Chameleon!
A profile of one of Hollywood's most talented, yet under-rated actors, Ben Foster!
By Deana Martin

“I'm so sick of sarcasm and irony – I could kill! [laughs] Sincerely, the real root of things is love and sacrifice. Everything else is an illusion. I'm not trying to preach here; I can't tell anybody anything. But I will say, if you're available to them, there are so many great secrets in the world, so many signs. It's when we stop for a moment and listen that the world gets interesting.”

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Examining 28-year-old Ben Foster’s most recent roles as the vampire-obsessed lunatic in 30 Days of Night, the murderous Charlie in 3:10 to Yuma, and the meth-addicted skinhead in Alpha Dog, one might be surprised to hear such positive and uplifting thoughts from the up and coming actor. Foster may have gained notoriety over the past few years playing some of the most convincing villains to hit the screen in a long while, but his career actually began on a much lighter note.

Many of us have fond memories of Ben in his first role as Tucker in the teen show “Flash Forward”, a staple of the Disney Channel in the mid-90s. Even at a young age, Foster had a way of commanding the screen with his comedic timing and complete freedom of over-the-top facial expressions. He perfectly epitomized the kid in your class that you got really annoyed with every day, yet secretly had a crush on.

Sweet Smell of Success
Up close and personal with one of today's most talented actors, the up & coming, Ben Whishaw!
by Jed Medina

Theatre-trained Ben Whishaw first came onto the scene via Stoned, the semi-autobiographical film about the Rolling Stones in which he played Keith Richards. With notable appearances in Enduring Love and Layer Cake, his first big feature film role is in Tom Tykwer's Perfume, although theater goers in the UK will quickly tell you that he was already making waves when he played Hamlet at the Old Vic.

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Almost Famous
One of Hollywood's most underrated but definitely talented and gifted actor, Billy Crudup in tMF profile!
by Jed Medina

You might agree with me when I say his role in Cameron Crowe’s ‘Almost Famous’ is packed with understated sexuality and charm. As the lead guitarist for the fictional band 'Stillwater', Billy Crudup is given the chance to portray an interesting character - a bonafide rock star. While showing the kind of confidence that borders on arrogance, Crudup makes quite an impression. Its not bad that the actor can also sing.

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Body of Work: Portraying unconventional characters in a number of impressive and critically-acclaimed films, Billy Crudup is one of today's most consummate actors. But it seems he has been seducing filmgoers even before that - think of ‘Inventing the Abbots’ where he plays Jacey Holt, Joaquin Phoenix’s brother, charming all the women in the film, including the delightful Jennifer Connelly.

Breakthrough Actor
tMF profiles one of the most talented and versatile young actors in Hollywood today.
By Jed Medina

It would seem hard to talk about Casey Affleck without mentioning his brother Ben or vice versa. The brothers have been the subject of many articles - from their looks and their relationships to Ben’s decision to cast his brother in Gone Baby Gone and the completely different career paths both guys took on: Casey remained oblivious to the glamour and glitz of Hollywood, while Ben adjusted to the glare of being in the spotlight.

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While Ben tried his hand at directing, Casey began to develop his acting career and is establishing himself as one of today’s most gifted leading men.

Early career’s ups and downs: "I thought I had a double burger”

With the exception of To Die For and Good Will Hunting, Casey starred in a number of box-office flops earlier in his career. Most notable of these movies are Drowning Mona and Soul Survivors.

Rising to the Challenge
tMF celebrates the artistry and talent of Cillian Murphy!
by Jed Medina

Actors like Cillian Murphy are a rare breed. For many, it has become common practice to succumb to the dictates of their agent and appear as a hero in some predictable sugary and often mediocre movie.

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Few actors like Murphy would go to the deep end and perform in exactly the opposite way - as an anti-hero perhaps - someone who is therefore more human and more real than the tired number mentioned above.

An Actor for all seasons
Germany's pride and one of Europe's most amazing actors, Daniel Brühl!
by Jed Medina & Kathleen Sydenham

"You have to be very careful as a German actor in Hollywood because normally it's very limited the parts that you're offered- you can imagine what classical parts you are offered as a German actor," replied Daniel Brühl in an interview by Neala Johnson. The typical role Brühl referred to is that of being the bad Nazi, a role he already played and is not willing to try again.

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Making a Big Difference
Up Close and Personal with the actor, the filmmaker, the social activist, Gael Garcia Bernal!
by Jed Medina

"I am a person of the world - that is what I should be regardless if I am an actor or not. You have to be able to lead the life you are asking for; you have to show with example."

These are powerful words from Gael Garcia Bernal. He was reacting to a question posed by the press during an interview. The question has something to do with him being a participant in demonstrations about some of today's sensitive social issues- the plight of Mexican farmers and the G8 summit. Recently, he again expressed his views, this time about the proposed border between the US and Mexico, his hometown.

"I think the prejudice that exists is incredibly open, even on the official news channels. It's always about identity and securing the borders. Secure the borders from what, man? These people come to work! Hey, the guys that came in for 9/11 came from Canada! They came from other places, not from Mexico!"

Just like some of the roles he played on screen, Gael Garcia Bernal is a passionate man with a social conscience. This is much more than what can be said of today’s actors.

The Model-Actor
French rising star and one of today's most exciting actor Gaspard Ulliel in profile!
by Jed Medina and Kathleen Sydenham

Reported to have been discovered by famed French director Andre Techine, Gaspard Ulliel is your definitive French leading man. With his smashing good looks and intense acting skills, the former male model is on his way to becoming an international celebrity.

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But his acting career began earlier than that. Says Ulliel in an interview:

"I began at twelve years old, but in fact I began really by chance. It was a friend of a friend of my mother's who was opening an agency, and she was looking for young kids. And so I entered the agency, but more by curiosity than real passion. And at first I had some small parts in TV movies--in fact my parents didn't want me to miss school, so I was working just once or twice a year.

"And I had a really regular progression--and this is really pleasant, I think--because I had small parts in TV movies, then bigger parts in TV movies, and then small parts in films. And I think this allows you to get...experience of the set and to get familiar with [the process]. And as I had a really slow progression, I think it really helped me to stay lucid and not get carried away."

Hollywood's Fearless Actor
Up Close and Personal with one of today's hottest talent, Heath Ledger!
by Jan

"There are so many curious stories out there, and so many walks of life, that it's our duty as storytellers to represent the diversity of viewpoints on the planet. For me, acting is a form of expression....I discover this curiosity about human nature and how people work. I love what I do - the time between "Action" and "Cut" is precious."

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Compelling words from ruggedly handsome Australian actor Heath Ledger on what it means to him to be an actor. He has said that when choosing acting roles he tries not to be consistent or to repeat himself. What feeds his passion as an actor the most is finding scripts and acting roles that touch or affect him personally. He has been in several mainstream films, but has also shown a strong interest in art house and independent films.

Hollywood's most watched and admired
Let's take a closer look at Jake Gyllenhaal, the consummate actor!
by Jan

' The job of an artist, or anybody really, is to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed."

Profound words quoted to Jake by his father and advice which Jake seems to have taken to heart and which have been a guiding force with regard to the roles he has chosen in his career.

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Articulate, well-read, and intelligent are all attributes which describe this up-and-coming young actor with boyish good looks. He reveals an instinctive ability way beyond his years, and has showcased a broad range of characters and emotions in his many onscreen performances. Jake has a promising career ahead of him as one of the leading men of his generation - not only is he a gifted actor, but he can sing too!

Stepping Into The Spotlight
tMF profiles one of the best actors we have today: James McAvoy!
By Deana Martin

James McAvoy rocketed to stardom this year with his much talked-about performance in Atonement, one of the 2007 Academy Award Best Picture nominees. While he didn't win a Best Actor nomination, he certainly made a big impression on movie-goers.

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James' turn as Robbie Turner in the British war/romance epic was heartbreaking and allowed McAvoy to show us the depths of his talent. The role demanded McAvoy to portray a near-perfect man, whose lack of flaws made the film all the more tragic. He proved with this performance that he may well be one of the best actors of his generation and has many new fans eagerly awaiting his next role.

The Belgian Wonder
Jeremie Renier, the Dardenne Brother's favorite actor in tMF profile!
by Jed Medina & Kathleen Sydenham

Playing pivotal parts in 4 diverse and exciting European films in 2007, Jeremie Renier is one of today's busiest young actors. He may not be too familiar to the American movie-going audience but he has his share of triumphs both in the box office and in the awards arena all over Europe.

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Award-winning roles: Appearing in the award winning L'Enfant, which won the Palm d'Or in Cannes, Renier played Bruno, a young thief who, together with his barely legal girlfriend Sonia (Deborah François) hustle and get involved in petty crimes to help support their newborn baby. After finding it difficult to make both ends meet, he sold his child but changed his mind later. It was a very effective performance by Renier, one which earned him a nomination as Best European Actor for the European Film Awards.

Cinema’s Charismatic Rebel
tMF profiles the ambitious, fearless and award-winning Irish actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers.
By Jed Medina

"If there's a good script and a good part, you can be guaranteed that all the best actors in the world are trying to get it. There's no such thing as once you get to a certain stage, everything becomes easy. Everything becomes harder; you want the best roles, the biggest roles. And so does everyone else," observes Jonathan Rhys-Meyers.

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The 30-year old Irish actor is known for speaking his mind- he is quite vocal about a number of issues- from the failings of the film industry to dealing with directors with huge egos to the irrelevance of celebrities & the lack of real talent in some of today’s biggest box-office stars.

Rhys-Meyers also suffers from the media’s perception and its apparent fascination with his looks, relegating his strong performances on the background. I have watched him for years now, enjoying a lot of his movies. I have also read a number of his interviews and there’s one thing that really impressed me. Rhys Meyers is driven to succeed as an actor.

In a State of Independence
Joseph Gordon Levitt, definitely one of today's most talented- with amazing performances in Mysterious Skin, Brick, The Lookout- in tMF profile!
by Kathleen Sydenham

“The movies I watch and the music I listen to and the books I read - those are important to me. It's very important to me, and I don't know what I would do without those things. And so to be a part of that exchange is about as meaningful to me as anything I can think of. “

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A quote from Joseph Gordon Levitt on how much he value being part of an art form that celebrates life itself- cinema! In this age where a lot of young people are obsessed with ‘celebrities’ here is one honest-to-goodness actor who frowns upon the very existence of supermarket tabloids and celebrity gossip shows.

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Free Spirit
tMF takes a closer look at the versatile actor, Melvil Poupaud!
by Jed Medina

“I could have been very frightened because I’ve never done these kinds of scenes before and I’m quite shy, but I wasn’t. I was becoming the character and I thought it was useful for the part to see Romain wanting to make love to his boyfriend. And I knew the scene would be well shot, not vulgar or voyeuristic” says Melvil Poupaud about playing gay in Francois Ozon’s Time to Leave.

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In the film, Poupaud plays Romain, a high-profile, gay fashion photographer struggling with inoperable brain cancer. The film demonstrated that Poupaud could hold himself alongside legendary actress Jeanne Moreau.

A Beautiful Mind Speaks! 
The gifted actor Paul Bettany in a special tMF profile!
by Dee Dee Baldwin

"But I wouldn't want anybody to know that much about me. Do you know what I mean? People that I absolutely have nothing... I don't mind singing to people that I know, but I have no interest in having an audience. So the good thing about acting is that you can watch Gangster #1 and you can think "He's an aggressive little bastard" but you don't know…. or you can watch Beautiful Mind and go "I bet he's that cocky and full of himself?" but not actually know because I'm not being myself now. You know what I mean?" declared Paul Bettany in a recent interview.

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For an actor who has played both good and bad guys in some of today's coolest films, Mr. Bettany is a definite favorite for an interview. He's one of the most insightful and interesting actors and knows how to answer any and all questions, be they silly, challenging or mundane. It would be cool to do an interview with him, although one can't help wondering if he might spring a surprise or two if he found an interviewer's questions dull.

Best Actor 
tMF takes a closer look at today's best actor, Romain Duris! 
by Jed Medina & Kathleen Sydenham

Long before Hollywood took notice, Romain Duris has been wowing audiences in Europe with some of the best performances ever by an actor of his generation. Exploring and portraying roles that are risky and rewarding, unconventional and formulaic, Duris has the tendency to immerse himself into his parts, taking on characters as unique and as interesting as himself.

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The Believer
Ryan Gosling was awesome in Half Nelson, terrific in Lars and the Real Girl- now what's next for this talented Canadian?
by Jed Medina

Ryan Gosling was once asked what it takes to be an actor. He replied:

"Acting isn't that hard, really. I mean, I think that people make a big deal about it, but you just kind of try to say your lines naturally. You try to make them sound like you're saying them for the first time, but that's about it. I think that it's an interesting job. I think that you can sort of have your own personal journey and you know, you can just kind of apply that to whatever characters you're playing."

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I can picture him as Henry Latham in Marc Forster's Stay, where he played a disturbed suicidal teen and in the recently acclaimed film Half Nelson where he played a teacher with a drug habit and I can easily understand why he's such a good actor.

With the nomination for Best Actor in this year's Oscar, it is but another testament to his growing reputation as an actor to be reckoned with.