For this post, I’m looking for the best acting in films this year. This post is going to be different because everyone that I mention here is a winner. Getting a strong performance out of an actor regardless of their experience is not an easy thing to accomplish, so the ones that I mention here are the actors/actresses that put in the best effort.
Michael Fassbender in X-Men Apocalypse
Michael Fassbender has come a long way since 300. His performance as Magneto in the new X-Men films is phenomenal, but it’s his performance in Apocalypse that really gives him an edge. His character of Magneto has settled into an ordinary life with a wife and daughter until Apocalypse wakes up. His family is killed and he turns his rage on everybody else. This scene is an emotionally powerful moment in the character’s arc in the film, and I don’t think anybody else could have done it as well as Mr. Fassbender. He’s phenomenal.
Kiefer Sutherland/Donald Sutherland in Forsaken
It’s a very unusual thing to see actors who happen to be father and son playing…well..father and son. Kiefer Sutherland and his father Donald play a father and son who are estranged from each other, because of Kiefer’s character’s exploits. The scene that I selected is the only one I was able to find, but it’s very cool seeing these two powerhouse actors performing together in the same scene and film. The relationship between the two actors makes their performances all the more intense. This is the strongest performance I’ve seen from Donald in years, and there are points in the movie that it’s heartbreaking. When Kiefer’s character confesses to his father about an incident during his time as a gunfighter, it’s heart-wrenching. I don’t think anyone else could have pulled it off. Aside from the movie being a fantastic western, it’s anchored by amazing performances from everyone.
Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice
Say what you will about Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice. A lot of people didn’t care for it, and I had my problems with it, but the one thing that most people can agree on is Ben Affleck’s performance as Batman. Ben Affleck plays on older and more world-weary Bruce Wayne who has seen a lot of terrible things in Gotham, and he witnessed first-hand the destruction of the fight between Superman and General Zod. As a result, he has a very skeptical view of the Kryptonian and seems to feel that he’s a serious threat to the planet. Ben Affleck delivers a very grizzled and nuanced performance not only as Bruce Wayne, but he makes his Batman scary as hell. He’s one of the main reasons why I loved Batman V. Superman.
John Goodman as Howard in 10 Cloverfield Lane
Now, I mentioned this film as one of the best thrillers of 2016, but there’s a reason for that: The performances. Everybody here is in top form, but the one who steals the show is John Goodman. He is one of the greatest character actors alive. His performance as Howard is not only creepy at times, but also unhinged at others. You have no idea who this guy is or what his intentions are, but Mr. Goodman manages to make this guy likable at the same time, which allows the movie to play with the audience. 10 Cloverfield Lane was a phenomenal film and John Goodman’s performance is one for the books. It’s definitely worth taking a look.
Well, these are the most compelling performances I’ve seen this year, so apologies if this seems like a short post, because it is. For me, anyway. Tomorrow, I’m going to wrap things up with the Best Movies of 2016. It will be for the best movies released this year.