My vote: Edward Norton - American History X

Such a great role/such a great movie. Its hard to believe the director (Tony Kaye) has virtually no other credits save for two films allegedly 'in production'

This is why Tony Kaye doesn't have a career:

According to Wikipedia
He was denied a credit as Alan Smithee for American History X because he had publicly attacked the movie. Kaye later sued the Guild over its decision. The Internet Movie Database reports that he had wanted to use the pseudonym "Humpty Dumpty."

Damn, I never knew about that. Hmmm.

Good pick though St. Patrick.


I don't know if this counts as unrecognized acting but Christian Bale in American Psycho & The Machinist didn't get him an Oscar nominee.

I'll also add Bruce Cambell's performance as Elvis in Bubba Ho-Tep.

I'm really curious to look in the future to see how Bale's career is perceived in retrospect.

Now this is interesting. essentially a first time filmmaker directs a great movie with pretty decent filmographic structure and very good acting but instead of his career taking off (ala David Fincher) his has sputtered. Im curious why he wanted disavow this movie. Did someone usurp his control or authority?

My vote: Steve Buscemi.

Great character actor, but has a good range. He's also a good director.

Unrelated, but cool:

Norton is a badass. I like him better in 25th Hour, which may be the most underrated movie of this decade.

That is awesome. Buscemi seems to be one of the really true good guys out there in Hollywood. An actor actually not seeking some publicity for a humanitarian act? That deserves some attention. (Ironic, I know.)

The only think I can recall that I havent liked that Norton was in was the Score movie with Deniro. I havent seen that Italian Job remake he did with Marky Mark but it doesnt look great either.

Norton is just so flawless. You really believe he could be the retarded kid from Primal Fear, the snivelling dweebs from Rounders or the complete badass from AHX. I continue to be impressed.

Good flick.

Don't forget Sheldon Mopes!

[img][650:429]http://www.ziyue.com/movies/usa/2002/DeathToSmoochy/smooc12.jpg[/img]

It was Edward Norton:
Here is an article about the controversy:
http://www.filmjunkies.net/articles/ame ... histx.html

I agree with Steve Buscemi, and I agree that 25th Hour is a great flick.

I know Johnny Depp gets alot of credit, but he hasn't won any awards for excellent work. I'd also add William H. Macy and Bill Murray.

Ewen McGregor (non-SW roles)
Tim Roth
Val Kilmer

Im looking for one performance, people.

Fine, most of these would be for best supporting actor though:
Johnny Depp for Donnie Brasco
Harvey Keitel for Reservoir Dogs
William H. Macy for Boogie Nights
Gary Oldman for The Professional/5th Element, too hard to choose
Bill Murray for Rushmore
Edward Norton for 25th Hour
Tim Roth for Four Rooms
Ewan McGregor for Shallow Grave

That's basically everyone mentioned.

Writing a term paper...teacher told you to narrow it down?

Val Kilmer-Salton Sea or Wonderland
Tim Roth-Reservoir Dogs
Ewen McGregor-Trainspotting or Velvet Goldmine

Thats a great article.



And I think its pretty clear why Kaye hasnt worked much in film since.

Nope. just curious. No surprises here, though.

Easy pick for me.

Ellen Burstyn - Leto's momma in Requiem for a Dream

She was nominated but lost out to Julia Roberts for Erin Brockovich...WHA???

The woman does an amazing job in that movie. Makes you rethink those crazy people on the subway, if you ask me.

Re: Kaye

I don't get it. WTF was he so pissed about? The movie is great as it is.

Hes a total nutshit, apparently.



That would piss me off too.

Kudos.

John Ritter's hair in Sling Blade.

Norton might be a bad ass actor but he's an ass too. He had absolutely no business sitting in on editing sessions during American History X. real lack of respect for the art. It's just too bad Kaye went around that the wrong way or maybe the Guild could've done more for directors following him. I think be it you're the director or the lead actor you have to know in the studio's eye where you are in the hierachy for the film you're working on. AHX was a star vehicle & Kaye thought it was his.

My nominees:

Lili Taylor in I Shot Andy Warhol
Chiwetel Ejiofor in Dirty Pretty Things
Homayon Ershadi in Taste of Cherry
Robin Williams in Good Morning, Vietnam That scene after he decides he quits & he's never going on the air again & Whitaker's character Garlick is trying to talk him out of it & they get caught in a traffic jam behind all those troop trucks. Garlick tells all the guys in the truck he has Adrian Cronauer in the jeep with him. So they beg him to do his thing & he finally comes around & has the guys in stitches. Then he finds out where they're going & it kills him. He knows how many guys are dying there & they have no clue because of the news censoring. These boys are young & a lot of them are marching to thier death & he knows it but they don't it. He goes around trying to get as many names as he can before the road is cleared & they ship off. Robin played it perfectly

I know he gets critical respect, but the general public is rarely aware of how amazing Ben Kingsley is. He's incredible in both Sexy Beast and The House Of Sand And Fog even though the two characters are as far apart as can be.

Better known, but deserves mention: Daniel-Day Lewis in Gangs Of New York. Butcher is one of the most memorable characters in all filmdom.

Also, much less known: Rod Taylor in Welcome To Woop Woop. Rarely has a delusional, controlling, murderous redneck asshole been so sympathetic. Great performance.