NationStates Jolt Archive


Who is the best Actress?

Blouman Empire
30-06-2008, 02:54
In line with the Best Actor thread and inspired by Ashmoria's post I have decided for NSG to pick their best actress. (Leave a list and explain why)

A poll will come at some stage, with my own picks and other posters on the first few posts or whoever has the most amount of picks by people.
Skyland Mt
30-06-2008, 03:19
Winnona Ryder(I know I misspelled the name).

Its harder for me to think of good female actors. I suspect this is because actresses have historically been evaluated more on physical attractiveness than male actors, but I could be wrong about that.

The above choice was based on Girl, Interrupted. I liked how she subtly managed to seem like a kid at the beginning of the film, but portrayed a much more mature persona by the end. She really created a sense of some one who has aged considerably over the course of the film.
Ashmoria
30-06-2008, 03:44
living actress....

meryl streep

vanessa redgrave

cate blanchette

julia roberts
Blouman Empire
30-06-2008, 04:21
Poll now included
Dragontide
30-06-2008, 04:54
Claudia Christian - Babylon 5's Susan Ivanova
Lunatic Goofballs
30-06-2008, 04:59
Uma Thurman
Barringtonia
30-06-2008, 06:59
I have to say, Meryl Streep's performance in The Devil Wears Prada was one of my favorite female performances for a long time.
Intangelon
30-06-2008, 07:02
Winona Ryder is on that list? Please. She hasn't got the range of a broken slingshot.

If someone young has to be on the list, make it Claire Danes.

As for my choices, I'd include Toni Collette and Rachel Weisz. Naomi Watts is a good actress as well.
Barringtonia
30-06-2008, 07:11
Winona Ryder is on that list? Please. She hasn't got the range of a broken slingshot.

If someone young has to be on the list, make it Claire Danes.

As for my choices, I'd include Toni Collette and Rachel Weisz. Naomi Watts is a good actress as well.

Rachel Weisz is one-dimensional, pretty but one-dimensional.
Intangelon
30-06-2008, 07:13
Rachel Weisz is one-dimensional, pretty but one-dimensional.

Really? Her characters in The Mummy to The Constant Gardener were that similar to you? Fair enough, but I disagree.
Barringtonia
30-06-2008, 07:22
Really? Her characters in The Mummy to The Constant Gardener were that similar to you? Fair enough, but I disagree.

The films were different, her acting wasn't.

Actually, her problem is that she has a very.. amm... defined face, it's hard not to be aware that Rachel Weisz is playing the part, other actresses have more chameleon looks. This probably means my opinion is entirely personal, I think she has one of the prettier faces around.

Also, what's the name of the actress from Boys Don't Cry and the Clint Eastwood boxing film, she deserves a mention.

Hillary Swank.
Andaras
30-06-2008, 08:17
Actually, I don't believe 'Actress' is used anymore, it's just actor for both genders.
Calarca
30-06-2008, 09:06
Ellen Muth...

Watch the pilot episode of Dead Like Me, especially the scene with the little girl after the train wreck, the sheer depth and complexity of the emotions she shows, simply with her expression, no words... SHe is a damn good actress.


Closely followed by Christina Ricci as my pick for number 2. maybe number 1 due to the fact she shows a LOT more skin :D nice tits in Prozac Nation and Black Snake Moan. through she was rather skinny in B.S.M.
Honsria
30-06-2008, 09:24
I don't know, I feel that I haven't seen enough of the signature performances by these actresses, but I know who I'm not going to vote for. Julia Roberts seems to play basically the same character in all of her movies, and Nicole Kidman has given enough horrible performances that I've seen to permanently kick her off these lists for me. Meryl Streep, meh. I agree with Intangelon that Claire Danes should be the "young" representative from this list. And beyond that I don't know. Ryder is an interesting choice, as is Dench.
Damor
30-06-2008, 10:13
Actually, I don't believe 'Actress' is used anymore, it's just actor for both genders.Really? I could swear I saw it used in the thread title ;)

I don't think there's really anyone or any institutions with the authority to tell people what word they can and cannot use. Besides, it's shorter than "she-actor" or "female actor", or whatever term you'd use to distinguish the male and female variant; it's simply pragmatic to keep using it.
Blouman Empire
30-06-2008, 12:25
Actually, I don't believe 'Actress' is used anymore, it's just actor for both genders.

Yeah thats why the Oscars still have a Best Actress Award :rolleyes:
Nanatsu no Tsuki
30-06-2008, 19:25
I think Dame Judy Dench is one of the most excellent actresses there are.

As for Andaras's statement: we must remember, Comrade Andaras wants to have an homogeneous society. That includes calling actresses as actors.:rolleyes:
Zilam
30-06-2008, 19:33
Out of the list, I'd say Jodi Foster. Out of all of Hollywood, my preference is Natalie Portman :fluffle:
Luna Amore
30-06-2008, 20:41
Out of the list, I'd say Jodi Foster. Out of all of Hollywood, my preference is Natalie Portman :fluffle:I'd agree with that. Not only for her acting, but she seems to pick consistently good scripts (except those damn Star Wars). I'll go see a movie solely because she's in it.
Skyland Mt
30-06-2008, 20:52
Natalie Portman a good actress? Granted I've only seen her in Star Wars, and I found her performance passable in episodes 1 and 2, but her acting in Episode 3 was terrible. The script can't have been that bad.

I'll withhold a final opinion until I've seen her in something with a really good screenplay, but there's no way she belongs on a list of the greatest actresses ever.
King Arthur the Great
30-06-2008, 22:31
You know, I liked Paltrow in Iron Man. She made Pepper Potts into something more than just Downey's version of an Alfred Pennyworth.

And I hear good things about Gyllenhaal in "The Dark Knight." I am so glad that Katie Holmes didn't come back.
Sirmomo1
30-06-2008, 22:32
Natalie Portman a good actress? Granted I've only seen her in Star Wars, and I found her performance passable in episodes 1 and 2, but her acting in Episode 3 was terrible. The script can't have been that bad.

Didn't you say you watch loads of movies?
Intangelon
01-07-2008, 01:39
Natalie Portman a good actress? Granted I've only seen her in Star Wars, and I found her performance passable in episodes 1 and 2, but her acting in Episode 3 was terrible. The script can't have been that bad.

I'll withhold a final opinion until I've seen her in something with a really good screenplay, but there's no way she belongs on a list of the greatest actresses ever.

Withhold ANY opinion if you've only seen one character any actor's ever portrayed. You'll come off as less ignorant that way.
Bewilder
01-07-2008, 01:48
...

That includes calling actresses as actors.:rolleyes:


I think this is fair enough - their job is to act. Their sex is irrelevant to their talent. Isn't it?
Intangelon
01-07-2008, 01:49
I think this is fair enough - their job is to act. Their sex is irrelevant to their talent. Isn't it?

Plus, it saves time and letters.
Bewilder
01-07-2008, 01:49
Natalie Portman a good actress? Granted I've only seen her in Star Wars, and I found her performance passable in episodes 1 and 2, but her acting in Episode 3 was terrible. The script can't have been that bad.

I'll withhold a final opinion until I've seen her in something with a really good screenplay, but there's no way she belongs on a list of the greatest actresses ever.

I thought she was great in Leon.
Forsakia
01-07-2008, 02:12
I think this is fair enough - their job is to act. Their sex is irrelevant to their talent. Isn't it?

Yes, but the English language has a lot of gender differential language. Just the way it is.
Skalvia
01-07-2008, 02:26
For the same basis as the Actors post, The reasoning is i liked the movies they were in and the characters they played...


1.Carrie-Anne Moss
2.Lena Heady
3.Linda Hamilton
4.Carrie Fisher
5.Zooey Claire Deschanel
6.Kate Beckinsale
7.Kirsten Dunst
8.Jennifer Connelly
9.Sarah Chalke
10.Anne Hathaway

Those are the first to come to mind, and its probably not even accurate, cause its biased towards movies ive watched recently, lol...
Bewilder
01-07-2008, 10:03
Yes, but the English language has a lot of gender differential language. Just the way it is.

The English language is changing all the time - most job descriptors don't include the sex of the person who carries out the job and to me, it seems inappropriate to draw attention to a person's sex when discussing their job. It's not relevant.

Edit: a quick google shows that "actor" is common usage for persons of any sex who act.
Jello Biafra
01-07-2008, 11:47
Lots to choose from here.

Jodie Foster, Meryl Streep, Winona Ryder, Christina Ricci, Angelina Jolie, Claire Danes, Clea Duvall, Madeline Kahn, Renee Zellweger...I could go on, but I won't.
Amor Pulchritudo
01-07-2008, 13:39
Is there a reason why some of them don't have capitals? Perhaps you're trying to suggest some are less deserving of capital letters...

I voted Cate. She's the best on the list, at least.
Nanatsu no Tsuki
01-07-2008, 16:27
I think this is fair enough - their job is to act. Their sex is irrelevant to their talent. Isn't it?

If the term is actress for a female, isn't it proper to use it?
Rambhutan
01-07-2008, 16:32
Dustin Hoffman
Potarius
01-07-2008, 16:40
Dustin Hoffman

I dunno man, Jack Lemmon was pretty good.
Ralina
01-07-2008, 17:26
I vote for Glenn Close.
Unlucky_and_unbiddable
01-07-2008, 20:02
Helena Bonham Carter and Evan Rachel Wood
Calarca
02-07-2008, 00:46
when it comes to porn actressess... Paris hilton... just cause theres so much free porn clips of her scattered across the internet :D
Plum Duffs
02-07-2008, 02:46
Im going to say Ellen Page. Shes oly really had a couple of major roles and i would have never said i had a favourite actor after only seeing one of their films, but Ellen Page in Juno was brilliant. She compltely made that character and she is so young and so talented. In Juno she was so believable, i felt sorry for her character but then she made me laugh. She was very good. So my vote goes to her. I think shes fantastic.
Luna Amore
04-07-2008, 00:39
Natalie Portman a good actress? Granted I've only seen her in Star Wars, and I found her performance passable in episodes 1 and 2, but her acting in Episode 3 was terrible. The script can't have been that bad.

I'll withhold a final opinion until I've seen her in something with a really good screenplay, but there's no way she belongs on a list of the greatest actresses ever.

Wait, you haven't seen Garden State, Closer, V For Vendetta, or Leon/The Professional? That's an incredible feat...
Knights of Liberty
04-07-2008, 00:51
Best as in acting talent or who Id like to fuck the most?:p
Intangelon
04-07-2008, 01:18
Im going to say Ellen Page. Shes oly really had a couple of major roles and i would have never said i had a favourite actor after only seeing one of their films, but Ellen Page in Juno was brilliant. She compltely made that character and she is so young and so talented. In Juno she was so believable, i felt sorry for her character but then she made me laugh. She was very good. So my vote goes to her. I think shes fantastic.

Look for her in Hard Candy and Smart People.
Magnetic Luck
04-07-2008, 01:31
I loved Terry Farrell on as Jadzia Dax on Deep Space Nine. Yeah, it only Star Trek, but she still outclassed all the other actors on that. I've never seen her on anything else, or heard of her being on anything else except Becker [I think that was it, anyway], and I've never understood that.