As rated by a British Magazine. Here is the link and here is the list's Top 30:
Originally posted by Empire magazine 1. Robert De Niro 2. Al Pacino 3. Jack Nicholson 4. Paul Newman 5. Marlon Brando 6. Anthony Hopkins 7. Morgan Freeman 8. Dustin Hoffman 9. Clint Eastwood 10. Sigourney Weaver 11. Gene Hackman 12. Harrison Ford 13. Sean Connery 14. Meryl Streep 15. Ian McKellen 16. Christopher Lee 17. Sidney Poitier 18. Robert Redford 19. Alan Rickman 20. Judi Dench 21. Samuel L Jackson 22. Peter O'Toole 23. Bill Murray 24. Albert Finney 25. Woody Allen 26. Helen Mirren 27. Christopher Walken 28. Ben Kingsley 29. Lauren Bacall 30. John Hurt
I personally think Kingsley and McKellen in particular got rated waaaay low. Thoughts?
As a general rule these lists tend to suck anyway, but the simple fact that Sigourney friggin Weaver is not only in the top 10 but ALSO the highest rated woman on the list, makes this list suck ever more than these things usually do...
I like the guy and everything, but Pacino is way, way, way too high. Aside from "Angels In America", he hasn't been involved in anything that wasn't fairly mediocre for a long time. He belongs on the list for "Scarface" and "The Godfather" and "Dog Day Afternoon", but #2 is a bit of a stretch.
"It's not a matter of whether the war is not real, or if it is. Victory is not possible. The war is not meant to be won, it is meant to be continuous. Hierarchical society is only possible on the basis of poverty and ignorance. This new version is the past and no different past can ever have existed. In principle the war effort is always planned to keep society on the brink of starvation. The war is waged by the ruling group against its own subjects and its object is not the victory over either Eurasia or East Asia but to keep the very structure of society intact." ---George Orwell, 1984
"I forgot about Insomnia, but Robin Williams really carried that movie, IMO."
Pacino OWNED Insomnia and should've picked up at LEAST an Oscar nomination. It was his most subtle work in years, just awesome stuff. And he totally deserves number two. This is looking at things from a lifetime achievement perspective-he has, amongst many others, the Godfather trilogy, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, The Panic In Needle Park, Scarface, Scent Of A Woman, Heat, Glengarry Glen Ross, Dick Tracy, The Insider, and Donie Brasco. Personally I'd rate him as numero uno, because he's kept his career looking a Hella lot more healthy than DeNiro has. And if those two don't deserve the two top spots, then who does?
As for the rest of the list, it's a bit of a jumble. I don't think you can argue with the Holy Quintet of DeNrio, Pacino, Nicholson, Newman and Brando, whatever order you may put them in (as a side note, this poll was taken before his death. It's part of Empire's Gods Among Us series that ran for the past five months). But after that things get more complex. Gene Hackman is definitely top ten material-I'd place him above Hopkins, Freeman, Eastwood and Weaver, but maybe not Hoffman. And Judi Dench, Helen Mirren and Lauren Bacall being included over the likes of Jeff Bridges and Geoffrey Rush smacks of a sad stab at making it politically correct more than anything else.
Once upon a time in China, some believe, around the year one double-ought three, head priest of the White Lotus Clan, Pai Mei was walking down the road, contemplating whatever it is that a man of Pai Mei's infinite power contemplates - which is another way of saying "who knows" - when a Shaolin monk appeared, traveling in the opposite direction. As the monk and the priest crossed paths, Pai Mei, in a practically unfathomable display of generosity, gave the monk the slightest of nods. The nod was not returned. Now was it the intention of the Shaolin monk to insult Pai Mei or did he just fail to see the generous social gesture? The motives of the monk remain unknown. What is known, are the consequences. The next morning Pai Mei appeared at the Shaolin Temple and demanded of the Temple's head abbot that he offer Pai Mei his neck to repay the insult. The Abbot at first tried to console Pai Mei, only to find Pai Mei was inconsolable. So began the massacre of the Shaolin Temple and all 60 of the monks inside at the fists of the White Lotus. And so began the legend of Pai Mei's five point palm exploding heart technique.
Originally posted by David AdamsThough I do wonder that if this was published say 5 years ago if Saruman/Dooku or Gandalf/Magneto would have been on it.
Are you insane?
Christopher Lee carried Hammer Films for years as their Dracula and is still regarded as the essential 'Dracula' performer for over half the world. He's also been The Mummy, Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes, Fu Manchu and he was a Bond villain.
Ian Mckellen is one of Britain's greatest actors. He's performed pretty much every play by Shakespeare to critical acclaim, Made Richard III marketable in America when everyone else thought it'd bomb here. Hell, he helped both Brendan Fraser AND Mick Jagger look like they can act, this alone should get him in the top 15.
The magazine's British anyway, so of course they'll have people you only know from their over blown Hollywood work.
As for Insomnia, the original with Stellan Skarsgard was far superior.
Cerebus: RIP 1977-2004.
"What do you think it's like being created by a manic-depressive, paranoid schizophrenic, hypochondriac, misogynist with delusions of grandeur and a messiah complex?"
"As for Insomnia, the original with Stellan Skarsgard was far superior."
I'd say "far superior" is a wee bit of a stretch. It's *better* than Nolan's version, for sure, but I wouldn't say there's a wealth of space between them. The most damaging aspect of the remake is Hilary Swank's underwritten role, and even that's papered over nicely with the awesome one-two punch of Pacino/Williams.
Ya know what? Skarsgard probably deserves at least consideration for the top thirty. He's a first-rate actor and I was sorely disappointed when Exorcist: The Beginning turned out to be such a barrel of dung, because all the man needs is one well-set-up leading role and he'll be placed amongst the thespian elite. Ooh ooh! Max von Sydow. Now THERE'S a guy who's been wrongly overlooked here.
Once upon a time in China, some believe, around the year one double-ought three, head priest of the White Lotus Clan, Pai Mei was walking down the road, contemplating whatever it is that a man of Pai Mei's infinite power contemplates - which is another way of saying "who knows" - when a Shaolin monk appeared, traveling in the opposite direction. As the monk and the priest crossed paths, Pai Mei, in a practically unfathomable display of generosity, gave the monk the slightest of nods. The nod was not returned. Now was it the intention of the Shaolin monk to insult Pai Mei or did he just fail to see the generous social gesture? The motives of the monk remain unknown. What is known, are the consequences. The next morning Pai Mei appeared at the Shaolin Temple and demanded of the Temple's head abbot that he offer Pai Mei his neck to repay the insult. The Abbot at first tried to console Pai Mei, only to find Pai Mei was inconsolable. So began the massacre of the Shaolin Temple and all 60 of the monks inside at the fists of the White Lotus. And so began the legend of Pai Mei's five point palm exploding heart technique.
Originally posted by OlFuzzyBastardI like the guy and everything, but Pacino is way, way, way too high. Aside from "Angels In America", he hasn't been involved in anything that wasn't fairly mediocre for a long time. He belongs on the list for "Scarface" and "The Godfather" and "Dog Day Afternoon", but #2 is a bit of a stretch.
His performance in Heat was great, as was his performance in Glengarry Glen Ross. And even if they weren't, he was friggin' MICHAEL CORLEONE (sorry). Anyway, I think that the top three are right on the money, though you can argue over the position of them all day long.
NOTABLE FILMS MADE SINCE AGE 50: Robert De Niro [1993] -Mad Dog & Glory, Casino, Heat, Sleepers, Cop Land, Wag the Dog, Jackie Brown, Ronin, Analyze This, Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle, Men of Honor, Meet the Parents, 15 Minutes, The Score, Showtime, City by the Sea, Analyze That, Godsend & Shark Tale. Upcoming: Meet the Fockers Al Pacino [1990] -Dick Tracy, The Godfather: Part III, Frankie & Johnny, Glengarry Glen Ross, Scent of a Woman, Carlito's Way, Two Bits, Heat, City Hall, Donnie Brasco, The Devil's Advocate, The Insider, Any Given Sunday, Chinese Coffee, Insomnia, Simone, People I Know, The Recruit, Gigli & Angels In America Jack Nicholson [1987] -Ironweed, Batman, The Two Jakes, Man Trouble, A Few Good Men, Hoffa, Wolf, The Crossing Guard, Blood & Wine, The Evening Star, Mars Attacks, As Good As It Gets, The Pledge, About Schmidt, Anger Management & Something's Gotta Give Paul Newman [1975] -The Drowning Pool, Buffalo Bill & the Indians, Slap Shot, Quintet, Absence of Malice, The Verdict, The Color of Money, The Hudsucker Proxy, Twilight, Message in a Bottle, Where the Money Is & Road to Perdition Sir Anthony Hopkins [1987] -Desperate Hours, the Silence of the Lambs, Spotswood, Howards End, Dracula, Chaplin, The Remains of the Day, The Road to Wellville, Legends of the Fall, Nixon, August, Surviving Picasso, The Edge, Amistad, The Mask of Zorro, Meet Joe Black, Instinct, Titus, Mission Impossible II, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Hannibal, Hearts in Atlantis, the Devil and Daniel Webster, Bad Company, Red Dragon & The Human Stain. Upcoming: Alexander Morgan Freeman [1987] -Street Smart, Lean On Me, Driving Miss Daisy, Glory, The Bonfire of the Vanities, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Unforgiven, The Shawshank Redemption, Outbreak, Seven, Moll Flanders, Chain Reaction, Kiss the Girls, Amistad, Hard Rain, Deep Impact, Under Suspicion, Nurse Betty, Along Came A Spider, High Crimes, The Sum of All Fears, Levity, Dreamcatcher, Bruce Almighty & The Big Bounce. Upcoming: An Unfinished Life & Batman Begins Dustin Hoffman [1987] -Ishtar, Rain Man, Dick Tracy, Billy Bathgate, Hook, Hero, Outbreak, American Buffalo, Sleepers, Mad City, Wag the Dog, Sphere, The Messanger: Joan of Arc, Moonlight Mile, Confidence, Runaway Jury & I Heart Huckabees. Upcoming: Finding Neverland, Meet the Fockers & Racing Stripes Clint Eastwood [1980] -Bronco Billy, Firefox, Sudden Impact, The Dead Pool, The Rookie, Unforgiven, In the Line of Fire, A Perfect World, The Bridges of Madison County, Absolute Power, True Crime, Space Cowboys & Blood Work Sigourney Weaver [1999] -Galaxy Quest, Heartbreakers, Tadpole, The Guys, Holes & The Village Gene Hackman [1980] -Superman II, Reds, Hoosiers, Superman IV, No Way Out, Mississippi Burning, Postcards from the Edge, Unforgiven, The Firm, Wyatt Earp, The Quick and the Dead, Crimson Tide, Get Shorty, The Birdcage, The Chamber, Absolute Power, Twilight, Antz, Enemy of the State, Under Suspicion, The Replacements, The Mexican, Heartbreakers, Heist, The Royal Tenenbaums, Behind Enemy Lines, Runaway Jury & Welcome to Mooseport Harrison Ford [1992] -Patriot Games, The Fugitive, Clear and Present Danger, Sabrina, Air Force One, Six Days Seven Nights, What Lies Beneath, K-19: The Widowmaker & Hollywood Homicide Sir Sean Connery [1980] -Never Say Never Again, Highlander, The Untouchables, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Hunt for Red October, Highlander II, First Knight, Dragonheart, The Rock, The Avengers, Entrapment, Finding Forrester & The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Meryl Streep [1999] -Music of the Heart, Adaptation, The Hours, Angels In America & The Manchurian Candidate. Upcoming: Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events Sir Ian McKellen [1989] -Six Degrees of Separation, The Shadow, Richard III, Rasputin, Gods and Monsters, Apt Pupil, X-Men, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, X2: X-Men United & Emile Christopher Lee [1972] -Dracula A.D. 1972, The Satanic Rites of Dracula, The Man With the Golden Gun, The Three Musketeers, The Four Musketeers, Diagnosis: Murder, Killer Force, Airport '77, 1941, The Return of the Musketeers, Gremlins 2, Police Academy 7, The Stupids, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Star Wars Episodes II. Upcoming: Star Wars Episode III Sidney Poitier [1977] -A Piece of the Action, Sneakers & The Jackal Robert Redford [1987] -Havana, Sneakers, Indecent Proposal, Up Close & Personal, The Horse Whisperer, The Last Castle, Spy Game & The Clearing. Upcoming: An Unfinished Life Alan Rickman [1996] -Michael Collins, Dogma, Galaxy Quest, Blow Dry, the Harry Potter films & Love Actually. Upcoming: Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire Dame Judi Dench [1984] -A Room with A View, Henry V, Goldeneye, Hamlet, Mrs. Brown, Tomorrow Never Dies, Shakespeare In Love, Tea with Mussolini, The World Is Not Enough, Chocolat, Iris, The Shipping News, The Importance of Being Earnest, Die Another Day & Home on the Range Samuel L. Jackson [1998] -Sphere, Star Wars Episode I & II, Deep Blue Sea, Shaft, Unbreakable, Formula 51/51st State, Changing Lanes, XXX, Basic, SWAT, Twisted & Kill Bill Vol. 2. Upcoming: The Incredibles, Coach Carter, XXX 2 & Star Wars Episode III Peter O'Toole [1982] -My Favorite Year, Supergirl, The Last Emperor, King Ralph, Phantoms, Hitler: The Rise of Evil & Troy Bill Murray [2000] -Hamlet, Charlie's Angels, Osmosis Jones, The Royal Tenenbaums, Lost In Translation, Coffee & Cigarettes & Garfield. Upcoming: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Albert Finney [1986] -Miller's Crossing, Breakfast of Champions, Erin Brockovich, Traffic, The Gathering Storm & Big Fish Woody Allen [1985] -Hannah & Her Sisters, New York Stories, Crimes & Misdemeanors, Scenes From a Mall, Husbands & Wives, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Mighty Aphrodite, Everyone Says I Love You, Deconstructing Harry, Antz, Small Time Crooks, Picking up the Pieces, Curse of the Jade Scorpion, Hollywood Ending & Anything Else Dame Helen Mirren [1995] -The Madness of King George, The Prince of Egypt, Teaching Mrs. Tingle, Greenfingers, The Pledge, Gosford Park, Calendar Girls & Raising Helen Christopher Walken [1993] -True Romance, Wayne's World 2, Pulp Fiction, Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead, Last Man Standing, Suicide Kings, Mouse Hunt, Antz, Blast from the Past, Sleepy Hollow, Scotland PA, Joe Dirt, America's Sweethearts, Poolhall Junkies, The Country Bears, Catch Me If You Can, Kangaroo Jack, Gigli, The Rundown, Man On Fire, Envy, The Stepford Wives & Around the Bend Sir Ben Kingsley [1993] -Dave, Schindler's List, Species, What Planet Are You From?, Rules of Engagement, Sexy Beast, Tuck Everlasting, House of Sand & Fog, Thunderbirds & Suspect Zero Lauren Bacall [1974] -Murder on the Orient Express, Misery, The Mirror Has Two Faces, Dogville & Birth John Hurt [1990] -King Ralph, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Thumbelina, Rob Roy, Contact, Love and Death on Long Island, The Tigger Movie, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Harry Potter & the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone, Owning Mahowny, Dogville & Hellboy
NOTE: Marlon Brando turned 50 in 1974. He made Superman, Apocalypse Now, Don Juan DeMarco, The Island of Dr. Moreau & The Score afterwards.
(edited by Freeway420 on 30.10.04 0151) DVDs; Blog
Originally posted by Freeway420NOTE: Marlon Brando turned 50 in 1974. He made Superman, Apocalypse Now, Don Juan DeMarco, The Island of Dr. Moreau & The Score afterwards.
(edited by Freeway420 on 30.10.04 0151)
I'll give you Superman and Apocalypse now and a maybe on Don Juan, I've never seen Dr Moreau but the Score isn't anything other than total crap. Brando was just about asleep for The Score.
It's also sad to see Heartbreakers on a list of notable films.
Originally posted by MercI've never seen Dr Moreau...
You should stay that lucky and never even attempt to watch it.
The Island Of Dr. Moreau is the one where he went completely insane during filming. He wanted to wear an ice bucket on his head in one scene... yes, it WAS an ice bucket from a motel the cast was put up in during filming) and insisted on working with a midget.
Edit: Freeway, you forgot The Freshmen. It was with Matthew Broderick.
(edited by Cerebus on 30.10.04 1151) Cerebus: RIP 1977-2004.
"What do you think it's like being created by a manic-depressive, paranoid schizophrenic, hypochondriac, misogynist with delusions of grandeur and a messiah complex?"
Originally posted by Von MaestroAs a general rule these lists tend to suck anyway, but the simple fact that Sigourney friggin Weaver is not only in the top 10 but ALSO the highest rated woman on the list, makes this list suck ever more than these things usually do...
I like Weaver as an actress but there's no way she should be rated above Judi Dench or Meryl Streep. And for the overall list she shouldn't be in the top 20 at all.
Robin Williams turned 50 in 2001. He's done One Hour Photo, Death to Smoochy, Insomnia & The Final Cut since. Denzel Washington turns 50 on December 28th. This year he's done the very good Man On Fire and The Manchurian Candidate. Stellan Skarsgard turned 50 in 2001. Since: The Glass House, City of Ghosts, Dogville, King Arthur & Exorcist: The Beginning. No love for Michael Caine? He's been 50 since 1983, and has done a LOT of great stuff since then (including Oscar wins for Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules). Ed Harris turned 50 in 2000, and he churned out Waking the Dead, Pollock, Enemy at the Gates, Buffalo Soldiers, A Beautiful Mind, The Hours, the Human Stain & Radio since. How about Tom Wilkinson [50 in 1998]: Rocking hard with Rush Hour, Shakespeare In Love, The Patriot, In the Bedroom, Black Knight, The Importance of Being Earnest, Girl With a Pearl Earring and the recent Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Tom Hanks is 50 in 2006. Billy Bob Thornton is 50 next August. Diane Keaton is 50 in 2006. Willem Dafoe's 50 next July.
This was another really good episode. The pre-credits sequence was awesome. I think the funniest one since Kevin spilled chili all over the floor of Dunder Mifflin. The jokes were spot on, as was Dwight's reaction to Jim framing him. IT WAS DWIGHT.