"Common just made me realize something about acting/casting"
Some actors are cast explicitly to play themselves. And I don't mean in a... I'm a rapper playing a rapper kind of way. But Ina way where the actor is not required to dig deep or show any kind of range to portray what the director is looking for.
See Fredro Starr in the Wire, Method Man in The Wire, DMX in any of his feature films. They are all doing them, regardless of the character's archetype.
I look at Commons career as an actor and wonder how he's gone beyond random cameos and been successful at it.
That Comm/Queen Latifah flick- it's just Common in basketball shorts
He'll On Wheels- Common in western gear.
and the flick that prompted this post- RIPD... Common in a suit, with the same mannerisms, inflections, and accent that we've known him for since the 90s.
So I guess my "no shit" moment of the day comes from realizing that while some successful actors don't have very good acting chops at all...a great natural build, look, and voice encompass something that directors can repeatedly use for a myriad of characters without asking much of the actor themselves....
1. "http://i57.tinypic.com/2vaf6nn.jpg" In response to Reply # 0 Sun Aug-03-14 02:56 PM by TheWhiteMedia
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-------------------------------------- It wasn't any conspiracy, or the media. They weren't doing anything. We were bad boys, and we were enjoying being bad boys. Michael Irvin Black person The U
6. "its painful to watch" In response to Reply # 3
at this point if he is cast in a movie or tv show I dont even watch it. It shows that at least one terrible decision was made and I dont want to see what others were made.
November 8th, 2005 The greatest night in the history of GD!
14. "Y'all have insert whatever hot actress y'all like *here*" In response to Reply # 3
We have common That man foine So is Brad
Let there be as many foine ass none acting ass men as there are women ~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
22. "Argh it's on netflix" In response to Reply # 16
~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
24. "I agree, "LUV" was Common's best performance." In response to Reply # 16 Wed Aug-06-14 02:30 AM by J-Elijah
I saw "LUV" in the theater when it was released and I agree, Common gave his best performance in that film. It was so interesting to see the original Sister from "Sparkle", Lonette McKee playing his mom.
But I have to say most rappers who become actors are not very good. They have no training, like true thespians Viola Davis or Denzel Washington who went to drama school and paid their dues doing theatre and Broadway, and they don't take the craft seriously. There are a few exceptions like 2Pac and Will Smith (7 Pounds, Pursuit of Happiness). Rappers need to perfect their craft doing theater then they should transition into film.
7. "This, I think, is why the term "character actor" is an important distinc..." In response to Reply # 0 Mon Aug-04-14 01:14 PM by Brew
for actors like Stephen Root, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Stephen Buscemi etc....because they actually ACT and don't just portray themselves wearing different clothes.
I think some people can still be really, really good onscreen by displaying a wide range of emotions in their limited roles, and things like that. But I'm always more impressed and likely to follow the lesser known but more talented people like the ones listed above. Any movie or show they are in I tend to check for.
2 - What you're talking about is "names." If they're a "name" - they don't have to ACT. "Names" are: *Actors who became movie stars and are subsequently bigger than the films they're in. *Rappers *Athletes *Benefits of nepotism *Comedians *Celebrities
Common's a bona fide "name" - but be grateful, it could be worse.
"Your current frequencies of understanding outweigh that which has been given for you to understand." Saul Williams
11. "he isnt a name though" In response to Reply # 10 Tue Aug-05-14 12:09 AM by RobOne4
I mean he started to get popular then he jumped ship and went into cinema. He might be recognizable with black people but he definitely isnt known like that in other demos. He definitely isnt bigger than the movies he is in.
November 8th, 2005 The greatest night in the history of GD!
15. "Because he's handsome" In response to Reply # 12
Can't even count the amount of women that have made careers off their looks Because of these same fools But now these fools are acting connoisseurs Right No one believes them Way too late for this shit now ~~~~ When you are born, you cry, and the world rejoices. Live so that when you die, you rejoice, and the world cries. ~~~~ You cannot hate people for their own good.
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