First a quick rundown for those new to how this all works.
I take all the films an actor or actress has been in and break them down into three categories, 'Good' 'Bad' and 'Ok.' I do not count TV appearances or Made for TV movies. Afterwards a quick analysis will show whether or not they're a good actor by the numbers. Invariably there is a 2-3 +/- point bias on a person to person basis. Also, since 'ok' movies are not bad they count towards the positive column in the overall figuring. If, by the numbers, they fall in the 50 - 60% range, they're a bad actor; 61 - 70% good actor, and 71 - 80% great actor. Anything higher is unlikely, but will be classified as "elite."
Now then, let's see those numbers:
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There are moments when doing this column that truly surprise me. It wasn't the actual numbers -those I expected to be good. What I was surprised by was just how many unquestionably great movies he's been in. Not just that either. There are a type of bad movies that I consider forgivable. Films that seem like they should be a good idea on paper don't always end up that way and it's not something I'd hold against an actor. Quite a few of Woody's bad films end up in that section. And alright, yes, I am a little surprised he came out this high. As it stands, with a huge 73% good over 27% bad, Woody Harrelson officially falls under the category of 'Great' actor. So far just a select few have landed that title.
Thanks to The Cottage Child for this week's pick!
I'm not surprised! It's not that he is such a great actor (in the classical) sense, it's that he's a great actor in quirky roles. He's had a lot of those...
ReplyDeleteMy taste tends to run towards quirky, so I'm happy!
Another great "by the numbers" Tim...
I love him. Love him. Love him. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteFunny, I didn't realize it - but I'm right there with you with cheers. He does a lovable buffoon really well, and who doesn't like that?
ReplyDeleteHave you done steve martin? Forgive me if so ... actually going to look after i post this.
true story: this bar that my husband & i frequent was one time visited by mr. harrelson. he had just done natural born killers & apparently thought he was hot shit. he comes into this bar with no shoes on & the bouncer was like HELL to the no and when woody pitched a big fit about how dare they do this to him, didnt they know who he was the owner said "i dont give a fuck who you are. put your damn shoes on or get the hell out."
ReplyDeletehaha. just thought i'd share.
great post!
I'd have to say I like everything I can remember seeing Woody in. He is kind of off-beat but he acts to his character so it always seems to work. Good Review.
ReplyDeleteI know I requested Bill Murray a little while ago but I don't know if you have already done him. What a weird sentence that turned out to be!
I will be honest, wow, that suprised me. I am sorry can someone tell me the name of ONE good movie he was in, I missed it. Really? REALLY? All I can think of is that movie where he was a bowler. I am going to stop now before I piss someone off. Blossom REALLY?
ReplyDeleteI will be honest, wow, that suprised me. I am sorry can someone tell me the name of ONE good movie he was in, I missed it. Really? REALLY? All I can think of is that movie where he was a bowler. I am going to stop now before I piss someone off. Blossom REALLY?
ReplyDeleteIf The Cowboy Way can't make you squeal a little in delight... what can?
ReplyDeleteGood call, CC!
Thanks for not screwin this one up, TS!
RMB, that story is awesome!
ReplyDeleteChuck, I try and keep a list going so I will make sure to get to him soon.
Alaina, you should take a look through his credits on the imdb, you'd probably be surprised.
That is a shocker. I like Woody but didn't think he was great. Now crunch the numbers on Betty White.
ReplyDeleteWoody has been in a lot of stuff, and I have to agree, he has his moments.
ReplyDeleteNice post about Woody, he is great..
ReplyDeleteAhh yes, Woody H. is great!
ReplyDeleteI like Woody although not sure if he is great. So many actors are playing the same type of character in each film one has to wonder if they are just playing themselves. When I think of great I think of someone who can become anyone like Johnny Depp or Renee Zellweger.
ReplyDeleteWhat are Woody's (27%) bad movies? Are they listed somewhere?
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I notice when I list an actor's movies in IMDB: often, I haven't heard of 27% of them, which might suggest that they're bad, but then again, not. How do you handle the little-known, not-seen movies in the list when assigning them a good/ok/bad label?
Perhaps you explain this elsewhere. Just askin.
Fun topic.
Fairfield, I think you nailed it - he doesn't stray too far from role to role, but he really adds nuance to a certain type of character. I have to say I'm a little surprised at the "great" result. That'll learn me.
ReplyDeletejoem, That's why at most I only do one of these a week. I take my time to go through the movies. If a film has only been seen by ten people and I'm not one of them I'm not likely to count it into the equation. Though as I have explained in another column, I've wasted a lot of time watching obscure movies.
ReplyDeleteIt's a far from perfect system, but I think most of the people who've read the column regularly would agree it's surprisingly accurate.
Except for when he did Julia.
ReplyDeleteCB, did you mean to write Julio?
ReplyDeleteTS - my latest Woody movie was Defendor - I loved it. Was I only one of the ten who saw it, or was it good? Or bad?
ReplyDeleteCotton, Still bitter about that?
ReplyDeleteCottage Child, I loved Defendor. I thought it was brilliant.
In a word... yes.
ReplyDeleteYeah CC... he hurrrrrt me with his lack of love for our dear Julio. Not right. It's not right, at all. His mama didn't school him well, I fear.
Agree with everything yet shocked you were a Cheers hater.
ReplyDeleteIf anything can be said for Woody Harrelson its that when he's on, he's on. NBK will always be my favorite of all of his roles though, despite what Zombieland may tell you.
ReplyDelete