Film Faves: The Digital Age - Actors
Welcome to another edition of Film Faves. Just to remind folks, every edition features an undeniably biased countdown of my favorites in film. Instead of a run-of-the-mill top ten list, the inevitable honorable mentions are avoided and instead a list of twelve of my favorites of any given topic is counted down. This is not a serious "best-of" list as much as an insight into what it is I really love.
Film has gone through many different periods throughout its history, starting with the silent era, which ran from the inception of the art form through the twenties. I thought it'd be a good idea to occasionally look at each era, going as far back as the Golden Age of film (1930s through the '50s). Since Film Faves just completed its run through the past decade now would be the time to focus on the most recent - and current - era, the Digital Age. So, here is a special three-part post on my favorite talents who made their debuts or big breaks during this period.
What exactly defines the Digital Age of film and when did it begin? It's widely considered this all began circa the year 2000. The invention and widespread application of digital cinema over film is a significant aspect. Since then, a majority of movies are edited on PCs or laptops and commercial theaters employ digital projectors. Another aspect of this period is the massive amounts of information that is exchanged electronically. By the end of the next decade, streaming will become part of the new business model and the norm for consumers of movies and television.
What talents have emerged both in front and behind the camera during this time? I shall share with you twenty-four of my favorite actors, actresses, and directors of the Digital Age.
Actors:
6. James Franco
Favorite performances:
Freaks & Geeks, Spider-Man trilogy
James Franco is an actor who clearly aspires to greatness. It’s just outside of his grasp, as is world-wide fame. He’s clearly capable of achieving both some day. Why hasn’t he already? While he’s an actor that knows what kind of roles he’s interested in and has made very deliberate choices throughout his career, he just happens to end up in a lot of poorly-received projects. However, my eye is always on the look-out for him. Franco first impressed many as James Dean in a TV movie and got more attention in ABC’s infamously short-lived series Freaks & Geeks. After that show ended, he moved on to the Spider-Man trilogy as best friend Harry Osborn. Those blockbusters allowed him to pursue smaller projects of more interest to him, including a supporting role in Gus Van Sant’s Milk. Most recently, he’s appeared as a young Allen Ginsberg, experimented as a melodramatic psycho in daytime TV, and played Aron Ralston in Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours. The latter has garnered praise in the critical community and may finally earn Franco some major award nods. I am confident we’ve yet to see what this guy is capable of and will very soon.
5. Seth Rogen
Favorite performances:
Superbad, Knocked Up,
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Seth Rogen is probably the Digital Age’s most lovable loser. Rogen’s biggest hit was Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up, playing a man-child who learns to mature and become responsible. Similarly, in Zack & Miri Make a Porno, Rogen played a schlub who, through a ridiculous scheme to pay the bills, learns to man-up and take his friendship with his roommate to the next level. He’s even lent that grainy voice to animated projects and hasn’t been afraid of taking comedy to the furthest reaches of comfortability in Observe & Report where he dared audiences to like him. While Rogen’s no-frills style belies the era, he is definitely an essential part of it.
4. Simon Pegg
Favorite performances:
Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Star Trek
Simon Pegg came out of nowhere for U.S. audiences to star in the greatest horror comedy in years, Shaun of the Dead. The weight of that film was on his shoulders and he carried it very well, alternating between slacker vidiot and hopelessly inert romantic. I count Simon Pegg among the geek squad (which includes Seth Rogen, Michael Cera, Nathan Fillion, Jason Segel, and Jesse Eisenberg) that helped define the aughts and the first half of the Digital Age. He’s befuddled, clueless, put-upon, and relatable in the best ways possible. He’s also quite hilarious.
3. Nathan Fillion
Favorite performances:
Serenity, Slither, Waitress,
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog
Speaking of likable, it’s hard to get more likable than Nathan Fillion. It seems everything this guy touches turns to gold. Fillion was another bit-part player in the nineties in such films as Saving Private Ryan. He hit it big with Joss Whedon’s TV series Firefly (also infamously short-lived), which ironically endeared him to geeks in a way comparable to William Shatner after the original Star Trek series was cancelled. In fact, it could be said that Captain Mal is a Captain Kirk for the digital age. Fillion didn’t rest there; he participated in the show’s capper feature film Serenity and the cult horror comedy Slither with Elizabeth Banks, furthering his geek cred. Nathan Fillion is one of geek culture’s leading talents, but he doesn’t restrict himself to a comfortable niche. He starred in the atypical romance Waitress opposite Keri Russell, establishing himself as a charismatic leading man capable of appealing to non-geeks. Fillion has yet to dabble in the repulsive or unsavory, or subvert his persona by getting suddenly killed off in a story. While any of those would be interesting, I’m content with what Nathan Fillion gives us, because there is a scarce few actors as likable, charming, and modest as him.
2. Jake Gyllenhaal
Favorite performances:
Donnie Darko, Brokeback Mountain, Brothers
Jake Gyllenhaal gained modest attention with 1998’s October Sky. But it was with 2001’s incredible word-of-mouth success Donnie Darko that he really exploded. Gyllenhaal became known as an actor who can carry dark, dramatic material while also maintaining likability. While he’s experimented with action spectacles like The Day After Tomorrow and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Gyllenhaal has stuck closely by drama, working with Ang Lee, David Fincher, and Jim Sheridan. His career highs thus far have been Brokeback Mountain and Zodiac, both incredible films. The former gets mentioned mostly for Heath Ledger’s performance, but Gyllenhaal is no slouch either, being the character that drives forward the story and Ledger’s closeted passion. He’s a generous actor who compliments his co-stars and lets them shine. Jake has proven himself to be one of the digital age’s most interesting actors.
1. Mark Ruffalo
Favorite performances:
You Can Count on Me, The Brothers Bloom, The Kids Are All Right
My favorite actor of the digital age is Mark Ruffalo. Interestingly, I didn’t realize this until I started hammering out this list, but it is certainly a claim I can comfortably stand behind. Here’s a guy who could be your brother, your best friend, your drinking buddy, or even the guy that women don’t realize until later would make a great boyfriend. He’s never perfect, but you like him anyway and can see yourself or someone you know in him. Mark Ruffalo is a great actor with a nice balance between studio and indie films (although I’d argue the latter are always better). I haven’t seen every film Ruffalo has starred in, but out of every actor on this list, he’s the one with the most movies or performances I enjoy.
Those are my favorite actors of the Digital Age. Who are your favorites? I hope you read on because up next are my favorite actresses of this era where geeks ruled and everybody became plugged in to technology.
Film has gone through many different periods throughout its history, starting with the silent era, which ran from the inception of the art form through the twenties. I thought it'd be a good idea to occasionally look at each era, going as far back as the Golden Age of film (1930s through the '50s). Since Film Faves just completed its run through the past decade now would be the time to focus on the most recent - and current - era, the Digital Age. So, here is a special three-part post on my favorite talents who made their debuts or big breaks during this period.
What exactly defines the Digital Age of film and when did it begin? It's widely considered this all began circa the year 2000. The invention and widespread application of digital cinema over film is a significant aspect. Since then, a majority of movies are edited on PCs or laptops and commercial theaters employ digital projectors. Another aspect of this period is the massive amounts of information that is exchanged electronically. By the end of the next decade, streaming will become part of the new business model and the norm for consumers of movies and television.
What talents have emerged both in front and behind the camera during this time? I shall share with you twenty-four of my favorite actors, actresses, and directors of the Digital Age.
Actors:
Favorite performances:
Freaks & Geeks, Spider-Man trilogy
James Franco is an actor who clearly aspires to greatness. It’s just outside of his grasp, as is world-wide fame. He’s clearly capable of achieving both some day. Why hasn’t he already? While he’s an actor that knows what kind of roles he’s interested in and has made very deliberate choices throughout his career, he just happens to end up in a lot of poorly-received projects. However, my eye is always on the look-out for him. Franco first impressed many as James Dean in a TV movie and got more attention in ABC’s infamously short-lived series Freaks & Geeks. After that show ended, he moved on to the Spider-Man trilogy as best friend Harry Osborn. Those blockbusters allowed him to pursue smaller projects of more interest to him, including a supporting role in Gus Van Sant’s Milk. Most recently, he’s appeared as a young Allen Ginsberg, experimented as a melodramatic psycho in daytime TV, and played Aron Ralston in Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours. The latter has garnered praise in the critical community and may finally earn Franco some major award nods. I am confident we’ve yet to see what this guy is capable of and will very soon.
Favorite performances:
Superbad, Knocked Up,
Zack and Miri Make a Porno
Seth Rogen is probably the Digital Age’s most lovable loser. Rogen’s biggest hit was Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up, playing a man-child who learns to mature and become responsible. Similarly, in Zack & Miri Make a Porno, Rogen played a schlub who, through a ridiculous scheme to pay the bills, learns to man-up and take his friendship with his roommate to the next level. He’s even lent that grainy voice to animated projects and hasn’t been afraid of taking comedy to the furthest reaches of comfortability in Observe & Report where he dared audiences to like him. While Rogen’s no-frills style belies the era, he is definitely an essential part of it.
Favorite performances:
Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Star Trek
Simon Pegg came out of nowhere for U.S. audiences to star in the greatest horror comedy in years, Shaun of the Dead. The weight of that film was on his shoulders and he carried it very well, alternating between slacker vidiot and hopelessly inert romantic. I count Simon Pegg among the geek squad (which includes Seth Rogen, Michael Cera, Nathan Fillion, Jason Segel, and Jesse Eisenberg) that helped define the aughts and the first half of the Digital Age. He’s befuddled, clueless, put-upon, and relatable in the best ways possible. He’s also quite hilarious.
Favorite performances:
Serenity, Slither, Waitress,
Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog
Speaking of likable, it’s hard to get more likable than Nathan Fillion. It seems everything this guy touches turns to gold. Fillion was another bit-part player in the nineties in such films as Saving Private Ryan. He hit it big with Joss Whedon’s TV series Firefly (also infamously short-lived), which ironically endeared him to geeks in a way comparable to William Shatner after the original Star Trek series was cancelled. In fact, it could be said that Captain Mal is a Captain Kirk for the digital age. Fillion didn’t rest there; he participated in the show’s capper feature film Serenity and the cult horror comedy Slither with Elizabeth Banks, furthering his geek cred. Nathan Fillion is one of geek culture’s leading talents, but he doesn’t restrict himself to a comfortable niche. He starred in the atypical romance Waitress opposite Keri Russell, establishing himself as a charismatic leading man capable of appealing to non-geeks. Fillion has yet to dabble in the repulsive or unsavory, or subvert his persona by getting suddenly killed off in a story. While any of those would be interesting, I’m content with what Nathan Fillion gives us, because there is a scarce few actors as likable, charming, and modest as him.
Favorite performances:
Donnie Darko, Brokeback Mountain, Brothers
Jake Gyllenhaal gained modest attention with 1998’s October Sky. But it was with 2001’s incredible word-of-mouth success Donnie Darko that he really exploded. Gyllenhaal became known as an actor who can carry dark, dramatic material while also maintaining likability. While he’s experimented with action spectacles like The Day After Tomorrow and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Gyllenhaal has stuck closely by drama, working with Ang Lee, David Fincher, and Jim Sheridan. His career highs thus far have been Brokeback Mountain and Zodiac, both incredible films. The former gets mentioned mostly for Heath Ledger’s performance, but Gyllenhaal is no slouch either, being the character that drives forward the story and Ledger’s closeted passion. He’s a generous actor who compliments his co-stars and lets them shine. Jake has proven himself to be one of the digital age’s most interesting actors.
Favorite performances:
You Can Count on Me, The Brothers Bloom, The Kids Are All Right
My favorite actor of the digital age is Mark Ruffalo. Interestingly, I didn’t realize this until I started hammering out this list, but it is certainly a claim I can comfortably stand behind. Here’s a guy who could be your brother, your best friend, your drinking buddy, or even the guy that women don’t realize until later would make a great boyfriend. He’s never perfect, but you like him anyway and can see yourself or someone you know in him. Mark Ruffalo is a great actor with a nice balance between studio and indie films (although I’d argue the latter are always better). I haven’t seen every film Ruffalo has starred in, but out of every actor on this list, he’s the one with the most movies or performances I enjoy.
Those are my favorite actors of the Digital Age. Who are your favorites? I hope you read on because up next are my favorite actresses of this era where geeks ruled and everybody became plugged in to technology.