Performance of the Day

Actor: RYAN LEE

Film: "Super 8"

Character: Cary

Year: 2011

The film was great, but relative newcomer Ryan Lee stood out amongst a fantastic cast. He steals the show with witty lines and a mouth full of braces. He's one of those rare actors (forget he's a kid), who understands comedic timing. Here's hoping this isn't the last big thing we see from him.

Performance of the Day

Actor: KATIE JARVIS

Film: "Fish Tank"

Character: Mia

Year: 2009

I have been waiting for this film to come out ever since I read a great review of it. I was enthralled just five minutes in and couldn't remove myself from the couch for the entire duration. Newcomer Katie Jarvis (who apparently was discovered at a train depot while yelling at her boyfriend) is fantastic in her film debut as 'Mia', a foul-mouthed, rough and tough, low income juvenile who lives in an English housing project. Jarvis is fierce and bitchy, but she showed a sensitive and poignant side of herself that was both moving and alluring.

Performance of the Day

Actor: TIM CURRY

Film: "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"

Character: Dr. Frank-N-Furter

Year: 1975

With all the recent hype of "Glee" and their tribute episode of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", I found time to catch the original for the first time in years. I remembered thinking British-born Tim Curry was great, but I didn't recall how flawless his performance was. Curry created a gem of a role in Dr. Frank-N-Furter, from his masterful makeup (that would make RuPaul jealous) to his scandalous lingerie . He's larger than life in the role that made him a cult legend. It's safe to say that Tim Curry IS Dr. Frank-N-Furter and no one will ever be able to fill his platform shoes.

Performance of the Day

Actor: JARED LETO

Film: "Switchback"

Character: Lane Dixon

Year: 1997

Taking some time off from his weird antics and even weirder hairdos, Jared Leto starred in 1997's "Switchback", about two men traveling through a blizzard while a serial killer is on the loose. Leto was great, and as hot as ever, in the role of 'Lane'. The film is pretty good and will definitely keep you guessing.

Performance of the Day

Actor: ROBYN LIVELY

Film: "Teen Witch"

Character: Louise

Year: 1989

It's cheese to the max, but you'll have a blast watching 1989's "Teen Witch". Robyn Lively (Blake's older sister) plays Louise, an ordinary girl who discovers she's a witch. The best scene by far: the corny rap that Noah Blake (son of Robert) does. Happy 39th birthday Robyn!

Performance of the Day

Actor: RICHARD JENKINS

Film: "Eat Pray Love"

Character: Richard

Year: 2010

Richard Jenkins may be very well known for his comedic roles ("One Night at McCool's" and "Step Brothers"), but he sure knows how to do drama. In 2010's "Eat Pray Love", Jenkins costars as Richard, a troubled man on a quest of forgiveness in India. His performance is moving and deep and if you don't tear up... well, you may be an emotionless hole.

Performance of the Day

Actor: STEVE CARELL

Film: "Little Miss Sunshine"

Character: Frank

Year: 2006

By the time this film came out, Steve Carell was well on his way to becoming one of the funniest people in Hollywood. His performance is "Little Miss Sunshine" showed the world that he could tackle dramatic roles as well. Carell was spectacular (and well deserving of an Oscar nomination... which he did not receive) in a role that required depth and complexity along with a bit of humor.

Performance of the Day

Actor: KIM BASINGER

Film: "Nadine"

Character: Nadine

Year: 1987

Long before she was a huge star with hits like "Batman" and "L.A. Confidential", Kim Basinger starred in a little film called "Nadine". She really showed her flair for comedy as a bored housewife who gets herself into a bit of trouble over some racy photos. Her chemistry with Jeff Bridges (who plays her soon-to-be ex-husband Vernon) is perfect and the script isn't half bad either.

Performance of the Day

Actor: RICHARD AYOADE

Series: "The IT Crowd"

Character: Moss

Years: 2006-

You have probably never heard of this awesome English series, which revolves around three IT employees, but it's not too late. The main cast is trememndous, but Richard Ayoade is being singled out this week for his hilarious portrayal of a socially awkward genius. At first I thought his appearance was over-the-top, but his take on a computer nerd is brilliant. You can catch all the episodes on Netflix.

Performance of the Day

Actor: ANGELA BASSETT

Film: "Waiting to Exhale"

Character: Bernadette 'Bernie' Harris

Year: 1995

Angela Bassett exudes grace, beauty, and... above all else, a remarkable talent for acting. In "Waiting to Exhale", Bassett plays a woman who has grown all too comfortable in her dysfunctional marriage to a man who is clearly having an affair. She faces her greatest challenge when her husband suddenly leaves her. The initial roller coaster ride of emotions are perfectly executed, especially in the pivotal car-burning scene, by Bassett. She's a strong woman, who is not gonna take it quietly.

Performance of the Day

Actor: JULIETTE LEWIS

Film: "Conviction"

Character: Roseanna

Year: 2010

Even though she was only on screen for about ten minutes total, Juliette Lewis left a very strong impression. The actor (who really had her fame heyday in the 90s) is fantastic as 'Roseanna', a drunken star witness in a murder trial. I watched her performance twice, just to really absorb everything, and she is so convincing, right down to the way she opens her mouth. Her time is short, but she gives one of the best performances of the film.

Performance of the Day

Actor: EMILY WATSON

Film: "Hilary and Jackie"

Character: Jackie

Year: 1999

Emily Watson gave a powerhouse performance in the true story of concert cellist, Jacqueline du Pre. The story centers around two sisters (Watson and Rachel Griffiths) who are musically gifted; Jackie on cello and her sister Hilary on the flute. Jacqueline develops MS and is forced to stop performing. It's a touching and deep performance and Watson (who was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar) delivered.

Performance of the Day

Actor: MOS DEF

Film: "The Italian Job"

Character: Left Ear

Year: 2003

A lot of musicians try to make the leap to acting and most of the time it DOESN'T work, but in the case of Mos Def... he's got the talent. He holds his own amongst a great cast (Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Ed Norton, and Donald Sutherland to name a few) and stands out as a funny guy. This is a great performance and an exciting film... so check it out.

Performance of the Day

Actor: SIGOURNEY WEAVER

Film: "Heartbreakers"

Character: Angela/Maxine/Ulga

Year: 2001

The film had the potential of being a total disaster if the role of Maxine wasn't cast properly. Thankfully, producers went with the brilliant choice of Sigourney Weaver. She's equal parts sexy, conniving, and hilarious in this funny flick.

Performance of the Day

Actor: JOAN CUSACK

Show: "Shameless"

Character: Sheila

Year: 2011-

In the new Showtime series, "Shameless", funny lady Joan Cusack takes on the role of a germaphobic/

agoraphobic housewife. She's fantastically funny and endearing as she tries (and fails) everyday to take a step outside. Also her chemistry with lead actor William H. Macy is right-on.

Performance of the Day

Actor: JOHN LITHGOW

Show: "3rd Rock from the Sun"

Character: Dick Solomon

Years: 1996-2001

John Lithgow has long been one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood (don't believe me, check out his two Oscar nominated performances). In the mid 90s, he took on the television audiences with his role as 'Dick' in "3rd Rock from the Sun" (not to be confused with "30 Rock"). Lithgow played the head commander to a group of aliens, who come to earth, masquerade as humans, and study life on this planet. Lithgow is hilarious, especially with former SNLer Jane Curtain. Check him out on Netflix (all six seasons of the show are on instant play).

Performance of the Day

Actor: JENA MALONE

Film: "Stepmom"

Character: Anna

Year: 1998

14-year-old Jena Malone burst on the screen as 'Anna', the bitchy, sensitive daughter of a divorced couple (Susan Sarandon and Ed Harris). Malone was perfect and her apparent disdain for Isabel (Julia Roberts) was spot-on. We could all relate to the little girl who just wanted her parents back together again.

Performance of the Day

Actor: JAMES MCAVOY

Film: "Rory O'Shea Was Here"

Character: Rory

Year: 2004

James McAvoy has now made a name for himself in American cinema, but back in 2004 he was just another unknown British actor. He starred in the film "Rory O'Shea Was Here" as a quadriplegic, who develops a friendship with a man who has cerebral palsy and falls in love with the girl who helps take care of him. McAvoy is so convincing that I figured he really was handicapped.

Performance of the Day

Actor: ANTHONY LAPAGLIA

Film: "Innocent Blood"

Character: Joe Gennaro

Year: 1992

This may be a random movie you've never heard of, but it's quite a little treat for someone who likes funny horror films. Anthony LaPaglia and French actor Anne Parillaud star as an undercover cop and a sexy vampire, respectively. LaPaglia is a terrific actor who knows a thing or two about comedic timing and subtle humor.

Performance of the Day

Actor: BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD

Film: "The Help"

Character: Hilly

Year: 2011

This lady continues to surprise me. She takes a role and commands it. Bryce Dallas Howard is outstanding as the snobby and racist Hilly Holbrook. As soon as she came on screen, I forgot about her Hollywood royalty status and lost myself in her strong performance. I have been an avid fan of hers since 2004's "The Village" and I'll surely be watching when she wins an Oscar one day. Howard is a powerful actor and a force to be reckoned with.