# The Harry Dean Stanton Law **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 13, 2001, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432 "2001-07-13T23:30:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2001, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/21 "2001-07-14T20:45:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*Mine is Anthony Hopkins, who I’ve only ever seen in one bad movie: the execrable Mission Impossible 2. \*\* So are you saying that you liked _Freejack_? ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2001, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/22 "2001-07-14T22:20:13Z")
> [@](#): > > _Arden Ranger says:_ Kevin Spacey has never been in a truely bad movie. Atleast not that I can think of. Sounds like you’ve been spared from watching: _See No Evil, Hear No Evil Dad Pay It Forward Consenting Adults_ As for Anthony Hopkins: _The Road to Wellville Desparate Hours Meet Joe Black How the Grinch Stole Christmas_ (voiceover) Fine actors both–just setting the record straight And as for Bruce Willis–Good Lord!: \*North, Color of Night, Sunset, The Jackal, \* the \*Look Who’s Talking \*movies, the list goes on and on (though I do think he’s good when used properly) ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2001, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/23 "2001-07-14T22:23:58Z")
Oh, and much as I love Franklin Pangborn and Charles Coburn, they both appeared in the horrendous **Story of Mankind** ---
**Author:** ![pesch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pesch/32/4925_2.png) [@pesch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pesch)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2001, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/24 "2001-07-14T23:09:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by katiekilldare \* > \*\ ***Edward Norton** ’s very presence in a movie makes it good. _Primal Fear_? Worth watching because of him. _Everyone Says I Love You_? Edward saved it. > > \*\* He’s getting good notices opposite Brando and De Niro in “The Score.” ---
**Author:** ![virtee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/dbc845/32.png) [@virtee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/virtee)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2001, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/25 "2001-07-14T23:11:39Z")
Am I only allowed one? If not, I’d say Gene Hackman _and_ Christopher Walken. (probably TMI but if I was a woman, I would sleep with Mr. Walken) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2001, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/26 "2001-07-14T23:16:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by adam yax \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > > \*\*Mine is Anthony Hopkins, who I’ve only ever seen in one bad movie: the execrable Mission Impossible 2. \*\* > > So are you saying that you liked _Freejack_? \*\* Excellent point. Allow me to rephrase: I have never seen a movie that would be better _without_ him, except MI2. Freejack sucked, but Hopkins was cool in it. _Dracula_ sucked too, but Hopkins was great in it. Same with _Road to Wellville_. Speaking of _Dracula_, Gary Oldman is another actor who seems constitutionally unable to give a bad performance. More bad Bruce Willis movies: _Striking Distance, The Story of Us, The Siege, Mercury Rising, The Jackal, Four Rooms, North_ (!!!), _Blind Date_. All of which are redeemed by his work with M. Night Shyamalan and the _Die Hard_ trilogy. ---
**Author:** ![katiekilldare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/838e76/32.png) [@katiekilldare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katiekilldare)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2001, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/27 "2001-07-14T23:38:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*Speaking of _Dracula_, Gary Oldman is another actor who seems constitutionally unable to give a bad performance. > \*\* Here, here! Gary Oldman can make a movie good, too. I guess _The Fifth Element_ is debateable as a good movie, though. But he’s still fabulous in it. ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/41988e/32.png) [@Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/28 "2001-07-15T00:15:12Z")
Pesonally, I nominate Kevin Kline. I liked January Man. I liked I Love You To Death. I liked Fierce Creatures. Sophie’s Choice wasn’t among my favorite movies, but I wouldn’t call it a bad movie, most especially with Kevin’s performance in it, which was about the only thing I found entertaining. Okay, so Princess Caraboo wasn’t the greatest, but I’ll still race to see movie simply because he’s in it. Turbo Dog’s choice is Tommy Lee Jones. He even liked Double Jeopardy and Blown Away. ---
**Author:** ![HelloKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecccb3/32.png) [@HelloKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKitty)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/29 "2001-07-15T02:48:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\* > More bad Bruce Willis movies: _Striking Distance, The Story of Us, The Siege, Mercury Rising, The Jackal, Four Rooms, North_ (!!!), _Blind Date_. All of which are redeemed by his work with M. Night Shyamalan and the _Die Hard_ trilogy. \*\* [/hijacking] I must defend Bruce!!! Good Bruce Willis movies: - Pulp Fiction Die Hard I - III Armageddon _(c’mon, you liked it!!)_ The 5th Element Sixth Sense Unbreakable 12 Monkeys In Country The Whole Nine Yards The Last Boy Scout Mortal Thoughts _(with then-wife Demi)_ The Kid\* Plus, as I mentioned before, _Hudson Hawk_ and _Bonfire of the Vanities_. (OK, I admit I am pushing it with the last 2, but I can’t help it!!) [/hijack over] ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/30 "2001-07-15T05:20:19Z")
I was going to nominate Steve Buscemi, but then I took a look at his [filmography](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Buscemi,+Steve). _Jumanji 2!?!_ Say it ain’t so, Steve. ---
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/31 "2001-07-15T05:46:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*Excellent point. Allow me to rephrase: I have never seen a movie that would be better _without_ him, except MI2. Freejack sucked, but Hopkins was cool in it. _Dracula_ sucked too, but Hopkins was great in it. Same with _Road to Wellville_. > \*\* And, since Euty nominated Morgan Freeman, he was good in _Prince of Thieves,_ which otherwise sucked on toast. Another suggestion: I can’t think of a bad movie that has Derek Jacobi in it. ---
**Author:** ![Mersavets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aca169/32.png) [@Mersavets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mersavets)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/32 "2001-07-15T07:03:04Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Miller \* \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by adam yax \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > > \*\*Mine is Anthony Hopkins, who I’ve only ever seen in one bad movie: the execrable Mission Impossible 2. \*\* > > So are you saying that you liked _Freejack_? \*\* I haven’t seen Freejack or MI2 but Hopkins was one of my HDSs until _Instinct_. ---
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/33 "2001-07-15T14:13:05Z")
For me, it’s Alan Rickman. I haven’t seen many films with him in it, but **so far** he is my HDS. Another one is Harrison Ford. The movies I’ve **seen** with him in it are good (or at least his performance is good). ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/34 "2001-07-15T18:21:14Z")
Matt Damon is my HDS. Julia Stiles is my anti-HDS mostly because I detest her being, so any movie with her in it is automatically something I won’t see. ---
**Author:** ![Lux\_Fiat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Lux\_Fiat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lux_Fiat)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/35 "2001-07-15T18:36:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tequila Mockingbird \* > Pesonally, I nominate Kevin Kline Have you ever seen _In and Out_? ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/36 "2001-07-15T18:42:13Z")
I’ll second kevin kline, and I did see In and Out. I think a lot of people are forgetting the letter of the law which is the movie can’t be COMPLETELY BAD with this person in it. It doesn’t have to be a non stop string of great movies to apply to the law, it just has to be saved from the quagmire by said actor. In and Out was not a great movie, but Kevin Kline made it entertaining. jarbaby ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/41988e/32.png) [@Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/37 "2001-07-15T18:43:42Z")
Yep, I have Lux. Again, while it’s not among my favorite movies, I wouldn’t say it was bad. The ‘How to Be a Man’ scene made me laugh aloud, and I am more of a “quiet chuckle” kind of person. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/38 "2001-07-15T19:26:27Z")
Hey, waitaminnit…I LIKED _In & Out!_ The “How to be a Man” scene was the high point, but I also have fond memories of the inability of Bob Newhart to say the word “homosexual,” the scene in the confessional, Joan Cusack slamming out of the bar in her bridal gown screaming “Is EVERYBODY gay?” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2001, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/39 "2001-07-15T22:33:30Z")
For my money, the presence of John Turturo is a good sign. To a lesser extent, Anthony LaPaglia. ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2001, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432/40 "2001-07-16T18:26:47Z")
Hey, I’ll second Turturro. Being best pals with both Spike Lee and the Coen brothers doesn’t hurt, but he seems to have a nose for that which doesn’t suck. Anyone disagree? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-harry-dean-stanton-law/72432.md?page=3)