Favorite Actor and Actress?
That's a hard question for me, because I'm a full time movie buff and hardcore movie critic in "real life". I'd have to divide my favorites between those who've died and those who're still alive with us today.
But just for the sake of this thread, here's my list for this week:
No Longer With Us:
Actor: Jimmy Stewart (The quintessential "everyman". He's what 2 of my other favorite actors------guys like Tom Hanks and Nicholas Cage are still working towards becoming. He had a way of making you empathize with him no matter what role he played. One of the few male actors that could display a full range of emotions on the screen during ONE film. And his movies with director Frank Capra are legendary and emotionally impacting to this very day. "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" are two great movies to watch him do his stuff. Not to mention the "Destry" westerns.
Actress: Katherine Hepburn (Though an attractive woman, she was not a dazzling beauty. Her face was just as unique as her voice and her delivery. She had a volatile way of acting that could go from comedic to dramatic without warning. Check out movies like "Bringing up Baby", "Philadelphia Story", or "Woman of the Year". This chick was bad----I think she won AT LEAST 4 Oscars in her career.)
Still With Us:
Actor: Samuel L. Jackson (His acting is effortless. He doesn't necessarily "act" as he does "become" the characters he portrays. Watching him in different roles, he gives me the feeling that HE actually "is" that character and that he's going through that shyt FOR REAL. People always like him for his over the top stuff like "Pulp Fiction" and "Snakes on a Plane". But I recommend that you check out his much more "human" performances in "Changing Lanes" and "The Sunset Limited" as well.)
Actress: Angela Bassett (Her performances have the kind of weight and gravitas that makes you notice her. She commands the screen and has a kind of charisma that very few other female actors have. And the fact that she's STILL one of the most physically fit older female actresses in Hollywood is impressive to me too. To see her acting chops, check her out in "What's Love Got to Do with it" and also "Strange Days"------she NEVER loses a fight in that movie, even while fukking "handcuffed". lol.)
Next week, I could easily replace 3 out of these 4 people I named with other favorites. But the ONE constant for me will always be Jimmy Stewart.
V.U.