What's the biggest waste of talent you've ever seen in a movie?

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**mattyrm**

Nicolas Cage is the worst actor ever. I love some of his films too, but he is just... ugh.

**KingCracker**

mattyrm wrote:Nicolas Cage is the worst actor ever. I love some of his films too, but he is just... ugh.

Thats how I fee; about Kevin Cosner. Water world, Postman, and Mr. Brooks. I love those movies. But really cant think of ANY other movie he made I enjoyed more then a drill to the head

**Pipboy101**

Ahem to that. How does Kevin Cosner get still get work. It is about as interesting to watch as watching paint dry.

**Fafnir**

Cage was great in Lord of War.

He can be a good actor when he tries, but he just ends up in so many horrible movies. Anyone remember Knowing? For a while, it seemed like it was building up to something actually interesting, and Cage actually did a really good job. But then the third act comes in and ruins everything.

He's definetly talented, and he has enough films under his belt to prove it, but he has so much crap under there too that one has to wonder.

**1-UP**

Sam Jackson in "The Long Kiss Goodnight". Now I know he does a lot of hinky movies, but Geena Davis was just sooooooo awful that it made him look eligible for an Oscar.

**Kanluwen**

Fafnir wrote:Cage was great in Lord of War.

He can be a good actor when he tries, but he just ends up in so many horrible movies. Anyone remember Knowing? For a while, it seemed like it was building up to something actually interesting, and Cage actually did a really good job. But then the third act comes in and ruins everything.

He's definitely talented, and he has enough films under his belt to prove it, but he has so much crap under there too that one has to wonder.

I think Cage's biggest problem is he only takes roles he's interested in. He did "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" because he's a huge "Dresden Files" fan(to the extent that he funded the TV series he produced alongside of Jim Butcher out of his own pocket), then of course you've got "Ghost Rider" as his personal favorite comic character(behind Luke Cage) and the "National Treasure" movies which stemmed from him wanting to do something that was an homage to Indiana Jones and the pulpy '50s serials you'd see about adventurers, etc.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
I should also add that, for a pretty damned good Nic Cage flick:
Check out "The Weatherman". It's a hell of a good movie.

**metallifan**

I liked Lord of War. I think Cage did a great job. He really gave the impression of a guy that knew what he was doing was wrong, but at the same time, he felt it was just business and that people still needed his service. Simply put, he did a good "On the fence" character for that movie, which fit really well.

As far as worst role... hmm... anything with Will Farrel. Step Brothers was the only film of his that had me laughing honestly.

**Kanluwen**

You're a heretic, Metalli. Zoolander is a cultural treasure!

**metallifan**

Zoolander is hardly what I would consider a "Will Farrell Film" though.

Clearly, Ben Stiller managed to be the comic highlight. And he's a man clinging to the Owen Wilson lifeline.

**Leigen_Zero**

LordWynne wrote:The Rock in "Tooth Fairy" my god he has sunk to low.....

No he's not, he's doing what any other muscle-bound actor does, once the action movie parts dry up you switch to kid's films (cf Arnie). In a few years time he will simply pack the whole thing in and move into politics

As for mine, and this is likely to be flame-bait:
Christopher Walken in 'The Dead Zone'
He's a pretty good actor, pretty funny actor, pretty high up actor, but the film sucked and his portrayal of the main character sucked worse, completely unsuitable for that part (and whoever did the adaptation deserves to be kicked in the groin by mr king himself for the sheer cock-up he made of an awesome stephen king novel!

)

**Fafnir**

Kanluwen wrote:
I should also add that, for a pretty damned good Nic Cage flick:
Check out "The Weatherman". It's a hell of a good movie.

I absolutely loved that movie. For a guy who tends to play a cold and distant person, he's incredibly human in that movie.

Oh, and for the record, Farrel was excellent in "Stranger Than Fiction."

**Albatross**

I like some Will Ferrell films - 'Talladega Nights' is funny as hell.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, my vote for worst waste of talent in a film goes Jenna Jameson in straight movie roles. Is there any greater waste of talent?

/thread

**metallifan**

No, it isn't. The line "I'm Colonel Sanders, and I'm too drunk to tase this chicken!" was about the only part in that movie that made me laugh.

Will Farrell isn't quite at rock bottom, but he's close.

**Albatross**

metallifan wrote:No, it isn't.

I guess I wasn't laughing all the way through the film. My apologies.

Also, 'Stepbrothers' is appalling. It's the second worse Will Ferrell film, the worst being 'Semi-Pro'. It's a shame really, because John C. Reilly co-stars - and he's great. You seen 'Walk Hard'? Now THAT is a funny film.

I really think Ferrell's funny - 'Anchorman' is great, he's good in 'Old School', 'Zoolander'...

**metallifan**

Alright I'll give him anchorman. that was pretty good.

"Mr. Burgundy! You have a massive erection!"

"Huh? Oh! OH! Uhh... No that's just the way the pants are cut! It's an illusion! Nothing to see folks!"

That had me laughing pretty good. Step brothers is a good film if you can laugh at rude/offensive humor. My old lady loved it, and she despises Ferrell with a passion unheard of. But I think the only thing saving him right now are the writers coming up with the jokes.

Like I said, he's not rock bottom, but he's close. A couple bad movies will put him over. I still remember reading about his awful attempts at standup during a press conference one year ago though. He didn't get a laugh once out of the crowd. Guy's losing his touch.

Ahh well. At least he's not as bad as Eddie Murphy or Dane Cook. If ever there were actors that made me want to shoot myself, it's those two.

**Albatross**

Yeah, I'd agree that he's losing his touch. His last few films have been very poor.

**Waaagh_Gonads**

I find Nicole Kidman to be a great disappointment in almost every movie she's been in for the last 10 years.

I haven't seen The Hours (won an oscar), and liked her role in The Others.

Just watch the Golden Compass and you'll see what I mean.
She just sort of wafts through her scenes and it is nigh on impossible to make any attachment with her character good or bad.

**Kanluwen**

Fafnir wrote:
Kanluwen wrote:
I should also add that, for a pretty damned good Nic Cage flick:
Check out "The Weatherman". It's a hell of a good movie.

I absolutely loved that movie. For a guy who tends to play a cold and distant person, he's incredibly human in that movie.

Oh, and for the record, Farrel was excellent in "Stranger Than Fiction."

"Stranger Than Fiction" is fanfriggintastic. It truly is a work of art.

I also love Ferrell in "Elf". 'You sit on a throne of lies!' is oft heard around my group of friends.

**helgrenze**

How to make the worst movie ever..... which will probably do big box office.....
Michael Bey
Uwe Boll
starring
Kevin Costner
Julia Roberts
Will Farrell
in an action romantic comedy.

Tell me I am wrong..... Bad direction, bad acting, bad plot..... box gold.

**Fafnir**

And with Michael Bay in charge, you're sure to lose your lunch over the HORRIBLE camera direction.

The man can't keep a shot still for half a second. How are you supposed to compose a shot like that? I guess he does it to hide the fact that his choreography and stage design are gak.

**metallifan**

"Hmm... I don't like that the viewer can actually see what's happening in the scene. Can we maybe break this scene into about 35 different angles, and then just randomly flip through cameras every 1.5 seconds?"

God damn... He really does suck.

EDIT: Found this list. It's perfect:

10 Reasons Why Michael Bay Sucks
September 22, 2009 8:00 am

Bias Warning: Today’s post was written by a filmmaker/writer who is insanely envious of all the money Michael Bay’s films make.

Michael Bay – either you love him or you hate him. It’s the ultimate cliche of an individual who is controversial and usually extremely rich and successful. Thus, we once again enter [Michael Bay]

I’m here to tell you Michael Bay sucks and I have 10 facts or proofs to back my decision. I’ll start with the most obvious…

10. Michael Bay is Hitler

That is, according to Megan Fox. Remember it’s fact not personal opinion, so based on Fox’s observation, Hitler died several years ago, reincarinated into the sad pathetic creature we know as Michael Bay, and this time decided to make really horrible movies instead of operate holocausts. What’s sad is I can’t decide what’s worse, or for that matter, if the Holocaust actually ever occured (kidding Jews). Fox’s untimely comments became public just after the huge box office success of “Transformers 2″ and will quickly be forgotten by the time “Transformers 3″ begins production. Amazing how much they both need each other, isn’t it?

9. He Made “Pearl Harbor”

Okay so every great director has one major bust, but “Pearl Harbor?” Are you serious? Pearl Harbor did to movies what Vanilla Ice did to “The Surreal Life” finale (and rapping too).

I believe South Park creators summed it up perfectly in the song, “Pearl Harbor Sucked…and I Miss You,” off the movie “Team America.”

Why does Michael Bay get to keep on making movies?/

Granted he had Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett to work with, but still! Bay single-handidly ruined one of the most iconic pages in American history retold through the medium of film.

8. He Produces Cheap Horror Projects

Nothing screams “a filmmaker in it for the money” more than one that helpped produce cheap date movies, “The Amityville Horror,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacure,” “The Unborn,” and “Friday the 13th (The Bad One).”

The formula is simple. Find a group of attractive teenagers (it doesn’t matter if they can act), make sure you have at least two dudes and two really hot girls. Kill off one dude first, followed by a close call with the less attractive chick, followed by death of the less attractive chick, then followed by a cheap race to the finish where the hotter chick (and possibly hotter dude) make it out alive. Attach a $9 admission ticket and you have a hit.

7. His Background is in Advertising

Okay, so nothing screams “in it for the money” more than a director with a background in advertising. Bay spent his 20′s working on commercials (hey it’s a start) and a few music videos. Yes he worked with Tina Turner, Meat Loaf, and Lionel Richie (not ‘Lil Wayne and Missy Elliot), but whenever your first nomination for an award is via MTV, you have reason to panic.

6. Can’t Sit Still (Both Physically and Metaphorically)

Fox compared him to Hitler on set because he acts like a dictator. Dictators can’t sit still because they always want control and take action to gain that control. Bay also can’t keep a camera still to save his life. If the shot does not require a dolly, it must be for the closing credits.

Slow motion is also vital in a Michael Bay film and don’t forget that extra flash from a camera to drive home the point – “This shot is really awesome and you should love it too!”

5. Editing Comparable to MTV

MTV edits for crack addicts and Michael Bay follows closely behind, catering more to people souped up on energy drinks and payote. If people can comprehend what’s going on in an action shot, before it quickly cuts to another, Bay is not working properly.

Also you need to be sure to include quick cuttaways that include some extra saying something really corny or that already adds to what we just saw or thought. “If it ain’t cliche, it’s aint Michael Bay.”

- I could make a fortune with that tee.

4. Black Comic Relief barely better than Overall Dialouge

Bay is well known for his selection of a black comic relief in nearly every movie he directs. Is he racist or just think like me – black people are incredibly hilarious when given a single line of corny dialouge?

Eddie Griffin shined in “Armageddon,” Leonard McMahan looked good in “The Rock,” Mark Christopher Lawrence went sci-fi in “The Island,” and best of all, the minstrely robots “Skids” and “Mudflap” in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” fit every stereotype of a black gang member meets Terry Tate.

The overall dialouge cannot compete with comedy like this.

3. Rejected by USC Film School, Dated a Playmate, and Single Biggest Source of the Economical Meltdown

Hmm…where do I begin?

Bay was rejected by USC’s film school. Okay, USC has one of the most prestigious film schools in the world, but still, does a school really “reject” anyone who is willing to fork over $30k a year for advanced education?

Bay also dated Playboy centerfold Jamie Berqmen, which just makes me jealous and he shot over 1 million feet of film for “Pearl Harbor” which makes him the single biggest source of irresponsible spending (yes, even over our government).

2. Rejected by own Father?

And the fact that is so cold, it belongs on “Coors Light: Cold Hard Facts,” Bay’s claims his father is John Frankenheimer, despite the objection and proof of a 1980′s DNA test that says otherwise.

Bay still holds to the claim and says the DNA test was flawed and not up to standards with today’s DNA testing.

Frankenheimer as Bay’s father? The man stubbornly denies it. Man, that’s cold.

1. Story Structure = Intelligence Level of Octo-Mom

So I had to take one last crack at Octo-Woman. Octo-Mom has more children than sub-plots in a Michael Bay film.

Several actors have went on the record and admitted that Bay focuses more on action than he does on the actual plot of the film. Some say that he rarely does more than one or two takes of close-up’s on actors in pivotal story scenes, but my question to you all…Did we really need a bunch of actors to make that observation true?

Once again South Park summed it up when they turn to a bunch of filmmakers to help create a story for an episode of the show. The cops end up settling with Mel Gibson after a hilarious scene with Bay demonstrating an action sequence where a bunch of cars blow up.

Cop #1: “He’s describing an action sequence.”

Cop #2: “I’m afraid he doesn’t know the difference.”

**Kanluwen**

helgrenze wrote:How to make the worst movie ever..... which will probably do big box office.....
Michael Bey
Uwe Boll
starring
Kevin Costner
Julia Roberts
Will Farrell
in an action romantic comedy.

Tell me I am wrong..... Bad direction, bad acting, bad plot..... box gold.

You're wrong. Uwe Boll doesn't make movies that get released on the big screen. He pumps out straight to dvd crapfests, which utilized a loophole in the German economic system that allowed for him to get investors who wanted to pad their bank accounts. The harder the movie bombed, the more money they made--all because it was filmed in Germany.

**metallifan**

Uwe Boll is a filmmaker?

**Slick Psychic**

Jack Black in year one.
I swear all thr good bits in the film were in the ad

**Karon**

The Rock in several of his latest movies...god, it pains me to see it.

**Whatever1**

Orlanth wrote:
KingCracker wrote:
Khornholio wrote:Jeremy Irons in Dungeons and Dragons. Grant it, his career isn't as awesome as it was back in the 80s and 90s.

Robert Dinero has been in a few clunkers lately too. Rocky and Bullwinkle, was one, wasn't it?

Oh god I agree there. I personally love Jeremy Irons (I think its his voice) but he was just asstastic in that film. Infact EVERYTHING about that movie pissed me off. There is no way in HELL a thief could take down that sorcerer AND that anti paladin (whatever he was suppose to be) Basically if a movie has that one Wayens brother in it......its going to blow chunks.

You should check out Dungeons and Dragons Wrath of the Dragon God. Its low budget and the money squeeze shows in the GCI in parts, but the film is much better presented and acted. Dungeons and Dragons joins the very short list of films where the sequel eclipsed the original. Unless you are counting in series like James Bond or Star Wars its really rare for a sequel to match the orginal. This and Mad Max are the only ones I can think of off hand.

Usually,the original is the best,but there's plenty of exceptions. Most fanboys would say Aliens was better than the original Alien. Most people would say that The Dark Knight is better than Batman Begins in the Christian Bale Batman series reboot. Desperado was much better than El Mariachi. The Good,the Bad,and the Ugly is viewed by many as the best of "The man with no name" trilogy. M.I.3 was far and away the best of the Mission Impossible series. Resident Evil:Apocalypse was my favorite out of that series.

**sebster**

Nightwatch wrote:
KingCracker wrote:Nick Cage in Con Air. Infact....Ill add John Malkovitch in on that one as well.

Now Im not saying Nick cage is the greatest actor, hell Im not even saying hes alright, but his acting was just horrid in that movie. Do I HAVE to mention the bunny scene?

How about Nick Cage in any movie?

He seems to have potential, but I can't seem to fathom one movie he could have been good in. It hasn't been made yet.

Raising Arizona
Leaving Las Vegas
Matchstick Men (which wasn't very good, but he was very good in it)
Wild at Heart
Adaptation
Lord of War
Kick Ass (he only had a bit part but he was good)

The thing with Nicholas Cage is that he really is a talented actor, and when he's given a decent part and a director willing to restrain him he's . Unfortunately, Cage doesn't take those roles too often, he's much happier to appear in really crappy movies focussed on explosions and other special effects, where the director just lets him disappear down a rabbit hole of bizzare characterisation

KingCracker wrote:Thats how I fee; about Kevin Cosner. Water world, Postman, and Mr. Brooks. I love those movies. But really cant think of ANY other movie he made I enjoyed more then a drill to the head

Thing is, Kevin Costner is a really limited actor. He's a regular guy, and quite good in any role that requires a regular guy. Basically, if the role suits the idea of 'what if Kevin Costner was really a then Kevin Costner is a good fit for the role. This is a surprisingly common role in Hollywood, and as a result he's actually got a good list of movies behind him - Open Range, 13 Days, JFK, A Perfect World, Bull Durham, The Untouchables. His performances in each of those movies aren't just important, in most cases they're what makes the movie work.

Waaagh_Gonads wrote:Just watch the Golden Compass and you'll see what I mean.
She just sort of wafts through her scenes and it is nigh on impossible to make any attachment with her character good or bad.

Man, The Golden Compass was just an incoherent mess. What a ridiculous movie that was, no-one was going to save that thing..

**SlaveToDorkness**

You

kronk wrote:Carrot Top in Chairman of the Board.

and you

Pipboy101 wrote:Well I have another one: Ricardo Montalban (Khan) in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. You can tell whom is the real actors in that movie.

out of the thread!

There IS no talent in Carrot Top. STII Khan was the best!

Hmm.. someone got mine. Jeremy Irons in the D&D movie. Although if you watch the deleted scenes (and suffer through the lack of CGI) the plot actually makes some sense. The director interview was pretty enlightening as well.

**JFizzle51**

Will Ferrell in the Bewitched remake. To this day the only movie where i fell asleep watching it.

**sexiest_hero**

paris hilton, she sucked at ever playing a skank. Britty spears failed at being a teenager in cross roads. the entire cast of the happening. the male lead for paranormal activity