Loading ...Almost Good Actors
Dave: This one was tough, but I had to give it to Thomas Ian Nicholas, better known as Henry Rowengartner from Rookie of the Year. This kid was phenomenal in that movie – it introduced the world to the phrase “funky butt-lovin!” So, needless to say, the expectations were set high. He didn’t disappoint in A Kid in King Arthur’s Court, but I expected much bigger things to follow.
Then came American Pie, in which he played a complete d-bag (and I don’t think it required too much acting for him to take on this role), and he was even more of a tool in American Pie 2 (crying over Tara Reid’s character, Vicki, while she makes out with every boy in a 35-mile radius). C’mon Henry, you’re better than this. Then he makes American Wedding (mainly because he has nothing else going for him) in which he has about four lines …hey Tom, can you say “rock bottom?” I guess I have no one to blame but myself for expecting so much from a 12-year-old kid who could capture the heart of Chet “Rocket” Steadman, break a hundred on the radar gun, and strike out Bonds and Vlad all in the same movie.
Sieck: Cary Elwes. This is a classic case of not knowing where one’s bread is buttered. When it comes to comedy, Elwes is at a deadpan best. Films such as Robin Hood: Men in Tights and the cult classic The Princess Bride feature the man delivering comic gold. How could he not? After all, he’s mixing it up with performers such as acting legend Andre the Giant.
However, when Elwes tries to branch out to be a “real” actor, the results are like sticking one’s hand in the garbage disposal… messy. While I thoroughly enjoy the first Saw film, Elwes’ performance is laughable and downright deplorable in an incredibly creepy way. His career reminds one of the talentless geek who auditions for the high school play just because he wants to fit in and make magic happen. Additionally, who can forget his equally vomit-worthy turns in The Crush with Alicia Silverstone, and the sickening role of Russ Wheeler in Days of Thunder? It’s for the man with the girl’s name who gets this advice: Stick to yucking it up.
Brian: This one is going to ruffle some feathers, but we at almostathletes are expert rufflers. I’m going with one trick pony, Vince Vaughn. Now, before the emails and comments come pouring in about his brilliance in both Old School and Swingers, I have to point out that if you closed your eyes while either was on, it would be impossible to tell Vaughn’s Beanie Campbell from his Trent the big time movie producer because his voice inflection never changes. I’m not ready to put Vaughn in the Keanu Reeves division of actors who are grossly overpaid while they perpetually underperform (and Reeves is indefensible in this regard), but even in his turns as bad guys, Reese Feldman in Starsky and Hutch or Wes Mantooth in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Vaughn fails to underscore his now trademark caustic portrayal of each of his characters with the necessary change in, well, character.
Kool i would just have to disagree. Not with everything you say just with one of your points. You tell people to close their eyes and just listen when the great things about movies and vince vaughn in general are watching. His facial expressions alone are what make me laugh.
Neo is a terrible actor but no one compares to Nick Cage. Raising Arizona was his only good role.
Dave, I cant stop laughing at this. Everything you said about Tom is completely true. American Pie 2 made me ill with his “we have to do stuff together” gimmick that could not be more gay if they tried.
Sieck, agreed with everything except no mention of being in Hot Shots, a fantastic slapstick comedy, and he was ok in it.
Kool… YES. I’ve finally had it with Vince. Its a rerun with him. Swingers will always be his best, since it was the first we all saw it. Unless of course you are many of the people who had NO IDEA who he was until Old School.
I’d like to add Ryan Reynolds to the list. As I was younger and got a good laugh the first time I saw Van Wilder. Though the movie does have a few funny scenes, I now realize he just watched Ace Ventura a lot. Just listen to how he talks, it’s rather awful. And every movie hes been in since, is Cinematic Diarrhea.