Best Actors of 2008
2008 was a banner year for actors. Putting together a Top 10 list in this category was the easiest 'Best of' list I had to create this year. Sorting them 1 through 10 was the most difficult part of the whole process as each of the actors listed below could easily have made the number 1 spot - if it weren't for Frank Langella.
Frank Langella delivers a career-defining performance in Frost/Nixon, the dramatic retelling of the historic interviews conducted by David Frost of disgraced ex-President Richard Nixon. Langella and Michael Sheen (the 'Frost' half of Frost/Nixon) developed their characters on the stage and in the big screen version of Peter Morgan's play they've perfected their acts. I think Langella has the more difficult task of the two as he's playing a character whose image is still semi-fresh in our minds, and that's why he's topping my list of the best performances by actors in 2008 (a really competitive year).More »
The poster for The Wrestler proclaims "Witness the resurrection of Mickey Rourke" and there couldn't be a more succinct or accurate statement than that in summing up Rourke's performance in the Darren Aronofsky film.Rourke transforms into an aging wrestler who still loves to mix it up in the ring, and it's an absorbing, heartbreaking performance. Welcome back, Mickey Rourke.More »
Richard Jenkins has been steadily building up a first-class resume since the mid-80s when hebegan acting in feature films, and now he's one of the busiest actors working in Hollywood. In 2008 alone he had supporting roles in Step Brothers, Burn After Reading and The Tale of Despereaux. But it was his performance in the lead role in The Visitor which grabbed everyone's attention.Jenkins is superb as an introverted professor who helps a young couple who've come to America illegally.More »
As Bond, James Bond, Daniel Craig led Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace to success at the box office. And whether he's shouldering the mantle of one of the most successful film franchises in history or playing a killer in Infamous or the no-name lead in the indie thriller Layer Cake, Craig can always be counted on to deliver a fascinating performance. He does so yet again in Defiance, the captivating true story of three Jewish brothers who did everything in their power to help others survive being slaughtered by the Nazis in World War II.More »
The true story of a small-time crook and drug addict allows Mark Ruffalo the opportunity to dig deep and go dark, and the actor uses the material wisely and delivers a performance that's gritty and heartbreaking. Ruffalo's made his home recently in romantic comedies, and What Doesn't Kill You is just about the meatiest role he's been offered (with the exception of Zodiac) in the last few years. And not that I don't admire his work in rom coms, but this is the type of role I'd like to see him tackle again and again.More »
1. Frank Langella - 'Frost/Nixon'
Frank Langella delivers a career-defining performance in Frost/Nixon, the dramatic retelling of the historic interviews conducted by David Frost of disgraced ex-President Richard Nixon. Langella and Michael Sheen (the 'Frost' half of Frost/Nixon) developed their characters on the stage and in the big screen version of Peter Morgan's play they've perfected their acts. I think Langella has the more difficult task of the two as he's playing a character whose image is still semi-fresh in our minds, and that's why he's topping my list of the best performances by actors in 2008 (a really competitive year).More »
2. Mickey Rourke - 'The Wrestler'
The poster for The Wrestler proclaims "Witness the resurrection of Mickey Rourke" and there couldn't be a more succinct or accurate statement than that in summing up Rourke's performance in the Darren Aronofsky film.Rourke transforms into an aging wrestler who still loves to mix it up in the ring, and it's an absorbing, heartbreaking performance. Welcome back, Mickey Rourke.More »
3. Brad Pitt - 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'
Brad Pitt could pick up his second Oscar nomination after a 13 year dry spell for his starring role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Directed by David Fincher and based on a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button offers Pitt the opportunity to hide his golden boy looks under old age make-up, and Pitt takes full advantage of the chance to show he's not all about being Mr. Handsome. Personally, I believe this is the best Pitt's ever been.More »4. Josh Brolin - 'W'
W was a real disappointment. The latest film from Oliver Stone failed to live up to its hype, falling flat at the box office and receiving mostly negative reviews from critics nationwide. Yet while Stone didn't impress many observers with his story of President George W Bush, the film's star Josh Brolin definitely overcame the material he was given and turned in another terrific performance.More »5. Sean Penn - 'Milk'
The road to bringing Harvey Milk's life story to the big screen has been a long one, with two projects even competing to be the first to go into production. And over the years there have been many actors mentioned in the role of Harvey Milk (including Robin Williams, Kevin Spacey, and James Woods). But Sean Penn ultimately nabbed the role, a casting choice which turned out to be perfect. Penn's never been better than he is bringing to life the murdered politician.More »6. Richard Jenkins - 'The Visitor'
Richard Jenkins has been steadily building up a first-class resume since the mid-80s when hebegan acting in feature films, and now he's one of the busiest actors working in Hollywood. In 2008 alone he had supporting roles in Step Brothers, Burn After Reading and The Tale of Despereaux. But it was his performance in the lead role in The Visitor which grabbed everyone's attention.Jenkins is superb as an introverted professor who helps a young couple who've come to America illegally.More »
7. Daniel Craig - 'Defiance'
As Bond, James Bond, Daniel Craig led Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace to success at the box office. And whether he's shouldering the mantle of one of the most successful film franchises in history or playing a killer in Infamous or the no-name lead in the indie thriller Layer Cake, Craig can always be counted on to deliver a fascinating performance. He does so yet again in Defiance, the captivating true story of three Jewish brothers who did everything in their power to help others survive being slaughtered by the Nazis in World War II.More »
8. Colin Farrell - 'In Bruges'
Colin Farrell's bad boy past has made it sort of easy to dismiss him as a serious actor.A few years back when he was the new hot thing in acting, the percentage of articles about Farrell's talent and his film roles plummeted while news reports of his off screen exploits soared. Now that he's either settled down a bit or learned not to act out in public, it's great to see he's living up to those early expectations. Farrell is funny and tragic and totally engaging in In Bruges, one of the best movies of the year.More »9. Mark Ruffalo - 'What Doesn't Kill You'
The true story of a small-time crook and drug addict allows Mark Ruffalo the opportunity to dig deep and go dark, and the actor uses the material wisely and delivers a performance that's gritty and heartbreaking. Ruffalo's made his home recently in romantic comedies, and What Doesn't Kill You is just about the meatiest role he's been offered (with the exception of Zodiac) in the last few years. And not that I don't admire his work in rom coms, but this is the type of role I'd like to see him tackle again and again.More »
