50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (Full Version)

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TheDudeAbides -> 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 9:35:12 PM)

Hello, fellas.

Having finished my Cagney countdown and being an irrepressible list-maker, I thought I'd finally start doing this one, which I've been mulling over for a bit.

Basically, the criteria:

1) The performances are my 50 favourites, not the 50 best. To qualify, it must be one which grips me in strange and irresistible ways, not one of technical prowess, even if these two do often go hand in hand. Some of the performances on the list aren't even 'good' in a critical manner of speaking.

2) The actor must bring something unique and enthralling to the production, sometimes literally being the only outstanding reason to watch it.

3) For fairness' sake, I'm not including any Cagney roles. I think people have probably heard enough of my opinions on basically everything about him, ever. [:D]



elab49 -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 9:43:55 PM)

Ooo - 2 performances threads. We're being spoiled! [:)]



swordsandsandals -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 9:46:25 PM)

I really hope Ulrich Muhe makes this list.



Piles -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 9:50:43 PM)

I hope Nic Cage is at least 49 of the 50 performances, and Oscar Isaac is the 50th.



FritzlFan -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 9:52:57 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheDudeAbides

1) The performances are my 50 favourites, not the 50 best. Some of the performances on the list aren't even 'good' in a critical manner of speaking.



Go on, Wisseau. [sm=893Sunny-thumb.gif]



swordsandsandals -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:02:23 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Piles

I hope Nic Cage is at least 49 of the 50 performances, and Oscar Isaac is the 50th.


If he is the only non-Nic Cage performance, would that make him an OUTLAAAAAAAAAW?



TheDudeAbides -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:02:56 PM)

To start things off:

50) Glenn Close as the Marquise de Merteuil
Dangerous Liaisons, 1988

[image]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/10/lg_gclose_dliaisons.jpg[/image]

spoilers herein...


Glenn Close emanates ice in this beautiful rendering of Laclos' 1782 novel of aristocratic intrigue, absolutely inhabiting the fearsomely clever aristocrat Merteuil, who joins with Malkovich's scheming seducer Valmont to manipulate society's young ingenues for their amusement.

Alternately falsely sweet and coolly despicable, she brings the book's character to life perfectly - critically, Close is unnervingly convicing when she adopts her friendly persona rather than hammily overdoing it as many actors end up doing when playing a duplicitous character. We can completely see why Mme de Volanges would entrust her sheltered daughter Cecile (Uma Thurman) to her care, yet beneath this superficial warmth a steady, unwavering chill is constantly lurking. Merteuil is a woman who wants revenge on the society which created her, and Close captures her hardened contempt for those who surround her to a tee.

The final scenes, in which Merteuil's elaborate schemes fall down around her and she learns of the death of Valmont, the closest she has to a friend, are enthralling as she breaks down in frustration and rage, the only way her twisted psychology can process grief. As she sits before the mirror at the film's close, slowly and symbolically wiping off her thick make-up to reveal a plain woman's face, the coldness in her eyes fascinatingly begins to waver... and then we cut to black. That is all we see of Merteuil's true nature, and in just a few moments Close makes it unforgettable.



TheDudeAbides -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:06:49 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: swordsandsandals

I really hope Ulrich Muhe makes this list.


I looked him up because the name had momentarily bamboozled me and, upon being refreshed, and was shocked to find that he was dead. How very sad. I really need to see The Lives of Others.



elab49 -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:15:34 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheDudeAbides

To start things off:

50) Glenn Close as the Marquise de Merteuil
Dangerous Liaisons, 1988

[image]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/10/lg_gclose_dliaisons.jpg[/image]

spoilers herein...


Glenn Close, who never really got the degree of recognition her talent merited until Damages finally put her in the critically-applauded spotlight,


I'm thrilled to see the performance chosen - the hiss of war sends chills down your spine. But I'm not really on board with this. In the mids 80s with Jagged Edge, Fatal Attraction and this she was a major star, not just a great actress. Critically, pretty much considerd Streep's only ongoing challenger (although Close can actually act) with multiple Oscar nominations. Then there was just a combination of dubious choices and complaints about getting roles for women her age (although she was well-reviewed as Cruella). So the move to TV - but her star-making role there was, for me, the far superior season in The Shield (and although I don't rate Damages at all highly, I do still like Closes's performance for the most part).



swordsandsandals -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:20:58 PM)

He died before he became internationally recognised for his astonishing performance [:(]



TheDudeAbides -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:21:55 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: elab49

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheDudeAbides

To start things off:

50) Glenn Close as the Marquise de Merteuil
Dangerous Liaisons, 1988

[image]http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/10/lg_gclose_dliaisons.jpg[/image]

spoilers herein...


Glenn Close, who never really got the degree of recognition her talent merited until Damages finally put her in the critically-applauded spotlight,


I'm thrilled to see the performance chosen - the hiss of war sends chills down your spine. But I'm not really on board with this. In the mids 80s with Jagged Edge, Fatal Attraction and this she was a major star, not just a great actress. Critically, pretty much considerd Streep's only ongoing challenger (although Close can actually act) with multiple Oscar nominations. Then there was just a combination of dubious choices and complaints about getting roles for women her age (although she was well-reviewed as Cruella). So the move to TV - but her star-making role there was, for me, the far superior season in The Shield (and although I don't rate Damages at all highly, I do still like Closes's performance for the most part).


I see what you're saying, but although she has had several memorable roles which have become part of pop culture, in Fatal Attractions and 101 Dalmatians as you say, I'm not sure she received enough serious appreciation by critics who always seem to consider her a budget Streep. It wasn't until Damages that I saw her getting respected first and foremost as a consummate actress.

But then, I don't really know. You were there. In the 80s, I mean. Not in 1782 [;)]



elab49 -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:30:56 PM)

Ta [:D]

But it is how I remember her being viewed - she was, I'd say, a far bigger star than Streep because of the commercial success of some of her bigger roles, and one of the biggest and best known names at the time. And that was married to critical respect. 5 Oscar nominations in almost as many years speaks to that. The only performance I would say wasn't as good as the other was The Natural, but the material was tosh.



TheDudeAbides -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:42:34 PM)

elab, as ever you make a good point. I'm going to change it this very moment.

Look guys, she likes Glenn Close [:D]



elab49 -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:46:11 PM)

I did, really. Even Garp and Big Chill. She's one of the few bits that stands up in Jagged Edge.

And I do like her Marquise de Merteuil. Better than Benning, better than the RSC's (although she was rather good as well). That said, Lee Mi-Sook is brilliant, and I've come to think Untold Scandal is the best version of the story. [:)]

Edit - also, how many people can claim they've been responsible for a new phrase - bunny boiler![:D]



swordsandsandals -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:48:11 PM)

Once again the conversation goes way above my head.[:D]

Can you not be like 90% of the film watching population and go for something ridiculously obvious next, like Heath Ledger or something?[:D]



FritzlFan -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:51:23 PM)

I used to be unsure as to whether Glenn Close was a man. [:D] I blame her name. And her jaw.



TheDudeAbides -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:54:04 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: swordsandsandals

Once again the conversation goes way above my head.[:D]

Can you not be like 90% of the film watching population and go for something ridiculously obvious next, like Heath Ledger or something?[:D]


Erm... no. [:)]

First, I don't much care for Heath Ledger. He was fine in Brokeback Mountain, of course, but I think both he and Gyllenhaal (who I like somewhat more) got a considerable extra helping of praise simply because they were, like, straight guys who still somehow had the bravery to play, like, gay guys. And The Dark Knight is a molten blob of twisted steel idea-girders (Is this a real metaphor? Ed.)

And secondly, this is about as mainstream as it gets, swords... I mean, it won lots of fancy awards, has very famous people in it and is just...very famous. It only gets obscurer from here... then briefly more famous, then obscurer again. [:D]



swordsandsandals -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:55:49 PM)

Don't worry about me. I'm a philistine who hasn't seen a single James Cagney film.



TheDudeAbides -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:56:17 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FritzlFan

I used to be unsure as to whether Glenn Close was a man. [:D] I blame her name. And her jaw.


My friend once said to us: "What's that word for when you're, like, a man, but actually a woman?"

To which we all chorused: "Hermaphrodite."

And in all seriousness she went: "No, no, it's ... uh... ah! Glenn Close."  [:D]



TheDudeAbides -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 10:57:55 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: swordsandsandals

Don't worry about me. I'm a philistine who hasn't seen a single James Cagney film.


A chilling thought, sonny. When will this terrible situation be rectified? I'm not sure your filmic musing hold any weight until you've at least tackled The Public Enemy and The Roaring Twenties.

Ahhh, there goes my Cagney resolution...



elab49 -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 11:00:27 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheDudeAbides

I'm not sure your filmic musing hold any weight until you've at least tackled The Public Enemy and The Roaring Twenties.



Ah - you may be labouring under something of a misapprehension re Swords, then. Cagney won't save him.

Ask him about Powell and Pressburger.[:(]



swordsandsandals -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 11:01:02 PM)

I'm beyond redemption, Dude.



jamesbondguy -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 11:01:55 PM)

Seriously, watch The Roaring Twenties. Now, Swords. It's possibly the best movie to ever come out of Hollywood.



swordsandsandals -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 11:03:38 PM)

I have 11 HoF films to watch first! And I still have Hidden Fortress rented from Lovefilm as well.



TheDudeAbides -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 11:03:45 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: swordsandsandals

I'm beyond redemption, Dude.


What are you even doing here? *shakes head sadly*

I dare not ask about Powell and Pressburger. Anything might happen and all hell would break loose. If only Rick were here to learn him some sense...



elab49 -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 11:04:03 PM)

He is. But, rather sweetly, he is honest about it.

Really looking forward to the obscure [:)]



jamesbondguy -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 11:04:58 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: swordsandsandals

I have 11 HoF films to watch first! And I still have Hidden Fortress rented from Lovefilm as well.


It's better than all of those films.

I can say that without knowing what films are in the Hall of Fame, of course. [;)]



swordsandsandals -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 11:07:50 PM)

Some snippets from my Black Narcissus review:


The main problem is the completely ridiculous set design. Perhaps it is because I am a conditioned product of my era and I like everything to be either starkly real or glossy CGI, or perhaps its because I think that lush forests and obviously fake backdrops seem out of place next to the supposedly hostile territory that the nuns live in. It’s such a fake, romanticised view of India, complete with colonial racism and the good old foreigner stereotypes that were around at the time that every shot seems to ring false. As I mentioned, I’m quite open to the fact that I couldn’t get used to it because I’ve been spoilt, but really you can tell this is fake so badly that it’s hugely off putting. Still, at least it provides a nice place for the Indian drummers to sit around playing drums with no apparent reason.
...
So in order to cover up the shoddy set design and painful acting, Powell and Pressburger decide that the only way to create any kind of tension is to have a completely overbearing score of dissonant strings so that we, the stupid audience, can be helpfully told things such as “EVERYTHING IS GOING WRONG” and “SHE’S GONE CRAZY!!” The orchestral score is a little like being smacked in the face with a violin. It’s a complete waste of a brilliant musical instrument and it leaves you with a horrible headache. A bit like the rest of the film, really. Everything, from the tension to the romantic interest, just feels so forced and fake. It’s not so much an assault on the senses as an assault on good taste, and it’s not an experience I hope to repeat in near future. Or ever, for that matter.
...
A horrible concoction of terrible acting, terrible set design, terrible stereotypes and terrible music. Which makes for a terrible film. Still, it’s redeemed (just) by some clever camera techniques and the fact that it came before a time when a sequel might’ve seemed like a good idea.



elab49 -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 11:27:12 PM)

See - it's like Tourettes with Swords. He can't help himself. He wants everyone to know his shame.



swordsandsandals -> RE: 50 Favourite Film Performances (and some TV) (14/6/2010 11:28:49 PM)

I just thought the Dude needed to know in case he wanted me out of his threads.

I bet Kathleen Byron is going to come up now, isn't she? [:D]



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