Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 15 > Entry
Terrence Howard and others to see — whatever the movie
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was watching — or, really, barely tolerating — an advance screening of “The Invasion,” the weird “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” remake opening on Friday that discards the idea of pods and inserts alien projectile vomiting, when I finally saw what really brought me to the film anyway.
It was Jeffrey Wright. He has a small supporting role in “Invasion” and no matter what the outcome of the movie’s quality, he’s one actor worth seeing. Wright is one of our best American performers. He works tirelessly on the characters he plays and makes each one uniquely different.
And there he was in “Invasion,” speaking in a voice and cadence I’ve never heard before come out of his mouth.
Wright is one of the main actors I’ll go see in any movie. We all have our favorites. Here’s a quick rundown of a few others of mine:
Terrence Howard — I sensed his talent in “The Best Man” and then he exploded in “Crash” and, especially, “Hustle & Flow”; Chris Cooper — sure he’s great in “Adaptation,” but he’s also great in “Jarhead,” “American Beauty,” “Seabiscuit” and more; Maggie Smith — She can utter volumes with her piercing intonation of a single word; Robert Downey Jr. — Always interesting and always pulling the movie toward being better than it is; and Helen Mirren — Her consistency is astounding.
There are more who are sure to lure me into a theater seat: Christina Ricci, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Don Cheadle, Will Smith, Kate Winslet and, believe it or not, Mark Wahlberg.
I would have included Johnny Depp, but I haven’t yet gotten over the mistake that is “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Who are the actors you will always go see? Who’s good in a movie no matter what?
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: Alan Smithee
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By a Dave
August 15, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
I’d go see Anthony Hopkins read the ingredients from a box of cereal. His mastery of oral English is mesmerizing.
The same probably holds true for Stephen Fry.
Finally, I’d see Nicole Kidman in anything. Or nothing. Just gazing at her image on the screen is a delicious treat.
By Koz
August 15, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
Gollum or Yoda
By Steve
August 15, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
Don’t forget about Kevin Spacey !
By nypeach
August 15, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
Love, love, love Jeffrey Wright. He is a phenomenal actor who also happens to make me weak in the knees. Terrence Howard, bad boy that he is, also ranks up there. Terrence just smolders onscreen; he is just intense!
By Suspense Nut
August 15, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
Densel Washington, Chris Tucker, James Woods, Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken, Laurence Fishburn, and Keifer Sutherland and Michael Douglas.
Halley Berry, Sharon Stone, Angela Bassett, Gabriel Union, and Loretta Devine.
By ATLtransplant
August 15, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this
Clive Owen is a good actor too. He seems to always choose interesting roles and films.
By movielover
August 15, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
SEAN CONNERY, nuff said :)
By Ace
August 15, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Jeffrey Wright’s best performance - to date, anyways - is in Angels in America.
By Smoke - Up Johnny!
August 15, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this
To shun Johnny Depp for the WW remake is an outrage. He is one of the greatest actors of our generation. His work in Donnie Brasco stands on it’s own laurels. Furthermore, his range is nothing short of astonishing…think Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas! Pacino, Deniro, Howard and some others you have mentioned are worth the price of admission no doubt. What I am looking for is the next great ensemble feature using all the great black actors. This was tried only as a comedy before, but a drama that does not involve the past issues of society, but rather a current event can do well in the box office and will go a long way in the hearts of African-American moviegoers.
By tee dee
August 15, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
Without question: SEAN PENN!!!
By B
August 15, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Can I get an Ed Norton from the congregation?
By George
August 15, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this
Believe or not, it is Zooey Deschanel. I always seem to like her roles for some reason. Same goes for Toni Collette.
By Jones
August 15, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this
Jack Thompson
By Peter Robertson
August 23, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
I have to say one of today’s most talented actors is Clive Owen. Regardless of what movie he’s in, he is always fantastic. Gerard Butler is another who puts everything into a role wherever it be an obsessed psychopath like in Phantom of the Opera or as the self justified king in 300. Actresses I cannot help but to stop and watch whatever they appear include Natalie Portman, who with even a shaved head is one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood; Jodie Foster, who isn’t in much these days, but when she is she is amazing; Julianne Moore is another who regardless of how bad the movie is, she makes it better. I also can’t help watching anything with Hugo Weaving in it after he blew me away in V for Vendetta with his being able to portray so many emotions with his voice and a constant mask. Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp are two others that I am counting the days to see in Sweeney Todd together. Helena was absolutely gorgeous as BEllatrix Lestrange in HArry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, I just love seeing her in anything.