View Poll Results: Two of the best of their generation. Who do you prefer?
Voters: 68. You may not vote on this poll
Nicholson VS DeNiro
08-27-12 | 11:48 AM
#26
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Re: Nicholson VS DeNiro
I think the mark of a great actor is their ability to completely transform themselves into different characters. I have to say Nicholson beats De Niro on this level. De Niro's characters are always either grouchy or outright rage. But Nicholson can be a terrifying gangster or that goofy next door neighbor.
I really gained a lot of respect for Nicholson when he did About Schmidt. He became a realistic old man who many people could relate to. Amazing film and performance.
I really gained a lot of respect for Nicholson when he did About Schmidt. He became a realistic old man who many people could relate to. Amazing film and performance.
08-27-12 | 12:50 PM
#27
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Nicholson VS DeNiro
If you would have asked me this 15 years ago I would have said DeNiro.
But after 15 years of DeNiro just going through the motions, I give a slight edge to Nicholson.
But after 15 years of DeNiro just going through the motions, I give a slight edge to Nicholson.
08-27-12 | 05:02 PM
#28
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Re: Nicholson VS DeNiro
Nicholson's legacy: FIVE EASY PIECES, THE LAST DETAIL, CHINATOWN, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
DeNiro's legacy: MEAN STREETS, TAXI DRIVER, RAGING BULL, GOODFELLAS
So they're tied.
Throw in Nicholson's "early funny" movies for Corman (LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and THE RAVEN) and DeNiro's "early funny" movies for Brian De Palma (GREETINGS, HI MOM) and...
...they're still tied.
DeNiro's legacy: MEAN STREETS, TAXI DRIVER, RAGING BULL, GOODFELLAS
So they're tied.
Throw in Nicholson's "early funny" movies for Corman (LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and THE RAVEN) and DeNiro's "early funny" movies for Brian De Palma (GREETINGS, HI MOM) and...
...they're still tied.
Tie is broken DeNiro wins!
08-28-12 | 04:30 PM
#31
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Re: Nicholson VS DeNiro
DeNiro did a movie with Jack and had a scene together and DeNiro gave the better performance.
DeNiro also gave the better performance over Brando( THE SCORE),Pacino(HEAT).
DeNiro also gave the better performance over Brando( THE SCORE),Pacino(HEAT).
08-30-12 | 10:50 AM
#35
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Nicholson VS DeNiro
DeNiro is the better actor, but the question is who do you prefer. I prefer Nicholson, hands down. Now, we're talking about two brilliant, brilliant performers, so this is no diss on DeNiro. But any guy who can capture Kubrick's imagination gets an edge with me. Also, I'll take Chinatown any day over Taxi Driver(which is a classic), Raging Bull (so Euro-artsy and bleak that aside from a couple of great scenes and a pretty opening, it's barely watchable... be honest), or Goodfellas (very good, but I'm never in the mood to rewatch it). Call me fuckin' nuts, but I think Scorsese (with the exception of Taxi Driver) has made better movies with DiCaprio (give me the Aviator ANY fucking time over Raging Bull). DeNiro's crowning achievment in my opinion is his performance in Godfather 2 (the whole movie should've been about him instead of that boring and incomprehensible stuff about Michael, Fredo, and Lee Strasberg).
Currently if Nicholson appears in a movie, I know it has a good chance of being interesting. Currently if DeNiro appears in a movie, I know it's another Fockers sequel. I can't think of anything good he's done since Jackie Brown.
Nicholson can turn in a fantastic comedic performance. The closest DeNiro has gotten to actually being funny is the scene in Jackie Brown in the parking lot between him and Bridget Fonda. DeNiro is not funny but has been doing nothing but bad comedies for years now, which tells me he has no idea what the hell he's doing these days.
Anyway, love DeNiro and have no problem conceding he's a more talented actor if your standard is the ability to transform into various dramatic characters. But as a performer on screen, I prefer Nicholson's style and movies.
Currently if Nicholson appears in a movie, I know it has a good chance of being interesting. Currently if DeNiro appears in a movie, I know it's another Fockers sequel. I can't think of anything good he's done since Jackie Brown.
Nicholson can turn in a fantastic comedic performance. The closest DeNiro has gotten to actually being funny is the scene in Jackie Brown in the parking lot between him and Bridget Fonda. DeNiro is not funny but has been doing nothing but bad comedies for years now, which tells me he has no idea what the hell he's doing these days.
Anyway, love DeNiro and have no problem conceding he's a more talented actor if your standard is the ability to transform into various dramatic characters. But as a performer on screen, I prefer Nicholson's style and movies.
08-30-12 | 10:54 AM
#36
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
08-30-12 | 11:28 AM
#37
08-30-12 | 11:31 AM
#38
08-30-12 | 03:15 PM
#39
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Re: Nicholson VS DeNiro
DeNiro is the better actor, but the question is who do you prefer. I prefer Nicholson, hands down. Now, we're talking about two brilliant, brilliant performers, so this is no diss on DeNiro. But any guy who can capture Kubrick's imagination gets an edge with me. Also, I'll take Chinatown any day over Taxi Driver(which is a classic), Raging Bull (so Euro-artsy and bleak that aside from a couple of great scenes and a pretty opening, it's barely watchable... be honest), or Goodfellas (very good, but I'm never in the mood to rewatch it). Call me fuckin' nuts, but I think Scorsese (with the exception of Taxi Driver) has made better movies with DiCaprio (give me the Aviator ANY fucking time over Raging Bull). DeNiro's crowning achievment in my opinion is his performance in Godfather 2 (the whole movie should've been about him instead of that boring and incomprehensible stuff about Michael, Fredo, and Lee Strasberg).
Currently if Nicholson appears in a movie, I know it has a good chance of being interesting. Currently if DeNiro appears in a movie, I know it's another Fockers sequel. I can't think of anything good he's done since Jackie Brown.
Nicholson can turn in a fantastic comedic performance. The closest DeNiro has gotten to actually being funny is the scene in Jackie Brown in the parking lot between him and Bridget Fonda. DeNiro is not funny but has been doing nothing but bad comedies for years now, which tells me he has no idea what the hell he's doing these days.
Anyway, love DeNiro and have no problem conceding he's a more talented actor if your standard is the ability to transform into various dramatic characters. But as a performer on screen, I prefer Nicholson's style and movies.
Currently if Nicholson appears in a movie, I know it has a good chance of being interesting. Currently if DeNiro appears in a movie, I know it's another Fockers sequel. I can't think of anything good he's done since Jackie Brown.
Nicholson can turn in a fantastic comedic performance. The closest DeNiro has gotten to actually being funny is the scene in Jackie Brown in the parking lot between him and Bridget Fonda. DeNiro is not funny but has been doing nothing but bad comedies for years now, which tells me he has no idea what the hell he's doing these days.
Anyway, love DeNiro and have no problem conceding he's a more talented actor if your standard is the ability to transform into various dramatic characters. But as a performer on screen, I prefer Nicholson's style and movies.
08-30-12 | 04:23 PM
#41
DVD Talk Legend
08-30-12 | 06:58 PM
#43
En vacance
08-30-12 | 07:34 PM
#46
DVD Talk Legend
08-30-12 | 07:40 PM
#48
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
08-30-12 | 07:59 PM
#49
Re: Nicholson VS DeNiro
Everything about it is excellent, from the acting to the B&W cinematography to the editing to Scorsese's direction (lots of French new wave & Cassevetes influence).
It is a continuation of the themes of Scorsese's other films of male violence & insecurity.