A good actor/actress can really make a movie. Even if the movie itself is struggling it can sometimes be saved by a well acted scene or a moving performance. I found myself thinking over the concept of great actors and what makes them great the other day while re-watching Dead Man Walking. So I figured it'd be fun to post up a short list of your favorite actors or actresses and the reason behind it.


Sean Penn - Absolutely one of my hands down favorite actors out there. He doesn't always pick the best roles but he always gives a great performance.

Kenneth Branagh - A great actor with excellent versatility. I really enjoy watching him act as he can go from pleasant to menacing with lighting fast speed.

Daniel Day Lewis - My absolute favorite actor. All one has to do as look at the list of movies he's been in and there is no doubt why I feel he is one of the greatest actors of our age.

Steve Buscemi - whether he is in a comedy, drama or action flick he always keeps my attention on his character and consistently delivers a superb performance.



Ok, have fun!
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Morgan Freeman- He could be a janitor, inmate, detective, or CIA agent. Between his voice and his patient and knowledgeable character portrayal, the guy draws the audience. I'm not saying he has a James Earl Jones voice, but when he speaks, the viewers listen.
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Johnny Depp- He plays some odd characters but is amazing in every roll.

Gerard Butler- Has great range in roles he plays. Can play the manly man but also the emotional guy.

Sean Connery- Bond, James Bond. 'Nuff said

Al Pacino- Played in some of my all time favorite movies. By far one of my favorites.

Nicole Kidman- My favorite actress and she still looks good into her 40s. I believe she can do any role.

That's enough for now! I like this, I could go on for a while.
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Steve Buscemi very weird characters for the most part and he owns the roles so well.

Jason Statham... well **** he is Handsome Rob! I am looking forward to the sequel to the italian job.

Edward Norton did an amazing job in both fight club and american history X

Robert De Niro His role in HEAT was amazing! as well as righteous kill

Jamie Foxx one word.... RAY
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Edward Norton - Awesome in American History X and Rounders

Jim Carrey - Crazy at times, but can turn an absolute crap movie funny with the different characters

Robin Williams - Take Mrs. Doubtfire for example. Absolutely dumb movie, but played both characters extremely well.
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Add Edward and Robin Williams to my list too. Both great Actors.

Matt Damon also comes to mind after reading these. Another actor that can play pretty much any role. The Bourne series are great and Good Will Hunting he was uncanny.
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hmmm...there are a lot. I don't have any favorites..there are really a lot lol
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I can't stand Sean Penn, especially after a few years ago when he dragged a cameraman along to show himself "helping out" in the wake of Katrina.
A few of my faves not listed yet:
Ian McKellan
Samuel L. Jackson
Brian Cox - great character actor
William Noble
Lawrence Fishburne
Famke Janssen
Sigourney Weaver - Alien franchise! But she was also funny as hell in Galaxy Quest
Ben Browder
Patrick Stewart

Can you tell I'm a sci-fi/fantasy geek? :-)
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I can't believe I forgot Samuel L. Jackson. He was great in every movie I saw him in (Die Hard with a Vengenance, Jackie Brown, Pulp Fiction), etc. :-)
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People always talk about how Pulp Fiction resurrected John Travolta's career, but I think it also gave Sam Jackson a big boost, too.
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Morgan Freeman
Sammy Jackson
Kevin Spacey
Meg Ryan (the early years)

Just a couple off the top of my head.
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A lot of good names there, though I'm surprised no one's mentioned Tom Hanks yet. I also think you can't overlook how good an actor Russell Crowe can be - he got his statue for Gladiator, but the job he did in both A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man was awesome. And Bruce Willis can carry a picture too.
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Hmmm great actor to me is one I'll watch no matter how good or bad teh movie is.

Steve Buscemi very weird characters for the most part and he owns the roles so well.

I thought I was the only one who liked him :-)

Tom Hanks

Samual Jackson - good even in that lousey SWAT movie

Charlieze Theron
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Clint Eastwood is the man! He's a great actor and director. One of the best!
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Sam Elliott
Robert Duvall
Richard Thomas (Huge fan of The Waltons)
Tim Allen
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Johnny Depp
Harrison Ford
James Earl Jones
Samuel L. Jackson
Jimmy Stewart
Gary Cooper
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Edward Norton - there is just not one movie that I've seen this guy that is a disappointment. Excellent actor!

Kevin Spacey - Just another actor that I admire some of his work. One of my all time favorite film, Life of David Gale. Not to mentioned he did awesome work in A time to Kill as well.
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Robert DeNiro
Sean Connery
Martin Sheen
Goldie Hawn
Selma Hayak(sp)?
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Yeesh, nobody mentioned Denzel yet?
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I considered it, but he's gotten minus-points from me for remakes of classics, like The Manchurian Candidate & Pelham 1-2-3. WTF? Is Citizen Kane next on his list?
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