I'm too lazy to search, but awhile back James Woods was mentioned in the John Carpenter thread and as luck would have it, I just purchased two of my favorite films of his: Another Day in Paradise and Bestseller. ADIP is the story of an aging criminal couple, Woods and Melanie Giffith, who take a young couple, Vincent Kartheiser and Natasha Gregson Wagner, under their wings to show them the ropes. Bestseller is the tale of a hitman, Woods, who applies pressure to cop/author Brian Dennehy to write his biography. Anyone who likes Woods who hasn't seen either should do themselves a favor and rent them.

Other memorable Woods performances: Salvador, This Girl's Life, Dirty Pictures, Diggstown, Citizen Cohn, The Hard Way, True Believer, Videodrome, The Onion Field, and as the voice of Hades in Hercules.

Christian Bale also was discussed due to his complete ownership of the Batman role so I thought I would mention a couple of other worthwhile performances: Shaft, American Psycho, Equilibrium, Velvet Goldmine, & Metroland.

I'm too lazy to search, but awhile back James Woods was mentioned in the John Carpenter thread and as luck would have it, I just purchased two of my favorite films of his: Another Day in Paradise and Bestseller. ADIP is the story of an aging criminal couple, Woods and Melanie Giffith, who take a young couple, Vincent Kartheiser and Natasha Gregson Wagner, under their wings to show them the ropes. Bestseller is the tale of a hitman, Woods, who applies pressure to cop/author Brian Dennehy to write his biography. Anyone who likes Woods who hasn't seen either should do themselves a favor and rent them.

Other memorable Woods performances: Salvador, This Girl's Life, Dirty Pictures, Diggstown, Citizen Cohn, The Hard Way, True Believer, Videodrome, The Onion Field, and as the voice of Hades in Hercules.

James Woods! He has a lot of talents. Racist in Ghosts of Mississippi, heavy smoker in Cat's eye(Oh! He was very funny character ), and Casino, Once upon a time in America.

Christian Bale also was discussed due to his complete ownership of the Batman role so I thought I would mention a couple of other worthwhile performances: Shaft, American Psycho, Equilibrium, Velvet Goldmine, & Metroland.

Don't forget The Machinist. He was weird.

Christian Bale also was discussed due to his complete ownership of the Batman role so I thought I would mention a couple of other worthwhile performances: Shaft, American Psycho, Equilibrium, Velvet Goldmine, & Metroland.

Why don't I remember Bale in Velvet Goldmine? Crap now I am going to have to rent it again and watch for him...

Other memorable Woods performances: Salvador, This Girl's Life, Dirty Pictures, Diggstown, Citizen Cohn, The Hard Way, True Believer, Videodrome, The Onion Field, and as the voice of Hades in Hercules.

Christian Bale performances: Shaft, American Psycho, Equilibrium, Velvet Goldmine, & Metroland.

Kenji's already mentioned that Woods was great in Casino and Once upon a Time in America. Two films where he co-starred with Robert De Niro.

Oh yeah and to add to your list of great Christian Bale performances, Scott. He was also great in Spielberg's underrated 1987 film, Empire of the Sun. Bale was only 13 when he took the part but he was terrific in the film and really showed the growth of a spoiled brat into a feral youth.

Christian Bale also was discussed due to his complete ownership of the Batman role so I thought I would mention a couple of other worthwhile performances: Shaft, American Psycho, Equilibrium, Velvet Goldmine, & Metroland.

I also liked him in Reign of Fire. People already mentioned Empire of the Sun and the Machinist. He was amazing in the Machinist. He was so thin that people thought they used special effects.

Bestseller is fantastic. The scene in the picture photo booth would even impress repairman jack.

.....Oh yeah and to add to your list of great Christian Bale performances, Scott. He was also great in Spielberg's underrated 1987 film, Empire of the Sun. Bale was only 13 when he took the part but he was terrific in the film and really showed the growth of a spoiled brat into a feral youth.

I completely agree. "Empire of the Sun" is on my list of top 20 favorite films of all time. Back in January, I wrote this about "Empire," on the "Favorite Movies Scenes from the '80's" thread:

"I'm adding "Empire of the Sun" to the mix here. There are so many wonderful scenes...Jamie trapped in the crowd and ripped from his mother's hand after he ducks down to pick up his little model plane; he climbs atop a stranded rickshaw, looks out on the throng of hundreds and cries "Mummie! Mummie!" I know that sounds wimpy, but it tears my heart out.

Jamie, new to the prisoner camp, is tired, hungry, lost and alone. He turns and sees a Japanese aircraft, one of his model planes come to life! With an awed look, he walks to the plane and embraces it. He leans his little head against the plane's flank and strokes it gently, a poignant reminder of his home, his room, his lost life. The Japanese commandant sees him and when Jamie doesn't respond to his shouts to get away from the plane, he raises his rifle to shoot the boy. But from across the tarmack come 3 Japanese pilots. They stride towards Jamie and watch him paying homage to their plane. They smile. Jamie turns and sees them. He raises his hand in a proud salute. The pilots return the salute, and the commandant lowers his rifle.

Quite wonderful."

I fell in love with little Christian Bale then and there, and now that he's all grown up...WoWEEEEE!

Bestseller is fantastic. The scene in the picture photo booth would even impress repairman jack.

No doubt and that is only one of many great moments. It's been years since I watched it, so I popped in the other nightand it still rocks. Woods is great and it is one of Dennehy's better roles.