Is Russell Crowe the best active actor in the movies?

Damn Brit · 12-24-2009, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by Ratmagiclady

I thought Christian Slater was the heir apparent.

He's never got any real recognition though for some reason, I like him though. He's been consigned to tv for the moment, in quite a good show called 'The Forgotten'.

I tend to like the character actors more than the stars, Tim Roth, Gary Oldman and Timothy Spall are three examples of incredible acting ability. Maybe I notice them more because I'm English and so are they.

Jasvox · 12-24-2009, 08:48 PM

Funny, I thought he was a Kiwi.

Jason

Ratmagiclady · 12-24-2009, 10:58 PM

Originally posted by Damn Brit

He's never got any real recognition though for some reason, I like him though. He's been consigned to tv for the moment, in quite a good show called 'The Forgotten'.

I tend to like the character actors more than the stars, Tim Roth, Gary Oldman and Timothy Spall are three examples of incredible acting ability. Maybe I notice them more because I'm English and so are they.

I've never really bought into this American 'Superstar' idea....few really halfway make the cut, these days, it seems, without advertising saying 'Love them!'

Britain still produces lots of actors (and actresses) who can get out of their own way and play *characters.* Sadly, it means they don't get the recognition, (even from me: it takes years of bombardment before the media personality gossip ever gets connected to someone's *work,* you just tune it all out as triviality and marketing falling all over itself. ) ...But it's better *stuff.*

Welcome to America, I guess. I consider myself quite the patriot, but... If I hear one more f'n 'infomercial' in the guise of 'entertainment reporting' trying to jangle noise, bright colors, and gossip at me to tell me what celebrity of *any* kind I'm supposed to find 'hot...' Well, both my faith in democracy and interest in any new music or motion picture media dies a little.

wwwmorrell · 12-25-2009, 01:11 AM

Originally posted by Jasvox

Funny, I thought he was a Kiwi.

Jason

Spot on, But Australia claims him as one of our own.

cupic · 12-25-2009, 06:14 AM

Originally posted by Ash

Of course he's the best. He's an Aussie.

He's a adopted Aussie born in New Zealand Wellington

Disregard this post I just seen the last post

cheers

deadwolfbones · 12-25-2009, 06:46 AM

If we're just gonna talk about superstars, George Clooney is the only real Hollywood leading man type left.

But yeah, character actors tend to be better actual actors. Duh.

pcarfan · 12-25-2009, 08:28 AM

I will put Kevin Spacey and Sean Penn among the top as well...

Stratman · 12-26-2009, 10:18 AM

My favorite is Morgan Freeman. He can play anything. I have really only watched one of Russel Crowes flicks, A Good Year. I liked it for sure!

sharathk · 12-26-2009, 12:09 PM

how could you forget tom hanks, agreed he's not given great performances in recent years. but Forrest gump wouldn't have been the same without hanks. loved him in cast away aswell for which he did not win an oscar, which deservedly went to russel crowe for gladiator. Russel crowe is a great actor, i liked him first in L.A. Confidential, the insider, gladiator, A beautiful mind and recently cinderella man.
my favorite would still be tom hanks.

johnmflores · 12-26-2009, 02:27 PM

Nicholson is good, but you never forget that it's him. IMO, a great actor disappears behind the character they are playing. Same for Tom Cruise. And Tom Hanks. Good actors, yes. Great? Not in my book.

One of the few living actors that has this quality is Sir Anthony Hopkins. Who else could have played a serial killer (Dr. Hannibal Lector in Silence of the Lambs), an English gentleman (Howard's End, Remains of the Day), Nixon, and an oddball motorcycle mechanic (The World's Fastest Indian), and each time was so convincingly?

Johnny Depp has some of this as well. Ed Norton too. But this is a much smaller, more elite group that has my utmost respect. I don't know enough of Russell Crowe's work to know whether or not he belongs...

pcarfan · 12-26-2009, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by johnmflores

Nicholson is good, but you never forget that it's him. IMO, a great actor disappears behind the character they are playing. Same for Tom Cruise. And Tom Hanks. Good actors, yes. Great? Not in my book.

One of the few living actors that has this quality is Sir Anthony Hopkins. Who else could have played a serial killer (Dr. Hannibal Lector in Silence of the Lambs), an English gentleman (Howard's End, Remains of the Day), Nixon, and an oddball motorcycle mechanic (The World's Fastest Indian), and each time was so convincingly?

Johnny Depp has some of this as well. Ed Norton too. But this is a much smaller, more elite group that has my utmost respect. I don't know enough of Russell Crowe's work to know whether or not he belongs...

I agree with everything you say. I am basing my rankings based on how they disappear behind the character as well. Anthony Hopkins, Ed Norton and to a good degree Johnny Depp does this so well too. This is exactly where Russell Crowe get's my vote. I think Anthony Hopkins will give him a good fight, but everyone else mentioned so far IMO is a far cry. I actually didn't think too highly of him in the beginning and never expected him to shine this well.

But, After seeing him portray varying roles, I am flabbergasted. Just wait and see, what he does with Robin Hood, I can guarantee a masterful performance, that you would think you are in Sherwood forest...........

P.S:

I very much admire the late Jeremy Brett who played Sherlock Holmes in the recent BBC series. I am a Holmes buff, and he brought Holmes to life like no one else before him could, and some say he got too deep into the character, succumbed to depression which at the end killed him.......

Got to mention Ben Kingsley, WOW!...he was Gandhi.

Ratmagiclady · 12-26-2009, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by pcarfan

I very much admire the late Jeremy Brett who played Sherlock Holmes in the recent BBC series. I am a Holmes buff, and he brought Holmes to life like no one else before him could, and some say he got too deep into the character, succumbed to depression which at the end killed him.......

It's lamentable that he was never Dr. Who, as rumored.

res3567 · 12-26-2009, 10:23 PM

Clint Eastwood..... Yea he played mostly cowboys and cops, but he can still act AND direct as seen in his latest....Gran Torino.....

Chuckdup · 12-26-2009, 11:00 PM

Johnny Depp was the first person that came to my mind. I saw a preview tonight for another movie where he portrays a fictional character and it looks really good. Seems a bit type cast at times, but he is brilliant. The Pirate trilogy was some of his best work. Im an aussie too and a bit of a fan of Crowe, but I only rank him in the bottom of the top 5 in my books. Something I made from stone is sitting on a cabinet in his house. Pretty chuffed about it.

pcarfan · 12-27-2009, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by res3567

Clint Eastwood..... Yea he played mostly cowboys and cops, but he can still act AND direct as seen in his latest....Gran Torino.....

I absolutely love all his early works, and even today it looks so real when he guns down three bandits even before any one of them could squeeze the trigger. He is absolutely brilliant.

12-24-2009, 10:58 PM	#18
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by Damn Brit He's never got any real recognition though for some reason, I like him though. He's been consigned to tv for the moment, in quite a good show called 'The Forgotten'. I tend to like the character actors more than the stars, Tim Roth, Gary Oldman and Timothy Spall are three examples of incredible acting ability. Maybe I notice them more because I'm English and so are they. I've never really bought into this American 'Superstar' idea....few really halfway make the cut, these days, it seems, without advertising saying 'Love them!' Britain still produces lots of actors (and actresses) who can get out of their own way and play characters. Sadly, it means they don't get the recognition, (even from me: it takes years of bombardment before the media personality gossip ever gets connected to someone's work, you just tune it all out as triviality and marketing falling all over itself. ) ...But it's better stuff. Welcome to America, I guess. I consider myself quite the patriot, but... If I hear one more f'n 'infomercial' in the guise of 'entertainment reporting' trying to jangle noise, bright colors, and gossip at me to tell me what celebrity of any kind I'm supposed to find 'hot...' Well, both my faith in democracy and interest in any new music or motion picture media dies a little. Last edited by Ratmagiclady; 12-24-2009 at 11:09 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax in the Movies and Media	AlexM	General Photography	647	04-09-2024 04:49 PM
K-r: AF in movies.	Langus	Pentax K-r	6	11-25-2010 02:09 AM
How to keep viewfinder stays active?	sickguy	Pentax DSLR Discussion	12	04-20-2010 01:07 PM
What % of your active lens collection is older glass?	johnmflores	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	49	04-11-2010 05:57 PM
Actor Pernell Roberts passes away	lesmore49	General Talk	2	01-26-2010 06:41 PM

12-24-2009, 06:41 PM	#16
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by Ratmagiclady I thought Christian Slater was the heir apparent. He's never got any real recognition though for some reason, I like him though. He's been consigned to tv for the moment, in quite a good show called 'The Forgotten'. I tend to like the character actors more than the stars, Tim Roth, Gary Oldman and Timothy Spall are three examples of incredible acting ability. Maybe I notice them more because I'm English and so are they.

12-24-2009, 08:48 PM	#17
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	Funny, I thought he was a Kiwi. Jason

12-25-2009, 01:11 AM	#19
wwwmorrell Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mount Buller, Australia Posts: 397	Originally posted by Jasvox Funny, I thought he was a Kiwi. Jason Spot on, But Australia claims him as one of our own.

12-25-2009, 06:14 AM	#20
cupic Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia-NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,824	Originally posted by Ash Of course he's the best. He's an Aussie. He's a adopted Aussie born in New Zealand Wellington Disregard this post I just seen the last post cheers

12-25-2009, 06:46 AM	#21
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	If we're just gonna talk about superstars, George Clooney is the only real Hollywood leading man type left. But yeah, character actors tend to be better actual actors. Duh.

12-25-2009, 08:28 AM	#22
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978 Original Poster	I will put Kevin Spacey and Sean Penn among the top as well...

12-26-2009, 10:18 AM	#23
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	My favorite is Morgan Freeman. He can play anything. I have really only watched one of Russel Crowes flicks, A Good Year. I liked it for sure!

12-26-2009, 12:09 PM	#24
sharathk Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 146	how could you forget tom hanks, agreed he's not given great performances in recent years. but Forrest gump wouldn't have been the same without hanks. loved him in cast away aswell for which he did not win an oscar, which deservedly went to russel crowe for gladiator. Russel crowe is a great actor, i liked him first in L.A. Confidential, the insider, gladiator, A beautiful mind and recently cinderella man. my favorite would still be tom hanks.

12-26-2009, 02:27 PM	#25
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	Nicholson is good, but you never forget that it's him. IMO, a great actor disappears behind the character they are playing. Same for Tom Cruise. And Tom Hanks. Good actors, yes. Great? Not in my book. One of the few living actors that has this quality is Sir Anthony Hopkins. Who else could have played a serial killer (Dr. Hannibal Lector in Silence of the Lambs), an English gentleman (Howard's End, Remains of the Day), Nixon, and an oddball motorcycle mechanic (The World's Fastest Indian), and each time was so convincingly? Johnny Depp has some of this as well. Ed Norton too. But this is a much smaller, more elite group that has my utmost respect. I don't know enough of Russell Crowe's work to know whether or not he belongs...

12-26-2009, 05:37 PM	#26
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978 Original Poster	Originally posted by johnmflores Nicholson is good, but you never forget that it's him. IMO, a great actor disappears behind the character they are playing. Same for Tom Cruise. And Tom Hanks. Good actors, yes. Great? Not in my book. One of the few living actors that has this quality is Sir Anthony Hopkins. Who else could have played a serial killer (Dr. Hannibal Lector in Silence of the Lambs), an English gentleman (Howard's End, Remains of the Day), Nixon, and an oddball motorcycle mechanic (The World's Fastest Indian), and each time was so convincingly? Johnny Depp has some of this as well. Ed Norton too. But this is a much smaller, more elite group that has my utmost respect. I don't know enough of Russell Crowe's work to know whether or not he belongs... I agree with everything you say. I am basing my rankings based on how they disappear behind the character as well. Anthony Hopkins, Ed Norton and to a good degree Johnny Depp does this so well too. This is exactly where Russell Crowe get's my vote. I think Anthony Hopkins will give him a good fight, but everyone else mentioned so far IMO is a far cry. I actually didn't think too highly of him in the beginning and never expected him to shine this well. But, After seeing him portray varying roles, I am flabbergasted. Just wait and see, what he does with Robin Hood, I can guarantee a masterful performance, that you would think you are in Sherwood forest........... P.S: I very much admire the late Jeremy Brett who played Sherlock Holmes in the recent BBC series. I am a Holmes buff, and he brought Holmes to life like no one else before him could, and some say he got too deep into the character, succumbed to depression which at the end killed him....... Got to mention Ben Kingsley, WOW!...he was Gandhi.

12-26-2009, 06:25 PM	#27
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Originally posted by pcarfan I very much admire the late Jeremy Brett who played Sherlock Holmes in the recent BBC series. I am a Holmes buff, and he brought Holmes to life like no one else before him could, and some say he got too deep into the character, succumbed to depression which at the end killed him....... It's lamentable that he was never Dr. Who, as rumored.

12-26-2009, 10:23 PM	#28
res3567 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Houston Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,876	Clint Eastwood..... Yea he played mostly cowboys and cops, but he can still act AND direct as seen in his latest....Gran Torino.....

12-26-2009, 11:00 PM	#29
Chuckdup Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 15	Johnny Depp was the first person that came to my mind. I saw a preview tonight for another movie where he portrays a fictional character and it looks really good. Seems a bit type cast at times, but he is brilliant. The Pirate trilogy was some of his best work. Im an aussie too and a bit of a fan of Crowe, but I only rank him in the bottom of the top 5 in my books. Something I made from stone is sitting on a cabinet in his house. Pretty chuffed about it.

12-27-2009, 08:59 AM	#30
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978 Original Poster	Originally posted by res3567 Clint Eastwood..... Yea he played mostly cowboys and cops, but he can still act AND direct as seen in his latest....Gran Torino..... I absolutely love all his early works, and even today it looks so real when he guns down three bandits even before any one of them could squeeze the trigger. He is absolutely brilliant.