Top 5 Performances: John Cazale

John Cazale was a supporting actor in the 70s that accomplished something that no other actor has: All the films he acted in was nominated for Academy awards best picture. Also, all of them has a rating of 8,0 or higher on IMDb. Sadly, he died when he was only 42 years old in terminal bone cancer. As he only acted in five films, this list is rather about ranking his performances than picking out the five best ones.

#5. The Conversation

Stan

Not a bad performance, it's just that he didn't get much time on screen.

"It's curiosity. Did you ever hear of that? It's just goddamn human nature."

#4. The Godfather

Fredo Corleone

John Cazale started his movie acting career in this unknown movie about a maffia family.

"Papa!"

#3. The Deer Hunter

Stan

The story behind this performance makes it his best in a way. All the scenes in which Cazale participates was filmed first because of his illness. The studio wanted to replace him but the director Michael Cimono and Cazales collegue/lover Meryl Streep threatened to leave the production if they did. Also, it is said that Robert De Niro paid for his insurance so that he could take part in the movie. John Cazale died shortly after completing all his scenes.

"Some fuckin' friend. You're some fuckin' friend, you know that?"

#2. Dog Day Afternoon

Sal

Great performance as Al Pacino's sidekick in this funny bank robbery movie.

"Tell the TV to stop saying there's 2 homosexuals in here." 

#1. The Godfather: Part II

Fredo Corleone

In the second part of The Godfather, Fredo Corleone gets much more attention than in the first part, and Cazale does not disappoint. Amazing performance.

"Taken care of me? You're my kid brother and you take care of me? Did you ever think about that? Hah? Did you ever once think about that?"

An example of what a great actor John Cazale was is this scene from The Godfather II:

Top 5 Perfomances: Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp has always been one of my favorite actors and always does an amazing job. The last few years though, I feel that he hasn't chosen his roles too well and I would like to see him in more drama/comedy movies and less fantasy.

This is a list of the best performances, not the best movies, although the quality of the movie often has an impact on the performance vice versa.

5. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Edward Scissorhands

The movie is great but not flawless. Johnny Depp is though.

4. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Willy Wonka

What would otherwise have been an okay movie became a personal favorite for me because of Johnny Depp's acting. I must admit, I haven't seen the original so I can't say if he's better than Gene Wilder or not.

3. Dead Man (1995)

William Blake

One of the most unique movies Johnny Depp has acted in. William Blake goes from being a nervous accountant to being a cool western outlaw in this Jarmusch film.

2. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Jack Sparrow

The most well-known movie and the one that made him bigger than ever. He should have stopped being Jack Sparrow after the third one because there's not much left to get from that character.

1. Ed Wood (1994)

Edward D Wood Jr.

My absolute favorite Johnny Depp performance is his portrayal of the legendary director Edward D Wood Jr.


Bonus: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Felt bad to leave this out of the list. Great performance.