I agree. I also don't like Ben Affleck, but he's probably not "acclaimed". For one who's actually acclaimed I'd say Meryl Streep. I don't hate her, but she's overrated and that Golden Globes political speech was nuts. Never got the hype over George Clooney, either.
I don't like Meryl Streep either. I will say I liked her performance in "The Deer Hunter" and I don't think I am her "target audience" for most of her movies.
What I found so odd about her Golden Globes speech is that I think Streep was an ex-cheerleader in high school. Why be a cheerleader if you hate sports that much? It was bizarre for sure.
I know he is a great actor but there was always something about Tom Courtenay that set my teeth on edge. Same thing but in a different way for Oliver Reed.
Richard Harris, Richard Burton, Ralph Richardson, Dickie Attenborough, Helen Mirren, Judy Dench, Elizabeth Taylor, Katherine Hepburn and Angela Lansbury never appealed to me ( although Elizabeth Taylor was adorable as a child in 'Jane Eyre' from 1943 ).
Charlton Heston could be awful in a role that didn't suit him.
Robin Williams I found to be cringeworthy in his comedy roles but a great dramatic actor.
Natalie Wood, a beautiful woman but not a great actress.
Mickey Rooney to me never grew up as an actor. The innocent "Gee whizz" routine worked as Andy Hardy but he uses it in everything. I have seen him as a criminal on death row, a Korean war helicopter pilot, elderly security guard, same thing every film whether it suits or not.
Natalie Wood, I feel like she chose some really bad roles.
I think Judy Dench and Helen Mirren are fantastic. Watch Notes on a Scandal (2006) for Dench and The Cook, the Thief, His wife & Her Lover (1989) for Mirren. Michael Gambon also gave a stellar performance. Polar opposite of Dumbledor!
At least with De Niro he can be different in each role.
I watched a few Denzel films a few months ago and every movie it is the same thing. Doesn't matter what the role is, he plays it exactly the same way.
I haven't seen King Richard but I have seen other Will Smith films, I remember he was ok as Mohammad Ali. It's not so much his acting itself but more the range or lack of his range that's the problem. He basically plays the Prince of Bel Air in every role whether that role calls for that sort of personality or not.