I, like many artists find inspiration virtually everywhere I go. As an actress every experience especially the emotional ones are a chance to harness what's inside for future performances on camera. It's a great reminder that our daily experiences good and bad play a valuable role in our lives to help us relate to those around us. I love watching talented actors and actresses on screen. I find myself analyzing how they came to that reaction and wondering what experiences in their lives lead them to the place that they could empathize and reenact the drama playing out. 

Here are some of my favorites:

Romance/Historical/Drama/Action




I love Daniel Day Lewis in this. The movie, was as visually stunning in landscape as it was emotionally enthralling. One of my favorite scenes in the movie is "the kiss". Besides the music playing such a huge role in taking you to this climatic moment, I think its especially important to note that this movie does in a single passionate kiss with no words, what most movies try to achieve with an explicit sex scene. This is masterful movie making at its best. A true class act! And perfectly cast at that!



Next up is another drama:
A Beautiful Mind

Based on a true story, I was so upset when it lost out to Training Day at the Oscars. This movie was a little slow but as much of a thriller as it was a drama. Russell Crowe fresh from his success in Gladiator transformed himself into a paranoid schizophrenic, and Noble Prize winner. This true story of a mathematical genius and his faithful wife had me feeling like I was crazy at the end. You truly believed that his delusions were real. I love how Ron Howard (the Director) not only gave you an inside look at this illness, but put you in the front seat of his emotions. Jennifer Connelly also did a stand up job illustrating the sacrifices involved in loving someone unconditionally. Something we rarely see glorified these days.




 

Action/Comic

The Dark Knight

I don't think anyone could have watched this movie and not walked away in awe of Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker. Not many actors have the courage to "Go there", but the ones that do always stand out from the crowd. Heath became the psychopathic murderer that was the Joker. Lines like "Why so serious?" are enough give me chills down the back of my neck even now. What a huge loss for the whole entertainment industry. I think we all got the feeling that although this was probably one of his best performances of his lifetime, it was the start of a whole new level of talent for him. So sad to see him go. I do have to say though that they entire cast did an amazing job on this one, however Heath just knocked it out of the park!



Drama/ Action

I Am Legend

For this one Will Smith will forever be in my Top Actors list. He has always been an amazing and versatile talent, however, I don't think I had ever viewed such emotional depth in him as I did in the scene in the movie rental store after he lost his dog. I could sense his lonliness and felt like I was the last person on earth. 


Sandra Bullock has to be one of my favorite actresses. Her career has been so versatile. She has gone from drama, to comedy, to action, and back to comedy. There is something about her that is so relatable to the every day person. You get this feeling from her that she isn't just some Hollywood starlet but someone who has incredible work ethic and enjoys her craft. Here are some of my favorites from her.









More fav actresses and actors another time. We'll talk about Natalie Portman, Matt Damon, and Mel Gibson