Movie Zone
Here I will post movie reviews and recommendations, opinions and updates on the world of film, lists/rankings, and the occasional film essay/analysis if I am feeling brave enough
There are countless different aspects that make a film great, each just as important as the last. But one of the most memorable parts of any amazing movie is an amazing acting performance. Whether it is a truly groundbreaking, Oscar-worthy performance, or simply a fun and charismatic chewing of scenery, actors can often make or break a film and have a big hand in deciding the overall tone of a story. Creating a list of simply my favorite actors of all time would be way too long and difficult, so instead, I’ve decided to share my top ten favorite actors to follow in this generation. Later on this year, I plan on sharing a list of my favorite classic, Old Hollywood actors as well, but for today, let’s take a look at some of my absolute favorite actors working today. This list is in no particular order, simply who came to mind first. WARNING: Personal favorites list ahead. Not a list of objectively best actors. 1) Adam DriverYou all saw this one coming. Star Wars fanaticism aside, Adam Driver remains such an interesting actor to watch because of the variety of odd projects he chooses and the immersive performances he gives. I’ve never not seen him go in 100% on any performance, whether it is for a feature-length film, or a simple bit on a talk show. From Marriage Story and Hungry Hearts, to Annette and The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, there is no shortage of unique films and performances to watch him go all in for, physically and mentally. It is interesting to see just how intense and emotional (and at times, insane) he can get given his personality beyond the camera, which seems very quiet and incredibly non-attention seeking (which is unusual when it comes to performers). Unless this is yet another flawless performance he is giving for his image, it proves further how great of an actor he is, that he can be completely shameless and bizarre when in character. An Oscar win is hopefully in the future! 2) Diane LaneOk, so this is sort of cheating. Diane Lane is of course still working today, but she makes this list because of her older movies that I am forever obsessed with. To me, Diane Lane is a starlet of the 80s. From classics such as The Outsiders and Rumble Fish, to lesser known films like Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains, The Big Town, and Lady Beware, she can pretty much flawlessly toe the line between groundbreaking dramas and movies that are just a cheesy, great time. Of course, one of her most memorable performances was in the gut-wrenching film Unfaithful, which rightfully earned her an Oscar nomination, and she continues to appear in great films as of recent years, such as 2020’s Let Him Go, which was a phenomenal film that she was fantastic in as a badass grandmother who fights through Hell to get her grandson out of the hands of psychopaths. I am always down to see any new work she does. 3) Daisy RidleyAgain, biased from my Star Wars heart, but in just the past year alone, I think many more people are finally starting to realize the true star power Miss Daisy Ridley has always possessed. Sequel trilogy story issues aside, Daisy was able to give an outstanding performance as Rey, her natural charm and personality providing much of the charisma that makes Rey at least a likable character, again, regardless of some writing issues that prevented her story from being as interesting and deep as it could have been. In her ventures outside of Star Wars, she proved she could be a strong ensemble member in Murder on the Orient Express, a talented voice actress with roles in Peter Rabbit or The Inventor, and with films such as Ophelia, Sometimes I Think About Dying, The Marsh King’s Daughter, and this year’s Young Woman and the Sea, Daisy is proving time and time again how capable she is not only as a leading lady, but in diverse roles. I think she’s a powerhouse and seems to have a gorgeous personality to match, which makes me excited to see where she will go next. She has even begun self-producing her own work, with Magpie that was released at SXSW earlier this year, and I am dying to see it! 4) Marion CotillardMarion just feels like an Old Hollywood actress. Everything about her in every role is pure grace and elegance. After Annette became my favorite film of 2021, I decided to seek out more of her films and found Marion’s immense talent for both drama and comedic timing, whether in her French or American work. Whether it is her small, but memorably funny part in the Taxi series, her gorgeous musical talent in Nine and Annette, her badass character in A Very Long Engagement, or her Oscar winning performance as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose, Marion is able to encompass a wide variety of characters and emotions. But one of my absolute favorite performances from her is from a small movie called Two Days, One Night, in which she plays a relatable, blue-collar woman who is about to lose her job and must convince her colleagues to elect not to get a raise in order for her to keep her job. Her minimalistic performance in this extremely underrated film was both heartbreaking and hopeful, and a role that proved how beautiful of a job she can do with something simple, yet identifiable for most of us. 5) Hugh JackmanWolverine will always be my favorite X-Men character. As with most actors on this list, what is so fascinating to watch with Hugh Jackman is the wide variety of roles he can take on. Whether it is the action/superhero vibe in the X-Men franchise and Van Helsing, musical roles in Les Miserables and The Greatest Showman, a charming comedic side in Scoop and Kate and Leopold, or a darker side in roles such as The Prestige and Deception, he is always endlessly entertaining to watch on screen. His range is phenomenal, and definitely deserving of every bit of praise he receives. Seeming like a genuine person in real life certainly helps as well. I can’t imagine the boom that Deadpool & Wolverine is going to bring later this summer. 6) oscar IsaacOscar Isaac is an actor who feels like a refreshing mix between character actor and leading man. From big budget projects like Star Wars and Moon Knight, villainous roles in Sucker Punch and X-Men: Apocalypse, to dark and dramatic films like Ex-Machina and Scenes from a Marriage, he can easily slip between subdued and animated performances, fitting in perfectly with almost every genre and tone. There is no question of buying his embodiment of heroic, morally gray, or straight up terrifyingly evil characters. While most might say a movie such as Inside Llewyn Davis is some of his best work, I often turn to a 2016 film called The Promise, which I believe is one of his best films and performances. It is an emotional, difficult story, and Oscar Isaac is fantastic in the tragic, yet triumphant role. It seems there are many more diverse projects in the works for him right now, and I can’t wait to see what he brings next. 7) Emma StoneEmma Stone can give wildly different performances, playing a slew of different characters, while simultaneously pulling off a whole batch of different looks. I love how she can play in all different kinds of genres, from teen comedy, to superhero, to dark adult drama, and most recently, gothic horror parody. I’ve always admired Emma’s charm she brings to her wide variety of roles, but she’s honestly on this list mostly because of Poor Things. Her natural charisma that she brought to this amazingly funny and likable character helped to bring an already beautifully unique film to life. Much like with films such as Easy A, and The Amazing Spider-Man duology, she is able to always get the audience completely on her side with her shining personality and surprising comedic timing. I am always curious to see her taking on new roles and am intrigued to see where the two-time-Oscar-winner will go in the future. 8) Nicholas GalitzineHow could I not? Nicholas quite recently started appearing in… well, everything. He’s famous for appearing in some of the best movies of our generation, and some of the worst. Which is quite the legacy, if you ask me. But no matter the role, he is able to give a surprisingly immersive performance. From his very first role in the incredibly underrated The Beat Beneath My Feet, Nicholas was able to showcase the emotional, comedic, and musically talented performance he would offer to many more future roles. And even despite misfires such as The Craft: Legacy, Cinderella, and Purple Hearts, his performance can often make the films at least watchable when he’s on screen. But he shines tremendously in two of the best films of 2023: the hilarious bizarre-comedy Bottoms, and the greatest modern-day romcom, Red, White, and Royal Blue. Whether it is impeccable comedic timing, or a tear-jerking monologue, he is captivating. His recent performance showcasing an Anakin Skywalker/Dorian Grey fall from innocence and into villainy in Mary & George proved he has range and appeal as well, so I am ecstatic to see what he does in future projects. 9) Saoirse RonanSaoirse Ronan is another who gives off a lovely, classic Hollywood actress vibe. I really fell in love with her after her role in the amazing film Brooklyn back in 2015. Since then, she continued to give powerful performances as an everyday teen in Lady Bird, the powerful historical monarch in Mary, Queen of Scots, and the hilarious constable in See How They Run. She brings a refreshing mixture of innocence and cunningness to every character. Though she often brings the same wit and charm to each of her films, the tones of the stories could be vastly different and she still manages to find a way to make her brand of charisma shine through believably with every character, making her always easily likable and sympathetic in every story. And while I’ve regretfully yet to explore her earlier films, it seems she has done her share of horror as well, which is always admirable in my eyes. 10) Zac EfronFinally, the man most women my age thought they were going to marry when we were nine.
It has been such a joy to watch Zac Efron’s career grow pretty much non-stop since High School Musical. He proved early on he had the dramatic, comedic, and charismatic talent that helped skyrocket the series into wider fame, and eventually launched him into films such as 17 Again and Neighbors. He proved further musical talent in The Greatest Showman, and surprisingly took on the role as real-life serial killer Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, in which his reputation for playing a good-looking good guy came in handy with almost convincing the audience (much as many people in the world were tricked into believing at the time) that maybe he really didn’t do it… until we are hit with a chilling guy-punch in the final scene. But his greatest work in my opinion comes from the recent film The Iron Claw, a heart-wrenching film in which he gives a devastating performance that was absolutely snubbed of an Oscar nomination, in my opinion. He proves his talent and range with every project, and it is always exciting to see what comes next for him.
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It is the time for snuggling up on a dark cold day to watch cozy holiday movies! Despite my intense love of the spooky season, it is in steep competition for the season of winter holidays (which I believe can be equally dark and spooky at times), a season filled with time for family and friend activities, and also time to yourself spent indoors with movies that get you buzzing with the anticipation of Christmas Day. These are ten of my all time favorite Christmas movies. 10) Violent NightStarting off with a violent one, as is my way. This is relatively new, but already a classic for me that I want to revisit every Christmas. They go full, over-the-top insanity with this action comedy and I loved every second of it. David Harbour was the perfect choice to play a disgruntled Santa Claus with a dark backstory in the vein of Santa’s Slay from 2005, and the villains are equally entertaining to watch, with John Leguizamo playing the head mercenary “Mr. Scrooge” who has a bone to pick with the entire holiday. The gore is also plentiful, with a lot of surprising references to many Christmas horror movies (other than the aforementioned Santa’s Slay). You have some ice-skate and candy cane related kills which reminded me of the Black Christmas remake, a death involving a Christmas tree star which reminded me of an even crazier version of the Christmas tree death in Jack Frost, and you even get an R-rated Home Alone sequence, which I think many people have always been secretly wanting to see. There were even some Silent Night, Deadly Night vibes, as there are bound to be whenever you have a deadly Santa Claus. As far as giving the classic Christmas feels, the story is actually quite sweet, with Santa being convinced to once again see the good in “kids these days” with this young girl whose family he has to save from these psychotic mercenaries. So you do get the wholesome Christmas side, as well as the maniacal side, which is always a blast. 9) How the Grinch Stole ChristmasWhile I know many people probably prefer the cartoon, I grew up with this film on the TV every single Christmas, so it is hard not to feel the general excitement of Christmas-time whenever this comes on. I think Jim Carrey is hilarious in the role, and the visual/slapstick comedy still kills me no matter how many times I see it. A lot of this film is the Grinch by himself with just his dog Max to interact with, but there is still so much energy throughout the entire film (which is a pretty long running time). The side characters are hilarious to watch as well, with Cindy Lou’s kooky yet somehow relatable family, over-the-top love interest Martha May Whovier, and devious villain Mayor MayWho. The visuals in this movie are also impressive, as far as the set designs for the town of Whoville, and the Grinch’s lair, where there seem to be endless caverns filled with a whole matter of bizarre junk. The odd shapes and shadows, as well as the crazy costumes, hairstyles and makeup give the film a definitive style that invokes a lot from the cartoony storybook, but also gives its own flair. And for Christmas cheer, you get a lot of that beautiful feeling of the excitement for the approaching Christmas Day, as we see the Whos all preparing vigorously for the holiday through marathon-like gift shopping and decorating. There is such a delightful, darkish fairytale mood about it which pairs wonderfully with the Christmas spirit. 8) Die HardUnconventional Christmas movies are the best. What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this action classic? It’s often dubbed the greatest action movie of all time, and there is certainly a reason for that. You have a seemingly normal guy thrust into a suddenly extreme and deadly situation where it is now him against an entire army of villains who have no idea he is in the building strategically plotting their downfall. A plot formula that has become so popular, we have heard countless action movie summaries that can be summed up as “Die Hard in a __”. Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman are also a huge part of what makes the movie work, both legendary movie characters as hero and villain respectively, with lines that people will continue to quote until the end of time. This is a classic staple of 80s action movies, so you still have the use of practical effects and stunts in this, making for a more visceral experience that you really don’t have in action movies anymore with the CG wall between the viewer and the film. It’s dirty and bloody and loud and in your face, and I love it. And for the spirit of Christmas in this one… it’s a Christmas party. There’s Christmas music and decorations everywhere, and as far as I’m concerned, that is enough to cement it in with the classics. 7) National Lampoon's Christmas |
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June 2024
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