NFT: Actors that have no business being Actors

but I grew up in the 80s and watched all these movies. When my first son was born, he was baptized at a local church in Brooklyn and Andrew McCarthy was in the church that day as a sponsor for the other child getting baptized with my kid. It was surreal since as I said, I grew up in the 80s watching his movies, I am Jewish (my wife is catholic and we are exposing our children to both religions, and the thought that I would be in a church with my son being baptized with Andrew McCarthy literally across the pew from me was probably not even in the wildest of imaginations. Anyway, sorry for the off topic diversion and if I was going to go with someone who has no business being an actor I would go with Hayden Christensen for totally ruining the Anakin Skywalker character even if he did not have much to work with.

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I know she's pretty and has a bubbly personality, but her acting skills are horrible.

As far as male actors... Nicholas Cage. How he became a big star is a mystery. He's had a couple of good roles that fit his quirky personality, but overall... nah.

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not that he has no business being an actor but that he is highly over-rated. Someone please let me know when he starts acting. Maybe something other than an intimidating character.

..

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but the movie Class was pretty freaking good in the early 80's.

And yes, he played basically the same guy in St Elmo's Fire, Pretty in Pink, Mannequin, Less than Zero, Weekend at Bernies, (and more?) but most of those were entertaining movies (sort of chick flicks sort of romantic comedies, but not Class, that was a teenage coming of age story I guess Pretty in Pink is too).

But maybe that’s just me.

out for me is Ben Affleck. And he's an award winning actor.

It's even worse when he plays a "Boston guy" with an accent.

Nothing worse than the Cambridge guy, who acts like he's from Southie, and sounds so fake trying to have a Boston accent.

In comment 14926005 EricJ said:

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not that he has no business being an actor but that he is highly over-rated. Someone please let me know when he starts acting. Maybe something other than an intimidating character.

Wow...

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but his Oscars came from writing and directing (Good Will Hunting and Argo). He’s a really good director, wish he just did that full time because he has immense talent making movies.

That said I did like the Accountant. It’s his only starring role that felt like it fit, probably because he had very few lines.

My pick for the worst actor to get regular work in major movies is Darryl Hannah.

In comment 14926016 UConn4523 said:

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but his Oscars came from writing and directing (Good Will Hunting and Argo). He’s a really good director, wish he just did that full time because he has immense talent making movies. That said I did like the Accountant. It’s his only starring role that felt like it fit, probably because he had very few lines.

He has won multiple awards for acting, not oscars, but still. Hollywoodland, Pearl Harbor, and been nominated for more.

which isnt really noteworthy for me. Some really bad movies/performances have won golden globes. In any case my point is I wish he made more movies because that’s what he’s really good at.

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Every role he has ever played is basically Stiffler.

Jerry Ferrara - Horrible in Power...I mean terrible. Not that the cast of that show was filled with great actors but he stood out as the worst of the worst.

Hilary Swank - I dont think there ever was a movie with her in it that I finished or didnt throw up a little bit in my mouth after watching. Its no surprise you really dont see her in anything anymore IMO. I cannot believe she won as many awards as she has.

In comment 14926022 UConn4523 said:

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which isnt really noteworthy for me. Some really bad movies/performances have won golden globes. In any case my point is I wish he made more movies because that’s what he’s really good at.

In fairness he's won more "worst actor" awards than best actor (LOL)

You've got to be kidding

In comment 14926032 Greg from LI said:

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You've got to be kidding

Just shows you how ridiculous those awards are...

In comment 14926032 Greg from LI said:

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You've got to be kidding

well, it was a teen choice award, but it counts for something I guess.

I don’t agree “he has no business being an actor”, but I also think he is insanely overrated outside of his work from the 70s.

And Keanu Reeves was a pretty bad actor, but from what I've read an incredible guy in real life so I dont want to be overly harsh.

Every Keanu Reeves character is just Ted from Bill and Ted Excellent Adventure put into a new environment.

The Matrix is just Ted Theodore Logan trying to save the human race from the Machines.

Constantine is just Ted Theodore Logan fighting demons.

Point Break is just Ted Theodor Logan saying "I am an FBI Agent!" Dude.

into old De Niro and prime De Niro.

He definitely lost his fastball as he got older, unlike someone like Clint Eastwood or Gene Hackman who stayed up to their previous high standards.

IMO.

In comment 14926018 Greg from LI said:

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My pick for the worst actor to get regular work in major movies is Darryl Hannah.

Haha great reference! That’s a great store you have there.

He was also perfectly cast as O’Bannion in Dazed and Confused. Right up to the part where he got a milkshake dumped on his head

I'm not the only one to feel that way about Ben Affleck. Always thought he was terrible. His brother Casey is actually way better of an actor than him.

Except for one horrendous scene that I think anyone who has seen it will know which one I'm referring to.

In comment 14926013 pjcas18 said:

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out for me is Ben Affleck. And he's an award winning actor.

he's the bomb in phantoms.

and James Franco. Just not good at their craft at all. Also, James' brother Dave isn't that much better. Props to whomever mentioned Hayden Christensen. He's probably the worst actor ever to grace any big budget motion picture as a lead.

In comment 14926003 BamaBlue said:

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I know she's pretty and has a bubbly personality, but her acting skills are horrible. As far as male actors... Nicholas Cage. How he became a big star is a mystery. He's had a couple of good roles that fit his quirky personality, but overall... nah.

Uncle Francis Ford Coppola sure helps a bit.

He was abysmal in the samurai movie and that one where he tried to kill Hitler.

In contrast, Brad Pitt has really grown on me.

In comment 14926036 Ben in Tampa said:

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I don’t agree “he has no business being an actor”, but I also think he is insanely overrated outside of his work from the 70s.

Yes.. I clearly stated exactly what you said with the exception of mentioning the 70's. We are aligned.

In comment 14926049 Sneakers O'toole said:

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Except for one horrendous scene that I think anyone who has seen it will know which one I'm referring to.

I have not seen that one yet. I will watch with an open mind.

In comment 14926052 RomanWH said:

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and James Franco. Just not good at their craft at all. Also, James' brother Dave isn't that much better. Props to whomever mentioned Hayden Christensen. He's probably the worst actor ever to grace any big budget motion picture as a lead.

agree on Dave Franco. James Franco is hit or miss to be but he was damn good in the Deuce. Regarding Paul Walker, while he was never going to be nominated for an Oscar, he was perfectly acceptable as the good looking leading man in a crisis.

Affleck sucks too. but they aren't really "BIG". To me the worst of the so-called top stars is Cruise. He sucks and always did. I remember seeing a comedian in the '90s who asked the audience who th favorite actor was, all the girls yelled Tom Cruise. The comic asked "which was your favorite role, when he played the arrogant young guy?"

Agree with those who say Awards are a joke.

Also Megan Fox can’t act at all.

Isn't a good actor is the stupidest statment I ever heard, its the roles, not his acting, he probably rather take shit roles then sit at home, age takes a little off everyones fastball.

what caused you to finally snap at 3am this morning and share your feelings on Andrew McCarthy - 30 years after his 80s movies you dislike?

In comment 14926072 PaulN said:

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Isn't a good actor is the stupidest statment I ever heard, its the roles, not his acting, he probably rather take shit roles then sit at home, age takes a little off everyones fastball.

if that is the "stupidest statement" you have ever heard, then you likely have not been alive for very long.

If you think he is a great actor, then that's cool. We all have our opinions.

For any role other than an italian mobster, I will take Sean Penn over DeNiro virtually every time.

doing serious roles. Keanu Reeves does the exact movies he should be doing and he's great at it, IMO. He also makes movies to give away money so he's one of my favorite actors in the business just due to that (I know irrelevant to the thread).

Dave Franco sucks too but he gets roles specific to that so i don't really count him. I'm more thinking starring roles.

Biggest for my is Ryan Reynolds. He lucked into Deadpool since he can be a shitty actor and get away with it, but man is he abysmal. Everything is Van Wilder, which is fine in small doses but i figured he'd try something new after 20 years.

or 20+ years ago? Huge difference. Sean Penn is 59 and isn't as good as he was in his peak (Mystic River through Milk) which is when he was in his 40's. Gangster Squad was awful and the Gunman was worse.

I will throw in Julia Roberts as well. Some big popular movies but ehh.

How is De Niro on this thread?

is Johnny Depp. After the 1st Pirates (which was actually pretty good) he went right off the deepend. Its like he forgot how to do what he did in Donnie Brasco, Blow, even Edward Scissorhands, etc). Its been largely a shitfest for him for almost 2 decades now.

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In comment 14926090 UConn4523 said:

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is Johnny Depp. After the 1st Pirates (which was actually pretty good) he went right off the deepend. Its like he forgot how to do what he did in Donnie Brasco, Blow, even Edward Scissorhands, etc). Its been largely a shitfest for him for almost 2 decades now.

Depp is extremely talented but he's also nuts. Happens to a lot of these guys. (Cage, Cruise, etc.)

hard to answer

For example: De Niro's calling card is intensity...bound up internal intensity. But you can read his inner monologue better than Eastwoods intensity ( although Eastwood got better and better over the years and always was I wiser chooser of roles and teams that worked). He also worked with the remnants of the studio system for a long time and DeNiro worked with NY and European independents

GoodFellas was a 1990 movie. Remember the scene when you just know he just made up his mind to kill Mortie? Cream comes on the soundtrack? "That's how quick a guy can get wacked?" Watch it. Guy acts without moving a muscle...just his eyes change and you know all you need to know with stunning clarity

Ok...that's a terrible actor since the 1970s? Seriously?

Since 1970:

Mean Streets
Bang the Drum Slowly
Godfather Part 2
Raging Bull
Taxi Driver
The Deer Hunter
The Untouchables
Casino
Heat
Bronx Tale
The Irishman

Now if we want to talk about wtf was he doing in a long list of junk that didn't fit...we agree.

Lets look at Reeves: Laughably wooden and automaton ( without Schwarzenegger's comedic flair for automatons). Did ok for what ever reason in Speed. First Matrix fit. Rest of the trilogy couldn't be rescued by any actor and wasn't.

First John Wick what he can do and the film fit. 2 and 3 are cartoons so the actor doesn't matter.

I understand De Niro's problem easier than Reeves. DeNiro gets offered a lot and lives high with several expensive divorces. Reeves makes choices based on people he likes or feels for.

Cage I assume is a flake who does some movies while mentally being on other planets. And is terrible about managing his money.

Some actors I never got the appeal in any movie: Dustin Hoffman, Kirk or Michael Douglas, Kevin Bacon, McCarthy, Anthony Michael Hall, a very long list of Travolta except Pulp Fiction, etc.

Not sure "Clint," "acting," and "high standards" have anything to do with each other. That said, he's one of the extremely few Hollywood actors where it doesn't matter -- the camera loves him and he's absolutely iconic.

I second the Nic Cage motion -- I just do not understand how he's a working actor. He should have stopped after Raising Arizona (which he was actually perfect for). Cannot stand the guy.

Someone I truly want to punch in the face (although he seems to have thankfully disappeared) -- Tobey Maguire. Hate. Hate. Hate. Every time I see him I honestly ask, "How is THAT guy a movie star?"

Julia Roberts good at anything past her first film...Mystic Pizza.

Cameron Diaz is oft in movies which her acting is irritable in some way I cant define

Denise Richards was awful. Ditto Selma Blair and Kristen Stewart.

The actress who plays Maddie Bosch in Bosch is so bad it’s distracting. They made her a key character on the show but she is so awful that I had to stop watching. My wife said “they need to kill her off because she can’t act.”

Kristen Stewart is a bigger name that can’t act. How she keeps landing acting jobs blows my mind. She has absolutely no range.

best movies IMO were before Bill and Ted (2) or Point Break or the Matrix(s) or John Wick(s).

He was great in River's Edge and even Parenthood (in a non-starring role).

His famous line from Parenthood was delivered well and ever relevant: "Buckman, you need a license to buy a dog, or drive a car. Hell, you need a license to catch a fish! But they'll let any butt-reaming asshole be a father."

Once these actors get famous they get paid a lot and like most people probably lose some of what got them there.

To be fair I've enjoyed movies from almost everyone listed on here as "actors that have no business being actors" - even Ben Affleck who I named, but also Cage, Costner, obviously De Niro, Roberts, etc. - not sure I've seen James Franco in anything except the Deuce and I thought he was good in that.

He doesn’t have any range but he’s such a great guy and he works harder than any actor. You should check out his training video for John Wick. IIRC he does all his own stunts in those films. I am biased because I love the guy but I will admit that he is limited.

just cringe worthy horrible.

to me he's not only talented but he's among the most charismatic actors of his generation...going all the way back to Kotter. The guy was born to be a movie star. But, as previously mentioned with other actors, he's also nuts.

She's nice to look at, but couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. Hell, she's so bad in Tarzan, Earl of Greystoke, they dubbed her with Glenn Close, a truly amazing actor.

Four Weddings and a Funeral is a terrific movie. She, however, is just awful in it. Cringe worthy.

has already succeeded in giving me a headache. Thanks, montana!

Dont see that at all.

Hilary Swank - did you watch Boys Don't Cry? I thought she was amazing in that movie.

Mark Ruffalo - You can count on me, I thought he was terrific in.

In comment 14926045 pjcas18 said:

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into old De Niro and prime De Niro. He definitely lost his fastball as he got older, unlike someone like Clint Eastwood or Gene Hackman who stayed up to their previous high standards. IMO.

This. Yes.

that specifies "actors who really aren't ever acting ... this is just them, in a movie."

For me, that's Kevin Costner.

Love some of his movies. Every bit of business "being an actor." I just think that's Kevin Costner.

look it up.

In comment 14926085 UConn4523 said:

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doing serious roles. Keanu Reeves does the exact movies he should be doing and he's great at it, IMO. He also makes movies to give away money so he's one of my favorite actors in the business just due to that (I know irrelevant to the thread). Dave Franco sucks too but he gets roles specific to that so i don't really count him. I'm more thinking starring roles. Biggest for my is Ryan Reynolds. He lucked into Deadpool since he can be a shitty actor and get away with it, but man is he abysmal. Everything is Van Wilder, which is fine in small doses but i figured he'd try something new after 20 years.

So you belittle those who mention Keanu Reeves and other niche actors... but then go after Ryan Reynolds. Ok then!

Didnt realize Speed and Matrix werent "serious roles" - anyway i mentioned above Reeves was a good guy off-screen so didnt want to be overly harsh... but I fail to see how Reynolds today is thought of differently than Reeves was back then.

I mean Adam Sandler is a horrible actor too, but to your point, I'm not going to get on him for the 2-3 serious movies he's done in his career since everyone knows he's more of a comedian. Jennifer Aniston similar deal.

Terrible actress. Sure, attractive if you like the tough girl, brunette sort...her best moments were probably in her days on "General Hospital!"

In comment 14926122 Beezer said:

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that specifies "actors who really aren't ever acting ... this is just them, in a movie." For me, that's Kevin Costner. Love some of his movies. Every bit of business "being an actor." I just think that's Kevin Costner.

There are several actors that are like that. Morgan Freeman, Christopher Walken, Sam Jackson... They haven't "acted" in years. They just show up in movies as themselves.

In comment 14926050 Enzo said:

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In comment 14926013 pjcas18 said: Quote: out for me is Ben Affleck. And he's an award winning actor. he's the bomb in phantoms.

Word bitch, Phantoms like a muhhhfucker

...Robert De Niro, Hillary Swank, Julia Roberts and Marc Ruffalo have no business acting.

Another BBI touchstone thread for sure. Good to know whose opinions to completely ignore going forward.

In comment 14926135 sb from NYT Forum said:

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...Robert De Niro, Hillary Swank, Julia Roberts and Marc Ruffalo have no business acting. Another BBI touchstone thread for sure. Good to know whose opinions to completely ignore going forward.

I just finished I Know This Much is True this weekend, the Ruffalo mention made me laugh out loud.

In comment 14926135 sb from NYT Forum said:

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...Robert De Niro, Hillary Swank, Julia Roberts and Marc Ruffalo have no business acting. Another BBI touchstone thread for sure. Good to know whose opinions to completely ignore going forward.

Yeah, well how many Teen Choice Awards do they have?

more fairly be viewed as two distinct periods?

doesn’t hold a candle to Steve Guttenberg but few actors can.

and sound like Meryl Streep. she is just horrible

is so wooden. And every movie he is in, he seems to play the same character.

In comment 14926143 Mad Mike said:

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more fairly be viewed as two distinct periods?

I think the way to view it is that sometimes he just took a role for the paycheck. It's not really any more complicated than that. There's only so many oscar worthy roles to begin with. Not many actors are going to be like Daniel Day Lewis and take on one project every 4-5 years.

In comment 14926160 Tommer17 said:

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is so wooden. And every movie he is in, he seems to play the same character.

Always liked him in the movie Family Man. But I am not sure I can point to too many other flicks.

Frank Stallone and Don Swayze.

In comment 14926062 EricJ said:

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In comment 14926036 Ben in Tampa said: Quote: I don’t agree “he has no business being an actor”, but I also think he is insanely overrated outside of his work from the 70s. Yes.. I clearly stated exactly what you said with the exception of mentioning the 70's. We are aligned.

I thought Di Nero was excellent in "Heat"

In comment 14926082 Giantsfan79 said:

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what caused you to finally snap at 3am this morning and share your feelings on Andrew McCarthy - 30 years after his 80s movies you dislike?

LOL, it was actually 2 (i'm on Central Time) and I was up waiting on a Zoom call from Europe.

Pretty in Pink happened to be on and it reminded me of how shitty an actor he was

I just think he is overrated and he seems to be the same person in every movie. For instance, his portrayal of characters across the spectrum of DeNiro films all seem similar. I thought the same thing about Pesci until the Irishman in which I thought Pesci was brilliant and a much different character than let's say Lamotta's brother in Raging Bull, or Tommy in Goodfellas, and Nicky in Casino. I also think the same thing about DeNiro in the comedy, he is basically the same guy in the Meet the Parents as he is in Analyze this. This is a long way of saying that what DeNiro does well he does well, but he lacks the range of say a great actor like Christian Bale.

...

In comment 14926115 Chris in Philly said:

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has already succeeded in giving me a headache. Thanks, montana!

LOL....Sorry CiP

In comment 14926135 sb from NYT Forum said:

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...Robert De Niro, Hillary Swank, Julia Roberts and Marc Ruffalo have no business acting. Another BBI touchstone thread for sure. Good to know whose opinions to completely ignore going forward.

^^ another person with a reading comprehension problem

In comment 14926175 Essex said:

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I just think he is overrated and he seems to be the same person in every movie.

That sums up my argument and was exactly my point.

Glad my DeNiro comment has stimulated some discussion.

In comment 14926096 Bill2 said:

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hard to answer For example: De Niro's calling card is intensity...bound up internal intensity. But you can read his inner monologue better than Eastwoods intensity ( although Eastwood got better and better over the years and always was I wiser chooser of roles and teams that worked). He also worked with the remnants of the studio system for a long time and DeNiro worked with NY and European independents GoodFellas was a 1990 movie. Remember the scene when you just know he just made up his mind to kill Mortie? Cream comes on the soundtrack? "That's how quick a guy can get wacked?" Watch it. Guy acts without moving a muscle...just his eyes change and you know all you need to know with stunning clarity Ok...that's a terrible actor since the 1970s? Seriously? Since 1970: Mean Streets Bang the Drum Slowly Godfather Part 2 Raging Bull Taxi Driver The Deer Hunter The Untouchables Casino Heat Bronx Tale The Irishman Now if we want to talk about wtf was he doing in a long list of junk that didn't fit...we agree. Lets look at Reeves: Laughably wooden and automaton ( without Schwarzenegger's comedic flair for automatons). Did ok for what ever reason in Speed. First Matrix fit. Rest of the trilogy couldn't be rescued by any actor and wasn't. First John Wick what he can do and the film fit. 2 and 3 are cartoons so the actor doesn't matter. I understand De Niro's problem easier than Reeves. DeNiro gets offered a lot and lives high with several expensive divorces. Reeves makes choices based on people he likes or feels for. Cage I assume is a flake who does some movies while mentally being on other planets. And is terrible about managing his money. Some actors I never got the appeal in any movie: Dustin Hoffman, Kirk or Michael Douglas, Kevin Bacon, McCarthy, Anthony Michael Hall, a very long list of Travolta except Pulp Fiction, etc.

Cape Fear was a good one too

In comment 14926107 rmc3981 said:

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just cringe worthy horrible.

Lol, his character (Detective Fanning) in Collateral annoyed the crap out of me.

Nicolas Cage lives just outside Rochester, NY now. My brother saw him moving pumpkins around his yard when he was driving by last Halloween. I asked him if he was screaming at the pumpkins lol.

If you want to see something funny, watch Andy Samberg impersonate him on SNL, especially the one where Cage is on the show with him.

In comment 14926196 EricJ said:

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In comment 14926175 Essex said: Quote: I just think he is overrated and he seems to be the same person in every movie. That sums up my argument and was exactly my point. Glad my DeNiro comment has stimulated some discussion.

I’m a big fan of DeNiro but agree many of his characters are the same. However, Cape Fear and This Boy’s Life were bad guys, but interesting characters. Not gangster types.

But in his later years he started accepting roles in some really bad movies, and mailing in some performances. I don't know if he just needed the money or what. Pretending he was never great is absurd.

Nic Cage can be great with the right roles. Since he spends immense sums of money on ludicrous things, he takes virtually anything he's offered. That's how the guy who was so good in Leaving Las Vegas, Matchstick Men, Adaptation, and others ends up in a parade of horrendous dreck like The Wicker Man, Knowing, Left Behind, Ghost Rider, Bangkok Dangerous, and so on and so on.

Quite a few of these people named here aren't terrible. They just don't have a lot of range, and when they stray from what they do well they struggle.

WTF happened to his career? He has been in some garbage lately.

In comment 14926221 Knineteen said:

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WTF happened to his career? He has been in some garbage lately.

Battlefield Earth happened. He hasn’t been the same since. I watched about 10 minutes of that Gotti movie and thought I was watching a comedy.

In comment 14926221 Knineteen said:

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WTF happened to his career? He has been in some garbage lately.

I thought he was pretty good as Shapiro in the OJ mini-series. In fact, that whole show was really good.

For the win.

...is the one name that is a strike against any film he's in. Probably a personality preference, he irritates the shit out of me. I think he's awful, ingenuine.

I'm a Nick Cage fan, for all the heat he gets. Yeah, he takes ANY role, many clunkers, but he's killed in some of my favorites too. LOVED him in Raising Arizona, Family Man, Wild at Heart.

In comment 14926235 x meadowlander said:

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...is the one name that is a strike against any film he's in. Probably a personality preference, he irritates the shit out of me. I think he's awful, ingenuine. I'm a Nick Cage fan, for all the heat he gets. Yeah, he takes ANY role, many clunkers, but he's killed in some of my favorites too. LOVED him in Raising Arizona, Family Man, Wild at Heart.

I used to hate Mark Wahlberg, but ever since I watched Instant Family on a plane, I've become a fan. I'm enjoying his exasperated parenting movies, Daddy's Home, etc.

In comment 14926221 Knineteen said:

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WTF happened to his career? He has been in some garbage lately.

I went to the same high school that Travolta went to (although he never ultimately graduated). His name was carved into my chair in one of my classes. It was funny that the chair was there for that long.

In comment 14926219 Greg from LI said:

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But in his later years he started accepting roles in some really bad movies, and mailing in some performances. I don't know if he just needed the money or what. Pretending he was never great is absurd. Nic Cage can be great with the right roles. Since he spends immense sums of money on ludicrous things, he takes virtually anything he's offered. That's how the guy who was so good in Leaving Las Vegas, Matchstick Men, Adaptation, and others ends up in a parade of horrendous dreck like The Wicker Man, Knowing, Left Behind, Ghost Rider, Bangkok Dangerous, and so on and so on. Quite a few of these people named here aren't terrible. They just don't have a lot of range, and when they stray from what they do well they struggle.

Depends on the audience too for Cage. My kids love the National Treasure movies.

I liked Raising Arizona. And who doesn't like Con Air? It's like Road House but on a plane with convicts.

But when he's bad, man he's bad. Some people say it's the script, or the role, or whatever, sure it probably is, but most fans it's part and parcel on the actor.

I think the key here for me (again) is with almost everyone mentioned in the thread I have found at least some of their work entertaining.

In comment 14926135 sb from NYT Forum said:

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...Robert De Niro, Hillary Swank, Julia Roberts and Marc Ruffalo have no business acting. Another BBI touchstone thread for sure. Good to know whose opinions to completely ignore going forward.

Yep, some people are idiots 🤷‍♂️

Other than his putrid acting, there's just something about him that grates on me.

And what about Billy Zane? No hate for him? I thought I could count on you guys.

In comment 14926246 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 14926219 Greg from LI said: Quote: But in his later years he started accepting roles in some really bad movies, and mailing in some performances. I don't know if he just needed the money or what. Pretending he was never great is absurd. Nic Cage can be great with the right roles. Since he spends immense sums of money on ludicrous things, he takes virtually anything he's offered. That's how the guy who was so good in Leaving Las Vegas, Matchstick Men, Adaptation, and others ends up in a parade of horrendous dreck like The Wicker Man, Knowing, Left Behind, Ghost Rider, Bangkok Dangerous, and so on and so on. Quite a few of these people named here aren't terrible. They just don't have a lot of range, and when they stray from what they do well they struggle. Depends on the audience too for Cage. My kids love the National Treasure movies. I liked Raising Arizona. And who doesn't like Con Air? It's like Road House but on a plane with convicts. But when he's bad, man he's bad. Some people say it's the script, or the role, or whatever, sure it probably is, but most fans it's part and parcel on the actor. I think the key here for me (again) is with almost everyone mentioned in the thread I have found at least some of their work entertaining.

I liked Cage in Leaving Las Vegas.

I don't know how to judge acting. If I like a movie than I like the actor. For example, I have no idea if William Hurt is a good actor but I have liked some movies he has been in so I like the actor. Although when I think about Hurt, he seems to act the same in every movie.

In comment 14926012 BillT said:

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But maybe that’s just me.

Looks and charisma, mildly funny.

In comment 14926253 SomeFan said:

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In comment 14926246 pjcas18 said: Quote: In comment 14926219 Greg from LI said: Quote: But in his later years he started accepting roles in some really bad movies, and mailing in some performances. I don't know if he just needed the money or what. Pretending he was never great is absurd. Nic Cage can be great with the right roles. Since he spends immense sums of money on ludicrous things, he takes virtually anything he's offered. That's how the guy who was so good in Leaving Las Vegas, Matchstick Men, Adaptation, and others ends up in a parade of horrendous dreck like The Wicker Man, Knowing, Left Behind, Ghost Rider, Bangkok Dangerous, and so on and so on. Quite a few of these people named here aren't terrible. They just don't have a lot of range, and when they stray from what they do well they struggle. Depends on the audience too for Cage. My kids love the National Treasure movies. I liked Raising Arizona. And who doesn't like Con Air? It's like Road House but on a plane with convicts. But when he's bad, man he's bad. Some people say it's the script, or the role, or whatever, sure it probably is, but most fans it's part and parcel on the actor. I think the key here for me (again) is with almost everyone mentioned in the thread I have found at least some of their work entertaining. I liked Cage in Leaving Las Vegas. I don't know how to judge acting. If I like a movie than I like the actor. For example, I have no idea if William Hurt is a good actor but I have liked some movies he has been in so I like the actor. Although when I think about Hurt, he seems to act the same in every movie.

And I say I liked Cage in Leaving Las Vegas because I liked the movie. It easily could have been Russel Crowe, etc. and I would probably have liked it the same.

In comment 14926255 allstarjim said:

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In comment 14926012 BillT said: Quote: But maybe that’s just me. Looks and charisma, mildly funny.

Looks I get wrt Luke, but Owen?

I've seen Cigar Store Indians that can out act him, and are less wooden.

Having practiced Martial Arts under really great masters, Reeves also absolutely stinks in fighting scenes. I don't give a rat's ass what and who he is off the screen, I will never pay to see Keanu Reeves act and inevitably change the channel before finishing anything he's done that's televised since the first Matrix.

I guess he's a better actor than Steven Segal (not mentioned yet? How did he slip through the cracks?), but Segal is a much better martial artist, or actor playing a martial artist...

And DeNiro stinks? Personally I love his comedy work, or at least a good bit of it. His biggest problem might just be the absolutely outstanding actors he's been cast with at times, especially Al Pacino and Harvey Kietel.

I never understood how, after Taxi Driver, DeNiro's career took off and Kietel's just strode along.

some people go back and re-watch Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, and Awakenings.

as soon as you mentioned martial arts I thought to myself "man, I should have mentioned Van Damme" - watched Bloodsport while working out last week, incredibly corny... but Segal works too!

In comment 14926128 MetsAreBack said:

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In comment 14926085 UConn4523 said: Quote: doing serious roles. Keanu Reeves does the exact movies he should be doing and he's great at it, IMO. He also makes movies to give away money so he's one of my favorite actors in the business just due to that (I know irrelevant to the thread). Dave Franco sucks too but he gets roles specific to that so i don't really count him. I'm more thinking starring roles. Biggest for my is Ryan Reynolds. He lucked into Deadpool since he can be a shitty actor and get away with it, but man is he abysmal. Everything is Van Wilder, which is fine in small doses but i figured he'd try something new after 20 years. So you belittle those who mention Keanu Reeves and other niche actors... but then go after Ryan Reynolds. Ok then! Didnt realize Speed and Matrix werent "serious roles" - anyway i mentioned above Reeves was a good guy off-screen so didnt want to be overly harsh... but I fail to see how Reynolds today is thought of differently than Reeves was back then. I mean Adam Sandler is a horrible actor too, but to your point, I'm not going to get on him for the 2-3 serious movies he's done in his career since everyone knows he's more of a comedian. Jennifer Aniston similar deal.

I'm belittling? Haha, alrighty.

My point was that Keanu Reeves isn't doing serious movies, hes playing roles that fit him and he does them well - and as far as the acting goes he does a lot of his owns stunts. No, I don't categorize Speed as serious, not at all. And the Matrix wasn't a drama either.

I guess you can say the same for Ryan Reynolds (are you a relative of his?) but he's always been unfunny so I guess for me its magnified. I think he sucks including the roles where him sucking is supposed to be passable. "Waiting" i enjoyed but he was the weak link in it, IMO.

Sandler has some acting chops, IMO. If he does another serious movie like Uncut Gems he may be able to open up that part of his resume more.

worst actor ever, too.

But at least he looks and moves like a martial artist, as noted.

it's an action thriller and I believe was highly successful - critically and commercially. Are only dramas serious?

What is your definition of a serious movie?

That guy annoys the crap out of me.

In comment 14926000 Bill L said:

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.

and the better the child actor is, the weirder that kid is in real life.

In comment 14926269 UConn4523 said:

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In comment 14926128 MetsAreBack said: Quote: In comment 14926085 UConn4523 said: Quote: doing serious roles. Keanu Reeves does the exact movies he should be doing and he's great at it, IMO. He also makes movies to give away money so he's one of my favorite actors in the business just due to that (I know irrelevant to the thread). Dave Franco sucks too but he gets roles specific to that so i don't really count him. I'm more thinking starring roles. Biggest for my is Ryan Reynolds. He lucked into Deadpool since he can be a shitty actor and get away with it, but man is he abysmal. Everything is Van Wilder, which is fine in small doses but i figured he'd try something new after 20 years. So you belittle those who mention Keanu Reeves and other niche actors... but then go after Ryan Reynolds. Ok then! Didnt realize Speed and Matrix werent "serious roles" - anyway i mentioned above Reeves was a good guy off-screen so didnt want to be overly harsh... but I fail to see how Reynolds today is thought of differently than Reeves was back then. I mean Adam Sandler is a horrible actor too, but to your point, I'm not going to get on him for the 2-3 serious movies he's done in his career since everyone knows he's more of a comedian. Jennifer Aniston similar deal. I'm belittling? Haha, alrighty. My point was that Keanu Reeves isn't doing serious movies, hes playing roles that fit him and he does them well - and as far as the acting goes he does a lot of his owns stunts. No, I don't categorize Speed as serious, not at all. And the Matrix wasn't a drama either. I guess you can say the same for Ryan Reynolds (are you a relative of his?) but he's always been unfunny so I guess for me its magnified. I think he sucks including the roles where him sucking is supposed to be passable. "Waiting" i enjoyed but he was the weak link in it, IMO. Sandler has some acting chops, IMO. If he does another serious movie like Uncut Gems he may be able to open up that part of his resume more.

I hated Uncut Gems. Not sure where the hype came from. However, I really enjoyed his movie on post-9/11. I forgot the name of it. That was a drama and worked.

In comment 14926281 eric2425ny said:

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That guy annoys the crap out of me.

Yes, but I just watched Holes with my son. I enjoy that movie.

In comment 14926283 robbieballs2003 said:

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In comment 14926269 UConn4523 said: Quote: In comment 14926128 MetsAreBack said: Quote: In comment 14926085 UConn4523 said: Quote: doing serious roles. Keanu Reeves does the exact movies he should be doing and he's great at it, IMO. He also makes movies to give away money so he's one of my favorite actors in the business just due to that (I know irrelevant to the thread). Dave Franco sucks too but he gets roles specific to that so i don't really count him. I'm more thinking starring roles. Biggest for my is Ryan Reynolds. He lucked into Deadpool since he can be a shitty actor and get away with it, but man is he abysmal. Everything is Van Wilder, which is fine in small doses but i figured he'd try something new after 20 years. So you belittle those who mention Keanu Reeves and other niche actors... but then go after Ryan Reynolds. Ok then! Didnt realize Speed and Matrix werent "serious roles" - anyway i mentioned above Reeves was a good guy off-screen so didnt want to be overly harsh... but I fail to see how Reynolds today is thought of differently than Reeves was back then. I mean Adam Sandler is a horrible actor too, but to your point, I'm not going to get on him for the 2-3 serious movies he's done in his career since everyone knows he's more of a comedian. Jennifer Aniston similar deal. I'm belittling? Haha, alrighty. My point was that Keanu Reeves isn't doing serious movies, hes playing roles that fit him and he does them well - and as far as the acting goes he does a lot of his owns stunts. No, I don't categorize Speed as serious, not at all. And the Matrix wasn't a drama either. I guess you can say the same for Ryan Reynolds (are you a relative of his?) but he's always been unfunny so I guess for me its magnified. I think he sucks including the roles where him sucking is supposed to be passable. "Waiting" i enjoyed but he was the weak link in it, IMO. Sandler has some acting chops, IMO. If he does another serious movie like Uncut Gems he may be able to open up that part of his resume more. I hated Uncut Gems. Not sure where the hype came from. However, I really enjoyed his movie on post-9/11. I forgot the name of it. That was a drama and worked.

Just remembered it was Reign Over Me.

In comment 14926277 pjcas18 said:

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it's an action thriller and I believe was highly successful - critically and commercially. Are only dramas serious? What is your definition of a serious movie?

I don't have a specific definition but when I think of Speed, "serious" isn't exactly at the top of the list. It was a summer action blockbuster. No different than Armageddon in how I'd classify it - Action/Adventure.

Was Top Gun serious?

Speed:

Not sure what you mean by a serious movie if this isn't serious, is it just the English Patient?

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Critical response Speed received positive reviews and has a "certified fresh" score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 65 reviews, with an average rating of 7.92/10. The critical consensus reads: "A terrific popcorn thriller, Speed is taut, tense, and energetic, with outstanding performances from Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, and Sandra Bullock."[19] The film also has a score of 78 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 17 critics indicating "Generally favorable reviews."[20] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.[21] Roger Ebert gave the film four out of four stars and wrote, "Films like Speed belong to the genre I call Bruised Forearm Movies, because you're always grabbing the arm of the person sitting next to you. Done wrong, they seem like tired replays of old chase cliches. Done well, they're fun. Done as well as Speed, they generate a kind of manic exhilaration".[22] In his review for Rolling Stone magazine, Peter Travers wrote, "Action flicks are usually written off as a debased genre, unless, of course, they work. And Speed works like a charm. It's a reminder of how much movie escapism can still stir us when it's dished out with this kind of dazzle".[23] In her review for The New York Times, Janet Maslin wrote, "Mr. Hopper finds nice new ways to convey crazy menace with each new role. Certainly he's the most colorful figure in a film that wastes no time on character development or personality".[24] Entertainment Weekly gave the film an "A" rating and Owen Gleiberman wrote, "It's a pleasure to be in the hands of an action filmmaker who respects the audience. De Bont's craftsmanship is so supple that even the triple ending feels justified, like the cataclysmic final stage of a Sega death match".[25] Time magazine's Richard Schickel wrote, "The movie has two virtues essential to good pop thrillers. First, it plugs uncomplicatedly into lurking anxieties—in this case the ones we brush aside when we daily surrender ourselves to mass transit in a world where the loonies are everywhere".[26] Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino named the film one of the twenty best films he had seen from 1992 to 2009.[27][28] Entertainment Weekly magazine's Owen Gleiberman ranked Speed as 1994's eighth best film.[29] The magazine also ranked the film eighth on their "The Best Rock-'em, Sock-'em Movies of the Past 25 Years" list.[30] Speed also ranks 451 on Empire magazine's 2008 list of "The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time".[31] Mark Kermode of the BBC recalled having named Speed his film of the month working at Radio 1 at the time of release, and stated in 2017, having re-watched the film for the first time in many years, that it had stood the test of time and was a masterpiece.[32] ...

on a Scale of 1-10 with 10 being "serious" I'd go:

10 - There will be blood
5 - Speed, only serious because its got some suspense to it, but I chalk that up to any action movie for the most part
1 - Happy Gilmore

Don't know what to tell you man, Speed to me isn't a serious movie.

In comment 14926288 UConn4523 said:

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In comment 14926277 pjcas18 said: Quote: it's an action thriller and I believe was highly successful - critically and commercially. Are only dramas serious? What is your definition of a serious movie? I don't have a specific definition but when I think of Speed, "serious" isn't exactly at the top of the list. It was a summer action blockbuster. No different than Armageddon in how I'd classify it - Action/Adventure. Was Top Gun serious?

I'm not sure I understand the adjective the way you are using it.

It sounds like the only serious movie to you is a drama.

And I'm not defending Keanu Reeves (though I do like him - like others have said -as much as philanthropist/good dude (by reputation) as an actor) but I want to understand what you mean by a film or role being serious.

Seriously? It was fun, but as insulting to the intelligence as any bad action flick ever.

The 'jump' was ridiculous. AND SHE KEPT IT OVER 55??!!! YEAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

why does it matter? I don't think its a serious movie. Ronin, one of my favorite movies in that genre is no different. Its a more sophisticated action movie and has some of the best chase scenes in movie history but I still don't think of "serious" whenever I watch it or talk about it.

Sure, its more of a drama classification for me. Doesn't matter either way though, categorize it however you want.

In comment 14926294 x meadowlander said:

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Seriously? It was fun, but as insulting to the intelligence as any bad action flick ever. The 'jump' was ridiculous. AND SHE KEPT IT OVER 55??!!! YEAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

I saw it on vacation one night in Disney when I was 9 years old. Loved it for what it was and I'll watch it today. But its still corny and the action is solid. That's about it. Dennis Hopper yelling into the phone with his clawhand is more comical than serious, IMO.

In comment 14926294 x meadowlander said:

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Seriously? It was fun, but as insulting to the intelligence as any bad action flick ever. The 'jump' was ridiculous. AND SHE KEPT IT OVER 55??!!! YEAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

Hahaha. And where was the ramp that made the bus go up in the air instead of head first into the ground?

Still, I'd have to agree it was serious movie. Doesn't mean it wasn't silly or funny at points.

VX poison gas ready to destroy San Francisco = serious. Stanley Goodsby and John Mason are a fearsome duo tasked with taking down highly decorated Desert Storm hero Brigadier General Hummell (the great Ed Harris). I laughed typing that - its generally a super corny movie that I love. One of the only Michael Bay movies worth watching.

Most action/thriller movie plots are "serious", isn't that the whole point? Going up against great odds to take down the bad guys.

In comment 14926303 UConn4523 said:

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VX poison gas ready to destroy San Francisco = serious. Stanley Goodsby and John Mason are a fearsome duo tasked with taking down highly decorated Desert Storm hero Brigadier General Hummell (the great Ed Harris). I laughed typing that - its generally a super corny movie that I love. One of the only Michael Bay movies worth watching. Most action/thriller movie plots are "serious", isn't that the whole point? Going up against great odds to take down the bad guys.

Was Die Hard serious? What is realistic about that? It's one of my favorite movies, and I believe it's a serious movie.

I watched a man tie a fire hose loosely around his waist and jump off a high rise building and kick a window a couple times with his feet and then pull his gun out and shoot holes in the window so he could get through it and then just as the weight of the fire hose wheel was about to pull him out to his death he was able to free himself from the hose.

No, most action/thriller movies are not really believable from a plot detail standpoint, but they're entertaining.

Travolta
Cage
Keanu Reeves

In comment 14926005 EricJ said:

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not that he has no business being an actor but that he is highly over-rated. Someone please let me know when he starts acting. Maybe something other than an intimidating character.

Awakenings,right off the top of my head. But, that was a LONG time ago

then tune into a documentary. The majority of movies are pure fiction..

Pulp Fiction, Blow Out, Get Shorty, A Civil Action. Face/Off was a stupid movie, but it was fun and Travolta was good in it.

In comment 14926284 robbieballs2003 said:

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In comment 14926281 eric2425ny said: Quote: That guy annoys the crap out of me. Yes, but I just watched Holes with my son. I enjoy that movie.

Peanut Butter Falcon was one of the best movies last year too

In comment 14926319 FatMan in Charlotte said:

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In comment 14926284 robbieballs2003 said: Quote: In comment 14926281 eric2425ny said: Quote: That guy annoys the crap out of me. Yes, but I just watched Holes with my son. I enjoy that movie. Peanut Butter Falcon was one of the best movies last year too

Didn't see it but saw something about it. I'll check it out.

In comment 14926003 BamaBlue said:

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I know she's pretty and has a bubbly personality, but her acting skills are horrible. As far as male actors... Nicholas Cage. How he became a big star is a mystery. He's had a couple of good roles that fit his quirky personality, but overall... nah.

Late to this party and not willing to read the whole whole thread so apologies if someone pointed this out but he was related to FrancIs Ford Coppola.

Will Smith’s kid is another case of REALLY bad nepotism.

In comment 14926284 robbieballs2003 said:

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In comment 14926281 eric2425ny said: Quote: That guy annoys the crap out of me. Yes, but I just watched Holes with my son. I enjoy that movie.

That was a decent movie. He is definitely a better actor than one of his co-stars in that, Rick Fox lol.

just a little nuts and that effects how he's portrayed.

Done some decent movies (Disturbia is a fairly underrated one, Fury was very good). He's also a pompous jackass, but that's hardly unusual in an actor. Sean Penn is a terrific actor, and I can't think of anything positive to say about him other than that.

Penn great actor GREAT humanitarian. Wow Greg

a semi-autobiographical film that he wrote.

In comment 14926112 MadPlaid said:

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She's nice to look at, but couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. Hell, she's so bad in Tarzan, Earl of Greystoke, they dubbed her with Glenn Close, a truly amazing actor. Four Weddings and a Funeral is a terrific movie. She, however, is just awful in it. Cringe worthy.

I don't find her nice to look at and find her acting all dull. One of my least favorite actresses. Another I put in this category is Laura Dern.

"actors you dont like" with "actors who are bad at acting". Shia LeBeouf is a good example. Has a knack for looking bad in public. Plagiarism, drunkin belligerence, tough guy bullshit, political nonsense. But you cant watch Fury, Lawless, Honey Boy, or several other movies and say "thats an objectively bad actor".

to which I agreed.

Kristen Stewart, Dane Cook, Reeves (but love him as a person and have enjoyed him in stuff), Ben Afflek, both Franco brothers, Darryl Hannah was a good choice (but how much work has she done in the last 20 years?), Andie McDowell, Patruck Swayze

In comment 14926359 robbieballs2003 said:

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to which I agreed.

Sure, I get that. He's a bit of a screwball. The guy rented a theater to show a marathon of his own movies, then livestreamed himself watching said movies. Unless its a brilliant troll job its Martin Shkreli-level jackassery, which is comparable to Jeff Bezos-level wealth.

But I like a lot of his movies lol. Fury is the latest cable channel-stopper, which I mean as high praise.

In comment 14926283 robbieballs2003 said:

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In comment 14926269 UConn4523 said: Quote: In comment 14926128 MetsAreBack said: Quote: In comment 14926085 UConn4523 said: Quote: doing serious roles. Keanu Reeves does the exact movies he should be doing and he's great at it, IMO. He also makes movies to give away money so he's one of my favorite actors in the business just due to that (I know irrelevant to the thread). Dave Franco sucks too but he gets roles specific to that so i don't really count him. I'm more thinking starring roles. Biggest for my is Ryan Reynolds. He lucked into Deadpool since he can be a shitty actor and get away with it, but man is he abysmal. Everything is Van Wilder, which is fine in small doses but i figured he'd try something new after 20 years. So you belittle those who mention Keanu Reeves and other niche actors... but then go after Ryan Reynolds. Ok then! Didnt realize Speed and Matrix werent "serious roles" - anyway i mentioned above Reeves was a good guy off-screen so didnt want to be overly harsh... but I fail to see how Reynolds today is thought of differently than Reeves was back then. I mean Adam Sandler is a horrible actor too, but to your point, I'm not going to get on him for the 2-3 serious movies he's done in his career since everyone knows he's more of a comedian. Jennifer Aniston similar deal. I'm belittling? Haha, alrighty. My point was that Keanu Reeves isn't doing serious movies, hes playing roles that fit him and he does them well - and as far as the acting goes he does a lot of his owns stunts. No, I don't categorize Speed as serious, not at all. And the Matrix wasn't a drama either. I guess you can say the same for Ryan Reynolds (are you a relative of his?) but he's always been unfunny so I guess for me its magnified. I think he sucks including the roles where him sucking is supposed to be passable. "Waiting" i enjoyed but he was the weak link in it, IMO. Sandler has some acting chops, IMO. If he does another serious movie like Uncut Gems he may be able to open up that part of his resume more. I hated Uncut Gems. Not sure where the hype came from. However, I really enjoyed his movie on post-9/11. I forgot the name of it. That was a drama and worked.

Hated Uncut Gems also.

business in comedic roles.

He (and Pacino) sometimes have gotten a bit comfortable and less nuanced in some dramatic roles as they aged, but I’m surprised that others don’t see how talented they both are.

was fine in the Meet the Parents, but by the time Little Fockers came around (10 years later) he seemed to be overacting and a caricature of himself.

Even some glimpes of that in Meet the Fockers, but that movie was such a shit show after the original it was hardly noticeable.

Also, while Midnight Run may not be a comedy, there was some pretty hilarious scenes.

De Niro is obviously one of the best actors of this generation, but he seems to be struggling in his later years IMO - but I do think he had the chops to pull off comedy - even though he excelled as a mobster/tough guy/villain.

I won't go as far to say as he doesn't belong as an actor, but he is pretty much the same, stoic hero chacater in all of his serious roles.

in the Joker.

DeNiro can't carry a movie anymore, but he can do well for 10/15 minutes.

he can't pull either of those off anymore but that was 20 years ago when he was out of his peak acting but still really good.

Casino + Heat was his last great year and that was 1995 He's had other good movies since then but nothing like that.

In comment 14926381 widmerseyebrow said:

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I won't go as far to say as he doesn't belong as an actor, but he is pretty much the same, stoic hero chacater in all of his serious roles.

I think the best summary of Pitt's acting skills was: he's an awesome supporting/character actor stuck in the body of a leading actor.

For a long time, him and Leonardo DiCarprio made some great movies.

I don't think it gets better than Daniel Day Lewis.

...except for his "glove doesn't fit" performance... that should have won him an Oscar for sure. Maybe the best and most important performance of our generation.

But in that vein I really enjoy his supporting roles work. I thought he was perfect in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". As was DiCaprio, who I think is an outstanding Leading Man. Him in "The Departed" is one of my favorite acting performances I've ever seen.

He's a terrible actor.

In comment 14926416 Route 9 said:

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He's a terrible actor.

Mixed bag with Smith for me. Too much overacting in Independence Day, Hitch, Men in Black. But some really good performances in The Pursuit of Happyness, Ali, and that end of the world one that I can’t remember the name of right now.

In comment 14926424 eric2425ny said:

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In comment 14926416 Route 9 said: Quote: He's a terrible actor. Mixed bag with Smith for me. Too much overacting in Independence Day, Hitch, Men in Black. But some really good performances in The Pursuit of Happyness, Ali, and that end of the world one that I can’t remember the name of right now.

I am Legend

thanks Robbie

but I always felt like Will Smith should have played Alex Cross in the James Patterson Alex Cross stories (Along Came a Spider, Kiss the Girls, and Alex Cross).

Morgan Freeman played him in a couple of them. Tyler Perry in the latest. Neither really impressively IMO (compared to the books).

I read those books since the beginning, and in my head I envisioned Cross as Will Smith. Freeman was way too old. Almost as bad casting as Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher.

Ray Liotta.

.

is cringe...almost every role.

Demi Moore, ugh.

I totally disagree with people mentioning DeNiro, Hoffman, etc. You can quibble but they are historically great actors.

In comment 14926400 robbieballs2003 said:

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I don't think it gets better than Daniel Day Lewis.

An excellent choice, but for me the absolute apex is Meryl Streep. I remember as a kid in the 80s she had a string of movies each year, each with a completely different look, accent, etc. She truly becomes a different person with each role. I also admire for attempts at genres like comedy and musicals, when those aren't her forte. I think she can play any role and do it better than anyone else. She is truly a marvel. I think she actually is roobed of accolades because she has been nominated so many times that she gets passed over for the actual award. She really should have more than a handful of Oscars, instead of the 3 she has.

He is another one who can just play so many different roles.

I will add that including Deniro on this list is just ridiculous. He has done some real shit in his latter years and he will admit as much. But, this guy is an iconic actor and has such a long resume of fantastic performances.

Smith just can’t act all that well and he can’t shake how he acted on Fresh Prince. I enjoy some of his movies for what they are but it usually isn’t because of good acting.

Ray Liotta I can’t stand. Nails on a chalk board voice and he really rode the Goodfellas train until the bitter end (shitty Chantix commercials). He wasn’t even good in Goodfellas which is also funny - completely carried by the rest of the cast.

Costner - he is not a great actor, but also not terrible. He has played some roles and been in some movies I just really enjoy to go along with some forgettable ones. But, I find myself liking him more often than not.

Cruise - another guy I end up enjoying more often than not. Yes, he has played the same type of guy a lot and yes, him as Jack Reacher is perhaps the worst job of movie casting in the history of cinema. But, he was great in a bunch of good to very good movies.

Will Smith - I agree with one of the last posts about him. I go hot and cold with him. I find myself really split and I do find I feel him overacting (both comedy and drama) a lot. But, he also has a charm that draws you in.

I don't think he was mentioned, but Ashton Kutcher belongs on this list. He is very often just painful to watch.,

In comment 14926458 Matt M. said:

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Costner - he is not a great actor, but also not terrible. He has played some roles and been in some movies I just really enjoy to go along with some forgettable ones. But, I find myself liking him more often than not. Cruise - another guy I end up enjoying more often than not. Yes, he has played the same type of guy a lot and yes, him as Jack Reacher is perhaps the worst job of movie casting in the history of cinema. But, he was great in a bunch of good to very good movies. Will Smith - I agree with one of the last posts about him. I go hot and cold with him. I find myself really split and I do find I feel him overacting (both comedy and drama) a lot. But, he also has a charm that draws you in. I don't think he was mentioned, but Ashton Kutcher belongs on this list. He is very often just painful to watch.,

Cruise put on a hell of a performance in Born on the Fourth of July. That would have won an Oscar pretty much any year. But if I remember correctly he was matched up against Daniel Day Lewis for My Left Foot. Being matched up against Daniel Day Lewis doesn’t work out well when it comes to awards lol.

In comment 14926457 UConn4523 said:

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Smith just can’t act all that well and he can’t shake how he acted on Fresh Prince. I enjoy some of his movies for what they are but it usually isn’t because of good acting. Ray Liotta I can’t stand. Nails on a chalk board voice and he really rode the Goodfellas train until the bitter end (shitty Chantix commercials). He wasn’t even good in Goodfellas which is also funny - completely carried by the rest of the cast.

I actually liked Liotta a lot in Goodfellas, he seemed to fit the role well to me. But he didn’t do much of anything outside of that movie.

In comment 14926350 XBRONX said:

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Penn great actor GREAT humanitarian. Wow Greg

GREAT humanitarian!

Self=proclaimed martial artist and truly made some horrible movies.
"Anyone seen Bobby Lupo?"
"Come, and come, and get some"

ALso he falsely claimed he was an Ex-Navy Seal and has had numerous complaints of Sexual Harassment against him.

In comment 14926472 montanagiant said:

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Self=proclaimed martial artist and truly made some horrible movies. "Anyone seen Bobby Lupo?" "Come, and come, and get some" ALso he falsely claimed he was an Ex-Navy Seal and has had numerous complaints of Sexual Harassment against him.

Plus he's such an egomaniac he rarely if ever let his characters get hit by the bad guy. It was always a totally one sided fight like an adult taking on a 3 year old

In comment 14926381 widmerseyebrow said:

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I won't go as far to say as he doesn't belong as an actor, but he is pretty much the same, stoic hero chacater in all of his serious roles.

I liked him in Fury.

Playing the stoic hero character.

lol

She owes about $200 Million to her smile. I don't think she's a bad actress and she's had some good roles, but I've always felt like her "best trait" was just that she had a nice smile. I know looks obviously matter when in comes to every actor, but I'm talking just specifically her smile.

Al Pacino is another example of a good actor who at some point, just mailed it in. For years now he just shows up on movie sets and yells, "Scent of a Woman" style all over the place. Once again, not saying he's a bad actor, but lately he's on autopilot. That includes his Hoffa in The Irishman.

FWIW, regarding Costner, I thought he was great as Jonathan Kent in Man of Steel.

Lastly, no thread involving Nic Cage's acting is complete without a viewing of the YouTube classic, "Nic Cage Losing His Shit."
A true thespian. - ( New Window )

Aldo Raine was stoic? David Mills was stoic?

I'll cop to being a big Brad Pitt fan, but I have no idea what you're talking about.

as Greg mentioned he’s had a pretty diverse catalog, many of which are great performances. He’s actually getting better with age too, will be interesting to see what roles he takes over the next few years. He was fantastic in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

In comment 14926507 Greg from LI said:

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Aldo Raine was stoic? David Mills was stoic? I'll cop to being a big Brad Pitt fan, but I have no idea what you're talking about.

Was thinking the same thing and would add Killing Them Softly to the list. I recently saw Ad Astra and really loved it, Id put that near the top of his list. That was an understated/stoic performance but thats far from all he does.

Guess you missed Hurricane Katrina. You sound like a big fan of Brownie. You are so ignorant.

In comment 14926507 Greg from LI said:

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Aldo Raine was stoic? David Mills was stoic? I'll cop to being a big Brad Pitt fan, but I have no idea what you're talking about.

Don't forget Rusty Ryan from Ocean's 11 series.

Certainly not Tristan from Legends of the Fall.

Billy Beane?

no idea what he's talking about either.

In comment 14926483 jnoble said:

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In comment 14926472 montanagiant said: Quote: Self=proclaimed martial artist and truly made some horrible movies. "Anyone seen Bobby Lupo?" "Come, and come, and get some" ALso he falsely claimed he was an Ex-Navy Seal and has had numerous complaints of Sexual Harassment against him. Plus he's such an egomaniac he rarely if ever let his characters get hit by the bad guy. It was always a totally one sided fight like an adult taking on a 3 year old

Great observation

In comment 14926513 montanagiant said:

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In comment 14926483 jnoble said: Quote: In comment 14926472 montanagiant said: Quote: Self=proclaimed martial artist and truly made some horrible movies. "Anyone seen Bobby Lupo?" "Come, and come, and get some" ALso he falsely claimed he was an Ex-Navy Seal and has had numerous complaints of Sexual Harassment against him. Plus he's such an egomaniac he rarely if ever let his characters get hit by the bad guy. It was always a totally one sided fight like an adult taking on a 3 year old Great observation

I remember hearing he was super pissed about them killing him off so early in Executive Decision. He almost backed out of the film. I think that’s the first movie his character ever died in.

Snatch while you're at it.

In comment 14926523 oghwga said:

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Snatch while you're at it.

Love that movie!

In comment 14926350 XBRONX said:

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Penn great actor GREAT humanitarian. Wow Greg

He is also a POS.

Unwatchable is the word that comes to mind.

...

all the posts is that I can agree and disagree on the same actor..there are some decent opposing arguments on the same person.
DeNiro was great as was Pacino..not so much now.(Angry old man)

Penn is a very good actor - like Greg can't stand the person

Costner - love him(except Water World) even Postman!

Cage is good for what he does - he is not great but plays his roll and sells tickets as does Reeves.

Pitt is fine - Fury, Snatch, Troy pretty big spread

Travolta - Michael(? Loved that movie), Face Off, Pulp Fiction

Morgan Freeman - put him in a movie, I am watching

Lot of people do not like Mark Wahlberg - I do

But Adam Sandler, Ashton Kutcher, Ben Affleck - blah

How many Streeps, Hepburns, Brandos, Bogarts, Stewarts are there? Today with CGI and special effects the actors can be less accomplish selling their character.

I am Legend sucked.

So many bad scenes in the Fresh Prince, lol. Will Smith gave us especially bad performances from that show, crying in the hospital bed for example comes to mind. Him always yelling to someone out of the view of the camera made me cringe. Of course I have a fondness for the show being a 90's kid, but wow he sucked. He never distanced himself from that "cool, hip, over everything" sitcom kid from 25-30 years ago.

He is still the "fresh prince" to me but he's 57 or whatever he is now. Just the way they always have to oversell him being the alpha male every single movie to compensate for his shitty acting and so other mediocre actors don't undermine him all the time. Too over-the-top.

He probably is a really nice guy so directors of these films must like him for whatever reason to keep his career going.

Speaking of The Fresh Prince, if you want to go down a rabbit hole for one night, I suggest to some that they read up on why the actress who played Aunt Viv and Will didn't get along "IRL". What a shit show.

canard.

Quote:

How many Streeps, Hepburns, Brandos, Bogarts, Stewarts are there? Today with CGI and special effects the actors can be less accomplish selling their character.

Tom Hanks is a better actor with far more diversity than Bogart or Stewart ever were.

In fact, back in the day, actors bring "themselves" or their own repeated persona into a movie (e.a. Bogart, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy) was exactly what was wanted and anticipated by their respective directors or producers. It sells tickets.

Streep pretty much stands alone. She is beyond reproach I imagine as the GOAT. The Lawrence Taylor of cinema...

We know you both hate people who are fortunately not like you.

Or isn’t into women.

In comment 14926565 Saquads26 said:

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Or isn’t into women.

No one said Denise Richards isn't hot, and extremely formable.

But my toenail fungus has more talent acting than she does.

.

In comment 14926511 XBRONX said:

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Guess you missed Hurricane Katrina. You sound like a big fan of Brownie. You are so ignorant.

Guess you missed Sean Penn being a mouthpiece for Hugo Chavez. You are so ignorant.

In comment 14926563 BlueLou'sBack said:

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canard. Quote: How many Streeps, Hepburns, Brandos, Bogarts, Stewarts are there? Today with CGI and special effects the actors can be less accomplish selling their character. Tom Hanks is a better actor with far more diversity than Bogart or Stewart ever were. In fact, back in the day, actors bring "themselves" or their own repeated persona into a movie (e.a. Bogart, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy) was exactly what was wanted and anticipated by their respective directors or producers. It sells tickets. Streep pretty much stands alone. She is beyond reproach I imagine as the GOAT. The Lawrence Taylor of cinema...

I would have agreed if I hadn't made the mistake of watching "Mama Mia" and then showed that I am completely incapable of learning, by watching "Mama Mia"-2.

In comment 14926571 Greg from LI said:

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In comment 14926511 XBRONX said: Quote: Guess you missed Hurricane Katrina. You sound like a big fan of Brownie. You are so ignorant. Guess you missed Sean Penn being a mouthpiece for Hugo Chavez. You are so ignorant.

They say it's a virtue.

(Not being Chavez' mouthpiece).

In comment 14926564 XBRONX said:

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We know you both hate people who are fortunately not like you.

Ha - talking about the pot calling out the kettle. Who is "we" and who do I hate. I don't like Penn. Very good actor, bad life choices..

In comment 14926563 BlueLou'sBack said:

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canard. Streep pretty much stands alone. She is beyond reproach I imagine as the GOAT. The Lawrence Taylor of cinema...

You are right about Hanks. Excellent range.

But a)that was 15 years ago b)I was in Iraq in August 2005 so, yes, I mostly missed Hurricane Katrina

In comment 14926576 Greg from LI said:

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But a)that was 15 years ago b)I was in Iraq in August 2005 so, yes, I mostly missed Hurricane Katrina

Ha, I passed through Katrina when it was just a blob of weather off the coast of Florida and followed it into the Gulf of Mexico on my way to Houston. Amazing transformation in a couple days...

In comment 14926574 section125 said:

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I don't like Penn. Very good actor, bad life choices..

Madonna was a bad choice...

In comment 14926580 EricJ said:

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In comment 14926574 section125 said: Quote: I don't like Penn. Very good actor, bad life choices.. Madonna was a bad choice...

IDK, I liked Madonna.....but I have a strange taste in music.
But always been fascinated by Hollywood's use it and lose it marital situation.

was not mentioned. Nice being the sister of Francis Ford Coppola, someone who actually has talent.

In comment 14926538 section125 said:

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How many Streeps, Hepburns, Brandos, Bogarts, Stewarts are there? Today with CGI and special effects the actors can be less accomplish selling their character.

CGI doesn’t make acting easier, i actually think it adds more difficulty - trying to get into character in front of nothing but a green screen can’t be ideal. And most of the best acting performances have little or no cgi involved anyway.

In comment 14926581 section125 said:

Quote:

In comment 14926580 EricJ said: Quote: In comment 14926574 section125 said: Quote: I don't like Penn. Very good actor, bad life choices.. Madonna was a bad choice... IDK, I liked Madonna.....but I have a strange taste in music. But always been fascinated by Hollywood's use it and lose it marital situation.

I never liked Madonna's music, but as a teenage boy in the 80's Sean Penn may have made some bad life choices, Madonna in the 80's wasn't one of them. Arod made a bad choice with Madonna. Sean Penn did not IMO.

What an actor!"

In comment 14926586 PEEJ said:

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What an actor!"

John Goodman was a pretty damn good Fred, though.

In comment 14926583 UConn4523 said:

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In comment 14926538 section125 said: Quote: How many Streeps, Hepburns, Brandos, Bogarts, Stewarts are there? Today with CGI and special effects the actors can be less accomplish selling their character. CGI doesn’t make acting easier, i actually think it adds more difficulty - trying to get into character in front of nothing but a green screen can’t be ideal. And most of the best acting performances have little or no cgi involved anyway.

I think this is an important point, especially the transition into the CGI world. Case in point - the Start Wars prequels. One of the first films to use extensive cgi all over, and yes Hayden sucked, but what about Portman? One of the best young actresses also sucked. As did Ewan Mcgregor and Liam Neeson. Part of it is the script and direction, but I think they were not prepared at all to act in that new world that Lucas was blazing.

In comment 14926576 Greg from LI said:

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But a)that was 15 years ago b)I was in Iraq in August 2005 so, yes, I mostly missed Hurricane Katrina

You never need to know what that fuckface is babbling about. He just babbles. Like a brook in Spring.

and someone mentions Brad Pitt? WTF?

Xbronx is truly insufferable - but i will say Madonna was a good life choice back then. She was undoubtedly a lot of fun in one's late night life.

UConn - my bad on the word 'belittling' - wrong choice of wording and you cant edit prior posts on here. I just meant i didnt think one could claim Keanu only does fun/non-serious movies and thus should be immune to scrutiny, but Ryan Reynolds is somehow a serious thespian with incredible range that should be discussed here.

Bill L - Streep wasnt in Mamma Mia 2 except for a 30 second cameo at the end. She apparently doesn't do sequels. Anyway, the first Mamma Mia wasn't too bad and anything with Amanda Seyfried in it gets a pass regardless.

In comment 14926600 MetsAreBack said:

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and someone mentions Brad Pitt? WTF? Xbronx is truly insufferable - but i will say Madonna was a good life choice back then. She was undoubtedly a lot of fun in one's late night life. UConn - my bad on the word 'belittling' - wrong choice of wording and you cant edit prior posts on here. I just meant i didnt think one could claim Keanu only does fun/non-serious movies and thus should be immune to scrutiny, but Ryan Reynolds is somehow a serious thespian with incredible range that should be discussed here. Bill L - Streep wasnt in Mamma Mia 2 except for a 30 second cameo at the end. She apparently doesn't do sequels. Anyway, the first Mamma Mia wasn't too bad and anything with Amanda Seyfried in it gets a pass regardless.

Yeah, she was a ghost or something at the end. Wasn't a fan at all of the second movie; I just didn't like Streep in the role anyway. Hated Brosnan even more but that's a different thread.

it was a typical sequel money grab that everyone hated. I never got through it - laughing at Cher's cosmetic surgery was a brief chuckle though.

In comment 14926600 MetsAreBack said:

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and someone mentions Brad Pitt? WTF?

Right? I mean, I get that people have different tastes in movies and not everyone is going to be a big fan, but that one was just a bizarre choice. Pitt has a fair bit of range and has a really good catalog over the past three decades. No, not everything he did was great, but a lot of it is.

and his brother

I'm not getting it.

.

In comment 14926623 Matt M. said:

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and his brother

Never understood the dislike of Mark. Is he Richard Burton? No. Does not need to be.

Fast forward to the 1:15 mark.
Link - ( New Window )

In comment 14926626 Greg from LI said:

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.

tiny role, but he nailed the opening scene in Sixth Sense too.

Kind on the eyes, but can't act

of "actors who have no business being stars", there's a lot of head scratchers on here.

Most listed are ok at acting, but shouldn't be in as many big roles as they are, and/or have limited acting range, and/or tried roles they shouldn't have.

Jean Claude Van Damme is a guy who has no business being an actor.

In comment 14926668 fkap said:

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of "actors who have no business being stars", there's a lot of head scratchers on here. Most listed are ok at acting, but shouldn't be in as many big roles as they are, and/or have limited acting range, and/or tried roles they shouldn't have. Jean Claude Van Damme is a guy who has no business being an actor.

or the Highlander guy (forgot his name)

but he's grown on me a bit with the comedic roles like The Other Guys and Daddy's Home - he's perfect for them. Basically playing Dignam from the Departed though not as R rated.

Guilty pleasure from him is Contraband. Don't know why I like that movie but I do.

Mark Wahlberg is a good example of what I meant earlier by actors who look terrible when they try to work outside their limited range. He does action and wiseass comedy decently enough. When he tries to do something else (eg, his laughable performance in The Happening), he looks terrible.

That means he's a limited actor, which I think the majority of them are. Not who I would say has no business being a actor.

In comment 14926765 UConn4523 said:

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but he's grown on me a bit with the comedic roles like The Other Guys and Daddy's Home - he's perfect for them. Basically playing Dignam from the Departed though not as R rated. Guilty pleasure from him is Contraband. Don't know why I like that movie but I do.

I'm guessing a few on here dont care for Wahlberg because of the Vince Papali role... i've got no issue with him personally, and he didnt act much in it, but he gets credit for Entourage in my view too.

instant family was entertaining. I watched it on a plane and it easily killed the 2 hours.

I watched the Mule on that same flight (Boston to Zurich).

and I killed 4 hours of the trip easily.

I liked both movies.

Pain and Gain? Up there on the one of the worst movies I've ever seen list.

In comment 14926787 UConn4523 said:

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Pain and Gain? Up there on the one of the worst movies I've ever seen list.

Never saw it. I liked Ted with Wahlberg. One of those movies you have to be in the right mood for, but if you're in the right mood it's pretty hilarious.

Otherwise I haven't seen a lot with Wahlberg. Fear, Perfect Storm, the Fighter, and I think that's it other than the other two mentioned.

In comment 14926797 pjcas18 said:

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In comment 14926787 UConn4523 said: Quote: Pain and Gain? Up there on the one of the worst movies I've ever seen list. Never saw it. I liked Ted with Wahlberg. One of those movies you have to be in the right mood for, but if you're in the right mood it's pretty hilarious. Otherwise I haven't seen a lot with Wahlberg. Fear, Perfect Storm, the Fighter, and I think that's it other than the other two mentioned.

Different strokes...Ted is on my list of all-time most hated movies. I just don't get it. Maybe it's because I grew up on a talking bear. One who's stuffed and is vulgar just doesn't do it for me.

and sometimes I can't change the channel fast enough if it's on, but sometimes I leave it and laugh out loud at how stupid some of it is.

at just how brazen this cute little bear was, it was such a contrast that it made me laugh a few times.

Watch a scene from Ted a second time, and it's cringe-worthy.

With Wahlberg and Denzel

The Four Brothers

In comment 14926416 Route 9 said:

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He's a terrible actor.

If you watch Six Degrees of Separation, you'll probably change your mind.

I can't think of many actors who've been terrible in a role to the point of distraction. I know I've seen some, but I just can't think of any off hand...

...except for one. The girl who plays Brianna in Outlander is absolutely show-stopping in the worst way.

Chloe from 24 was a bad actress showcase.

In comment 14926826 santacruzom said:

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I can't think of many actors who've been terrible in a role to the point of distraction. I know I've seen some, but I just can't think of any off hand... ...except for one. The girl who plays Brianna in Outlander is absolutely show-stopping in the worst way.

is she the same actress for all the seasons? It seemed like she was more attractive in earlier seasons but her attractiveness somehow waned once she traveled back.

I haven't watched 24 in forever, probably 15 years or so, but I do remember the stupid faces she would make.

In comment 14926820 GManinDC said:

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The Four Brothers

A remake of the Sons of Katie Elder, if I remember correctly...

How the hell are you!

In comment 14926112 MadPlaid said:

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She's nice to look at, but couldn't act her way out of a paper bag. Hell, she's so bad in Tarzan, Earl of Greystoke, they dubbed her with Glenn Close, a truly amazing actor. Four Weddings and a Funeral is a terrific movie. She, however, is just awful in it. Cringe worthy.

But you have to admit, she nailed it with “Is it raining? I hadn’t noticed.”
Magic.🙄

In comment 14926870 GManinDC said:

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How the hell are you!

Good to see you around, my man. I missed you on our birthday last year!

I had to get away for awhile. I think 5 years. We can get the thread started this year!

In comment 14926765 UConn4523 said:

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but he's grown on me a bit with the comedic roles like The Other Guys and Daddy's Home - he's perfect for them. Basically playing Dignam from the Departed though not as R rated. Guilty pleasure from him is Contraband. Don't know why I like that movie but I do.

I thought he was really good in Departed and Boogie Nights. I think he's cashing in now though.

harmon is pretty bad

Which is his newest movie.

Sarah Chalke who played the second Becky on Roseanne is a terrible "actor" as well. She made an appearance on How I Met Your Mother as one of Ted's girlfriends and was God-awful there, too. Yuck.

Even Britney Spears with whom might actually be the worst actor ever (outside of maybe Madonna) Chalke still stunk up the place. I know they brought in Britney to (save HIMYM) make Chalke look legit on the show for character development purposes but I saw it clearly as a way to disguise how bad of an actress she was but with her playing Stella, she still looked terrible.

I wouldn't care too much about her but since she's had such a long career in acting with very little to no talent, it raises the question... how... does Chalke get so much work thrown her way? Especially in the 90s and 00s? Hmmm...

She lands roles on sitcoms and isn't even funny...

again. If not done already add Orlando Bloom to the list.