There are some movies that don’t need any help and there are some that are beyond help. Despite that, I think there are some actors who always make a movie better than it would have been. They aren’t always leads, but any scene they’re in is worth watching. My list would start with: JK Simmons Rachel McAdams Michael B Jordan Tilda Swinton Jeff Daniels Ming-Na Wen

Who are the actors you feel the same way about? Or do you disagree with the premise?

  • Zahille7@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    2 days ago

    I would agree with JK Simmons and Tilda Swinton, but I’m personally not sure about the rest of your list, although they are really good actors.

    In no particular order, I’d probably say Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Willem Dafoe (he’s actually my #1), Simon Pegg, Jon Bernthal… That’s all I got after thinking for like ten minutes.

    Situationally, I’d say Kenneth Branagh elevates Wild Wild West, which already has a stellar cast, but he just chews up each scene with his voice and everything he says; and possibly even Chamber of Secrets. However I’m not much of a fan of his Poirot.

    • P00ptart@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      2 days ago

      Brad Pitt is a tough one because he’s both given too much credit, and at the same time, not nearly enough. Like, yeah, he can steal scenes with charm and humor. Like, often. Even with other scene stealing actors. He’s also gifted with a good voice and 10/10 looks for a man. So, yeah he steals scenes, he can play any character and come of as likeable. Itd be interesting to see him try to play someone truly despicable.

      Now see, I have to give more credit to someone like Willem Defoe, Walton goggins, or Christopher walkin. Mostly because their names prominently include a W, unlike Brad Pitt. Lol jk but charming and likeable is a lot easier way to steal a scene than just damn good work. That’s not to take anything away from Brad Pitt, of course. He uses his gifts well, as do the others I mentioned. They’re just different gifts.

    • Curious Canid@lemmy.caOPEnglish
      5·
      2 days ago

      I heartily agree about Bale, Oldman, Pitt, and Dafoe. Simon Pegg doesn’t always do it for me. Bernthal is a great actor, but I thought his contribution to the Daredevil series was more loss than gain (which I realize is not the common reaction).

      I think Branagh can be good, but he can also be tiresome. I made the mistake of watching his Poirot movies in combination with their earlier incarnations. I think he is a better director than actor.