Most Overrated/Underrated Movie Star

[roquat]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 4:32pm

OVERRATED: Denzel Washington. I honestly don't know how he gets so much acclaim--talk about giving the same performance over and over again (and a grim, humorless one at that). He has two schticks--staring self-importantly into the camera, and stomping on everyone else's lines.

UNDERRATED: A tie between Robert Downey, Jr. and Kevin Spacey. Yes, they may be respected in the industry, but they are certainly underappreciated by audiences. Both of them make bold, challenging choices and both of them are exciting and fun to watch even in bombs.

[broadwaywriter]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 5:49pm

Overrated: Jim Carrey. That guy really irritates me.

Underrated: Kate Winslet. One of the best actresses of all time.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 5:53pm

Overrated: Angelina Jolie

Underrated: The one of the top of my head, Juliette Binoche

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 6:38pm

Underrated: Laura Linney, Julianne Moore, Kate Winslet, Clive Owen, Annette Bening

Overrated: Kiera Knightley, Jude Law, Leonardo DiCaprio

[kate2]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 8:27pm

Overrated: Will Ferrell

Underrated: I'll have to get back to you on that one

[Kasie]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 8:31pm

Overrated: Agree with Will Ferrell

Underrated: Edward Norton, Emile Hirsch

[HorseTears]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 9:46pm

I think you guys have been living in caves. In what universe are Kevin Spacey, Emile Hirsch, Laura Linney, Julianne Moore, Kate Winslet, Clive Owen, Annette Benning, Juliette Binoche and Robert Downey Jr. underrated? They're all highly acclaimed and beloved stars. Emile Hirsch is the only one I could see making it to that list, but after the success and almost universal acclaim of Into the Wild, I think he's moving up to the A list.

If the definition of being 'underrated' is not being featured on TMZ or Perez Hilton, then, yes, I guess they are underrated. I suppose that means Meryl Streep is underrated, too.

OVERATED: Scarlett Johansen. I'm sorry, but I think she's a God awful actress who is now riding the coat tails of her giant mammaries. And I've actually enjoyed quite a few of her films, I just can't believe how much work she gets. She's a cold fish and she's dead behind the eyes.

UNDERRATED: Mary McDonnell. She gave indelible performances in Dances With Wolves and Grand Canyon and perhaps made the biggest impression in Passion Fish. I suppose that two Oscar nominations means she's not completely forgotten, but I really think she's one of the most captivating screen actresses who really deserves a bigger career. Also, I thought she stole Donnie Darko. She was note perfect in that film. She brought a wry sense of humor and an unusually deep, motherly warmth to a role that could easily have been forgettable in a less capable actreess' hands. I'm aware that she's a star of Battlestar Gallactica, but I can't bring myself to watch a space soap opera just to catch her performance.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 9:49pm

Overrated: Zac Efron, most definitely

Underrated: Hmmm....Miranda Richardson

[Kasie]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 9:49pm

The reason I say Emile Hirsch is because I think he gave an outstanding performance in Into the Wild and deserved an Oscar Nom., especially over George Clooney.

But yes, he is moving up to the A list...slowly.

[Chevstriss]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 10:26pm

Overrated: Jessica Lange


Underrated: *le sigh* Marjoe

http://filmschatten.blogspot.com/2008/04/when-you-comin-back-red-ryder.html

[shh282]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 10:28pm

Overrated: Zac Efron
Underrated: Robert Downey Jr.

[BroomstickBoy]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 10:36pm

Overrated : Shia Lebouf
Underrated : Emile Hirsch

[Chevstriss]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 10:46pm

I am a bit confused at seeing Zac Efron as "over rated". I'm pretty sure he's not "rated" at all.

has he won awards and accolades I am unaware of?

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 11:35pm

"I'm aware that she's a star of Battlestar Gallactica, but I can't bring myself to watch a space soap opera just to catch her performance."

You're missing out. BSG is awesome and I'm not even into science fiction. In fact, I would venture out to say that BSG is sci-fi for people who don't like sci-fi. The visuals are amazing, the acting is first-rate, the characters are extremely developed, the writing is top-notch, and it's just overall a damn good show. I implore you to check it out.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 11:49pm

Overrated: Just about everybody.

Underrated: Kurt Russell

[jondouglas]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 11:57pm

Overrated.......Denzel Z.

[roquat]

Posted: 4/27/08 at 11:59pm

Nicole Kidman seems to bounce back and forth. She gets acclaimed for her worst performances and dismissed for her best. (Spare me the tiresome Botox jokes, please.)

[elphabelle07]

Posted: 4/28/08 at 1:02am

Overrated: Angelina Jolie, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz

Underrated: Toni Collette, Kate Winslet, Paul Dano, Joan Allen, Miranda Richardson

[Liverpool]

Posted: 4/28/08 at 3:16am

its not the botox that's tiresome roquat, its Nicole Kidman. I've NEVER understood her appeal.

and i couldn't agree more with Toni Collette Paul Dano and Joan Allen (at least in recent years). And if we have Kate Winslet on the list, i think we have to add Rachel Weisz. I find them very similar (and not just because they're both british and of similar age). Weisz just seems to need to fire her agent cause she keeps making terrible choices in script or at least at picking oscar baity movies.

[HorseTears]

Posted: 4/28/08 at 4:14am

"You're missing out. BSG is awesome and I'm not even into science fiction. In fact, I would venture out to say that BSG is sci-fi for people who don't like sci-fi. The visuals are amazing, the acting is first-rate, the characters are extremely developed, the writing is top-notch, and it's just overall a damn good show. I implore you to check it out."


Okay, firstly, I *love* your user name, Cruel Sandwich. Secondly, I've heard the same from others with regard to Battlestar. But I just don't have time to catch up with another TV drama when I have previous episodes of Mad Men, Friday Night Lights and the HBO canon to catch up on. Thank, God, for DVDs, eh? Maybe one day. And, I don't hate sci-fi. The more cerebral 2001-Space Odyssey-esque stuff can be quite appealing. I even enjoyed the first Star Trek film.

[Mrs Mangel]

Posted: 4/28/08 at 4:43am

Overrated: Hilary Swank. (2 oscars, for chrissakes!)
Underrated: Judy Davis. (No oscars, for crying out loud!)

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/28/08 at 7:23am

Over-rated:

Kevin Spacey (even though his 15 minutes seem to be pretty well up, the fact that he's had a career at all is appalling.)
Jodie Foster (a walking iceberg)
Keanu Reeves (the worst actor in American movies, period)
Philip Seymour Hoffman (entirely adequate, no more)
Judi Dench (occasionally wonderful, but she has walked through too many roles -- IRIS, anyone?)
Meryl Streep (occasionally wonderful, too often too technical)

Under-rated
Miranda Richardson (she has the versatility that everyone thinks Meryl Streep has)
Johnny Depp (until he's as respected as Daniel Day-Lewis, I'll consider him under-rated)
Susan Sarandon (until she's as respected as Meryl Streep, I'll consider her under-rated)
Laura Linney (a national treasure, criminally under-appreciated)

[Weez]

Posted: 4/28/08 at 8:14am

I can't come up with anyone underrated at the moment. But I will say a BIG FAT OVERRATED for Scarlett Johanssen and her curiously inflated-looking physique. All she does is pout and look busty, which is not really what acting should be all about.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 4/28/08 at 8:16am

How is Keanu Reeves overrated? I've never heard a single person, critic or anyone in the industry praise him. So where's the over rating? I agree about Meryl Steep, though. She often is constantly reminding me that's she acting. The technique is obvious. Not that she isn't good - great even; but too often I'm aware that it's Meryl acting this role, as opposed to getting lost in the film, itself. She stand apart from the piece too many times for me. But then, I feel most people are overrated. Just not Keanu.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/28/08 at 8:55am

Keanu Reeves is over-rated in that no one, ever, has called him out on what a pathetically inept actor he is. I've gotten some good laughs out of reading reviews that refer to his "blank" acting style.

Basically, he's over-rated in that he has a career at all. He should be flipping burgers somewhere.