The Great Performances

Acting is an art form, and behind every iconic character is an artist expressing themselves. The Great Performances is a recurring column in which Jacob Trussell explores the art behind some of cinema’s best roles.

If you are new to reading this column, we suggest starting with these entries:

Browse the archive for The Great Performances below

Anthony Perkins Psycho

Anthony Perkins Will Always Frighten Us in ‘Psycho’

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60 years ago, ‘Psycho’ set the gold standard for handsome homicidal maniacs. In this column, Jacob Trussell explores Anthony Perkins’ performance as Norman Bates.

Kane Hodder

Kane Hodder Breathed Life Into Jason Voorhees

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Hodder was the first actor to make the undead icon from ‘Friday the 13th’ suddenly feel alive.

The Shining

Jack Nicholson Originated the Nicolas Cage Freakout In ‘The Shining’

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Yes, we know, Stanley Kubrick’s film isn’t like Stephen King’s novel, but we’re just here for Nicholson’s raging Jack Torrance!

Zoolander

When ‘Zoolander’ Lifted Our Spirits Amidst a National Emergency

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Released just two weeks after 9/11, Ben Stiller’s dopey male model movie made us laugh, even when we thought we couldn’t.

Adjani Possession

Isabelle Adjani is Not an Internet Meme

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We take a closer look at the most famous scene from Andrzej Żuławski’s ode to divorce, depression, and H.P. Lovecraft: ‘Possession’.

Jackie Brown

The Powerful Presence of Pam Grier in ‘Jackie Brown’

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Absolute authenticity has always been the Blaxploitation legend’s greatest strength.

Bong Joon-ho's Mother

Kim Hye-ja and The Multitudes Behind Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Mother’

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Kim Hye-ja’s titular character was decades in the making.

anticipated films 2008 The Dark Knight

The Original Oscar Winning Clown Prince of Crime

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We look back at what made Heath Ledger’s Joker so remarkable.