Conference bookie::movies

    
    
    Olivia as in Newton_John ?? :))))
    
    or OLIVIER as in Lawrence??
    
    Chris
    :)

    S_COLLINS
    
    
    	oops....    I meant  Olivier as in Lawrence.
    
    
                        Sorry for the mix up.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    When I think of a great actor...I'd have to say  Samuel L. Jackson!
    
    Many other...but this would be my first pick!

    My 3 favorites are:  
    
    Alan Rickman
    Cary Grant
    Stewart Granger
    
    I just realized they are all British - must be a pattern
    with me.
    
    Mo
    

    People,
    
    Must you forget the true legend.  MARLON BRANDO.  One of the few
    survivors of the self-destructive personalities (James Dean, Marylin
    Monroe,.....).  Anyway, after seeing his movies, not all I might add,
    and hearing from the professionals that has worked with him (actors and
    directors) simply thinks he's one of the greatest actors alive and
    dead.  Not to take away from Lawrence, but is certainly up there with
    the best if not the best.  
    
    Lil Taylor is another one.  I believe its Lil Taylor.  The one that
    star in "I SHOT ANDY WARHOL".  Very underestimated actress.
    
    Any thoughts on that people.  I would like to hear your comments.
    
    									
    h.d. 

    THis is a tough topic. Should there be some guidelines? 
    
    For one, if I try to answer this, I ask myself - name an actor that has
    taken extreme roles and portrayed them so beleiveably that he/she makes
    the movie. This eliminates type casts - people who play different
    characters with the same personalities over and over. 
    
    Certainly, Olivier and Hopkins are great actors - in terms of mastering
    a craft. 
    
    But consider for a moment Dustin Hoffman. Compare his roles in The
    Graduate, Midnight Cowboy, Little Big Man, Tootsie, and the Rainman. He
    may not have all the movie credits of others, but in terms of
    convincing acting over an incredible range of characters, he's got to
    be up there near the top.
    
    On the actress side, it's hard not to name Meryl Streep. She takes the
    tough assignments and makes the most out of them. I was truly surprised
    at the job she did in River Wild. I didn't believe at first she could
    pull it off - but no problem for her.  
    
    THere are probably many many others we could debate - but I like these
    two for their abilities to tackle a wide variety of demanding roles and
    being successful in their portrayal no matter what. 
    
     

    re -1
    
    I have to agree with about Hoffman.  He was incredibly convincing in
    Rainman.  
    
    When it comes to Streep, I personally can't stand her.  I do agree that
    she is a good actress, but she is one of those Actors/Actresses that
    bother the hell out me.
    
    Pete
    

    
    
      I agree about Dustin Hoffman. Great actor!
    
      Chris
      :)

    I, too, would tend to vote for Hoffman.  Don't forget his work in
    Kramer vs Kramer, as well as All the President's Men.  Both roles were
    a bit more subtle, but he pulls them off as effectively as any of the
    "characters" in his other films.
    
    I also agree that this is one tough category.  I've seen some
    outstanding performances from actors that never quite hit the big time
    (Bruce Dern leaps to mind) for some reason or another, and usually it's
    nothing to do with talent.
    
    Others get big-money, top-billing contracts (Van Damme, Keanu Reeves)
    and can't deliver a line in steel bucket.
    
    Remember:  an actor is only as good as his last performance.
    
    Rick
    

    
    Actually I would have to say Al Pacino is one of my personal fave's,
    granted he may be a little typecasted.  He's either a gangster ala
    Scarface, Godfather, or Carlito's Way.......or he's a cop ala Heat, Sea
    of Love, or Serpico.  But he has a way of making each of his characters
    unique and believable.
    
    Although another great actor would have to Lawrence Fishburne, just
    look at any one of the films he's done and you'll understand
    why.(excluding Nightmare on Elm Street)
    
    Rick

    
    Best actor? Three words:
    
    
    James Earl Jones
    
    Dave
    

    
    I like Al Pacino, and James Earl Jones.  I also rate Sean Connery as an
    actor, but the best voice has to go to JEJ.
    
    "No Luke, I am your father"
    
    
    
    I.

    A big vote from here for Meryl Streep.  Why she gets such a bad rap is
    beyond me.  The breadth of roles she has played and WELL is astounding. 
    It's too bad she hasn't done many movies in recent years; it's our
    loss.

    top picks for females:
    
    1.  Kathrine Hepburn
    2.  Meryl Streep
    3.  Joan Fontain
    4.  Jessica Lange
    5.  Sissy Spacek (sp?)
    
    
    top pick for males:
    
    1.  Spencer Tracy
    2.  Robert DeNiro
    3.  Cary Grant
    4.  Jimmy Stuart
    5.  Al Pacino/Dustin Hoffman
    

    
    
    
                             Let me try for fun
    
    
         females:                                          males:
    
    1. Meryl Streep                                  1. Robert Deniro
    2. Kathrine Hepburn                              2. Lawerence Olivier
    3. Jodie Foster                                  3. Al Pacino
    4. Betty Davis                                   4. Dustin Hoffman
    5. Ingrid Bergman                                5. Daniel Day-Lewis
    
    
                                
    

    
    
    I agree that Jodie Foster is an excellent actress!
    
    Chris
    :)

    Rober Deniro....by far!!!!
    
      Just to mention a few awesome performances.....
    
           1. Cape Fear
           2. Good fellas
           3. Taxi Driver
           4. The Deer Hunter
                                ....the list could keep going and going!

    
    ...another De Niro fan here.
    
    other good actors
    
    Lawrence Fishburne
    Morgan Freeman
    Dustin Hoffman
    Al Pacino
    Cary Grant
    
    					ian

    What about Paul Newman?
    
     The Hustler
     Cool Hand Luke
     Somebody Up There Loves Me
     Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid
     The Sting
     Towering Inferno
    
    I feel Paul should get a vote!

    
    	Billy Zane has been impressing me lately, for some reason.
    

    What about Sean Penn?  He's definately a good actor.  
    
    

Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Laurence Olivier, Sam Neill, Nicholas Cage...

Sigourney Weaver, Meryl Streep, erm..., err... Women just don't seem to get the
same sort of "meaty" roles as the men, do they...?

Simon.

    You noticed. 
    
    E Grace

    
    Robert De Niro for Casino,Goodfellas,Raging Bull,The Untouchables (all
    							his Scorsese films)
    
    Al Pacino for Serpico,Heat,Dog Day Afternoon and Glen Garry Glenross
    
    James Earl Jones for every film he's been in, he adds some magic to any
    								film.
    
    David Niven again he was such a superb actor and he brought some class
    							to a picture.
    
    Nicholas Cage Leaving Las Vegas was just brilliant, Amos and Andrew,
    				The Rock, Raising Arizona, Birdy.
    
    Jodie Foster From Bugsy Malone to Taxi Driver to Silence of the Lambs
    			to the Accussed, her films just get better.
    
    Carrie Fisher, she's always been a firm fave of mine, The Star Wars
    			saga, as the mad woman in the blues brothers.
     
    Sigourny Weaver, The Aliens trilogy, Gorillas in the Mist, Working
    				Girl, she makes some pretty good films.
    
    Audrey Hepburn, She has an elegance of her own that she brought to the
    								screen.
    
    Catherine Denure (sorry i can't remember if it's spelt correctly)/
    Beatrice Dalle two of Frances greatest actresses with the likes of
    Belle De Jour and Betty Blue.
    
    
    I do like people like Harrison Ford but he's pretty much cast in the
    same sort of film these days, but the star wars films, the indiana
    jones films and  american grafitti are some of my fave. films
    
    I think some actresses are getting better film roles, although i do
    think Demi Moore is starting to play a lot of similar roles. People
    like Sandra Bulloch are getting better parts.
    
     
     

    
    
    JAMES CAGNEY
    ERROL FLYNN
    JIMMY STEWART
    HENRY FONDA
    TONY CURTIS
    MAUREEN O'HARA
    KATHERAN HEPBURN
    BETTY DAVIS
    ERTHA KITT
     also can not forget JACKIE GLEASON

    
    	Did Eartha Kitt do anything besides Catwoman in the "Batman"
    	TV series?
    
    	Speaking of Eartha Kitt, she's going to be a co-star in a
    	new movie called "Harriet the Spy".
    

                                Eartha Kitt

Actress filmography

  1. Unzipped (1995) .... Herself
  2. Fatal Instinct (1993) .... First Trial Judge
  3. Boomerang (1992) .... Lady Eloise
  4. Ernest Scared Stupid (1991) .... Old Lady Hackmore

  5. Erik the Viking (1989) .... Freya
  6. Dragonard (1988)
  7. Master of Dragonard Hill (1987)
  8. Pink Chiquitas, The (1987)
  9. Serpent Warriors, The (1985)
 10. All by Myself (1982)

 11. To Kill a Cop (1978) (TV)
 12. Naughty Knights (1976)
 13. Friday Foster (1975) .... Madame Rena
 14. Lieutenant Schuster's Wife (1972) (TV)
 15. Up the Chastity Belt (1971)

 16. "Batman" (1966) TV Series .... Catwoman #2
 17. Onkel Toms Huette (1965) .... Singer
     ... aka Uncle Tom's Cabin (1965)
 18. Synanon (1965)
     ... aka Get off My Back (1965)
 19. Saint of Devil's Island (1961)
     ... aka Seventy Times Seven (1961)

 20. Anna Lucasta (1958)
 21. St. Louis Blues (1958)
 22. Mark of the Hawk, The (1957) .... Renee
     ... aka Accused (1957)
 23. New Faces (1954)

 24. Casbah (1948) .... Herself

            Copyright 1990-1996 The Internet Movie Database Ltd
    

    How about Jack Lemmon
    
    Mr. Roberts
    The Great Race
    Front Page
    Odd Couple
    Out Of Towners
    Grumpy Old Men
    Grumpier Old Men
    Glenn Garry Glenn Ross
    China Syndrom
    
    I'm sure there are more,just can't remember them all.
    Jack is a great actor.

    RE: Jack Lemmon
    
    You left out the funniest movie of all time (IMHO): 
    
    	Some Like it Hot
    
    
    

    
    Lemmon can bring such of an intensity to even a small role.
    
              (Remember Oliver Stones' J.F.K.)
    
             He's deflnitely one of the best.

    And the absolute best thing he ever did (and he got robbed at the
    Oscars!):
    
    Days of Wine and Roses.
    
    
    
    E

    ...and getting back to the question of outstanding female leads, hows
    about Susan Sarandon?

    
    Sarandon is a great choice!

    Jack Lemmon, yes he is one of the great ones.  
    
    There was an Interview on the Actors Studio that briefly talked about
    him.  They mention the fact that he had to played a character who was
    left handed.  Jack is right handed, and naturally for the gifted he
    played it off just beautiful.  They couldn't even tell he was right
    handed.  After the auditioned they said "Great we were looking for a
    left-handed actor."  Later, Jack mentioned to them he was right-handed. 
    I know for myself I tryed writing with my left and drink with my left
    and it takes a serious effort, then again everything takes a serious
    effort, (ha ha ha ).  Anyway, I just thought this info would tell what
    one has to do to become the best out there. 
    
    								h.d.

    Hey, don't forget Clint Eastwood in this list. He's contributed greatly
    to the film industry over the last 3 decades.
    
    A couple of my all time fave films include Fist Full of Dollars and
    For a Few Dollars More.
    
    "My mule don't like people laughing"
    
    Royston

    
    	But Clint isn't a very good actor.  He just happens to have
    	played a few very good/memorable characters.
    

    No one plays a better tough guy though!   It's those cruel, cruel eyes.
    
    Especially "The Unforgiven", when he finds out about Morgan Freemans
    character and he grabs that whisky bottle...LOOK OUT!

Re: Clint

Yep - average actor, great tough guy.

Simes %^)

    
    
    I don't know if its acting or not..but I like most if not all of
    Clint's roles!
    
    A man's got to know his limitations!
    Chris
    :)

>                <<< Note 1120.36 by BUSY::SLABOUNTY "Cracker" >>>
>
>    
>    	But Clint isn't a very good actor.  He just happens to have
>    	played a few very good/memorable characters.

I made a personal observation some time ago that I can't tell "good acting"
from "good characterization," and I also found that I sorta don't care.
Bad acting is a different matter, and some personal acting traits
really annoy me, but if a well-done character is portrayed moderately well,
that's all I think I expect.

- tom]

    
    	Oh, I'm the same way ... bad acting is only noticeable to me
    	if it's REALLY bad.  Clint is somewhat borderline in this reg-
    	ard.
    
    	But I do like watching his movies because I like the char-
    	acters he plays.
    

    I've always liked Clint's movies, but I've never considered him a
    terrific actor.  I agree that he gets wonderful parts, mostly suited,
    tailor-made, for him specifically.  
    
    I respect actors when I see their diversity.  I especially admire
    actors who handle comedy as easily as drama.  Cagney, Spencer Tracy,
    Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman and Jack Lemmon are all fine
    examples of actors who can go from one extreme to the other and still
    find new depth each time out.  They have to go from sublime to
    grandiose from film to film.
    
    As we all know, Clint has never been comfortable with comedy.  He's at
    his best when he just has to walk up and deliver his line with
    authority.  Nothing subtle at all ever works with Clint.
                                

    
    
    Clint and the characters he portrays represents that part of each
    of us that is the super-cool under pressure tough macho guy that
    isn't afraid of anything.
	
    
    
    He's a brute!
    
    
    
    
    I like him! :)))
        
    Chris
    :)

        Charles Laughten (sp?), Spencer Tracy, Dustin Hoffman, Sean
    Connery, and the guy who played Hannible Lecter (I am drawing a blank
    on his name).
    
         Marilyn Monroe, Katherine Hepburn, Ingrid Bergmann, Emma Thompson,
    and Myrna Loy.
    
    	Mike  

Re .45

> the guy who played Hannible Lecter

Anthony Hopkins, a darn fine actor. I loved his performance in Coppola's
Dracula, so intense and OTT !

Simes %^)

    
    Re .45 & .46
    
    > the guy who played Hannible Lecter (Lecktor)
    
    Could've also been Brian Cox, another British actor. He played 
    Lecktor in MANHUNTER which was Michael Mann's adaptation of the 
    Thomas Harris novel RED DRAGON.
    
    It was in this film that the Lecktor character had his first screen 
    appearance.
    
    
    Chris D.
    
    

>What about Sean Penn?  He's definately a good actor.

Sean Penn as the greatest actor of all time? Tell me you're kidding.


I'm tempted to say Olivier for some fantastic performances but I feel he was
more of a theatrical actor than a film actor and his film career suffered
because of it. All things condidered I guess I'd have to go with Spencer Tracy
as the penultimate film actor.

As someone said before the greatest female actor is a tougher call. Certainly
in the running would be Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn, Olivia de Haviland,
Vivian Leigh, Ingrid Bergman, and Meryl Streep.


Randy

    I believe that it is *Sir* Anthony Hopkins, now.
    
    Yes?
    
    
    E

    
    
    His friends call him Tony! :))))
    
    Chris
    :)