Orrex
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Sat Jan-16-10 09:24 PM
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Poll question: Is Philip Seymour Hoffman the greatest living American actor? |
Swede
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Sat Jan-16-10 09:31 PM
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rcrush
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Sun Jan-17-10 02:25 AM
Response to Reply #1 |
14. Was he the Blue Kitteh? |
flvegan
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Sat Jan-16-10 09:31 PM
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caitxrawks
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Sat Jan-16-10 09:33 PM
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I just mentioned seeing him naked having sex in a movie.
*shudder*
I really like him. He was excellent in Doubt. Well, come to think of it, he was excellent in Capote too. And good lord, everything else he's ever been in. Even Boogie Nights.
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Orrex
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Sat Jan-16-10 09:39 PM
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4. I was just watching a few of his scenes in Charlie Wilson's War |
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Hoffman's performance is magnificent. He also has terrific range. I mean, watch him in Twister and then in Capote and then in Punch Drunk Love and then in Doubt. You'll get whiplash!
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tigereye
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Sun Jan-17-10 05:42 PM
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44. yes, he was excellent in that, in Pirate Radio, in Doubt, in Capote, in Almost |
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Famous, in pretty much everything I've seen, he's great.
Not sure he's the best, living male actor, though.
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Quantess
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Sun Jan-17-10 02:15 AM
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13. Oh... I don't think I would want to see him in a sex scene. |
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Even less, naked in a sex scene. There's no need for that.
The last thing I saw him in was a documentary about the stolen election of 2000. We saw his transformation from an apathetic, non-political person before the election, into a rightfully disgusted American post-election.
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Skittles
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Sun Jan-17-10 03:05 AM
Response to Reply #3 |
16. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead? |
JTG of the PRB
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Sun Jan-17-10 11:11 AM
Response to Reply #3 |
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Good gravy, that brings back some unpleasant memories. I saw that movie with some friends, and of course the first thing that comes on is PSH's pasty white bare ass doing a sex scene with Marissa Tomei. Kinda ruined the rest of the movie for me.
:puke:
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mnhtnbb
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Sat Jan-16-10 09:43 PM
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5. Jack Nicholson, Tom Hanks, Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro would be on |
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my list of greatest living American actors (male)but for me, no one can compete with Meryl Streep. What a talent.
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caitxrawks
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Sat Jan-16-10 09:47 PM
Response to Reply #5 |
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My husband has a total mancrush on De Niro. He says he identifies with Travis Bickle LOL! And I fell in love with Meryl Streep in Doubt. I was really able to see her talent for the first time in that, and since then I've paid more attention to her in her other roles. I loved her in the Devil Wears Prada, she personified the character exactly.
I like Johnny Depp :-3 So cliche, I know, but he can do no wrong.
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Auggie
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Sun Jan-17-10 07:05 AM
Response to Reply #5 |
19. Sean Penn and Gene Hackman also |
mnhtnbb
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Sun Jan-17-10 10:21 AM
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Captain Hilts
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Sun Jan-17-10 11:28 AM
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Captain Hilts
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Sun Jan-17-10 10:23 AM
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29. I like Nicholson, but don't think he's in the ranks with S.Hoffman or Meryl Streep etc. nt |
joeybee12
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Mon Jan-18-10 05:50 PM
Response to Reply #29 |
64. Jakc Nicholson plays Jack Nicholson fine...that's about it...n/t |
EastTennesseeDem
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Sun Jan-17-10 01:33 AM
Response to Original message |
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Edited on Sun Jan-17-10 01:34 AM by EastTennesseeDem
because I'm assuming "Philip Seymour Hoffman" is a synonym for "George Clooney."
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Orrex
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Sun Jan-17-10 01:34 AM
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8. Clooney is a pretty goddamn fantastic actor as well. |
EastTennesseeDem
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Sun Jan-17-10 02:14 AM
Response to Reply #8 |
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Have you seen 25th Hour?
Fanfuggintastic.
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Captain Hilts
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Sun Jan-17-10 10:21 AM
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27. We under estimate him. Just as Gable's talents were under-estimated. nt |
struggle4progress
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Sun Jan-17-10 01:41 AM
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9. I won't be able to decide how to vote until I find out who the f he is |
nuxvomica
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Sun Jan-17-10 09:59 AM
Response to Reply #9 |
23. He's the blond guy who cries a lot |
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If you notice someone gnawing on the scenery in a movie, that would be Mr. Hoffman. :-)
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struggle4progress
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Sun Jan-17-10 10:18 AM
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24. Hmm. Well, not just ANYBODY can gnaw scenery |
Orrex
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Sun Jan-17-10 05:24 PM
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41. What does that even mean? |
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Edited on Sun Jan-17-10 05:24 PM by Orrex
I've heard every actor in the business described as a scenery-chewer, and I've heard it applied alternatively to every role they've played. There's no consistency in the application or context of the phrase.
It seems vaguely to be a disparagement of the actor's performance and/or ability, but it's applied so loosely and haphazardly that it's pretty much impossible to pin down.
:shrug:
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nuxvomica
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Sun Jan-17-10 07:34 PM
Response to Reply #41 |
47. It's when an actor acts too hard |
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With Hoffman, it's when he gets the waterworks started, like in Capote and other roles. I didn't believe him in Capote because he seemed to be either crying or one the verge of it during the whole film. It's like "Look how hard I'm working at this." He's gotten more control since then, it seems. He turned in some fine performances in Charlie Wilson's War and Doubt and Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. I've avoided Savages because I figured he would overdo it.
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Orrex
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Mon Jan-18-10 12:39 AM
Response to Reply #47 |
48. Well, that's kind of what I'm saying. |
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Pick any well-praised actor, and name any well-praised part they've played, and you'll find 51% of opinions saying they're doing a great job, while 51% say he's chewing the scenery (with a 2% margin of error).
And, more often than not, the role in which they're accused of scenery-chewing is the one that got them the Oscar. Capote is one example, as is Hopkins' Lecter, Pacino's Frank Slade, etc.
It just strikes me as an easy criticism to hurl, while it isn't especially descriptive.
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nuxvomica
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Mon Jan-18-10 12:09 PM
Response to Reply #48 |
57. But it really is a fair criticism, I think |
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If something strikes one as overdone it's worth pointing out. That can happen with special effects, score, editing, etc. It's just as subjective as any other criticism, such as "wooden" when applied to, oh, say, Keanu Reeves, whose fans probably would describe as being "subtle". How else would you describe an overwrought performance?
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Orrex
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Mon Jan-18-10 12:36 PM
Response to Reply #57 |
60. Of course there's no way to apply a single standard |
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If a role calls for an over-the-top performance, then the actor shouldn't be criticized for playing it that way. And if a role has a comedic element, it's hard to criticize the performance as "scenery chewing" if that performance yields an effectively comic result.
For comparison, I would say that Tim Burton's work is a consistently vapid and pretentious attempt at kitsch and camp, but I'm sure that his admirers would call him a brilliant director for the very same reasons.
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MilesColtrane
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Sun Jan-17-10 01:42 AM
Response to Original message |
10. He is definitely fearless. |
bamacrat
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Sun Jan-17-10 01:59 AM
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11. Is amazing in everything he does. Loved him in The Big Lebowski. |
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I think he should play The Penguin if they decide to reprise that roll in a future Batman movie. Awesome.
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Skittles
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Sun Jan-17-10 03:05 AM
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15. honesty, I think he very well may be |
jobycom
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Sun Jan-17-10 03:53 AM
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17. Did Meryl Streep die or something? |
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Because if she's alive, there's only a debate about second place.
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Orrex
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Sun Jan-17-10 08:34 AM
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20. Sorry. I just can't forgive her for She-Devil |
Captain Hilts
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Sun Jan-17-10 10:25 AM
Response to Reply #20 |
31. Or Postcards From the Edge. She had NO BUSINESS being in "Heartburn." nt |
gmoney
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Mon Jan-18-10 09:41 AM
Response to Reply #31 |
56. Postcards is cool... give it another look. |
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If nothing else, her singing makes the whole thing worthwhile.
Carrie Fisher's DVD commentary is pretty hilarious, too. She's sort of "what the hell am I supposed to do? I don't remember this or that."
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jobycom
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Sun Jan-17-10 10:43 AM
Response to Reply #20 |
32. But you're okay with Hoffman in Along Came Polly an MI 3? Puhleese. |
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He co-starred with Adam Sandler, for chrissake.
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Orrex
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Sun Jan-17-10 05:22 PM
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40. He was actually pretty good in MI3 |
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And Along Came Polly is a horrible figment of your imagination.
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jobycom
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Mon Jan-18-10 03:54 AM
Response to Reply #40 |
52. I actually liked MI 3 |
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But everyone here hates anything Tom Cruise does so much I thought it would make my point better.
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Captain Hilts
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Sun Jan-17-10 10:23 AM
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28. She's managed to improve on doing comedy. nt |
coyotespaw
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Sun Jan-17-10 05:12 AM
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18. He's ok, but he's no Clancey Brown... |
Orrex
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Sun Jan-17-10 09:04 AM
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coyotespaw
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Mon Jan-18-10 02:00 AM
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peekaloo
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Sun Jan-17-10 09:28 AM
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22. If by Philip Seymour Hoffman you mean Kevin Spacey, then yes. |
Captain Hilts
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Sun Jan-17-10 10:24 AM
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30. Yes! Spacey is very good! nt |
Captain Hilts
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Sun Jan-17-10 10:20 AM
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whistler162
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Sun Jan-17-10 12:12 PM
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35. SInce he was born in Fairport and I was born in |
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Canandaigua. Yes, he is the greatest living actor. Even though I have only seen twister and patch adams.
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WinkyDink
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Sun Jan-17-10 03:52 PM
Response to Original message |
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Edited on Sun Jan-17-10 03:53 PM by WinkyDink
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blueknight
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Sun Jan-17-10 04:03 PM
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Orrex
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Sun Jan-17-10 05:09 PM
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39. I don't know. I like Hackman, but... |
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every role I've ever seen him play has been Gene Hackman, occasionally with a moustache. He's never "vanished into the role" for me, though he certainly always gives an entertaining performance.
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old mark
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Sun Jan-17-10 04:46 PM
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tigereye
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Sun Jan-17-10 05:39 PM
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42. wonderfully versatile |
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but I don't know if he's the greatest. (although he was amazing in Capote)Stanley Tucci has a bit more depth and breadth, I think. Seems willing to take more risks.
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KG
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Sun Jan-17-10 05:41 PM
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43. no, that would be Johnny Depp |
Zavulon
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Sun Jan-17-10 05:46 PM
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John Lithgow is. Anyone who can play his role in 3rd Rock from the Sun and his role in Dexter and do both that well...the guy is beyond amazing.
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Orrex
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Sun Jan-17-10 07:18 PM
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46. John Lithgow has had one role and one role only |
Broken_Hero
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Mon Jan-18-10 01:18 AM
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49. nope, I won't buy it...I choose other |
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Christopher Reeve is the best actor ever, ever, ever....
He can make you orange juice, freshly squeezed...
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travelingtypist
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Mon Jan-18-10 01:36 AM
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50. I liked him in Twister, but that was about it. |
qnr
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Mon Jan-18-10 06:06 AM
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53. Of course he isn't. n/t |
Orrex
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Mon Jan-18-10 08:19 AM
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qnr
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Mon Jan-18-10 01:00 PM
Response to Reply #54 |
62. How does he live greatly? Does he have a stable stocked with ten thousand thoroughbred marmots, |
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trained to pull him around town in a crystal chariot? Now that would be living great!
Oh... wait... you meant greatest living in the other sense. Hmm, well, he's good, but his voice annoys me - so I'd not put him on the list, personally.
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Orrex
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Mon Jan-18-10 01:24 PM
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But he has five hundred and three stoats trained and at his disposal. I'll have to get back to re: the crystal chariot.
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woo me with science
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Mon Jan-18-10 08:25 AM
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55. I have no idea who this is. nt |
Starbucks Anarchist
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Mon Jan-18-10 12:23 PM
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58. Definitely one of my favorites, and here's a pic for those who don't know him: |
cbdo2007
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Mon Jan-18-10 12:25 PM
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59. His best role was in Boogie Nights. Besides that...he's alright. |
LeftinOH
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Mon Jan-18-10 12:42 PM
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61. Not even. And Toby Jones was a better Truman Capote in 'Infamous'. |
xchrom
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Mon Jan-18-10 06:29 PM
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valerief
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Mon Jan-18-10 06:31 PM
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66. I liked his drag role with DeNiro. nt |
JonLP24
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Mon Jan-18-10 06:35 PM
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67. I like Denzel Washington myself |
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Very difficult for me to think of a better actor. JMO.
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