There are some movies that don’t need any help and there are some that are beyond help. Despite that, I think there are some actors who always make a movie better than it would have been. They aren’t always leads, but any scene they’re in is worth watching. My list would start with: JK Simmons Rachel McAdams Michael B Jordan Tilda Swinton Jeff Daniels Ming-Na Wen
Who are the actors you feel the same way about? Or do you disagree with the premise?
I’m not sure whether I agree with the premise but, if I did, my list would include Tim Curry, Jeff Goldblum, Idris Elba, Charlize Theron, Renée Zellweger, Bill Nighy, Jeffrey Wright, and Judi Dench.
Except for Jeff and Idris, I can think of movies for each of them that weren’t rescued by their presence. Still, I usually enjoy them anyway.
Gary Oldman, and boy has he polished some turds
Probably the best answer. He is in many more movies than people realise but has some amazing performances to back him up.
I completely agree with you about Gary Oldman. He manages to disappear into each roll, but the results are always interesting.
Watch Tiptoes and you will see that put to the test
That’s so crazy I literally just talked about this movie not an hour ago
Sam Rockwell.
Jesse Plemons, Walton Goggins, and Michael Shannon
Keith David always adds legitimacy to a movie, despite being in a lot of really bad movies. I think his ability is knowing what kind of a movie he’s in. He always brings the right energy, regardless of the quality. And he’s been doing it for decades, yet most people don’t recognize the name, but most recognize the voice from somewhere.
Alan Cumming is one. Also Parker Posey who shared a bunch of scenes with him in Josie and the Pussycats.
Enrico Colantoni for sure.
Kim Dickens, Judy Greer, John Turturro.
Colantoni is absolutely one of those people.
Enrico Colantoni for him as Mathesar in Galaxy Quest, alone.
I would agree with JK Simmons and Tilda Swinton, but I’m personally not sure about the rest of your list, although they are really good actors.
In no particular order, I’d probably say Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Willem Dafoe (he’s actually my #1), Simon Pegg, Jon Bernthal… That’s all I got after thinking for like ten minutes.
Situationally, I’d say Kenneth Branagh elevates Wild Wild West, which already has a stellar cast, but he just chews up each scene with his voice and everything he says; and possibly even Chamber of Secrets. However I’m not much of a fan of his Poirot.
Brad Pitt is a tough one because he’s both given too much credit, and at the same time, not nearly enough. Like, yeah, he can steal scenes with charm and humor. Like, often. Even with other scene stealing actors. He’s also gifted with a good voice and 10/10 looks for a man. So, yeah he steals scenes, he can play any character and come of as likeable. Itd be interesting to see him try to play someone truly despicable.
Now see, I have to give more credit to someone like Willem Defoe, Walton goggins, or Christopher walkin. Mostly because their names prominently include a W, unlike Brad Pitt. Lol jk but charming and likeable is a lot easier way to steal a scene than just damn good work. That’s not to take anything away from Brad Pitt, of course. He uses his gifts well, as do the others I mentioned. They’re just different gifts.
I heartily agree about Bale, Oldman, Pitt, and Dafoe. Simon Pegg doesn’t always do it for me. Bernthal is a great actor, but I thought his contribution to the Daredevil series was more loss than gain (which I realize is not the common reaction).
I think Branagh can be good, but he can also be tiresome. I made the mistake of watching his Poirot movies in combination with their earlier incarnations. I think he is a better director than actor.
I enjoy Laura Dern in anything. And Michelle Yeoh - although I’m scared to see the new Star Trek, that might be too much even for her charisma.
Eugene Levy. Much of his career as an “ensemble man” where he constantly stole the show. He nails every line, intonation, and timing in ever scene in every movie or show he’s ever done. Rembrant of comedy.
Keanu Reeves. Not because his movies, scripts, plots, co-stars have all been aces, but because, per your premise, he adds to each of his movies, and some of them he doesn’t necessarily define. Someone with the range to play in Branach’s Much Ado about Nothing as well as Bill and Ted’s excellent adventure.
Bill fucking Murray. So many of those flix could have been horrid but he made them classics, Stripes is a good example, if you take him out it’s a zero.
As much as I love Keanu, I’ve seen some films which he made a bit worse IMO - like Dracula. Bill Murray though - yep.
JK Simmons
That explains why Postal ist Use Boll’s best film.
deleted by creator
