Andrew Rieger
Well-known member
So I thought this would make an interesting discussion for all the film nerds on this site. It's real simple, just name some actors and actresses that don't get the respect or opportunities from Hollywood that they deserve.
Here are a few of my top picks:
Actors:
1. Guy Pearce - what an amazing actor and yet he remains virtually unknown by mainstream audiences. If you have seem Memento, L.A Confidential and The Proposition, you know this guy has some serious acting chops.
2. Chiwetel Ejiofor - I'm a Serenity fan so I am biased but he is seriously good and has not had the opportunity to really shine. He is also amazing in Children of Men which is one of my favorites.
3. Ron Perlman - I know that some will disagree with me but I just love this guy and I wish I had more opportunities to see him on the big screen.
4. Sam Rockwell - I loved Moon and I know that many others loved the film and Sam's performance. Why is this guy not a bigger star? He was also great in Matchstick Men and Choke.
5. Nathan Fillion - Did I mention that I was a Firefly/Serenity fan. Get this guy more roles!
6. Chris Cooper - He was great in the October Sky, American Beauty, Adaptation and the Bourne Identity. He is one of those actors that mainstream audiences will recognize but will never remember his name.
7. Gary Oldman - Most people will see him on screen and say "Hey, that's Gordon from The Dark Knight and Sirius Black from Harry Potter!". Those who know can tell you that he is so much more than that.
8. Idris Elba - This guy blows me away every time I see him on screen, which of course, is not often enough.
9. Richard Jenkins - I thought he should have won an Academy Award for The Visitor and he blew me away in Let Me In.
10. Ryan Gosling - 2011 and 2012 will be big years for Ryan Gosling but seriously, why is this guy not an A-list star by now?
11. Jackie Earle Haley - I don't think Watchmen was a great film but Jackie was shockingly good as Rorschach. He was so good in fact that he made the movie.
12. Michael Parks - I'm so glad that Tarantino loves him and put him in Kill Bill. He is getting positive buzz for Red State but frankly, it is too little too late.
13. Paul Bettany - I see him as a more talented and less famous version of Jude Law. (married to Jennifer Connelly who is also painfully underrated)
Actresses:
1. Jennifer Connelly - What a gorgeous and talented actress. You don't really see her in much anymore but she can still act the socks off many other women who get way more attention. The Rocketeer, House of Sand and Fog, A Beautiful Mind, Requiem for a Dream and Dark City are all excellent examples of her unquestionable talent.
2. Ellen Burstyn - Requiem for a Dream, Holy $#!%!!, enough said.
3. Naomi Watts - Beautiful, talented and criminally underrated.
4. Catherine Keener - Loved in her almost everything I saw her in. She has a great performance range.
5. Laura Linney - So many spectacular performances and still no Oscar.
6. Emily and Zooey Deschanel - both are great and don't get the attention they deserve.
7. Thandie Newton - She was the best part of Crash IMO.
Post away but please, don't attack someone's personal choices.
Here are a few of my top picks:
Actors:
1. Guy Pearce - what an amazing actor and yet he remains virtually unknown by mainstream audiences. If you have seem Memento, L.A Confidential and The Proposition, you know this guy has some serious acting chops.
2. Chiwetel Ejiofor - I'm a Serenity fan so I am biased but he is seriously good and has not had the opportunity to really shine. He is also amazing in Children of Men which is one of my favorites.
3. Ron Perlman - I know that some will disagree with me but I just love this guy and I wish I had more opportunities to see him on the big screen.
4. Sam Rockwell - I loved Moon and I know that many others loved the film and Sam's performance. Why is this guy not a bigger star? He was also great in Matchstick Men and Choke.
5. Nathan Fillion - Did I mention that I was a Firefly/Serenity fan. Get this guy more roles!
6. Chris Cooper - He was great in the October Sky, American Beauty, Adaptation and the Bourne Identity. He is one of those actors that mainstream audiences will recognize but will never remember his name.
7. Gary Oldman - Most people will see him on screen and say "Hey, that's Gordon from The Dark Knight and Sirius Black from Harry Potter!". Those who know can tell you that he is so much more than that.
8. Idris Elba - This guy blows me away every time I see him on screen, which of course, is not often enough.
9. Richard Jenkins - I thought he should have won an Academy Award for The Visitor and he blew me away in Let Me In.
10. Ryan Gosling - 2011 and 2012 will be big years for Ryan Gosling but seriously, why is this guy not an A-list star by now?
11. Jackie Earle Haley - I don't think Watchmen was a great film but Jackie was shockingly good as Rorschach. He was so good in fact that he made the movie.
12. Michael Parks - I'm so glad that Tarantino loves him and put him in Kill Bill. He is getting positive buzz for Red State but frankly, it is too little too late.
13. Paul Bettany - I see him as a more talented and less famous version of Jude Law. (married to Jennifer Connelly who is also painfully underrated)
Actresses:
1. Jennifer Connelly - What a gorgeous and talented actress. You don't really see her in much anymore but she can still act the socks off many other women who get way more attention. The Rocketeer, House of Sand and Fog, A Beautiful Mind, Requiem for a Dream and Dark City are all excellent examples of her unquestionable talent.
2. Ellen Burstyn - Requiem for a Dream, Holy $#!%!!, enough said.
3. Naomi Watts - Beautiful, talented and criminally underrated.
4. Catherine Keener - Loved in her almost everything I saw her in. She has a great performance range.
5. Laura Linney - So many spectacular performances and still no Oscar.
6. Emily and Zooey Deschanel - both are great and don't get the attention they deserve.
7. Thandie Newton - She was the best part of Crash IMO.
Post away but please, don't attack someone's personal choices.
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