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, & stage work) 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" 60-51 |
60 Christopher Lee
Though he never stopped working its heartening to see Christopher Lee's resurgence. Not everybody gets such plum ongoing franchise gigs (Count Dooku in Star Wars & Saruman in Lord of the Rings from 2001 through 2005) as an octogenarian or is able to parlay them into other gigs --he's now a frequent actor for Tim Burton, too, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Corpse Bride, both 2004) But then not everyone is as cool and cruel onscreen as this former horror star.
59 Billy Crudup
He just can't get his movie career together. He turns down potentially star-making roles (Hulk, 2003) takes on highly offputting characters (World Traveller, 02) and invites much public ire (the dumping of the pregnant and awesome gf, Mary Louise Parker #96 in the actress countdown). But when he's really connected to a character in a fine film, it's magical. I highly recommend Jesus's Son (00) to anyone who will give it the time of day. I overstated the case when I handed him the Gold that year but I was in love, sue me. [I do stand by the nomination] Crudup was also good in Almost Famous (00) and Stage Beauty (04) despite my thumbs down to both films.58 Benicio Del Toro
Like Willem Dafoe (#70) Benicio is an actor who skeeves me out if I'm not able to dig into the performance which I'm not always able to. From time to time --let's say with pieces of the Way of the Gun (00) performance or the entirey of his work in The Pledge (01) --I hope to never seen him onscreen again. But then he'll do something truly icky but memorable (Sin City, 05) or accessible and gripping (Traffic, 00 and 21 Grams, 03. FB Bronze Medals for both) and I'll feel I have to give him his due. But on his own he's never going to entice me to see any particular movie.
57 Hugh Jackman
Oh you know that I wanted to place him higher. But this is the highest I can go with only one character pushing me to honor him. No matter how aggressively charismatic, sexually charged, or perfectly realized that character may be. I'm speaking of course about Wolverine in both installments of the X-Men (00 and 03). So this is probably too high for someone who makes me high but who I have remarkably never seen in any other films. Swordfish? Van Helsing? Ew. As soon as he makes a film that doesn't look like crap, I'm there. All that said, I did see his TONY winning turn in The Boy From Oz and in its own swishy way it was even more thrilling than both Wolverines put together. So... in summary: I'll pay $100 for a ticket to see him in anything on stage. But until he makes a good non-mutant movie, I'm keeping my $10.56 Jack Nicholson
I guess this man is never going to retire. But when you're as beloved and talented as he, why hang it up? It's true that he does coast on persona a bit too much (Somethings' Gotta Give, 03) and is overrewarded and overcompenstated for doing just that (witness the Oscar win and general nutso public response to As Good as it Gets in the 90s) but on the occassions when he does care enough to act his very best, it's absolutely clear why he's an enduring star and living legend. His highlight of the decade so far: About Schmidt (02). And some people swear by his work in The Pledge (01). I'm not one of them but it's hardly a phone in job nonetheless.
55 Eric Bana
I consider Chopper (00) to be in the top 10 list of "movies I should've seen in the past six years but did not". It's not that I'm sure I'll love it --it sounds too violent for my wuss tolerance threshold but I'm curious. Because it's like this: even when I'm not entirely staisfied with his work (Hulk, 03 -- underplayed--and Munich, 05 --overplayed) I am always left wanting to see more of his work. He's working some kind of mojo on me. There wasn't enough of him in Black Hawk Down (01) so the only fully satisfying Bana-thon at the movies this decade was in Troy (04). The movie was awful but Bana was operating on a much higher plane throughout. He helped me through the endurance test when even the normally jaw-dropping beauty of Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom (both coming up later) failed to hide the stink of the movie.54 Ethan Hawke
I have a long history of mildly appreciating Ethan Hawke whilst keeping him at arm's length. It used to be the grungy thing. I would be sorta into the performances but wishing he'd bathe (Reality Bites, 94) or into the performance but wishing it had more depth (Gattaca, 97). In this decade I've found myself more drawn to him, but still not a full-fledged fan. I liked him as Hamlet (00) more than I was expecting to. I thought his hyperactiveness in Tape (01) grated on the nerves but gave the low budget film juice that it needed. But in Waking Life (01), Training Day (01), and Before Sunset (04) he hit what may possibly be his peak as a performer, keeping the former earnest dramatic skills he'd always exhibited and adding the layers that were too invisible before. Well done. I'm still Keeping him at arm's length until he eats something, though. The man is skeletal post-Uma.
53 Bob Balaban
This character actor isn't the secret treasure that he once was since he now pops in regularly in major fare...but I'm happy to share him with the world. It was a delight to see him in The Mexican and Ghost World (01) and Capote (05). He's also a secret balancing act in Christopher Guest's comedies Best in Show (00) and A Mighty Wind (03) providing a straight man counterpart to everyone else's nutjobs. But in placing him on this list I'm thinking mostly of his befuddled Hollywood player in Gosford Park (01) a performance which always makes me grin. (Not that that film is lacking for performances that manage to do that)52 Billy Bob Thornton
I get what Angelina saw in him, however odd their relationship seemed at the time. He's a fine actor, a charismatic screen presence, and a unique star. He started off the decade with a rangey triple play. I could take or leave his neurosis in Bandits (01) but I thought he was better than Halle Berry in Monster's Ball (01) --check out how he just sits back and let's her have every scene: she's huffing and puffing away trying to win that Oscar while he's simply revealing everything you need to know about the character without doing much at all. Great stuff. This confident minimalist performance style is also used to superb effect in The Man Who Wasn't There (01) the best work I've ever seen him do. But the talent doesn't stop there. He also excels in showier bits. You have to love his razzle dazzle con in Intolerable Cruelty (03). As for the rest. I've been AWOL for his other efforts these past six years. At the very least I ought to see Bad Santa, 04.
51 Jim Carrey
He seems caught between his desire to expand his reach (successfuly with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 04, and un with The Majestic, 01) and those enormous paychecks for shticky zaniness (The Grinch, 00, Bruce Almighty, 03, and Lemony Snicket, 04) but whichever Carrey you are rooting for he is an inimitable talent. I hate it when genius comic actors give comedy up and exude the impression that they feel its beneath him. With Carrey we're currently getting good stufff for both worlds. He deserved an Oscar nomination for his resonant contribution to Eternal Sunshine but I actually hope he continues both tracks of his career. I just wish he'd work with stronger filmmakers when he's in zany mode. If the film's were as creative and lively as his performances, or at least within the same zip code they'd be classics.
next page? The Top 50 begins
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
