Serious lack of Jake Gyllenhaal in this discussion. I will see ANYTHING he does. But yeah I do agree that Gosling, Leo, or Phoenix being in a movie means I will watch it
Definitely Phoenix. Disagree with Leo. He's fine and Wolf is the best that he's done, but he isn't an incredible actor. Aya Cash's performance in You're the Worst is enough for me to call her one of my favorite actors. The entire cast of Atlanta. Elizabeth Moss, Willem Dafoe, Idris Elba. Obviously DeNiro
I love Jake Gyllenhaal and think he's a great actor, but I think it's because he has a stellar track record of choosing interesting projects to work on.
I always think John C. Reiley is one of the best around, albeit with a few duds in his career. Pitt is another pretty boy but will always get me interested in a movie. And Ben Foster is becoming one of my favorites currently
John C Reilly is definitely a favorite of mine and I can't believe I haven't talked about Pitt yet. He might be my all time favorite.
As far as straight acting goes, I would put Pitt ahead Leo. As far as my pure enjoyment watching them goes, John C. Reilly is ahead of almost everyone !
Ethan Hawke is underrated imo. Also, she’s been in a fair amount of duds, but I think Naomi Watts is so great. Always thought she was good but her performance in Twin Peaks really took her to another level.
these are all excellent takes. I always forget that John C. Reiley is an excellent dramatic actor. and Ben has yet to disappoint.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Saiorse Ronan, Brie Larson, Emma Stone, or Jennifer Lawrence. All of them have their strengths. Ronan is the most subtle (the best of the group for my money). Larson is emotional. Emma Stone is just Emma Stone. Lawrence is a great character actor. I certainly don’t love everything they’re in, but I am always interested.
And I don’t mean to underrate them. They have tremendous skill and talent. But the conversation started out about DDL/Joaquin Phoenix level performers.
For sure. I can see Saiorse getting to that level though. She definitely doesn’t strike me as a typical movie star actress. I could still see Brie getting there too on the strengths of Room and Short Term 12 alone.
Those two in particular are really great. Lawrence had a similarly strong start but hasn’t had great taste in projects for like five years now. They’re not quite at a Lupita Nyong’o, Amy Adams level yet, I’d say.
Dude was the lead of what is probably the best Black Mirror episode, and he was absolutely unreal in it. I gotta watch more of his stuff Edit: oh man how could I forget he was Posh Kenneth in Skins ahahaha, wicked