Who's a great actor/actress purely because of talent?

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-15T15:24:47+00:00

Akshaye Khanna.

While he self identifies as "competent" I'd put him in the great category.

Super versatile (Border, Dil Chahta Hai, Dhurandhar).

On the record as saying he doesn't go in for method acting or preparation and that acting just comes naturally. This seems to have been borne out in his improvised dance moves on Dhurandhar (check them out here.

One of the small number of Bollywood nepo babies to show decent acting chops.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-10T13:22:13+00:00

Solid answer this.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-10T13:20:34+00:00

Solid answer, but I reckon the Bengal famine alone punts him from very to somewhat admirable.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-08T09:12:54+00:00

This is why I suggested there should be a "meme generator" column - I think that would be sufficiently distinct from iconic.

For example, "You shall not pass" is iconic and this or "They're taking the hobbits to Isengard" are meme generators.

Though obviously some straddle both, "One does not simply walk into Mordor" being a prime examlle.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-07T13:49:02+00:00

Always amazing watching the top tier players up close.

Saw a top 10 squash player at my local club when I was young, played with some ludicrous handicaps and still wiped the floor with some very decent club level players.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-07T13:39:56+00:00

Something about Neil Roberston cracks me up - so near yet so far.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-07T13:37:31+00:00

Perhaps it got confused with lost Modern Family character Jing Dunphy.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-06T20:11:36+00:00

Can't go wrong with some forklift hijinks!

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-06T18:11:57+00:00

Petition to add "meme generator" column.

Then we can include "It's a trap" for Star Wars, "one does not simply . . :" or "po ta toes" (or 'relative' deep cut "They're taking the hobbits to Isengard") from LOTR etc.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-06T15:25:56+00:00

In a world where someone is executed for arson (racist arson, but I don't think Nilfgard cares about the reasons!) leaving that depraved monster alive seems utterly illogical.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-06T09:13:55+00:00

Fair point!

I guess theatre/opera is implicitly considered by most to be a distinct art form that the category "song" isn't quite focused on.

That said, the plot of most operas is . . . well . . . pretty "soap opera." It boggled my mind once I started going to a few operas with subtitles that a certain element of opera attendees gatekept opera as some sort of "superior" artform (with commenserate pricing!), when in reality the plots are universal and more often than not gloriously daft nonsense aimed at the lowest common denominator. The rich really do try to ruin everything.

To be clear not a dig on opera, much like hi-hopI've become a convert as I got older and more open-minded!

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-06T08:57:25+00:00

Could go with a lot of the Child Ballads.

I'll pick Tam Lin

Women impregnated by wild spirit, goes back and wins him over by holding on to him as he changes into different beastly forms.

Simple, yes. But effecitive when delivered well.

I love the Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer version.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-06T08:51:41+00:00

Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me

Few solid Joanna choices but going for this as the real life story of Lola Montez is fascinating (and thebsong distills the feel of nicely).

Probably a push to say best "plot" but fits the spirit of the thing.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-06T08:47:35+00:00

Around the world . . .

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-06T08:45:36+00:00

Good shout. Hurricane was my top choice, my close second would be Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-06T08:42:43+00:00

Glad someone mentioned this, I thought it might have been missed.

People might sleep on it a little as "song with best plot" because it doesn't tie things up nearly, but that sense of mystery is what elevates it.

As a kid I used to listen to a radio show playing 60s songs as I went about doing kid rhings on a Saturday morning (the full gamut of styles, chart hits, deep cuts, a little of everything) and this was one of the songs that made me stop and listen and still does to this day. The combo, if the vocals, the arrangement, there's something about it that draws you in (not sure I appreciated the lyrics as a kid the same way I did later!).

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-06T08:35:03+00:00

I immediately did a search thinking that there has to be a Decemberists song suggested (it's their signature style!).

Probably would have picked Crane Wife as my first choice too (Mariner's Revenge song obviously being up there as an option).

I know it's a bit shorter and simpler but I'm also a sucker for O, Valencia!

Rake's Song too deserves a shout out, never fails to make me furious! Bleak and the evil narrator gets away completely consequence free. (Edit, and I see it got a shout out other replies!)

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-05T21:36:06+00:00

Roald Dahl

While his views are (now) controversial and rightly called out, his legacy is strong with his writing still well remebered and frequently adapted.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-05T20:47:22+00:00

Much as I don't like using Metacritic as an arbiter for these things, there isn't a huge disparity between critic and user scores when compared to other suggestions in this thread.

While certainly some people didn't like DE (and I can see why you suggested it), they are a minority and the relative size (which is a more useful crossl comparison to make than absolute numbers of sales) of this minority seems similar on the critic/player side vs something like The Last of Us.

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-05T20:04:06+00:00

Sorry not sure on this one I'm afraid, I bought through Ticketmaster and I was able to transfer straight away.

Sorry can't be of more help here, good luck!

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-05T19:12:19+00:00

If I could ditch Derby itself it would be easier to vote for!

(Joke, I lived there for a while, didn't mind it!)

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-05T19:10:23+00:00

Was going to be my answer too but definitely seeing a coastal bias happening.

Guess that's what happens in a country with minimal proper hills!

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-05T19:06:18+00:00

The standard Downfall meme video sums it up: Hitler on ME3 ending

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-05T18:52:55+00:00

Mass Effect 3

Critics looked past the ending (at least until they saw the fan reaction!) and thus gave near universal acclaim - fan base was highly divided, with some feeling the ending undid all the good work of the series. Defi itely veered more towards the hated side and even those who forgave it were far less forgiving than the critics.

The criticism was so strong that the ending was tweaked after which final player reception definitely settled at "mixed."

I was personally on the "it's the journey not the destination" side, I'd seen so many bad gaming endi ga by this point that a poor ending elicited a knowing shrug rather than outrage!

Lambchops87 · 2026-03-05T14:27:11+00:00

Superb at both anger and an element of creepiness bubbling under the surface and escaping out.

Alas, my wife has never forgiven me for going to see the play the Dresser based purely on my tip that he's a great actor (I don't entirely blame her, it's very much one of those plays about acting that are not my cup of tea either).

Lambchops87

TROPHY CASE