Sunday 16 December 2012

Dislocation followed by solitude then isolation.


So this blog has been on hiatus (ooh fancy word). Because, I've been stupidly busy with Le Crucible. But guess what it’s your lucky day in the words of Mr SWAZZINGGEERR ‘I’ll be back’ and this is me back! POW.

So because I took time out, to do some theatre, I thought. Why not have a seasonal edition! Then I thought naah. We’ll do one about MY FAVORITE LIVING ACTORS.
SO HERE IS LE TOP FIEEVVVE. In no particular order.
Lets get the obvious cliché out of the way.
DANIEL DAY LEWIS.
Firstly, he is an extraordinary craftsmen, the amount of research and commitment he gifts to a role is exemplary and this tradesman ship should be valued.
Secondly, there will be blood. (do I need to say anything more?)
And his less commended role in the film gangs of new York. Yes this film is RUINED by Leonardo do craprio. But DDL’s role as the Butcher is chilling and possibly the second best villain to grace the silver screen.

2.       Speaking of best villains. Javier Bardem, No country for old men. Chigurh, this character is chilling. It was this that introduced me to Bardem’s work. His metaphorical representation of this angel of death was a brilliant on screen performance. Then I watched Biutiful, OH MY GOD. THIS MAN IS BRILLIANT. WATCH ALL HIS FILMS. He was also in a rather terrible version of Love in the time of cholera which is one of my favourite books. But it was Javier Bardem so he was fine. I BLAME EVERYONE ELSE.

3.       Adrien Brody. Brody is to acting what fish and chips is to British culture.  He is probably the most natural on screen presence of our generation. He’s like thirty and already won an Oscar. Now here’s the thing. THE PIANIST. If you’ve not seen it get your clinex and watch in… now.  Also he co-produced ‘Detachment’ which is totally my new favourite film. He’s also beautiful in this film, playing a substitute teacher trying to avoid confronting the problems with the American education system. Watch it after the pianist. Just do it.

4.       Alan Rickman. Alan Rickmans silky voice and randomly situated pauses. Make him a clear pick for this list. He’s even good in a film called blowdry. Which to be honest is painfully bad, then Rickman kicks arse. Look at these performances in terms of Dogma and Rasputin. He nails them both in completely different ways. Plus he could play any character. Seriously. Pick up any script with any part and Alan fits.

5.       So we have one pick left. Whose it going to be Christian Bale? Kevin Spacey? Sir Ian Mckellen?(it would be Sir Ian if he didn’t sell out to make 9 hours of the Hobbit). Narrowly beating out Edward Norton and Forest Whittaker (lost for the criminal minds spin off) for the final place on the list is… Not Morgan Freeman (he’s number 6 ;). But it is non-other than, Jaoquin Pheonix! Almost purely for his undeniably brilliant performance as Jonny Cash. He’s a fabulous underrated talent and one to watch. I feel he is one who the baton will be passed to in coming years. Bring on some great films Jaoquin. 
You may well disagree with this, and it's by no means comprehensive. But that is how Conall sees it.