The Official "Underrated Movie Star" Thread.

[philosophie_en_rose]

I'll start:

It's a sign of sickness that Colin Firth isn't as famous as Colin Ferrell.

[RockaFowler]

1. Vince Vaughn

He may not be underrated, but I just love him. He should be in more movies

[cssmall]

2. Vincent D'Onfrio

Michael Palin (though he may not be so underrated across the pond)
Viggo Mortenson (he's only gotten famous 'cause of LotR)

[Patiod]

67. I'll take some cheese and mustard with that ham, please

Loved him in the episode of Homicide where he guest-starred.

On Law & Order, not so much

[CanuckAmok]

3. Don Cheadle.

It seems he's getting more popular, but he really should be a superstar.

[ghostsofgiants]

7. He'll be huge eventually...

After Crash and Hotel Rwanda, if he doesn't there is no justice.

[CanuckAmok]

8. And Boogie Nights.

Out of one of the best ensemble casts ever, he was head and shoulders above.

[ghostsofgiants]

10. I forgot about that...

He was good in Oceans Eleven as well.

[Parrcrow]

60. Virginia Madsen /David Morse

Morse more than holds his own with marquee actors like Jack Nicholson and Tom Hanks.

oops! this was intended as a reply to the original post.

[tjdee]

35. I agree with y'all.

Don Cheadle is always so nice to watch... he makes very good acting choices, doesn't overplay, doesn't ham... very effective actor.

[huskerlaw]

64. 2 Words: Hotel Rwanda

The man is simply amazing.

[NYYFan]

73. THANK YOU ! I LOVE DON CHEADLE

Hotel Rwanda, he finally got his due. Too bad it was against 'Ray' that year, he might well have won.

[ghostsofgiants]

4. Marlon Wayans

I'd have never believed he could act until I saw Requiem For A Dream.

[philosophie_en_rose]

12. Slapstick comedy $$ is a drug.

Likewise Adam Sandler is actually a good actor, when he tries.

[ghostsofgiants]

13. I said that in the other actor thread!

Sandler was great in Punch-Drunk Love.

[philosophie_en_rose]

24. And pretty good in 50 First Dates

He's only annoying (although I like Adam Sandler movies) when he plays the man-child idiot like in Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, and Little Nicky.

[CanuckAmok]

5. Catherine Keener

[gollygee]

6. Ed Harris

I think he's a great great actor.

[Atlas Mugged]

11. Love him

Major thich sweats, too. He was so fantastic in 'Alamo Bay' I expected him to be as well known as Tom Cruise is now. Fate is a cruel mistress.

[CBHagman]

19. While we're on the subject...

...let's not forget Amy Madigan, who really hasn't gotten the roles or the fame she deserves. (Yes, she and Ed Harris are the Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn of the baby boom).

I should also mention Kate Nelligan, Marcia Gay Harden, Patricia Clarkson, and David Strathairn.

[fudge stripe cookays]

62. AND they're in my pantheon of cool stars...

for their vociferous support of pro-choice issues.

FSC

[Flaxbee]

91. maybe after "Good Night and Good Luck"

David Strathairn will be more well-known. Have loved him since "Sneakers" and "Passion Fish"

So, let's also throw in there (speaking of Passion Fish) Alfre Woodard (though "Beauty Shop" was a shitty choice).

Loooooove Ed Harris.

[Atlas Mugged]

9. Klaus Kinski

Totally insane but that was the foundation of his acting genius.

Please note the past tense. RIP - November 23, 1991.



http://www.hatii.arts.gla.ac.uk/MultimediaStudentProjects/00-01/0009135b/fruits/html/Kinski/kinski-bio.htm

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

15. I saw him on TV last night in Dr. Zhivago on Turner Classic Movies

It was a small role, as a forced laborer in a train's freight car. Even with just a few lines he stole the scene. And he DID look insane.

[Orrin_73]

37. Completely agree Klaus Kinski

was one of the most underrated movie stars ever.

[Tallison]

14. Willem Defoe

[NYC Liberal]

16. Yup, I think Willem Dafoe is excellent as well.

[Elidor]

38. He is outstanding

Last Temptation of Christ blew my mind.

[Tallison]

66. Never thought Jesus could be so...sexy!

either. :blush:

[stlsaxman]

17. Philip Seymore- Hoffman and David Strathairn...

BOTH will be battling for Best Actor this year. Just watch!

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

46. I can't wait to see Capote

Hoffman is truly excellent & he looks great in the part. I'm also yet to see "Owning Mahoney" which got him rave reviews. For me his best performance is in "Happiness".

(and yes, I'm also eagerly anticipating Good Night, and Good Luck, but I have to wait till February.)

[stlsaxman]

18. Hugo Weaving

damn, he's good!

[Orsino]

20. Sean Bean

I thought that his was perhaps the best performance in the LotR saga.

[philosophie_en_rose]

22. I love Sean Bean.

He's my secret boyfriend. :)

Seriously, I don't understand why he's always a bridesmaid and not the bride in movies. National Treasure, for instance, would have been a better movie with Sean Bean in the lead. :shrug:

[lumberingbear]

21. Wm H Macy

[HEyHEY]

23. The guy who played Rusty in VEgas Vacation

He cracks me up in every movie he's in

[RockaFowler]

25. Randy Quaid Is Awesome

He is very underrated. He can do comedy or drama. Wonderful

[HEyHEY]

27. I didn't mean Cousin eddie, I meant the Son...but yeah Quaid is great

He plays the best loser

[RockaFowler]

28. My Bad

His name is Ethan Embry. He's a cutie, too

[HEyHEY]

29. He's not in enough stuff

Mayeb it's just his odd manner, but he always makes me laugh.

[Joe Chi Minh]

98. His Jerry Lee Lewis was superlative, wasn't it.

[Wapsie B]

26. Harry Dean Stanton.

I love his style.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

36. He kind of reminds me of Lance Henriksen

with that gritty, weather-beaten appearance. I liked Stanton in Repo Man. I don't know why, but Harry Dean Stanton always reminds me of Lance Henriksen even though they are not facially all that alike.

[WCGreen]

30. John Cusack and John Malkovich......

[RockaFowler]

32. There You Go

John Cusack is the BEST. I think I have seen everyone of his movies and have loved them all. Yes even America's Sweethearts. He's the best part about it. Never mind his early work - Better off Dead and One Crazy Summer. Love Him!

[WCGreen]

40. Grosse Point Blank is a classic.....

[ghostsofgiants]

39. Malkovich...

I loved him in that jewel thief movie.

[WCGreen]

41. Two Words....

DAngerous Liaisons... creepy and sexually charged movie....

[ghostsofgiants]

43. The only Malkovich film I think I've ever seen is "Being John Malkovich"

Which is just brilliant.

I'll check out Dangerous Liasons, though.

[WCGreen]

52. It's deliciously wicked.....

[kwassa]

89. He was in "The Killing Fields" as the photographer

A much younger JM. I just saw it again last night.

He has been great in many films

[nutsnberries]

49. Cusack! coming this fall,

The Ice Harvest

http://www.theiceharvest.com/


(love Cusack but I'd like to forget a few of his movies starting with Serendipity & Must Love Dogs... }( )

[WCGreen]

53. Serendipity was a bit much....

They could have toned it down just a little to make it less than a Hugh Grant movie....

[nutsnberries]

56. i couldn't stand it... the only bearable parts were when

Cusack and Jeremy Piven were together.


Grosse Pointe Blank is my favorite.
The Jack Bull, Being John Malkovich, Say Anything, Fat Man & Little Boy, High Fidelity, The Grifters, Better Off Dead, ...
so many really good ones! :thumbsup:


oooo.... another one of my favorites --- TAPEHEADS !!!

[WeRQ4U]

69. I love Cusack, but what's with his love for movies where he narrates?

It's so odd.

[flvegan]

31. Jenna Jameson.

Her biggest parts oft go underrated.

:hide:

[philosophie_en_rose]

33. Who is that?

:shrug:

[MrsMatt]

42. surgically enhanced porn star n/t

[philosophie_en_rose]

44. oh.

:blush:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

58. bad boy!

:spank:

[flvegan]

59. mmmmaybe...

okay, it's a known fact. Sorry. Punish me at will...

[tjdee]

34. Every single black/asian/hispanic actress...and Adrien Brody.

I have all sorts of nastiness and vitriol for this topic, LOL, but I'll just say that it is a disgusting shame that all roles are not open to actors of all races. They still actually cast for "White Female, 20s" when the part does not require it, for example. And hip hop artists get acting roles that *real* actors wouldn't even be looked at for.

I'll leave it at that, but I get spitting mad when I think about it.

Also...

:loveya:

Adrien Brody is such a good actor--and granted, he's got an Oscar, but I think he's woefully underappreciated. Hopefully King Kong will change that. He's got a natural style that is just so refreshing and exciting... and I'm not saying that because we're going to get married.

And also, Shah Rukh Khan, but whatever.

[bliss_eternal]

65. I love Sandra Oh...

She rocks!

[Patiod]

68. You should see "Last Night"

Really depressing film about the end of the world

She's wonderful in it.

[stanwyck]

79. I'm the other person who saw

that movie. Depressing. But has really stayed with me. I think about those people often. I know my mother would have done the "Christmas" dinner like Sarah Polley's family did...as their "last night."
And I'm a major Sandra Oh fan, too.

[kwassa]

90. Sandra was great in "Sideways", too.

slamming that motorcycle helmet into that dude's face.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

45. Jeff Bridges

'The Dude' aside, there's "The Last Picture Show", "Starman", "The Fabulous Baker Boys", "The Fisher King", "Arlington Road", "K-PAX" and the most recent film I've seen "The Door in the Floor". Excellent in all of them and never dull to watch in the tens of films he's been in since the seventies.

(Now I know he's been Oscar nominated so that may make his 'underrated' status slightly controversial, but I'm sticking with it)

Also, Jon Leguizamo - "Summer of Sam" and "Romeo + Juliet" in particular.

[tjdee]

74. I really liked him in Fearless too.

I dig Jeff. His being in a picture will make me consider seeing it (doesn't always happen, LOL, but I consider it!).

[HeeBGBz]

81. Loved him in Fisher King and Starman

He looks huggable.

[Yavin4]

47. Ray Liotta

He was the star of "Goodfellas". He stepped into that movie knowing that DeNiro, Pesci, and Scorcese had all previously worked together on another classic, "Raging Bull". That's like taking over for Tom Brady and leading the team to another championship.

He's one of the most consistent actors in all of Hollywood.

[fudge stripe cookays]

63. That man's eyes...

are nothing short of amazing. Pale smoldering green.

Completely hot. :loveya:

Loves me some Liotta.
FSC

[Cannikin]

48. Charlize Theron

[SarahB]

50. Colin Firth is a beautiful, talented man!

I agree.



Colin Farrell is a lame, overhyped party boy. :boring:

[philosophie_en_rose]

55. Yay!

I've loved every movie that Colin Firth has been in, since he was in braces in Another Country.

Colin Farrell looks like he stinks. :P

[Love Bug]

97. Wordy, word, word on Colin Firth!

[huskerlaw]

51. Allison Janney

she's best known as CJ Cregg on the West Wing, but she's done tons of movies as well (American Beauty, The Hours, etc.). She's amazingly talented.

[Atlas Mugged]

54. Alejandro Jodorowsky

And if you don't know who he is, hand in your 'Cult Film Fanatic' membership card.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

87. I got SO excited a couple of weeks ago

I was looking around FABPress' web site & saw that they were selling a region 2 boxset of "El Topo" & "Holy Mountain"! I just need to save up £35. His son's good in Santa Sangra, too.

[Atlas Mugged]

88. Woohoo!

Thanks for the heads up. If it's avaialble in Great Britain, it should be here, too, and I missed the release. I've looked for it for years and have some terrible bootlegs...

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

92. Santa Sangre got a great UK DVD release last year too

through Anchor Bay (although for some reason Anchor Bay US haven't done likewise). It's got a commentary from Jodorowsky & a critic (which I haven't listened to yet), a (very) short film by his son, a 25-minute talk by Jodorowsky and a feature-length documentary:

"Louis Mouchet's La Constellation Jodorowsky is an 87-minute documentary that includes contributions from Fernando Arrabal, Peter Gabriel, Marcel Marceau and Jean 'Moebius' Giraud as well as Jodorowsky himself. Jodorowsky's entire career up until 1994 is discussed, covering his involvement in theatre, cinema, and comic books as well as touching upon his interest in mysticism, particularly tarot reading and a self-invented technique he terms 'psycho-magic'. Presented in French with burned-in English subtitles, La Constellation Jodorowsky is an interesting and informative look at a man who is as full of character as the art he produces."
http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=6541

[Missy Vixen]

57. Dennis Farina

He steals every scene he's in, not to mention funny as hell.

Julie

[TroubleMan]

61. Tim Roth

nt.

[RockaFowler]

86. I LOVE TIM ROTH

Funniest movie with him in it is Four Rooms. That is a classic. Every scene is wonderful.

[Divameow77]

70. Sean Astin

He wowed me in Return of the King. I thought he shined.
Sean Bean was great too, but not like Sam :-)

[philosophie_en_rose]

85. Sean Astin is a fun actor to watch.

Very likeable. He was great in 50 First Dates as Drew Barrymore's brother.

[arwalden]

100. He's Delicious.

[trackfan]

71. This could have been written by my wife.

You're not she, are you?

[pdx_prog]

72. Gary Sinese...

[tjdee]

76. Do you know how long I put off seeing X-Men because he was shafted

out of being Wolverine?? (I don't know if he was actually shafted, LOL, but I always thought of him in the role.)

He's a Republican though. :(

But I like his style.

[HeeBGBz]

80. I love Gary Sinese

Something about him is very appealing.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

83. Even though he's a Bushie I still like him.

[NYYFan]

75. Terrance Howard

Loved him ever since Mr. Holland's Opus. Hustle & Flow, and Lackawana Blues- two MUST SEE performances for this year.

[tjdee]

77. He's like, the hottest guy.

I mean....except for you know, Shahrukh and all...

But he is really good looking. And talented too.

[NYYFan]

82. Damn straight !

;-):9

[HeeBGBz]

78. Helen Hunt

I love her to pieces.

[William Bloode]

84. A lot of the ones that came to mind....

Were already done. So i'll go with Harvey Keitel and Steve Buscemi. Both are wonderful actors that can play any role.

[baldguy]

93. John Leguizamo

John Lithgow
John Larroquette

That's what I can think of off the top of my head. Maybe I've got a brain aneurysm.

[philosophie_en_rose]

94. Definitely John Leguizamo.

I'll also add Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes. :)

[Az]

95. Johnny Depp

Yes he is very highly rated.... its not enough.

[Az]

96. Zhang Ziyi , Cecilia Cheung, and Michelle Yeoh

These women are marvelous actresses. I hope they continue to make films overseas but also hope they may one day make some more films in the states.

[arwalden]

99. I Still Wonder Why Pia Zadora Disappeared.

I think she's great.