Regardless, I have quite a few favorites on both sides of the fence. Helen Mirren, for one, not only because she is one of the few over 60 (hell, over 40!) women working in film today, but also because she makes no bones about fighting the aging process kicking and screaming, yet she manages to do it with such panache, I can't tell if she's had work done or not. Gal's a total class act.
Charlotte Rampling is another. Her performance was the only good thing about the terrible, terrible Swimming Pool, and we American ladies should take a lesson from this cat-eyed, right-angled beauty on how to hone not only our looks, but also our wit and intelligence.
Then there's Penelope Cruz, who is easy to dismiss as just another hot tamale, but who nevertheless always blows me away with her performances. To me, she is one of the most interesting women working in film today.
And don't even get me started on Catherine Deneuve. I. Con.
But, let's talk about men, shall we? I have my "classic" favorites: Peter O'Toole (Lawrence of Arabia is one of my favorite films of all time and he is simply stunning in all senses of the word in it), Ian McKellan, Alec Guinness, Sean Connery. And newbies like Clive Owen and Daniel Craig, while not necessarily great actors, are great looking in that they have very commanding presences on screen that make them interesting to watch. Then there's Javier Bardem who, seriously, really needs to return my phone calls.
Ewan McGregor almost filled this spot for me. He's unbelievably versatile and has virtually no fear on screen. He can go from wimpy sentimentality to serial killer stoniness to rock and roll enfant terrible in what seems like a blink of an eye. Plus, he's the only gent working today who isn't afraid of full frontal anything. Just sayin' . . .
Still, in the end, I went with who to me is far and away one of the greatest actors currently working in ANY country: Anthony Hopkins. Yeah, he's most famous for Hannibal Lector, but my hands down, absolute favorite performance of his is his turn as New Zealander Burt Munro in The World's Fastest Indian. Munro spent years building a 1920 Indian motorcycle and then ran it to a land-speed world record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967. If you haven't seen this movie, go rent it NOW.
P.S. Double click on this so you can watch it at full size. I can't figure out why my embedded videos are getting cut off . . .
10 comments:
Didn't I list Anthony Hopkins on the list of attractive older men while we were up in the mountains? My favorite role of his was WAR and PEACE for PBS. I've never heard of this movie, but I think it's worth rental. Thanks and Happy MCW.
Boxer: Did you? I can't remember, but I certainly would agree. I'm surprised Mr. Boxer doesn't have this in his Archives :o). It's a terrific piece of film-making. Exhilarating without feel-good schmaltz.
Great choice! We loved that movie. He is one of those actors who can play any role assigned to him. Although I can't think of any in particular at the moment, love when we run across him as a much younger man in some random movie. I'm glad we didn't blog jinx, I thought you might have been thinking what I was thinking. You kinda were - my guy gets a mention on your post! Happy MCW.
I haven't seen this movie. Of course, I don't go to the movie theater anymore and I'm too cheap to have HBO. Everyone I've talked to who has seen it has loved it. Happy MCW.
PS. Favorite foreign actress is coming sometime soon.
Good morning Moi, who
Anthony Hopkins is a good choice for so many reasons. His portrayal of Captain Bligh and so many other roles. I've seen parts of this movie, but not the whole film. I really should put the pieces together.
I once sold an Indian Motor for $250, it was in with a bunch of Harley parts that I bought in a lot at a swap meet. Back in those days I used to go down to Daytona during speed week and race Harleys in the dirt drags. All braun, and no brains.
Boxer: So nice to see you. How are you doing?
cool. ive never seen this but hopkins is GREAT. He scared the shite out of me in that one with the freaking marionette
*theres nothing funny about a clown in the moonlight*
and Lecter is a great character - the mannered gentleman cannibal. ANd i LOVED the hell out of him in meet joe black. and Zorro. wow. i forgot how many good ones until i checked in with IMDB's list. awesome choice.
nobody will blog jinx me today. Happy McW!
Pam: You've seen it! I'm not the only one in the universe, then :o). You know what, now that you mention it, I can't remember a movie with a young Anthony Hopkins in it. It seems to me, I've only ever seen him at his current age.
Milk River: Netflix?
Karl: Hey, now. All brawn, no brains is not a bad look for a young man!
K9: Did you happen to see him in The Edge with Alec Baldwin? Another great performance. Wish I'd gone to film school, too.
oh my....never even heard of this one--an I knows Uncle would enjoy it. Hopkins is so versatile. He can be uber elegant or cause me to recoil in horror. Heh. No wonder it's called ACTING.
Great read.
I'm with Aunty, I never heard of this movie. Sir, do you know how fast you were going? About 160 or 170. I'd love to be able to say that to a cop. Bwahaha
And if you're considering all-time great British actors, you have to include Anthony Hopkins (which I didn't on my post). Great, versatile actor. Silence of the Lambs and Legends of he Fall are my favorites.
Happy MCW!
Moi,
I have awesome photographs of an Indian from an international Concours d'Elegance car show.
And I loved this movie :-)
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