I don't think he's particularly indicative of anything in Hollywood right now. He's a sort of grand old man, who works infrequently and usually turns a fairly predictable performance, like Brando after Godfather. Of his recent movies, I really liked his performance in "The Pledge" (2001), which didn't play on the famous Jack persona at all. His others at least nodded to it.
If you want a read on the state of Hollywood right now, look yunger: Forrest Whitaker, with his oversize frame and lazy eye, is no matinee idol, but by God, he can act. If Djimon Hounsu can get a good dialect coach so he's not limited to roles where his African accent makes sense, he will be a force to be reckoned with. Leo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp are matinee idols with real acting chops, and let's not forget Christian Bale, Ewan McGregor, and (I never expected him to be as good as he is) Mark Wahlberg.
In the less-glamorous character ranks, we have Philip Seymour Hoffmann, John C. Reilly, Don Cheadle and Ving Rhames. Moving a few years older, you have William H. Macy, and (love or hate their politics, you have to admit their skills) Alec Baldwin and George Clooney. Another FReeper thought Clooney looked a bit like Cary Grant tonight; my first thought was Clark Gable.
On the distaff side of the aisle, there are plenty of actresses every bit as glamorous as the goddesses of old, and probably stronger actors. Start with the C/Kates: Blanchett, Beckinsale and Winslet. Add Charlize Theron, and I'll just stop there because I could go on all night. Except to add that Helen Mirren is slightly older than my dad, and she's still hot.
Bottom line, the golden age of Hollywood is now. Of course, a whole lot more crap is produced, because a whole lot more of everything is produced, and Sturgeon's Law still applies. Movies are like the rest of the media -- there's a lot more stuff, and it takes more work and discrimination to find the good stuff, but there's more and better good stuff than ever. You've just got to look for it.
>>>On the distaff side of the aisle, there are plenty of actresses every bit as glamorous as the goddesses of old, and probably stronger actors. Start with the C/Kates: Blanchett, Beckinsale and Winslet. Add Charlize Theron, and I'll just stop there because I could go on all night. Except to add that Helen Mirren is slightly older than my dad, and she's still hot.>>>
You are so right. I would add Rachel Weisz (sp?) and Scarlet Johannson to that list. We just saw a museum full of Annie Leibowitz photos in San Diego. There is the most beautiful picture of Scarlett Johannson in that collection. She is every bit as beautiful as Liz Taylor or Barbara Stanwyck. Breathtaking, and an incredible actress. I haven't seen Little Children but I saw Kate Winslet in Holiday over Christmas. She's so wonderful! I love her in Finding Neverland. After seeing Amazing Grace yesterday I think it won't be long before I could add Romola Garai. She's fabulous. I think you're right about this being the golden age of Hollywood. They can do such marvelous things on film now, I love it!
Who do you think has more "star quality"? Jack Nicholson or Edward G. Robinson?
great comments!
The grass always seems greener..
I'd agree with all of your actor and actress choices, and as the poster who followed mentioned, I'd add Rachel Weisz. She was terrific, as was Keanu Reeves, and the outstanding Peter Stormare, in Constantine, one of our favorite movies.