Actors Making Films Interesting for Me
"Hey Daniel, who are some actors whose very presence in a trailer will make you consider watching a movie or TV show?" Well guys, you've asked it enough and here is the answer in a neat list format. Also is it weir that there aren't any Canadians on here other than the shot I took at Taylor Kitsch?
Actor:
Alicia Vikander
What I like:
Looks aside, Alicia appears to have quite a bit of range. Her performance in the amazing Ex Machina is nothing like the wacky dancing mechanic turned spy in Man from U.N.C.L.E. Everyone is trying to pick her up for their next movie and I'm not mad at that at all. I'm down for more Vikander on the screen!
How they can let me down:
Actresses like Carrey Mulligan and Keira Knightley come to mind when I think of someone who came out the gate strong and then got really picky about roles and seem to pop up in underwhelming films that made me lose enthusiasm.
Actor:
Allison Tolman
What I like:
Lately, Allison has popped up on Archer and Review which is amazing for me. However, it was Fargo that put me onto this amazing actor who actually made me root for a cop on a TV show. I thought onlyThe Wire could get me there. Allison was just way too likeable all while being brought down by the incompetence of hercolleagues. I had no choice but to hope she caught the bad guy.
How they can let me down:
The only way I can be let down by Allison is if while she tries to transition to the big screen and is forced to take roles that are less than her amazing turn in Fargo. To be honest, that wouldn't be her letting me down but hopefully you get what I mean.
Actor:
Bobby Cannavale
What I like:
Until he burst onto the scene in Boardwalk Empire, I'm pretty sure I didn't know Bobby. But boy, what a villain! If I'm keeping it 100; watching the new version of Annie wasn't solely based on Jay Z and Will Smith producing and Jamie Foxx starring... I really did think that if Bobby was involved, the movie would most likely be fine. Ant-Man also got a boost by having Avon Barksdale and Mr. Cannavale's presence.
How they can let me down:
Probably by showing up in more movies like Annie.
Actor:
Christoph Waltz
What I like:
From the moment Col. Hans Landa started breaking down the science of hunting down Jewish people in Nazi occupied France, I knew I was going to enjoy Cristoph Waltz whenever he was on screen. The specificity of Mr. Waltz's diction makes everything kind of fun to listen to even if you know he's trying to kill a family living under a house. He was amazing in Django, and even though it is being directed by a director I feel can't lose and features another actor on this list, I'm most excited for Spectre because of Christoph's participation.
How they can let me down:
It has occured to me that at the moment, I can only really say that I've liked Christoph's work with one other director. Allowing for the overall underwhelming Green Hornet, and therefore, not blaming that on Christolph, I am afraid Christoph might be a one trick pony. That trick being winning Oscars whenever directed by Tarantino. I hope Spectre proves me wrong.
Actor:
Idris Elba
What I like:
I haven't met someone who has seen Idris Elba work who doesn't want him cast in everything. Well you know, unless they're casting James Bond. Stringer, Luther, Mumbles, and Charles Miner are my favourite performances so far. I also was genuinely pleased when he showed up in Age of Ultron and thought the second go of Ghost Rider might actually be good because of his presence.
How they can let me down:
I don't know, he'd probably have to have some kind of Bill Cosby sized secret that gets uncovered because I don't see the acting falling off anytime soon.
Actor:
Jake Gyllenhaal
What I like:
Before I just thought of Jake as "so... not Tobey Magurie" but Jarhead made me think maybe I shouldn't be so dismissive. Zodiac was another brick in the house of"Tobey Maguire is no Jake Gyllenhaal" Then came the hits like Prisoners and Nightcrawler that made me say, "why isn't this guy getting more award recognition?" Jake is quite the dynamic actor and I'd like to see more of him.
How they can let me down:
Southpaw isn't a terrible Jake performance so much as it is a waste of Jake's talents and I'm afraid that in his quest to get that Oscar he takes on more Oscar bait roles that don't serve his talents.
Actor:
John Boyega
What I like:
Attack the Block is an amazing movie with basically all unknowns (to me) but John stuck out in that film of dope performances. Seems J.J. agreed with me since he cast Mr. Boyega in the next Star Wars film. John deserves to be a star and I'm hoping Star Wars gives him the platform to be the next Idris (which is to say the one black guy who people want to cast in every iconic role whenever they're feeling charitable enough to cast against historic race for imaginary characters who don't HAVE to be white).
How they can let me down:
Even though it won't be his fault, if John's character, Finn, dies in The Force Awakens, I'm going to riot!
Actor:
Mahershala Ali
What I like:
Making it out alive and not coming off as a stereotype before the end of The Place Beyond the Pines really helped make this actor, whose name I will not only perpetually misspell but mispronounce, become an actor I always enjoy watching. Having take on a serious role in the proceedings on House of Cards is a plus and I'm legitimately more interested in Luke Cage now that he's been cast.
How they can let me down:
Not sure how this could happen to be honest.
Actor:
Margot Robbie
What I like:
I mostly like that she's not defined by the nude scene in Wolf of Wall Street. She is a diverse actress who can stand up against actors like Leo and Will then be the main attraction in a movie starring Captain Kirk and Solomon Northup. Oh yeah and an inspired choice for the role of Harley Quinn!
How they can let me down:
It probably isn't the case, but you never know, Margot might have some kind of racist tirade or even "I was just kidding" comment taped and hidden away somewhere.
Actor:
Melissa McCarthy
What I like:
I don't care what anyone says about "she's just playing the same role each time." Melissa puts in work. She can out talk anyone in a scene then put in the physical work to make her a constantly entertaining presence in films (sorry I can't get into any show I know she's associated with other than SNL). When the cast of Ghostbusters was announced, it really was Melissa's involvement that made me the most excited. She's an actor you can just get on board with word to Spy!
How they can let me down:
Keep making Tammy type movies and we might have an issue.
Actor:
Michael B. Jordan
What I like:
You may have realized that I like The Wire. Seeing Wallace pick up momentum in these past years, starting with the amazing Chronicle, is truly a treat. What you might not have guessed is that I haven't seen a single Rocky film. You better believe I'm going to watch Creed though! Also, let's give Idris a break and see how Michael would do as John Stewart.
How they can let me down:
I'm really hoping Fantastic Four 2 isn't a flop now that Fox has "removed the problem".
Actor:
Michael Fassbender
What I like:
Every character I've seen Michael take on, I've been mesmerized. Seeing him as a British officer who can pass for German (almost), a sex addict, or a holocaust survivor who can control metal is all good to me. He just knows how to act. There's no two ways about it. He's probably the only guy who could get me excited for another take on Macbeth as well as a stab at the Assassin's Creed video game as a film.
How they can let me down:
If those rumors of his domestic abuse issues ever stopped being rumors and people gave him the Bill Cosby treatment. So basically, it's a matter of time?
Actor:
Naomie Harris
What I like:
Back when I couldn't tell if she was Zoe Saldana or not in Dead Man's Chest and she was the only lasting memory I had of that film I guess I somehow knew she'd get on this list. There's something about the strength of the female characters she plays. From Ninja Assassin to Skyfall, to Winnie Mandela, you never think you're going to pull one over on Naomie's characters.
How they can let me down:
I don't think she can let me down.
Actor:
Nicole Beharie
What I like:
I genuinely enjoyed Nicole's work in 42 but it's the way she gets to play a character on TV who isn't defined by her race which is most enjoyable.
How they can let me down:
I guess I can only say that Hollywood's history with female actors doesn't give me much hope that I'll be able to continue to enjoy Nicole in fully developed roles every time she's on the big screen if she wants to get bigger.
Actor:
Oscar Issac
What I like:
Oscar was that second heat in Ex Machina. He just killed all his line delivery. I say that to say this, he never seems like the same guy just locking into a role. He's way different in Robin Hood (where he made too many good points for me to consider him the bad guy) than he is in Drive or A Most Violent Year. Just listen to him on the Nerdist Podcast to realize he's also a pretty cool guy off screen.
How they can let me down:
I'm going to go with some kind of major scandal. But I hope not.
Actor:
Rose Byrne
What I like:
Ever since she was Brad Pitt's trophy in Troy to going toe to toe with Glen Close, I've thought Rose was a solid actor. What turned it up a notch was her comedic work. Being that good at both is truly something to appreciate.
How they can let me down:
See Margot Robbie.
Actor:
Ruth Wilson
What I like:
The fact that her only on screen work I'm fond of is Luther shouldn't be an issue. Alice is an amazing character. A role that will buy Ms Wilson all sorts of good will going forward. I haven't seen her other TV credits but that Lone Ranger role was not a good look. However, She is a voice in Locke and that's all sorts of cool.
How they can let me down:
If Ruth never gets another role like Alice (I'm not saying I want her to be a woman who killed her parents and becomes intertwined with the officer investigating her parents' death every role) then that might be a let down. Something says I should be watching The Affair.
Actor:
Scoot McNairy
What I like:
Just watch Killing Them Softly. Well, I mean, he's got a whole gang of other roles, but the point is I can't not be intrigued by Scoot when he's on screen. He's got this intensity that instantly draws me in.
How they can let me down:
A lot is riding on this Batman v. Superman role. Not really, I just wish he had a bigger role in this. #ScootforKyleRayner
Actor:
Tessa Thompson
What I like:
Leading the charge in one of my top five movies last year, Tessa took a character who could have come off as tiresome or a little too self important and made me care about her. I look forward to seeing her in more even if it's just popping up in movies like Selma.
How they can let me down:
If she quit acting to become an activist. JUST KIDDING! Kind of...
Actor:
Tom Hardy
What I like:
I think we're all familiar with my appreciation of Tom Hardy. If not please take some time to read this assessment of his performances.
How they can let me down:
My fear is he could become like his one time brother Shia LaBeouf and just go insane and get kicked off sets. *Crossing fingers hoping that doesn't happen*
-YG