My Top 18 Actors/Actresses...plus 2 Filmmakers to make it an even 20
Hey, everyone! Hope everyone had an awesome Christmas and a good New Year.
Can't believe it's 2011 already...I hope it works out significantly better than my 2010...or my 2009...... :-\ I'm not really one for Resolutions...But.. I hope someone somewhere will deem me suitable enough to hire because I need a job like last year. I hope we can get a new heater in this damn house. It is freezing in here. I can barely type it's so cold. Our heater (and our air conditioning) has finally died and we can't afford a new one so we have to somehow get the money...
Oh, wait... I have a New Year's Resolution
I will write a screenplay. I don't care if it's for a short, like ten minutes long. I don't care if it's a feature length script...and I don't care if it's 'fanfic'. I just want to be able to prove to myself that I can actually write a screenplay from start to finish. :)
....and well...onto the main crux of this post. This is something that took me far too long to write up, but *shrug* I wanted to make this list. :)
These are the actors/actresses that I really like for one reason or another...they are the ones whose work I follow closely or will most likely follow and whose work I will try to see at least once. Or they are the ones who I may have unconsciously followed from one project to another. Some of these actors may not be what you would consider the 'bestest best actors' in the world but there was definitely something about them that drew me in. Some (ie most) of them have been in the business for quite some time while others are just getting started. Some of them have had critical acclaim and prestigious acting awards and/or nominations while others are woefully under appreciated.
All in all, it's probably quite an eclectic group of actors/actresses here. :) And to be honest, there really is no specific order...not really. :)
Oh, and to make this an even count, I've added a couple of behind the scene people whose work I have admired and loved for a long time. :)
----------
Johnny Depp
The chameleon. He loses himself in every role he does, not only with extravagant costumes and/or makeup physically, but also with his mannerisms and his voice. You see the character, not Johnny Depp. He becomes the character. And his performances, while some may be a bit more eccentric than others, are filled with subtleties - a little quirk of the eyebrow here, a look there. And he’s very expressive with his eyes; whatever his character is feeling at the moment can be seen through his eyes, especially in the haunting looks of his Sweeney Todd. He’s created several iconic characters, including his Edward Scissorhands and Captain Jack Sparrow.
I first noticed Johnny maybe about ten years ago. The first role that drew me in was in Sleepy Hollow (1999). I had seen him before; of course I had seen Edward Scissorhands, but I had been too young when it came out to even know who was playing which part. But Sleepy Hollow made an impact. I found his performance as Ichabod Crane hilarious and watched it so many different times. Then I saw From Hell and became….well, a fangirl. XD
I have since seen every movie he’s been in at least once…and I will always give his movies at least one viewing. But just because I’m a fangirl, that doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll automatically love the movie. There have been a few movies of his that I am not fond of (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Astronaut’s Wife are a couple) but I have seen them.
He has a certain charismatic way about him that I love. His sense of humor is…unique and I love him for it, though I think sometimes it flies over some people’s head but whatever XD I love his quirkiness. I love his eccentric style. He really delves into his characters with no apology and I love that.
Audiences love him and he’s well admired among critics and fellow actors and others in the industry. He’s got three Academy Award nominations and I fully believe that one day soon, he will win.
----------
Zachary Quinto
I’m what people would term as a relative newcomer when it comes to being a fan of Zachary Quinto. I didn’t ‘discover’ him until fairly recently, within the last year and a half. But ever since I first spotted him, I’ve been swept up and have been following his career extremely closely. :)
Like the nerd that I am, I was going to see JJ Abrams’ Star Trek regardless of who was in it. I am a HUGE Star Trek fan in general…I have seen just about every single episode of every single series (still working my way through the Original Series however but still). I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical…I mean, this is Trek. It’s been around for over 40 years. If they screwed this up by either casting the wrong people or ruining the canon…well, they did mess with canon but it was okay because they cast perfectly.
I became a Zachary Quinto fan the moment his Spock told the Vulcan Ministry to…well, he said ‘Live long and prosper’ but his eyes told an entirely different story: ‘fuck off and die.’ Quinto’s Spock has a touch of a rebel to him, he’s a bit of a hot head and he’s a romantic. And well…let’s be shallow for a moment, he is sexy.
After I became enamored with Quinto, I became hooked to the television series where he made his name, Heroes. He took a character, Sylar, that wasn’t really meant to be more than an evil guy who killed people and made him sympathetic, revealing his inner thoughts and desires. I took to him because he brings subtleties to his work and I like subtlety. :)
----------
Chris Colfer
He makes me want to cry. And I mean that in the best possible way. He makes me laugh. He makes me want to jump through the screen and hug him. He makes me say ‘awww, he’s so adorable’. Sometimes all within the same episode.
In Glee, Chris Colfer plays Kurt Hummel, the only out and proud gay kid at McKinnley High. At first, Kurt was used as pretty much all gay characters are used, as the secondary character used as comedic relief. But somewhere between the coming out to his dad storyline early in the first 13 episodes and the end of the first season (and into season 2), Chris Colfer took this character and molded him into someone who’s not perfect (he suffers from a bit of a diva complex at times), someone real. His story lines became more emotionally charged and more dramatic and Colfer continuously knocked them out of he park. I can name the exact moment I became a “Kurtsie,” but my explanation may go on for far too long so I will just leave this video, which surprisingly FOX hasn’t taken down yet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hrr6LIIPGS8
It’s not often you see an actor as young as Colfer have such a strong grasp on who his character is, his character’s faults and throws himself so completely into his performance. Colfer is so expressive, so emotional, and so real that it pulls you in, especially in his musical numbers. But he’s not just tied into drama. He can pull of the comedic parts as well (his ‘Single Ladies’ dance is one example…along with “The Substitute“).
Critics and his fellow actors have taken notice of the amazing talent Colfer has. He's only 20 years old in his *first* professional job and he's already been nominated for an Emmy, two Satellite Awards and most recently, he's received a Golden Globe nomination (of which he’s the favorite to win) and a Screen Actors Guild Award in the same week. All at the young age of 20. His fellow nominees are at least twice his age. I would not put it past him to be nominated (or even win) for an Oscar someday....maybe even within the next ten years. Or hell, he might even get a Tony Award under his belt because I have no doubt in my mind he'll hop on the Broadway stage at some point.
It'll be interesting to follow his career, see where he goes, see how high he can go (and I seriously hope he can avoid being typecast as he doesn’t have the ‘traditional’ look or, let’s be honest, voice of a Hollywood actor). If he can handle himself so well in such a groundbreaking role as Kurt (a part that was written for him specifically), I imagine he can handle himself well in just about any scenario.
----------
Jennifer Morrison
I had never seen her before House but she quickly became one of the reasons I watched the show. Not only because of her chemistry with Hugh Laurie (which the producers sadly decided not to capitalize on), but also because of her very heartfelt and subtle performance as Dr. Allison Cameron. She quickly became my favorite character and actress on the show. And soon she became the only reason I continued to watch the show. Once the producers decided to write her character off the show for no real reason, I was done with the show. I loved her and her character and if she wasn’t going to be there, there was no reason for me to watch anymore.
Her role in Star Trek wasn’t large (well, okay, it was large seeing as she was James T. Kirk’s Mom) but she managed to pack so much emotion into what few scenes she did have. She made such an impact that she literally brought tears to my eyes.
She had proven her dramatic acting chops with her roles on House and Star Trek, but earlier this year, she signed on for a recurring role on the comedy show How I Met Your Mother. And she was hilarious. And so bright and vivacious, so dramatically different from Cameron and Winona Kirk.
I haven’t seen everything she’s been in as of yet, though I have seen her indie film Flourish, but I will be keeping my eye on her, see where she goes next. Jennifer has such a bubbly personality and seems so sweet that you cannot help but love her.
----------
Zoe Saldana
The first role I saw Zoe in and remembered her name was Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. She certainly made herself memorable as being the one woman whom Jack Sparrow could remember why she was mad at him. He stole her boat, though he said he borrowed it.
But in reality, the first role I saw her in was Drumline, you know, the one where they made marching band cool. Yeah, that movie was a hit in my high school band; we watched that movie every time the band directors gave us free time XD
Her favorite role of mine is as Lieutenant Nyota Uhura in JJ Abrams’ Star Trek. She was so fierce and strong and confident and she had amazing chemistry with both Chris Pine and especially Zachary Quinto.
Say what you want about Avatar (I don’t think it’s the greatest movie ever made, but I do still like it), but her performance as Neytiri is quite possibly the best thing about it. She was so intense, particularly in the scene where she thinks Jack betrayed her. She made the movie for me. I just love her performance in it.
She has become more prominent and more widely known over the last few years, largely in part of her roles on Star Trek and Avatar. And what I find interesting is that her star is beginning to shine brighter now that she’s over 30, which makes her a late bloomer as far as Hollywood actresses are concerned. I haven’t seen her comedies yet, but they’re on my list of things I must watch. But I do know that I love her in her dramatic roles. I will definitely keep my eye on her :)
----------
Daniel Radcliffe
I have seen everything Daniel Radliffe has starred in, except for the two roles he had prior to Harry Potter and his role on Broadway, and I have to say, his acting has grown by leaps and bounds. His talent has grown exponentially. It’s amazing how you can watch the Harry Potter series and see his development as an actor; first as a child who is merely reacting and basically spouting lines out, to an adult who truly has a grasp of his character and the inner workings his mind.
I also think that his other projects he did in between Potter movies, such as My Boy Jack, December Boys, and especially his critically acclaimed role in the Broadway and West End productions of Equus, really helped shape him as an actor. It was after each of those projects that his work in the following Potter movies was significantly improved.
He’s very charismatic and it comes across the screen and especially his interviews. One thing that I love is how he (and his fellow cast mates as well) has remained grounded despite having such a high profile role in a beloved franchise. Unlike so many other young stars who succumb to the pitfalls of stardom, Radcliffe has not allowed himself to become the same. Part of it has to do with his support system I’m sure, but I also believe that he refuses to allow himself to become another Lindsey Lohan or whatever.
And personally, he’s such a dork that I can’t help but like him. He’s…adorkable. XD
----------
Emma Watson
Like Daniel Radcliffe, I love watching her progress through the Harry Potter series. She’s grown from an adorable little eleven year-old to a beautiful young woman and a wonderful actress.
She was the emotional cornerstone of the latest Harry Potter film…well, she really has been throughout the entire series as far as I’m concerned.
---------
Rupert Grint
I could repeat everything that I have already said about both Daniel and Emma here. Rupert has grown so much and I can’t wait to see where he goes next. I think he would be absolutely perfect in a comedy…he’s got awesome comedic timing.
…Though I really must admit… I have a hard time looking at him and not see my nephew, Z. He looks so much like him…only with a darker complexion, dark brown hair…and, you know, half-Mexican. XD
----------
Nathan Fillion
Okay, I’ll be honest. A lot of his roles are…well…similar…in a way. But also very different at the same time…if that makes sense. His characters are often charming, witty, and a have a tendency to be a bit of a player. He’s got wicked comedic talent and he is so much fun to watch in whatever project he’s got going on.
He was eerily creepy as the evil preacher Caleb during the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I loved his badass leader of a bunch of mercenaries in Firefly (and Serenity), Captain Malcolm Reynolds. Really, who didn’t love Mal? And then he was hilarious as the ‘villain’ Captain Hammer of Joss Whedon’s web series Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog. And his most recent series, Castle, is so much fun. He plays a witty crime writer who is as charming as they come. But we do explore another aspect of Nathan’s acting with the wonderful scenes with his character’s daughter, which are often some of the best scenes of the episodes. And let’s not forget the awesome chemistry between him and his co-star Stana Katic.
Nathan is just so damn charming that I can’t help but love him. Damn you, Nathan, and the endless buckets of charm you possess.
----------
Gillian Anderson
I love Gillian. She is so giggly, so cheerful and so much fun to watch in interviews. So completely unlike her iconic role as Special Agent Dana Scully from the ever seminal classic TV show, The X-Files. She was so awesome as the kick ass Scully, yet so vulnerable at times and emotional. And she and fellow co-star David Duchovny shared the type of chemistry most actors only dream about achieving.
Gillian’s performance as Scully earned her a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and two Screen Actors Guild awards along with many other nominations and wins. But she didn’t stop with just X-Files. She also earned Emmy and Globe nominations as well as a BAFTA nomination for her work in the mini-series Bleak House (which is on my queue to watch at Netflix XD)
I haven’t seen everything she’s done since the end of The X-Files as she has been performing on the London stage for several years and has had roles in some independent films, but I have followed her closely.
At the risk of making her sound older than she is, but she has been a part of my Film/TV viewing since I was about eight years old. I am permanently attached to her XD There is absolutely no way I can ever stop keeping track of her career. It’s just not feasible to me :)
---------
David Duchovny
Like Gillian, David Duchovny has been a part of my entertainment life since I was about eight years old. His Special Agent Fox Mulder will forever be a part of my life. I can still quote him, remember many of the scenes quite vividly, even if I haven’t seen the episode in forever… I just think he’s awesome XD
----------
Helena Bonham-Carter
She is so unique and versatile, not afraid of challenging herself and she always throws herself into her roles. I always enjoy her performances.
She is wickedly twisted as Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter franchise; she can give you chills with her insanely awesome Bellatrix. She was a scene-stealer as The Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland. And my favorite role (that I have seen so far) is her Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. I absolutely adore (strange I know, how can I adore a dark gruesome movie? I don’t know either, but I do…wonder what that says about me >_>) that movie and her Mrs. Lovett is sympathetic, manipulative and hopelessly in love with someone who could never return her affections.
----------
James Marsters
I (and many critics) have always thought it was a crime that the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences really failed when they never even nominated James Marsters for his role as Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Apparently a show named Buffy and a character called ’Spike’ was just too much for all the old guys on the panels. Which is a shame really, because they really missed out.
James as Spike was quite a sight to behold. He came onto the show in the second season as the ‘Big Bad’ and was only supposed to last a few episodes before being staked by the Buffster, but fans really took to him, as well as the cast and crew, so he lived. And became a regular. Then became Buffy’s love interest. After earning his soul back. Quite a change from the tough baddie he was when he was introduced.
James brought a sense of sympathy to a character who, while he was still an evil killing machine, made him more human (that brief look of worry that Angelus was going to kill Buffy in season 2 finale for example). And the subtle loving looks he gave Buffy when he fell in love with her. But he really, really shined in the season seven episode ‘Beneath You’. He was simply heartbreaking and confused and utterly, hopelessly still in love in the scene in the church.
---------
David Boreanaz
I still follow him around. I’ve tried to catch as many of his appearances as I can. I still miss seeing him on my TV screen every week though. Besides, Spike was a HUNDRED times BETTER than Angel. XD
I’ve been watching David Boreanaz on television every year, every season, since Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s first episode in 1997. So, that makes thirteen years of non-stop Boreanaz. Clearly, there was something about him that drew me to him despite my less than enthusiastic love of his character Angel.
As I stated, I first saw him in Buffy as the so-called mysterious Angel, the original vampire with a soul, but who also was haunted with a curse and dark side. I followed him to his spin-off Angel where I liked Angel better XD (though I must admit that I have some issues with him but that’s an entirely different post XD) But my favorite Boreanaz character is his Seeley Booth from Bones. Booth is just made of awesome.
I must admit…it will be a sad day when Boreanaz decides that he doesn’t want to do television anymore. I just don’t know how I’m going to cope with a David-less television series. XD
----------
Chris Pine
I’ll admit…pretty much the only thing I’ve seen Chris Pine in so far has been Star Trek. I know he has had other projects, but I just haven’t had the chance to watch them yet. I want to. I was so impressed by his Kirk - I was skeptical at first, ‘cause you know, it’s James T. Kirk. But he was awesome as Kirk. XD
If I may be shallow for a brief moment, look at those eyes! They’re so blue! And oh, so pretty <3
--------
Kate Winslet
I must admit that I haven't seen a lot of her films, which is something I really need to rectify, but everything that I have seen her in, I’ve loved her. And she is so down to earth and so real that you can't help but love her.
Naturally, the role I first saw her in and knew her name was in the now overly melodramatic Titanic (I loved the movie back in the day and saw it several times in the theatre, but now, …not so much, though granted it has been a while since I’ve watched it). The movie isn’t one of my favorites, but I still credit that movie for making me realize the awesomeness that is Kate Winslet. She was wonderfully quirky in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (which, incidentally, was also one of the few movies with Jim Carrey where he didn't annoy me but that's another story). And she broke my heart in Finding Neverland; she was so heartfelt and moving as the dying mother of several young boys who befriends Peter Pan author J. M. Barrie.
---------
Daniel Dae Kim
Sometimes you find yourself following an actor and not even realizing that you’re following his career around…But then you realize that you have watched him on TV for four television shows, so obviously, you were following them around. Well…that’s me and Daniel Dae Kim.
I didn’t follow his television career to every show he was on (I never watched 24 for example) nor did I catch all the guest appearances he made but I did catch him on television quite a bit from 2001 to 2010...almost consecutively really.
First, I saw him on Joss Whedon’s Angel as Gavin Park, an evil lawyer. XD Then I caught his brief appearances on Star Trek Enterprise (he was in four episodes). Then, of course, as Jin Kwon on LOST, the role I will probably most associate with him. I loved Jin. XD
And most recently, on Hawaii Five-0. And I will probably most likely follow him around on that show until it ends…and who knows what else after that XD
…I must admit…It might have been that shirtless scene of Jin in LOST that did me in >_>
----------
Alex O'Loughlin
Apparently, like Daniel Dae Kim, I have followed Alex O’Loughlin rather unconsciously. I certainly didn’t really do it on purpose, but obviously, there must’ve been something about him that I liked XD …okay, I must be admit that there is a bit of a shallow reason, I’m sure >_>
I first saw him in Moonlight, the short lived but awesome show on CBS a few years (it won People’s Choice for Best New Show…yet they cancelled it anyway :-\ ) It was about vampires, but not the wimpy, sparkly kind. XD I then tried to catch him on the even shorter lived medical drama Three Rivers, the medical drama on CBS…last year I think, that only lasted like three episodes.
But it seems to be third time’s a charm for him…his latest show, Hawaii Five-0, seems to be the perfect fit, being the top rated new show this season :) Which only means that I get to watch him on screen for longer this time… which is nice XD
----------
Tim Burton
I love Tim Burton’s style; the artistic look of his work just calls to me. Maybe it’s because I’m drawn to the dark stuff, or the dark humor…I don’t know for sure, but I love his work for all its quirkiness, its stylistic visuals, and compelling stories.
---------
Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon, the creator of cultural icons and cult hits; the creator of kick ass female characters such as Buffy. There’s Buffy, there’s Spike, there’s Angel, there’s Malcolm Reynolds, and the list goes on and on. He has a knack for witty dialogue and emotionally deep storylines.
I feel that a lot of showrunners and writers could learn from him. He planned all his storylines out way in advance to allow for amazing continuity. He wrote one of, if not the, strongest female characters on television…something a lot of television and movie writers need to learn to do.
I don’t care what it is, if Joss Whedon is attached to it, I will watch it.
In short, Joss Whedon is my master. :)