I'm sorry but Andrew McCarthy is one of those Actors that somehow fell into great movies. If you want to know how to play a wimp just watch any of his movies. He's horrible and completely gets overshadowed by any other average actor. The only movie where he didn't play the same weak-ass rich boy character was "Weekend at Uncle Bernie's" But yet again he got dominated by a guy who plays a dead guy. His best line was "Come on Steff" in "Pretty In Pink" as James Spader dominates the hell out of him.
Kristen Stewart, Miss piggy nose and really plays the same person in virtually every movie with the only difference being the time period of the flick. Just a dislikable actor on multiple levels and has zero depth of character. She is vapid and boring
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.
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).
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.
Wow...
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.
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.
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 fairness he's won more "worst actor" awards than best actor (LOL)
Just shows you how ridiculous those awards are...
well, it was a teen choice award, but it counts for something I guess.
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.
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.
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.
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
he's the bomb in phantoms.
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.
In contrast, Brad Pitt has really grown on me.
Yes.. I clearly stated exactly what you said with the exception of mentioning the 70's. We are aligned.
I have not seen that one yet. I will watch with an open mind.
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.
Agree with those who say Awards are a joke.
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.
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.
How is De Niro on this thread?
Depp is extremely talented but he's also nuts. Happens to a lot of these guys. (Cage, Cruise, etc.)
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.
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?"
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.
Kristen Stewart is a bigger name that can’t act. How she keeps landing acting jobs blows my mind. She has absolutely no range.
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.
Four Weddings and a Funeral is a terrific movie. She, however, is just awful in it. Cringe worthy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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
Another BBI touchstone thread for sure. Good to know whose opinions to completely ignore going forward.
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.
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?
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.
Always liked him in the movie Family Man. But I am not sure I can point to too many other flicks.
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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.
I thought Di Nero was excellent in "Heat"
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
LOL....Sorry CiP
Another BBI touchstone thread for sure. Good to know whose opinions to completely ignore going forward.
^^ another person with a reading comprehension problem
That sums up my argument and was exactly my point.
Glad my DeNiro comment has stimulated some discussion.
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
Lol, his character (Detective Fanning) in Collateral annoyed the crap out of me.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
I thought he was pretty good as Shapiro in the OJ mini-series. In fact, that whole show was really good.
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'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.
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.
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.
Another BBI touchstone thread for sure. Good to know whose opinions to completely ignore going forward.
Yep, some people are idiots 🤷♂️
And what about Billy Zane? No hate for him? I thought I could count on you guys.
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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.
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.
Looks and charisma, mildly funny.
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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.
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.
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But maybe that’s just me.
Looks and charisma, mildly funny.
Looks I get wrt Luke, but Owen?
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.
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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.
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.
But at least he looks and moves like a martial artist, as noted.
What is your definition of a serious movie?
and the better the child actor is, the weirder that kid is in real life.
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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.
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.
Yes, but I just watched Holes with my son. I enjoy that movie.
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In comment 14926128 MetsAreBack said:
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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.
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.
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?
Not sure what you mean by a serious movie if this isn't serious, is it just the English Patient?
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] ...
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.
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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?
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.
The 'jump' was ridiculous. AND SHE KEPT IT OVER 55??!!! YEAAAAAHHHHH!!!!
Sure, its more of a drama classification for me. Doesn't matter either way though, categorize it however you want.
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.
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.
Most action/thriller movie plots are "serious", isn't that the whole point? Going up against great odds to take down the bad guys.
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.
Cage
Keanu Reeves
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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.
Peanut Butter Falcon was one of the best movies last year too
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
That was a decent movie. He is definitely a better actor than one of his co-stars in that, Rick Fox lol.
Four Weddings and a Funeral is a terrific movie. She, however, is just awful in it. Cringe worthy.
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.
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In comment 14926128 MetsAreBack said:
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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.
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.
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.
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.
DeNiro can't carry a movie anymore, but he can do well for 10/15 minutes.
Casino + Heat was his last great year and that was 1995 He's had other good movies since then but nothing like that.
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.
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.
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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.
I am Legend
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.
Demi Moore, ugh.
I totally disagree with people mentioning DeNiro, Hoffman, etc. You can quibble but they are historically great actors.
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.
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.
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 - 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.
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.
GREAT humanitarian!
"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.
"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
I liked him in Fury.
Playing the stoic hero character.
lol
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 )
I'll cop to being a big Brad Pitt fan, but I have no idea what you're talking about.
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.
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.
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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
Great observation
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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
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.
Love that movie!
He is also a POS.
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.
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.
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...
No one said Denise Richards isn't hot, and extremely formable.
But my toenail fungus has more talent acting than she does.
Guess you missed Sean Penn being a mouthpiece for Hugo Chavez. You are so ignorant.
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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.
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.
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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.
They say it's a virtue.
(Not being Chavez' mouthpiece).
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..
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.
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...
Madonna was a bad choice...
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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.
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.
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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...
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.
John Goodman was a pretty damn good Fred, though.
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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.
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.
You never need to know what that fuckface is babbling about. He just babbles. Like a brook in Spring.
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.
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.
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.
Never understood the dislike of Mark. Is he Richard Burton? No. Does not need to be.
Link - ( New Window )
tiny role, but he nailed the opening scene in Sixth Sense too.
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.
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)
Guilty pleasure from him is Contraband. Don't know why I like that movie but I do.
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.
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.
I watched the Mule on that same flight (Boston to Zurich).
and I killed 4 hours of the trip easily.
I liked both movies.
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.
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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.
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.
Watch a scene from Ted a second time, and it's cringe-worthy.
If you watch Six Degrees of Separation, you'll probably change your mind.
...except for one. The girl who plays Brianna in Outlander is absolutely show-stopping in the worst way.
...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.
A remake of the Sons of Katie Elder, if I remember correctly...
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.🙄
Good to see you around, my man. I missed you on our birthday last year!
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.
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...