ACTORS WHO KICK ASS
These are some guys who are good at "telling the truth with a straight face". Some are veterans in their field while others are slightly new. But all are big on talent, and with a little more exposure, I'm sure they could go far. Here's a salute to the men who have kicked ass on screen and on stage.
Heath Ledger
After his breakout role in '10 Things I Hate About You' there has been no stopping Mr Ledger. Instead of jumping into the predictable teen movie bandwagon, the Australian actor refused job offers for a year after '10 Things'. His determination paid off when he was offerd a role alongside Mel Gibson in the American war epic 'The Patriot'. Catch him in the feature film about the Dogtown Z-Boys (the first skateboarders in California) aptly title 'Lords of Dogtown'.
Leonardo DiCaprio
We first noticed him in the 80s sitcom 'Growing Pains', when he was still young and fresh-faced. He still looks pretty darn boyish, but hey, who cares when you've got the attention of Martin Scorcese. His collaborations with Scorcese started in 2002's Gang's of New York but it was 2004's 'The Aviator' that earned him the Academy Award nomination for Best Lead Actor. But for a real trip down his artistic psyche, try 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape?', where he plays a mentally handicapped sweetheart. No other young actor could have it better.
Hayden Christensen
Forget the Star Wars movies, Hayden Christensen's potential shone brighter in smaller movies such as 'Life as a House' and 'Shattered Glass'. In 2001's Life as a House, he plays Kevin Kline's rebelious son, gothic eye make-up and all. One things's for sure- nobody does a better "I HATE YOU!" line better than Christensen. He says the same line in both 'Life as a House' and 'Revenge of the Sith', and he says it to his father figures in both movies. His acting is tinged with rebeliousness and longing that can only come from one thing- raw talent.
Russell Crowe
Asshole. Arrogant. Difficult. These are some of the words that people use to describe Russell Crowe. But, you know maybe you have to be all that to be as dedicated and as good as he is in acting. Known for his role in the Oscar winner 'Gladiator', Crowe was working his way up from the Australian acting scene, before proceeding to Hollywood to star in 'The Quick and the Dead' and 'LA Confidential'. But it was 1999's 'The Insider' which got him critics'
praises. In in he played tabacco company whistle blower, Jeffrey Wigan, and as any method actor would do- he gained several pounds to fit into Wigan's full-figured character. This summer, he plays opposite Renee Zelwegger in 'Cinderella Man'.
Rosyam Nor
What? You thought I'd just focus on foreign actors? Rosyam Nor is THE actor when it comes to versatility. From a 'pelumba haram' to a psychotic killer to a romantic leading man this guy does it all. And he still has time to give back to society through his involvment with TV3's Bersamamu programme. All hail Rosyam Nor.
Sean Penn
One of my favourites. Sean Penn can easily move from the mentally challenged (I Am Sam), grieving thug-daddy (Mystic River) and Phoebe's quirky boyfriend (his guest role in Friends, at one time). So what else could he not do?
These are some guys who are good at "telling the truth with a straight face". Some are veterans in their field while others are slightly new. But all are big on talent, and with a little more exposure, I'm sure they could go far. Here's a salute to the men who have kicked ass on screen and on stage.
Heath Ledger
After his breakout role in '10 Things I Hate About You' there has been no stopping Mr Ledger. Instead of jumping into the predictable teen movie bandwagon, the Australian actor refused job offers for a year after '10 Things'. His determination paid off when he was offerd a role alongside Mel Gibson in the American war epic 'The Patriot'. Catch him in the feature film about the Dogtown Z-Boys (the first skateboarders in California) aptly title 'Lords of Dogtown'.
Leonardo DiCaprio
We first noticed him in the 80s sitcom 'Growing Pains', when he was still young and fresh-faced. He still looks pretty darn boyish, but hey, who cares when you've got the attention of Martin Scorcese. His collaborations with Scorcese started in 2002's Gang's of New York but it was 2004's 'The Aviator' that earned him the Academy Award nomination for Best Lead Actor. But for a real trip down his artistic psyche, try 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape?', where he plays a mentally handicapped sweetheart. No other young actor could have it better.
Hayden Christensen
Forget the Star Wars movies, Hayden Christensen's potential shone brighter in smaller movies such as 'Life as a House' and 'Shattered Glass'. In 2001's Life as a House, he plays Kevin Kline's rebelious son, gothic eye make-up and all. One things's for sure- nobody does a better "I HATE YOU!" line better than Christensen. He says the same line in both 'Life as a House' and 'Revenge of the Sith', and he says it to his father figures in both movies. His acting is tinged with rebeliousness and longing that can only come from one thing- raw talent.
Russell Crowe
Asshole. Arrogant. Difficult. These are some of the words that people use to describe Russell Crowe. But, you know maybe you have to be all that to be as dedicated and as good as he is in acting. Known for his role in the Oscar winner 'Gladiator', Crowe was working his way up from the Australian acting scene, before proceeding to Hollywood to star in 'The Quick and the Dead' and 'LA Confidential'. But it was 1999's 'The Insider' which got him critics'
praises. In in he played tabacco company whistle blower, Jeffrey Wigan, and as any method actor would do- he gained several pounds to fit into Wigan's full-figured character. This summer, he plays opposite Renee Zelwegger in 'Cinderella Man'.
Rosyam Nor
What? You thought I'd just focus on foreign actors? Rosyam Nor is THE actor when it comes to versatility. From a 'pelumba haram' to a psychotic killer to a romantic leading man this guy does it all. And he still has time to give back to society through his involvment with TV3's Bersamamu programme. All hail Rosyam Nor.
Sean Penn
One of my favourites. Sean Penn can easily move from the mentally challenged (I Am Sam), grieving thug-daddy (Mystic River) and Phoebe's quirky boyfriend (his guest role in Friends, at one time). So what else could he not do?
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