Actors and Actresses who ALWAYS deliver - Page 2

He's very ropey in his few big pre-TWO TOWERS credits.

Ryoken's reference to Idiocracy reminded me that Terry Crews hasn't been mentioned yet. His resume isn't fantastic, but I have yet to see him give a lazy performance. His part in White Chicks alone almost redeems that movie. Almost.

I'll also add James Woods and Jeffrey Combs on here.

Philip Baker Hall.

Every movie should have him, if only for two minutes, so that even the worst movie can at least have two minutes of Philip Baker Hall.

...ah, well I see now he was in Mr. Popper's Penguins. Which might drastically test the hypothesis.

Apologies if they've already been mentioned, but two actors who deliver every time in roles of varying size are M. Emmet Walsh and the late, great J.T. Walsh (unrelated, as far as I know).

J.T.

M. Emmet

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryoken 

To steal a line from Modern Family, "Meryl Streep could play Batman!".

I'd add Cristhian Bale to the list; he may have some bad movies, but i've never seen him make a bad performance.

Nah he was pretty terrible as John Connor I think. Some outright hillarious overacting in some scenes.

I see someone mentioned Jimmy Stewart. If we're including dead, retired, etc, then I'm gonna go with Gene Hackman. I literally cannot think of a single film where this actor has not given his all. And I've seen Bob Clark's Loose Cannons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disciple_72 

I see someone mentioned Jimmy Stewart. If we're including dead, retired, etc, then I'm gonna go with Gene Hackman. I literally cannot think of a single film where this actor has not given his all. And I've seen Bob Clark's Loose Cannons.

Seconded.  Hackman delivers the goods every time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yt 

Seconded.  Hackman delivers the goods every time.

 

no one can beat the Hack-man !

he is one of the greats

Ben Kingsley- from "Ghandi" to "Sexy Beast" 

Actors younger than 40 should NOT be included in this list as they haven't reached the age when they realize they can phone it in after years of putting their heart and souls in the role. Because Gosling, Fassbender ect... are everyone's heroes now sure. But wait till they start making their Meet the Parents and Simones.

Although his films are largely more "miss" than "hit", next to Tom Cruise, Jackman is the hardest working leading man in the biz.

Watching Young Frankenstein the other night on Netflix, I was shocked to recognize Gene Hackman as the blind man who takes in the monster and then proceeds to pour hot soup on him, break his beer mug, and light his thumb on fire. 

as far as Tom Cruise goes...while he does get "into" his roles 110% for his movies, I feel I am always watching "Tom Cruise" playing a character...I don't ever recall saying to myself, "wow, I completely forgot that was Tom Cruise in that role."

There could be 2 semi-exceptions that come to mind : "Tropic Thunder" and "Vanilla Sky", but even in those rolls, I still "see" "Tom Cruise" lurking just below the surface, despite all the makeup.

That being said, I feel  the same goes for Clooney, Harrison Ford, and alot of the other 'big' hollywood stars.

I've always thought that if an actor is willing to "go the distance" and change their physical appearance for a role, they might have an edge as far as "acting" goes.

Look to Christian Bale in "The Machinist" for an example.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTyres 

Watching Young Frankenstein the other night on Netflix, I was shocked to recognize Gene Hackman as the blind man who takes in the monster and then proceeds to pour hot soup on him, break his beer mug, and light his thumb on fire. 

LOL, I was just about to post the same thing.

I'd seen Young Frankenstein dozens of times before I finally realized that was Gene Hackman.

I want to add my love for Tom Wilkinson.  He automatically elevates any movie or scene that he's in.  No matter how small the part.

Also: Dame Maggie Smith.  Without her, I don't think Downton Abbey would be nearly as good as it is. 

If I had my way, we'd be talking about JK Simmons the way we revere actors like Gene Hackman.

The fact we're to 2 pages and there has been only one reference to Cate Blanchett is a crime. As far as actresses go, she's in a completely separate league up there with - I'm going there - Meryl Streep. In 20 years we'll be talking about Blanchett the way people talk about Streep. The only other actress of her generation and her level I can think of is Kate Winslet, who is equally as consistent and powerful. 

Oh, and Tilda Swinton. But I think Tilda has some road to pass before she gets to the Blanchett/Winslet level of understood brilliance.

So, thanks RD for mentioning both in one post.

Ironclad reliability.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art Decade 

Ironclad reliability.

Seven days a week and twice on Sunday. We produce a few of them see: Rush, Geoffrey

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rain Dog 

Seven days a week and twice on Sunday. We produce a few of them see: Rush, Geoffrey

Also, Guy Pearce. Always compelling to watch, and one of the smartest actors out there in terms of his choice of roles. Who knew a guy from 'Neighbours' would turn out so reliably awesome?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Workyticket 

 

Also, Guy Pearce. Always compelling to watch, and one of the smartest actors out there in terms of his choice of roles. Who knew a guy from 'Neighbours' would turn out so reliably awesome?
 

 

Seriously. I caught The Hard Word the other day with him, Joel Edgerton and Rachael Griffiths (two other constant deliverers) and while the film itself is so-so, the three of them - Pearce especially - are just so damn good in it.

The only misfire I can think of for Guy Pearce is The Time Machine.  I thought he was completely miscast in that.  Didn't help that the movie itself wasn't any good.

If this thread were to suddenly turn into a "How Awesome Is Guy Pearce?!" wankfest thread - I'd have no issue with that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynamotv 

Samuel L Jackson has been in alot of crap but I don't ever remember him being crappy in them. 

You've blocked out the prequels haven't you.

I understand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spook 

I want to add my love for Tom Wilkinson.  He automatically elevates any movie or scene that he's in.  No matter how small the part.

I've liked him in a lot of things but I didn't like his Carmine Falcone one bit. That's still the least menacing mob boss I've ever seen in film and it messes Batman Begins up for me.

Or is Falcone supposed to come across as a guy putting on an unconvincing facade? Maybe I just misunderstood what that character is.

I'll agree with that he also evoked Guinness original iteration of the character without coming across like a bad impression - that's a lot harder than one would think, especially when you're being directed by a guy that doesn't really 'get' human beings.

Not to mention that Obi as written by Lucas was a pretty thankless character in the prequels - he basically exists to be the conflicted mentor and fuck the job up. MacGregor injected a charm and sense of fun into the character, particularly in Episode 3. He was the only one of the Jedi actors who elevated their character past frowning.

Dean Stockwell.  Right from The Boy with Green Hair.

He classed up Quantum Leap immeasurably.

Hopper.  Damn, even in the otherwise execrable Mario Bros he was good.

Finally, Mr Kurt Russel. Enough said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Workyticket 

Not to mention that Obi as written by Lucas was a pretty thankless character in the prequels - he basically exists to be the conflicted mentor and fuck the job up. MacGregor injected a charm and sense of fun into the character, particularly in Episode 3. He was the only one of the Jedi actors who elevated their character past frowning.

yeah, I actually feel a bit bad about bringing him up in the other thread.  Watched RotS for the umpteenth time with the girl the other day and his "I have failed you Anakin, I have failed you" gets me every time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Cellophane 

Oh, and Tilda Swinton. But I think Tilda has some road to pass before she gets to the Blanchett/Winslet level of understood brilliance.

 

Agreed.  I mentioned her on the bottom of the prior page.  She's amazing.

That's a pretty good run. I dunno though, I thought he was phoning it in for Prince of Persia (not that I blame him.)

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Originally Posted by ujkle 

 

 

That's a pretty good run. I dunno though, I thought he was phoning it in for Prince of Persia (not that I blame him.)

Kingsley's made a second career out of phoning it in in bad genre films. Bloodrayne, The Love Guru, Thunderbirds... I mean, he was in A Sound of Thunder fer gawd's sake! But Gandhi and Sexy Beast by themselves mean it's impossible to ever stay mad at him.
 

We got this far without Edward Norton?

I dunno... did he deliver on The Italian Job? 

I used to be such a fan of the guy.  At some point, I kind of stopped noticing him.  But when he was on... he was amazing.

Yeah but Norton was infamously forced by contract to appear in The Italian Job. It wasn't a film he wanted to do. Doesn't count.

Oh, I know.  That's why I brought it up.  And really, I have no idea if he 'delivered' on that or not.  It was a pretty bland movie with a bland villain.  I don' t know if the knowledge of the behind-the-scenes strife with that contract obligations affected my reaction to his performance. 

OR HE COULD'VE STILL SUCKED IT UP AND DELIVERED!!!  Hahahahaha

I mean, I don't think he delivered in Red Dragon either.

I feel weird using the world 'deliver' so much.

I remember watching Wahlberg besides Norton in their few scenes and feeling sorry for Wahlberg, since he was so out of his depth beside him. Norton was still probably the best thing in that movie. Also in The Score which (besides potential) had Brando and De Niro.

I get what you're saying about not noticing him, he's had more low key projects in the last few years (besides Hulk of course), but I can't ever remember him being sub par in anything. Although he got a lifetime pass from me after the 25th Hour.

Staying on topic: I can't claim to have seen all his output, but Ed Harris is pretty solid in my book.

Paul Rudd.  Always the best BEST FRIEND and always delivers on the funny. Wet Hot American Summer, Anchor Man, Clueless, I Love You Man. Guy is a winner. Not every flick he's in is gold but he's always great.

Oh, Paul Rudd delivers.  In Gen Y Cops, he can deliver lines like:

"He was YOUR partner!  If we lose him AND THE ROBOT... it's down to you two guys.  Rosanne Barr Arnold will be... PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES before you TWO PUNKS see the light of day!!!"

(go to 2:38 for the specific scene!)

And MOAR!!!

http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2009/02/paul-rudd-was-funny-before-he-was-funny

(damn, that video was taken down)

EDIT:  YES!!!

http://www.joblo.com/video/joblo/player.php?video=rudd-robot

I don't know, I thought he was fine in THE ITALIAN JOB.  Let's face it, he played a guy who had to take everyone else's plans for what to do with the heist money rather than be able to come up with his own.  Bland is kinda appropriate for the character.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcnooj82 

Oh, I know.  That's why I brought it up.  And really, I have no idea if he 'delivered' on that or not.  It was a pretty bland movie with a bland villain.  I don' t know if the knowledge of the behind-the-scenes strife with that contract obligations affected my reaction to his performance. 

 

OR HE COULD'VE STILL SUCKED IT UP AND DELIVERED!!!  Hahahahaha

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kovacs 

Staying on topic: I can't claim to have seen all his output, but Ed Harris is pretty solid in my book.

Hell yes.  Shame on us for missing him until now.  The guy is nothing less than stellar in any film that he's in.  Hell, he even brought his A game to MILK MONEY.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucho 

Gary Oldman!

 

This is the one and only name that entered my mind when I saw the thread title.

Jeff Goldblum.

Maury Chaikin.

Garrett Dillahunt.

Joan Cusack.

Michelle Pfeiffer.

Jennifer Tilly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disciple_72 

 If we're including dead, retired, etc, then I'm gonna go with Gene Hackman. I literally cannot think of a single film where this actor has not given his all. And I've seen Bob Clark's Loose Cannons.

He had a few paycheck movies in the late 80's/early 90's: SPLIT DECISIONS, LOOSE CANNONS, CLASS ACTION, COMPANY BUSINESS, but I agree he always gave his all.

I think guys like Gene Hackman and Michael Caine and Kurt Russell probably all have a similar approach- in one sense, everything is a paycheck job, so just remember how damn lucky you are to be doing this for a living and always be that consummate pro, always do what you're being paid to do even when it's obvious the material sucks. Worst case scenario, you'll be the best part of an otherwise shitty movie. Always deliver (but that doesn't mean you can't have some fun when the role allows for it)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerhead 

Is this the best picture of Susan Sarandon that you could find? Because you're way off.

Sarandon's awesome. But no apologies for Tomei.