Top 13 Favorite Actors

The following is a list of my Top 13 Favorite Actors at this very moment.

NOTE: The list is subject to change. The list is not solely based on acting ability; it is also based on likability and nostalgia. The list is in no particular order with the exception of the number 1 actor; he is the best so he deserves to be placed in the top spot. The list almost included Alan Arkin, Damian Lewis, Dule Hill & Jeff Bridges; however it does not.*

Austin Comic Con (2012)

13. LeVar Burton

First on my radar for: Reading Rainbow (TV)

Most memorable role: Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: TNG (TV)

Additional works of note: Perception (TV), Christy (TV), Roots (TV)

I wasn't much of a reader when I was a wee little one, LeVar Burton changed that. Although he was technically a host and not an actor on Reading Rainbow, he won my heart and made me a fan. Then he had to go and be Geordi on Star Trek: TNG. I have no idea how he was able to act so well with a little girl's plastic headband across his eyes, but man did he ever. It was his time as Georgi that made me a fan for life. It would make my year, if he was able to replace Alex Trebek as the host of Jeopardy. But you don't have to take my word for it...

Fearless Hyena (1979)

12. Jackie Chan

First on my radar for:  Cannonball Run II (1984)

Most memorable role: Shing Lung in Fearless Hyena (1979)

Additional works of note: The Forbidden Kingdom (2008), Rush Hour 2 (2001), Rush Hour (1998), Rumble in the Bronx (1995), Supercop (1992), Operation Condor (1991), The Young Master (1980), Drunken Master (1978), Snake in Eagles Shadow (1978), and Shaolin Wooden Men (1976)

I like to say that Jackie Chan has the biggest fan base in the world as though it's a fact. I'm pretty sure it's not true but I refuse to stop saying it. If I am ever in a funk, I can pop in a Jackie Chan film and feel better in no time. He has charisma and a very flexible body. He's impressive, so much so that I read his biography. It made me even more impressed with him.

A Dangerous Method (2011)

11. Michael Fassbender

First on my radar for: Band of Brothers (TV)

Most memorable role: Lt. Archie Hicox in Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Additional works of note: Prometheus (2012), Haywire (2011), Shame (2011), A Dangerous Method (2011), Hunger (2008), 300 (2006), and Agatha Christie's Poirot: After the Funeral (TV)

Fassbender is more than just a perfect face and a large member. He's a man with natural acting ability. He's got pep. That's right, pep. He is the best part of two sub-par films: Prometheus and X-Men: First Class. I think that says something, something wonderful.

2046 (2004)

10. Tony Leung Chiu Wai

First on my radar for: Hard Boiled (1992)

Most memorable role: Cop 663 in Chungking Express (1994)

Additional works of note: 2046 (2004), Infernal Affairs (2002), Hero (2002), In the Mood for Love (2000), and Happy Together (1997)

Tony Leung can express just about any emotion one can think of and make me feel what he looks like he is feeling. I'm not straight out saying he is a master of mind control or anything, but I wouldn't put it past him. 

Fortysomething (TV)

9. Stephen Fry

First on my radar for: A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Most memorable role: Reginald Jeeves in Jeeves and Wooster (TV)

Additional works of note: QI (TV), Bones (TV), Kingdom (TV), V for Vendetta (2005), Fortysomething (TV), Bright Young Things (2003), Spice World (1997), A Bit of Fry and Laurie (TV), Cold Comfort Farm (1995), Peter's Friends (1992), and The Young Ones (TV)

Stephen Fry is a masterful entertainer. I'll watch just about anything he is a part of. He's so full of wit, he makes me both jealous and enchanted. He is also a frank and captivating writer. I've read his memoir, Moab is my Washpot. He is so very open in that book, that I feel like I know better than I know most of my friends. Although I'm intimidated by his talent, I would love to meet him and have a long conversation with him. It would be nice to hear his voice in person. It would be even nicer if he would come over to my house at least once a week and read me bedtime stories. But I digress...

The Big Lebowski (1998)

8. John Goodman

First on my radar for: Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Most memorable role: Dan Conner and Adult D.J. of Roseanne (TV)

Additional works of note: Argo (2012), Red State (2011), The West Wing (TV), The Big Lebowski (1998), Fallen (1998), The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), Barton Fink (1991), and Always (1989)

John Goodman was the reason that I watched Roseanne. I think that's explanation enough.

White Christmas (1954)

7. Danny Kaye

First on my radar for: White Christmas (1954)

Most memorable role: Walter Mitty in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947)

Additional works of note: The Cosby Show (TV), The Court Jester (1955), The Inspector General (1949), and The Kid from Brooklyn (1946)

Danny Kaye has the same birthday as I do, different year but you get the idea. That's not actually the reason he made it to my favorite list. Kevin Costner has the same birthday as I do too, and you won't be seeing him on the list. Kaye was the cream of the crop. He was quirky and at the same time a model of excellence in his field. There aren't many Christmas movies that are actually good out there. And I'm not entirely convinced that White Christmas is that good of a film, but I know that Danny Kaye made it a film I could watch over and over again. The man was gifted. May he rest in peace. 

Miss Potter (2006)

6. Ewan MacGregor

First on my radar for: Trainspotting (1996)

Most memorable role: Curt Wild in Velvet Goldmine (1998)

Additional works of note: Haywire (2011), Beginners (2010), The Ghost Writer (2010), Angels and Demons (2009), I Love you Phillip Morris (2009), Miss Potter (2006), Big Fish (2003), Little Voice (1998), and The Pillow Book (1996)

Ewan McGregor is fun to watch... Before Star Wars: Episode 1 came out, I was pretty happy that he was able to play Obi-Wan Kenobi. After Episode 1 came out, I was just happy that he was a good enough actor to still get work.

Rushmore (1998)

5. Bill Murray

First on my radar for: Ghostbusters (1984)

Most memorable role: Carl Spackler in Caddyshack (1980)

Additional works of note: Moonrise Kingdom (2012), Zombieland (2009), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Broken Flowers (2005), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), Lost in Translation (2003), Rushmore (1998), Groundhog Day (1993), Scrooged (1988), Tootsie (1982), and Saturday Night Live (TV)

For a large part of my childhood I thought that I wanted to marry Bill Murray. Turns out, I really wanted to marry Dr. Peter Venkman. It'd be pretty cool to marry a Ghostbuster. Am I right or am I right?
Anyway, I didn't think it was possible but Murray gets better with age. Moonrise Kingdom is proof of that.

Wild Target (2009)

4. Bill Nighy

First on my radar for: Underworld (2003)

Most memorable role: Philip in Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Additional works of note: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011), Glorious 39 (2009), Wild Target (2009), Hot Fuzz (2007), Notes on a Scandal (2006), The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (2005), and Love Actually (2003)

Bill Nighy made it onto my favorites list because he is so dang likable. He is an enigmatic actor. I love his voice and the way he moves his body. He is a scene stealer in almost every film he's in and I see that as a good thing. 

Django Unchained (2012)

3. Christoph Waltz

First on my radar for: Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Most memorable role: Dr. King Schultz in Django Unchained (2009)

Additional works of note: Carnage (2011), and The Green Hornet (2011)

Christoph Waltz makes me want to learn to speak German...for real this time. He's an Austrian actor who can actually act, unlike a certain former Governor of California. Waltz has a knack for coming across as both arrogant and endearing. Quentin Tarantino clearly likes him...why shouldn't I? 

Smart People (2008)

2. Thomas Haden Church

First on my radar for: Wings (TV)

Most memorable role: Lowell Mather in Wings (TV)

Additional works of note: We Bought a Zoo (2011), Killer Joe (2011), Easy A (2010), Smart People (2008), Sideways (2004), Rolling Kansas (2003), 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001), and Ned and Stacy (TV)

I feel like Thomas Haden Church is the most underrated actor on my list. He's clever, crafty, and charming. I like him for a lot of the same reasons people don't like him. And I'm fine with that. He is a great actor with a great voice and a sharp mind.  

Batman Begins (2005)

1. Gary Oldman

First on my radar for: Dracula (1992)

Most memorable role: Drexyl Spivey in True Romance (1993)

Additional works of note: Lawless (2012), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), The Dark Knight (2008), Batman Begins (2005), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Hannibal (2001), Nobody's Baby (2001), Lost in Space (1998), Air Force One (1997), The Fifth Element (1997), Murder in the First (1995), Immortal Beloved (1994), Leon: The Professional (1994), JFK (1991), Prick Up Your Ears (1987), and Sid and Nancy (1986)

Gary Oldman is by far the best actor alive today. He is Sid Vicious, Beethoven, Pontius Pilate, Commissioner Gordon, and Dracula. He didn't just play these characters; he is them. It is difficult for me to put into words how extraordinary Oldman truly is. He's the real deal. The fact that he has never won an Oscar is either an absurdity or a badge of honor. I haven't decided which it is yet. One thing I am certain of is that Oldman has a great head of hair. You know that's right.

These are my favorites right now. Who are yours?

*Rupaul did not make it on to this list, but my favoritism and judging is somewhat inspired by Ru yet again.

Beginners

Beginners seemed like an interesting enough film in its own right, but knowing that Christopher Plummer picked up several awards, including an Oscar, for his supporting role in the film it became a nagging sort of necessity that I see it. Since it was his first Oscar win, I had to see how good of a performance he actually gave. After all, as many of us know, he was robbed of a nomination, let alone a win, for his role in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. But let’s not dwell on that...

Beginners was a sentimental, depressing, and complex film. The story was set in three different time periods in the life of an American graphic designer, Oliver (Ewan McGregor). In the ‘present’ part of the film Oliver was dealing with life after the death of his father Hal (Christopher Plummer). He was also dealing with a new romantic relationship with Anna (Mélanie Laurent) and having a new roommate Arthur (Cosmo), his late father’s Jack Russell terrier/scene stealer. In the ‘recent past’ part of the film Oliver was dealing with the passing of his mother, the news that his father was coming out of the closet AND the news that his father had also been diagnosed with the terminal cancer. Finally, in the ‘not-so-recent past’ part of the film Oliver was dealing with being a kid who had a great relationship with his melancholy-yet-loving mother a less than great/almost non-existent relationship with his busy hard-working father. There was a lot going on in the film and it was all handled in an honest and charming way. However, even with three plot lines going on, there were still a fair amount of lulls in flow of the film.

Thankfully, there were no lulls in the chemistry between the four lead characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between them. The strongest character, in my opinion, was Arthur. He was a little ray of sunshine in an otherwise depressing film. Arthur is, of course, a dog but writer/director Mike Mills made him a hopeful and uplifting character in a very clever way. He did this by expressing Arthur’s thoughts in the form of subtitles. I understand this could very well be considered too ‘cutesy’ for some, but for me, I loved it. In fact, Cosmo would have been a better supporting actor nominee than Plummer based on this film. Cosmo played his role subtly and playfully. He was a dog full of soul and intrigue. I’m not completely blinded by Cosmo’s performance though. Plummer did do a fantastic job. He played an old man with ease, but considering his age and film career, I would expect nothing less.

The Ghost Writer

The Ghost Writer is an artistically shot slow-moving thriller. In it a ghost writer (Ewan McGregor) reluctantly takes on the job of redacting and finishing the memoirs of former UK Prime Minister Andrew Lang (Pierce Brosnan). The job came open when the previous ghost writer drowned under suspicious circumstances. A scandal breaks out shortly after the ghost flies to the US, where the Lang is residing. Mystery and intrigue ensue. The story itself is not as complex and twist-filled as one might expect from a political thriller; however, the way The Ghost Writer is filmed makes up for many of the flaws in the story. The colors in the film are muted both indoors and out, the music is soft and meandering, and the timing of events and subtle movements in the film all impeccably add to the tension and suspense. It almost goes without saying that The Ghost Writer feels like a tribute to Hitchcock, but I feel the need to say it since it is the main reason that I like the film. The film has an overwhelming sense of a black cloud looming overhead from beginning to end. It is, in fact, thrilling.

I Love You Phillip Morris

So, even though I am upset that I was only able to see the American edit of I Love You Phillip Morris, I am glad I at least got to see that...

I Love You Phillip Morris is an unusual movie...unusual in a good way. It is a TRUE story about con-man Steve Russell (Jim Carrey) finding the love of his life, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor), in prison. It is one of the the strangest and most hard-to-believe true stories that has been made into a film. Russell's character attempts and succeeds in multiple crazy schemes that seem like they would have to be completely fictitious. The cons that Russell pulls off and the things that he does make him both impressive and infuriating. Russell is a more complex character than I would expect to see Carrey play, but Carrey pulls the role off. It is refreshing. Plus he works exceptionally well with McGregor in this film. They are THE two biggest reasons to watch the unique and enigmatic I Love You Phillip Morris.