Brendan Fraser is So Much More Than An Indiana Jones Clone in ‘The Mummy’
His character may be cut from the same cloth as Harrison Ford's most celebrated role, but Fraser brings key elements… Read More
October 31, 2022
The Great Performances
Acting is an art form, and behind every iconic character is an artist expressing themselves. The Great Performances is a recurring column in which Jacob Trussell explores the art behind some of cinema’s best roles.
If you are new to reading this column, we suggest starting with these entries:
- 12 Monkeys was Brad Pitt’s Career-Defining Performance
- The Powerful Presence of Pam Grier in Jackie Brown
- The Self-Reflection of Jodie Foster in Silence of the Lambs
- Tony Todd Gave Candyman His Soul
- Willem Dafoe Skewers Method Acting in Shadow of the Vampire
Browse the archive for The Great Performances below
Jamie Lee Curtis and the Fractured Arc of Laurie Strode in ‘Halloween’
We’re diving into Curtis’ accomplished performances as one of the most famous final girls in horror film history across the… Read More
October 13, 2022
The Graceful Masculinity of Patrick Swayze in ‘Dirty Dancing’
As Johnny Castle, Swayze was able to demonstrate his natural strengths as a dancer and an actor interested in deconstructing… Read More
August 26, 2022
The Powerful Performance(s) of Lupita Nyong’o in ‘Us’
Marrying tenets of avant-garde theater and natural acting methods, Nyong’o delivered a masterclass in playing opposite sides of the same… Read More
August 2, 2022
James Caan’s Best Performance is the Most Compelling Scene in ‘Thief’
Michael Mann’s debut feature film contains arguably the ten best minutes late actor James Caan ever put to celluloid. Read More
July 19, 2022
How the Ensemble Cast of ‘The Big Sick’ Subverted Rom-Com Expectations
Kumail Nanjiani found ways to surface thoughtful humor in a moment of abject trauma in his and Emily V. Gordon’s… Read More
July 14, 2022
Celebrating the Incredible Ensemble Cast of ‘Chan is Missing’
Every performance is a great performance in Wayne Wang’s indie noir-comedy classic. Read More
June 16, 2022
Sheryl Lee Always Knew Laura Palmer Was More Than a MacGuffin
At the center of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s timeless mystery Twin Peaks, Lee surfaced the nuances of a character… Read More
June 10, 2022
Green Goblin is Willem Dafoe’s Tragic Movie Monster
In the dual roles of Norman Osborn and his maniacal alter ego Green Goblin, Dafoe pulled from classic horror to… Read More
May 18, 2022