Category: Actor’s Best & Worst

Favorite Actress – Sandra Bullock

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I first saw Sandra in Speed (1994) and then fell in love with While You Were Sleeping (1995). It’s her girl next door charm and goofiness packed into a body with that megawatt smile. She’s charming in a way that makes her seem approachable and she brings that to most of her 60 movie credits. Of those 60 I’ve watched 29, but it’s those A movies that I’ve seen countless times that have made a lifelong fan. The vest majority of her movies that I’ve seen have been As or Bs.

She’s from Arlington, Virginia, where I was living when I met Jason. She’s adopted two children. She has a BFA in drama. She recently lost the love of her life to ALS. She’s lived the highs (winning and Oscar) with the lows (ugly divorce in the public eye).

So what is your favorite Sandra movie?

*Giving these movies an A*

While You Were Sleeping (1995) I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen this romantic comedy.

The Proposal (2009) A different kind of romantic comedy that was just as fun.

The Lake House (2006) Her domination of my favorite romantic movies continues.

Crash (2004) She had a smaller part that showed her not so happy side.

The Lost City (2022) I was expecting not to like this, so imagine my surprise!

Bullet Train (2022) Her part in this movie was fun (and small)!

Speed (1994) As a vehicle to stardom this bus worked.

*Giving these movies a B*

Gravity (2013) She carried a film few others could have.

Miss Congeniality (2000) Just goofy fun.

28 Days (2000) Dealing with addiction isn’t pretty.

Two Weeks Notice (2002) Another romantic comedy with an equally witty actor.

Hope Floats (1998) A romance, yes, but so much heartfelt family drama.

Murder By the Numbers (2002) I love dark thrillers.

The Blind Side (2009) A well deserved Oscar for Best Actress.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011) A moving film dealing with 9/11.

The Net (1995) It would probably be funny to watch today with the advances we’ve made.

Bird Box (2018) So much stress (in a good way).

The Unforgiveable (2021) Dark.

Minions (2015) Villain voices count!

The Heat (2013) Those two are hysterical!

So, so movies

Two if By Sea (1996), Forces of Nature (1999), Miss Congeniality 2 (2005), Premonition (2007)

Big Fails for me

All About Steve (2009), A Fool and His Money ( 1989), Fire on the Amazon (1993) this was so bad and it had a surprising sex scene with lots of skin.

See my other Top 100 Actors here.

Favorite Actor – Viggo Mortensen

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Today is Viggo’s 65th birthday.

It’s no shock that most of the women of the world fell in love with Viggo after watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I’d seen him in a few movies before, but it was really that trilogy that made me take notice.

But, it’s the movies since then that have secured his place as one of my favorite actors. He could have played the Aragorn character for the rest of his life, but he didn’t. I’ve loved the surprise of his choices.

Born in NYC in 1958, he’s lives all over the world. He has a son who was in Crimson Tide with him. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Studies.

As I watch more of these movies I’ll try to come back and update. I debated on whether to list the movies in chronological order or in the order I like them best. Since this is my blog I’m going with the way I like them best!

*1 The Lord of the Rings (2001, 2002, 2003) Aragorn

This trilogy has a permanent place on my Top 100 Movies list. I’ve linked to my thoughts.

*2 A Walk on the Moon (1999) Walker Jerome, the “Blouse Man’

A not-so-perfect love story and I loved it. It’s also on my Top 100 Movies list. I’ve linked to my thoughts.

3 Captain Fantastic ( 2016) Ben *nominated for Oscars Best Actor

Such a great movie. My 5 word review when I watched it was, “Family’s heartbreaking funeral road trip.”

4 21 Days (2000) Jasper

I rewatched this recently and liked it even better than I did the first time. It’s Sandra Bullock’s rehab movie, but Viggo brings a little heat.

5 Two Faces of January (2014) Chester

A fun, old timey thriller.

6 Eastern Promises (2007) Nikolai *nominated for Oscars Best Actor

Very violent, but he was fanastic.

7 Green Book (2018) Tony Lip *nominated for Oscars Best Actor

Based on the life of bouncer turned driver Tony Lip and pianist Don Shirley traveling the South during times of racial segregation.

8 Hidalgo (2004) Frank Hopkins

This horse racing movie was good but erroneously billed as a true story.

9 A History of Violence (2005) Tom Stall

I don’t remember much about this one except I liked it.

10 G.I. Jane (1997) Master Chief John James Urgayle

I liked this Demi Moore flick, even when I disliked Viggo most of the movie.

11 A Perfect Murder (1998) David Shaw

A thrilling murder thriller.

12 Good (2008) Professor John Halder

A professor is sucked into the Nazi world, even while trying to stay a step apart. A fantastic cast, but this fell a little flat for me.

13 Psycho (1998) Sam Loomis

This remake of a classic didn’t need to be made.

So, tell me, what’s your favorite Viggo movie?

He’s on my Top 100 Favorite Actor List

Movie Talk – Is Meryl Streep as good as the critics tell me she is?

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In the last two weeks I’ve watched two of Streep’s latest movies –It’s Complicated (2009) and Hope Springs (2012).  Both are romantic comedies (although I’m using the word comedy in connection to Hope Springs very lightly).  I’ve never considered her a favorite and I’ve never quite understood what all the fuss was about.  Am I in the minority here?

I think my favorite movie of hers is Silkwood. I loved her as Karen, a plant worker bucking the system.  I also liked her in The Devil Wears Prada and It’s Complicated.  I’ve seen some of her classics, like Sophie’s Choice and The Deer Hunter, and they were fine.  She’s also had a few clunkers like She-Devil and Hope Springs (IMO).  Maybe I just haven’t seen her in her best roles.  She’s been nominated for 17 Oscars so maybe longevity is part of her appeal.

So, do you consider Meryl Streep the best actress working today?  What is your favorite Streep movie? 

Best & Worst of Juliette Binoche

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The beautiful French actress Juliette Binoche turns 48 today.  How is it that these actresses stay looking so young?  I LOVED her in the movie Chocolat (2000).  I loved Vianne’s spirit, her shop with delicious looking chocolate and her good taste in men (Johnny Depp never looked sexier).  I thought she was luminous and magical.  I HATED everything about The English Patient (1996) so I can’t really blame her completely, but I made myself and Jason suffer through the movie and I celebrated when it was finished.  I’m obviously in the minority here since she did take home an Oscar for Supporting Actress.

So, I’d like to take a poll – What’s your favorite and/or least favorite Juliette Binoche film?  Complete list here.

FAVORITE

4 for Chocolat (Beth, Nise, Stephanie, Stacy)

(Yes, this idea probably came to me because of Alyce’s Best & Worst author series)