to use the word "haunting" a lot when it comes to Hopkins... even in light material like The Two Popes, he is exactly that. He sure ain't ghostlike, though: his are the most vivid inner wars imaginable, evidence I think of unparalleled depth. And he has an immediacy that I frankly don't often see in other British greats. His Nixon a magnetic, repulsive, fascinating figure; his downfall electrifying and it's all Hopkins'. Great write-up. For me, it's one of Hopkins best performances (the film is vastly underappreciated too). He doesn't even try to imitate Nixon 100% (his American accent is wobbly), but that doesn't matter, because he really makes you think you're watching the real president in action. His Nixon is so ruthless, and yet like any person so incredibly complex at the same time.
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Post by pacinoyes on Apr 21, 2020 23:52:22 GMT
Anthony Hopkins in Nixon - Glad I finally watched this (running time intimidated me). A magnificent, haunting perf, and the last 20 minutes or so take it to the next level. I seem to use the word "haunting" a lot when it comes to Hopkins... even in light material like The Two Popes, he is exactly that. He sure ain't ghostlike, though: his are the most vivid inner wars imaginable, evidence I think of unparalleled depth. And he has an immediacy that I frankly don't often see in other British greats.His Nixon a magnetic, repulsive, fascinating figure; his downfall electrifying and it's all Hopkins'. In this performance he's proof that the real best performances in biopics - in most cases - are almost never the technical/mimicry performances (accents etc.) they are rather impressionistic characterizations. His Nixon is an overwhelming creation and monstrous is the word I'd use for him - almost like he's devouring himself - it's a great flip to Philip Baker Hall's portrayal especially (Frank Langella's is fine also but less a work of internalized demons). If people are listing say the "10 best living/working actors in the English language" the only question is how high would Hopkins place because it's a given he's on the list
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Javi
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Post by Javi on Apr 22, 2020 0:22:57 GMT
Anthony Hopkins in Nixon - Glad I finally watched this (running time intimidated me). A magnificent, haunting perf, and the last 20 minutes or so take it to the next level. I seem to use the word "haunting" a lot when it comes to Hopkins... even in light material like The Two Popes, he is exactly that. He sure ain't ghostlike, though: his are the most vivid inner wars imaginable, evidence I think of unparalleled depth. And he has an immediacy that I frankly don't often see in other British greats.His Nixon a magnetic, repulsive, fascinating figure; his downfall electrifying and it's all Hopkins'. In this performance he's proof that the real best performances in biopics - in most cases - are almost never the technical/mimicry performances (accents etc.) they are rather impressionistic characterizations. His Nixon is an overwhelming creation and monstrous is the word I'd use for him - almost like he's devouring himself - it's a great flip to Philip Baker Hall's portrayal especially (Frank Langella's is fine also but less a work of internalized demons). If people are listing say the "10 best living/working actors in the English language" the only question is how high would Hopkins place because it's a given he's on the list Love that description. He was always a favorite of mine and keeps surprising me perf after perf... and now comes The Father
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Post by DeepArcher on Apr 22, 2020 16:16:53 GMT
Sort of (accidentally) piggybacking off of the Hopkins in Nixon mention... Philip Baker Hall in Secret HonorRichard Nixon in quarantine -- how is this performance not talked about more? Some probably see this movie as finding the humanity in Nixon but I actually see it as exactly the opposite -- this film and the performance in particular is totally dehumanizing Nixon to the point that he becomes almost animalistic. Never before has Nixon seemed so venomous and full of hatred as here and that's saying, um, a HELL OF A LOT. This is like DDL in the last twenty minutes of TWBB but it's ridden for the entire movie. And we're so convinced of it taking place in real-time that we wonder how PBH hasn't talked himself to death by the end (doing this on stage must be like a fucking Ironman run). He might overplay the mannerisms a bit much, but not really and he's always just amazingly captivating. Literally has to carry this entire movie and keeps it always entertaining even though there's basically no arc and nothing else to play off of other than the set that surrounds him. Remarkable, absolutely breathtaking performance that'll make you feel like you've just run a marathon and a half by the time it's done.
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Post by therealcomicman117 on Apr 23, 2020 20:59:59 GMT
Nicole Kidman in The Others - Rewatched this film for the first time in god knows how long, and it didn't disappoint, especially Kidman's performance. I love a good eerie Ghost Story, and this is no exception. Kidman is chilling as a wife who lives in a remote country house during WWII, who becomes convinced that the the manor that she and children occupy is haunted. She does a great job of toeing the line between crazy and sensible, and you're never too sure throughout if what she's experiencing is real or a figment of her imagination before it's too late. It's still some of the most intense acting she's ever done.
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Post by HELENA MARIA on Apr 26, 2020 7:42:13 GMT
http://instagram.com/p/B2bEgheFRBu Hadn't seen in it years. Excellent legal drama. Mr Pacino is absolutely masterful (but then again, he rarely isn't).Such a pity that this performance tends to get often overlooked, though. 🎂👑💞
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Post by therealcomicman117 on Apr 27, 2020 4:04:36 GMT
Jack Nicholson in Five Easy PiecesNicholson's breakout role as a leading man, following his scene stealing supporting role in Easy Rider, and it still stands as one of his best performances. He's incredible as sad alienated young man who tries to find himself by walking away from everything literally, at points channeling that "manic energy", that would later become his trademark staple as an actor, but also bringing a lot more nuance and quietness to the role. It's an incredible piece of work, and that "Life Don't Approve" monologue still gets me everytime.
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Post by pacinoyes on Apr 28, 2020 10:06:18 GMT
Cate Blanchett - Mrs. America (Hulu)We just did a poll "top performances of the 2010s" and I think there was just 1 TV performance on it iirc (?). Well THIS performance is going to be on the 2020s list or else we're all in the for the best acting ever this decade that would keep this utterly amazing turn off of it. Though I guess it wouldn't be eligible since it's multiple episodes - whatever! It ranks with her very best work. I've watched episodes 1-4 twice - and I'm even more impressed and I was pretty knocked out the first time. Maybe she falls apart in the later episodes but........I doubt it.
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Post by Tommen_Saperstein on Apr 29, 2020 2:38:59 GMT
Cate Blanchett - Mrs. America (Hulu)We just did a poll "top performances of the 2010s" and I think there was just 1 TV performance on it iirc (?). Well THIS performance is going to be on the 2020s list or else we're all in the for the best acting ever this decade that would keep this utterly amazing turn off of it. Though I guess it wouldn't be eligible since it's multiple episodes - whatever! It ranks with her very best work. Any other standouts? That cast list is amazing.
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Post by pacinoyes on Apr 29, 2020 9:01:38 GMT
Cate Blanchett - Mrs. America (Hulu)We just did a poll "top performances of the 2010s" and I think there was just 1 TV performance on it iirc (?). Well THIS performance is going to be on the 2020s list or else we're all in the for the best acting ever this decade that would keep this utterly amazing turn off of it. Though I guess it wouldn't be eligible since it's multiple episodes - whatever! It ranks with her very best work. Any other standouts? That cast list is amazing. I liked Uzo Aduba and Rose Byrne the most so far - I think a lot of people will rave Byrne who's the sharpest counterpoint........ Ullman and Martindale are really funny.......everybody holds up their end. Blanchett has the more complicated role - and is drawn in a more overt actor-ly way in the script so her piece is just more overwhelming. Basically Blanchett has the "full buffet" role and responds by butting first into the line, and then gorging herself with the food, and eats all the best stuff too, and then beats the other ladies over the head with her shoe while shoving their faces in the mashed potatoes ........
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Post by Mattsby on Apr 30, 2020 22:31:09 GMT
Anthony Hopkins double feature; I'd place these among his very best after Lambs, Remains of the Day, Magic.... Nixon (1995) - It's amazing how Hopkins is still the standout of Oliver Stone's epic odyssey when it is by turns Biblical, Shakespearean, Wellesian, with a punctuating wildly refractory mixed-format style. It never overwhelms Hopkins, whose shattering, spiraling Nixon is motivating the style while centering it too. Hopkins' Nixon is a chronically uncomfortable man, and stress looks messy on him. It's an audacious perf with size to it, and sides of poignance, paranoia, bitterness (like against the Kennedy's), and a searching lost-dog quality (like at the Lincoln memorial with the protesters). Javi pacinoyes therealcomicman117 - thx! Hadn't got around to this before, but your posts made me wanna jump in. Glad I did. The Doll's House (1973) - Less striking than his Nixon, though this Ibsen play like Nixon also has to do with a threat of reputation. While milder, this has some terrific, classic-Hopkins split-second moments from him, like the way he fixes his posture after being called petty, or how he pauses teasingly waiting for his wife to finish his sentence "You mustn't be so....? thoughtless." He has really playful chemistry with Claire Bloom, the wife (a role that seems to always draw awards), and she's great too, very lively, while growing aware. During the big confrontation finale (she committed forgery in the past, he learns), Hopkins is violently enraged, then nervous, then relieved... and when his etiquette returns, his wife sees just how put-on he is, as he morphs back into his manner. Hopkins thinks aloud ("It's all over now...") with a fading cadence , unsure himself whether he's talking about the ordeal, or his relationship....
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2020 0:10:06 GMT
Charlotte Rampling in The Cherry OrchardWith Sir Alan Bates... This was the great Greek auteur Michael Cacoyannis' final film. His first two choices for the role of Ranyevskaya were Helen Mirren and Glenn Close (much more obvious choices for Chekhov, right?) - when neither of them could commit to the three month shoot in Greece, La Légende dove in. I always find it fascinating (and fun!) when Rampling is more "active" in her acting - this is one of her less internal performances. Here, she layers coquettish charm and diva antics atop her potent anchor of melancholy to dazzling effects. She really commands the screen.
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Post by pacinoyes on May 2, 2020 15:24:48 GMT
Robert Duvall - Tomorrow (1972)One of his very best performances and before it was a cliche in this kind of role for him (his patented Southerner that he would do slight variations on and many of his more famous performances are found within this one). Duvall here is taking somewhat over-elaborate, unconvincing dialog (this is a William Faulkner play adapted by Horton Foote no less) and wringing pure poetry out of it in the silences - and looks or glances. Surrounded by a fncking nothing cast who gives him nothing back to play off Duvall knew 100% how to play this guy anyway and deepen him too. I can't imagine another actor in this part even with all the movies problems.
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Post by therealcomicman117 on May 3, 2020 1:44:15 GMT
Nicolas Cage in Bringing Out Dead One of Cage’s best performances ever in this highly underseen and underrated Martin Scorsese film. Cage is generally a master at playing unhinged characters taken over the edge, but here he gives one of his most nuanced multi-facial performances ever as a worn-out ambulance driver haunted by his past. He’s generally hilarious throughout, and he has plenty of Cage freak-out moments, but he also has urgency and self-doubt, highlighted by Cage’s own troubled narration. You can feel sympathy for his poor character, he just wants to do his job, and sleep well again.
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Post by pacinoyes on May 3, 2020 11:47:28 GMT
Jean Dujardin & Adèle Haenel - Deerskin (2019)
A marvelously thought-out, committed absurdist comic-horrific performance from Dujardin - this movie is short, under 80 minutes (for the Mattsby list!) and he plays it with full dedication and mad purpose. My beloved Adèle Haenel does her usual thing of making every role she takes on seem like it could only be played by her regardless of its size or importance. She brings her wondrous and droll sensibility......and both of them seem in on the gag but not self-aware and it might be slight but it's also very amusing and often in the most throwaway lines - to people who find this funny, other people would wonder what you're even laughing at. Quite a pair they are:
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