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iconic actors you aren't a big fan of?

posted 9 days ago by filmgeek99 (657)
46 replies | jump to latest

What are some all-time screen legends that you just aren't as crazy about as everyone else seems to be?

For me, Christopher Lee is a largely one-note actor who's given some excellent performances over the course of his career (Horror of Dracula, The Wicker Man, The Man with the Golden Gun) but who mostly just did adequate jobs in most of his films. I know he's cast more for his iconic screen persona than for his range as an actor but still, when you compare him to other horror legends like Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff, for instance, those guys had noticeably more range and depth to them than what Lee had.

I'm not trying to shit on the man as I've never hated any of his performances and from the stories I've heard about him, Lee seemed like quite a honorable, charitable guy. I'm just generally not that impressed by his screen presence as an actor.

What are some iconic actors that you aren't a big fan of?

[–] BillHicksFan (10559) 8 days ago

I'm not counting anyone after the 70s except for DDL, but I've only seen a couple of his movies, but his portrayal of Daniel Plainview makes him the best by default.

I could never get into British actors. They never seemed natural, but I do like Albert Finney. I liked Richard Burton more for his interviews, but felt he played the same stiff in every movie. British actors sleep with intensity it seems.

Won't watch a movie with Cary Grant in it. I can probably think of a lot more, although I'll probably avoid a movie if I can't stand an actor, which makes it unlikely to accurately criticize them.

[–] filmgeek99 (657) 8 days ago

Strangely enough, I actually don't rate DDL as highly as most people do. He's a good actor but to me, his acting feels very try hard most of the time. There isn't quite the sense of spontaneity and ease that folks De Niro and Pacino had back in their prime (even when they were playing really intense roles).

The one performance of his I DO rate really highly, is one that rarely gets talked about today, The Age of Innocence. There, Daniel comes off more subdued and natural than he's ever been in any of his other films, with every emotion being palpable but not overly pronounced. Maybe Scorsese's just a better actor's director than anyone else DDL's ever worked with (PTA, Spielberg, Sheridan etc), I don't know.

[–] [deleted] 8 days ago

bloodshot and his iconic role on this board as a straight man didn't really convince me, it was awful, saw right through it.

signed, closet queen.

[–] FootOfDavros (8142) 8 days ago

I would say Tom Hanks but I would have to grace / acknowledge him as being considered "iconic" which I refuse to do. Therefore I cannot say Tom Hanks.

[–] Stratego (30495) 8 days ago

Meryl Streep
Tom Hanks
Daniel Day Lewis

"For me, Christopher Lee is a largely one-note actor"

I just had that conversation last week when comparing his Sherlock Holmes to Peter Cushing's. They were apparently very close friends.

[–] nyctc7 (43591) 8 days ago

I always thought Henry Fonda was a bit of a stiff. All his performances are the same slow, deliberate line reading.

[–] Kowalski (75520) 8 days ago

WOW....MR FONDA IS TOP FIVE ALL TIEM FOR ME...I LOVE THAT DUDE AND ALL HIS PERFORMANCES.

[–] Jones70 (6534) 8 days ago

Burt Lancaster is just ok imo.

[–] MrGazebo (2) 8 days ago

I think the best you can hope for in a Brad Pitt performance is 'tolerably annoying.' Sometimes he's just annoying though.

[–] Kowalski (75520) 8 days ago

I FOUND HIM DOWNRIGHT CHARMING IN ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD AND CHARISMATIC IN FURY....I QUITE LIKE HIM ABOUT 60% OF THE TIME.

[–] MrGazebo (2) 8 days ago

I guess it doesn't help when he's doing an accent, and also making a kind of squinty accent face. Like I get that he helped get 12 Years a Slave made, but that film feels like the benchmark for a tolerably annoying performance.

[–] Kowalski (75520) 8 days ago

HE STICKS OUT IN 12 YEARS A SLAVE SOMETHING AWFUL.....THAT WAS A POOR POOR CHOICE.

[–] Zarkoff (1853) 7 days ago

Robert Redford. He's all right playing stoic characters like Jeremiah Johnson because he doesn't really seem capable of emoting very much on screen.