Thread: Best acting performances of all time?

I have a pretty strong opinion on this. The best acting job in film history is Al Pacino's portrayal of Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part 2. He was incredible in the first Godfather also, but he had to be even more dramatic in 2. I couldn't find my favorite acting moment, but this one is phenomenal, and it doesn't spoil either of the movies, just one detail...



Diane Keaton did a Hell of a good job in those movies too.

Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine.

Instead of turning this into an Al Pacino and Robert De Niro thread, I will just post two videos of De Niro at his best.

Originally Posted by Universal Mind

I have a pretty strong opinion on this. The best acting job in film history is Al Pacino's portrayal of Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part 2. He was incredible in the first Godfather also, but he had to be even more dramatic in 2. I couldn't find my favorite acting moment, but this one is phenomenal, and it doesn't spoil either of the movies, just one detail...



Diane Keaton did a Hell of a good job in those movies too.

The godfather is too goddamned epic, it's almost unfair to compare other movies, and roles. Everyone should just list the greatest performances while excluding anything that has to do with the godfather series.

Perhaps we should separate this into genre...

Originally Posted by grasshoppa

The godfather is too goddamned epic, it's almost unfair to compare other movies, and roles. Everyone should just list the greatest performances while excluding anything that has to do with the godfather series.

Perhaps we should separate this into genre...

The Godfather acting is so obviously the best it should stay out of the conversation? Maybe so. It's like throwing The Beatles into a conversation about the best rock bands of all time. Still, it's the answer to the question.

Heath Ledger as the Joker, in Dark Knight.

Think it was only a matter of time until that one popped up.

Tim Curry in Stephen King's "It"

Tom Hanks, Forrest Gump.

Originally Posted by Universal Mind

I was thinking about posting that, but I went with:

Needless to say, Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean.



I don't think if it counts, but Hugh Laurie in House is also the most brilliant thing.



Can't think of any other atm.

Johnny Depp was amazing in Edward Scissorhands

Tim Robbins & Morgan Freeman - Shawshank Redemption


Johnny Depp & Benetio Del Torro - Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas


Angelina Jolie - Girl, Interrupted


Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter - Fight Club


Bryce Dallas Howard - The Village


Christian Bale & Hugh Jackman - The Prestige


Tom Cruise - Vanilla Sky


Christian Bale - Equilibrium


Russell Crowe - Gladiator


Gerard Butler - 300


Jim Carrey & Jeff Daniels - Dumb and Dumber


Robbin Williams - Mrs. Doubtfire


All of the Fellowship


Harrison Ford - Indiana Jones (we won't mention that last one made lol)


Anthony Hopkins - Silence of the Lambs


Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst - Interview with the Vampire


those are just a few I like

Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood

This.
"There's a whole ocean of oil under our feet! No one can get at it except for me."
"I drink your milkshake! I drink it up!"

#3
Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca


#2
Al Pachino in The Godfather part 2


#1
Kathy Bates in Misery

^ Incredible actress, incredible performance, and scary as hell

Al Pacino said himself that Scarface is his best work, but he great in Dog Day Afternoon and The Godfather also.

Jack Nicholson in The Shining

Originally Posted by Maverick

Al Pacino said himself that Scarface is his best work

He doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about.

Originally Posted by Maverick

but he great in Dog Day Afternoon

Yes! I think that is his best work after the first two Godfather movies. It's also a really great movie overall.

Originally Posted by Supernova

Jack Nicholson in The Shining

Absolutely. That was going to be my next pick.

I will add one more thing about the Godfather movies and then drop it. Robert De Niro played Vito in Part 2, but he auditioned for the role of Sonny in the first one. I really think he should have played him.

didn't get back in time to fix that video via edit, so here it is:

The still on that video is close to what I saw earlier today in The Truly Senseless Thread, with one big difference. I got such a kick out of it I made it my desktop photo.

I lol'd

nobody mentioned Network from 1978...that guy who played howard beale

I'm mad as hell and im not gonna take it anymore!

Megan Fox in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Drew Barrymore in Firestarter. FTW.

The Mexican gang party scene in Training Day!!! My God... If you want to YouTube it, know that it spoils the movie, and it is a Hell of a good movie. I highly encourage you to watch the whole thing if you haven't already. I still have a hard time fathoming the fact that the party scene people were just acting. I was late on seeing Training Day, but I got into it recently and now see what the big deal is. It's one of my top ten favorites now.