5) Edward Norton in Tony Kaye's American History X
Edward Norton gives an Oscar-nominated performance as Derek Vinyard, a neo-Nazi whose time in prison changes his prejudice views and tries to prevent his little brother, played by Edward Furlong, from going down the same path he did. This gritty, powerful performance showed the intensity Edward Norton can bring into a performance. His chilling dialogues (his most chilling showed to you above) exemplify one of the most daring roles any actor has ever taken. This is why I believe this is one of the greatest performances of all-time.
4) Leonardo DiCaprio in Scott Kalvert's The Basketball Diaries
I believe Leonardo DiCaprio is the most deserving for an Academy Award and I am extremely surprised he hasn't gotten on yet. With all his jaw-dropping performances, I believe his best performance was in his earlier movies in The Basketball Diaries. He plays Jim Carroll, a young poet and basketball star who becomes addicted to heroin. This "based-on-a-true-story" performance is one of DiCaprio's darkest performances. He was only 21 years of age when he starred in this film and he demonstrated his maturity at a very young age. I could have put his performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape where he played a mentally challenged boy, but the scene above may be one of the most realistic scenes of withdrawal captured on film and I believe this is why it's one of the best performances of all-time.
3) Sean Penn in Jessie Nelson's I Am Sam
Sean Penn plays Sam Dawson, a mentally retarded man who is fighting custody for his daughter. This was one of the most emotionally driven performances I have ever scene. Sean Penn was absolutely amazing. He played the part perfectly, acting as someone who cannot function properly yet, he expressed his emotions in other ways, leaving this as one of the greatest performances of all-time.
2) Heath Ledger in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight
Some people feel that Heath Ledger won Best Supporting Actor because he passed away. Let me be clear. Heath Ledger won Best Supporting Actor because HE WAS the best supporting actor. His portrayal as the Joker was nothing short of a masterpiece. Showing a darker side to previous Jokers, for example Jack Nicholson's, I believe he portrayed the Joker as he was meant to be portrayed. I'll be honest, when I first heard he was going to play the Joker I was extremely disappointed. I thought there were so many other potential actors who would be amazing in this role, for example Johnny Depp. I was completely wrong. The Joker will never be played again because actors will not touch the role that Heath Ledger made into the perfect performance. Rest In Peace Heath Ledger and thank you.
1) Russell Crowe in Ron Howard's A Beautiful Mind
I know people. You guys must think I'm insane for putting this as number one. But I'm standing by it. Russell Crowe's performance as John Nash, a mathematician and suffering schizophrenic, is the best performance by an actor I have seen in my life. He had to know a plentiful amount of math, he had to age, he had to act as if he was hallucinating and he did it which such grace and authenticity. I've seen this movie numerous times and I can't get enough of it. It truly is a masterpiece and I believe this is the best performance of all-time.
Leave your comments! Let me know what you think!
Edward Norton gives an Oscar-nominated performance as Derek Vinyard, a neo-Nazi whose time in prison changes his prejudice views and tries to prevent his little brother, played by Edward Furlong, from going down the same path he did. This gritty, powerful performance showed the intensity Edward Norton can bring into a performance. His chilling dialogues (his most chilling showed to you above) exemplify one of the most daring roles any actor has ever taken. This is why I believe this is one of the greatest performances of all-time.
4) Leonardo DiCaprio in Scott Kalvert's The Basketball Diaries
I believe Leonardo DiCaprio is the most deserving for an Academy Award and I am extremely surprised he hasn't gotten on yet. With all his jaw-dropping performances, I believe his best performance was in his earlier movies in The Basketball Diaries. He plays Jim Carroll, a young poet and basketball star who becomes addicted to heroin. This "based-on-a-true-story" performance is one of DiCaprio's darkest performances. He was only 21 years of age when he starred in this film and he demonstrated his maturity at a very young age. I could have put his performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape where he played a mentally challenged boy, but the scene above may be one of the most realistic scenes of withdrawal captured on film and I believe this is why it's one of the best performances of all-time.
3) Sean Penn in Jessie Nelson's I Am Sam
Sean Penn plays Sam Dawson, a mentally retarded man who is fighting custody for his daughter. This was one of the most emotionally driven performances I have ever scene. Sean Penn was absolutely amazing. He played the part perfectly, acting as someone who cannot function properly yet, he expressed his emotions in other ways, leaving this as one of the greatest performances of all-time.
2) Heath Ledger in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight
Some people feel that Heath Ledger won Best Supporting Actor because he passed away. Let me be clear. Heath Ledger won Best Supporting Actor because HE WAS the best supporting actor. His portrayal as the Joker was nothing short of a masterpiece. Showing a darker side to previous Jokers, for example Jack Nicholson's, I believe he portrayed the Joker as he was meant to be portrayed. I'll be honest, when I first heard he was going to play the Joker I was extremely disappointed. I thought there were so many other potential actors who would be amazing in this role, for example Johnny Depp. I was completely wrong. The Joker will never be played again because actors will not touch the role that Heath Ledger made into the perfect performance. Rest In Peace Heath Ledger and thank you.
1) Russell Crowe in Ron Howard's A Beautiful Mind
I know people. You guys must think I'm insane for putting this as number one. But I'm standing by it. Russell Crowe's performance as John Nash, a mathematician and suffering schizophrenic, is the best performance by an actor I have seen in my life. He had to know a plentiful amount of math, he had to age, he had to act as if he was hallucinating and he did it which such grace and authenticity. I've seen this movie numerous times and I can't get enough of it. It truly is a masterpiece and I believe this is the best performance of all-time.
Leave your comments! Let me know what you think!
