Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2007 > August > 15
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Terrence Howard and others to see — whatever the movie
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was watching — or, really, barely tolerating — an advance screening of “The Invasion,” the weird “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” remake opening on Friday that discards the idea of pods and inserts alien projectile vomiting, when I finally saw what really brought me to the film anyway.
It was Jeffrey Wright. He has a small supporting role in “Invasion” and no matter what the outcome of the movie’s quality, he’s one actor worth seeing. Wright is one of our best American performers. He works tirelessly on the characters he plays and makes each one uniquely different.
And there he was in “Invasion,” speaking in a voice and cadence I’ve never heard before come out of his mouth.
Wright is one of the main actors I’ll go see in any movie. We all have our favorites. Here’s a quick rundown of a few others of mine:
Terrence Howard — I sensed his talent in “The Best Man” and then he exploded in “Crash” and, especially, “Hustle & Flow”; Chris Cooper — sure he’s great in “Adaptation,” but he’s also great in “Jarhead,” “American Beauty,” “Seabiscuit” and more; Maggie Smith — She can utter volumes with her piercing intonation of a single word; Robert Downey Jr. — Always interesting and always pulling the movie toward being better than it is; and Helen Mirren — Her consistency is astounding.
There are more who are sure to lure me into a theater seat: Christina Ricci, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Don Cheadle, Will Smith, Kate Winslet and, believe it or not, Mark Wahlberg.
I would have included Johnny Depp, but I haven’t yet gotten over the mistake that is “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Who are the actors you will always go see? Who’s good in a movie no matter what?
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: Alan Smithee
