Hollywood's opinion of good acting

[AdminAssistant]

Doesn't guarantee good acting.

Sure doesn't.

Last year everybody was falling over themselves to praise Slumdog Millionaire, which I thought was a very plain movie.

[Rageaholic]

I got one,

Charlie Sheen, a jerk on and off the screen.

[XiaoTortuga]

Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman, the guy from Spiderman, Tom Cruise and um... that famous lady... Meryl Streep.

And not on the topic, but an actor who has surprised me with just how good he is: Jason Alexander.

But yeah, I agree with the sentiments expressed that it isn't about acting often times, it is about personalities and names.

[Boozy]

Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman, the guy from Spiderman, Tom Cruise and um... that famous lady... Meryl Streep.

Wait...are these actors whom who don't think can act? And Meryl Streep is on that list? Are you serious?

I think Meryl Streep is one of the greatest actors of her generation.

[AdminAssistant]

Wait...are these actors whom who don't think can act? And Meryl Streep is on that list? Are you serious?

I think Meryl Streep is one of the greatest actors of her generation.

As do I...she's fantastic and doesn't limit herself to one particular genre.

[the_std]

And not on the topic, but an actor who has surprised me with just how good he is: Jason Alexander.

Agreed. So agreed. Ever watched Duckman? He wasn't acting per se, it was voice acting, but he showed an incredible range of diversity. One of my favourite shows of all time.

[crashhelmet]

I'm going to throw a monkey wrench into this. A lot of the people that were already named appear to be horrible actors. However, how many of them are victims of bad writing?

For example, Natalie Portman is a great actress. The writing in the Star Wars prequels, especially part 3, was so horrible that it made it look like she didn't have any talent what so ever.

Jim Carrey can act when he has a script written like the Truman Show or The Majestic. Maybe even Liar Liar. Everything else was Ace Ventura Part X: How Ace Stole Easter

CH

[XiaoTortuga]

As do I...she's fantastic and doesn't limit herself to one particular genre.

Yeah, I was expecting that response. I just don't find her to be good.

[Peppergirl]

Jim Carrey can act when he has a script written like the Truman Show or The Majestic. Maybe even Liar Liar. Everything else was Ace Ventura Part X: How Ace Stole Easter

CH

Agreed. He was amazing in Man on the Moon, too. He almost made me believe he WAS Andy.

[blas87]

I think actors sometimes lose their credibility and reputation when they "sell out".

Like "The Rock" and Vin Diesel. Granted, they aren't the best actors to ever exist, but before they started doing Disney kid movies, I actually took them halfway seriously.

[Slytovhand]

I'm suspecting that acting and income/fame are inversely proportionate.

There are some actors who have started out good, but for some reason have crashed, as their salaries increased. There are some exceptions to this, who have actually become better, or managed to pull out a side of themselves they weren't allowed to before (ie, Robin Williams when he went from comedy to other stuff).

For me, I can't stand Jim Carrey - yes, just his name puts me off. Now, in bringing him up, he did a great job as the Riddler in Batman - it was 'his' role! And one or 2 others.

But take Will Smith... I liked a couple of his earlier stuff, but once he got his name in lights and his money, his talent seems to have gone down.


On the other hand, there are known actors out there who have been playing the game for years, yet still don't bring in the super big dollars for their face! I saw Excalibur again not long ago, and there's Patrick Stewart!! (with hair!) Now, he's Jean Luc Picard... fortunately making money!


And let's not forget the whole type-casting thing! I can't stand Steven Seagal now.. Sure, I loved his earlier stuff... but now, oh, it's the same movie I saw last time... out of the special forces, probably divorced (or she's dead), wants to be left alone to become a hermit type, someone picks on him for no good reason (someone who always knows someone who also knows some other martial art - so they can have a great little face off at the end of the movie), and a need to blow things up!

To pick a good actor, you need to see them outside of their usual sphere... Tom Hanks not playing a romantic comedy. I love (now) Eric Bana. Why? Go look at where he started... Full Frontal and Comedy Company!


And lastly, I'd just like to say that sometimes, 'bad' acting is actually very good acting... because they're not putting on a face, they are doing what any normal person would do...

[fireheart17]

I think Team America might have something to do with hating Matt Damon, though.

I think that's happened with a few people.

For example, Natalie Portman is a great actress. The writing in the Star Wars prequels, especially part 3, was so horrible that it made it look like she didn't have any talent what so ever.

Jim Carrey can act when he has a script written like the Truman Show or The Majestic. Maybe even Liar Liar. Everything else was Ace Ventura Part X: How Ace Stole Easter

CH

He was OK in Yes Man. Not too bad in Bruce Almighty. Fun with Dick and Jane made me crack up (I haven't seen the original). The Truman Show, The Majestic and Liar Liar-again, good ones. But yeah, most of the others were a bit odd. (The Grinch is a half/half for me)

Natalie Portman I personally think does OK depending on her role.


Whoever wrote up about Lindsay Lohan, Hilary Duff, Miley Cyrus and Paris Hilton can also add the Jonas Brothers to that list. I seriously get very tempted to throw something at the TV whenever they come on.

What's more scary is that my sister loves and watches that stuff....and she's 16!

Some good actors though, I've noticed tend to come from TV as well. Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly are great as Gibbs and DiNozzo on NCIS. Pauley Perrette as well. Cote De Pablo and whoever plays McGee (his name escapes me at this moment) are a bit so-so for me.

Mariska Hargitay on SVU: Absolutely brilliant.

Movie wise, I'd agree with most of the good ones: Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, Brad Pitt (I loved Inglorious Basterds), Jim Carrey (IMHO, one of the few decent comedy actors), Natalie Portman (to an extent), Uma Thurman (ditto), Drew Barrymore and to an extent Kate Hudson.

Anne Hathaway has improved since she stepped up to the more mature roles (basically anything after Princess Diaries/Ella Enchanged) and I think she fits better in them.

Of the teenage/youngish actors: Jamie Campbell Bower was brilliant in Sweeney Todd, Dakota Fanning I feel is so-so, and obviously Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are brilliant in Harry Potter. (although the problem seems to be that they're pigeonholed into those roles, since December Boys didn't fare too well and Thunderpants was a flop)

[AdminAssistant]

whoever plays McGee (his name escapes me at this moment) are a bit so-so for me.

Sean Murray. As much as I like Sean Murray, the fact that he's Donald Bellisario's (the creator of NCIS) stepson has always bothered me. Did he even have to audition? You shouldn't get acting jobs because you're related to somebody (although that has done wonders for Helena Bonham Carter).

I like Jim Carrey in movies like Man on the Moon and Bruce Almighty, but I generally don't care for slapstick, goofball comedies like The Mask, so my dislike of that film doesn't have to do with the actor. Ditto Steve Carell - I didn't realize what a great actor he was until I saw Little Miss Sunshine.

Someone mentioned Patrick Stewart. Stewart has also been a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Shakespeare company in Britain, nay, the world. (Other RSC members include Ian McKellan and Judi Dench.) So, although I love seeing him in movies and on TV, he could certainly survive financially without Star Trek.

[blas87]

Then there are actors who should only stick to certain roles.

As soon as Adam Sandler started doing serious roles, I lost all interest and respect for him.

I think he's sucked pretty royally for several years now. If I go back and watch Happy Gilmore or Billy Madison, it just makes me mad how someone who used to be so funny and entertaining is now just a douchebag.

[lordlundar]

So, although I love seeing him in movies and on TV, he could certainly survive financially without Star Trek.

He does need to work on his voice acting ability though. His work in Steamboy was grating.