A little while ago Kristin over at All Eyes On Screen posted her Top 10 Actors/Actresses She’d See in Just About Anything, and it’s now a blogathon. As is the way of blogathons, the batons been passed on to me.

First, let’s see where this blogathon has been before:

1. Abbi at Where the Wild Things are
2. Fernando at Committed to Celluloid
3. Kristin at All Eyes On Screen

I would like to pass it on to Nostra, over at My Filmviews.

And now onto my Top 10 Actors/Actresses I’d See in Just About Anything. There appears to be a bit of gender bias going on in my list. I have always found it hard to think of actresses off the top of my head that I genuinely enjoy watching in films. Don’t ask me why. So, just to let you know, I’m not being sexist – just useless!

1. Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Why does he make the list? There’s just something about all the characters he’s played and the films he’s in. And the range of films he’s been in. He can convince you he’s a comic book hero as well as a down and out lost in love kind of guy. He’s funny, charming, likeable and got that artsy thing working for him.
Favourite roles: (500) Days of Summer, Inception
Films seen because of him (and didn’t enjoy): G.I Joe, Premium Rush, Electra Luxx.

2. Christian Bale

Why does he make the list? I simply enjoy watching him act. There’s very few actors who put so much into the roles they play. Not just his acting chops, but physically. The things he’s put his body through for his work is immense. From turning himself into a twig for both The Machinist and Rescue Dawn, to then bulking up like a mad man for Batman Begins. I have a lot of respect for Christian Bale for having that level of discipline.
Favourite roles: The Dark Knight Series, Rescue Dawn, The Fighter, The Prestige.
Films seen because of him (and didn’t enjoy): Equilibrium.

3. Chris Evans

Why does he make the list? Because he’s able to make the completely terribly, somewhat watchable. Fantastic Four was pretty much a disaster, but Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm was literally the hottest thing in that film. He’s got that likeable quality that just oozes out of him. You want to get behind him, as the hero. I’d quite like to see him play a more villainous role. Something with a bit more ambiguity.
Favourite roles: Push, Snowpiercer, Sunshine, Avengers Assemble.
Films seen because of him (and didn’t enjoy): The Nanny Diaries.

4. Leonardo DiCaprio

Why does he make the list? He’s one of the best actors working right now. Well, he’s taking a break. And rightfully so. I don’t think I can list many films which he’s been in that, there wasn’t some part of his performance, that I didn’t enjoy. Yes, I will admit, many years ago it was Titanic that got me onto the Leo bandwagon. And after that I went a bit Leo mad. I was young! Though, in doing so, I did see a couple of his best films in his career – What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? and The Basketball Diaries. Both phenomenal roles for someone so young. And ever since then, he’s stuck with me.
Favourite roles: Catch Me If You Can, Inception, Django Unchained, The Aviator,
Films seen because of him (and didn’t enjoy): The Quick and the Dead

5. Tom Hardy

Why does he make the list? For a few of the same reasons that Christian Bale is on the list. He’s a strong actor who’s proved himself to be epically versatile. And there’s a magnetism to his performances that I just can’t help being drawn towards. Oh and not forgetting his ability to make a cardigan look manly in Lawless.
Favourite roles: Inception, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
Films seen because of him (and didn’t enjoy): Lawless.

6. Charlize Theron

Why does she make the list? Because of her performance in The Devil’s Advocate. Ever since I saw that film, she’s stuck out in my mind. She made the pretty bland Snow White & the Huntsman a whole lot more watchable and even in something like The Italian Job, the characters she plays have some spine. And I like that. (My token actress! Wow, I feel bad.)
Favourite roles: Young Adult, The Devil’s Advocate, Snow White & the Huntsman.
Films seen because of her (and didn’t enjoy): ???

7. Robert Downey Jr.

Why does he make the list? Tony Stark = RDJ = Tony Stark. That’s a good enough reason, right? Okay. He managed to turn his career around. Worked hard at it too, no doubt. He’s got a knack for hitting my funny bone in the right place. That sarcastic dead pan delivery that he can do, when called upon, is brilliant.
Favourite roles: Iron Man, Zodiac.
Films seen because of him (and didn’t enjoy): Tropic Thunder, Due Date.

8. Denzel Washington

Why does he make the list? Oh man. I know that every film that Tony Scott and Denzel Washington have worked together aren’t always the best action/thriller they can be, but damnit, Denzel, how do you make me like them so much?! His stand out role for me is definitely Training Day. I thought it was a good step away from his usual characters, playing a sort of terrifying character.
Favourite roles: Training Day, Man on Fire, Crimson Tide
Films seen because of him (and didn’t enjoy): Safe House.

9. Gary Oldman

Why does he make the list? I’ve got to have more than one Brit make the list, and Gary is it. He made Lost in Space look fairly okay. In my eyes, anyway. There’s not a lot of good in that film – Gary Oldman is all of the good! I can’t imagine anyone else playing Jim Gordon. Terrifying in Leon. Warm and cuddly as Jim Gordon. And a complete puzzle in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
Favourite roles: The Dark Knight Series, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
Films seen because of him (and didn’t enjoy): Red Riding Hood, Lawless.

10. Matt Damon

Why does he make the list? So I remember when The Bourne Identity was released and Matt Damon was playing an action hero, and I scoffed. I scoffed pretty loudly. Fast forward a few years and The Bourne Supremacy comes out and I decide if it’s got a sequel, there must be something to it. I wish I could have smacked my past self so hard. Because, damn I was wrong.
Favourite roles: The Bourne Series, Dogma, The Departed, Good Will Hunting.
Films seen because of him (and didn’t enjoy): The Brothers Grimm.

So, Nostra, I’m passing this one on to you!

What do you think? Who can you not help yourself but see in absolutely anything and everything?