tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post2346833413025910864..comments2024-03-28T06:14:54.076-04:00Comments on And So It Begins...: Top 15 Male Performances of 2013Alex Withrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-74156420962728701002014-06-17T13:43:16.553-04:002014-06-17T13:43:16.553-04:00Makes me so happy that we fully agree on Fassbende...Makes me so happy that we fully agree on Fassbender's work in 12 Years a Slave. Gigantic is the perfect way to describe it. What ferocious power that man has. Also, I know we've talked about Shannon's work in The Iceman before, but I recently rewatched that film and wow... that man is just so good. I love him in everything.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-61756290144579247062014-06-17T09:34:23.655-04:002014-06-17T09:34:23.655-04:00Great list, Alex. The male performances that reall...Great list, Alex. The male performances that really impressed me last year are much more than 15, but a similar list from me would look this:<br /><br />1) Michael Fassbender - 12 Years A Slave<br />2) Leonardo DiCaprio - The Wolf Of Wall Street<br />3) Michael Shannon - The Iceman<br />4) Oscar Isaac - Inside Llewyn Davis<br />5) Joaquin Phoenix - Her<br />6) Jared Leto - Dallas Buyers Club<br />7) Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years A Slave<br />8) Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club<br />9) Christian Bale - American Hustle<br />10) Jake Gyllenhaal - Prisoners<br />11) Tom Hanks - Captain Phillips<br />12) James Franco - Spring Breakers<br />13) Bruce Dern - Nebraska<br />14) Robert Redford - All is lost<br />15) Bradley Cooper - The place beyond the pines <br /><br />I wanted madly to include Madds Mikkelsen in "The Hunt" on my list, but it was released in November 2012 in Greece, where I live and I saw it in theaters back then. Such an exceptional performance from a truly exceptional actor. Mikkelsen is one of those actors that are simply incapable of giving a bad performance. But he really outshined even himself as Lucas. I'm in awe of his work in Thomas Vinterberg's chilling film. Michael Fassbender is by far my first choice on this list for his gigantic performance in "12 Years A Slave". Mere words indeed cannot do justice to his commitment to his role. It's one of the greatest performances of the 21st Century. It's quite amazing that the same goes for the phenomenal work done by DiCaprio and Shannon in "The Wolf Of Wall Street" and "The Iceman", respectively. Such a terrific year for performances, both male and female.Stergiosnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-70771772104431883642014-01-12T01:31:34.440-05:002014-01-12T01:31:34.440-05:00He was a fuckin' beast in that flick, wasn'...He was a fuckin' beast in that flick, wasn't he? The more I think about him in that movie, the more I love him.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-21587208112696835072014-01-11T00:19:22.605-05:002014-01-11T00:19:22.605-05:00Oh Leo like obliterated my entire list. I loved hi...Oh Leo like obliterated my entire list. I loved his performance more than all of these put together.Nikhathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10379713171889712078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-62959924485478371782014-01-09T16:50:33.617-05:002014-01-09T16:50:33.617-05:00Thanks so much Dan! So happy to hear you dig the p...Thanks so much Dan! So happy to hear you dig the picks. This really was a great year for performances, no question. So many of them rattled me to the core.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-64942686799050405952014-01-09T08:26:25.585-05:002014-01-09T08:26:25.585-05:00Some incredible performances. Tom Hanks has had a ...Some incredible performances. Tom Hanks has had a great year - one of his best, surely. Fassbender continues to amaze, Chiwetel Ejiofor gets better when you didn't think it was possible, and Matthew McConaughey is turning out great performances after great performances (picking some of his best roles). Great list Alex...there are still plenty of films on it I've yet to see though: looking forward to experiencing your recommendations. Danhttp://www.top10films.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-76109427093197235522014-01-07T16:58:10.038-05:002014-01-07T16:58:10.038-05:00Thanks man! I do think The Hunt captures Mikkelsen...Thanks man! I do think The Hunt captures Mikkelsen's best work to do. But he's a damn fine actor all around. Goode was so creepy in Stoker - I really dug that performance.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-48975805191231292412014-01-07T16:57:28.628-05:002014-01-07T16:57:28.628-05:00Thanks Mark. Fassbender was so strong and startlin...Thanks Mark. Fassbender was so strong and startling in that film. Really floored me. So happy to hear your praise for Mikkelsen and Jordan as well.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-16292585316351089722014-01-07T07:55:53.830-05:002014-01-07T07:55:53.830-05:00Not seen all of these yet. That was remarkable wor...Not seen all of these yet. That was remarkable work by James Franco, kudos for highlighting it! Also that might just be Mads Mikkelsen's career high-point, so good in The Hunt. Fruitvale Station I had mixed feelings about how the story was told, though there's no denying the solid acting. Matthew Goode in Stoker was pretty good, I thought, just to add a name to the list. Nice work, Alex!Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09395044055566348346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-61125477479256792842014-01-07T05:10:34.938-05:002014-01-07T05:10:34.938-05:00Great list Alex. I'm a big Fassbender fan and ...Great list Alex. I'm a big Fassbender fan and it's great to see him top it but I'm very happy at your inclusion of Mikkelsen and Michael B. Jordan. Two outstanding shows.Mark Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01090926708046854326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-29840046895353967232014-01-07T02:20:59.028-05:002014-01-07T02:20:59.028-05:00Hanks and Mikkelsen were both so damn strong. They...Hanks and Mikkelsen were both so damn strong. They played tormented so well in their respective roles. Really stunning stuff.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-81940879123037144432014-01-07T02:20:16.949-05:002014-01-07T02:20:16.949-05:00Seriously! Can you imagine if that happened? It...Seriously! Can you imagine if that happened? It'd be fantastic.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-51765497430786040452014-01-07T02:19:58.131-05:002014-01-07T02:19:58.131-05:00Oh that's so cool... I love hearing that. Will...Oh that's so cool... I love hearing that. Will look forward to your list!Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-55537507832049770862014-01-07T02:19:39.148-05:002014-01-07T02:19:39.148-05:00I think you'll really appreciate Fassbender...I think you'll really appreciate Fassbender's work in 12 Years. What command that man has. Wow.<br /><br />Leo KILLED Wolf. I loved his performance in that.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-74232876629438550762014-01-06T14:32:07.309-05:002014-01-06T14:32:07.309-05:00I love what you rote about Hanks. That ending was ...I love what you rote about Hanks. That ending was unreal. I couldn't stop crying. That ending pushed him towards couple of spots on my line up and he is my win now. So awesome to see Mikkelsen on your list, he is number 2 for me, right after Hanks.<br /><br />I don't nominate Fassbender. I don't know, his work there just didn't do anything for me. I thought smaller characters like the ones played by Cumberbatch and Giamatii were far more interesting than his.s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13987831438787776712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-17896104436625213632014-01-06T11:05:36.069-05:002014-01-06T11:05:36.069-05:00If James Franco got a supporting actor nomination ...If James Franco got a supporting actor nomination I would respect the Academy so much!! 2013 was a great year for film, no doubt. Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03015323238572496175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-57978356034022442292014-01-06T10:56:00.898-05:002014-01-06T10:56:00.898-05:00Although incomplete at this point, Fassbender has ...Although incomplete at this point, Fassbender has a strong hold on #1 for my list as well... He was just amazingTanner Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18194005028924327658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-12605444943095566862014-01-06T02:03:14.827-05:002014-01-06T02:03:14.827-05:00My list would be topped by Leonardo DiCaprio (prob...My list would be topped by Leonardo DiCaprio (probably my favourite performance of the year thus far) and Tom Hanks, but hey, I haven't seen at all that much. Can't wait to see 12 Years a Slave once it finally hits our shores, and it is quite cool to see Michael Fassbender topping this list. Steve McQueen really does bring out the best in him - I'd say that his performances in both Hunger and Shame are in my top ten performances of all time. Stevee Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12284769251750574447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-10446328993696476622014-01-05T22:46:31.196-05:002014-01-05T22:46:31.196-05:00It's a very interesting comparison. I think if...It's a very interesting comparison. I think if given the opportunity, Epps would've been just as deadly as Goeth. I mean... if Epps' plantation was as big as Płaszów, I'm sure he would've done as much human damage as Goeth. What fucked up men.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-45716179533157658082014-01-05T20:32:45.990-05:002014-01-05T20:32:45.990-05:00Haven't seen most of them, but came for 12 Yea...Haven't seen most of them, but came for 12 Years a Slave.<br /><br />"There’s a moment when Solomon has to make a choice: tell this man the truth and risk freedom (or death), or keep quiet and live (or die) as a slave" -- That part was so powerful. Love it. Was just waiting for it to be the 2nd time he got fucked over for reaching out to a white man in confidence.<br /><br />I primarily came to compare Fassbender's Edwin Epps to Fiennes's Amon Goeth on basically all levels. On the grand scale, of course Goeth was worse. Though, internally, I think I could argue Epps was more fucked up. Crustinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10643029707010389469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-66356712773383948742014-01-05T15:40:30.807-05:002014-01-05T15:40:30.807-05:00Ha! Well, thanks for that insight Nik :)Ha! Well, thanks for that insight Nik :)Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-47343353079028679842014-01-05T15:39:08.074-05:002014-01-05T15:39:08.074-05:00I can speak as a girl who fairly regularly has sex...I can speak as a girl who fairly regularly has sexual cravings for Fassy, that after each of his McQueen movies, I've found it super hard to even look at a picture of his. Especially Epps. Gotta give both him and McQueen that.Nikhathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10379713171889712078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-92193820807016397262014-01-05T15:04:46.775-05:002014-01-05T15:04:46.775-05:00Mads stunned me in that film. Such emotive work. R...Mads stunned me in that film. Such emotive work. Really curious to hear your thoughts on 12 Years a Slave.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-65671550015956307242014-01-05T15:03:11.602-05:002014-01-05T15:03:11.602-05:00Thanks buddy. Really happy to hear you appreciate ...Thanks buddy. Really happy to hear you appreciate the acting in Upstream. And I loved that story about Abdi... just a regular movie buff going in for an audition. Incredible.Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4784665635104956142.post-76594091896994563262014-01-05T15:02:14.353-05:002014-01-05T15:02:14.353-05:00This comment kicks ass. I agree with everything yo...This comment kicks ass. I agree with everything you said so much, and I fucking LOVE your comparisons of Fassbender's characters to De Niro's respective performances for Scorsese. So spot on. I also agree that, while Fassbender is my favorite actor right now, he never disappears quite as deeply as he does when he works with McQueen. Alex Withrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15887018476048271594noreply@blogger.com