list-o-mania
from the cluttered wishing to be categorized brain of Nathaniel R
Compiled in February 2006 using a complex mathematical formula [snort] involving number of films, clarity of obsession, quality of work, and other *undefinables* (such as previous films, awards show appearances, publicity, tv, & stagework) that influence me even though the list is meant to be about 2000 through 2005 only for more on the workings of this list -check out the introduction
Actors of the "Aughts" 100-91 |
100 Donald Sutherland
There were about 12 guys competing for this slot but I am so enamored of Sutherland's sneakily excellent sideline show in 2005's Pride & Prejudice (better than the nominated supporting actors this year) and it's so fresh in my memory that I had to do it. Sutherland doesn't work enough (last saw him in 2003's Cold Mountain) and when he does work there is too much television and/or unattractive projects (Commander in Chief, Lord of War, Frankenstein). What's most aggravating is that even when he does do something great, as he did in P & P, everyone ignores it. Maybe he's just too reliably good and, thus, taken for granted? The Oscar drought for this terrific actor must end.99 Jamie Bell
I am normally not a sucker for those "inspirational" movies but Billy Elliott (00) really gets to me. That's largely due to this kid's natural screen charisma and exuberance. In his subsequent films: Nicholas Nickleby (02), Undertow (04) and King Kong (05), he's proven that Billy wasn't a fluke. Jamie Bell is, at this writing, only 19. Hollywood doesn't often have abundant and interesting roles for men in their 20s but here's hoping that a couple of the rare great ones find their way into this capable actor's hands.98 Matthew McFayden
I know there will be a chorus of "you're just hot for Darcy" doubters at this moment. And, yes, McFayden is deliciously ill-humored as the prickly proud romantic object of Pride & Prejudice. But I tell you with all sincerity that it's not the role but the actor. I never fell for the definitive Darcy, Colin Firth. McFayden first caught my eye in a teensy role in Enigma (02), I didn't particularly enjoy the film, but his presence was felt and I began to look forward to a future breakout, which I happily receive gift-wrapped in this revived Austen classic.
97 Jeremy Northam
Exactly where hath Jeremy Northam disappeared to in the last couple of years? He started this decade off right, hitting my pleasure zone dead center with his calm inside the storm of Gosford Park (01) His singing Ivor Novello was such a hit with this filmgoer that the hard earned cash was plunked down on the soundtrack (Though a cinephile I be, I'm not much for soundtracks or memorabilia or any sort. I just like to to watch). Jeremy also gave fine romance in the otherwise lame Possession (02) If you think his range is just pleasant and romantic, think again. He also gives good menace as revealed to us in Enigma (02)96 Andy Lau
2006 will bring us Martin Scorsese's remake of the Hong Kong blockbuster Infernal Affairs (03) now retitled The Departed. Matt Damon and Leonardo DiCaprio will play the roles originated by Andy Lau and Tony Leung (who will be coming up much later in the countdown). Good luck to both of them. Lau and Leung have great chemistry (they've made six movies together) and potent dramatic intensity in that cat and mouse double identity thriller. If you missed Lau in that film, he should still be familiar to moviegoers as the third wheel to Ziyi Zhang (#21 on the actress list) & Takeshi Kaneshiro's (#92) baroque romance in the visually spectacular House of Flying Daggers (04).95 Val Kilmer
Val started his career as a bad boy of the 80s and gained a "difficult" reputation. He very nearly became a big big star in the 90s. Now, in the third decade of his career he seems to have settled into a fine groove of character work reminding us that he was always a highly watchable actor. He kicked off this decade with a small role opposite Ed Harris in Pollock (00), playing fellow artist Willem DeKooning. He's on this list because he's clearly aching to kick it up a notch again after his showy dad-from-hell in Alexander (04) and a nicely grounded comic ease in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (05). With several projects lined up, a big publicized comeback could be in store.
94 Matthieu Almaric
Though I am usually attuned to spotting unfamiliar actors from one film to the next, I can't say that I would have connected the dots between the philosophizing patient in Kings and Queen (05) and the secretive information broker in Munich (05) if I hadn't seen the two films in very close promixity. Both performances are so different and both so perfectly served their films while completely piqueing my interest in the actor, that I'm more than ready for the next sighting.93 John Michael Higgins
If you're reading the name and saying "who?" rest assured that you would smile if you saw a picture. He gives great comic relief whether on frequent TV guest spots (Ally McBeal, Arrested Development) or in the ensemble in films. He's a busy actor but he's on this list because he is one of my favorite members of Christopher Guest's hilarious mockumentary troupe. In both Best in Show (00) and A Mighty Wind (03) he gives great comic partnership as the prissiest half of a trés gay dog show couple in the former and the color-worshipping husband of Jane Lynch in the latter. Funny stuff. I hope he's in the next one.92 Takeshi Kaneshiro
We don't get many opportunities to see perhaps the most beautiful actor on the planet here in the States. But when he does grace the screen it's impossible not to notice. In House of Flying Daggers (04) he is utterly believable as the cocky hero (because who wouldn't be buying what this man is selling?). He's also nice to look at in the embarrassingly derivative sci-fi actioner The Returner (02). Takeshi last starred in Hong Kong's Academy Award entry Perhaps Love (05) which has sadly not made it to NYC. I wait impatiently. Now if only he'd work with Wong Kar Wai again as he did in the 90s. (For Takeshi enthusiasts, there's more drooling here)
91 Richard Jenkins
A familiar face in the crowd, Jenkins always delivers. You may remember him from The Man Who Wasn't There (01), Intolerable Cruelty (03), or HBO's Six Feet Under which gave him a beautiful career boost playing the patriarch of a highly neurotic clan. That his character was dead and only occassionaly haunted them allowed him lots of time to make movies. Thank the cinematic gods for that. He's complete comic gold in one scene at a dinner table in I Heart Huckabees (04) and this past year proved just as miraculous dramatically. He's given a preposterously only-in-the-movies personality switch at the climax of North Country but he pulls it off. Beautifully. Hollywood: Give this man bigger roles. Do that quick, will you?
next page (90-81)
The Complete List for The Films of 2000-2005
100 -91 / 90-81 / 80-71/ 70-61 / 60-51 / 50-41
40-31 / 30-21 / 20-11 / 10-6 / 5-1
