Everyones_A_Critic (Level 25)

Everyone makes bad decisions, even Hollywood types. This is a list of actors that have legitimate talent, but for whatever reason would rather cash a check on some B-Grade family film than star in a film that reminds us why they were, or are, loved by the masses. It should be noted that while I condemn their various decisions, I like these actors, and would love to see them reclaim their former glory.

	1. Nicolas Cage Few actors divide audiences the way Nicolas Cage does. Many have accused him of being a complete hack, citing his famous family as the only reason he still has work today. I like to give the guy a bit more credit than that. The man has made some terrible choices over the years as to which films to lend his talents to, there's no denying that. Schlock like Next, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and The Wicker Man are beginning to make me forget exactly why I find myself defending the man on message boards all the time. No, I'm not a stalker, I promise. I just want to make a point. We've seen from films such as Leaving Las Vegas, Matchstick Men, and the criminally unappreciated Lord of War that Cage can be both charismatic and downright cool in his roles. I think Roger Ebert said it best in his review of Matchstick Men: "Nobody comes apart at the seams quite like Nicolas Cage."
	2. Willem Dafoe Ever since I saw Spider Man at the age of ten I've always loved watching Willem Dafoe act. He was incredible as the sergeant with a heart of gold in Platoon, played a wise old fish in Finding Nemo, and even donned the crown of thorns to play Jesus Christ himself in The Last Temptation of Christ. Dafoe's career moves at this point are baffling at best. He was one of the few high points of the mediocre Daybreakers, phoned it in the 2009 box office bust that was Cirque du Freak, and while Antichrist hasn't gotten terrible reviews, it's still strange. I want to see Dafoe star in better movies, especially as he grows older. At this rate he'll be straight to video by the time he's sixty, and I don't think I have it in me to see that happen.
	3. Michael Madsen Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Michael Madsen is known to most of the free world as "The dude who cut the cop's ear off in Reservoir Dogs." and for good reason. Madsen made the character of Vic Vega in that film a truly evil, merciless psychopath, all the while playing it cool, calm, and collectively. He was the defining part of my favorite Tarantino film, which is why it hurts to see him reduced to films like Croc and Tooth and Nail. In his defense, Madsen has joked about some of his crappier films, saying he just does what he does to support his family. A noble cause indeed, but you're approaching your late 50's, Mike. Did you really need to take a part in the upcoming "Not Another Teen Movie" sequel?
	4. Cuba Gooding Jr. Having just recently seen Cuba Gooding Jr. in Boyz n The Hood, and seeing his appearance in one of Alex's 30 Days of Hate films, it's sad to see the former star of hits like Jerry Maguire and A Few Good Men get sent to direct to DVD Hell. He was good in American Gangster, but between shit like Norbit and Daddy Day Camp, I don't see this once proud actor climbing out of the abyss anytime soon. And it's a damn shame.
	5. Val Kilmer "Huh? What's Val Kilmer doing on a list of, you know, good actors?" Let me explain myself. I'd like to think of Kilmer as more than just some '90's action star. I thought he was overshadowed by Pacino and Deniro in Heat, and that the guy deserved more credit than he got for that role. It must be intimidating as Hell to co-star with two of the biggest names in the business, and like the rest of the actors on this list, he's just fun to watch. He didn't make a terrible Batman, either in Batman Forever (that movie's problems lie with the script more than anything). Unfortunately, now all I really see him as is "The fat guy from that movie Felon that Netflix always wants me to watch."

Everyones_A_Critic (Level 25)

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