Who is the better actor for you?

[STRONGBADF1]

Gene Hackman or Gary Oldman? (or insert two of your own. just using these guys as examples.)

Gene Hackman is the kind of actor who never really acts differently but is always believable in his roles. If he is playing a sub commander you find your self thinking "Thats Gene Hackman, he could be a sub commander." also if he is playing a coach..."Thats Gene Hackman, he would be a great coach."

Gary Oldman is the kind of actor who you forget that its Gary Oldman. You think its Sid Viscous or Beethoven or Dracula You are watching. Different accents and demeanors.

Both are great but do you prefer the security of good old Gene or the mind blowing differance Gary can pull off.

 

[supervij]

As an actor myself, I'd rather take Gary Oldman. I like that he's totally unrecognizable in most of his roles. Watching Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, you'd hardly believe this is the same guy in Batman Begins, and the same guy in True Romance. He's a chameleon of an actor, and I appreciate that ability.

Gene Hackman is the same guy in every role. He's great in every role, no question, but he basically plays himself, just in different situations. Much like Jack Nicholson, methinks.

So for my money, it's Gary Oldman. I much prefer the mind-blowing difference to the security. It's like taking chances vs. staying the same -- I'd rather take a chance.

Just my opinion.

cheers,
supervij

 

[Audioholics]

Gary Oldman IS my favorite actor, for many of the above-stated reasons.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Gary Oldman IS my favorite actor, for many of the above-stated reasons.

Same here! Have you ever heard his normal speaking voice? Makes you appreciate him all the more.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Of the two I'd take Gary Oldman.

Another favorite is Edward Norton. Just compare is work in American History X, Fight Club, and then Death to Smoochy. its freaky. Especially the History/Smoochy differences.

 

[BostonMark]

Stanford / Beethoven / Sirius Black and more

Ha, Gene Hackman may make a fine bad guy, but I have seen none badder than corrupt DEA official Stansfield in Leon The Professional. When Gary Oldman cracks his shoulder, and then calmly discusses Beethoven and Mozart with James Baladucci after he has gunned down Baladucci's family it sent chills right up my spine. In other words, Gene Hackman has NOTHIN' on Gary Oldman. This is the man that plays Beethoven while killing in The Professional, and also PLAYS Beethoven in Immortal Beloved. (and completely makes you forget that he's Gary Oldman, not Beethoven. This is the man that makes you believe he's a dwarf (Tiptoes), a violent Irish mobster (State of Grace), a magical crackpot (Route 66), a mad wizard (Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban) and a crazy Jamaican drug dealer (True Romance). Gary Oldman is one of my favorite actors. Gene Hackman plays Gene Hackman. (although I loved his scene in Unforgiven, where Eastwood blows him away) Oldman is even good in awful movies like Sin. I still have movies in my netflix queue for the sole reason that Oldman is in them. My favorite actor is Johnny Depp, another actor who has taken a variety of roles and transformed himself into a sideshow freak (Scissorhands), a drug lord (Blow), a childrens writer (Finding Neverland), a horror writer (Secret Window)a pirate channeling Keith Richards (Pirates of the Carribean) and many others.

Fun post!

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I guess what I am looking for is why are we so attracted to actors that are one (or two) trick ponys?

This is not a knock on them. I love to see Gene Hackman / Clint Eastwood / John Wayne ... do their thing. But wouldn't you think it would get old after awhile? Why not?

 

[BostonMark]

some are actors others movie stars

Interesting question, I think its because some actors are actors. They act their roles. Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins, Chris Cooper, they disappear into their roles so well, we forget its them. Others are movie stars from Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe to Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz. (just for example) Bogart used to be an actor, playing whatever roles he was given, but then when he became the good tough guy, he became a movie star. Noone wanted to see him act anymore, they wanted to see him be the good tough guy, and noone tired of that. Carrey started as a movie star,and now he wants to be an actor. Everyone wants to see a goofy rubber faced funny guy. When he tries to act, as in The Truman Show or The Majestic, noone really takes notice, because thats not what the public wants. We want Cameron Diaz to be funny and sexy. If she went all Meryl Streep on us, how would we take it? Sometimes this can backfire horribly. Pacino went from being an actor to a movie star. Now in every film we see a parody of a parody of what used to be Al Pacino hammed up by Al Pacino. HOO YAAAA!

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

I prefer actors who are themselves, just in different situations. I prefer old movies because of that reason. Jimmy Steward is always Jimmy Stewart. John Wayne is always John Wayne. I guess to a degree Sean Connery, Harrison Ford, and the aforementioned Gene Hackman are like that.

Gary Oldman? I don't even know who he is.

I prefer personalities to actors, I guess.

 

[hifiman]

How can you guys ignore the great one, David Hasselhoff?

 

[STRONGBADF1]

This isn't Germany! (sorry if you are in Germany)

K.I.T.T. was better than him!!!

So was Pam!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hifiman]

This isn't Germany! (sorry if you are in Germany)

K.I.T.T. was better than him!!!

So was Pam!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL!!! Yes I agree that K.I.T.T. was definitely better than Hasselhoff

 

[MacManNM]

Ok, what about Dinero? Here is a guy that CAN take a part and make it his (Cape Fear), yet people seem to like it more when he plays the Gangster or something predictable.

 

[shokhead]

Gary Oldman? Where that come from. If somebody asks for my list of actors,i wouldnt even remember his name.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Gary Oldman? Where that come from. If somebody asks for my list of actors,i wouldnt even remember his name.

That’s my point. He could quite possibly be the best actor (not personality) out there today and most people don't remember him. His performances, but not him. That is also why I said to insert your own actors names. There are other actors who don't get the recognition they deserve and yours might not be mine.

Who do you thick is under rated?

Who is your favorite "Gene Hackman" like actor?

 

[BostonMark]

best actor in some various categories

King of B films - Bruce "Don't call me Ash" Campbell
Indie Film King - Steve Buscemi
Most Overrated at moment - Colin Farrill (where the hell did he come from?)
Underrated, but gaining - Kevin Spacey, Ed Norton
Actor who noone knows but is excellent - Chris Cooper (American Beauty, Adaptation, Bourne Identity to name a few)
My favorite playing himself - Clint Eastwood
Best Cardboard Cutout - Ben Affleck

just a few, I've been a movie fan since I was a teen, and watch about 5 to 7 films a week at home, and usually one a week at the theater.

 

[shokhead]

That’s my point. He could quite possibly be the best actor (not personality) out there today and most people don't remember him. His performances, but not him. That is also why I said to insert your own actors names. There are other actors who don't get the recognition they deserve and yours might not be mine.

Who do you thick is under rated?

Who is your favorite "Gene Hackman" like actor?

A quick short list, Fredric March,Richard Widmark,Fred Astaire.

 

[Audioholics]

BostonMark - great list! I'm pretty much right with you, assuming that you intend to put that cardboard cutout of Affleck up on a bale of hay and shoot arrows at it.

Kevin Spacey is similar to Gary Oldman. Versatile. Imaginative.

Clint Eastwood is my favirite movie star type actor. Simply an amazing writer and he has more class than if you took the rest of Hollywood, wrapped them up together and put them through a meat grinder to squeeze out every drop.

Favorite one-hit wonder: Sylvester Stallone. Rocky was awesome - what happened?

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Favorite one-hit wonder: Sylvester Stallone. Rocky was awesome - what happened?

Judge Dread...uh...mmmmm...never mind

 

[Nick250]

Here is one from outside the box:

Meryl Streep - My favorite movie she was in "Post Cards From The Edge".

I guess there could be some debate as to whether or not "actor" is gender specific...

Jack Nicholson in "A Few Good Men" and "The Shinning" (scared the hell out of me).