best working film actors

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 11:59am

Who are, in your opinion, the best working film actors (male and female)?

For me, I say


Cate Blanchett and
Sir Ben Kingsley

[Plum]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:03pm

Ooh, that's hard. I agree with both of yours, but I'll add:

Meryl Streep
Ian McKellen (who's more of a theater actor but has done magnificent film work as well) Updated On: 9/20/04 at 12:03 PM

[VIETgrlTerifa]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:04pm

There are too many.

I will say the best performance I've seen from a female actress on screen was Emily Watson in Breaking the Waves.

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:04pm

I'll add... Natalie Portman.... to that list.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:07pm

really? Natalie Portman? I don't see that.

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:10pm

To add:
Tilda Swinton
Daniel Day-Lewis
Vanessa Redgrave
Ralph Fiennes
Susan Sarandon
Johnny Depp

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:13pm

Boobs - I have to agree (to a degree) about Natalie Portman - there's something about her that just makes me want to watch her ever move. She's not always the best choice for some roles, but in some instances, she portrays that same vulnerable quality that a young Judy Garland seemed to radiate. I like her a lot.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:17pm

I can't believe nobody has mentioned Julianne Moore yet.

[Broadwayboobs]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:19pm

Oh Pop you're so right ..love Julianne Moore...she needs an Oscar.

See "Garden State" and you'll know why I said Natalie Portman.

[Plum]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:20pm

Judi Dench
Russell Crowe by virtue of L.A. Confidential

[shesings]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:21pm

John C. Reilly! In 2002 alone he had wonderful performances in The Good Girl, The Gangs of New York, The Hours, and his oscar nominated role in Chicago. Here is a guy that is a true hard working actor with amazing talent, yet isn't shoved in our faces everywhere we turn.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:24pm

Meryl Streep
Julianne Moore
Nicole Kidman
Laura Linney
Jim Broadbent
Emma Thompson
Parker Posey
Judi Dench
Toni Colette
Denzel Washington
Dustin Hoffman
Susan Sarandon
Tim Robbins
Tom Hanks
Kevin Spacey
Anjelica Huston

to name just a few

[Plum]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:24pm

I'll second the nomination of Reilly. :)

And add in...hmm...Angela Lansbury.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:25pm

And I can't believe someone else mentioned Tilda Swinton. This makes me happy. Her talent is quite extraordinary.

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:32pm

Some others I like not mentioned yet:
Jeff Bridges
Robert Downey, Jr.
Albert Finney
Ed Harris
Sissy Spacek
Shirley MacLaine
Anne Bancroft

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:38pm

Meryl Streep
Julianne Moore
Franka Potente
Holly Hunter
Reese Witherspoon
Emma Thompson
Johnny Depp
Al Pacino
Robert De Niro
Russell Crowe
Tom Hanks

Though I feel Russell Crowe and Tom Hanks are overused, their performances are consistently top-notch.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:41pm

Russell Crowe and top notch, I personally feel, do not belong in the same sentence.

[Mamie]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 12:56pm

I'd have to add Sean Penn to the list.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 1:09pm

popcultureboy - Crowe was flawless in The Insider.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 1:11pm

I shall say Julianne Moore and Johnny Depp.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 1:17pm

Why does everyone like their respective actors?

I'd have to say Cate and Ben are transformers, and I've always loved anyone who makes their character more important than themselves.

[Princess MimiChica]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 1:32pm

Make fun of me all you want, but I think Leonardo DiCaprio is absolutely brilliant!! And he's not bad to look at either =) He, Christian Bale, and Johnny Depp are the most gifted actors of our time, in my opinion. In the future, look out for Jeremy Sumpter (Peter Pan) because I think that kid is AMAZING!!!

As for females, that's a bit tougher. Claire Danes is my absolute favorite actress of all time, but where the hell is she now?! I also think Kate Winslet is great (yes, i'm a Titanic fan, get over it! =P And, all shop-lifting jokes aside, Winnona Rider is a phenomenal actress.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 1:36pm

Claire Danes went off and got herself an education. She has since returned to acting in Igby Goes Down, The Hours, Terminator 3 and is about to tear it up with Billy Crudup in Stage Beauty, which will hopefully result in award recognition for both of them, as they are both magnificent in it.

[LittleFish8386]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 1:38pm

I agree with everyone's list but I'd also like to add
Alan Rickman (who I love!)
Kevin Kline
and Cate Blanchett



I dont like Johnny Depp--sorry.

Posted: 9/20/04 at 1:40pm

Touch - for me it seems to boil down to two things. As an actor, I really appreciate those who show a mastery of the craft. And as a 'creator' in general, I also appreciate those who seem to allow the humanity of their creations to glow - in whatever light they demand to be seen in.