DiCaprio is the real deal. Martin Scorsese doesn't hire an actor to star in more than one of his movies if he doesn't have a lot of talent. DiCaprio reminds me a little of a young Robert Deniro from those early Scorsese films. I also agree with the poster above about James Franco. He's like a DiCaprio or Penn. He's a character actor who can play a lot of different roles.
Some interesting thoughts about greatest actor on this here form. I like Leo's acting ability but he lacks range. He is very choosy on his films. He makes sure all of his films are going to blockbusters because of the script much like Will Smith and Tom Cruise. Leo never really steps outside of himself and plays a role that isn't something we haven't seen before. Can yo really his performances in Shutter Island, Inception and The Departed are all that different? Lets not confuse successful and enjoyable with the "Greatest"
I think Gary Oldman and Edward Norton have the total package with acting ability but they aren't megastars like Leo and Will Smith. They take on the more challenging roles even if it means a supporting role in a major film.
James Franco could be a megastar with the total package when his career is all said and done. Heath Ledger was already there. His roles in The Dark Knight and Lords Of Dogtown were spot on. I never saw Brokeback Mountain myself but I will take peoples word for it that he did a great job.
Of all times with blockbuster ability and acting range and chops. Robert DeNiro and Denzel Washington have to be the top two in the industry.
I think Gary Oldman and Edward Norton have the total package with acting ability but they aren't megastars like Leo and Will Smith. They take on the more challenging roles even if it means a supporting role in a major film.
James Franco could be a megastar with the total package when his career is all said and done. Heath Ledger was already there. His roles in The Dark Knight and Lords Of Dogtown were spot on. I never saw Brokeback Mountain myself but I will take peoples word for it that he did a great job.
Of all times with blockbuster ability and acting range and chops. Robert DeNiro and Denzel Washington have to be the top two in the industry.
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You make good points.
Feeling here is Norton is a good actor, slightly overrated, but good nevertheless.
Fight Club was just OK for me, I enjoyed Rounders, he was good in the Penthouse movie.
But I give Norton this, he takes chances with his roles, he doesn't take cookie cutter roles from, say, Disney, that's mediocre, but will make 80 million or so at the box office.
Spot on about Ledger, he was already there.
Just like Buddy Holly, who was also already there, who just may have been as big as Elvis if his plane didn't crash and burn.
Feeling here also that most of Leo's films that were blockbusters would have been blockbusters with any other box office leading men.
I would add D'Onofrio to your list of DeNiro and Denzel.
You make good points.
Feeling here is Norton is a good actor, slightly overrated, but good nevertheless.
Fight Club was just OK for me, I enjoyed Rounders, he was good in the Penthouse movie.
But I give Norton this, he takes chances with his roles, he doesn't take cookie cutter roles from, say, Disney, that's mediocre, but will make 80 million or so at the box office.
Spot on about Ledger, he was already there.
Just like Buddy Holly, who was also already there, who just may have been as big as Elvis if his plane didn't crash and burn.
Feeling here also that most of Leo's films that were blockbusters would have been blockbusters with any other box office leading men.
I would add D'Onofrio to your list of DeNiro and Denzel.
I must disagree on Leo. While yes he usually plays tormented characters, he is far different in Revolutionary Road than in The Basketball Diaries. He's different in Inception than in Gilbert Grape. He's different in The Departed than he is in Catch Me if You Can. Gangs of New York, while along the lines of his other action driven pieces, is different than The Beach.
He's also signed on to do the Hoover documentary. I think he varies himself enough, and has shown it in the past, just maybe not within the last 5 years.
De Niro is my favorite ever. His choice of roles in the 2000s has been complete dog shit but nothing can take away from what he's done in the past.
Brad Pitt is another that should be mentioned. He's going to be great in Terrance Malick's Tree of Life and his performance in Benjamin Button was nothing short of incredible. Benjamin Button, Babel, & Se7en are enough, in my opinion, to be top 5.
Tom Hardy is going to be another gem in a few years. His performance in Bronson is insane. He was also solid in Inception and should be fantastic as Bane in the next Batman.
While I love Denzel, the same argument can be made for him that is made for Leo. Great actor, not much range. Training Day, American Gangster, Man on Fire, Book of Eli. John Q., Malcolm X, Glory. Unstoppable, Taking of Pelham 123. (I've grouped movies together)
Christian Bale is another top guy today. No question.
In my view, DeNiro, Pacino and Nicholson are the best living actors, but the first two have sold out somewhat and have been taking mostly crap roles for the past decade plus and Nicholson is semi-retired. Dustin Hoffman is in the mix as well, but he's slowed down as well. As for the younger guys, I like Depp and Norton, and one guy not mentioned who I've never seen put on a bad performance is Phillip Seymour Hoffman. BTW, he did an underrated gem about a degenerate called 'Owning Mahoney' that you should check out if you haven't.
Back on topic somewhat, the rumors about Travolta have been around forever. Apparently, he went into Scientology to 'cure' his sexuality issues. Same rumor with Cruise. Word is, these guys were set up with starlets with the agreement that they have a beard while helping the girl's careers. Apparently they are basically being blackmailed into staying in the fold by the leadership of Scientology in order to stay in the closet. I'm inclined to believe these rumors.
Back on topic somewhat, the rumors about Travolta have been around forever. Apparently, he went into Scientology to 'cure' his sexuality issues. Same rumor with Cruise. Word is, these guys were set up with starlets with the agreement that they have a beard while helping the girl's careers. Apparently they are basically being blackmailed into staying in the fold by the leadership of Scientology in order to stay in the closet. I'm inclined to believe these rumors.
