All-Time Film Actor/Actress Draft

[Sloan]

My first pick is probably most known for his work as a comedic actor, but he was so much more than that. He was the first big movie star, and while a handful of others may have been just as influential, I don't think anyone surpasses the impact that this man had on the movie industry. He pioneered many of the techniques used by film makers today and was able to incorporate new technologies (sound) as they became available. In fact, while he most remembered as a silent artist, one of his pictures (Limelight) won an Oscar for best musical score.

My selection for Director is Charlie Chaplin

Chaplin not only starred and directed nearly all of his films, he also wrote and produced them as well. Chaplin was nominated for Oscars for best actor, best picture, best writing, and best music. He received an honoary Oscar at the first Oscar awards in 1928 for genius in acting, writing, directing, and producing. Instead of giving him an award in each category they removed his name from competition and gave him this special award instead. He also won an Oscar in 1973 for best music and received a lifetime achievement Oscar in 1972.

[WSUCougar]

Well, there goes my Comedy Actor choice!

Shorty, you're on the clock.

[GoldenScribeGuy]

WSUCougar - Why do you lose your Comedy Actor choice. If a person qualifys under more than one category, shouldn't you be able to take him?

Just a thought.

[Barkeep49]

I agree with the idea that a person should only be taken once. On top of that I would be in favor of allowing later switches so that Sloan could later switch Charlie to Comedic Actor if there is a Director who he wants later on.

FWIW I think Charlie Chaplin is an inspired choice, but will be curious what the commentators think of taking him as a director.

[WSUCougar]

Yeah, you are drafting the individual, not the slot. Even if you want to put Charlie Chaplin as your Romantic Actress...

[Sloan]

Ooohhhh, that is good to know.

[korme]

With my first selection, pick 9 (8 really), I go the drama route..

Say hello to my little friend. His name is-

Al Pacino

Originally Posted by snippet from imdb

He first galvanized movie audiences as quiet Mafia scion Michael Corleone in Francis Coppola's 1972 The Godfather (for which he was Oscar-nominated). He returned to the character twice more, playing it in The Godfather, Part II (1974, nominated again) as a steely, paranoid, implacably heartless don, and then in The Godfather, Part III (1990) as an aging, infirm, and tragic figure. For these three films, if for nothing else, Pacino will always be remembered. Debuting on film in 1969's Me, Natalie (the same year he won a Tony Award for Broadway's "Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?"), Pacino brought unique integrity to many roles, from a sexually confused would-be bank robber in Dog Day Afternoon (1975) to an incorruptible maverick cop in Serpico (1973). He had a way of commanding the screen, whether as a junkie in The Panic in Needle Park (1971) or a quiet drifter in Scarecrow (1973). He virtually defined screen intensity, and brought it with him even to projects that were unworthy, like Bobby Deerfield (1977) and a controversial look at the gay netherworld, Cruising (1980). He fared better as an idealistic lawyer in And Justice For All (1979, earning another Oscar nomination) and was quite likable in the critically savaged comedy Author! Author! (1982). His explosive performance as Cuban drug kingpin Tony Montana in Brian De Palma's Scarface (1983, a latterday cult favorite) was followed by a deadly costume drama, Revolution (1985), in which his Colonial Noo Yawk accent prompted widespread derision.

[WSUCougar]

It's funny, given all of Pacino's headliner roles over the years, but one of the films I always associate him with is The Devil's Advocate. He does make a convincing Lucifer, cigar in hand.

Barkeep49 is on the clock!

[Barkeep49]

This was a very tough pick. There are a couple of people out there who I "must" have, but in the end I choose a man who has recently shown his comedic skills, but Robert Deniro will be filling my Actor (drama) slot based on such classic roles as Vito Corleon (Godfather Part II), Travis Bickle (the Taxi Driver), Michael Vronsky (Deer Hunter), & Jake La Motta (Raging Bull). This six time Acadamee Award nominee forms the anchor of my classic film crew.

[Calis]

I had a feeling DeNiro would be coming very soon after Pacino.

Joe Pesci can't be far behind!

[WSUCougar]

Peas in a pod!

deacon, you're up.

[WSUCougar]

Just as an FYI, I'm going to make a unilateral ruling on comedic groups: for the purposes of this draft, the Marx Brothers and Three Stooges are considered single entitities. I realize this crosses the hideous line of mentioning names in the midst of the draft, but I figured it was something that needed resolution.

If anyone else has similar groups that need adjudication, chime in now.

[Coffee Warlord]

Bill and Ted?

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

I realize this crosses the hideous line of mentioning names in the midst of the draft...

(...doomed...)

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Maple Leafs

(...doomed...)

SkyDog!!!

[Calis]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Just as an FYI, I'm going to make a unilateral ruling on comedic groups: for the purposes of this draft, the Marx Brothers and Three Stooges are considered single entitities. I realize this crosses the hideous line of mentioning names in the midst of the draft, but I figured it was something that needed resolution.

If anyone else has similar groups that need adjudication, chime in now.

reported.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Calis

reported.

A pity. I guess those three squads of infantry will have to wander astray, preferably into the open...

[ntndeacon]

Wow! I am really surprised he made it to me. For My pick I was struggling between several notables. And there are still 4 that i am toying with even as I write this...(hopefully one of them will be my next round selection!!)
However My Pick is Director: Billy Wilder

Eight Times nominated for best director. Won Twice (1960 for the Apartment and 1945 for The Lost Weekend)
He is perhaps the most diverse in his directorial slate. Romantic Comedies like the Apartment...farces Like Some Like it Hot....Straight Dramas Like Sunset Boulevard...even great courtroom dramas and film noir...Witness for the Prosecution and Double Indemnity.
He also wrote most of this films as well...with 11 writing oscar noms and 3 wins in that category.
He is truly one of the greatest directors ever.

[WSUCougar]

Nice pick. I would never have expected him to be a first rounder, but that's the tone for the draft that was established early on.

Sun Tzu for two!

[albionmoonlight]

My #2 overall choice hasn't been picked yet. I'm interested to see when s/he goes.

[Coffee Warlord]

My #1 actor and #1 director haven't gone yet, either. We have wildly differing tastes, I guess.

Edit: I'm mildly curious as to what my reviewing partner in crime would think of my top two picks.

[NoMyths]

Chaplin: Great pick, wrong category. I'd shuffle him off to the Comedy slot, where he's almost untouchable.

Pacino: Nah...I don't think I've ever seen Pacino good in anything except Dog Day Afternoon. Didn't like him in any of the Godfather films. You always know what you're going to get out of a Pacino role, and you've known it from his first films through his latest ones.

DeNiro: He's up there...real, real high on DeNiro's dramatic work. One of the all-time greats in that category. But outside of drama, I just don't dig him.

Wilder: Outstanding choice. In my top five.

[ntndeacon]

I like Pacino but there are at least 6 I would take off the top of my head first. I am not even sure he would have gotten on my list of top 12

[Barkeep49]

Billy Wilder wasn't on my list, but should have been. Good pick.

[korme]

I suck.

[Coffee Warlord]

Hey, I liked your pick Shorty.

[Karim]

Ok...

Actor (action): Harrison Ford

[Sun Tzu]

I am both saddened and happy to be making this pick. Saddened that this person hadn't already been picked, but happy that I get to be the one picking him.

My first pick in this draft is arguably the biggest Icon in the history of American motion pictures. He is as well known worldwide as any man who ever starred in any film. He falls under the "Actor (action)" category. He is the one and only...

John Wayne

My second pick falls under the "Actor (drama)" category. These two don't exactly match up well together, but I don't think we're putting these guys into teams . He is...

Marlon Brando

[Coffee Warlord]

And Sun gets the cookie for taking my #1 actor, Mr. Brando!

[3ric]

OK, second round, ntndeacon is up.

[NoMyths]

Harrison Ford: Great pick.

The Duke: Great, great pick. Was hoping he'd fall to me.

Brando: Ack...was a legend for a brief time, and deservedly so: almost single-handedly gave us modern cinema through his performances. Too bad he became insane and self-absorbed. Hasn't given a good performance in decades. For his time he was the best ever, and since we seem to be going off peak performance he's a solid enough pick, but not #1 (e.g. I'd take DeNiro's career over Brando's, but I'd take Brando at his peak over DeNiro at his).

[ntndeacon]

Really great pick with Brando. That makes my next pick a little easier.
Actress(Romance) Audrey Hepburn

[ntndeacon]

Now I get to watch all the names I want fall off the board.

[albionmoonlight]

Hitchcock (Director) would have been my number 1

Brando (actor) would have been my #2. He was amazing at his peak--no one better IMHO. He got fat and crazy as he got older, but, hey, so did Elvis.

[Barkeep49]

Well I'm drafting him far earlier than I would like, but I can't see him lasting almost two full rounds back to me and with Hepburn gone, I will take Peter Lorre (Supporting Actor).

First coming to attention in what some consider the finest German film of the time, M, Lorre became known to American audiences through his brilliant work first in The Maltese Falcon and then Casablanca. With almost fifty films on his acting resume, Lorre is the definition of an excellent Supporting Actor.

[WSUCougar]

Wow, what a cool pick!

"FAT-man!"

[ntndeacon]

Nice pick Barkeep I was certainly keeping an eye on him.

[WSUCougar]

While I can certainly see why Marlon Brando was taken, I’ve always felt he was overrated. There are other, better actors from his era that are still on the board. Of course, I got slammed for taking Jimmy Stewart, so clearly I am not on the same page as some of you.

[3ric]

Peter Lorre! That's a great pick, Barkeep.

[Barkeep49]

Thank you everybody for the nice words. I felt he might be seen as being pick too early, but your kind words affirm that I was right to take him. Thank you again and hats off to a great actor.

[3ric]

I think it was the right thing to jump at the chance of picking him, since the supporting actor category is so hard to do right - I have barely one solid candidate, and didn't think about Lorre at all. I missed him completely, yet it's so obvious.

[korme]

In the supporting actor category I select one of my favorites, maybe a little early but what the hell:

Kevin Spacey

[Sloan]

Now that I know I can move Chaplin to comedey actor that is what I'll do. My next selection is: Director: Steven Spielberg

The Sugarland Express
Jaws
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
Indiana Jones series
E.T.
Poltergeist
Twilight Zone
Empire Of The Sun
Jurassic Park
Schindler's List
Amistad
Saving Private Ryan
Minority Report

and more. . .

[WSUCougar]

Damn.

[oykib]

Man, you guys are taking too long. This waiting is killing me.

I'm off to work. So don't expect my pick if my turn comes around. I'm out until Suday morning your time.

p.s. I was wondering who would pick Speilberg. I also want to read the film elitist reaction to it.

[Chubby]

Kevin Spacey? (someone had to say it)

[Karim]

Cool... I'm actually on the computer when my turn is up!

My pick for the Actress (Drama) category:

Meryl Streep

1. Prime (2005) (announced)
2. Chaos (2004/II) (pre-production)
3. Flora Plum (2004) (pre-production)
4. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) (filming) .... Aunt Josephine
5. Manchurian Candidate, The (2004) (filming) .... Raymond's mother, Eleanor Shaw
6. "Angels in America" (2003) (mini) TV Series .... The Rabbi/Hannah Pitt/Ethel Rosenberg
7. Hours, The (2002) .... Clarissa Vaughan
8. Adaptation. (2002) .... Susan Orlean
9. "School" (2001) (mini) TV Series (voice) .... Narrator
10. Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001) (voice) .... Blue Fairy
    ... aka A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) (USA: poster title)
11. Chrysanthemum (2000) .... Narrator
12. Music of the Heart (1999) .... Roberta Guaspari
13. One True Thing (1998) .... Kate Gulden
14. Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) .... Kate Mundy
15. ...First Do No Harm (1997) (TV) .... Lori Reimuller
16. Marvin's Room (1996) .... Lee
17. Before and After (1996) .... Carolyn Ryan
18. Bridges of Madison County, The (1995) .... Francesca Johnson
19. River Wild, The (1994) .... Gail
20. "Century of Women, A" (1994) (mini) TV Series (voice)
21. House of the Spirits, The (1993) .... Clara
    ... aka Åndernes hus (1993) (Denmark)
    ... aka Casa dos Espíritos, A (1993) (Portugal)
    ... aka Geisterhaus, Das (1993) (Germany)
22. Death Becomes Her (1992) .... Madeline Ashton
23. Defending Your Life (1991) .... Julia
24. "Race to Save the Planet" (1990) TV Series .... Hostess
25. Postcards from the Edge (1990) .... Suzanne Vale
26. Rabbit Ears: The Fisherman and His Wife (1989) (V) .... Storyteller
27. She-Devil (1989) .... Mary Fisher
28. Tailor of Gloucester, The (1988) (V) .... Narrator
29. Cry in the Dark, A (1988) .... Lindy Chamberlain
    ... aka Evil Angels (1988) (Australia)
30. Ironweed (1987) .... Helen Archer
31. Rabbit Ears: The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (1987) (V) (voice) .... Storyteller
32. Rabbit Ears: The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1987) (V) (voice) .... Storyteller
33. Heartburn (1986) .... Rachel Louise Samstat/Forman
34. Out of Africa (1985) .... Karen Christence Dinesen Blixen-Finecke
35. Plenty (1985) .... Susan Traherne
36. Little Ears: The Velveteen Rabbit (1984) (V) .... Storyteller
37. Falling in Love (1984) .... Molly Gilmore
38. Silkwood (1983) .... Karen Silkwood
39. Sophie's Choice (1982) .... Sophie
40. Still of the Night (1982) .... Brooke Reynolds
41. Alice at the Palace (1982) (TV) .... Alice
42. French Lieutenant's Woman, The (1981) .... Sarah/Anna
43. Uncommon Women... and Others (1979) (TV) .... Leilah
44. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) .... Joanna Kramer
45. Seduction of Joe Tynan, The (1979) .... Karen Traynor
46. Manhattan (1979) .... Jill
47. Deer Hunter, The (1978) .... Linda
48. "Holocaust" (1978) (mini) TV Series .... Inga Helms Weiss
49. Julia (1977) .... Anne Marie
50. Deadliest Season, The (1977) (TV) .... Sharon Miller
51. Secret Service (1977) (TV) .... Edith Varney
52. Everybody Rides the Carousel (1975) (voice) .... Stage 6

[Karim]

dola,

Calis is up.

[Calis]

eek, you people have lulled me into a false sense of confidence. I completely haven't thought about this.

Gimme a few minutes and I'll make a pick.

[Calis]

Well I'll be the first to admit I'm not too knowledgeable on old time films, but there are a few guys that I know, one of whom I'm really surprised has lasted as long as he has. I'll go ahead and snag him up now, because I'm sure he won't last another round.

Humphrey Bogart
Actor(Drama)

I don't really think I have to explain much more about this pick..Casablanca, Maltese Falcon, The African Queen, The Left Hand of God..the list goes on and on.

I've had to double and triple check to make sure I didn't miss him getting picked the first time around. Very happy he was still here.