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Sherman Alexie's avatar

The coin-flipping scene in No Country for Old Men with Javier Bardem and Gene Jones. Bardem is amazing, as usual, but Gene Jones is equally as great. I still say Gene Jones should've received an Oscar nod for this four minute scene.

https://youtu.be/ZY0DG8rUnCA?si=P0ph7Q5rE2OaN4wO

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Jenean McBrearty's avatar

My favorite is not an actor, per se- it's the pause as Secretariat rounds the last turn ---silence then a voice paraphrases Bible: "He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword. ... In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground; it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds." Job 39:22-25: and then the explosive sounds of the horses hooves and the horse comes into view for the race to the finish line to the song O' Happy Day...the scene is masterful. The timing, music, and close-up of the horses head are perfect. When I feel down ...I watch the last 12 minutes of Secretariat for a shot of courage!

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John L Taylor's avatar

Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday

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Nick Winney's avatar

di caprio was amazing in what's eating Gilbert Grape.

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Jim C's avatar

Phoebe Cates in Fast Times…just kidding.

Paul Newman was excellent in The Verdict.

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First Features's avatar

Ellen Burstyn in "Resurrection" (1980)

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Claudia's avatar

The film is ‘It happened in broad daylight’ and the actor is Heinz Ruehmann. He’s normally known for playing lighter roles in lighter films - in this film he gives a really great performance.

Screenplay is by Dürrenmatt.

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Pen Black's avatar

Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises is quite astonishing, the role itself is so complex and his portrayal is magnetic.

I’d also nominate Jeremy Irons as the twins in Dead Ringers - just brilliant!

And (just one more!) Michael Fassbender in Hunger.

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Lia's avatar

Austin Butler as Elvis. He was jaw-droppingly good. His talent reminds me of the great Gary Oldman, equally believable as Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy and Beethoven in Immortal Beloved. Though you don't have to play a famous musician to make the list!

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Pen Black's avatar

Not to mention Gary Oldman as (playwright) Joe Orton and Winston Churchill! He’s a chameleon genius.

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Leif's avatar

DDL’s best performance is in Gangs of NY, but he didn’t win the Oscar that year (tho’ favored) and so that role plays 2nd fiddle for him to Blood. But Blood’s interpretation of religion is simplistic and the movie itself (somewhat) gives way under its political posturing intended to moralize to us now.

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