Bill Murray is a genius, and if you don’t agree you may be locked up in chains.
Or so the media meme goes.
Murray is a terrific comic actor, one with range and the ability to tap into something deeper than surface level funny.
But enough with the adulation! The combination of press shy behavior, a quasi-hermit approach to the industry and some classic early roles have come together to overshadow Bill Murray, the actor.
In the last decade alone he’s chosen to star in “City of Ember,” two “Garfield” features, “Charlie’s Angels,” “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,” and “The Limits of Co…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz” – sorry, that film was so dull I fell asleep remembering the title.
But Murray isn’t the only overpraised talent out there.
- Roman Polanski: His supporters say he’s so talented it doesn’t matter who he raped … now, that’s talent, right? But what about “Frantic?” “Pirates??” “The Ninth Gate???” Even the recent thriller “The Ghost Writer,” a journeyman effort elevated by the director’s ageless sense of time and place, got more raves than it deserved. And how long ago was “Chinatown” again?
- Seth Rogen: The husky funnyman scored some choice early film in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Anchorman.” Then, “Knocked Up” proved he could carry a movie himself. But I’m suffering serious Rogen overload since then. “Pineapple Express” transitioned from mediocre stoner romp into needless action pic, and “Observe and Report” focused too much on the black and not enough on the comedy. The actor’s staccato laugh is also an issue. And the less said about the atrocious trailer for “The Green Hornet,” the better.
The list is woefully incomplete – on purpose. These three talents have been weighing on my mind of late. Feel free to add your choices here – and let me know what the turning point was for you in his or her career.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Great list.
Mine: Judd Apatow, Kathryn Heigl, Will Ferrell, Chevy Chase, Leo Dicaprio, Shia LaBeouf, Jake Gyllenhaal, later Lawrence Kasdan, later Stephen Spielberg, most anything George Lucas.
1. I agree about Murray. With the exception of some of his better early roles (Ghostbusters, Stripes), he always comes off as bored and indifferent, leaving me with no reason to care about his characters. Even in Groundhog Day, when he is supposed to be undergoing a major emotional transition, he seems just as detached as he was at the beginning. If he can’t even work up any interest in what’s happening to him, why should I?
2. I also second JohnFN on Will Ferrell. Acting like a loud-mouthed, sarcastically smug manchild in every movie is not talent, it’s a lame one-trick pony.
3. Matt Damon. Am I the only one who’s noticed that he only has two acting modes: soft-spoken “dramatic Matt” and loud-mouthed, wacky “comedy Matt”? Yet people act like he’s some kind of genius. He’s like the Zoolander of actors.
4. Leo DiCaprio. I’ll admit that he’s gotten more bearable in the last few years, but would somebody please tell Martin Scorsese that there are other actors available? If he’s looking for De Niro-style intensity, he’d be better off with someone like Michael Shannon or Ben Foster.
5. Guillermo Del Toro. Quickly becoming the most overrated director of all-time. The “Hellboy”movies were okay, but any semi-competent director could have pulled them off, and “Pan’s Labyrinth” was ugly and god-awful. Keep him the hell away from my Hobbit!
Honorable mentions: Spike Lee, Sam Worthington, Brian DePalma
The trailer seems ok. I just wish they’d drop the rap “music” soundtrack.
The above comment was in reference to the Green Hornet trailer.
I’ve never seen a Judd Apatow-related movie that was better than mediocre, and I absolutely hated Anchorman, although the rest of the world seems to think that it’s the funniest movie ever (which can only lead me to the conclusion that the rest of the world is completely freaking insane).
Martin Scorsese–I loved “The Departed” but that’s about it. His films tend to be over the top simply for the sake of Oscar fodder and tend to forsake excellent storytelling. Either that for they tend to focus too much on plot and not enough on character development. Either way I find his work to be sub-par of others, save “The Departed”
Meryl Streep–I won’t argue that she can act, and anyone who saw “A Praire Home Companion” knows that she can sing. But it seems more and more that if you want to pander to the Oscar crowd you cast her reguardless of the quality of the work. Can she make crappy movies better? Sure, but there are many others out there that can as well, if not better.
Seth MacFarlane–Not really a film maker per say but really, what’s the appeal? The only thing I credit him for is his ability to sing in character. But as a writer or a filmmaker he fails.
Will Farrell–Anchorman, Ricky Bobby, and Elf. That’s about it.
Michael Cera–I know he’s new but I see his career going the way of Jon Heder
Russell Crowe–3:10 to Uma, A Beautiful Mind, and Cinderrella Man. Thats it. (And unlike some I find the film Gladiator to be the absolute most overrated film of all time)
Quentin Tarantino–I love all his movies (well, the ones I’ve seen) and I find him to be an excellent director. But does he deserve all the adulation that he recieves? Perhaps not simply because there are others just as good. (In all fairness I had a hard time adding him to this list)
I’m sure there are others but that’s what I can think of off the top of my head.
Christian,
Have you ever though about who you would like to see more of in major films? Actors stuck in character parts or television actors who deserve a break in films but can’t seem to get the chance?
Seth MacFarlane. The first two seasons of “Family Guy” were fairly funny due to the absurdity and shock of his style, so it was entertaining enough. That quickly wears off, and all your left is a bunch of hate and no development or love between characters. “South Park” exposed him, and his career should have went imploded. Instead, he pushes the proper political buttons and is awarded an Emmy nom and cult status at Fox, a network which should know better but is dying to stranglehold those 18-25 year olds.
A big second for Matt Damon, who does the same brooding, loner. angsty sulking in every movie he’s in, back to “Good Will Hunting” to “The Departed,” where he can’t manage an authentic Boston accent, despite being from Boston. He doesn’t even crack a smile in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.”
Scorcese’s reputation is another casualty of “The Departed,” which I don’t hate like others, but showed he’s rather limited. Essentially, “The Departed,” “Good Fellas” and “Casino” were all the same flick, the former more dried and wrinkled with age after years of gangsta film-makers stealing all of Martin’s touches.
drewster,
It’s 3:10 to Yuma, not Uma. Sorry to be picky but I’m actually from Yuma.
I like Murray but I would classify him as more a personality than an actor, strangely kind of like John Wayne.
Harrison Ford, an actor with no range and at most capable of two different facial expressions.
John Cusack, Tim Robbins,Marlon Brando, Humphrey Bogart,Spencer Tracy and Mickey Mouse.
I agree on many of the above. Cusack, Ferrell, Gyllenhall, DiCaprio, Le Beouf, Damon, etc. I’d like to add females to the list-Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston, Meg Ryan, Tina Fey. They all have their pluses, but not to the level they are presented to us peons.
Opus, I apologize. Which goes to show you that’s it not a good idea to blog when you’re half asleep.
Ford and Wayne are a lot like Eastwood. In that they basically play the same character over and over. Which is fine, but at times I can see how this could be construed as overrated.
I’d add:
Al Pacino – Like Streep, he’s been phoning it in for a while now.
Scarlet Johansson – I get it – she’s hot, but she has the same range as Harrison Ford (mentioned above). She’s perfected the blank-concerned-confused look.
Shia Leboeuf – Why does he keep getting lead roles?
Gwyneth (now better known by her GOOP site than and of her recent roles) Paltrow- seriously, does anyone (other than the industry that has kept her barely relevant) even LIKE her?
Diablo Cody deserves a spot on the list. I’m still trying to figure out why she won an Oscar for “Juno”.
Natalie Portman is an incredibly overrated, one note actress. Can’t tell you how depressed I am that she’s playing Elizabeth Bennet in “Pride & Prejudice & Zombies”.
The earlier posts capture most of what names I would submit, so instead I posit the following thought: are ANY of the “A-list” actors and actresses worth that rating?
~ Dagnabbitt
Damon was pretty good in “The Informant,” though he’s definitely overrated.
Leo, is hit and miss, I don’t think he’s a great actor, I think he’s a decent presence, but I remember after I watched “Blood Diamond,” I told a friend of mine, “I meant to come out of that movie hating him, but that was pretty friggen good.”
Murray has two modes, “Scrooge” which is the same character from stripes, and all of his comedies, and then his apathetic emotionless performances like in “Rushmoore,” and ,”Lost in Translation.” but he does well in those roles. Only unique role I can think of is from “Caddyshack.”
Pretty much every current “young” “A-Lister” is overrated. Russel Crowe was on a good start, but now he doesn’t have to work at it anymore. Just his name gets him a job and a boxoffice, so why bother putting in Effort?
I always thought that a lot of genuinely good actors lost their chops because they didn’t get the praise, or money, they deserved, like Val Kilmer, RDJ, and Dempsey. There are no female actors that stand out for me.
Quick think on Jennifer Aniston, “The Good Girl,” was also a fine performance, slightly out of her established character.
Wow, bright comment Doogie, because NO ONE’S praising OR giving Robert Downey Jr. the money he “deserves” these days! Do some of you even THINK before you type?
Didn’t you notice that he was using the past tense? I think he probably knows that Robert Downey Jr. is pretty well paid these days. Patrick Dempsey too. On the other hand, he’s wrong about Val Kilmer. Kilmer had all the money and praise an actor could ever need, but almost A-holed himself out of the business, and has nobody but himself to blame for his career trajectory.