Sunday Similar Standards: Robert Downey, Jr.

Welcome to a semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Robert Downey, Jr.

After getting clean following drug problems in the early 2000s, Downey has returned with a massive career resurgence and a stunning ability to deliver exceptional performances as fast-talking, brilliant, irresponsible, and more than occasionally impolite egomaniacs. It’s earned him one Oscar nomination this decade and the chance to play the exact same part on a number of occasions.

The Singing Detective (2003): Downey played a sickly novelist with delusions of grandeur who imagined he was a great detective who frequently burst into song in this adaptation of a British series.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): Downey oozed charisma and fake charm as a criminal pretending to be an actor to better get away with his crimes.

Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006): Downey was eccentric in a different way as a man whose whole body was covered in hair and had an interesting influence on the artist played by Nicole Kidman.

Zodiac (2007): Though he was merely a supporting player, Downey still stole scenes as a fast-talking reporter with a penchant for pushing the envelope in pursuit of the truth.

Charlie Bartlett (2007): Downey was just as wild as the film’s title character as the alcoholic principal exuding bad influence in this high school drug-dealing comedy.

Iron Man (2008): Downey made Tony Stark a hilariously self-centered and immensely watchable character, and he’s now had the opportunity to reprise the role three times, and he’ll do so again in the upcoming “Iron Man” and “Avengers” sequels.

Tropic Thunder (2008): Downey had fun playing a method actor so into his role that he played an African-American man, and was commended with an Oscar nomination for his individualistic nutty efforts.

The Soloist (2009): For once, Downey was the less showy character, though he still made an impression as a down-spiraling reporter who discovers a homeless musician in this relatively forgettable drama.

Sherlock Holmes (2009): Downey took home a Golden Globe for his energetic and entertaining portrayal of the classic detective, and his onscreen banter with Jude Law and Rachel McAdams was magnificent. The sequel was a hit too, and a third film is unsurprisingly on the way.

Due Date (2010): Downey paired up with Zach Galifianakis to roll his eyes and shout wildly at his partner’s stupidity in this wacky road trip film in which he had plenty of opportunity to insult and demean his new friend.

Anything different?

Well before the 2000s, Downey earned an Oscar nomination for playing Charlie Chaplin in the 1992 biopic.

What’s next?

Literally, more of the same, with three separate sequels on the way.

The verdict?

Downey is extremely hot right now, and the fact that he can get away with being so outrageous and relatively rude in his parts is a testament to just how popular he is. There’s a reason that his films keep commanding sequels, and he’s likely to have a long and prolific career if he stays clean and keeps making entertaining movies.

Sunday Similar Standards: Keira Knightley

Welcome to a semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Keira Knightley

This beautiful British actress is just twenty-seven years old, yet she’s been acting in popular American and British films for the past decade. She’s best known for portraying spirited women trapped in their own skin for some reason or another, yearning to break free of the confines of their status or time. Her characters are also likely to be both witty and charming.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999): This one is more of a joke since Knightley actually played a decoy for lookalike actress Natalie Portman’s character Queen Amidala.

Bend It Like Beckham (2003): In a more youthful role, Knightley was an energetic football (soccer) player determined not to let her gender keep her from her passion.

Pirates of the Caribbean (2003): In this period action comedy and its sequels, Knightley played a governor’s daughter not content to let her stature as a lady keep her from fighting pirates and defending herself and her honor when necessary.

Love Actually (2003): A small role in a large ensemble found Knightley caught between two best friends vying for her affection in a cute and endearing role.

King Arthur (2004): In this retelling of a classic story, Knightley had the role of Guinevere, a female warrior not afraid to fight alongside men.

The Jacket (2005): Knightley was a glimmer of hope for Adrien Brody’s time-traveling distressed veteran, a young girl who represented the actualization of his actions.

Pride & Prejudice (2005): Knightley scored an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of the free-spirited Elizabeth Bennet in this adaptation of Jane Austen’s famous novel.

Atonement (2007): Knightley was the melancholy female figure of this story of a doomed forbidden romance, yearning for the love she was bound to be denied.

The Duchess (2008): Knightley got regal as the strong-willed Georgiana, the duchess of Devonshire, in this lavishly-decorated period piece.

Never Let Me Go (2010): Knightley was curious and energetic as a young woman engineered specifically for the purposes of saving someone else’s life.

Last Night (2011): Knightley portrayed a woman in an unhappy marriage contemplating an affair in this dark and moody drama.

London Boulevard (2011): Knightley retreated from society to play an eccentric actress with a distaste for interaction with people.

A Dangerous Method (2011): Knightley put on an accent to play a troubled patient of Carl Jung’s with a passion of her own for psychoanalysis.

Anything different?

Not so much.

What’s next?

The title role in another period drama, “Anna Karenina.”

The verdict?

She plays troubled young women with strong passions because she’s good at it, and at this point, she’s still hot in both her native country and here in the United States, so she’s sure to have many great roles into her 30s and beyond.

Sunday Similar Standards: Kate Winslet

Welcome to a semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Kate Winslet

This thirty-six-year-old British actress has managed to earn an impressive six Oscar nominations and one win, which came in 2008 for one of the below roles. You’ll usually find her playing lonely women yearning for something more, sometimes an extramarital affair. She’s alternately American and British, and she’s one of the best actresses currently out there in terms of masking her accent.

Titanic (1997): Her star-making role saw her as a Titanic traveler engaged to a power-hungry man and wooed by the allure of a steerage traveler.

Iris (2001): She played the younger version of Judi Dench’s spirited novelist who was, for once, able to find romance in her partner John Bayley.

The Life of David Gale (2003): She was on her won as an enterprising reporter fighting to find the truth and save the life of a man on death row.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): She was unforgettable as a seductive glue-sniffer with ever-changing hair and a penchant for forgetting relationships.

Finding Neverland (2004): She was a widow with lovely children that caught the heart of the famous writer of “Peter Pan.”

All the King’s Men (2006): She was rather forgettable as the love interest of Jude Law’s reporter in this unfortunate remake of the 1949 Best Picture winner.

Little Children (2006): She was subtle and mesmerizing as an unhappy housewife who begins an affair with another parent.

The Reader (2008): Winslet donned a German accent to portray as a mysterious Nazi concentration camp guard on trial for war crimes, and won an Oscar for her troubles.

Revolutionary Road (2008): She was utterly depressed and unstable in her Golden Globe-winning role as a housewife in the suburbs in this beautifully-shot portrait of suburban life.

Carnage (2011): She was funnier than unusual as a mother in a tumultuous marriage not content to let an eccentric woman decry her parenting skills.

Anything different?

Not really, though she did parody herself in an episode of the TV show “Extras.”

What’s next?

A familiar role in the drama “Labor Day,” a starring role as a writer in “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society,” and a part in an untitled ensemble comedy from multiple directors.

The verdict?

Winslet is considered to be one of the best actresses in the business, capable of grace and a stunning American accent. The fact that she’s already earned six Oscar nominations at her age with only twenty years in the business is extremely impressive, and she’s sure to do great things in years to come.

Sunday Similar Standards: Daniel Craig

Welcome to a semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Daniel Craig

This hot British actor has become almost universally recognizable to American audiences over the past eight years as a tough-as-nails, cunning, creative mystery man with superb physical abilities. Taking on the iconic role of super-agent James Bond just further shows that he’s extraordinarily skilled at playing slick, cool guys that women can’t possibly resist.

Layer Cake (2004): His pre-Bond agent XXXX was slick but hardly as sure of himself, nearly thrown off the side of a building by enemies yet confident enough to figure out a solution to the complicated, violent life.

Munich (2005): He was merely one of the supporting characters in this powerful drama about the Israeli-sponsored hunt for the architects of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, as a South African driver committed to the cause.

Infamous (2006): He wasn’t a good guy in this less famous dramatization of the Truman Capote story as Perry Smith, the murderer who forged a deep personal connection with the author chronicling his story.

Casino Royale (2006) & Quantum of Solace (2008): His hair color may have been lighter than past portrayers’, but Craig easily assumed the age-old part of 007, boasting extensive hand-to-hand combat experience and a penchant for getting himself into and then creatively out of trouble.

The Golden Compass (2007): In this adaptation of the popular Philip Pullman novel, Craig played Lord Asriel, the formidable father of the curious main character, with a secretive past and a commanding presence, loyal to his daughter above all.

Defiance (2008): Craig was firmly committed to his cause as real-life freedom fighter Tuvia Bielski, who led a large group of Polish Jews through the forest during the Holocaust and enabled them to survive persecution and avoid certain death at the hands of the Nazis.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011): Craig played second fiddle to Rooney Mara’s prickly hacker, as Mikael Blomkvist, a dedicated journalist obsessed with finding the truth and clearing his name following false accusations.

Anything different?

Not that I’ve seen, though his early British work in the 1990s may include other roles.

What’s next?

The next James Bond film, “Skyfall,” is slated for release this November.

The verdict?

It’s hard not to find Craig irresistibly cool, and there’s a reason he tends to do action films rather than straight dramas – he has the right physical presence and he’s believable in tough guy parts without being unlikeable.

Sunday Similar Standards: Ellen Page

Welcome to a semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Ellen Page

This spunky Canadian actress, now 25, has established herself in less than a decade in the United States as a go-to for sarcastic, comedic girls with an above-average maturity and vocabulary. She’s rarely the cool girl at the party, but being the outcast doesn’t usually turn out to be so bad.

Hard Candy (2006): Page was incredible and terrifying as a lonely, psychopathic teenager so prepared for a statutory rapist that she planned to punish one man before he even did anything to her.

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006): In this superhero sequel, Page took on the role of Kitty Pryde, also known as Shadowcast, an outcast by default who can walk through walls.

Juno (2007): Page’s signature role as a pregnant teenager garnered her an Oscar nomination, and for good reason. This is the kind of part Page was born to play, and she delivers Diablo Cody’s dialogue with precise excellence.

Smart People (2008): Page was at her most antisocial and pretentious as the daughter of a disgruntled professor, talking down to her uncle and not boasting very many friends.

Whip It (2009): Page proved individualistic once again as a witty teenager desperate to be part of a roller derby, a life choice her parents didn’t quite approve.

Inception (2010): Her intelligence was definitely on show as she proved able to build impressive dream worlds as part of the top-secret scientist team charged with engineering an original thought in someone’s mind.

Super (2011): This awful superhero comedy featured Page as Boltie, the excitable apprentice to Rainn Wilson’s horrific hero The Crimson Bolt. She was, unsurprisingly, a comic book nerd.

Anything different?

Just a melancholy role in the TV movie “An American Crime,” in which she found herself brutalized by her adoptive mother and as a result didn’t deliver much witty dialogue.

What’s next?

A part in Woody Allen’s new movie “To Rome With Love,” due out this month, and a lead role in a cool thriller called “The East” with “True Blood” star Alexander Skarsgard.

The verdict?

Some may find her irritating, but the truth is that she’s a delight, and while she might eventually move on to other roles as she grows up and stops looking quite so young, right now these kinds of parts are just right for her.

Sunday Similar Standards: Emily Blunt

Welcome to a new semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Emily Blunt

This lovely British actress has become known for playing extremely sarcastic, often lonely and unsatisfied women. Sometimes she’s in a great relationship, be it romantic or platonic, but usually she’s just working hard to make ends meet and find happiness in the midst of a chaotic and busy world.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006): Blunt’s American breakthrough as a bitchy assistant training Anne Hathaway earned her a Golden Globe nomination. She threw her whole life into her work, creating many comic moments.

Dan in Real Life (2007): In a small role, Blunt got to be on top as a formerly unattractive woman set up on a date with Steve Carell’s Dan, having overcome a life of loneliness to reach a high point.

Sunshine Cleaning (2008): Blunt teamed with Amy Adams, previously written about in this feature, to play the sardonic deadbeat sister living with her father who joined forces to create a hazardous material cleaning crew.

The Young Victoria (2009): Blunt ditched the sarcasm to play the young Queen of England, ruling over the people as a lonely regal figure, but fortunate enough to find a lasting love and the admiration of her people.

Wild Target (2010): Blunt played a con woman in this eccentric and charming comedy with a distaste for telling the truth and a surprising attraction to the assassin who saved her life.

The Wolfman (2010): Blunt donned period garb again to play a woman whose fiancé was killed by a werewolf in the 1890s fearing for her life as his brother arrives to try to save her and the town from the beast.

The Adjustment Bureau (2011): Blunt was seductive and unforgettable as a dancer who caught the eye of a New York politician and caused his world to unravel, desperate to be united with this alluring mystery woman.

The Five-Year Engagement (2012): Blunt was at her most charming working her way through a relationship while balancing graduate school and her own uncertainties about how to best get through life.

Your Sister’s Sister (2012): Blunt gets caught between in her best friend and her lesbian sister at a remote cabin in this forthcoming dramedy in which she struggles to let her best friend know how she really feels about him.

Anything different?

Not to this point.

What’s next?

Roles in two science fiction thrillers, “Looper” and “All You Need is Kill,” and in the comedy “Arthur Newman, Golf Pro,” opposite Colin Firth.

The verdict?

Blunt is great in just about everything, and allowing her to use sarcasm to deflect the loneliness of her characters always works like a charm. “The Five-Year Engagement” and “Your Sister’s Sister” indicate that she’s very funny, so maybe straight comedy is something that she could do in the future, though she’s doing just fine as is.

Sunday Similar Standards: Ryan Gosling

Welcome to a new semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Ryan Gosling

This actor is easily one of the best young performers currently working, and therefore saying that he tends to play the same kind of role is so much an example of analysis rather than judgment. In a little over ten years, Gosling has turned in some terrific performances, but usually they don’t make him very likeable or social. Many find him irresistibly attractive particularly because of his loner attitude.

The Believer (2001): Gosling’s first major role saw him as an angry neo-Nazi who was actually Jewish, determined to visit his frustration on the people he blamed for it.

The United States of Leland (2004): This little-known but excellent drama features Gosling as a quiet young man sent to prison for murdering a mentally challenged teenager.

Stay (2005): This mind-bending movie gave Gosling a bad haircut as a disturbed patient and sent him on a very lonely trip towards losing his grip on reality.

Half Nelson (2006): The movie that has given Gosling his lone Oscar nomination cast him as a kindly teacher struggling with drug addiction.

Fracture (2007): This decent thriller saw Gosling as an up-and-coming, highly motivated lawyer distracted and unwound by one particular case.

Lars and the Real Girl (2007): Gosling got delusional as a kind soul with an odd attachment to a sex doll that he thought was his girlfriend.

All Good Things (2010): Gosling was dark and frightening as a mentally unstable heir with serious anger issues.

Blue Valentine (2010): Gosling starred with last week’s featured performer from this series, Michelle Williams, as an initially seductive but ultimately vicious man.

The Ides of March (2011): Gosling had better social skills than usual as a campaign staffer but still only had a mind for himself and his career.

Drive (2011): Gosling was soft-spoken and monumentally cool as a loner stunt car driver who moonlighted as a getaway driver.

Anything different?

Yes indeed! Gosling has caused girls to swoon over him because of his personality twice, once in romantic drama, in The Notebook (2004), and then last year as a smooth talker in Crazy Stupid Love (2011).

What’s next?

Three crime thrillers – “Gangster Squad,” “Only God Forgives,” and “The Place Beyond the Pines.”

The verdict?

Gosling is superb at making antisocial characters utterly fascinating, and though he’s also proven to be skilled at comedy, he takes on challenging roles because he’s so adept at diving into unlikeable characters and giving them redeeming, or at least immensely watchable, qualities.

Sunday Similar Standards: Michelle Williams

Welcome to a new semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Michelle Williams

This former “Dawson’s Creek” actress has earned Oscar nominations for Best Actress twice in a row, and while she definitely has talent, most of her characters have much in common. Whether she’s playing someone famous or a nobody with few friends, don’t expect her to be too happy, since she’s likely displeased with her choice in man or otherwise lacking a connection to society around her, yearning for something different. That’s a key job description for an Oscar nominee, so expect her to earn more nominations in the future.

The Station Agent (2003): She was an unhappy librarian looking for people to treat her better in this independent gem.

The United States of Leland (2004): She was a devastated sister of a murdered mentally challenged brother in this terrific and powerful film.

Brokeback Mountain (2005): She was a participant in a loveless marriage who always resented her husband for being gay.

Wendy and Lucy (2008): She was a woman wandering around with her dog, less than capable of making human connections.

Shutter Island (2010): She was the silent, non-communicative mother haunting Leonardo DiCaprio’s dreams in this frightening thriller.

Blue Valentine (2010): She was the long-suffering wife whose dream guy didn’t turn out to be nearly as charming as he initially seemed.

My Week with Marilyn (2011): She was the biggest star in the country, Marilyn Monroe, whose great fame couldn’t make up for her incredible loneliness.

Take This Waltz (2012): She was a young wife unfulfilled by her life and tempted by her extremely kind and enticing neighbor in this Tribeca entry slated for theatrical release in June.

Anything different?

Not just yet.

What’s next?

Playing Glinda in Disney’s “Wizard of Oz” prequel due next March.

The verdict?

She’s clearly skilled at playing this particular type of character, but her movies can feel awfully lonely and depressing as a result.

Sunday Similar Standards: Jesse Eisenberg

Welcome to a new semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Jesse Eisenberg
This nerdy-looking New York native has been acting for exactly a decade now, and since his first appearance, he’s played a likeable young guy caught up in a situation far more complicated that he is prepared for, and despite some potential corruption along the way, he usually comes out the other side a good person. He got an Oscar nomination in 2010, and future attention is sure to follow.

Roger Dodger (2002): He was a nervous sixteen-year-old coming to see his uncle for advice on how to have sex, and his choice of mentor may have been suspect.

The Emperor’s Club (2002): He was a casual, overconfident student whose excitement got the best of him in a race towards a prize with his classmates.

The Squid and the Whale (2005): He was the awkward older son of two divorcing parents with plenty of his own insecurity issues.

Adventureland (2009): He was lacking motivation and drive as an amusement park employee unprepared for the wild world he was about to discover.

Zombieland (2009): He was a surprisingly put-together and competent survivor of a zombie apocalypse, whose social skills could still have used some work.

Solitary Man (2009): He was a student who once again chose a questionable mentor, Michael Douglas’ Ben, and is subject to considerable corruption.

Holy Rollers (2010): Though he was garbed in Hassidic clothing, he was still just as an awkward guy in over his head as he entered the drug smuggling market.

The Social Network (2010): His most recognized performance found him playing Mark Zuckerberg, the brilliant but socially awkward inventor of Facebook.

30 Minutes or Less (2011): His awkward act was just what was called for as he played a pizza delivery man outfitted with a bomb in this foul-mouthed comedy.


Anything different?

Not as of yet.

What’s next?

A supporting role likely in the same vein in Woody Allen’s forthcoming comedy “To Rome with Love,” due this summer. The thriller “Now You See Me,” coming out next January, may give him something new to do.

The verdict?

He’s just what the doctor ordered in all of the situations, and he’s found something that really works for him while still creating compelling characters whose dialogue and emotions feel completely real.

Sunday Similar Standards: Seth Rogen

Welcome to a new semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Seth Rogen
This comedian can usually be found making a fool of himself in foul-mouthed parts as a jokester in some kind of uninteresting dead-end job. He’s most often likeable, though sometimes his obnoxiousness gets in the way of his more charming personality traits. If he’s not too boisterous, he fits in just fine in the background as comic relief.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005): He was loud and rather unattractive with a poorly chosen hairstyle as one of virgin Steve Carell’s buddies.

Knocked Up (2007): He got the lead role as the nervous but endearing Ben, accidental impregnator of reporter Alison.

Superbad (2007): Too old to play the part of the mouthy young lawbreaker, Rogen instead portrayed the idiotic wise-cracking cop.

Pineapple Express (2008): Process server Dale, no stranger to wild schemes and charades, was just as ridiculous when running after witnessing a murder.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008): Desperately broke Zack made plenty of jokes and goofed off in the process of filming an adult film with his female roommate.

Observe and Report (2009): Rogen was a full-on jerk as the brainless, violent-prone drone Ronnie, who was a security guard at a mall.

The Green Hornet (2011): Being in a superhero flick didn’t change Rogen’s default character at all, here seen being silly and irresponsible as the heir to a major media empire.

50/50 (2011): When he found out that his best friend had cancer, Kyle dealt with it as any Rogen character would: support through humor.

Anything different?

Funny People (2009): In this film, Rogen was training to be like Adam Sandler’s seasoned comedian, but neither of them was showboating or playing the fool in this more serious fare.

What’s next?

A part in the drama “Take This Waltz,” out this June, and a role in a comedy about phone sex, “For a Good Time, Call…”

The verdict?

He’s usually great entertainment, and putting him in a lead part has mixed results – excellent in “Knocked Up” and lamentable in “Observe and Report.” Most often, if Rogen’s having a good time, audiences are too, and the more depraved his character is, the more amusing.

Sunday Similar Standards: Amy Adams

Welcome to a new semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.

Amy Adams
This charming actress and three-time Oscar nominee usually appears as a sweet, often overly innocent young woman with a sunny outlook on life. She’s mostly unprepared for excessively serious events, and has trouble dealing with the fact that people aren’t as nice as they’re supposed to be. Generally, she just keeps on trucking, and her positivity and good nature tend to win out.

Junebug (2005): Her Oscar-nominated breakout performance featured her as a bubbly, extremely pregnant woman who had plenty of energetic thoughts to share with those around her.

Enchanted (2007): She wasn’t just idealistic in this role, she was actually a fairy tale princess transported to the real world and less than ready to face the harsh realities that might await her while she wasn’t singing.

Sunshine Cleaning (2008): She even put on a happy face when she started up a business dedicated to cleaning up after dead people.

Doubt (2007): Being a nun is good fun until the priest is accused of malicious conduct, and you’re the one caught between a more senior and discerning nun and the priest himself, hardly up to the task of handling this difficult situation.

Julie & Julia (2008): A follower of Julia Child gleefully determined to cook all of her recipes, no matter how challenging and daunting the project.

Though I haven’t seen The Muppets, Leap Year and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, it seems that her roles in those films fall under this same category.

Anything different?

Yes! Her third Oscar nomination came for an unusually fiery and fierce performance as the girlfriend of a boxer with seven intimidating sisters. Playing against type has never produced such rewarding results!

What’s next?

A role in the adaptation of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” and playing Lois Lane in Zack Snyder’s Superman update, “Man of Steel.”

The verdict?

She’s wonderful in all of her parts, and she’s clearly capable of trying something new, as “The Fighter” proved. She’s simply lovely, and therefore it’s a delight to see her in any film, even if it’s likely that she’s going to be the most sympathetic character.

Sunday Similar Standards: James McAvoy

Welcome to a new semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.


This actor in particular does tend to take the leap and take on challenging roles, and it just so happens that he always plays the nice guy thrust into a challenging situation with others who aren’t willing to play nearly as nicely as him. He’s usually the victim of someone else’s malicious decision or act, and rarely loses his purity by the end of the film, even if he’s corrupted slightly by a woman. He has yet to be nominated for an Oscar, coming close twice, and I have a feeling he’ll earn that honor soon. Here’s a quick look at the familiar characters he tends to play, from oldest to newest.

The Last King of Scotland (2006): A kindly doctor taken as the private physician for dictator Idi Amin.

Starter for 10 (2007): An excitable university student caught between two women as he competes in a trivia challenge.

Becoming Jane (2007): A dashing, subtle romancer of Jane Austen.

Atonement (2007): A soldier sentenced to a life alone thanks to a misunderstood act of affection.

Wanted (2008): An office drone awakened to a new life of danger and violence, unaware of the ride on which he’s about to embark.

The Last Station (2009): A befuddled confidante for Tolstoy caught between him and his paranoid wife.

The Conspirator (2011): A do-gooder lawyer trying to find a way to defend a woman accused of aiding in Lincoln’s murder.

X-Men: First Class (2011): A young Professor Charles Xavier, certain of the good that mutants can do in the world, and yearning to prove that he can help anyone find their way.

Anything different?

They’re all great performances, but even “Wanted” portrays him as a nice guy doing his best to help people, even while he’s killing them.

What’s next?

His three upcoming projects, “Welcome to the Punch,” “Trance,” and “Filth,” could well be boundary-breakers for the actor.

The verdict?

He’s a strong, charming actor, and just because he might be a first thought to play a given role doesn’t mean he’s not the perfect choice. He tends to shine in his more dramatic roles, though his performance in “Wanted” was commendably awesome, and he needs to continue to get great parts.

Sunday Similar Standards: Abigail Breslin

Welcome to a new semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.


With the theatrical release of “Janie Jones” on Friday, it’s only fitting that Sunday Similar Standards returns to honor the commendable, recognizable talents of Abigail Breslin. The fifteen-year-old New York native has already starred in over twenty films, and earned an Oscar nomination at the age of ten for her role in “Little Miss Sunshine.” Her feature film debut was in 2002 in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Signs.” Since then, you’ll find her playing a teenager wise far beyond her years, exhibiting considerable charm and knowledge. Here’s a quick look at the familiar characters she tends to play.

Signs (2002): A young, somewhat fearless child whose family farm is being invaded by aliens.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006): An excitable tween named Olive thrilled by the idea of entering a beauty contest.

Definitely, Maybe (2008): The exceptionally mature daughter of a man who reveals his daughter’s mother identity to her by telling her the story of three different ex-girlfriends.

Zombieland (2009): A strong survivor of a zombie-infested world known only as Little Rock.

Janie Jones (2011): A talented budding musician left by her mother with her rock star father.

Anything different?

Not really.

What’s next?

A surely precocious role in the ensemble piece “New Year’s Eve” and a true game-changer in the sex-based comedy “Virgin Mary.”

The verdict?

Alan Arkin famously hoped that Breslin wouldn’t win her Oscar in 2006 because he wanted her to have a childhood and not get too much attention, but Breslin has proven over the past decade that she is one of the most talented young actresses working today, and her future looks plenty bright.

Sunday Similar Standards: Emma Stone

Welcome to a new semi-regular weekly feature here at Movies with Abe. On those weeks where reviews are sparse, I’ll be taking a look at an actor or actress whose body of work boasts many roles that may not be as diverse as those taken on by other actors or actresses. This is hardly a judgment on their abilities; rather an analysis of the kind of parts they play so well.


In honor of her new film “The Help,” the star of this inaugural Sunday Similar Standards is Emma Stone. The 22-year-old actress, who is actually a natural blonde rather than a redhead, made her feature film debut in “Superbad” just four short years ago and has already amassed an impressive resume. Here’s a quick look at the familiar characters she tends to play. You’ll find Emma adopting the role of the surprisingly mature flirt boasting above-average intelligence and an often uncontrollable wit, who has no problem romancing the less cool kids on the playground.

Superbad (2007): An unexpectedly smart and sweet high schooler named Jules with a soft spot for dork Seth.

Zombieland (2009): Known only by her city codename, Wichita, a zombie apocalypse survivor who practices deception with her onscreen little sister Little Rock and effortlessly seduces Jesse Eisenberg’s Columbus.

Paper Man (2010): A bored babysitter named Abby who manages to infuse some mostly platonic life and energy – and soup – into Jeff Daniels’ Richard as she babysits for his fake child.

Easy A (2010): A good-hearted high school loser named Olive who gains spectacular attention by pretending to have slept with most of the boys at her school and wearing a “scarlet letter” A on her chest.

Crazy Stupid Love (2011): A highly motivated but unfulfilled law student named Hannah desperate to be swept off her feet but perfectly capable of resisting the charms of Ryan Gosling’s master playboy Jacob.

The Help (2011): An aspiring journalist named Skeeter in 1960s Mississippi astounded by the behavior of her white friends who has the courageous idea to write a book from the perspective of African-American maids.

Anything different?

Friends with Benefits (2011): In a minute role, she plays exactly the type of person that her normal characters would mock: a John Mayer-obsessed girlfriend that just wasn’t right for Justin Timberlake’s Dylan.

What’s next?

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012): Trying a new genre, Stone takes on a role familiar to comic book fans but not as much to movie fanatics: Peter Parker’s original (blonde) love interest, Gwen Stacy.

The verdict:

Stone does a great job playing this part, and she’s managed to make a big impression after only a few years, so I very much look forward to seeing what she does in the future.