Musicians in Acting Roles. Which are the memorable ones?

[Don Draper]

So, L. GaGA received a Golden Globe nomination this morning for her work in 'A Star is Born'. Not really a surprise as her work was serviceable and her singing as expected. (Why the narrative turned her into a "Britney" I'll never know!?!?)

The conversation now is which Musician working in a film role has impressed you? To name a few:

~ Cher in 'Moonstruck' (Oscar Winner)

~ Tina Turner in 'Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome"

~ Courtney Love in "The People vs Larry Flint"

Me, personally, I can't say enough about Bowie in "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence:. Bowie's performance is complex, elegant and resolute of its arc. If the film had been produced within the Hollywood system, he'd certainly been lauded more for it. Then again, he was a superior and supreme talent.

Discuss...

 

[essguy_]

Interesting thread!

I thought Cher was great in "Mask" too.

You almost have to separate it into modern and classic era's - the classic era is full of people like Bing Crosby, Franky, etc. And memorable could include memorably bad too - eg: Any Elvis movie.

I always thought David Bowie was really good as the lead in "The Man Who Fell to Earth" - although not sure how much acting it entailed since he was playing an Alien. Good, under-rated film - with some amazing predictions about technology too - foreshadowing little cubes containing music and the incredible rise of tech companies (including Bowie - using his tech company success to start a space company in a bid to get back to his native planet).

Check out the young Rip Torn in the trailer:

 

[Don Draper]

You almost have to separate it into modern and classic era's - the classic era is full of people like Bing Crosby, Franky, etc. And memorable could include memorably bad too - eg: Any Elvis movie.

You know, Elvis was offered the lead role in the 1976 version of "A Star is Born" with Streisand. As we all know, it went to Kris Kristofferson. The Pelvis always wanted film credibility but Col. Parker only wanted $$$ from the kids and didn't think Presley had the chops. "Kid Galahad" showed what 'might have been'.

 

[richaceg]

Henry Rollins has been in a few...

But I have to agree with Tina Turner on Beyond Thunderdome...that was a great performance...

 

[|2 /-\ | /|/]

One of my all time favourites is Walk To Remember with Mandy Moore ...can’t watch that fucking movie without crying at least once.

Although the ultimate best and timeless movie is The Bodyguard with Whitney Houston. Man that chemistry was real and transcended into their real life.

 

[|2 /-\ | /|/]

Henry Rollins has been in a few...

But I have to agree with Tina Turner on Beyond Thunderdome...that was a great performance...

Ohh fuck yeah...another good one.

 

[Insidious Von]

Elvis got lucky, the 76 version of A Star Is Born was a big turd Barbara Streisand vanity project. Eric Idle brutally spoofed it.

As for classic era, you can't forget Il Gambero caught between two mastodons.

 

[Conil]

I agree with Cher both in the Mask and Moonstruck, both were good. Barbara Streisand did a few not bad. Prince, was not bad. Don't like Madonna acting.





TERB Members on Ignore: Oagre

 

[Insidious Von]

Cadillac Records is an under-rated film. With Adrian Brody as Leonard Chess, Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters and Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon.

Beyonce as Etta James.

 

[mandrill]

Tom Waits in anything he's been cast in - just for being Tom Waits.

 

[unassuming]

Tom Waits in anything he's been cast in - just for being Tom Waits.

Same could be said for Levon Helm.

 

[essguy_]

Same could be said for Levon Helm.

Really good in "Coal Miner's Daughter" - you could almost feel the black lungs when he talked. Another guy good in minor roles is Loudon Wainwright.

 

[essguy_]

This is memorable for all the wrong reasons. When my youngest turned 9 I drew the short straw and had to take her and about 7 or 8 of her friends to see: "Hannah Montana - The Movie". I was one of maybe 4 or 5 fathers there in a totally packed theatre - all of us trying to act happy but with the "Please kill me now" look in the eyes.

Spoiler Alert: Miley Cyrus IS Hannah Montana

 

[Mr Deeds]

Kieth Richards- Pirates of the Caribbean
The Beatles- in Help and Hard Days Night
Madonna- Evita
Sting-Dune

 

[Indiana]

Meatloaf as Bob.

 

[richaceg]

In case people don't know...

Walon in the wire...

 

[unassuming]

Ellen Foley- "Paradise By the Dashboard Light" singer>>>>>>Billie Young on "Night Court"

 

[K Douglas]

I am not a fan of hers but I thought Cher was great in Mask. Powerful movie.

Mark Wahlberg Much better actor than he was singer/rapper. Shooter, Ted, Boogie Nights, Italian Job, The Departed.

Tupac Shakur Could play a bad dude like nobody's business. Above the Rim and Juice.

Ice Cube Tons of film credits but always liked him best as Dough Boy in Boyz N The Hood

Ice T Probably most renowned for his acting role in the TV series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. But loved him in Surviving The Game which is one of my ATF movies.

 

[|2 /-\ | /|/]

I am not a fan of hers but I thought Cher was great in Mask. Powerful movie.

Mark Wahlberg Much better actor than he was singer/rapper. Shooter, Ted, Boogie Nights, Italian Job, The Departed.

Tupac Shakur Could play a bad dude like nobody's business. Above the Rim and Juice.

Ice Cube Tons of film credits but always liked him best as Dough Boy in Boyz N The Hood

Ice T Probably most renowned for his acting role in the TV series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. But loved him in Surviving The Game which is one of my ATF movies.

Yeah Juice is really good and I remember that movie so well from the 90s...it left an impact.

 

[Zipperpants]

The bodyguard

Whitney Houston