Having been titled “King of all blog series” by my friend Ruth from Flixchatter I felt the pressure to come up with a new one and thought of this new concept: The Ten: Best All Time Actors “relay race”.
So what’s the idea behind the relay? I’ve created a list of what I think are the best actors. At the end of the post I, just like in a real relay race, hand over the baton to another blogger who will write his own post. This blogger will have to remove one actor (that is an obligation) and add his own choice and describe why he/she did this. At the end the blogger chooses another blogger to do the same. The idea is to make this a long race, so that enough bloggers get a chance to remove and add an actor. We will end up with a list (not ranked in order) which represents a common agreement of the best actors.
It will also mean that those who follow this relay race will get to know new blogs as well!
Now we have to start somewhere and these are the actors that start out in The Ten:
Robert de Niro
Although he may not have had any roles that stood out in the last couple of years, he has proven what an amazing actor he is. Just think of his roles in Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Godfather: Part II, Goodfellas, The Untouchables, Heat and Cape Fear.
Al Pacino
This is another actor that has proven that he is stunning and commands the screen whenever he appears. Some of his best work includes The Godfather movies, Carlito’s Way, Scarface, Scent of a Woman and Heat.
Daniel Day Lewis
Although he might not have appeared in as many movies as some of the other actors in this list he makes up for it in the amazing performances he gives. He really disappears in his roles. Some of his best work includes My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, Gangs of New York, In the Name of the Father and Last of the Mohicans.
Samuel L. Jackson
Probably the hardest working actor around, with 139 roles to his name, he has proven to be an actor that can take on any type of role and make it convincing. Whether it is a small role of a drug addict or big role as a hitman, he always manages to give it his all. Some of his movies include Pulp Fiction, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Jackie Brown, The Negotiator and Unthinkable.
Charlie Chaplin
Now this might not be someone you’d immediately think of, but when it comes to comedy and silent movies he was perfect, funny and knew exactly how to make his audience care about the character he played. Some of his best work can be enjoyed in The Kid, City Lights, The Great Dictator and Modern Times.
Gary Oldman
He has proven that he is a true chameleon, with a very distinct look in every movie he appears in. His acting is always a joy to watch. Some of his best known work is that in the Harry Potter series, Leon, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, the latest Batman movies and Dracula.
Anthony Hopkins
Although I only know him from his later roles, he is one of those actors that you can’t deny is amazing. Of course the role that brought the most fame is the one in Silence of the Lambs, he also played in many others like Legends of the Fall, Nixon, Meet Joe Black and Titus.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
He started acting in 1991 and really has had a very versatile career appearing in movies that are loved in art houses, but in mainstream movies as well. His movies include The Ides of March, Synecdoche, New York, Charlie Wilson’s War, Capote and Magnolia.
Marlon Brando
Now I must admit that I haven’t seen many of his movies, but he was stunning in his most famous role in The Godfather, but also roles in Apocalypse Now, On The Waterfront and A Streetcar Named Desire he wowed audiences.
Robert Duvall
Robert Duvall has had an amazing career as well. I don’t know much about his early work, but I always enjoy to see him on the screen. His characters always are injected with something that grounds them into reality. He appeared in movies like Get Low, The Godfather, Colors, Apocalypse Now and THX1138.
Of course lots of you will be missing specific actors (have to admit that I just don’t know enough about the “classic” actors to be able to include them) and that’s why you will be able to attribute to this list as it is handed over from blogger to blogger. The first blogger who I will hand the baton over to is T from The Focused Filmographer. He will now have one week to remove one actor, replace him with another one and pick out another blogger who will repeat these steps. Looking forward to seeing the changes and the reasoning behind it!
Great idea!
Thank you!
I love the ideas you come up with Nostra, this is great!
Thanks a lot Amy, always busy trying to think of new ones. Of course the actress version of this will start soon as well.
Besides that I’m working on another one which I’m really looking forward to doing, but that one requires some research and to visit some places. I’m hoping to have it ready at the beginning of next month. You’ll find out what it is exactly then 😉
Sweet post sir, here goes…
I’ll remove Samuel L. Jackson (sorry!) and replace him with Song Kang-ho. He’s only 45 but has the rare ability to truly light up the screen and keep you watching, no matter what he’s doing, or what he’s in.
Shiri, JSA, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Memories of Murder, The Host, The Good, the Bad, the Weird, Thirst… and he’s hpoefully got many more great performances in him.
I have to admit that I completely agree with you that he should be in the list. I will make sure that somewhere along the line you will get your chance to make the change when the baton is passed to you!
Dammit! Totally skim read the top blurb thinking it would be in the comments. Cards out on the table… doh!
Hahaha, that’s a false start for you! 😉 Luckily you were not the next one running yet, so the judges won’t give you a penalty 🙂
HAHAH…. Nostra… YOU ARE THE KING OF SERIES!!
Great Idea.. I hope I get passed it at some point…
Thanks Scott, I guess I should start adding a banner to the site with that 😉
I will make sure that you will eventually get your chance to remove and add one!
Excellent idea. Does it say something about how good The Godfather is that 40% of the actors you chose starred in it?
Didn’t even think about it that way, but yeah! Really have to rewatch them soon as it has been way too long!
Whoo hoo, great idea Nostra! It’s a nice concept and nice to take part of it. But some of the classic actors I’m not familiar with their movies. I’ll try to watch these series! 🙂
I’m not familiar with a lot of classic actors, that’s why I didn’t name many, but I’m sure others will! I think a specific someone is going to add Gregory Peck for example 😉
Ahahaha, I know who 😀
Hi, Nostra and company:
Great concept for recent actors!
Of all times? Not so much.
Though not your fault or foul. Be prepared to have Ruth opt for Gregory Peck. Or my choice(s) of Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan and/or Henry Fonda to share space with P.S. Hoffman and Gary Oldman.
Hahaha, it’s exactly the reaction I was expecting from some people. I really don’t know enough of older movies to judge who should be added and that’s why the relay is a perfect way to add them. As you don’t have a blog I’ll make sure you also get a chance to remove and add an actor.
Awesome idea and great list! I’ll be keeping an eye on this relay!
Thanks Pete!
haha! I happily accept the baton and will be running with it here shortly! Be prepared!
Looking forward to your post T!
Really cool idea, Nostra! I’m looking forward to seeing this make its rounds through the blogosphere.
Thanks Eric, looking forward to it myself. Interested to see who will be removed and why and who the new actors will be.
Ahah, so THIS is the series you promised. VERY interesting idea, I love the community aspect of it. All right Terrence, I look forward to your post!
Yes it is and I’m already doing research for a new one. Knowing how much time it costs to prepare the entries for that my guess is that it will start somewhere next month.
Nice idea, I would love to participate and get to know some more bloggers out there. Good picks Nostra, a few would be in mine too. I hope we keep Marlon Brando and De Niro all the way for they both changed and defined entire generations of actors. As for the rest, it’s really too hard to narrow it down, though I like the inclusion of Daniel Day Lewis who is simply superb in every role he is in.
Thank you and I will make sure you will get a chance to participate as well! Some I knew for sure, others I’d replace more easily…
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