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" 90-81 |
90 Nikolaj Lie Kaas
This scruffy Danish actor often plays seemingly dim ne'er do wells who are struggling to reform. We don't mind typecasting so much when the actor in question is so adept at the familiar role. Kaas's characters are never all that verbally expressive or at least they choose not to be: "Jeppe" in the 1998's The Idiots (released here in 2000), for instance, only plays at being stupid. And "Stefan" in Flickering Lights (00) --is he really of limited intelligence and vocabulary or his mouth just too full (he's constantly eating) for meaningful dialogue exchanges? Most recently Nikolaj inhabited the uncomfortable skin of ex-con Jannik in Brothers (04). This actor may be working in a purposefully limited frame, but there's a surprisingly wide range of brushstrokes within.
89 Linus Roache
Moviegoers will immediately recognize Linus Roache as progressive billionaire and Batman daddy Thomas Wayne (Batman Begins, 05). But this moviegoer has loved Mr. Roache for a good 10+ years. After the one-two punch of Priest and Wings of the Dove in the 1990s I expected Linus to become a much respected and sought after talent (along the career lines of a Ralph Fiennes, with whom he's shared the stage in live theater). For reasons unknownst to me larger roles and fame never materialized. So I'll just remain in the small but devoted fan circle of this terrific actor. If only he could land another juicy lead (2001's Pandaemonium remains his high mark this decade) rather than small roles in sci-fi throwaways (2004's The Forgotten & Chronicles of Riddick) or TV films.88 Albert Finney
It's Tom Jones himself! Finney began his 5th decade onscreen pulling double duty for Steven Soderbergh in 2000. Never mind that chief of staff role in Traffic, though. The main event of this particular double was Finney's "Ed Masry" and his superb chemistry with Erin Brockovich. "They're called boobs, Ed" Yes, yes. Julia killed in the role but without Finney returning every superb serve from the other side of the net the movie wouldn't have worked half as well. There was something too pre-programmed about his "Ed Bloom" in Big Fish (03) but it was still a good fit for his oversized charm. Finney could also be heard voicing the stuffy father, "Finnis Everglot" in Corpse Bride (05).
87 Don Cheadle
Behold: Case Study #1,032 in why talented actors should never give up. Take Don Cheadle. There's years (YEARS) lost in the sitcom trenches (including the dreadful Golden Girls spinoff) despite no discernable comedic skill. Even after acclaimed breakthroughs in the mid 90s there are still awkward moments. Take his overcooked performance in Mission to Mars, 00. (No really, take it. Please). All of this is a lengthy way of saying that I don't love Don Cheadle as much as I'm supposed to...I'm a bit agnostic, really. I thought he was perfectly fine in Crash (2004) if less special than several awards bodies felt. But I'm not blind. When he's "on" as he was in Traffic (00) and most impactfully Hotel Rwanda (04), he's really something. More of that dramatic force applied liberally and I'll be a believer in no time.86 Christopher Plummer
Like Donald Sutherland (#100), Plummer has been around forever. He delivers so consistently that he's taken for granted. He closed the previous decade with an acclaimed very visible gig in The Insider and a surprising Oscar snub. In this current decade his energy hasn't flagged. Though he can't quite say no when he should (way too much TV and straight-to-video fare and probably 2004's Alexander while we're at it) he thankfully still ends up in good form in prestige films that know how to harness his potent screen presence: Most notably A Beautiful Mind (01), Nicholas Nickleby (02), Syriana and The New World (05).
85 Paul Giamatti
We've hit a mini patch of actors who are obviously talented but who still haven't completed won me over. Though I am naturally adverse to actors who specialize in everyman schlubs (I can see that at the mall, thanks) Giamatti is getting increasingly hard to ignore. American Splendor (03), Sideways (04), and Cinderella Man (05). Quite a triple, no? Three straight years of fine work in plum roles in acclaimed films would equal big fame for any character actor. But most of them, however talented, don't get this many high profile chances back-to-back. This is no knock on Giamatti. All big careers have an element of luck to them. I will say this for this unlikely star: He didn't take anything for granted. In Splendor he's giving 100%. In Sideways he's baring his soul. And in Cinderella Man, when some people would be phoning it in with an easy stock role, he's selling the hell out of it just to keep in the game. Well done.84 Josh Lucas
Though this still ascending actor is unquestionably easy on the moviegoing eye, I have to admit that at first I didn't have high hopes for his career. Pretty actors who kick things off with the beautiful snake roles or member of the frat-like pack (2000's You Can Count on Me, American Psycho & 2001's The Deep End and A Beautiful Mind) don't often emerge from it (even if they're very good at adding interesting shadings to it as he did in The Deep End) . More of the same snakishness in Hulk (2003) was probably a mistake but with Sweet Home Alabama (02) more typical movie-star potential began to show. Mainstream Hollywood is responding: Stealth (05) and Glory Road (06). If he wants to he could out-McConaughey McConaughey in no time flat.
83 Djimon Honsou
One in a long list of actors that should be much bigger stars than they are. Despite past major roles (Amistad) or memorable presence in major films (Gladiator, 00) casting directors, executives, his agent and/or Honsou himself (who knows where this problem lies really?) seem to be content in trading on this African star's formidable physicality with repeated small roles in action or sci-fi detours (2003's Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life and 2005's The Island & Constantine), even though he's already proved he can handle much more, landing a surprise Oscar nomination for an atypical role (In America, 03). Times a-wastin'. Get this man another interesting role now.82 Daniel Day-Lewis
This actor is a selfish selfish man. How else to explain his willingness to leave audiences Day-Lewisless for 3 or 4 years at a time? Oh well. At least on the rare occassions when he's willing to work (2002's Gangs of New York, and 2005's The Ballad of Jack and Rose) he doesn't keep starring in the same movie *cough* jodie foster *cough*81 Jeffrey Wright
OK, I'm cheating. I confess. Jeffrey Wright does not appear this high for his supporting efforts in Hamlet or Shaft (00), Ali (01), The Manchurian Candidate (04), and Syriana or Broken Flowers (05) however valuable those performances may have been to their films. And usually when this actor is in a film his contribution is noteworthy even if the role is nothing much. He appears on this list because his performance as Belize in Angels in America (03, HBO miniseries) is one of the best performances I've ever seen. ever. So attention must be paid. If he ever gets a role that good in a movie I'll be the first to demand he gets an Oscar --hell, several Oscars--for his trouble.
next page (80-71)
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
