Actresses

[Raiders Army]

So anyhow, I was telling my wife that there are several actors that I would see a movie just because they're in it; for example, I think that Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, The Rock, and Topher Grace (to name a few) are pretty good actors and I would see a movie for their acting chops.

Actresses wanting to be called actors aside, there isn't a single actress that I would see a movie for her acting skills. There are several actresses that I would see their movies for their eye-candy, but not for their acting skills. This year's Oscars are a prime example of how women can't sell a movie based on their acting skills. Jennifer Hudson, a first-timer, wins Best Supporting Actress. Helen Mirren, an old cooter, wins Best Actress. This isn't misogynistic, but c'mon. How can an old chick and a rookie win the top two female categories? IMHO, no woman can sell a movie based on her acting skills.

Is there any actress that you would see a movie based on her acting skills? The closest I can think of is maybe Charlize Theron (based on Monster).

[bulletsponge]

acting skills? hell no. and that goes for the men too

[st.cronin]

Tawnee Stone?

[bulletsponge]

Tawnee Stone?

he said "acting skills". not the other kind of skills and talents i would watch a woman

[dawgfan]

While I may not see a movie solely because she's in it, I know that whenever Dame Judy Dench is in a film, I'll see a very good performance. But yeah, I'm more likely to see a film with a particular actress in it because of her looks and personality than strictly her acting chops.

That said, I'm far more likely to see a film with Jennifer Connelly, Catherine McCormack or Natalie Portman in it than one with Elizabeth Hurley or Elle Macpherson - i.e. beauty plus acting chops over beauty alone.

[14ers]

Tom Hanks and Mel Gibson are automatics for me.


Angelina Jolie and Milla Jovovich would qualify as automatic DVD rentals for me

[bbor]

Topher Grace????

[Raiders Army]

Topher Grace????

Sorry, I liked him on That 70's Show and he was money in In Good Company.

[cthomer5000]

Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, and most recent addition Ellen Page

edit: and im not sure they are a mega-draw for me, but two female actresses that deserver more and better roles are Toni Collette and Catherine Keener.

[cthomer5000]

and yeah, your choices for guys youd see movies based around are baffling to say the least

[cthomer5000]

I'm going to dola away here.

One of the main reasons I think this is largely the case is because you don't see many quality female characters in movies, and certainly not in the true lead role. Women are very marginalized in film in general, or most prominent roles are in weepy chick flick/you go girl! sort of stuff.

[sabotai]

Kate Winslett, Zhang Ziyi, Kirsten Dunst and Joan Cusack come to mind.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

No kidding. Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, The Rock, and Topher Grace?? One cannot act, one is a learning neophyte, one is an overactor, and one is fairly ok. There are 3 actors there that would actually keep me from seeing a movie.

I think RA may be basing his idea on the fact that there are barely any actresses that would be in lead roles of the kinds of movies those 4 star in.

As for female actors, yes on Winslett and Blanchett. They are damn good. I think Connelly also has become a fine actress. I actually choose movies based on 3-4 actors in it. I think ensembles are the key to seeing a movie just based on acting skills alone, because every single actor (no matter how good) has turned in more than a few duds.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

I'm going to dola away here.

One of the main reasons I think this is largely the case is because you don't see many quality female characters in movies, and certainly not in the true lead role. Women are very marginalized in film in general, or most prominent roles are in weepy chick flick/you go girl! sort of stuff.

Yep. Absolutely correct.

[path12]

Winslet and Keener for me.

[Raiders Army]

I think RA may be basing his idea on the fact that there are barely any actresses that would be in lead roles of the kinds of movies those 4 star in.

True, and you may critique my taste but you would go see a movie in a movie theater just because Winslett and Blanchett are in it? Seriously?

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Jennifer Hudson, a first-timer, wins Best Supporting Actress. Helen Mirren, an old cooter, wins Best Actress. This isn't misogynistic, but c'mon. How can an old chick and a rookie win the top two female categories?

You're focusing on just this year. I think Kidman, Theron, Swank and Witherspoon don't fit those categories. You're disregard for Mirren's role is an example of CTH's comment above.

[cthomer5000]

As for female actors, yes on Winslett and Blanchett. They are damn good. I think Connelly also has become a fine actress. I actually choose movies based on 3-4 actors in it. I think ensembles are the key to seeing a movie just based on acting skills alone, because every single actor (no matter how good) has turned in more than a few duds.

I would say most my movie watching decisions are director-based, with ensemble cast being the second draw, star #3, subject matter #4. Usually when I find a director i'm really into, i just run through all the other movies of theirs i haven't seen on DVD. It gives me a much, much higher success rate than average.

[Raiders Army]

The other thing I was thinking of was that there are very few (if any) good female comedic actresses out there. Roseanne? Ellen DeGeneres? Rosie O'Donnell?

[Vinatieri for Prez]

True, and you may critique my taste but you would go see a movie in a movie theater just because Winslett and Blanchett are in it? Seriously?

I always decide on the topic of a movie in making a choice, but if those two were acting in it, it absolutely make it much likelier I would go see it.

[cthomer5000]

True, and you may critique my taste but you would go see a movie in a movie theater just because Winslett and Blanchett are in it? Seriously?

It's not a hypothetical, I do.

[Raiders Army]

I would say most my movie watching decisions are director-based, with ensemble cast being the second draw, star #3, subject matter #4. Usually when I find a director i'm really into, i just run through all the other movies of theirs i haven't seen on DVD. It gives me a much, much higher success rate than average.

I would agree with this...perhaps switching #4 and #3 around.

[cuervo72]

Not really sure there are any actors or actresses that can get me to see a movie (but then, I'm probably in the bottom 5% as far as how often I watch movies goes). There are some I like more than others, but none that get me either off my butt and to the theater or to the dvd player.

[Raiders Army]

It's not a hypothetical, I do.

Maybe I need to check out their movies. The only ones that I've seen were the LOTR and Titanic. In those movies, they didn't impress me at all.

[cuervo72]

The other thing I was thinking of was that there are very few (if any) good female comedic actresses out there. Roseanne? Ellen DeGeneres? Rosie O'Donnell?

/puts a check in the "no" box for RA and The Sarah Silverman Program

[Vinatieri for Prez]

The other thing I was thinking of was that there are very few (if any) good female comedic actresses out there. Roseanne? Ellen DeGeneres? Rosie O'Donnell?

You need to get out more, man. Are you talking slapstick or real comedic acting? Annette Bening, Meryl Streep, Toni Collette just put in great comedic performances in the last year or so. I also think Renee Zellwegger is a great comedic actress.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Maybe I need to check out their movies. The only ones that I've seen were the LOTR and Titanic. In those movies, they didn't impress me at all.

Yes, you definitely need to get out more. For instance, just check out Winslett in this year's Little Children.

[JPhillips]

There are a few women that can carry a movie, but not as many as men. Julia Roberts comes to mind immediately as do Reese Witherspoon and Angelina Jolie.

I think part of your problem is the movies you enjoy. Movies starring the guys you named are going to be geared to men. It's fine if you like those movies, but if you do, it's unlikely that you'll be drawn to movies carried by women.

It's also unfair to criticize female actors for not being Oscar winners when the stars you named won't sniff an Oscar nomination.

[Raiders Army]

You need to get out more, man. Are you talking slapstick or real comedic acting? Annette Bening, Meryl Streep, Toni Collette just put in great comedic performances in the last year or so. I also think Renee Zellwegger is a great comedic actress.

Real comedic acting. Haven't seen any of the movies for the first three, but I'd think that Zellweger is a pretty good actress period. I'm not sure if I'd see a movie of hers just because she's in it, but I'd put her up there as a good actress.

I always thought Meryl Streep was more a dramatic actor though.

[Raiders Army]

Yes, you definitely need to get out more. For instance, just check out Winslett in this year's Little Children.

Thanks. I was thinking more of the Neverland movie (since I heard good stuff about it), but I'll check it out.

[jeff061]

Cate Blanchette springs instantly to mind for me.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

It's also unfair to criticize female actors for not being Oscar winners when the stars you named won't sniff an Oscar nomination.

Actually Samuel Jackson got a nomination for Pulp Fiction in 1994. He's gone downhill ever since.

[cthomer5000]

shit, while we're talking movies

CT's must watch directors:

Pedro Almodóvar (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000264/)
Paul Thomas Anderson (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000759/)
Wes Anderson (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0027572/)
Takeshi Kitano (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001429/)
Quentin Tarantino (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000233/)


There are a lot of others on my radar, but these are guys where i'm there opening night or as soon as it's released on DVD (some of the foreign films don't get release here).

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Real comedic acting. Haven't seen any of the movies for the first three, but I'd think that Zellweger is a pretty good actress period. I'm not sure if I'd see a movie of hers just because she's in it, but I'd put her up there as a good actress.

I always thought Meryl Streep was more a dramatic actor though.

Streep does it all. Actually, you will find that most very good actors/actresses can do both drama and comedy. But, yes, if you're looking for the female counterpart of Jim Carrey, then no they are hard to find. But I think that is simply a fact that there are no roles available for that kind of female comedic lead.

[jeff061]

Actually Samuel Jackson got a nomination for Pulp Fiction in 1994. He's gone downhill ever since.

I thought he was good in Unbreakable.

[Kodos]

I'll see pretty much any Jodie Foster movie.

[rowech]

I've said for years, there is not one actress alive today who would make me go to the movies just to see her performance. I'm surprised nobody has not mentioned Julia Roberts though. Perhaps she's more chickish. There just aren't actresses out there who hold a candle to Crowe, Hanks, and Damon for me.

As far as underrated actors that I just keep hoping break it big...Chris Cooper...this guy has been fantastic in everything I've ever seen him in.

[Buccaneer]

Zhang Ziyi come to mind.

w00t!

The only other actress lead that would be an automatic buy would be Donna Murphy (great in historical roles).

[larrymcg421]

Catherine Keener, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kate Winslet, and Cate Blanchett are tops for me.

But I agree with CT. The director has the most influence over whether or not a movie is a success, thus movie watching decisions should start there. My favorite director list would include:

Cameron Crowe
Ang Lee
Peter Weir
Steven Soderbergh
Alexander Payne

[dawgfan]

shit, while we're talking movies

CT's must watch directors:

Pedro Almodóvar (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000264/)
Paul Thomas Anderson (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000759/)
Wes Anderson (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0027572/)
Takeshi Kitano (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001429/)
Quentin Tarantino (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000233/)


There are a lot of others on my radar, but these are guys where i'm there opening night or as soon as it's released on DVD (some of the foreign films don't get release here).
I'd add Steven Soderbergh to that list, as well as David Fincher and Ridley Scott. You're not always going to get great movies from them, but they're rarely uninteresting.

[Logan]

I'll watch anything with Amy Smart.

[LoneStarGirl]

I love the Rock, he is sexy and he can act. And anything with Mel Gibson and Tom Hank I go out and see immediatly. But the same goes for Charlize Theron. She is the best female actress out there. With Reese Witherspoon and Julia Roberts up there too.

[Groundhog]

There are a number of directors and male actors that are auto-sees for me, but I can't think of a single female actress, and I'm not sure why that is.

[Buccaneer]

I love the Rock...he can act.

I have finally lived long enough to see those words in a sentence.

[Izulde]

Only real actress draws for me are Natalie Portman and Kirsten Dunst.

Actors would probably be Heath Ledger, Jude Law, Johnny Depp, and Paul Bettany.

Directors, the one draw is Sam Mendes.

[LoneStarGirl]

Oooh paul bettany is a great actor. Good call. Heath too.

[cthomer5000]

You're not always going to get great movies from them, but they're rarely uninteresting.

This strikes at the core of what it most important to me. I'm fine with a movie trying and failing. It's the ones that simply don't try (the majority of stuff released) that really pains me. I'm happier with a fantasticlly ambitious flop than a "meh" movie that I start forgetting 5 minutes after I walk out of the theater.

There just aren't actresses out there who hold a candle to Crowe, Hanks, and Damon for me.

I think you do actresses like Blanchette or Winslet a serious disservice with a statement like that.



As far as underrated actors that I just keep hoping break it big...Chris Cooper...this guy has been fantastic in everything I've ever seen him in.
Was the Oscar win and subsequent explosion in number of roles not enough of a break out for you? :confused:

He's already passed the saturation point for me. He's in a lot of movies in the last 5 years, and has been playing the same hardass character in at least 50% of them.

[sabotai]

Maybe I need to check out their movies. The only ones that I've seen were the LOTR and Titanic. In those movies, they didn't impress me at all.

Bleh, Titanic. The only performance I liked in that was Billy Zane. Everyone else was just "meh".

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is the movie that sold me on Kate Winslett.

[zums]

I actually really like rachel mcadams... pretty talented and hot to boot

[Mustang]

I like Action/Sci-Fi/Fantasy movies. Those usually don't lend themselves to having female leads. The closest actress that I can think of that would be in alot of 'must see' movies for me would be Kate Beckinsale...

She could star in a movie called 'The Recliner' where she just sits there for a hour and a half and I'd watch it...

[Vinatieri for Prez]

I love the Rock, he is sexy and he can act.

Um, the Rock would like you to call him Dwayne Johnson from now on. You'll never get him into the sack if you call him Rock.;)

[Karlifornia]

I really have become a mark for Scarlett Johansson, and I don't even think she's attractive at all.


Ok, I lied about that last part.

[ntndeacon]

there are few of any type of actor or director I would see anything by.
Directors would be Spielberg and Mike Nichols
A couple of actors that increases my likelyhood of seeing the movie---Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and more and more often George Clooney. (as long as they aren't in a Ron Howard flick)
For actresses and thier acting ability, Maggie Smth, Catherine Keener (as several have mentioned), and of course Meryl. Meryl Streep seems to be like a female Jimmy Stewart. She can do dramas. She can do comedys. She is phenomenal

[Daimyo]

I will see anything with Zhang Ziyi... even if it means seeking out the one obscure artsy theater in Chicago playing her foreign movies.