Linkin’ in Peace (7 times)

I haven’t linked in sometime, which is because I haven’t been reading in some time. I’m SO busy, and I keep adding new things to my schedule. On top of that I still haven’t seen any 2010 film – I feel like such a failure!!!! But, I digress on with the links, despite all the ramblings amidst the links - these links do come in peace...

It's been some time since Paolo posted this, but I have to single this post out because Sense & Sensibility is amazing. The end. (Image courtesy of Paolo, too.)

                   

I don't love Alicia Silverstone, but I do like her. Like so many actors she just hasn't been able to keep up that momentum that she started with. Nicholas takes a look at her trajectory.

Weird confession, I was interested in seeing Sucker Punch after seeing Bright Star five times last months (no lie) and I felt like seeing Abbie in something new. I knew I was barking up the wrong tree, I knew it wasn't going to be Campionesque, but the reviews have been abysmal. But of the ashes of Sucker Punch comes this great article from Univarn.

I always think of actors and their types. Sure, I think Kate is the greatest actor who ever lived, but she does have a type, which makes me often think of the word "typecast". Castor takes a look at 10 typecast actors...but I often wonder about the great actors, think of the other Kate. She's Little Children, Revolutionary Road, Mildred Pierce, The Reader - three of them mothers, each of them women with secrets to hide, some big some small, almost stifled by their deep emotions and misunderstood by their peers. Typecasted?

   

Isn't it nice to see that one of Luke's three favourite films is Beauty & the Beast? It's such a timeless piece of cinema, and definitely one of the strongest films from Disney, hell it's one of the strongest films in animation (the strongest if you ask me).

This is an interesting list from Candice featuring comedic actors who've done excellent dramatic work. I don't agree with all her choices (I'll never love a certain performance from 2004) but it's a fine list featuring some brilliant choices - especially Joel Barrish. Now, I want a list of dramatic actors who do brilliant comedic work.

    

I love Ryan's TV report, especially his words on The Good Wife because Archie Panjabi is AWESOME! The end. I've only recently caught up on the entire season, but GAH I love her, still don't really care for Julianna Marguiles, though but more on that tomorrow.

           

Encore’s Greatest Voices: #20-#11

I was supposed to get this up weeks ago, but apparently I'm flaky and not to be trusted. This is the penultimate post so I'm really interested in what you folks think of my top choices. Obviously, I think a lot of them...

#20: Scott Weinger in Aladdin
as Aladdin

“I'm not worthless! And I don't have fleas!”

He doesn’t have many big moments, and true – Aladdin may not be the most layered character (though by Disney standards he is quite nuanced), but Weinger’s affable charm, voice-wise, is a big reason for the easiness with which the film flows.

        
#19: Kathleen Turner in Who Framed Roger Robbit
as Jessica Rabbit

“I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way.”

I think I need to rewatch this because I don’t LOVE it as much as I think I should…but either way Kathleen Turner’s Jessica Rabbit is too good for words. She was popping up everywhere in the eighties (one solitary Oscar nomination be damned, boo) and this was a brilliant way to the end the decade…even if it was animated.

        
#18: Richard White in Beauty & the Beast
as Gaston

“Lefou, I'm afraid I've been thinking...”

His Gaston is one of Disney’s most interesting villains, but it’s fun to sit back and just enjoy him being a cad. His “let me through” in the opening number never fails to amuse. He’s just completely into the bravura and simultaneous stupidity of his character you can’t help but be interested. Even if you’re loathing him.

          
#17: Bernadette Peters in Anastasia
as Sophie

“Forget where your from; You're in France, Children Come”

This probably seems like a surprise. Anastasia is a fairly good animated film, but Bernadette’s almost cameo of the unbearably French (compliment) Sophie and her rendition of “Paris Holds the Key” is the film’s secret weapon. She’s always had a memorable voice (a normal sized, older Kristin Chenoweth) and she delivers the peppy character and essentially steals the show.

                           
#16: Paige O’Hara in Beauty & the Beast
as Belle

“Gaston, you are positively primeval.”

She has the perfect voice for the almost feminist Belle (a la Susan Egan). She’s soft and emotive but she’s also strong and hard as nails. She also gets extra points for being (probably) the best Disney heroine/princess.

             
#15: James Woods in Hercules
as Hades

“It's a small underworld, after all, huh?”

Another Disney villain, he is, but one that is often forgotten (just like his character). Hercules doesn’t get the credit it deserves for someone who’s essentially just a major asshole (as much as possible in a Disney film) Woods manages to make Hades ridiculously enjoyable. From the snappy one-liners to the deadpan line readings he sells it, completely.

                   
#14: Simon Callow in James & the Giant Peach
as The Grasshopper

“YOU, sir, are an ASS!”

Perfect in every way. He's a little uppity, but that's really his appeal and he just works so well with the dialogue.

         
#13: Samuel E. Wright in The Little Mermaid
as Sebastian

“Who said anything about humans?”

Sebastian’s “Kiss the Girl” is the most scintillating number from the score, but Wright’s talent is in selling his dialogue. He’s the perfect (if reluctant) sidekick to our heroine and his relationship with Ariel and Triton present constant hilarity that is always well played.

                      
#12: Jennifer Saunders in Shrek II
as The Fairy Godmother

“C Minor; put it in C Minor.”

I consider Shree II to be just a smidgen worse than its predecessor (alas the same cannot be said for further instalments). Jennifer Saunders lascivious Godmother was an important part of that. From her wicked scheming ways to her occasional moment of odd hilarity she was the best in show – and what a show…

              
#11: Jason Schwartzman in The Fantastic Mr. Fox
as Ash

“There's a lot of attitudes going on around here... don't let me get one.”

In the larger scale he ends up becoming forgotten – because George Clooney is playing his father. But Schwartzman does something brilliant with Ash in The Fantastic Mr. Fox. It holds up as one of the funnier performances from the last year and definitely one of the most memorable voices for me.

             

Which of these ten was the surprising inclusion for you? Which was your favourite?

                  

PREVIOUSLY

#21-#30

#31-#40

#41#50 

Encore’s Greatest Voices: #30-#21

The countdown continues as we near the top, I feel slightly bad that so many films have repeat entries. Then again, I can't blame myself because they're that good.

#30: Chris Sarandon in The Nightmare Before Christmas

as Jack Skellington

“Forgive me, Mr. Claus. I'm afraid I've made a terrible mess of your holiday. ”

Though I wouldn’t swear that The Nightmare Before Christmas is unparalleled excellence, it is a thoroughly enjoyable film and Sarandon’s protagonist is a significant portion of that. He is funny and endearing, yet maintaining his oddball status.

         

#29: Teri Hatcher in Coraline

as The Other Mother (and the Real Mother)

“Don't leave me! Don't leave me! I'll die without you! ”

Teri Hatch…loved her in Lois & Clark, liked her on Desperate Housewives until she turned into the hot mess that is now Susan. She’s not given credit (we don’t really get to see her stretch her legs), but her incarnation of Coraline’s mother and the Other Mother (a.k.a The Beldam) was a brilliant take on a potentially stereotypical villain. Coraline was my favourite animated film last year, and though Fanning’s work as the eponymous heroine was on point it was Hatcher’s layered and terrifying work that stuck with me for weeks after.

#28: Miriam Margolyes in Babe

as Fly

“But you're treating them like equals. They're sheep, they're inferior. ”

I’m sorry I couldn’t get a spot for Babe, but consider this a tribute to all the actors there. Babe is just too sweet for words, and Margolyes no-nonsense Fly is an excellent surrogate mother to the orphan pig. She’s stern, but not unloving and she does so well weighing her dedication to her husband against her that of her husband.

        

#27: Johnny Depp in Corpse Bride

as Victor Van Dort

“Please, there's been a mistake. I'm not dead. ”

At the moment people seem less than enthused about Depp and Burton, no point in dredging up that argument – but I do love Depp’s work as the reticent would-be groom of the eponymous corpse. It’s voicework that’s sometimes forgotten (very subtle) but I think it’s excellent, nonetheless.

       

#26: Joan Cusack in Toy Story II

as Jessie

“Well aren't you just the sweetest space toy I ever did meet! ”

Cusack always was the best thing about the Toy Story franchise, for me. Always a brilliant character actress, her take on the spirited cowgirl in the series was a thing of delight. She knew just how to get on our nerves without being overbearing.

     

#25: Robby Benson in Beauty & the Beast

as The Beast

“I thought I told you to come down to dinner!”

This is one that’s often forgotten. Beneath the animalistic growl Benson is doing excellent work portraying emotions in the Beast that are bubbling below the surface. His petulance, his nervousness, his ferocity – it’s all done as much through the animation as through the voicework making him just as interesting and as rounded a character as Belle.

     

#24: Richard Dreyfuss in James & the Giant Peach

as The Centipede

“Why don't skeletons play music in church? Because they got no organs.”

James & the Giant Peach features one of the strongest animated ensembles, and Dreyfuss' corny centipede is a big part of that.

      

#23: Robert Guillaume as The Lion King

as Rafiki

“Correction: I *know* your father..”

The Lion King is such an excellent film, when it’s time for laughs talk often turns to Timon and Pumba (admittedly good), but for me it’s always Guillaume’s hilarious Rafiki that does all the heavy lifting. He pops in and out (and in again) for a few short moments, but his voicework takes the film to another level. He is simultaneously annoying, perverse, wise and exasperating. Yes, we know these are animals, but we fee like we know this strange monkey.

    

#22: Lillias White, La Chanze, Vaneese Y. Thomas, Cheryl Freeman and Roz Ryan in Hercules

As The Muses (Calliope, Terpsichore, Clio, Melpomene and Thalia

“…And that’s the Gospel Truth.”

I debated whether or not to single them out, but it didn’t make sense. The Muses are all part of the same entity. Voice by a quintet of Broadway voices they’re responsible for the narration of this underrated piece. From Ryan’s spunky soul sister to White's sophisticated headliner they all work in tandem to create some of the most entertaining Disney characters.

#21: Jonathan Freeman in Aladdin

as Jafar

“You're speechless, I see. A fine quality in a wife.”

It’s probably difficult to craft a villain unlike anything we’ve seen, and all Disney villains do have that sombre voice in common. But Freeman does his own things with Jafar. He's slimy and he's almost offensive, but he sure is fun to watch.

      

Only two more rounds left? Do you have particular fondness for any of these?

PREVIOUSLY:

#50 - #41
#40 - #31

Encore’s Greatest Voices: #40-#31

So many of you made guesses as to who you expect to see in the countdown to my favourite voice performances when I listed the first batch of ten. I will say, a number of you were on point, but I'm not giving away any. Here are the next ten voice performers that stick in my memory. Even though I love making lists I do find it difficult ranking them though, really sometimes I think voice acting is more difficult. You really have to sell it, or else you're forgettable.

            

#40: Barbara Luddy in Sleeping Beauty

as Merryweather

“I'd like to turn her into a fat ol' hop toad.”

She will always be the best of the godmothers, and though they do come in three she stands out from the rest. Her voice is the only one I remember without rewatching, and she’s just so fun and funny with those line readings. It's nice performances like these that make me a little sad, voice actors don't have faces so unless they're NAMES we forget them.

               

#39: Phil Harris in The Jungle Book

as Baloo

 

“You better believe it.”

The Jungle Book doesn’t exactly thrill me (I have a soft spot for the live action version, oddly) but who can resist the jovial singing bear? Mowgli is an unassuming (dare I say, boring) hero but his sidekicks are amusing.

          

#38: Catherine O’Hara in Where the Wild Things Are

as Judith

 

“Happiness isn't always the best way to be happy.”

She singlehandedly makes the movie hers and she becomes the wild thing that’s not only wildest but most interesting. I did not love the film, but it was beautifully rendered and the wild things were a deligh - Catherine more than any.

          

#37: Jodi Benson in The Little Mermaid

as Ariel

“I love you, Daddy.”

She’s easy to forget…the supporting players are quite fun, but Benson is doing a good job here. The naïveté, the subtle bits of innocence and bravery; she’s doing her very best to make this animated caricature into a full blooded character and she succeeds…on so many counts.

                      

#36: Janet Gabor in The Aristocrats

as Duchess

“Oh, c'est très jolie, monsieur. Very poetic. But it is not quite Shakespeare.”

This is a forgotten Disney gem which I grew up with, so I have soft spot for it. Harris puts up a good showing as the tomcat in the show, but it’s Gabor’s sultry Queenie who leaves the mark. It’s a slight film, and the anamorphic characters don’t have anything new to tell us but Gabor is like Grace Kelly, as a cat.

         

#35: Helena Bonham Carter in Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit

as Lady Campanula Tottington

“Please, Wallace, call me 'Totty'.”

The more I think of it, the more I wonder why I don’t like this film. Perhaps, claymation just doesn’t do it for me. Still, the voicework is on par and among her many assets I’ve always love HBC’s voice the most, so expressive.

             

#34: Glenn Close in Hoodwinked

as Granny

“Bring it honey!”

You probably didn’t see this one coming. I can’t blame you. I liked Hoodwinked; a well intentioned and oddly smart animated flick that was poorly received. Glenn doesn’t get enough credit for her voice, but when you can’t see her you realise just how much she uses. This take on the “new” grandmother is inspired and hilarious and extraordinarily nuanced.

         

#33: Angela Lansbury in Beauty & the Beast

as Mrs. Potts

 

“Well, that didn't go very well at all, did it?”

Few voices are as diffidently calming and yet surprisingly funny as Lansbury here. :umiere and Cogsworth are the utensils most remembered (no, they are not on the list) but it’s Angela’s voice that shines through – heartfelt, sincere and yet irresolute when necessary.

        

#32: Linda Larkin in Aladdin

as Jasmine

“I am not a prize to be won!”

My, oh my. Can anyone resist Jasmine? I have a thing for Disney’s sultry voiced characters (you shall see later) and Jasmine is an excellent characterisation by [ ]. Sure, the film is not centred on her – but she’ll make you forget with every voice inflection and every subtle line reading (remember Evil Jasmine?)

#31: James Earle Jones in The Lion King

as Mufasa

“Simba, I'm very disappointed in you!”

Oh man, this man has a VOICE!!! Who doesn’t shudder when they hear him? Jones is an icon – plain and simple, and his work as Mufasa is just superb. With just a voice he embodies all we could hope for in the steadfast and devoted father.

         

Aha, and there goes round two. How are you liking the choices so far?

A Tale As Old As Time

Now that Pixar flicked has gone and rewritten history and whatnot Beauty and the Beast is not the only animated flick to earn a Picture nomination. It was a long time coming, and why waste words on the Oscars when I can celebrate an animated classic we all can enjoy? Just for arguments sake I would like to hear from someone who doesn’t like Beauty & the Beast. It’s become the quintessential Disney piece, it’s gone on to Broadway success and it’s spawned many (unfortunately) dubious sequels, prequels and franchises. Why? Because it’s that good.

              

Still, Beauty and the Beast is imperfect. There’s the (intentional?) error that says the Beast has been locked up for so many years and the spell breaks when he turns 21 which would mean he was a child when he turned away that Old Woman from his door. You have to be wondering where his parents are, but I suppose it points to my unprofessionalism that I let things like these go because sometimes things like these don’t matter. Sue me. I’ve always bean enamoured with this bit and Belle remains as the one of the premier characters that Disney has created. In fact, an argument could be made that Beauty & the Beast boasts Disney’s best ensemble. It is filled with nuanced characters, even the ostensible oaf Gaston is more than two-dimensional…pun intended. The role of parents (Mrs. Potts and Maurice), jealousy, sacrifice...it's all there and so well handled. But I don’t want to bore you with analysis. Let’s keep the thoughts on the good stuff…

…good stuff like the music. "Be Our Guest", "Belle", "Something There" and of course the lovely "Beauty & the Beast". The special edition hosts a new number "Human Again" which is just as lovely as the rest. I don’t think I can – or care to – review this classic. Why should I? I don’t think anything can be thrown in that needs to be since all has been said already. It’s as good as they come and with a whole lot of heart. It has a message, but it doesn’t overplay it and it is just so lovely to look at and listen to. No one does it like Disney, and even in Disney few did it as well as Beauty & the Beast. It’s my #48.