Ashton Kutcher. I’ve pretty much hated him in everything he’s ever done. He’s either playing an annoying idiot or he’s playing somebody who’s supposed to be smart but still comes off as an idiot.
But I really liked him in No Strings Attached.
I’d also recommend Bound.
Nope. Not even the GF’s. Surprises me too. He’s so highly regarded by public and peers, I know I’m missing something, but I just don’t get it. For some reason, Sea Of Love, which I thought was a good but unremarkable film, is the only time I’ve ever seen what others admire so much in him.
Peter Sellers absolutely nailed the role of Chance in Being There. His other work, I can do without, with the exception of Dr. Strangelove. I like Dr. Strangelove, but it’s not because of Sellers. But Being There–Sellers was perfect.
Another vote for Wil Ferrell in Elf. He got it, he understood the role perfectly; but he didn’t quite seem to in his other movies.
I despise Tom Cruise, but he was good in Rain Man, mostly because he let Dustin Hoffman tak eover the movie.
John Travolta stank in Grease. Notice he is usually singing and dancing by himself. During the Greased Lightning sequence, Jeff Conway totally upstages him.
James Spader in The Blacklist is excellent. James Spader elsewhere is like watching James Spader actively resenting that he won the audition for the casting call for James Spader types.
The only thing I’ve liked Will Ferrell in was Stranger than Fiction. And, no, I’m not ignoring Elf.
Adam Sandler is unwatchable in everything except for Punch Drunk Love.
Keira Knightley’s name on the marquee can keep me from a movie. Going all the way back to the first Pirates of the Caribbean, I thought “does this girl only have the one facial expression?” I knew she was playing a damsel in distress who is actually somewhat of a bad ass, but surely there are other ways to portray that than permanent jaw clenching. Then I realized it’s because that’s just how her face is constructed. Not her fault but I find it too distracting. Except for some reason I really liked her in Atonement.
David Spade’s name on the poster (and the stupid title) kept me away from The Emperor’s New Groove for years, but when I eventually saw it I loved it. Easily the best non-Pixar thing from Disney in the aughts. It’s the only time I’ve ever found him to be funny. Everything else - sitcoms, SNL, movies, commercials - I just want to punch that I’m-cooler-than-everyone-else smirk off his face.
Maybe that was what helped - it was voice acting and I didn’t have to look at him.
This is pretty much how I feel about Matthew Broderick and WarGames, even though I know he did stuff before it.
Interestingly, that movie is also the only one I can watch Rob Schneider in. He’s actually likable.
I still enjoy him in Conan the Barbarian, where he did not speak a lot, but did manage to convey a complex, thoughtful character, before he became AH-nald and degenerated in stupid schtick (“AAhhll be BAAHHCk.”)
I would save Kevin Kline, too, except I can’t come up with a single thing I’ve seen that I didn’t hate him in. 
I just thought of another one; <takes of sunglasses> David Caruso. I know he was supposed to have been a big deal on NYPD Blue (?) but the few scenes I saw here and there didn’t look very good to me. I’ve since seen episodes of CSI Miami, which I watched f because I used to not have any other channels to choose from at 12:00 AM. It’s hard to believe he wasn’t doing a spoof of someone else. I mean, we were supposed to take that nonsense seriously? :smack:
BUT, he was really good in Session 9. A quirky character in a creepy ass movie. He was perfect.
I liked Martha Plimpton in Raising Hope.
I chalk that up to the great writing.
Anthony LaPaglia stole the show in Betsy’s Wedding as a not-too-bright young mobster, but he’s irritated me in just about everything else I’ve seen him in.
I’m not really a fan of his, but thought he did well in the superhero parody Mystery Men, too.
Enthusiastically seconded.
You’ve got to see her as the Stage Mom from Hell in I, Tonya. She really earned her Oscar.
:: raises hand ::
Pistols at dawn, sir!
I’m a big fan. After you see her in the Pirates movies and Atonement, check out Pride & Prejudice and, say, Silk, Begin Again, Love Actually or A Dangerous Method. I hope you’ll see that she has a lot more than one expression.
Have I got a treat for you - Jim Carrey does David Caruso: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJSqkwyL1Zo&t=2s
Kevin Costner was good in The Untouchables because his acting style is dispassionate and wooden just like you’d expect of a successful number cruncher. He’s Elliot Ness in every other role I’ve seen him in, however. Can’t stomach him.
Brad Pitt was at his absolute best in True Romance.
I was rewatching This Is Spinal Tap and I realized I didn’t like Fred Willard. Then I realized I didn’t like him in anything else, either. But I like Fred Willard very much as Phil’s dad in Modern Family.
For that matter, when it comes to Shelley Long, hers is a career that’s bookended by Cheers and Modern Family. . . and there are no books in the middle.
I have never, ever, *ever *seen Fred Willard in a role I liked. Hate him.
Heh. I came here to post Will Ferrell in Stranger than Fiction.
Glad I’m not the only one.
Cool! 