Who do you seek out/avoid in films?

[Backdrifter]

Are there certain actors who make you either want to see a film or give it a wide berth?

I'm drawn to films featuring Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, and Johnny Depp.

Based on experience, I try to steer well clear of ones starring Julia Roberts, Andie McDowell, Jamie Lee Curtis or Tom Arnold.

Sometimes certain actors just annoy you for no clear reason. There are quite a few of those, but I can't get away from the fact that I don't think I've ever liked a Julia Roberts film. Pretty Woman is one of my most hated films ever. Although wasn't she - and Andie McDowell! - in Short Cuts? That would be the exception. The reverse of that is Practical Magic, which stars Kidman, and is one of the worst films I've ever seen.

McDowell's an odd one. I really like 3 films with her in - Short Cuts, Groundhog Day and Sex Lies - but I can't stand her!

[andy-hughes]

I avoid anything with Hugh Grant and Andie McDowell in, and i try to watch what ever Johnny Depp does. I also avoid Sean Connery, and see everything I can with Woody Allen.

[Backdrifter]

Andy, we're as one on McDowell and Depp, it seems. You must have LOVED Four Weddings.

Though, as I said, 3 films I particularly like feature her. Yet I still can't stand her. I even have to switch off those cosmetics ads she does.

[CLOWN TICKLE]

Mainly dislikes, anything with Meryl Streep, Woody Allen and Jim Carrey

[violetblue]

Avoid McDowell and Grant, and any other upper-class toff; seek Sean Penn, De Niro (I think one modelled himself on the other but whether or not that's the case, they're both excellent), Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline.

[tonymclark]

I can't watch anything with Tom Hanks in it ( apart from the two Toy Story films, but then I didn't have to watch him as he was only a voice ).
I have had a dislike for John Wayne since the 1970s when BBC2 ran Western films as an alternative to Grandstand.

Not sure there is an actor I'm drawn to see, though I do like Emma Thompson.

[rogerr]

If Morgan Freeman is in a film, it's a must see for me.

[Suzyboo]

Would watch a film with Kevin Spacey in, or Morgan Freeman but hate Jim Carrey films except for the Truman show

[violetblue]

Was just about to say, I seek Morgan Freeman, Samuel L Jackson, Denzel Washington, and avoid Julia Roberts like the plague. Also like Jodie Foster though she can get on my nerves a bit.

[rogerr]

Do you think Morgan Freeman is going to win, bearing in mind he was in Shawshank, which is getting rave reviews in the post below?
R

[Backdrifter]

Suzy have you seen Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind?

I normally can't stand Carrey but like you I enjoyed Truman. I think he could be a terrific straight actor if he let himself. Eternal Sunshine, for me, was his best performance by a long way, even better than Truman. You kind of forget it's him. He was also in a somewhat overlooked little film called The Majestic in which he was also quite low-key.

Yes Spacey's pretty good value. You must have liked Seven, with both him and Freeman in. Then again, look at Outbreak. That has both of them in and was laughably bad. Which reminds me - I can't bear Rene Russo either. I'm also not too keen on Demi Moore.

[natalie_1982]

Look out for:
Ray Winstone
Johnny Depp
Robert Carlisle
Adam Sandler
Samuel L Jackson
Morgan Freeman
Danny Glover

Avoid:
Meg Ryan
Tom Cruise
Leonardo Dicaprio
Jim Carrey
Gwyneth Paltrow

[JOEYGREEN]

I avoid films with Tom Cruise in them because he comes across as such a slime ball.

I look out for films with Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman

[Suzyboo]

Do absolutely love Seven. Have seen Eternal Sunshine and although I guess I didn't mind him in it, didn't particularly enjoy the film. I think I liked the premise of the plotline more than what they actually did with it. Favourite Spacey film has to Usual Suspects though.Agree with the people who mentioned Samuel L jackson and Robert Carlisle too - both good actors but Adam Sandler?

[guinnessman]

Natalie_1982, I agree with your lists completely except for 1 thing. Surely you have Adam Sandler in the wrong list ?? Please !!!

[mccfluff]

i don't mind early tom cruise efforts such as risky buiness but i avoid the later 'tom' fests. anything with steven segal or john claude watsit i avoid like the plague. Jim carrey sometimes like in the truman show but usually he does my head in but i do enjoy watching johnny depp, sean connery, micheal cain, christian slater, julia roberts, cate blanchett and kate winslett, judi dench, and loads more that i can't think of right now

[Backdrifter]

Thank you natalie for reminding me - Meg s*dding Ryan!

Seven, for such a grim film, has 2 lines that always make me laugh out loud and they're both spoken by Spacey.

"Detective. Detective. DE-TEC-T-I-I-I-I-I-VE!"

"Nothing here but a dead dog".
"I didn't do that."

[violetblue]

Oh, I forgot the magnificently scary and crazy Christopher Walken!

[vehelpfulguy]

Glad others have mentioned TOM CRUISE. I get the impression he is always saying to the director, make me look good.

Also avoid RICHARD GERE for similar reasons.

JULIA ROBERTS is another that I avoid.

Having said the above I though Tom Cruise did a great mickey take at the begining of Austin Powers 3, and Julia Roberts was good in Notting Hill (only film I have seen her in).

[claireyfairy]

can't stand tom cruise now but loved his old stuff, Top Gun, Days of Thunder, Far and Away and Legend (where he was really young and stil had bad teeth!)

[natalie_1982]

I love Adam Sandler you cheeky gits!