Jim Carrey Is The Greatest Actor Of This Generation

[THUNDER HANDS]

I'm fully convinced of this now.

After seeing him in both Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Liminey Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events, I must say he is the greatest screen presence in Hollywood today.

I was mesmerized by his performace in his latest film, just blown away.

Please discuss this. I'm willing to bet that Jim Carrey will, in time, be regarded as a comedic Marlon Brando by the time he dies. And if he keeps doing more dramas, could be the next Marlon Brando at that too.

[Spider Jerusalem]

1. If you'd said "Johnny Depp is the greatest actor of his generation"...

I might agree. But not Carrey.

[AlCzervik]

2. I agree, Johnny Depp is the best hands down.

[mcscajun]

Johnny Depp blows Jim Carrey Right out of the water.

Period.

[uncle ray]

10. another dittohead here

i can watch johnny depp and FORGET that i'm watching johnny depp. that doesn't happen with jim carrey.

[THUNDER HANDS]

12. I'd like to see them both in a movie together

Then we'd settle this, maybe.

But for my money, Carrey can do anything he wants in acting, I don't think Depp has his range to go from completely off the wall zany to dead serious.

[Left Is Write]

21. I didn't "get" the Johnny Depp love until I saw Secret Window.

Secret Window as a movie was pretty weak, but seeing Johnny Depp on the big screen, entirely engrossed in his character, was thoroughly enjoyable. It was then that I understood the praise heaped upon him.

Now if I could just convince my husband to go see Finding Neverland...

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

25. "Secret Window" was kinda lame and really predictable although I

like that kind of story. But I pretty much like Depp in just about anything. For whatever reason I think "Donnie Brasco" is my favorite role of his.

[Ilsa]

26. If you were in my neck fo the woods I'd ask you to go with me.

I doubt my husband will want to see FN either. I want to see it just be cause of Johnny Depp. I think he is perhaps the best of our generation. (I love Sean Penn also.)

[CO Liberal]

3. Don't Forget Sean Penn

I'm continually amazed by his performances.

[charlyvi]

19. I agree. Sean Penn then Johnny Depp....

Both in the tradition of Brando, though I think Penn comes closest. Johnny Depp, poor dear, has had to overcome 21 Jump Street and his absolutely incredible good looks; he's done a great job.

If you'd said Jim C. had the most rubbery face in all acting, I would have to agree.


Edited for spelling.

[NNadir]

23. I'm largely with you. When Penn acts, it's almost always worth watching.

"Thin Red Line" was amazing, but "Dead Man Walking," was absolutely incredible.

[Samurai_Writer]

27. My favorite Penn movie is Sweet and Low Down

Awesome acting and great story.

[NNadir]

31. I saw it, but it wasn't my favorite Penn movie.

I lost my taste for Woody Allen sometime after "Hannah and Her Sisters."

Though this has nothing to do with either Penn or Carrey, I will say I still love "Interiors," which was near the top of what Allen produced. Geraldine Page just blew me (and everyone else) away in that movie. Mary Beth Hurt was also outstanding in that film. I wish I could see it again, but it's hard to find.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

4. The "Superman" Marlon Brando? Or the "On the Waterfront" Brando?

[charlyvi]

20. The Waterfront Brando blows every actor of any generation

so far right out of the water. Perfect script, time, place, actor, director, cast. A movie like that, with talent like that, doesn't come around too often; it's probably unfair to compare it with anything else.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

22. I try to explain to people who don't understand about the big deal about

Brando, forget about the Godfather (which I love by the way).

See "On the Waterfront" and maybe "Streetcar".

[charlyvi]

30. Many people don't understand....

Before Brando, acting was a series of movements and voices taken on by the actor. After Brando, acting was pure emotion coming from within the actor outward to the audience. It became from a whole different ballgame. As good as Cagney, Stewart, Grant were, they were good more or less as movie stars. After Brando, movie star acting wasn't good enough. He changed the paradigm. De Niro, Pacino, Hoffman, Streep, Depp, Penn, NO ONE acting today has escaped his influence. It's just difficult explaining this to younger folks nowadays because they havn't seen enough pre-Brando movie acting. I remember when I first saw him act in a movie (Waterfront); he totally blew me away. I still have a hard time watching Desire; it shatters me every time.

[NNadir]

5. I saw "Series of Unfortunate Events." Very nice work by Carrey.

The kid playing "Violet" was very good too. (But I hope the movie won't keep people from the marvelous series of "Unfortunate" books. They are even better than the very good movie.)

"Spotless Mind," is the best Carrey performance in my opinion. That was a tremendous work. He was also excellent in "Mask." I can take or leave some of his other movies, but some of the more forgettable ones are not because of his faults. He seems to have selected some loser premises and loser scripts.

Carrey was also great in the magnificent 1990's TV show, "In Living Color." One episode in which he mocked white people trying to be sensitive about their pronunciation of Spanish words for the benefit of Hispanics was a classic in TV comedy although few probably remember it as such.

He also once appeared on a talk show (I can't remember which, Conan's show I think) and had a teleconference with the real physicist Steven Hawking in which they had this hilarious conversation in which they both insisted that the other was the greatest geniuses of their era. My wife and I were laughing for hours just thinking about it.

[terrya]

6. I saw it in "The Truman Show"

Mostly. he's "Jim Carrey"...antic, crasy...ala "The Mask"

But he does have some real acting talent. With the right director and right material, he's a pretty decent actor.

[CO Liberal]

7. Most People Semed to Hate "The Majestic"

But I thought is was a pretty good showcase for Jim Carrey's talent.

I still think Sean Penn is more talented.

[HawkerHurricane]

8. Right...

"The greatest Actor..." title is a matter of opinion, always. It belongs with 'the greatest Quarterback' and 'the greatest Pitcher' catagories of 'how to start discussions in a bar that might turn into violent arguements'.

[fluffernutter]

9. there are many greats for different reasons, but i do agree

that Jim is a brilliant and unique actor, which is very refreshing :thumbsup:

[On the Road]

11. Almost --

I think Jim Carrey is the greatest overactor of his generation.
:smoke:

And I like Jim Carrey.

[tjdee]

13. Jim Carrey has not achieved "greatest" status, although he is quite good.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I was so so impressed with his work in the first 10 minutes alone. Very strong work.

He's good at characters, which is why he's good in Lemony Snicket, and films where he gets to be zany people. He is strongest in things like that.

But until I see a "Is that my daughter in there?" moment from him, can't say he's the greatest.

[Tsiyu]

14. Well, I used to loathe Carrey- now I enjoy his movies

I despised his acting style based on previews I'd seen. That smirky, over-the-top, slapstick stuff was daily life with five sons. No "escape" for Maw in movies like that.

(Blair Witch Project was a prime example. It was, to me, as excruciating as a long car trip with a bunch of teenagers.)

It took a few movies, but the combination of good storylines and Carrey's earnest performances put his movies in a more positive light in me little mind.

And I loved "The Majestic."

But the greatest actor of this generation? I'll wait a bit to decide...

[Deja Q]

15. He was better in 'In Living Color'. His movie career is just bad.

IMHO, naturally.

[jonnyblitz]

16. I liked him as Andy Kaufman in "Man on the Moon"

he was excellent in that. He was also funny on "In Living Color" but those Ace Ventura movies made me avoid his movies for the longest time..

I might check out this newer one you mention.

[AngryLizard]

17. He's pretty good

I don't know if I'd agree that he's the greatest actor of our generation - I mean, c'mon, Russell Crowe? Kevin Spacey? - but I can say that Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was THE best movie I've seen this year, hands down.

[antigone382]

28. Finally, a Kevin Spacey fan!

I don't know who the greatest actor of our generation is, but Kevin Spacey definetly understands the craft.

[Xavi]

18. Depp

Johnny Depp has the ability to sink himself into his role...its almost like he is that character. I think that's what makes a great actor, personally.

[Dastard Stepchild]

24. Hmmm... I really love Jim Carrey...

truly do. But I'll have to sit on the idea of the title of "greatest" to see if it truly fits. :)

[cleofus1]

29. wrong again magic mouse

Johnny Depp...

jim carrey? HAHAHAHAHJAHhahakapdge9ekgfhfdodflfd cough HA

[Borgnine]

32. What about Tony Danza?

No respect for the Danzaman. He was THE BOSS!