Author Topic: Top 5 "If they had only died" List  (Read 12595 times)

ferris

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Top 5 "If they had only died" List
« on: May 06, 2009, 01:19:33 PM »
A bit morbid, but follow my logic:

When Heath Ledger died he left us with that great performance as the Joker.  But what if he lived and ended up spending the next 10 years playing in spring-release chick flicks or going full-retard at some point?

There are actors or directors that I wish I could remember for the high point in their career.  Had Kevin Spacey had tragically died just before he worked on Life of David Gale.  Had Kevin Costner had a stroke just before day one of shooting on Waterworld.  What if Cameron Crowe's private jet mysteriously disappeared over Kansas on the way from from the red carpet release of Almost Famous?

These are the movies and/or performances that I wish were my lasting impression:

5-Sean Connery - Hunt For Red October
4-Tom Cruise - Magnolia *
3-Al Pacino - Glengarry Glen Ross
2-Stephen Spielberg - Schindler's List *
1-Kevin Costner - Dances With Wolves

* apologies to Minority Report


EDIT: Not that people on the list didn't produce quality stuff afterward, but it's generally the top of the arc of diminishing returns.


« Last Edit: May 06, 2009, 01:46:50 PM by ferris »
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Bill Thompson

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Re: Top 5 "If they had only died" List
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2009, 01:25:46 PM »
4-Tom Cruise - Magnolia *

Really don't get the hate for him and have felt he's been good in a lot of post-Magnolia roles.

2-Stephen Spielberg - Schindler's List *

That would mean no Saving Private Ryan, so no dice from me.

1-Kevin Costner - Dances With Wolves

This would mean no Open Range, so once again, no dice from me.

ferris

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Re: Top 5 "If they had only died" List
« Reply #2 on: May 06, 2009, 01:28:12 PM »
4-Tom Cruise - Magnolia *

Really don't get the hate for him and have felt he's been good in a lot of post-Magnolia roles.

2-Stephen Spielberg - Schindler's List *

That would mean no Saving Private Ryan, so no dice from me.

1-Kevin Costner - Dances With Wolves

This would mean no Open Range, so once again, no dice from me.

Some of the are more a commentary on the baggage and the backlash and not the work itself.  I like Cruise just fine still.  Just wish I didn't have to always qualify it somehow.

Oh and i forgot about SPR.  So, bad me.
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Thor

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Re: Top 5 "If they had only died" List
« Reply #3 on: May 06, 2009, 01:36:29 PM »
The morbid cruelty of this Top 5 appeals to me. More later
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FLYmeatwad

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Re: Top 5 "If they had only died" List
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2009, 01:42:52 PM »
5. Owen Wilson - Bottle Rocket
4. Steven Spielberg - The Last Gun
3. Jack Black - Bob Roberts
2. Neil Patrick Harris - Clara's Heart (Harold and Kumar is not enough to redeem you for all the crap NPH!)
1. Brad Bird - If TV shows count then I'll go with Amazing Stories, if we are strictly talking film then I'll go with The Iron Giant

zarodinu

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Re: Top 5 "If they had only died" List
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2009, 05:15:25 PM »

  5.  Brian De Palma - OD on cocaine after completing Scarface.
  4.  Michael Moore - Choked on a pork chop after making Roger and Me.
  3.  Spike Lee - Shot by Clint Eastwood for running his mouth off after completing Do the Right Thing.
  2.  Martin Scorsese - Beaten to death by Joe Pesci after finishing Goodfellas.
  1.  Francis Ford Coppola - Garroted after putting the final touch onApocalypse Now.
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Bill Thompson

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Re: Top 5 "If they had only died" List
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2009, 05:17:13 PM »

  5.  Brian De Palma - OD on cocaine after completing Scarface.
  4.  Michael Moore - Choked on a pork chop after making Roger and Me.

Is there any way we can have a mishap befall these two before they pick up a camera? Like maybe De Palma finds his career aspirations dealing coke or Moore serves cheeseburgers at Burger King?

FLYmeatwad

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Re: Top 5 "If they had only died" List
« Reply #7 on: May 06, 2009, 05:20:16 PM »

  5.  Brian De Palma - OD on cocaine after completing Scarface.
  4.  Michael Moore - Choked on a pork chop after making Roger and Me.

Is there any way we can have a mishap befall these two before they pick up a camera? Like maybe De Palma finds his career aspirations dealing coke or Moore serves cheeseburgers at Burger King?

I made my entire list with this intention in mind!  :)

Bill Thompson

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Re: Top 5 "If they had only died" List
« Reply #8 on: May 06, 2009, 05:30:41 PM »

  5.  Brian De Palma - OD on cocaine after completing Scarface.
  4.  Michael Moore - Choked on a pork chop after making Roger and Me.

Is there any way we can have a mishap befall these two before they pick up a camera? Like maybe De Palma finds his career aspirations dealing coke or Moore serves cheeseburgers at Burger King?

I made my entire list with this intention in mind!  :)

Yet I don't agree with a single person on your list, how shocking.  :o

FLYmeatwad

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Re: Top 5 "If they had only died" List
« Reply #9 on: May 06, 2009, 05:33:14 PM »

  5.  Brian De Palma - OD on cocaine after completing Scarface.
  4.  Michael Moore - Choked on a pork chop after making Roger and Me.

Is there any way we can have a mishap befall these two before they pick up a camera? Like maybe De Palma finds his career aspirations dealing coke or Moore serves cheeseburgers at Burger King?

I made my entire list with this intention in mind!  :)

Yet I don't agree with a single person on your list, how shocking.  :o


 

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