Samuel L. Jackson and William H. Macy....good actors? (1 Viewer)

[Ches Campbell]

Are these two guys considered good actors? I ask because I read an article the other day that William H. Macy has been in more movies in the 1990s than any one else. Samuel L. Jackson was also high on the list. I have enjoyed many of their movies, I was just wondering how they rate with real critics and movie buffs.
Later
I just noticed that they both have the "middle initial" thing going on, haha.

 

[Terrell]

Samuel L. is a good actor, not a great actor. But he's just so smooth and cool, that I can't help but like the guy. I've enjoyed the majority of his films as well. The guy can be very good, and has been in a number of roles. I really liked him in Unbreakable, The Caveman's Valentine, and Rules of Engagement. I thought he gave fantastic performances i those films. He never brings a movie down. But I wouldn't consider him up there with the best actors in Hollywood.

As for William H. Macy, he can be great, as he was in Fargo. But most of the time, he's the same as Samuel L., but only because he's made some poor choices. I like him as well.

 

[Seth Paxton]

I think both are very solid, but I have seen them hit limits in their range too in some roles. I thought Sam was a tad forced in Jackie Brown for example. Still fun to watch, but more interesting in Die Hard 3 or Amos and Andrew.

Macy certainly has loads of talent and he broke the barrier on being a leading man type. Still I think he has been slightly limited in reaching the "tough man" roles.

Think of Norton going from Larry Flynt to American History X, 2 guys on opposite ends of the aggression spectrum. Jackson seems to be running heavily in the "aggressive" end lately and Macy has yet to really leave the "passive" side of the pool.

But they are excellent role player type actors, thus the large amount of work thrown their way.

 

[DanR]

I feel pretty much the same way about these two guys. Both actors CAN be good with the right material and director. Otherwise they are very average. If I wanna see the best African-American in the business today, I'll pop in a DVD with Morgan Freeman. Now that guy is just awesome.

Regards,

Dan

 

[Andrew_Sch]

Finally, validation of my theory that William H. Macy is and should forever be known as "That Guy Who's In Every Movie Ever Made"

 

[Michael Reuben]

Jackson seems to be running heavily in the "aggressive" end lately

Only if you discount The Caveman's Valentine and Unbreakable.

M.

 

[Dome Vongvises]

Count me in the camp that also believes Samuel L. Jackson and William H. Macy to be solid actors. If anything, Samuel L. ranks extremely high on my list because of the "badass" factor.

 

[Gabe D]

I consider Samuel L. Jackson a great actor based largely on Jungle Fever. It's a tough movie to recommend, because I don't really like the primary storyline at all. However, there is a subplot about a disfunctional family: Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Spike Lee and Samuel L. Jackson. I think that this half-hour or so of the movie is the best thing Spike Lee has done. Check it out. I'm telling you, Samuel L. will break your heart.

 

[Jeff Kleist]

Check out the new Episode 2 making-of "Good to G.O." for some great Sam Jackson footage. Hilarious stuff.

 

[Rob T]

Sam is the man.

 

[Kirk Gunn]

Check out Sam in certain episodes of Pee-Wee's Playhouse as "Clarence the Cowboy" and you will realize the range of his abilities.... (no, it is not some B-flick porno film).

I always enjoyed him and Travolta at the diner in Pulp Fiction.

 

[Sam Hatch]

Actually, Laurence Fishburne was Cowboy Curtis on Pee Wee's Playhouse. But don't feel bad -- it appears that since so many people make the same mistake, the two actors are prone to autographing the other person's name instead of enlightening their fans!

 

[Mike Broadman]

And who can forget Jackson's brilliant performance in the comedy classic Loaded Weapon?

 

[Matt Stone]

I've noticed a weird trend of people asking if certain actors are good...hehe, must be an epidemic.

On topic...I think both are great. They're both pretty versitile too.

 

[Marc Colella]

William H Macy is a great character actor.
He was fantastic in Fargo (should've won Best Actor) and was excellent in Magnolia, Boogie Nights and Pleasantville.
I noticed he's cast in Altman's next film Voltage. Should be interesting.

 

[FawwaFaaw]

Baby Who Happen To Share Faces With Famous Celebrity William H Macy
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