tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post4073547531220742944..comments2024-03-28T06:14:54.076-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: Top 10 Female Performances of All TimeAlex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-90006997995010186922017-03-31T20:40:10.740-04:002017-03-31T20:40:10.740-04:00Excellent picks. Love these. I haven't seen Fr...Excellent picks. Love these. I haven't seen Frances, but I love every other performance you listed. So happy we share so many picks. Farmiga's work in Down to the Bone still rattles me. One of the best recent performances of memory.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-48573281610591984242017-03-28T16:40:14.819-04:002017-03-28T16:40:14.819-04:00Great List! Here are my Top 10 favorite performanc...Great List! Here are my Top 10 favorite performances by an Actress:<br /><br />1. Meryl Streep: Sophie's Choice - I'm not only attracted to a performance, I'm also intrigued by the work, the commitment to becoming a character and this is the ultimate character development I've ever seen displayed on film. Streep is arguably considered to be the greatest living Actress today and her legacy can be defined in the "choice" scene. Simply heartbreaking.<br /><br />2. Gena Rowlands: A Woman Under the Influence - I love anything Gena Rowlands does and this performance is perfection. She kept me sitting on the edge of my seat every moment she was on screen. <br /><br />3. Vivien Leigh: A Streetcar Named Desire - Her and Brando had the type of chemistry you don't see in film anymore. <br /><br />4. Elizabeth Taylor: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? - Quite possibly the best transformation on screen by an Actress. <br /><br />5. Natalie Portman: Black Swan - I've watched this movie dozens of times and am still haunted by Portman's portrayal of Nina.<br /><br />6. Bette Davis: All About Eve - ICONIC performance. That's all. <br /><br />7. Marion Cotillard: La Vie en Rose - Like you I had no idea who this Actress was but once I saw this performance, I'd never forget! <br /><br />8. Bette Davis: Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? - "But ya ARE Blanche! Ya ARE in that chair!"<br /><br />9. Jessica Lange: Frances - If any year warranted a TIE for Best Actress, this was the year!<br /><br />10. Vera Farmiga: Down to the Bone - Such an overlooked performance! I think Vera Farmiga is one of the greatest Actresses around today.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07981818115494316911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-76426780867957270832017-01-04T14:00:17.932-05:002017-01-04T14:00:17.932-05:00I have nothing against either of those performance...I have nothing against either of those performances. Did something in my post suggest that?Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-52377871165944709222017-01-03T23:42:07.836-05:002017-01-03T23:42:07.836-05:00Streep unsurpassed in Sophie's Choice and Kath...Streep unsurpassed in Sophie's Choice and Katherine Hepburn in The Lion in Winter rates a mention. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01352192414805450754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-43270361150603280602017-01-03T23:40:51.235-05:002017-01-03T23:40:51.235-05:00What anyone has against Meryl Streep's virtuos...What anyone has against Meryl Streep's virtuoso in Sophie's Choice is beyond my comprehension. Also Katherine Hepburn in the Lion in Winter? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01352192414805450754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-10175427424961211452016-09-05T20:56:04.533-04:002016-09-05T20:56:04.533-04:00Nice! Always love finding other Bergman/Ullmann fa...Nice! Always love finding other Bergman/Ullmann fans. It is a shame that more people aren't familiar with Bergman's films. He's my absolute favorite. Also agree that Ullmann is superior in Autumn Sonata. I think that was Oscar politics at play there.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-34935852838510513972016-08-29T20:32:37.842-04:002016-08-29T20:32:37.842-04:00YES Dr. Jenny Isaksson, thank you! One of the grea...YES Dr. Jenny Isaksson, thank you! One of the greatest performances of all time, male or female. But so few people have seen the film. Like you said, any Ullmann performance would be suitable for the list. If I were to make one, Autumn Sonata would make it as well. Btw I find it extremely weird that Ingrid Bergman got nominated for that role and not Ullmann when she was far better.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00649188328166324400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-73292465476742650982015-08-03T15:22:51.406-04:002015-08-03T15:22:51.406-04:00Thanks man. Autumn Sonata is so fucking devastatin...Thanks man. Autumn Sonata is so fucking devastating. That's a movie that's in love with pain. <br /><br />Love your list. I really need to watch The Last Picture Show again. that's a great film.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-56190342443486377102015-07-30T18:23:03.975-04:002015-07-30T18:23:03.975-04:00Great list - love the Bergman choices though my fa...Great list - love the Bergman choices though my favourite Bergman performance is Liv Ullman in Autumn Sonata.<br /><br />Think my top 10 would be something like - <br />Stanwyck (Double Indemnity)<br />Foster (Silence of the Lambs)<br />Falconetti (Passion of Joan of Arc)<br />Watts (Mulholland Dr.)<br />Deneuve (Belle de Jour)<br />Ullmann (Autumn Sonata)<br />McDormand (Fargo)<br />Laurent (Inglorious Basterds)<br />Leachman (Last Picture Show)<br />Bergman (Casablanca)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15756251406041962908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-4682482840430229692015-03-18T21:28:35.262-04:002015-03-18T21:28:35.262-04:00Your welcome Alex! I enjoy reading all your post e...Your welcome Alex! I enjoy reading all your post especially the latest one. I'm looking forward to read more from you. God Bless.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01056090271780700857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-3474733777328192572015-03-16T15:03:52.407-04:002015-03-16T15:03:52.407-04:00Hi there! Leigh's Blanche DuBois was very clos...Hi there! Leigh's Blanche DuBois was very close to making my list. Just barely missed the mark. Can't wait to give your list a read. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-36034122385643136692015-03-16T04:47:47.011-04:002015-03-16T04:47:47.011-04:00Hi Alex!
You have a very good list! Though I exp...Hi Alex!<br /><br />You have a very good list! Though I expect Vivien Leigh to be in the list. Anyway, I also want to share with you my <a href="http://acting-jobs.net/trending-stories/top-ten-greatest-acting-performances-of-all-time/" rel="nofollow">Top Ten Greatest Acting Performances of All Time</a> in celebration of Hollywood’s talented bunch. I would gladly appreciate if you leave any suggestion or opinions about the list. Thank you! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01056090271780700857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-67993290444720445982015-02-02T13:07:42.255-05:002015-02-02T13:07:42.255-05:00Hell yeah man. That's one of my favorite films...Hell yeah man. That's one of my favorite films of all time. Love that movie. Andersson and Ullmann are both so great in it.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-21439779944675602072015-01-30T21:47:48.878-05:002015-01-30T21:47:48.878-05:00She was excellent, and I actually finally got the ...She was excellent, and I actually finally got the chance to watch Persona the other day and I agree with Bibi Andersson's inclusion on your list. While I personally was quite drawn to Liv Ullmann's haunting, multi-dimensional portrayal, Andersson was also astounding. Their work should be the kind they teach in acting school.Matthew St.Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08589393934861344591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-86811167814086791892014-12-30T17:21:44.612-05:002014-12-30T17:21:44.612-05:00I should do a proper list, but here goes:
10. The...I should do a proper list, but here goes:<br /><br />10. The Ring<br />9. Sunlight Jr.<br />8. Adore<br />7. Birdman<br />6. Eastern Promises<br />5. The Impossible<br />4. We Don’t Live Here Anymore<br />3. Funny Games<br />2. Mulholland Dr.<br />1. 21 GramsAlex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-19512569293390841732014-12-30T13:58:50.454-05:002014-12-30T13:58:50.454-05:00Your top 10 favorite Naomi Watts performances?Your top 10 favorite Naomi Watts performances?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00059813680559966539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-14302909043216915162014-11-10T12:42:43.031-05:002014-11-10T12:42:43.031-05:00Thanks man! I LOVE that Exarchopoulos makes your l...Thanks man! I LOVE that Exarchopoulos makes your list. And to think, she was a non actor when she made that movie. I mean... it's fucking incredible. Same goes for Watson, I suppose, as I still can't believe her work in Waves was her first film role. I mean, holy hell. Also great to see Hawkins on there. One of my favorite female roles, certainly.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-59662536485952126262014-11-08T14:41:54.150-05:002014-11-08T14:41:54.150-05:00Love your inclusion of Juliette Binoche for her re...Love your inclusion of Juliette Binoche for her relentless and powerful restraint in Blue. Here is my short list of what I feel are some of the best female performances ever:<br /><br />Emily Watson in Breaking The Waves (1996)<br />Bjork in Dancer In The Dark (2000)<br />Katharine Hepburn in The Lion In Winter (1968)<br />Reese Witherspoon in Election (1999)<br />Adele Exarchopoulos in Blue Is The Warmest Color (2013)<br />Naomi Watts in Mulholland Dr. (2001)<br />Charlize Theron in Monster (2003)<br />Sally Hawkins in Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)<br />Whoopi Goldberg in The Color Purple (1985)<br />Matthew St.Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08589393934861344591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-5891442496559832922014-07-16T12:42:37.092-04:002014-07-16T12:42:37.092-04:00I really love Christie in that film as well, and I...I really love Christie in that film as well, and I do agree that Cotillard’s win hurt her a little bit. In fact, I prefer her work in Rust and Bone to La Vie en Rose, but you’re right, the Academy has failed to notice her since her win.<br /><br />I love that quote from Burstyn, I hadn’t heard that before. Honestly, I think Burstyn’s performance in Alice (while great) was partly awarded as a consolation prize for her losing the year before for The Exorcist. <br /><br />So happy you’re going to give Belle de Jour a watch. Whenever I see that film, I wonder how in the hell they were even able to get it made. It is very, very risky for its time. Would have never been made in America in 1967. Love it.<br /><br />Thanks for another great comment, I really appreciate it!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-57957359581909646682014-07-15T19:46:25.193-04:002014-07-15T19:46:25.193-04:00Interesting choices not all of which I've seen...Interesting choices not all of which I've seen. Of the ones I've seen I agree they are great performances. <br /><br />I have to start out by saying that Julie Christie is my favorite living actress and I was disappointed when she didn't win for Away from Her for several reasons. One is her performance was so achingly beautiful I truly felt she deserved to win. Then I'm all in favor of great actresses getting the opportunity to have substantial roles past the time when they are regularly top lining films and proving they are worthy which she most assuredly did. On top of those things I was really hoping that she would be able to hold the record for the longest time elapsing between receiving her awards which she would have set had she won. So as I said I was disappointed but had anyone else but Cotillard won I would have been livid, and I'm a long time Laura Linney fan, however her performance as Edith Piaf was so astounding I just couldn't argue with her win. I still would have voted for Julie but Marion's work is stellar. I think the win has actually hurt her in the academy's eyes, she's done a great deal of superior work since and has been consistently shut out of the nominations even when she seemed to be heavily favored.<br /><br />I love Baby Jane but for Bette Davis I would have chosen Dark Victory, her work in it is so layered without the tipping over into the grotesquerie that the later film required. <br /><br />Gena Rowlands work in WUTI is so raw and real it seems incredible that she lost the Oscar although that was a fiercely competitive year with Faye Dunaway in Chinatown and the winner Ellen Burstyn in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. I listened to an interview with Miss Burstyn once where she commented that Rowlands performance was an Oscar winning one and should have been so recognized...just not with her Oscar. Ha! Funny and honest but true.<br /><br />Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf is unquestionably Elizabeth Taylor's best work and some of the best ever, I think it's a bit of a shame that you can watch her building up to it through the years before with consistently improving performances starting with Giant, although there was a detour here and there, Cleopatra etc, and then when she hit big with Woolf, excepting Taming of the Shrew where she totally committed to the part, her films and her performances seemed to lose steam. <br /><br />I didn't care for 21 Grams and by and large am not a huge fan of Naomi Watts but she did put herself completely at the service of the character. She'd never make my list but it's solid work.<br /><br />I'm not a huge foreign film watcher and have to have some element of the film really peak my interest to put in the time viewing it. So I haven't seen any of your selections for performances in foreign films, though I have seen Autumn Sonata where I thought Ingrid Bergman was extraordinary and a few of Catherine Deneueve's films, Umbrellas of Cherbourg was so amazing! Actually you've inspired me to finally watch Belle de Jour which TCM is playing next week so thanks. <br /><br />I give you kudos for being able to winnow your list down to a top ten I don't think I could do it but I know one spot would be filled by Judy Garland in A Star is Born. She used every facet of her gifts in that film, I actually think it's the greatest performance to lose at the Oscars in any category, and to lose to Grace Kelly's competent but unremarkable work in the Country Girl makes it even more bitter.joel65913https://www.blogger.com/profile/14526657073681774683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-11500690067710322832014-04-07T15:05:44.702-04:002014-04-07T15:05:44.702-04:00It's so funny that you should comment about th...It's so funny that you should comment about this, because last month, for whatever reason, I decided to rewatch Batman Returns for the first time in AT LEAST 10 years. I realized that I liked it much more than I used to, thanks much in part to Pfeiffer's work in it. She really went all in there - full tilt, no looking back. I always respect the hell out of that.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-64410640810961493142014-04-04T20:39:58.700-04:002014-04-04T20:39:58.700-04:00I'm so glad you appreciate my admiration for M...I'm so glad you appreciate my admiration for Michelle Pfeiffer's iconic performance in "Batman returns" that much, because I think I was always kind of obsessed with her psychotically masterful take on Selina Kyle/Catwoman. She is so perfect in that role indeed. It's a shame that her work in Tim Burton's film remains so criminally overlooked when it comes to ranking the best female performances of all time. This is simply one of the bravest, darkest, craziest and most complicated performances ever put on screen by an actor, male or female. The sexiest creature that ever meowed in Gotham City was blessed with a mesmerizing interpretation by Pfeiffer, who really knocks it out of the park. She creates a dual character, vulnerable yet strong, emotional yet deadly, both Beauty and... the Beast, a woman who craves for a partner in life, but knows that only herself can win "the happy ending" she deserves. It's a landmark performance that cements her as a true acting legend. From her unforgettable transformation into Catwoman to the "I don't know anymore, Bruce" response to Michael Keaton's "Who the hell do you think you are?" question, she's pure genius. Like "Oh, my God", she can't be that great. But, well, she actually is. It's almost scandalous. A shining example of ucompromising excellence in acting, an inconceivably daring acting masterclass.Stergiosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-18204765843472510422014-04-04T11:33:17.027-04:002014-04-04T11:33:17.027-04:00Wow, Stergios, thanks so much for this comment. Re...Wow, Stergios, thanks so much for this comment. Really appreciate you stopping by. So happy to hear that you dig the choices and are such a big fan of Cotillard’s work as Piaf. I loved what you said her abandoning herself to the role… so very true. She went all in there and didn’t look back. I’m still so pleased that the Academy was as impressed by her work in that film as we are.<br /><br />I loved your other choices as well, but my God, I FLIPPED at Pfeiffer’s inclusion. That is an unlikely and excellent pick. She’s so perfect in that role, and I love that it ranks so highly for you.<br /><br />Honestly man, comments like yours make blogging worth it. I truly value all of your kind words about my site and my writing. Please feel free to stop by anytime!!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-22955225135016582642014-04-03T22:31:34.190-04:002014-04-03T22:31:34.190-04:00This is a really great list. I have to congratulat...This is a really great list. I have to congratulate you for your picks man, you're awesome. I always enjoy a lot reading your articles because your thoughtful, passionate, intelligent writing and your great love for the art of cinema always shine through. Personally, I'm a movies lover by birth and I have to tell you that half of your choices are definitely on my list too (Cotillard, Watts, Andersson, Binoche and Rowlands). For me, the best female performance of all time is undoubtedly the one of the great Marion Cotillard's in "La vie en rose". I sincerely believe that with her unmatched work in this fim she truly pushed acting to another level. Watching her transform into the legendary Edith Piaf is like an otherwordly experience. She inhabits her character so completely it ends up extremely scary. It doesn't feel like a performance at all. You find yourself thinking you're watching the most crucial parts of Edith Piaf's tormented existence unfolding in front of your eyes. No-holds-barred, Cotillard dares to abandon herself into her role in a way no actress in the history of cinema can claim she did. Body and soul, she gives her all. It's a marvel to watch, an unforgettable tour de force, a performance for the ages. My other five picks are the following: Isabelle Huppert in "The piano teacher", Meryl Streep in "Sophie's Choice", Maria Falconetti in The Passion Of Joan Of Arc", Michelle Pfeiffer in "Batman returns" and Cate Blanchett in "Elizabeth". I found your list great though. Keep up the good work, man. You truly rock.Stergiosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-85022762529450518832014-04-03T17:35:25.204-04:002014-04-03T17:35:25.204-04:00For sure man. I love EVERYTHING she did in that fi...For sure man. I love EVERYTHING she did in that film. What a way to assert herself as heavy hitter.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.com