#1, Robert De Niro

Actor: Robert De Niro

#1 Film: Raging Bull (1980)

4 other top films: #2, The Godfather Part II (1974), #3, Taxi Driver (1976), #4, The Deer Hunter (1978), #5, Goodfellas (1990)

Critique: Reaching out into the stardom of film, Robert De Niro has showed me throughout his film career that he deserves to be the #1 actor of all time not because of his acting but because the amount of films he has produced that have been great. In his best film, Raging Bull, De Niro takes on to me his hardest, yet most impressive role as Jake La Motta and executes it to technicolor. In another premiere role as cabbie Travis Bickle, De Niro proves to me to what level he could take his acting to. As an actor, Robert De Niro has always exemplified to me that he is the best actor of all time because of everything he has proved throughout his career. Because De Niro has the sort of gangster look to him he has been able to take on his mob roles to the extreme acting as, young Vito Corleone in The Godfather Part II, Al Capone in The Untouchables, Jimmy Conway in Goodfellas, and many more. Robert De Niro does not just act, he creates a platform to which he acts to. Acting to perfection throughout his films, Robert De Niro, is a hero to young actors to look up to and watch films about because they learn how great one man is able to act when he pushes himself to the ultimate limit and that is why he is #1 on the countdown.

Recognitions: Robert De Niro has been nominated for 6 Academy Awards and has won two, for Best Actor in Raging Bull, and for Best Supporting Actor in The Godfather Part II. De Niro has also been nominated for 8 Golden Globes, but has only won 1 for his performance in Raging Bull.

#2, Tom Hanks

Actor: Tom Hanks

#1 Film: Forrest Gump (1994)

4 other top films: #2, Philadelphia (1993), #3, Saving Private Ryan (1998), #4, Big (1988), #5, Apollo 13 (1995)

Critique: Some people say Tom Hanks is the greatest actor of all time, others think he shouldn't be named in the top ten actors of all time. To me when you make a difference and you act differently from other actors you are great cause you create your own style of acting. I consider Forrest Gump one of the greatest pictures of all time, the reason why it is such a complete and dynamic film is because of role Tom Hanks plays in it, without Tom Hanks there would be no Forrest Gump. It could be easy to say that Forrest Gump defines Tom Hanks cause it does, he performs to the best level of acting I've ever seen in film, and he does to such a level of perfection it is stupendous. Tom Hanks not only performs great in that film, but also in Philadelphia as Andrew Beckett he is extraordinarily original and comparing his performance in Forrest Gump to his performance in Philadelphia one can see how he can be such a versatile actor. So that is why I state everytime when talking about great actors the name of Tom Hanks because he just doesn't regular acts, he adopts his roles and plays them as he would in real life. Tom Hanks may not be one of the better actors, but to the caliber which he comes and performs in every film he should be.

Recognitions: Tom Hanks has been nominated for 5 Academy Awards and has won 2 for Forrest Gump and Philadelphia. Hanks has also been nominated for 7 Golden Globes including 4 wins for his performances in Big, Forrest Gump, Cast Away, and Philadelphia.

#3, Dustin Hoffman

Actor: Dustin Hoffman

#1 Film: Rain Man (1988)

4 other top films: #2, Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), #3, Tootsie (1982), #4, The Graduate (1967), #5, Midnight Cowboy (1969)

Critique: Dustin Hoffman has been gracing us with his presence in film for more than 4 decades showing us what he is capable of performing and to what level he is able to do it to. Let me just state now that while doing his top 5 best films, I had to exclude some extraordinary films. So now I give Honorable Mention to Hoffman's performances in John and Mary (1969), Lenny (1974), All the President's Men (1976), Marathon Man (1976), and Wag the Dog (1997). As you see and listen to Hoffman act, you will begin to notice the fact that he never stops performing great. In Rain Man he never fails to stop the level to which he is performing to in the film and is always persistent getting every line right down to the tip. So when you think of the perfect actor and all the right tools he needs to make himself excellent in a movie, everybody in the film industry wants a someone like a Dustin Hoffman, someone who never complains and comes in and does what they need to get done to perfection. This leads you to the assumption, that Dustin Hoffman could easily be the greatest actor of all time, yes it is true he has a exceptional track record and does his roles almost spotless, but the reason he is not #1 on my list is because he has failed to win Academy Awards. Hoffman has only been able to win a Academy award twice out of his 7 Best Actor nominations.

Recognitions: Dustin Hoffman has been nominated for 7 Academy Awards, and has won two for his performances in Rain Man and Kramer vs. Kramer. Hoffman has also been nominated for 11 Golden Globes and 9 BAFTA Awards. He is mostly recognized for his first appearance and one of his best performances in The Graduate.

#4, Jack Nicholson

Actor: Jack Nicholson

#1 Film: As Good As it Gets (1997)

4 other top films: #2, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), #3, Chinatown (1974), #4, About Schmidt (2002), #5, Prizzi's Honor (1985)

Critique: As I arrive to the top 5 actors in the

countdown, I begin to see more and more excellence. Today as I was doing Jack Nicholson's top films, I noticed neither of them are bad in any way whatsoever. Jack Nicholson's performances throughout the years emphasize the fact that an actor grows to become better by coming out with more films a year.

Recognitions: Jack Nicholson has been nominated for 11 Academy awards and has won 3 of them for his performances in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, As Good as it Gets, and Terms of Endearment (1983). Nicholson has also been nominated for 16 Golden Globes and has won 6 of them.

#5, Al Pacino

Actor: Al Pacino

#1 Film: The Godfather Trilogy (1972,1974, and 1990)

4 other top films: #2, Scent of a Woman (1992), #3, Scarface (1983), #4, Serpico (1983), #5, Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

Critique: When an actor is defined by three films, it pretty much spells out greatness. What Al Pacino has established in film is unaccounted for from his performance as Michael Corleone to Tony Montana, Al Pacino gives his best everytime he is on the big screen. Shortly after his Godfather debut was Pacino recognized by the film industry as a great actor. Even though he has only won one award for Best Actor, Al Pacino has been able to demonstrate professionally to what means a actor could reach.

Recognitions: Al Pacino has been nominated for 8 Academy Awards and 14 Golden Globes. He won the academy award for his role as Frank Slade in Scent of a Woman , and has won the Golden Globe for Best Actor for his performances in Scent of a Woman, and Serpico.

#6, Johnny Depp

Actor: Johnny Depp

#1 Film: Pirates of the Carribean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

4 other top films: #2, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2008), #3, Finding Neverland (2004), #4, Edward Scissorhands (1990), #5, Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Critique: For 25 years now, Johnny Depp has been gracing us with his presence on the big screen. His daily work in and out of the office requires no effort whatsoever and yet it still continues to be excellent. Pirates of the Carribean: The Dead Man's Chest , is ranked 4th overall in the all time box office and was primarily seen for Johnny Depp's performance in it. Starting in 1984 with A Nightmare on Elm Street to continuing now with Public Enemies Johnny Depps' performances are truly masterpieces.

Recognitions: Johnny Depp has been nominated for eight academy awards and has only won 1 for his performance in 2008 for Sweeney Todd . He has also been nominated for 3 academy awards, but unfortunately he has not won any.

#7, Morgan Freeman

Actor: Morgan Freeman

#1 Film: The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

4 other top films: #2, Driving Miss Daisy (1989), #3, Million Dollar Baby (2004), #4, Seven (1995), #5, Street Smart (1987)

Critique: From narration in many films, voicing in many films, and acting in many films, Morgan Freeman has changed the thought of acting in various different ideals. In by far his best performance ever in The Shawshank Redemption , Morgan Freeman plays his character Red to perfection.

Recognitions: Morgan Freeman has been nominated for 4 academy awards and 4 Golden Globes. He has won the Golden Globe for Best Actor for his performance in Driving Miss Daisy.

#8, Russell Crowe

Actor: Russell Crowe

#1 Film: Gladiator (2000)

4 other top films: #2, A Beautiful Mind (2001), #3, The Insider (1999), #4, Cinderella Man (2005), #5, L.A Confidential (1997)

Critique: Though he has only produced 29 films in his career, Russell Crowe has taken on his roles to perfection. In a span of three years from 1999 to 2001 Russell Crowe was nominated for back to back academy awards for his perfomances in The Insider, Gladiator, and A Beautiful Mind. Till today I have not seen anyone who can match that record, he has done it and with ease because he is able to bring such greatness to his roles as an actor.

Recognitions: Russell Crowe has been nominated for 8 Screen Actor Guild Awards and has won 1 for his performance in A Beautiful Mind. He has been nominated for 3 academy awards and won 1 for Maximus Meridius in Gladiator. To add to those he was also nominated for 5 Golden Globes and has won 2, so even though he has only made 29 films, he has gotten much recognition for them.

#9, Denzel Washington

Actor: Denzel Washington

#1 Film: Training Day (2001)

4 other top films: #2, The Hurricane (1999), #3, Malcolm X (1992), #4, Glory (1989), #5, Antwone Fisher (2002)

Critique: For 28 years now, the work of Denzel Washington has been seen on the big screen and awarded for his performance. The platform on which Washington has appeared as an actor is incredible from his performance in Glory till now in The Taking of Pelham 123, he has not stopped to show us any less of what he is capable of doing. His acting is beyond excellent, his movies are great, and the caliber to which he sets films is astronomical. I speak for everyone when I say, Denzel Washington is nothing less of a great actor in the world of film.

Recognitions: Denzel Washington throughout his life has been nominated for 72 awards, 5 of them academy awards and 5 Golden Globes. He won 4 awards including the academy award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Glory as Private Trip, he has also won 7 awards for his performance as Malcolm X in Malcolm X. He has won 4 awards for Best Actor in his performance in The Hurricane including the Golden Globe. In his best film, Training Day, Washington won 7 awards for Best Actor including the academy award for his performance as Detective Alonzo Harris.

#10, Leonardo DiCaprio

Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio

#1 Film: The Aviator (2004)

4 Other Top Films: #2, The Departed (2006), #3, Blood Diamond (2006), #4, Titanic (1997), #5, Catch Me if You Can (2002)

Critique: As I was accumulating the data for this countdown I did realize how much of an impact Dicaprio made for it. His work has been acclaimed for 16 years and the movies he has starred in have been magnificent. Films that also deserve some recognition for his work are Revolutionary Road (2008), Gangs of New York (2002), Romeo and Juliet (1995), and his earliest acclaimed film, What's Eating Gilbert Grape? (1993). What I notice as I continue to see Dicaprio's work, is that he has created every role he has been given a complete work of art.

Recognitions: Dicaprio has been nominated for 30 awards in his film career, but only 2 of those have been for academy awards, and 7 for Golden Globes.

Actor/Actress Countdown Week

In these following weeks, I will be counting down from 10 to 1 the best actors and actresses, this week starting with the actor day by day I will be stating the name of the actor, his best films, his #1 film, a critique for his acting and the recognitions they have received.

#1, Beauty and the Beast

Title: Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Signature Quote: "Of course I came back, I couldn't let them hurt you."

Script: 4.9

Directing: 4.9

Acting/Voices: 4.9

My Grade: 4.9

Abstract: Belle is a nice and ordinary girl who lives a simple life in town with her father. The Beast is a arrogant man who in reality is a prince, who was transformed to a Beast. When Belle's father is taken prisoner in a castle by the Beast, she is forced to find him and persuade the Beast to let him free, but when she arrives at the castle the Beast influences her life more than she could ever think of and in a way, she transforms him into someone he never knew he could become.

Critique: Indeedly the most beautiful love story ever told, Beauty and the Beast to me is the greatest achievement in the world of film. The only animated feature ever nominated for Best Picture in 1991, Beauty and the Beast is by far the best animated film ever drawn up and that is why it is ranked #1 on my countdown. Ressurecting the world of animation to me in the early 90's shows why Beauty and the Beast is much more than just an ordinary film, it is an extraordinary love story. Incredible and excitedly genius Beauty and the Beast, is a very indulging and enjoying film to watch. The most beautiful love story ever told, Beauty and the Beast, is #1 on my animation countdown for now and ever because it reached new heights in the world of animation.

Recogntions: Beauty and the Beast, was nominated for four academy awards including Best Picture, Best Score, and Best Song. It received the award for Best Score and Best Original Song, though it failed to receive the award for Best Picture it is widely accalaimed as the best animation film ever made.

#2, The Lion King

Title: The Lion King (1994)

Signature Quote: "Remember who you are, you are my son, the one true king. Remember.."

Script: 4.9

Directing: 4.8

Acting/Voices: 4.8

My Grade: 4.9

Abstract: After the death of his memorable father, a young lion cub, Simba longs to take the throne of king in the circle of life.

Critique: Greatness is the word which I think of in The Lion King. This film was not great because of it's animation, but because of it's story. The circle of life in animals which is constantly displayed in this film is amazing in everyway. A great film to watch overall.

Recognitons: The Lion King won the award for Best Score in the academy awards, but failed to win the award for Best Original Song.

#3, Toy Story 2

Title: Toy Story 2 (1999)

Signature Quote: "Ride like the wind Bullseye."

Script: 4.9

Directing: 4.9

Acting/Voices: 4.8

My Grade: 4.9

Abstract: All the toy's are back, but this time their back to save Woody. After Woody is stolen from a yard sale, which he was there by an accident, the whole group led by Buzz is on a mission to rescue Woody before he is sent to a museum in Japan to be put on display forever.

Critique: Bringing back with them the whole gang, this full length film is filled with much more than the first and is in a category of it's own. This to me is hands down the best sequel in film ever created because of the brilliant story and animation created. Toy Story 2, is much more than just an animated film, it is a breakthrough in film and in animation. After seeing Toy Story 2, I realized what Pixar's greatest film was. A great, great movie to watch and observe the greatness of 3-D animation at it's best.

Recognitions: Toy Story 2 was nominated for 1 academy award for Best Original Song, and for 2 Golden Globes including Best Original Song. It received the award for Best Film in a comedy or musical in the Golden Globes as well.

#4, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Title: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Signature Quote: "Magic Mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?'

Script: 4.9

Directing: 4.8

Acting/Voices: 4.8

My Grade: 4.8

Abstract: A grueling and masterful tale about love, death, jealousy and evil spins in all different ways.

Critique: An everlasting classic throughout 72 years Snow White yields so many different themes in ideas in itself. Each character represents a symbol to the extreme and exemplifies greatness in them. For example the queen represents envy and jealousy to great heights, Snow White herself love and kindness. If one were to think about it long enough this film is truly one of the best ever produced in film. Perfect to so many levels Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs anchors a creative and timeless classic in so many ways.

Recognitions: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first feature film created by Walt Disney Pictures and was ranked 49th on American Film Institute's 1998 top films of history.

#5, Pinocchio

Title: Pinocchio (1940)

Signature Quote: "I'm a real boy!"

Script: 4.8

Directing: 4.9

Acting/Voices: 4.8

My Grade: 4.8

Abstract: This film tells the story of one magical night in the toy shop of Geppetto and how a little man Jiminy Cricket helps change a boy's life in many ways.

Critique: A timeless classic in many ways, shapes, and forms Pinocchio is one of the greatest films in existence. The story Walt Disney was able to create with this film was one of the greatest ever.

Recognitions: Pinocchio won the academy award for Best Song and for Best Score.

#6, Toy Story

Title: Toy Story (1995)

Signature Quote: "You are a toy!!"

Script: 4.8

Directing: 4.8

Acting/Voices: 4.9

My Grade: 4.8

Abstract: Woody(A toy cowboy) fears that his owner Andy has a new favorite toy (buzz lightyear) and now he is on a race against to keep Andy's preference with him instead of Buzz.

Critique: As I said in a previous blog, Toy Story in the world of animation is a monumental achievement because of it's 3-D animation and it's incredible characters. The story John Lasseter creates on toy's is nothing short of genius in a single word. Toy Story still continues to be renowned as one of the greatest reached goals in the world of film using technology. Toy Story stands #6 on my blog not for it's animation alone, but also for it's amazing use of story writing in all aspects.

Recognitions: Toy Story was nominated for many awards in different award ceremonies, it's greatest win came when Director John Lasseter won the award for Special Achivement in the acadmey awards.

#7, The Incredibles

Title: The Incredibles (2004)

Signature Quote: "My name is not Buddy! It's not Incrediboy either, that ship has sailed. I only wanted to help, and what did you say? Fly Home, Buddy, I work alone. It tore me apart."

Script: 4.7

Directing: 4.8

Acting/Voices: 4.8

My Grade: 4.8

Abstract: In his prime, Bob Parr "Mr. Incredible" was the best superhero anybody could offer. He had super-strength he was married to the prettiest superhero "Elastigirl" and he took down all the villains in town. Now Bob Parr works behind a desk, listens to a police scanner and tries to relive "the glory days" of when he was a superhero. When Bob learns the identity of a new villain Syndrome (an ex-little boy who used to be Mr. Incredible's #1 fan) he and his family of crime fighters are on a mission, a mission to destroy Syndrome and save their town from destruction.

Critique: The Incredibles is once again another great achievement by Pixar in the field of animaation. The reason it has a lower score than Aladdin is because it is a more recent film and is graded harder. But if you were looking at which is the better film, The Incredibles is definitely a better film.

Recognitions: The Incredibles was nominated for 4 academy awards. It received the award for Best Animated Feature and Best Achievement in Sound Editing. It was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Achievement Sound.

#8, Aladdin

Title: Aladdin (1992)

Signature Quote: "I can show you the world."
Script: 4.9

Directing: 4.8

Acting/Voices: 4.8

My Grade: 4.8

Abstract: Aladdin is a local street rat, he and his pet monkey Abu make a living stealing from the local marketplace. Once Aladdin and Abu get stuck in the Cave of Wonders they awaken a Genie who has been prisoner in his lamp for many years. Once the Genie has awaken he grants Aladdin any three wishes of his choice. After Aladdin has figured out what he wishes to do which is get closer to one of the women he once met in the marketplace, Jasmine, he is on a mission to free the Genie.

Critique: Once the glow of 1991's epic Beauty and the Beast escaped the world of animation, Walt Disney pictures created Aladdin which is single handily one of the best animation films made and that is why it is ranked 8th on my countdown. The script John Musker and Ron Clements were able to create with this film is one of the best.

Recognitions: Aladdin received the academy awards for Best Score and Best Music. The song "A Whole New World" received many awards and continues to be acclaimed to this day as the best song ever in an animation film.

#9, A Bug's Life

Title: A Bug's Life (1998)

Signature Quote: " They can't know the truth, the truth you see is bad. I will be branded for this mistake for the rest of my life, my children's children will down the street and people will point and say. "Look, there goes the spawn of Flik the Loser".

Script: 4.8

Directing: 4.8

Acting/Voices: 4.8

My Grade: 4.8

Abstract: Among millions of ants, Flik an inventor is a gifted and skilled ant. When Flik accidentally loses all the food of his colony, he is determined to help rescue them from the threatening grasshoppers that want to take over them.

Critique: A Bug's Life, is one of Pixar's greatest films for it's animation and incredible story tale. Flik, I believe resembles the strong willed and creative main character which puts life in a story. Because of Flik's determination is why A Bug's Life is great. Thrilling, funny, and fantastic A Bug's Life is a great film to watch.

Recognitions: A Bug's Life made four times it's budget in the box office and received a 91% from Rotten Tomatoes.