Vox and the City

10 Favorite Actors/Actresses: (in no particular order)

1.  Natalie Portman--I enjoyed her performance in Anywhere but Here (since I felt like I could relate) and knew she was a solid actor after watching her performance in Closer.  My bf is in love with her and I'm okay with that.

2.  Denzel Washington--Malcolm X sealed the deal for me.  It's a shame he didn't get an Oscar for that performance, but rather got one for playing a crooked cop.  And is it just me or does he seem to get better with age?  He and George Clooney are on my "old guys to do" list.

3.  Jack Nicholson--One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is probably something that kids (and I use that term loosely) my age won't recall, but I was blown away by his performance. Then came The Shining.  Then he became the Joker.  Then came A Few Good Men.  It also doesn't hurt that he's an avid Lakers fan.  Are we clear?  Crystal.

4.  Kate Winslet--I reallllyy disliked her character in Titanic.  I mean, c'mon...it's Leonardo DiCaprio!  Couldn't you at least share that wooden plank for like a minute?  Geez.  Alas, that was not HER, it was written into the script and yadda yadda. Then came Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.  Ahhh, I loved the dichotomy between her and Jim Carrey because it's as if they switched roles.  She was the spastic, impulsive Clementine, while he was the recluse Joel.  This is sounding more like a movie review.  (btw, I would like to include Michel Gondry in this list even though he is not an actor.  It's amazing how he can put whatever he has in his mind onto the screen).  Back to Kate Winslet, I also saw her in an episode of Extras and fell in love with her even more.  AND I love how she has a normal body.  In a nutshell, Kate Winslet rocks.

5.  Steve Carrell--It's as if he is Michael Scott.  But through watching interviews and reading stories on how his peers view him as one of the nicest guys on earth, it just verifies his performance as an actor.  I am so glad the writer's strike is over.

6.  Morgan Freeman--Whether he's narrating a story or playing God, he is another actor to go down in the history books.  I will always remember him as Red from The Shawshank Redemption.  Again, he should've gotten an Oscar for that.  Or wait, did he?

7.  Sacha Baron Cohen--I actually haven't seen him play any roles outside of Ali G, Borat or Bruno, but those three characters are enough.  I don't know how he's able to play the part of the character while facing the public or public officials.  Youtube his interview with 60 Minutes' Andy Rooney.  Hilarity at its best.

8.  Al Pacino--Of course you have to include him in the list.  Scent of a Woman changed my life!  I was kind of young to fully grasp his talent, but he captivated me at that time.  I probably didn't even know what captivated meant.  I'm looking forward to that film with him and Robert De Niro out this Fall!

9.  Meryl Streep--I don't recall seeing much of her older stuff, but I know she's well established in her craft.  I especially liked her performances in Prime and The Devil Wears Prada. 

10.  Matt Damon--Good Will Hunting, The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Bourne Series, The Departed.  All great performances.  Classic handsome features.  Extra points for marrying a non-celebrity bartender.  To quote 40 year old virgin: "I always thought that Matt Damon was like a Streisand, but I think he's rockin' the shit in this one!"

Who are your favorites?