Has Matthew McConaughey become the best actor in the world?

[Joyner82reload]

Aside from Daniel Day-Lewis, the GOAT, obviously. Incredible career transformation this guy has made, from romcom shit tier to the best of the best. Just look at his recent movie roles...
The Lincoln Lawyer
Bernie
Mud
Killer Joe
Magic Mike, no homo
Dallas Buyers Club
The Wolf of Wallstreet
True Detective

I don't think we've ever seen a career turn around like this. Sandra Bullock did it recently, but this is some next level shit :bowdown:

[9erempiree]

Naw.

I will still remember him as that dude in those romantic comedies, who like to show off his body.

He reminds me of DiCaprio and Denzel. Not in the sense that he is a good actor like those two but like those two, every role he is in feels the same. Like Denzel and Leo, same old crap but packaged differently.

[Dresta]

I did like him in Killer Joe. That drumstick scene is an all time great :bowdown:

[Myth]

Naw.

I will still remember him as that dude in those romantic comedies, who like to show off his body.

He reminds me of DiCaprio and Denzel. Not in the sense that he is a good actor like those two but like those two, every role he is in feels the same. Like Denzel and Leo, same old crap but packaged differently.

Completely disagree. He is limited to a Southern accent it seems, but outside of that limitation, he seems to become pretty different characters. True Detective, Dallas Buyers Club, Wolf of Wall Street, and Mud, as examples are all very different characters. One thing that I've noticed and come to appreciate is that there are nuances to each character that really helps him become them, such as changing his walk. He tends to walk a little different for each character, which really helps sell the character. True Detective for example, he walks like he has a stick in his butt.

[no pun intended]

reminds me of this article i read from the new yorker.

a good read about his resurgence

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2014/01/the-mcconaissance.html?utm_source=tny&utm_campaign=generalsocial&utm_medium=facebook

[alenleomessi]

christian bale is still alive last i heard, so ..

[9erempiree]

Completely disagree. He is limited to a Southern accent it seems, but outside of that limitation, he seems to become pretty different characters. True Detective, Dallas Buyers Club, Wolf of Wall Street, and Mud, as examples are all very different characters. One thing that I've noticed and come to appreciate is that there are nuances to each character that really helps him become them, such as changing his walk. He tends to walk a little different for each character, which really helps sell the character. True Detective for example, he walks like he has a stick in his butt.

I don't know what it is but when I watch a movie with him in it, I don't think of the character. I think of him. Just another guy acting and not the character.

A good actor is someone like Tom Hanks. Played different characters and made them downright believable. He feels different in every movie. Tom Hanks doesn't feel like Tom Hanks. I don't get that with McConaughey, Leo and Denzel...no matter the role...they feel like themselves in every movie.

[Nick Young]

I think Leonardo Di Caprio has become the new greatest actor in the world.

[dr.hee]

I don't know what it is but when I watch a movie with him in it, I don't think of the character. I think of him. Just another guy acting and not the character.

So to you this

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjE3NTc5MzA0Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwMTU3ODc5._V1_S X214_.jpg

isn't different from

http://www.serienjunkies.de/news/review/56698-cohle_text.jpg


I think that's called visual agnosia, so it isn't your fault.

[HardwoodLegend]

His career is probably the hottest right now.

Crazy winning streak in terms of landing interesting, diverse roles in great scripts.

[B-Easy8]

He's real good.

I have Christian Bale, DDL and Leo ahead though.

[Patrick Chewing]

He's real good.

I have Christian Bale, DDL and Leo ahead though.


+1

[Prodigy]

If by "world" you mean Hollywood then he's probably top 5 for sure.

[East_Stone_Ya]

no

[maybeshewill13]

Nah, Adam Sandler is clearly the best actor going around.

[JohnFreeman]

He still did Sahara

[-p.tiddy-]

Leo is overrated...he plays the same role in every movie

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DTx1Kd4WhHo/ULjf_4fhRLI/AAAAAAAACrM/MsOERC9BzoM/s1600/Inception%2BLeonardo%2BDiCapro%2BGo%2BDeeper.jpg

^^^ he makes that overly-serious squint face in every single scene he has every done...

[KingBeasley08]

Leo is overrated...he plays the same role in every movie

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DTx1Kd4WhHo/ULjf_4fhRLI/AAAAAAAACrM/MsOERC9BzoM/s1600/Inception%2BLeonardo%2BDiCapro%2BGo%2BDeeper.jpg

^^^ he makes that overly-serious squint face in every single scene he has every done...
Leo had a weak streak from 07 to 10 when he got lazy but when he tries, he's one of the best in the business. Wolf of Wall Street was the best performance this year by far and he killed Django as well

[KingBeasley08]

As for McCon, he's def one of the best acting right now. I only think Leo and Pitt are consistently doing better work at the moment. DDL acts once every five years so I'm not gonna count him

[-p.tiddy-]

Leo had a weak streak from 07 to 10 when he got lazy but when he tries, he's one of the best in the business. Wolf of Wall Street was the best performance this year by far and he killed Django as well
I admit I have not seen WoWS yet

[Akrazotile]

Judging an actor by the success of his movies is like judging a basketball player by "rings".

Some of the actors mentioned in this thread are some real Robert Horrys.

[alenleomessi]

Leo is overrated...he plays the same role in every movie

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DTx1Kd4WhHo/ULjf_4fhRLI/AAAAAAAACrM/MsOERC9BzoM/s1600/Inception%2BLeonardo%2BDiCapro%2BGo%2BDeeper.jpg

^^^ he makes that overly-serious squint face in every single scene he has every done...
well he is not as versatile as bale or hanks but i wouldnt say he plays the same role.. he is just f*cking alpha in every movie.. its in his blood

look at this interview from 1995, he probably f*cked her brains out after the show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6mTC6tmUms

[mr.big35]

well he is not as versatile as bale or hanks but i wouldnt say he plays the same role.. he is just f*cking alpha in every movie.. its in his blood

look at this interview from 1995, he probably f*cked her brains out after the show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6mTC6tmUms

this chick want the D caprios

[riseagainst]

he has definitely become one of the best.
:applause:

[Raymone]

Judging an actor by the success of his movies is like judging a basketball player by "rings".

Some of the actors mentioned in this thread are some real Robert Horrys.

Who do you admire, C-dogg?

[HardwoodLegend]

Judging an actor by the success of his movies is like judging a basketball player by "rings".

Some of the actors mentioned in this thread are some real Robert Horrys.

Great quote. It's probably worse than that since there are a lot more factors beyond an actor's control that go into making a film.

An actor's resume shouldn't be used as a benchmark for measuring acting ability, because poor script selection and/or cashing in on one's commercial bankability doesn't equate to a lack of on-screen talent.

[Suguru101]

Bill Murray - Alive
Tom Hanks - Alive
Anthony Hopkins - Alive
Gary Oldman - Alive

Those are 4 actors that can pull off better acting performances than him at any given time of the day. Whether you like the roles or not, that is your problem.

[DonDadda59]

Leo had a weak streak from 07 to 10 when he got lazy but when he tries, he's one of the best in the business. Wolf of Wall Street was the best performance this year by far and he killed Django as well

No, not even close. McConaughey in DBC (Hell, you can even argue he stole the show in Wolf), Oscar Isaac in Inside Llewyn Davis, Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 years, and Joaquin Phoenix in Her were better. You can even make an argument for Bruce Dern. And that's just males in the leading roles. Won't even bother with supporting (Leto) or women (Streep, Blanchett).

The bulk of Leo's best work came when he was a kid. Like Tiddy pointed out, he tends to squint a lot nowadays and passes that off as 'intense'. Christian Bale is overrated as f*ck too. He just gains and loses weight then yells a lot. That's not acting. Commendable though.

[KingBeasley08]

No, not even close. McConaughey in DBC (Hell, you can even argue he stole the show in Wolf), Oscar Isaac in Inside Llewyn Davis, Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 years, and Joaquin Phoenix in Her were better. You can even make an argument for Bruce Dern. And that's just males in the leading roles. Won't even bother with supporting (Leto) or women (Streep, Blanchett).

The bulk of Leo's best work came when he was a kid. Like Tiddy pointed out, he tends to squint a lot nowadays and passes that off as 'intense'. Christian Bale is overrated as f*ck too. He just gains and loses weight then yells a lot. That's not acting. Commendable though.
I disagree. His physical comedy in Wolf was amazing. It takes ridiculous charisma to pull of that kind of performance. It reminded me of De Niro in King of Comedy. Dude went all over the place for this role and played the few dramatic moments he had just as good

And I usually agree that DiCaprio recently hasn't been on top of his game but his performance in Wolf was one of his best ever

[DonDadda59]

I disagree. His physical comedy in Wolf was amazing. It takes ridiculous charisma to pull of that kind of performance. It reminded me of De Niro in King of Comedy. Dude went all over the place for this role and played the few dramatic moments he had just as good

And I usually agree that DiCaprio recently hasn't been on top of his game but his performance in Wolf was one of his best ever

Even if that's true, it wasn't the best performance of the last year. Plus it's hard to take his cartoonish drug addict portrayal seriously when he did this when he was 19-20 years old:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsuEQP9i3iw

[Akrazotile]

Who do you admire, C-dogg?

My opinion of an actor comes from a combination of nuance of their performance and range of character. I like true showmen. In both acting and music that characteristic seems to be of a dying breed these days.

Some of my favorite actors play similar characters in a lot of films but their "realness" factor is off the charts. Joe Pesci for instance. Yeah he's repetitively typecast as a wiseguy type, but no gangster in film keeps it realer than Joe Pesci.

Guys like Sean Penn and early Johnny Depp could pull off a vortex of different characters. Same could be said of the late, great PS Hoffman. Pacino in his prime had a ton of nuance in his acting. There are a lot of very famous and popular actors who just "read the lines" and don't really do much to actually create a distinct character. I don't wanna name namessss.... but some of them are oft praised here on insidehooops. I can't get with that.

Kelsey Grammar is a real legit actor. He's done Shakespeare, he's won Tony's and Emmy's, he did brilliant comedy in Frasier and critically acclaimed drama in Boss. He should be getting more work right now, but, sometimes you can just be "too good" for public consumption.

Jim Carrey is a real showman. Anytime he makes the talkshow rounds he does bits. This ([URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7StsXTQhYs) and this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcO0RTI1a5I) are so classic. It's amazing that some 'comedians' go on talk shows and don't even... do comedy. That's one reason I respect Jerry Seinfeld. He's a terrible actor, but any time he does a talkshow he insists on doing some standup, because he's a comic for god sake. Groucho Marx also knew what it meant to be an entertainer. Etc. etc. Some of these popular 'comedic actors' today go on talkshows and seem like awkward shmoofs who can't be funny unless they have a movie script written out for them. Someone recently proposed on this forum that Seth Rogen was the greatest comedic actor of all time. Let that sink in, and try not to have an aneurism.

As far as 'leading man' types, I thought Tom Cruise was legit in his early days. Sean Connery was both popular and a strong leading actor. But for most leading men roles in 'blockbusters', Hollywood does not seek out the most talented actors, it seeks out the most attractive faces. Sometimes it's a real actor, other times not. But just simply comparing actors based on the success of their hollywood blockbusters is most ignorant. Again, it's like comparing basketball players by the number of 'rings' they have.

[KingBeasley08]

Even if that's true, it wasn't the best performance of the last year. Plus it's hard to take his cartoonish drug addict portrayal seriously when he did this when he was 19-20 years old:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsuEQP9i3iw
Well, the movie itself is a black comedy so it's only partly supposed to be taken seriously.

But his performance in Gilbert Grape is his best ever, no doubt. Another good one from around then is Basketball Diaries

[DonDadda59]

Well, the movie itself is a black comedy so it's only partly supposed to be taken seriously.

Yes, well aware of this fact.


But his performance in Gilbert Grape is his best ever, no doubt. Another good one from around then is Basketball Diaries

And the clip I posted is from Basketball Diaries. Which reinforces my point that his best work came when he was in his teens-very early 20s. He's regressed since then despite getting the chance to work with some of the best directors, writers, etc on the planet.

He was solid in Wolf, but far from the best performance of the year.

[Raymone]

How would you rank the actors alive today?

Jack Nicholson
Robert Duvall
Robert De Niro
Al Pacino
Tom Hanks
Sean Penn
Dustin Hoffman
Matthew McConaughey
Daniel Day-Lewis
Morgan Freeman
Steve Buscemi
Denzel Washington
Anthony Hopkins
Christian Bale
Leonardo DiCaprio
Tom Cruise
William Hurt
Brad Pitt
Matt Damon
Russell Crowe
Gary Oldman
Gene Hackman
Johnny Depp
Benicio del Toro
Don Cheadle
Clive Owen
Ed Harris
George Clooney
Edward Norton
Christoph Waltz
Joaquin Phoenix
Ralph Fiennes
Paul Giamatti
Forest Whitaker
Ian McKellen
William H. Macy
Kevin Spacey
Ben Kingsley

Currently or in their primes, let's say.

[KingBeasley08]

Yes, well aware of this fact.



And the clip I posted is from Basketball Diaries. Which reinforces my point that his best work came when he was in his teens-very early 20s. He's regressed since then despite getting the chance to work with some of the best directors, writers, etc on the planet.

He was solid in Wolf, but far from the best performance of the year.
I'll agree to disagree with Wolf. Only performance I thought was better was Cate Blanchett.

I don't feel as if he as regressed but that he's taken many safe roles. Cobb in Inception was bland and a plot device. His Shutter Island character took itself seriously. DiCaprio is best at romantic or comic characters like Abignale in Catch Me If You Can which is one of his best ever. Exception would be The Departed where he was great and his intensity didn't come off as fake like it usually does. I'm not a big DiCaprio fan but he's a great actor at times and his "fall" has more to do with the movies than him

1. What's Eating Gilbert Grape
2. The Wolf of Wall Street
3. Catch Me If You Can
4. The Departed
5. Basketball Diaries
6. Revolutionary Road
7. Titanic
8. The Aviator
9. Blood Diamond
10. Django Unchained

How I'd probably rank his best performances, might have forgotten a few
10. z

[Raymone]

Gangs of New York

[Akrazotile]

I mean, look, I don't wanna put down my guy Leo. As you can see from this pic, we are extremely close knit.


http://www.libertasfilmmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Hoover1.jpg

I'm the one in the lighter coat directly in front of him. You can tell from my trademark hunch. Now because of this experience, Leo and I are very close. He leans on me a lot for advice about what roles to take and how to navigate the maze that is hollywood. I'm kind of his rock in that way.


So I'm not gonna come out and tell yall he been slippin lately. That's up for you to decide. But let's keep it real, ok. I guess what I'm trying to say is, me and Leo go way back and we text each other all the time. The proof is in the pudding.

[Hotlantadude81]

I think Leonardo Di Caprio has become the new greatest actor in the world.

Not a huge fan... He makes those dumb faces and it makes me it hard for me to take him seriously.

[Joyner82reload]

Leo had a weak streak from 07 to 10 when he got lazy but when he tries, he's one of the best in the business. Wolf of Wall Street was the best performance this year by far and he killed Django as well

Not sure if srs...McConaughey was better in Mud AND Dallas Buyer's Club, the latter for which he will be winning an oscar

And I would argue the best acting performance of the year was Jared Leto in Dallas Buyer's Club. It's probably the best acting performance period since DDL in There Will Be Blood

[Dresta]

I don't know what it is but when I watch a movie with him in it, I don't think of the character. I think of him. Just another guy acting and not the character.

A good actor is someone like Tom Hanks. Played different characters and made them downright believable. He feels different in every movie. Tom Hanks doesn't feel like Tom Hanks. I don't get that with McConaughey, Leo and Denzel...no matter the role...they feel like themselves in every movie.
Tom Hanks is probably the most overrated actor on the planet.

[D-FENS]

Nah, Adam Sandler is clearly the best actor going around.

Punch Drunk Love was off the charts good. Reign Over Me was an amazing acting effort as well.The potential is there.
Actually, my theory is that comedic actors make the best dramatic actors. If you spend your life making people laugh, it's easy to make those same people cry.

Look at Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine, and 23. Or what about Steve Carrell in Crazy Stupid Love? Great stuff

[Akrazotile]

Punch Drunk Love was off the charts good. Reign Over Me was an amazing acting effort as well.The potential is there.
Actually, my theory is that comedic actors make the best dramatic actors. If you spend your life making people laugh, it's easy to make those same people cry.

Look at Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine, and 23. Or what about Steve Carrell in Crazy Stupid Love? Great stuff


Good actors are good actors. Sure, there are some drama actors who aren't great with comedy and vice versa, but there's a lot more guys who can cross over both than most people think.

[KingBeasley08]

Not sure if srs...McConaughey was better in Mud AND Dallas Buyer's Club, the latter for which he will be winning an oscar

And I would argue the best acting performance of the year was Jared Leto in Dallas Buyer's Club. It's probably the best acting performance period since DDL in There Will Be Blood
McCon's performance in Mud was better than DBC but not as good as The Wolf of Wall Street

Get outta here with that Leto shit. I'd take The Joker, Hans Landa, Randy Robinson, and a bunch of other performances over Leto. He was great and Oscar worth but let's not act like it was a top ten GOAT level performance

[JohnFreeman]

Christian Bale is better

[irondarts]

Matthew McConaughey has signed on to star in Gus Van Sant's new film Sea Of Trees continuing his streak of great roles.

Here's the premise of the film:


Sea Of Trees is based on the 2013 Black List script from Buried writer Chris Sparling, and centers on an American (McConaughey) who travels to the “Suicide Forest” around Mount Fuji as a final act before killing himself. There, he meets Watanabe's character, "a Japanese man who has had second thoughts about his own suicide,” and the two men then try to find their way out of the forest. For a director whose best work has focused on close observations of characters stranded in physical loneliness or emotional despair, and an actor who can currently do no wrong, Sea Of Trees looks like a strong match.

[Out_In_Utah]

McCon's performance in Mud was better than DBC but not as good as The Wolf of Wall Street


I got DBC > Mud > Wolf of Wall Street as far as MM's acting.

[Patrick Chewing]

Leo is overrated...he plays the same role in every movie

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DTx1Kd4WhHo/ULjf_4fhRLI/AAAAAAAACrM/MsOERC9BzoM/s1600/Inception%2BLeonardo%2BDiCapro%2BGo%2BDeeper.jpg

^^^ he makes that overly-serious squint face in every single scene he has every done...


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/Babich4000/leonardo-dicaprio-does-jack-nicholson-1_zps41f42ef2.gif

[Myth]

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/crazydonovan12/LeoSquinting_zps84abf34a.png (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/crazydonovan12/media/LeoSquinting_zps84abf34a.png.html)

[HarryCallahan]

:facepalm


Good god y'all like some terrible ass actors. Do you people adopt every critics opinion as your own? DDL is aight, but Lincoln was fvcking awful. McConaughey isn't bad (he was underrated as fvck for so long, just because he had a six-pack), but he's just been landing the kind of roles that earn you praise, it's not like he's doing anything that 100 actors of slightly lesser fame couldn't do.

Same mafvcka's who were calling Downey jr the GOAT when the critics were slurping his dick....

[Myth]

:facepalm


Good god y'all like some terrible ass actors. Do you people adopt every critics opinion as your own? DDL is aight, but Lincoln was fvcking awful. McConaughey isn't bad (he was underrated as fvck for so long, just because he had a six-pack), but he's just been landing the kind of roles that earn you praise, it's not like he's doing anything that 100 actors of slightly lesser fame couldn't do.

Same mafvcka's who were calling Downey jr the GOAT when the critics were slurping his dick....

I feel like you are way off base. DDL is more than "aight" (agree that Lincoln was awful, but DDL portrayal was great). I also do not believe there is even close to 100 actors who can replicate what he is doing. There are certainly overlooked actors, but 100? Also, he wasn't underrated for his six-pack, he was phoning in roles and playing the same character over and over, thus not putting his actual acting chops on display to be evaluated.

Was Robert Downey Jr called the GOAT actor by people here on ISH? I either don't remember or didn't see it. I knew he was highly regarded as far as a good actor in blockbuster type movies, but I don't remember people acting like he was the GOAT in terms of serious actors.

[HarryCallahan]

I feel like you are way off base. DDL is more than "aight" (agree that Lincoln was awful, but DDL portrayal was great). I also do not believe there is even close to 100 actors who can replicate what he is doing. There are certainly overlooked actors, but 100? Also, he wasn't underrated for his six-pack, he was phoning in roles and playing the same character over and over, thus not putting his actual acting chops on display to be evaluated.

Was Robert Downey Jr called the GOAT actor by people here on ISH? I either don't remember or didn't see it. I knew he was highly regarded as far as a good actor in blockbuster type movies, but I don't remember people acting like he was the GOAT in terms of serious actors.

He was good in GoNY and Mohicans, but... meh. He's no Nicholson.

MM was underrated for his six-pack, all mafvcka's saw was the abs, so he got typecast, not his fault. He certainly wasn't "phoning in" ghosts of girlfriends past or failure to launch, there just wasn't anything to work with.

[BRabbiT]

no.

[CelticBaller]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y3/Babich4000/leonardo-dicaprio-does-jack-nicholson-1_zps41f42ef2.gif
Leo tha goat :lol

[step_back]

He's currently the best at picking roles. I wouldn't call him the best actor, he is very good though.

The best actor in the world is still Daniel Day-Lewis.

[Akrazotile]

The best actor in the world is still Daniel Day-Lewis.


It's definitely between him and me.

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYcw8hhoI6E) is how you do a character performance. Takes notes, Mr. Day-Lewis.

[miller-time]

Leo is overrated...he plays the same role in every movie

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DTx1Kd4WhHo/ULjf_4fhRLI/AAAAAAAACrM/MsOERC9BzoM/s1600/Inception%2BLeonardo%2BDiCapro%2BGo%2BDeeper.jpg

^^^ he makes that overly-serious squint face in every single scene he has every done...

Yeah come back when you've watched What's eating Gilbert Grape and we can talk. Probably the best performance by anyone ever on screen.

[joe]

What makes someone a good actor? I always hear people say "this guy's a good actor, this guy's a bad actor." What specifics are you looking for?

[step_back]

What makes someone a good actor? I always hear people say "this guy's a good actor, this guy's a bad actor." What specifics are you looking for?

I determine a good actor as someone who is versatile, convincing, natural, speaks with conviction and has presence. Someone like Marlon Brando had a huge amount of presence and I think it comes from a deep sense of confidence in ones ability. They will also be comfortable in complete stillness. Sounds easy but trust me, most people feel like they have to be doing something in order to act. A good actor will simply sit there doing nothing and entertain.

A bad actor will look superficial. The words they say will look contrived and unnatural and may even look awkward. They won't have any emotional connection to the character and this will show.


In my opinion I don't think you'll ever be a good actor if you as an individual person cannot feel and express empathy.

[ROCSteady]

It's definitely between him and me.

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYcw8hhoI6E) is how you do a character performance. Takes notes, Mr. Day-Lewis.

Jezuz :facepalm

What possessed you to grow that stache?

[Jailblazers7]

Matthew McConaughey has signed on to star in Gus Van Sant's new film Sea Of Trees continuing his streak of great roles.

Here's the premise of the film:

So it is a seemingly great script that is being developed by Van Sant, McConaughey, and Ken Wanatabe? Jesus, that sound amazing.

[-p.tiddy-]

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e148/crazydonovan12/LeoSquinting_zps84abf34a.png (http://s38.photobucket.com/user/crazydonovan12/media/LeoSquinting_zps84abf34a.png.html)
:applause:

[Raymone]

It's definitely between him and me.

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYcw8hhoI6E) is how you do a character performance. Takes notes, Mr. Day-Lewis.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd233/Slothronaught/farva.jpg

[HardwoodLegend]

speaks with conviction

Depends on the role though, wouldn't it? I don't see how that applies to good acting across the board, because some characters call for a lack of conviction so an actor will have to tap into that part of themselves. A performance that comes to mind is Adam Sandler in 'Punch-Drunk Love'.

[KingBeasley08]

What makes someone a good actor? I always hear people say "this guy's a good actor, this guy's a bad actor." What specifics are you looking for?
It takes someone who can completely play a character and act naturally. Too often to act, people ham it up to the point that you can see the actor. Some of the best acting is subtle and natural to the point that you can't even tell that the actor is acting

[B-hoop]

It takes someone who can completely play a character and act naturally. Too often to act, people ham it up to the point that you can see the actor. Some of the best acting is subtle and natural to the point that you can't even tell that the actor is acting

This describes McConaughey to me, in his last movies that is.

[HardwoodLegend]

Anthony Hopkins wrote a letter to Bryan Cranston telling him that his acting throughout the BrBa series as Walter White was literally the finest acting he'd ever seen. A gross oversight seeing as Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn both delivered superior performances over the series' duration.

[Akrazotile]

It takes someone who can completely play a character and act naturally. Too often to act, people ham it up to the point that you can see the actor. Some of the best acting is subtle and natural to the point that you can't even tell that the actor is acting


Exactly.

It can't be too "plain" and it can't be too "ham". You have to find the middle ground where the character really appears to be a real person with real tendencies. It's harder than it sounds, but the thing is you don't always necessarily need a brilliant acting performance to make a project successful. Some roles simply don't require a lot of "acting" because the emphasis of the production isn't so much about the character specifically. I mean really anyone can act on a basic minimum level, and sometimes that's all that's needed for any specific project.

Every role doesn't require that an actor completely transform himself. But that's actually a good thing for a lot of 'celebrity' actors because many aren't even capable anyway. There are a lot of real actors who do local theater all their lives who are far better actors than some of the guys who win academy awards. Being a "hollywood leading man" is a mixture of things including talent, how attractive you are, who you know, lucky breaks, etc. etc. It would be a mistake to think all the famous ones are the best ones.

[Akrazotile]

Jezuz :facepalm

What possessed you to grow that stache?


Movember baby

:hammertime:

[ROCSteady]

I see you son, it just caught me off guard. That joint was thick. How long it take you to get it to that particular density?

U look kinda like Charlie Chaplin and shit w the mouthbrow. Were you rockin eyeliner bruseph?

[Akrazotile]

I see you son, it just caught me off guard. That joint was thick. How long it take you to get it to that particular density?

U look kinda like Charlie Chaplin and shit w the mouthbrow. Were you rockin eyeliner bruseph?


:oldlol: No but I remember years ago I posted a pic here and vapid asked me the same thing. I just have long eyelashes I guess. Also I think part of it is the tint on my webcam seems to be darker than a normal camera. I can't figure out how to change it.


The stache took prob about three weeks, I'd never grown one like that and it surprised me pretty good too. Tbh the facial hair around my cheeks is pretty weak, I can't really grow more than a neckbeard, and I don't have a particularly hairy body either. So I wasn't expecting the mustache to come in very heavy. But for some reason, the 'stache rolls thick. I actually let it ride for a few weeks into December, just cause it was so fun to change up my identity/image like that for a little while.

[Raymone]

Do your eyebrows ever get jealous of your stache?

[kNicKz]

I just want to rail Jennifer Lawrence

[Myth]

He was good in GoNY and Mohicans, but... meh. He's no Nicholson.

MM was underrated for his six-pack, all mafvcka's saw was the abs, so he got typecast, not his fault. He certainly wasn't "phoning in" ghosts of girlfriends past or failure to launch, there just wasn't anything to work with.

I have no arguments against Nicholson.

I don't believe MM became a great actor over night, I think he always had it in him. I think he could have showed that, but instead he continued to take parts that did not show his talents. He said he bought into his own celebrity (paraphrasing, can't remember exactly what he said), which I think was other words for him saying he didn't try to showcase his talents, and thus was phoning it in.

[DonDadda59]

It's definitely between him and me.

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYcw8hhoI6E) is how you do a character performance. Takes notes, Mr. Day-Lewis.

http://media.giphy.com/media/bdQzj73IMMtq0/giphy.gif

[jamal99]

I need to watch DBC, everyone talks about how good were McConaughey and Leto in that movie...

[Joyner82reload]

I need to watch DBC, everyone talks about how good were McConaughey and Leto in that movie...

Leto honestly steals the show from McConaughey, who is probably going to win best actor for his role in the movie. It's quite incredible to see, he literally transformed entirely into a transgender to the point of where I wonder if he actually is a transgender IRL behind the scenes.

Jennifer Garner is pretty poor in her role however, the only real low point in the movie. I also find her character pretty hard to believe in some of the dumbass things she allows McConaughey to get away with, but it's based on a true story.

[JohnFreeman]

Still want my money back for Sahara :facepalm

[PleezeBelieve]

Leo will easily be remembered as the Jack Nicholson of his era. He will certainly be a top 5-7 actor ever when its all said and done.

You dudes who find ways to diminish his talent/career are as see through as your artificial 'critical' analysis. lol

[Mr Feeny]

I think Leonardo Di Caprio has become the new greatest actor in the world.

Agreed. He's marvelous. I don't think McConaughey is as good in my opinion.

[Hotlantadude81]

Leo will easily be remembered as the Jack Nicholson of his era. He will certainly be a top 5-7 actor ever when its all said and done.

You dudes who find ways to diminish his talent/career are as see through as your artificial 'critical' analysis. lol

No... Jack was funny, entertaining and had natural charisma.

Leo makes stupid faces.

[DonDadda59]

Leo will easily be remembered as the Jack Nicholson of his era. He will certainly be a top 5-7 actor ever when its all said and done.

You dudes who find ways to diminish his talent/career are as see through as your artificial 'critical' analysis. lol

Shut up.

[T_L_P]

DDL the GOAT :oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

McConaughey the best in the world :oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

[T_L_P]

Leo will easily be remembered as the Jack Nicholson of his era. He will certainly be a top 5-7 actor ever when its all said and done.

You dudes who find ways to diminish his talent/career are as see through as your artificial 'critical' analysis. lol

Brando
Bogart
Grant
Welles
Chaplin
Nicholson
Wayne


That's 7 actors right there...all of which are far more revered than Leo...and I haven't even gotten into the foreign actors or the ones who are way more talented.

I'm a Leo fan as well

[HardwoodLegend]

Brando
Bogart
Grant
Welles
Chaplin
Nicholson
Wayne


That's 7 actors right there...all of which are far more revered than Leo...and I haven't even gotten into the foreign actors or the ones who are way more talented.

I'm a Leo fan as well

Speaking of foreign actors, have you seen 'Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion'?

I have yet to see the powerful Gian Maria Volonte outside of the spaghetti westerns, but I've heard a lot of his non-Western work is amazing.

[T_L_P]

Speaking of foreign actors, have you seen 'Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion'?

I have yet to see the powerful Gian Maria Volonte outside of the spaghetti westerns, but I've heard a lot of his non-Western work is amazing.

I have seen it, although I don't remember much about the plot.

I can definitely say Maria Volont

[oarabbus]

DiCaprio vs. Depp vs. Bale (before you Batman me, he's been in some fantastic movies like The Machinist)?

GO!

[MightyWhitey]

Aside from Daniel Day-Lewis, the GOAT, obviously. Incredible career transformation this guy has made, from romcom shit tier to the best of the best. Just look at his recent movie roles...
The Lincoln Lawyer
Bernie
Mud
Killer Joe
Magic Mike, no homo
Dallas Buyers Club
The Wolf of Wallstreet
True Detective

I don't think we've ever seen a career turn around like this. Sandra Bullock did it recently, but this is some next level shit :bowdown:
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q633/RhapidKid/bocca-meme-generator-yeah-right-030038.jpg (http://media.photobucket.com/user/RhapidKid/media/bocca-meme-generator-yeah-right-030038.jpg.html)

[Rubio2Gasol]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTnNsIgQArM

:bowdown:

[MightyWhitey]

Brando
Bogart
Grant
Welles
Chaplin
Nicholson
Wayne


That's 7 actors right there...all of which are far more revered than Leo...and I haven't even gotten into the foreign actors or the ones who are way more talented.

I'm a Leo fan as well
http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad143/Reddman6988/Gifs/bert.gif (http://media.photobucket.com/user/Reddman6988/media/Gifs/bert.gif.html)

[dr.hee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTnNsIgQArM

:bowdown:

http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/assets_c/2014/02/td3-thumb-500x280-101989.png

[juju151111]

Even if that's true, it wasn't the best performance of the last year. Plus it's hard to take his cartoonish drug addict portrayal seriously when he did this when he was 19-20 years old:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsuEQP9i3iw
Just because it's Sad or serious scene doesn't it make it better imo. I like actors with range that can do different things. Also the people who say Leo plays the same characters all the time is full of Shit. How is something like Basketball Diaries similar to Catch me if you can.

[juju151111]

:facepalm


Good god y'all like some terrible ass actors. Do you people adopt every critics opinion as your own? DDL is aight, but Lincoln was fvcking awful. McConaughey isn't bad (he was underrated as fvck for so long, just because he had a six-pack), but he's just been landing the kind of roles that earn you praise, it's not like he's doing anything that 100 actors of slightly lesser fame couldn't do.

Same mafvcka's who were calling Downey jr the GOAT when the critics were slurping his dick....
Exactly I knew mcConaughey could act since a time to Kill. I feel people like him and Will Smith are underrated because they don't go out of their way to take dramatic scripts or Oscar scribts. If they chose carefully scripts like Matthew is doing know they would get recognized more, but people think you can't act just because you choose action/comedy roles.

[DonDadda59]

Just because it's Sad or serious scene doesn't it make it better imo.

Agreed.


I like actors with range that can do different things.

Ditto. Except Leo doesn't really have much range IMO. Or at least he's not in the league of a Gary Oldman or Jeffrey Wright in that regard.


Also the people who say Leo plays the same characters all the time is full of Shit. How is something like Basketball Diaries similar to Catch me if you can.

I think they mean his recent work. His work in the Departed was basically the same as it was in Shutter Island and Inception. It's the movie star approach a lot of guys take (see: Washington, Denzel).

[Jailblazers7]

You could even tell McConaughey could even during his shitty romantic movies imo. He showed flashes in those movies where you could see his talent.

[juju151111]

Agreed.



Ditto. Except Leo doesn't really have much range IMO. Or at least he's not in the league of a Gary Oldman or Jeffrey Wright in that regard.



I think they mean his recent work. His work in the Departed was basically the same as it was in Shutter Island and Inception. It's the movie star approach a lot of guys take (see: Washington, Denzel).
I agree with Danzel, he mostly plays the same roles, but he does it so good sometimes like with Malcolm X. I disagree about Leo not having much Range. Those 3 movies you listed were him blockbuster movies. Look at his movies from the 90s till like 07 ending with departed. Just because he took time to make a few blockbuster s mean nothing. He has played a variety of characters who all require something different. Even Danzel says he doesn't even try comedy. Leo can be called up for any role character type and he will nail it. I think Will Smith is underatted too and if he would of decided to take different scripts throughout his career he would be looked at better

[DonDadda59]

I agree with Danzel, he mostly plays the same roles, but he does it so good sometimes like with Malcolm X. I disagree about Leo not having much Range. Those 3 movies you listed were him blockbuster movies. Look at his movies from the 90s till like 07 ending with departed. Just because he took time to make a few blockbuster s mean nothing. He has played a variety of characters who all require something different. Even Danzel says he doesn't even try comedy. Leo can be called up for any role character type and he will nail it.

No he can't. His accent in Blood Diamond was hilariously bad. Him trying to impersonate J. Edgar Hoover was an absolute disaster. He's a leading man who mainly gets by on playing slightly different variations of himself. His early work was more varied but even then he wasn't being asked to step to far outside of himself. When I say range, I mean something like THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hugJ3c2LlI)

Or going from This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_dQOIrGhwI) to This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlRhoE9ug9k) then ending up Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgCuKDOrC0Q)

Leo hasn't shown much range or taken any real risks since he was like 15 in Gilbert Grape. He'll play with an accent every now and then but for the most part he's just playing himself. Not that it's a bad thing, he's a movie star not a character actor and he's obviously money in the bank.

[HardwoodLegend]

Or going from This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_dQOIrGhwI)

Peoples Hernandez and Walter Wade, Jr. were awesome.

I can't believe that deleted fight scene they filmed on the airport runway hasn't surfaced anywhere yet. Hopefully it will be included on a future Blu-ray release.

[KingBeasley08]

I also value an actor that has a certain level of charisma. That's something I like about McCon. Guys like Sean Penn are amazing actors but can't ooze likeability. I feel like that's a trait that gets underrated by people

[ZeN]

His career is probably the hottest right now.

Crazy winning streak in terms of landing interesting, diverse roles in great scripts.
Not mention he's gonna be in Interstellar by Nolan which you know will be stellar...

[Andrei89]

No he can't. His accent in Blood Diamond was hilariously bad. Him trying to impersonate J. Edgar Hoover was an absolute disaster. He's a leading man who mainly gets by on playing slightly different variations of himself. His early work was more varied but even then he wasn't being asked to step to far outside of himself. When I say range, I mean something like THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hugJ3c2LlI)

Or going from This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_dQOIrGhwI) to This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlRhoE9ug9k) then ending up Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgCuKDOrC0Q)

Leo hasn't shown much range or taken any real risks since he was like 15 in Gilbert Grape. He'll play with an accent every now and then but for the most part he's just playing himself. Not that it's a bad thing, he's a movie star not a character actor and he's obviously money in the bank.


His accent in Blood Diamond was praised by even Rhodesian people. I found it outstanding, how did you come up with " accent hilariously bad".

I am not sure how you came up with that in all seriousness.

[DonDadda59]

His accent in Blood Diamond was praised by even Rhodesian people. I found it outstanding, how did you come up with " accent hilariously bad".

I am not sure how you came up with that in all seriousness.

Word? The 'Rhodesian people'? Didn't know the movie came out back then.

How did the people of Zaire feel about his accent? :lol

[dr.hee]

Word? The 'Rhodesian people'? Didn't know the movie came out back then.

How did the people of Zaire feel about his accent? :lol

Wait what? No love for Zimbabwe?

[irondarts]

Matthew McConaughey will be on Inside The Actors Studio on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. EST/PST on Bravo.

[Myth]

His accent in Blood Diamond was praised by even Rhodesian people. I found it outstanding, how did you come up with " accent hilariously bad".

I am not sure how you came up with that in all seriousness.

My best friend's wife is from South Africa, and her whole family couldn't stand that movie because of how bad his accent sounded.