Best ACTING in film

[Timothy225]

Brian Blessed, Henry V. Also, the first couple of episodes of I, Claudius (great, great stuff from Derek Jacobi, Patrick Stewart, Sian Philips, etc... oh, hell WATCH THIS SERIES!!!!!).

ETA: Brannagh's on his game in Henry V, too.

[Matt]

'I, Claudius' is excellent. It could have benefited from a bigger budget, though.

If you're a Derek Jacobi fan, you need to see the 'Cadfael' series that he did.

[Ben Thomas]

David Strathairn in 'Good Night and Good Luck'. He's always been a decent actor, but I never thought for a moment that he had something like THIS in him.

My producer is courting him (on my suggestion) for a major role in a TV show we're writing together. Apparently he's available, so if what we write is strong enough, there's a good chance. God, I hope it comes to fruition. He's one of my favourite character actors working today.

[Matt]

Two more:
- Angela Lansbury in 'The Manchurian Candidate'. Pure evil and scary as hell. She grabs onto all of the truly wicked aspects of the character and lets 'em fly right at you. Meryl Streep was pretty good in the remake as well.
- Rock Hudson in 'Seconds'. Want proof that the man could act? Here it is. It's completely unlike anything that he's ever done.

Both from John Frankenheimer, by the way.

[Matt]

My producer is courting him (on my suggestion) for a major role in a TV show we're writing together. Apparently he's available, so if what we write is strong enough, there's a good chance. God, I hope it comes to fruition. He's one of my favourite character actors working today.

That is really, really cool. Good luck!

...and good night, I guess...

[I_Cassini]

My producer is courting him (on my suggestion) for a major role in a TV show we're writing together. Apparently he's available, so if what we write is strong enough, there's a good chance. God, I hope it comes to fruition. He's one of my favourite character actors working today.

Love David Strathairn!

[FilmNerdJamie]

David Strathairn in 'Good Night and Good Luck'. He's always been a decent actor, but I never thought for a moment that he had something like THIS in him.

I remember watching it theatrically and thinking the whole time, "Shit this guy is great...where the Hell do I know him from?" And like that, it dawned on me. "PIERCE PATCHETT!" Seriously, Strathairn should have won the Oscar that year...

[FilmNerdJamie]

I make jokes about his being crazy. But Michael Moriarty is one of those actors who puts every fucking ounce of conviction into his performances. First became aware of him from his Larry Cohen flicks as a kid and even then I remember thinking, "Wow. That weird guy is taking this real serious."

So when I found out years later he was the original (and still best with respect to Waterston and Roache who were great) EADA on Law & Order, I immediately thought, "Oh shit. I gotta see this!"

[B_Metal]

Robert Duvall in The Apostle or Lonesome Dove. Augustus Mccrae is a role that seemingly was written for Duvall. He's perfect in it. Hell he's damn near perfect in almost anything to be honest.

[Matt]

Moriarty was amazing on L&O.

[Matt]

Robert Duvall in The Apostle or Lonesome Dove. Augustus Mccrae is a role that seemingly was written for Duvall. He's perfect in it. Hell he's damn near perfect in almost anything to be honest.

Agreed on 'Lonesome Dove', but I'm gonna have to disagree on 'The Apostle'. I had to turn that one off due to his over-acting in it...it was very overdone to the nth degree, in my opinion.

For my money, Duvall's best moment was in 'the Great Santini'.

[I_Cassini]

Robert Duvall in The Apostle or Lonesome Dove. Augustus Mccrae is a role that seemingly was written for Duvall. He's perfect in it. Hell he's damn near perfect in almost anything to be honest.

Robert Duvall in Open Range- one of my favorite movies.

[FilmNerdJamie]

Ed Harris in Knightriders, Romero's best work and Harris' first leading role I believe.

[Matt]

Ed Harris in Knightriders, Romero's best work and Harris' first leading role I believe.

Never saw it. For me, he's never topped his work in 'The Abyss' or 'Pollack'. He's one of my all time favorite actors.

[I_Cassini]

Stanley Tucci- and I am having a hard time picking his best work. I first remember seeing him in a TV show long time ago called 'Murder One'- I thought he was brillant. He is on my top five list for men I would like to date.