Alright, back with round two. One more round after this to crown our Favorite Actor and Actresses of 2007... before getting into our favorite films of the year. A couple of surprises in Round 1... upsets if you will. I didn't think Ellen Page could take out Naomi Watts (tied for our top votegetter before the tournament started), but lo and behold that's why we vote. Also based on favorable reaction to the Giamatti pick, this round's pictures will be a little less 'glamourous.'
So as chachi put it in Round 1...
FIGHT!!!
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THE ACTOR AND ACTRESS MEDLEY (2007)
ROUND TWO
ACTORS
vs. 
(1) Christian Bale vs. (5) Michael Cera
vs. 
(2) Daniel Day-Lewis vs. (3) Robert Downey, Jr.
ACTRESSES
vs. 
(1) Maggie Gyllenhaal vs. (7) Ellen Page
vs. 
(5) Cate Blanchett vs. (6) Kate Winslet
7 comments:
MY GOD!!! Where did you get that pic of Michael Cera. That thing is my new wallpaper. And I don't mean for my computer, but for my actual bedroom walls. My lord that is perfect and also perfectly sums up why I choose him over Bale. Look at that innocent face.
Bale vs Cera: so yes I gotta go with Cera. I know it is almost blasphemous, but I've taken his success somewhat personal. I've been cheering the lad on for that last five years and am absolutely thrilled with his recent success. Perhaps if I've been watching Bale in Empire in the Sun, and picked him out as a future star, than may be it would be different. Cera's success has stakes for me, while Bale doesn't need my support.
Winner: Cera
Day Lewis vs Downey Jr: Well I didn't choose Downey over Giamatti, I'm sure as hell not choosing him over Day Lewis. I think I could take Downey on in a fight, Day Lewis would probably eat my first born. That and he is the much better actor.
Winner: Day Lewis
Gyllenhaal vs Page: Doesn't this feel a little odd that Page is up against her and not Naomi. Naomi paid her dues guys, Page still hasn't. But then again, I don't know if Cera has earned this privilege either so who am I to question her position here. I absolutely love Page, but Gyllenhaal doesn't give me nightmares like Page did in Hard Candy. Gentleman, none of us should be voting for Page. But than again, maybe we should otherwise she'll cut off our twig and berries.
Winner: Gyllenhaal
Blanchett vs Winslet: The pictures say it all. Blanchett is cold and never has been the most welcoming actress. Winslet is radiant and always makes me feel secure. Plus she is Clementine. Why the hell does she not have an Oscar?
Winner: Winslet
Now we should do a list of those who we wish to make a comeback. My vote goes to Yahoo Serious and Whoopi (only so she can complete the long awaited Sister Act Trilogy)
Shows what fifteen minutes of internet browsing and the desire to find peculiar-looking pictures of celebrities can do.
Personally, I just found it funny that it looks like Batman wants to beat the hell out of that goofy little boy. Haha.
Alright, now, my round two comments --
The Men
(1) Christian Bale vs. (5) Michael Cera
I like Michael Cera. Love some of the movies he's been in. Love the TV show he was on. But I always consider him an excellent addition to an ensemble cast and not someone who could carry a film alone. I don't go looking up what films Michael Cera is going to do next (although he's getting there). Meanwhile, Bale I'm fascinated with. He's started to work in some of my favorite films of recent years and seems to be adopted by all of my favorite directors (Michael Mann apparently just snapped him up to co-star with Johnny Depp in his next film, sweeeeeeet). He's gonna be a top star for decades that I'll follow. Can't say the same for Cera.
Winner: Christian Bale
(2) Daniel Day-Lewis vs. (3) Robert Downey, Jr.
Downey, Jr. has an incredibly likable screen persona and he can do wonders with his roles, especially in recent years. But having seen Day-Lewis's Gangs and Blood performances, I want to track down every last thing he's ever done and watch them all. He has definitely jumped up to being in my personal favorite actors and I can't wait to see what he does and who he works with next.
Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis
The Women
(1) Maggie Gyllenhaal vs. (7) Ellen Page
After looking over Maggie's filmography in round one I was disappointed by the lack of quality roles she had. But here she is in round two facing someone (Page) who I had no idea who she was until a few short months ago. Sure, we all love Juno but is that really enough to even consider her in my favorite actresses? Not so far. Even without a Juno-quality film on her resume, Gyllenhaal has more films I'm interested in seeing and just appears more interesting.
Winner: Maggie Gyllenhaal
(5) Cate Blanchett vs. (6) Kate Winslet
They're both terrific actresses. Probably the best two working today, so it's sort of unfair that they meet before the final round. You can't really say one is better than the other (although Blanchett already has one Oscar and is looking poised to grab another for I'm Not There, she only has two nominations to Winslet's five). So faced between the two of them, you just have to choose who you like more and who is more fun to watch. I choose...
Winner: Kate Winslet
Dudes:
Bale v. Cera: Who doesn't love Cera when they watch him? Seriously, the kid has the ability to melt the hearts of young and old alike with his natural awkwardness (oxymoron, I know). But he's limited, at least so far. Bale is far more so diverse and has proven himself over the years. And so I look forward to seeing his movies. Cera has potential but his net has not been cast wide enough to win this one.
Winner: Bale
Day Lewis v. Downey Jr: Well, considering the only thing I've seen Day Lewis in is Last of the Mohicans and I've seen my fair share of Downey Jr. films, this isn't really a fair fight. So I'll make it fair by voting for Day Lewis simply because of what I've heard of his performances. I hope you guys are right...I heart Downey Jr.
Winner: Day Lewis
Chicks:
Gyllenhal v. Page: This one is tough. There was a time when I anticipated Maggie's films. But I don't know...I think I've lost interest. The truth is, Hard Candy was brilliant. And for that reason alone I forgive Page for doing X-Men. I think what I like about Page is while she's not got a huge filmography yet, I just get the feeling she's gonna do great things and I can't wait to see what they are.
Winner: Page
Blanchett v. Winslet: Good god. How are we supposed to choose here?!?! I love them both and always look forward to their films. Sonofabtich....well, since I HAVE to choose I'm going with Blanchett. That was a pretty ballsy move to #1 attempt to play a man, #2 Attempt to play a man who is Bob Dylan and #3 Attempt to play a man who is Bob Dylan when you are British.
Good choices thus far Chachi and Rebecca. I am eliminating Rebecca's vote for Daniel Day-Lewis though. Ultimately, this is your personal preference... and obviously Day-Lewis has not made you run out to his films, whereas you "heart Downey Jr."
So vote Downey, Jr. I'm sure no one has any problem with it. He's one vote away from elimination anyway.
The purpose of this competitition is to vote for our personal favorites to decide who are our collective favorites.
Oh sooooooooo sorry. You guys are bullys though. I cower in your presence.
Awesome pics sir, but none quite match up to the Giamatti. A picture that will haunt my darkest nightmares and inspire my most lovely dreams.
Dudes:
Bale v. Cera:
I never thought this would be so tough. Bale is by far one of the most interesting actors working, but, much like Chachi, I've been aboard the Cera boat since it set sail. Bale is a star, and will be for a long time. He's far too talented not to be. I think Cera is destined to be a huge comedy star, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him stretch a bit (a la Jim Carrey) later in his career. It comes down to this, I would watch a Michael Cera movie 100 times more often than a Bale movie. Bale is more talented, no doubt of that, but Cera is more watchable. I'm more excited to see what's in store for Cera, so he gets my vote.
Winner: Michael Cera
Day-Lewis v. Downey:
I went Downey round 1, because his work has been more consistent recently, and he has the more exciting year upcoming. However, he has no chance here. He's extremely charismatic and talented, but Daniel Day-Lewis is so far beyond him. I'm seeing There Will Be Blood in a few days, and could not be more excited for it. He may be the greatest actor currently working, and possibly of all time.
Winner: Daniel Day-Lewis
Dames:
Gyllenhaal v. Page:
I'm excited for both of these actresses. They both have very interesting careers ahead of them, but I have to go with Gyllenhaal. As long as she sticks with the edgy, interesting roles, she'll be great for years to come. Wait til this time next year though, and I may be voting for Page.
Winner: Gyllenhaal.
Blanchett v. Winslet:
This should be the final round for the actresses. These are the two best working, hands down. It comes down to who I prefer to watch, and that means Kate Winslet. She is utterly brilliant in basically everything she's in. She has a ton of nominations (no wins though...stupid oscars). She was beautiful and amazing and wonderful in Eternal Sunshine (my favorite movie). Blanchett is amazing, and I'm looking forward to I'm Not There, just because of her, but Winslet has blown my mind and stolen my heart time and time again.
Winner: Kate Winslet
Comeback vote in Chachi's poll: M. Emmett Walsh and Abe Vegoda.
Actors
Bale v. Cera
I've struggled with this vote. Simply because I think it's extremely difficult to compare comedies to drama. That's why they have their own genre and award category. It has to come down to personal taste. Well, that's hard because sometimes you'd rather laugh than be serious and vice versa. I find Cera more entertaining, but Bale is intriguing to watch. Hmm..I know someone is going to throw something at me soon. Cera is what you get is what you see..I think that's who he is in real life whereas Bale has more talent.
Winner: Bale (I buckled under pressure)
Day Lewis v. Downey Jr.
I admit it damnit! Downey won me over in his role on Ally McBeal. He's great. Day-Lewis will probably win more oscars than Downey ever will but his roles are all dark, depressing, and violent. Good god, you hate humaninty after seeing his films.
Winner: Downey (if he could just kick that drug habit)
Gyllenhaal v. Page
This is another tricky one. They play similar characters: fun, flirty, down to earth, eccentric, etc. But I have to go with Gyllenhaal because I've seen her in more movies and can't back Page up only seeing her role as Juno.
Blanchett v. Winslet
They're both amazing on screen even though Blancheet almost always plays the ice queen. I have to vote here based on whose movies I look forward to seeing most though.
Winner: Winslet
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