Dances with Katanas (aka Last Samurai)

[Desdichado]

Oh, I criticised him, especially in Red October and Highlander. But I've rarely seen critics "at large" make anything of it. Oddly enough, now Tom Cruise is criticised for a few mannerisms that aren't innappropriate for the character he's playing, though. YMMV, but that strikes me as a bit odd, at best.

 

[Ranger REG]

Well, Russell Crowe for one.

In the trailer for "Last Samurai," they show the scene in which Cruise's character is being offered the advisor job in Japan. He appears to be drunk, and he starts laughing. It's the same freakin' laugh he's done from "Risky Business" to "Vanilla Sky." C'mon, try something new! Give your character a new laugh. Develop your character. BE an Actor, not a pretty boy movie star.

Yeah, and while we're at it, I wish Russell Crowe would use a different voice in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World than he did in Gladiator. I mean it is that grating voice when he murmurs or when he shout. I mean why couldn't he bark orders in a high soprano pitch. I meant that's what all Brits of privileged birth sounds like.

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[barsoomcore]

Yeah, Tom Cruise typically takes a beating -- but then he is so durn cute you just can't help wanting to smack him in the choppers with a stick, can you?

I don't know if it's avoidable. I mean, even "Real" actors like Dustin Hoffman or Sean Penn have gotten to the point where you just kinda know their schtick and it's more a question of having that fit a certain role. Some actors have better schticks than others (and then there's Cate Blanchett who really DOES seem to disappear into her every role), but in the end I don't know if there's any way around it.

 

[Shadowdancer]

Interesting to note in the Entertainment Weekly review that did criticize Cruise for playing Cruise in this latest film, the reviewer mentioned Crowe as an example of an actor with a star persona who overcomes it in every role.

I was thinking of Crowe because I had just seen "Master and Commander" Monday night.

Interesting to note, today (Wed.) the National Board of Review named "Last Samurai" and "Master and Commander" on its list of the year's 10 best films. There were some other films on the list which have not been released yet, but "Return of the King" wasn't one of them.

 

[Starman]

Which I'd say is more of a problem with the people watching the movie and not the actor.

Of course I'm always aware of the fact that I'm watching a movie and don't get the whole "it took me out of the movie" comments.

You mean you have never become so caught up in a movie (or book or whatever) that you forgot you were a mere spectator and you became part of the story?

Well, Russell Crowe for one. And Tom Hanks for another. I don't mean that you completely forget who they are. But some actors have an ability to diminish their "star quality" so it doesn't outshine the character they are playing.

I agree. I didn't mean to imply that there were no good actors in Hollywood making the big bucks. Just that most famous actors have become famous for playing themselves and not for their ability to play different roles.

Starman

 

[Sirius_Black]

Interesting to note, today (Wed.) the National Board of Review named "Last Samurai" and "Master and Commander" on its list of the year's 10 best films. There were some other films on the list which have not been released yet, but "Return of the King" wasn't one of them.

Interesting. Do you have a link? I haven't seen that story posted yet. I guess the NBR decided to go ahead with the awards even with all the flack about the decision on the DVD screeners.

 

[Shadowdancer]

Interesting. Do you have a link? I haven't seen that story posted yet. I guess the NBR decided to go ahead with the awards even with all the flack about the decision on the DVD screeners.

Here's the link: NBR

"Return of the King" did win the award for best acting by an ensemble.

 

[Sirius_Black]

Here's the link: NBR

"Return of the King" did win the award for best acting by an ensemble.

Thank you. Mystic River seems to be a critical fave but it barely made a blip on the radar with audiences.

 

[Ranger REG]

Thank you. Mystic River seems to be a critical fave but it barely made a blip on the radar with audiences.

Personally, I don't like watching Sean Penn films. The last film I watched that featured him was Fast Time on Ridgemont High.

After that, most of his films are gritty depressing drama or stale (like the one with his ex, Madonna).

 

[Welverin]

You mean you have never become so caught up in a movie (or book or whatever) that you forgot you were a mere spectator and you became part of the story?

Can't say that I have, that's not to say that I don't put other things out of my mind.

Not sure how related it is, but I'm not the type to say 'we won' when the Eagles or Flyers win a game.