Al Pacino

[africanherbsman]

Out of all the actors I mentioned Clint is the only one to consistantly make great film's both in front of and behind the camera.

[Mr Moustache]

As an auteur then sure Clint surpasses both. Writer, Actor and Director - the big man can do all three on a par with anyone.

 

However performances and films wise I think Bobby and Al rule the roost. They've been phoning the performances in since Heat sure, but what a back catalogue.

 

Deniro:

 

Best Film: Goodfellas

Best performance: Taxi Driver

 

Pacino:

 

Best Film: The Godfather

Best performance: Dog Day/Godfather 2 (cant prise either apart).

 

The 70's were a goldern period.People forget about Hackman but what a fucking actor he was. Redford, Dusty and even Beatty.

 

Back then you had leading men with balls and a social conscience who made movies you just couldn't get greenlit these days.

 

Proper movie stars.

[Gav]

As an auteur then sure Clint surpasses both. Writer, Actor and Director - the big man can do all three on a par with anyone.

 

However performances and films wise I think Bobby and Al rule the roost. They've been phoning the performances in since Heat sure, but what a back catalogue.

 

Deniro:

 

Best Film: Goodfellas

Best performance: Taxi Driver

 

Pacino:

 

Best Film: The Godfather

Best performance: Dog Day/Godfather 2 (cant prise either apart).

 

The 70's were a goldern period.People forget about Hackman but what a fucking actor he was. Redford, Dusty and even Beatty.

 

Back then you had leading men with balls and a social conscience who made movies you just couldn't get greenlit these days.

 

Proper movie stars.

 

I see your Goodfellas/Godfathers and Raise you a Play Misty for me and Unforgiven

[africanherbsman]

As an auteur then sure Clint surpasses both. Writer, Actor and Director - the big man can do all three on a par with anyone.

 

However performances and films wise I think Bobby and Al rule the roost. They've been phoning the performances in since Heat sure, but what a back catalogue.

 

Deniro:

 

Best Film: Goodfellas

Best performance: Taxi Driver

 

Pacino:

 

Best Film: The Godfather

Best performance: Dog Day/Godfather 2 (cant prise either apart).

 

The 70's were a goldern period.People forget about Hackman but what a fucking actor he was. Redford, Dusty and even Beatty.

 

Back then you had leading men with balls and a social conscience who made movies you just couldn't get greenlit these days.

 

Proper movie stars.

 

Good post, agree with all of that apart from the Robert Redford bit. I don't mind him but he doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the others.

[Franny DelMucho]

Whilst people are on the subject of top draw actors, it's robert de niro week or something on filmfour soon. Think it starts this friday with Taxi driver. I may watch it and go green in the process.

[Mr Moustache]

I see your Goodfellas/Godfathers and Raise you a Play Misty for me and Unforgiven

 

I see your play Misty/Unforgiven and raise you a Raging Bull/Heat!

[Mr Moustache]

Good post, agree with all of that apart from the Robert Redford bit. I don't mind him but he doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as the others.

 

Acting wise I dont think he's up there but he made some great choices..

 

Jeremiah Johnson is fucking great. He was also in Sneakers which was brilliant.

[Strontium]

I'm going to be controversial (?) and say that I think Clint Eastwood is the best director in Hollywood right now. His recent output has been consistenly outstanding, even the likes of Scorsese have made a few duffers in the past decade or so, but every one of Clint's has been mint. And he's getting better as he gets older.

[Remmie]

Depends what you mean by best- you enjoy their films the most or their sheer believability and skill they bring to their parts. For dedication it's hard to beat De Niro but I'd be interested to hear from the resident film buffs if anyone has kicked De Niro's ass in the method acting stakes.

 

Personally I really enjoy Samuel L Jackson, his charisma and likeability just shine through and he's in my 2 favourite ever films.

[kelly jones]

I love Clint and own a shit load of his film's, the man is a twentieth century icon. As a film star few can touch him and I think he's a fine actor. However based strictly on thespian quailities I think he's just a little bit behind the aformentioned three. If you think Clint is the best then fair enough, I buzz of him and don't think your suggestion is outrageous by any means.

 

have to agree with you there lad. but as you said the man is an icon but i also believe he is behind pacino and de niro but that is not to take anything away from him he is a legend alright...

[Big Ig]

How could I forget Heat, one of the best film's of the nineties.

 

Or one of the most overrated films ever. Tried to watch it about 3 times and couldn't sit through it.

 

Donnie Brasco's probably my fave performance. Nicholson also rules - watched Chinatown recently and he's top notch in it. Great film too.

[kelly jones]

Or one of the most overrated films ever. Tried to watch it about 3 times and couldn't sit through it.

 

Donnie Brasco's probably my fave performance. Nicholson also rules - watched Chinatown recently and he's top notch in it. Great film too.

 

heat overrated??? dont think many would agree with you there mate..

[Big Ig]

sorry ,but no way .cannot let this slide

Space Cowboys (2000)

 

Is ace

[Big Ig]

heat overrated??? dont think many would agree with you there mate..

 

Most don't I admit, just that such a big brouhaha was made about DeNiro and Pacino of Godfather 2 fame acting together in the same film, that I found the film itself a big letdown.

[Remmie]

Most don't I admit, just that such a big brouhaha was made about DeNiro and Pacino of Godfather 2 fame acting together in the same film, that I found the film itself a big letdown.

I think it's good but not near the same class as Goodfellas and Casino which came out not too long before.

 

What do you think is the greatest ever single acting performance?

[Big Ig]

I really, really don't know, and I've been thinking about it for half an hour...

 

Doesn't help my memory's like a sieve and I worked 14 hours non-stop and am now on the JD...

 

How about naming standout performances by lesser known actors in lesser known or less well-reknowned films, or supporting actors in the more famous films?

 

I'd mention:

 

Jim Calvaziel in Thin Red Line

Joe Pesci in Goodfellas

The lead actor in Pi

The ensemble cast of City of God

Audrey Tatou in Amelie

Jodie Foster in Contact (!!)

[Paul]

I think Pacino is very hit and miss. He's either amazing or about as subtle as a slap in the face. Scent of a Woman falls quite squarely into the latter category for me and the Oscar for it was a joke. It was simply a case of "Ooh, double whammy: we get to right an Academy injustice and he's playing a disabled character at the same time".

 

Great Pacino performances are Godfather 2, Glengary Glenn Ross, Insomnia, Serpico, Donnie Brasco and Heat.

[Sut]

John Turturro in Miller's Crossing, Steve Buscemi in anything, McQueen in Tom Horn, the whole cast of Shawshank and Salif Diao in a Liverpool shirt.

[xabi the red]

Jack rules. He just plays Jack in every film he's in. A bit like Pesci.

 

As opposed to 'Al' doing SHOUTY AL PACINO in every film post 1975.

 

About Schmidt?

 

I suppose you are right, Jack doing Jack was one of the things that made The Departed such a turkey. he was really panto in that.

[cochcaer]

The Godfather Part II, but my favourite would probably be Sea of Love.

[Gav]

Dennis Hopper is my fav actor after Clint.Looking at some of the movies he's been in and the roles he's played ,outstanding stuff

[Sut]

John Tuturro rules period. Are you ready to be fucked, man?

 

 

You got a date Wednesday, baby! Woooooo!

 

Nobody focks with the Jesus.

[Brownie]

I love Al Pacino, right up there as one of my favourite actors of all time.

 

Personally I think his best two performances were Glengarry Glen Ross and Any Given Sunday.

[WaltonRed]

Im going with Serpico as my favourite Pacino film.

 

I personally think the list of greats includes Brando, Pacino, De Niro and Nicholson but I couldnt say in which order.

[Section_31]

I love Pacino, he is fantastic in Scent of a Woman but i think his best performance is opposite De Nero in HEAT. One of my top five if not my favoruite film.

 

'Who? Who? What are you a fucking owl?'

 

'I ain't your Cuz you rat motherfucker, and you get what i say you get, after you tell me what the fuck I need to know'

 

'We're sittin here like a couple of regular guys getting along, but if it comes between you and some poor bastard whose wife your gonna turn into a widow, brother - you are goin DOWN'

 

Probably my favourite all time actor, though Russel Crowe is in there for his performance in 'The Insider' also with big Al, and Forrest Whittacker is fast becoming one of my favourites too.