17.) Susan Sarandon has been one of the best America female screen actors for the past thirty years. She has the ability to light up a film and bring life to a movie that should have died on the screen. The Banger Sisters was awful but she managed to survive it with her dignity as an actor intact which speaks volumes for her talents. From the wild Louise of Thelma and Louise to Sister Helen in Dead Man Walking she’s played the full range of characters. No matter the role, no matter the movie, she can always be counted on to deliver the best performance she’s capable of doing in the circumstances. A consummate professional.
18.) Salma Hayek causes traffic accidents in films Desperado and probably in real life when she walks by. That she is also an accomplished actor has been proven beyond doubt with her depiction of the Mexican painter Frida Khalo in Frida. Faced with the task of playing opposite Albert Molina who portrayed Frida’s on again off again husband she continually held her own against the bigger more commanding presence. She had long ago proven her comic abilities in Dogma and Fools Rush In but her work in Frida secures her a place with other serious actors of note.
19.) Kathy Bates has played a psychotic fan in Misery, a bored and desperate house wife inFried Green Tomatoes and a squirrelly researcher and political analyst in Primary Colours A highly skilled dramatic actor, she has also shown a flair for comedy. In this era of talentless bimbos she serves as a pleasant reminder that sometimes talent and ability do matter.
20.) Anjelica Huston can wither a man with just one look or charm him into submission. Both sides are displayed in the variety of roles she has undertaken. From the evil stepmother in Ever After, the matriarch of the troubled family inThe Royal Tenenbaums to Morticia in The Adams Family andAdams Family Values her commanding presence and regal manner dominate the screen. True royalty among actors.
Well that’s it. I’m never going to do that again. Already I’m second guessing myself and realizing I’ve left people out, but how do you replace the ones I’ve chosen? Oh well, probably everyone else can think of twenty other people they’d think of as more appropriate, but like I said before these things are strictly subjective.








Article comments
1 - Claudia
I totally agree on no. 16 (Mary Stuart Masterson). She's very versatile and is my absolute favourite actress (see my website).
Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and the other British actresses you mention are just wonderful too.
I also like Cate Blanchett and Susan Sarandon a lot.
2 - doug
I think you have done an excellent job!
Thank God you didn't include horse face Julia Roberts.
I agree with Janeane Garfalo , and Cher and the rest.
One for the future, after her recent run for fame, would be lisa Kudrow. She could be in the ranks with the best of them, given the correct vehicle.
3 - Good
And your picks have nothing to do with the DVDs avertised below your 'blog' ?
4 - Christopher Rose
You have it backwards, Good, the DVDs are chosen to go with the review, not the review to go with the DVDs.
5 - Toby
I agree with your comments about Kristen Scott Thomas. The expressions in her eyes are moving in every film I've seen with her in it. She is better than people give her credit for.