Top 10 Actors/Actresses I’d See in Just about Anything

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Film

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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?

14 Comments

  1. I’ve loved Gordon-Levitt ever since he was on Third Rock from the Sun. I think he’s quirky and just LOVED him in inception. Didn’t mind him in GI Joe either as the villain! I also love Robert Downey Jr. for re-making himself and yes, as Iron Man, perfection. I love his delivery! So funny. I liked Chris Evans as Captain America (also funny). Another actor I crush on is Ryan Reynolds. He’s funny too.

    As for actresses, gotta love Charlize Theron ever since Italian Job and she is just one gorgeous woman! I also love Jennifer Lawrence, though more as a person and not an actress because I’ve only seen Hunger Games and she wasn’t that great in X-Men, as you said. Another actress is Emma Stone. Loved her in The House Bunny, Zombieland, Easy A, and Amazing Spiderman.

    • See, not a huge Jennifer Lawrence fan. Since day 1, just haven’t seen what other people see in her. *shrug* Missing something clearly!

      JGL in Third Rock from the Sun was adorable. And in 10 Things I Hate About You. Will most definitely watch anything he does!

      Oh Ryan Reynolds – he almost made the list. But he’s made such terrible films I can’t even find the will to watch them anymore!

  2. There’s not a single choice here that I oppose in the least. Top notch picks all around. Good stuff, Jaina. 😉

  3. GREAT list! LOVE LOVE LOVE that you have JGL at the top of your list! I just love him too. I also noticed a lot of mentions of Inception throughout your list, and I thought that was really cool. It still remains to be one of my favorite movies, and I like that it brought out many great performances. Di Caprio was so so so close to making my list, and I think if I had removed all the actresses from my list, he easily would have been in there. Gary Oldman is another great pick as well. He’s wonderful in The Dark Knight series, and I actually adore him in the Harry Potter movies too. Great list!!

    • There’s something about Inception. Can happily watch that film time and time again. Will never get tired of it!

  4. Hey Jaina, I just made my list and we have Bale & Hardy (Batman & Bane!) in common. Evans is in my Honorable Mention 😉

  5. Love the inclusion of RDJ and Theron the most, I’d watch these two in pretty much everything as well. Glad you mentioned SWATH – so many people criticize her but for me she was the best thing about that movie.

    • She was the best thing about that film. Would have been a horribly bland film if it were not for her. And Chris Hemsworth. But mostly here. She being included in the sequel?

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