I don't think it's solely due to fame. Russell Crowe is at least as famous for example, yet I generally perceive him as whatever character he's playing within the film.
Now, I can hold a note for a long time...actually I can hold a note forever. But eventually that's just noise. It's the change we're listening for. The note coming after, and the one after that. That's what makes it music.
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Buffista Movies 7: Brides for 7 Samurai
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Matt the Bruins fan - Mar 20, 2009 12:56:59 pm PDT #516 of 30000
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand
Sean K - Mar 20, 2009 1:06:10 pm PDT #517 of 30000
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty
Yeah. It's not all just fame, as Matt says. Most of the time with Russell Crowe, I feel like I'm watching the character, not Crowe. Even Leonardo DiCaprio can occasionally make me feel like I'm watching the character.
And it's not even necessarily about ability to act. Gene Hackman never played anything but Gene Hackman, but I still usually felt like I was watching Gene Hackman the Character, not Gene Hackman Playing Make-Believe.
Nic Cage of late makes me feel like I'm watching Nic Cage Plays Make-Believe.
Miracleman - Mar 20, 2009 1:27:06 pm PDT #518 of 30000
No, I don't think I will - me, quoting Captain Steve Rogers, to all of 2020
Yeah, I'm with Sean.
It kinda breaks down to three levels with me:
Russell Crowe Type: Russell who? Whatever, this functionally retarded bad-ass LA cop in the '50s is totally compelling!
Gene Hackman: Wow. This is what this guy would be like if he was Gene Hackman. Which somehow is awesome.
Nic Cage: What next, Nic? Two hours of "Nic Cage Plays Cops and Robbers and Then Has a Cookie and a Nap"?
Scrappy - Mar 20, 2009 1:27:32 pm PDT #519 of 30000
Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
I agree about Nic Cage and disagree about Hackman. He is an incredibly natural actor so you never see him working, but if you watch several films of his in a row, you can spot real differences between the characters. I loves me some Hackman.
Sean K - Mar 20, 2009 1:34:35 pm PDT #520 of 30000
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty
He is an incredibly natural actor so you never see him working, but if you watch several films of his in a row, you can spot real differences between the characters. I loves me some Hackman.
Allow me to defend my Gene Hackman love further. I think he's a fantastic actor, because even though there never seems to be a LOT of diversity in his characters, I always feel like I'm watching the character. I don't ever see Gene, or watch Gene acting. I mean, I *adore* him. I'll sit through almost any otherwise blah film, just to watch Gene at work.
Sean K - Mar 20, 2009 1:38:14 pm PDT #521 of 30000
You can't leave me to my own devices; my devices are Nap and Eat. -Zenkitty
Although, to be fair, possessing a broad range of "characters" doesn't make one's acting great either.... I'm looking at you Jim Carrey and sometimes Dustin Hoffman.
Polter-Cow - Mar 20, 2009 1:38:43 pm PDT #522 of 30000
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
I love Nic Cage and his movies.
Juliebird - Mar 20, 2009 1:42:03 pm PDT #523 of 30000
I am the fly who dreams of the spider
shun!
hugs The Rock tightly
Connie Neil - Mar 20, 2009 2:26:36 pm PDT #524 of 30000
brillig
t Standing with Julie with the National Treasure movies.
Polter-Cow - Mar 20, 2009 2:32:27 pm PDT #525 of 30000
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
Ooh, you meant the movie The Rock and not the person. I love that movie a lot.