You would think that Robert DeNiro as a deranged fan in a thriller would work, yet in “The Fan”, the man considered as one of the greatest American actors of all time was not given what was needed to be effective. Was he believable? Sure, but watching Gil Renard fall into insanity wasn’t as much fun, because we really didn’t care for Wesley Snipes’ (who played the Baseball player he was obsessed with) character. As such, it came off a little cliché ridden, and we kind of wished he was obsessed with someone else. Now, Barry Bonds a few years later? That would have been interesting; and most people would know who to cheer for…and no Barry, we aren’t looking at you. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: The Fan (1996) Actor: Robert DeNiro Role Portrayed: Obsessed fan of the San Francisco Giants Why you should vote for him: This is the Godfather and that means…. Why you should not vote for him: ….ok….it doesn’t really mean anything. {youtube}
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Suave, slimy, a touch obnoxious and all the way intelligent, Gabriel Caine may be one of our favorite con men in the history of film. In Diggstown, Caine (James Woods) pulled off a boxing related con in the American South, and though reviews were decent, the viewership was small. Still, Woods was enjoyable, even though many other boxing based films did better business and his performance was not seen by many. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: Diggstown (1992) Actor: James Woods Role Portrayed: Con Man Why you should vote for him: When we think of it, there are few other chances to vote for a con artist. Why you should not vote for him: This film did not reach the audience it should have. {youtube}
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Perhaps what we love most about Clint Eastwood as that he allows his characters to be as old as he is. You would think that would be obvious, but how many action stars looked ridiculous in roles that they were clearly too old or out of shape for? Although with Eastwood’s gruff voice and mean look he might still be believable as an ass kicker, he has instead morphed into grumpy old man territory whereby he has shown the most layered performances of his career; as the former tough guy reconciling with his past. It wasn’t Frankie Dunn as a boxing trainer that we were drawn to in Million Dollar Baby, but Frankie Dunn as an only moderately successful boxing manager and less successful father that caught our attention. It is his attempt to be the latter to his new female protégé that is the heart of this film. Even well into Social Security, Clint Eastwood can hardly do wrong….unless it is at the Republican National Convention. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: Million Dollar Baby (2004) Actor: Clint Eastwood Role Portrayed: Boxing Trainer Why you should vote for him: Eastwood was gold in this role. Why you should not vote for him: He did kill his protégé at the end; sure it was a mercy killing but damn! {youtube}
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Of all the Saturday Night Live alumni, would you ever think that Jon Lovitz would have a character from a sports film worth remembering? He did just that in “A League of Their Own” as a Baseball Scout who was responsible for finding female talent for the formation of a new league. His role was small, and was not seen after the fifteenth minute of the movie, but his lines were hysterical, and Lovitz was perfectly cast as the smug and slimy, Ernie Capadino. Although his role was unnecessary after he brought players to the tryouts, you wished the writers found a plot device to keep him in the movie. This is a definite wild card possibility for the contributor section of the Fictitious Athlete Hall of Fame. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: A League of Their Own (1992) Actor: Jon Lovitz Role Portrayed: Scout Why you should vote for him: It is rare that a role this brief could get reviews this good. Why you should not vote for him: Again, it was a brief role. {youtube}
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