Greatest Film Performances by Year (US/UK)

Bruno · **Joined:** Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:00 am **Posts:** 3702

Maybe this compromise:

1. Nicolas Cage - Leaving Las Vegas
2. Sean Penn - Dead Man Walking
3. Susan Sarandon - Dead Man Walking
4. Kevin Spacey - The Usual Suspects
5. Ian McKellen - Richard III
6. Emma Thompson - Sense and Sensibility
7. Meryl Streep - The Bridges of Madison Country
8. Morgan Freeman - Seven
9. Elizabeth Shue - Leaving Las Vegas
10. Sharon Stone - Casino

11. Anthony Hopkins - Nixon
12. Brad Pitt - 12 Monkeys
13. Robert De Niro - Casino
14. Mira Sorvino - Mighty Aphrodite
15. Julianne Moore - Safe
16. Al Pacino - Heat
17. Robert De Niro - Heat
18. Kate Winslet - Sense and Sensibility
19. Richard Dreyfuss - Mr. Holland’s Opus
20. Ed Harris - Apollo 13Mr

Sherick · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:22 pm **Posts:** 10453

Bruno wrote:

I would keep De Niro and Pacino in Heat, because of their acting and the impact of being the first movie where both appear together in the same scene, something that did not happen in Godfather II. In addition, they are acclaimed performances by movie fans.

It was one of the great moments in the American film of 1995, the meeting of two of the greatest actors of the same generation.

I don't find any of this a convincing reason to consider them individually top 20 performances, especially considering what would come off.
Sorvino's performance was very widely hailed, and received considerably more award recognition than Stone or Shue. I see nothing special in De Niro's performance(s) other than being another De Niro performance.

Bruno · **Joined:** Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:00 am **Posts:** 3702

Sherick wrote:

Bruno wrote:

I would keep De Niro and Pacino in Heat, because of their acting and the impact of being the first movie where both appear together in the same scene, something that did not happen in Godfather II. In addition, they are acclaimed performances by movie fans.

It was one of the great moments in the American film of 1995, the meeting of two of the greatest actors of the same generation.

I don't find any of this a convincing reason to consider them individually top 20 performances, especially considering what would come off.
Sorvino's performance was very widely hailed, and received considerably more award recognition than Stone or Shue. I see nothing special in De Niro's performance(s) other than being another De Niro performance.

Yeah, Sorvino was a great call by you and I can see her in top 10.

But about Heat's performance, we're going to have to agree to disagree. It's true to me that there was a big impact at the time on the film and its performances, even with the absence of individual awards. In my opinion, is notorious that the film and the actors are acclaimed by many movie fans.

Sherick · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:22 pm **Posts:** 10453

I thought we agreed that the notoriety of a film shouldn't impact the placement of performances? They're both good, and so is RDN in Casino, but best of the year? They're mid tier Pacino/De Niro at best anyway.

Bruno · **Joined:** Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:00 am **Posts:** 3702

When I say impact, I mean about the performances by both in the same movie, two giants still in their prime dividing the screen for the first time.

Also, the "coffee scene" is considered classic and one of the great moments of their careers.

And it's not like I've been putting them in the top 10 of the year, I just think they deserve mention in our top 20.

Sherick · **Joined:** Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:22 pm **Posts:** 10453

If the impact was them sharing the screen, then what does the quality of their performances matter? It wasn't two classic performances that made a classic movie, it was a movie that was highly notable because they were both in it even before it came out, albeit the movie was still good of course. Movie fans(?) might like them, and I think we all agree that subjectively they're strong performances, but I don't think that they fair well for this list's purpose. FWIW, I think both performances are better than De Niro's Casino, and are certainly more acclaimed.

Tim · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:47 pm **Posts:** 11198

How about replacing De Niro in Casino with Pacino in Heat on Sherick's list and moving on?

Tim · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:47 pm **Posts:** 11198

1994
1. Tom Hanks - Forrest Gump
2. Morgan Freeman - The Shawshank Redemption
3. Samuel L. Jackson - Pulp Fiction
4. Johnny Depp - Ed Wood
5. Jessica Lange - Blue Sky
6. Jodie Foster - Nell
7. Tim Robbins - The Shawshank Redemption
8. John Travolta - Pulp Fiction
9. Hugh Grant - Four Wedding and a Funeral
10. Mantin Landau - Ed Wood

11. Nigel Hawthorne - The Madness of King George
12. Gary Sinise - Forrest Gump
13. John Turturro - Quiz Show
14. Kate Winslet - Heavenly Creatures
15. Melanie Lynskey - Heavenly Creatures
16. Paul Scofield - Quiz Show
17. Dianne West - Bullets over Broadway
18. Paul Newman - Nobody's Foul
19. Helen Mirren - The Madness of King George
20. Jean Reno - Léon: The Professional

Bruno · **Joined:** Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:00 am **Posts:** 3702

Tim wrote:

How about replacing De Niro in Casino with Pacino in Heat on Sherick's list and moving on?

I don’t agree. I’d say both Heat and Casino performances are top 10-12 in their careers, not mid-tier. And we're talking about two top 7 actors.

A balance with our three draft:

1. Nicolas Cage - Leaving Las Vegas
2. Sean Penn - Dead Man Walking
3. Susan Sarandon - Dead Man Walking
4. Kevin Spacey - The Usual Suspects
5. Ian McKellen - Richard III
6. Emma Thompson - Sense and Sensibility
7. Meryl Streep - The Bridges of Madison Country
8. Morgan Freeman - Seven
9. Mira Sorvino - Mighty Aphrodite
10. Elizabeth Shue - Leaving Las Vegas

11. Sharon Stone - Casino
12. Anthony Hopkins - Nixon
13. Brad Pitt - 12 Monkeys
14. Richard Dreyfuss - Mr. Holland's Opus
15. Robert De Niro - Casino
16. Joan Allen - Nixon
17. Al Pacino - Heat
18. Nicole Kidman - To Die For
19. Kate Winslet - Sense and Sensibility
20. Robert De Niro - Heat

Bruno · **Joined:** Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:00 am **Posts:** 3702

Tim wrote:

1994
.
.
.

Great job, Tim. Good call about Reno.

My only doubt is whether Travolta is low or not.

Tim · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:47 pm **Posts:** 11198

Maybe this for 1995.

1. Nicolas Cage - Leaving Las Vegas
2. Sean Penn - Dead Man Walking
3. Susan Sarandon - Dead Man Walking
4. Kevin Spacey - The Usual Suspects
5. Ian McKellen - Richard III
6. Emma Thompson - Sense and Sensibility
7. Meryl Streep - The Bridges of Madison Country
8. Morgan Freeman - Seven
9. Mira Sorvino - Mighty Aphrodite
10. Elizabeth Shue - Leaving Las Vegas

11. Sharon Stone - Casino
12. Anthony Hopkins - Nixon
13. Julianne Moore - Safe
14. Brad Pitt - 12 Monkeys
15. Richard Dreyfuss - Mr. Holland's Opus
16. Nicole Kidman - To Die For
17. Joan Allen - Nixon
18. Kate Winslet - Sense and Sensibility
19. Robert De Niro - Casino
20. Al Pacino - Heat

Tim · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:47 pm **Posts:** 11198

Bruno wrote:

Tim wrote:

1994
.
.
.

Great job, Tim. Good call about Reno.

My only doubt is whether Travolta is low or not.

I can see Travolta and Robbins over Foster.

Bruno · **Joined:** Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:00 am **Posts:** 3702

Agreed in 95’s list.

Tim wrote:

Bruno wrote:

Tim wrote:

1994
.
.
.

Great job, Tim. Good call about Reno.

My only doubt is whether Travolta is low or not.

I can see Travolta and Robbins over Forster.

Good move.

Bruno · **Joined:** Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:00 am **Posts:** 3702

1994
1. Tom Hanks - Forrest Gump
2. Morgan Freeman - The Shawshank Redemption
3. Samuel L. Jackson - Pulp Fiction
4. Johnny Depp - Ed Wood
5. Jessica Lange - Blue Sky
6. John Travolta - Pulp Fiction
7. Tim Robbins - The Shawshank Redemption
8. Jodie Foster - Nell
9. Hugh Grant - Four Wedding and a Funeral
10. Mantin Landau - Ed Wood

11. Nigel Hawthorne - The Madness of King George
12. Gary Sinise - Forrest Gump
13. John Turturro - Quiz Show
14. Kate Winslet - Heavenly Creatures
15. Melanie Lynskey - Heavenly Creatures
16. Paul Scofield - Quiz Show
17. Dianne West - Bullets over Broadway
18. Paul Newman - Nobody's Foul
19. Helen Mirren - The Madness of King George
20. Jean Reno - Léon: The Professional

Tim · **Joined:** Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:47 pm **Posts:** 11198

1993
Tom Hanks – Philadelphia
Denzel Washington - Philadelphia
Daniel Day-Lewis – In the Name of the Father
Laurence Fishburne – What's Love Got to Do with It
Anthony Hopkins – The Remains of the Day
Bill Murray - Groundhog Day
Liam Neeson – Schindler's List
Ralph Fiennes – Schindler's List
Ben Kingsley – Schindler's List
Harrison Ford - The Fugitive
Tommy Lee Jones – The Fugitive
Leonardo DiCaprio – What's Eating Gilbert Grape
John Malkovich – In the Line of Fire
Pete Postlethwaite – In the Name of the Father
Robin Williams - Mrs. Doubtfire
Johnny Depp - Benny & Joon
Tom Hanks - Sleepless in Seattle
Kevin Kline - Dave
Colm Meaney - The Snapper
Sean Penn - Carlito's Way
Jeff Bridges - Fearless
Harvey Keitel - The Piano

Holly Hunter – The Piano
Angela Bassett – What's Love Got to Do with It
Stockard Channing – Six Degrees of Separation
Emma Thompson – The Remains of the Day
Debra Winger – Shadowlands
Anna Paquin – The Piano
Holly Hunter – The Firm
Michelle Pfeiffer - The Age of Innocence
Winona Ryder – The Age of Innocence
Emma Thompson – In the Name of the Father
Anjelica Huston - Addams Family Values
Diane Keaton - Manhattan Murder Mystery
Meg Ryan - Sleepless in Seattle
Penelope Ann Miller - Carlito's Way
Rosie Perez - Fearless

Greatest Film Performances by Year (US/UK)

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