What if . . . College Football Playoff - Nov. 13

What an amazing week of college football! Two of the undefeateds went down, and now it looks even more realistic that we might just have a rematch in the National Championship of LSU and Alabama when there are so many other one-loss teams quite deserving. The fact of the matter is every year brings more parody to college football with more teams looking deserving to get a fair shot at the National Championship. People say there needs to be a 4 team playoff or an "and-1" scenario where three teams have a shot, but I have always thought that the major flaw in the system is you have 3/4 of the teams in college football that have no shot at winning the National Championship. A team like Houston who blows out every team they have played will never get a fair chance. Either split Division 1 football into 3 categories or give everyone a chance. It's simple. Have a 16 team playoff with an automatic qualifier to every conference champ (yes, every conference). There are 11 conferences. That leaves 5 at large spots for the highest schools in the BCS that are not conference champs. It would be like March Madness in December. Here is how it would break down as of this weekend.

1. LSU (SEC leader)

2. Oklahoma St. (Big 12 leader)

3. Alabama (At Large)

4. Oregon (Pac-12 leader)

5. Oklahoma (At Large)

6. Arkansas (At Large)

7. Clemson (ACC leader)

8. Virginia Tech (At Large)

9. Stanford (At Large)

10. Houston (C-USA leader)

11. Michigan St. (Big 10 leader)

12. TCU (MWC leader)

13. Cincinnati (Big East leader)

14. Nevada (WAC leader)

15. Northern Illinois (MAC leader)

16. Arkansas St. (Sun Belt leader)

Looking at a playoff with these 16 teams means that everyone can get their shot. Also, looking at how the rankings changed this week, Boise St.'s loss to TCU removes them (maybe just for now) from playoff contention. It also shows a team like Stanford, with one loss to a top 5 team, would have to go on the road in the first round of the playoffs. So those that say that the regular season would be worth less don't know what they are talking about. They are probably the same ones that said the Wild Card would ruin the integrity of the MLB playoffs when all it did was make everything that much more important to that many more teams. It's not like we're going to 64 teams (or 65 . . . or 68 . . . or 96 . . . or 128 . . . whatever college basketball has now). It is just 16 teams and brings about some great competition. Boise St., who is currently 10th in the BCS is left out. You have to be in the top 9 to get a spot, or win your conference.

So here would be your 1st round matchups.

#16 Arkansas St. at #1 LSU

Snoozer, which the #1 team in the nation deserves after going undefeated.

#9 Stanford at #8 Virginia Tech

Rematch of last year's Orange Bowl. Same result?

#13 Cincinnati at #4 Oregon

Why does the Big East still have an automatic qualifier into the BCS? Still deserve a shot though, however slim it may be.

#12 TCU at #5 Oklahoma

Future conference rivals in the forever-at-risk Big 12. TCU played their way into the dance with the big win on the Smurf Turf.

#14 Nevada at #3 Alabama

Nevada pulled off a shocker last year. You never know, right?

#11 Michigan St. at #6 Arkansas

A third SEC team makes it, but that's because there isn't much depth after these three. A low rank for the top Big 10 team. Are they that bad, or have they just been beating up on each other?

#15 Northern Illinois at #2 Oklahoma St.

This could almost be considered a bye. Almost . . .

#10 Houston at #7 Clemson

Houston has worked its way up to a game where they can show what they are all about and have a chance to win, even though they would still be on the road. After Clemson lost to Georgia Tech and barely squeaked by Wake Forest, are they actually a contender?

So this is what it would look like if the season ended today. Just like the BCS gets shaken up every week, this will do the same. We will look at it again next weekend. What do you think about the matchups? The system? Let us know.

Movie Milestones: 50 Years of West Side Story

I have a confession to make. I'm a Gleek. I have been a huge fan of the show since the first episode. The comedy is witty and smart, the storylines are intelligent and moving, and the music is absolutely amazing. Over the last few weeks, McKinley High's Glee club has been preparing for the school production of West Side Story. This all culminated in this week's episode when the preparation paid off in a wonderful performance. It was great to see this classic show brought back into contemporary consciousness for the first time in awhile. It has been 50 years since this Broadway musical was brought to the big screen by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise. In seeing the story and music appear on Glee, it made me remember how some themes will always be relevant and therefore some stories like West Side Story will always be relevant.

When the film was first released, this was actually a very contemporary movie. Being set in the 1950's and only being on Broadway for less than 5 years, West Side Story the movie was very much a part of contemporary culture even if it was an age old story. This story was originally told by William Shakespeare in a little play called Romeo and Juliet. So you could say West Side Story was the original in what has become a trend in today's Hollywood: modernizing a classic story to appeal to today's culture. This retelling sets up a rivalry between two gangs: the Jets and the Sharks. The Jets are a group of local New York kids, while the Sharks are Puerto Rican immigrants. In the midst of their rivalry, a forbidden love affair blossoms between Tony of the Jets and Maria, the sister of the leader of the Sharks. Through song and ballet, this love story plays itself out amid the fierce rivalry that tries to separate them.

Best Scene: The dance scene. The first extended interaction between the two gangs we see in the film is a dance that both groups attend. The supervisor of the dance tries to get the two groups to get along and "play nice" just so everyone can have a good time. He tries to mix up the group to do this, but what follows is a carefully choreographed dance sequence as you see the Jets and Sharks appear to intermingle but also take a stance against the other group at the same time. In a film that is filled with somewhat corny dance sequences, this scene shows it work to perfection. The scene then ends with the first meeting of Tony and Maria which sets the stage for the rest of the film. You can hear the song now . . . "I just met a girl named Maria."

Best Song: Since we are dealing with a musical, I am replacing the "Best Line" segment with a more appropriate "Best Song" category. Say what you want about some of the choreography in West Side Story, the music is as timeless as you get. Of all the classics in this movie, my favorite would have to be "Somewhere." Tony and Maria are watching their worlds fall apart around them, and all they can believe in is each other. They think about the circumstances that are forcing them apart, and this song comes out as they try to imagine a time where they could be allowed to be together. "There's a place for us, somewhere a place for us." "Some day, somewhere, we'll find a new way of living. We'll find a way of forgiving." It's a song full of so much emotion. It comes across almost as a prayer that hopefully someday this will happen for them. This is just one of the many beautiful songs.

Most Iconic Moment: The last shot of the film. Knowing that this is based on Romeo and Juliet, the ending is inevitable. As soon as Tony sees Maria, he is gunned down by a rival gang member. Maria tries to remind him of their prayer as he slips away. We are then left with Maria holding Tony under the one and only street light with the Jets and Sharks both looking on realizing what their rivalry had brought about. It is such a beautiful picture. They don't make them quite like that anymore.

The Time Tester: As I mentioned before, this is a timeless story that continues to remain relevant today. There are hints of it in films like Brokeback Mountain: two people in a relationship they are told they should not be in. It helps when you start with a story that had already lasted several hundred years before they adapted it. The music has also stood the test of time. There are many people who have never seen West Side Story but know the music. Everyone has heard some form of "Somewhere" or "Maria" or "I Feel Pretty." Personally, I can't hear "I Feel Pretty" without seeing Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson singing it to each other in Anger Management.

The Lasting Impact: Looking back on West Side Story after 50 years, there is no doubt that this is one of the most loved of the classic musicals. It won 10 Oscars including Picture, Director, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress. Looking back on it now, it is a bit corny as most musicals of that era are. However, the story and music behind the film make this a timeless classic that can still be watched and appreciated by all, even all us Gleeks that have enjoyed experiencing the magic of West Side Story during the episodes the last few weeks.

2012 Oscar Predictions: October

The Oscar race has started to take shape in the last couple months. A handful of the projected contenders have come out in theaters to overall mixed reception. There are still most of the Oscar movies waiting to get released, which is probably for the best, because by that time all of these movies will have already disappointed and been forgotten. Here is how I see the race looking as of right now:

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Predicted Five

1. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - The trailer looks alright, but the Academy will eat this up.

2. The Descendents – I do not know if they want to give Payne two consecutive Oscars, but the early word on this is fantastic, despite the underwhelming trailers.

3. War Horse – This movie is likely one of the frontrunners, and those are always nominated for screenplay.

4. The Ides of March – The screenplay is really tight, but the reviews for this were not necessarily unanimous. This category is the best shot it has, though.

5. The Help – The box office performance is astonishing for this movie. That will translate into a massive Oscar push and likely quite a bit of success.

Others in contention

6. Moneyball – Leftover love for The Social Network might help Sorkin, but I am not convinced that this category is the lock it once appeared to be.

7. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy – This is not having great early reviews, but this seems like the British movie that could take the Academy by storm.

8. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – The trailers have been amazing, but it may be too similar to the original and too soon. We will see how this is perceived, but the script will likely be top notch.

9. Carnage – The trailer looks pretty amazing, but these limited character films do not normally get screenplay nominations. Look for massive Golden Globe love for this one.

10. A Dangerous Method – This movie is a wildcard. No one really knows what to expect, but the trailers are great. Cronenberg has not made a bad movie in a long time.

11. We Need to Talk About Kevin – This could be the gritty indie comedy that the Academy loves, but I am not convinced yet. Acting nominations are more likely.

12. We Bought a Zoo – Wasn’t enthusiastic about the trailer, but this is its most likely nomination spot.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

The Predicted Five

1. The Artist – This is Oscar stuff. Nothing really else to say.

2. Yong Adult – Reitman movies seem to just always be in the running for this category. Cody will get her second nomination for sure.

3. Midnight in Paris – Woody Allen’s biggest box office ever and his movie creative script in over 15 years.

4. Like Crazy – The Sundance darling will certainly have its Academy following. I am betting this will sweep audiences off their collective feet.

5. The Tree of Life – I am still holding out hope that this will get major Oscar nominations, foolishly maybe.

Others in contention

6. J. Edgar – The trailer was not a big hit, but with Clint at the helm, it is never out of the running.

7. Martha Marcy May Marlene – The last two films of this type were nominated for screenplay, but will the Oscars go for more light films this year? Possibly.

8. Take This Waltz – Sarah Polley’s second film is way under the radar, hopefully not too far.

9. Bridesmaids – Horrible movie that everyone apparently loved. But if Apatow cannot get nominated, why would this?

10. Beginners – This just wreaks of being that movie like Another Year that will sneak into the screenplay category at the last possible second after being completely written off.

11. Rampart – Moverman was nominated for his last film, which was similarly under the radar.

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

The Predicted Five

1. Sandra Bullock – Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close – Her part in the trailer looks really good, and it takes a lot for me to compliment her.

2. Judi Dench – J. Edgar – Default nominee in this category. The actor branch adores her.

3. Octavia Spencer – The Help – This is the kind of odd, likable character that get mentioned in this category.

4. Jessica Chastain – The Help – The best in the cast, plus with her insane year, she will need to get nominated for one of them. This is her most memorable part.

5. Vanessa Redgrave – Coriolanus – She is becoming more and more likely to get nominated here. That movie is a dark horse.

Others in contention

6. Berenice Bejo – The Artist – Unknown actress, but she is said to steal the show.

7. Keira Knightley – A Dangerous Method – She appears to be the best in the cast from the trailer, but she has shined before in more Oscar material and not gotten in.

8. Kate Winslet – Carnage – Who knows if she or the rest of the cast is going lead or supporting?

9. Jessica Chastain – The Tree of Life, Take Shelter, Coriolanus – She will get in for one of these if she doesn’t for The Help.

10. Sarah Silverman – Take This Waltz – I do not want to completely count her out. I have faith in this movie. Maybe I am the only one who cares.

11. Elizabeth Reaser – Young Adult – I do not even think she was in the trailer, but she could come out of nowhere.

12. Melissa McCarthy – Bridesmaids – I would die a little inside if she gets nominated.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

The Predicted Five

1. Kenneth Branagh – My Week with Marilyn – This is going to be a big role, and the British will certainly get behind him.

2. Christopher Plummer – Beginners – This performance is perhaps the most beloved of the year’s first half and could very well take it all the way to the Oscars.

3. Brad Pitt – The Tree of Life – This is that one forgotten amazing performance that will get overlooked everywhere but the Oscars. Mark my words.

4. Niels Arestrup – War Horse – He is the dark horse in the competition because he is relatively unknown to American audiences but will certainly steal the show in his scenes.

5. Patton Oswalt – Young Adult – His part in the trailer was more significant than I had anticipated. Looks to be a scene-stealer.

Others in contention

6. Albert Brooks – Drive – After seeing the movie, I realized his part, while impressive, is just too small. His veteran card will get him some mentions, but he will fall just short here.

7. Max von Sydow – Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close – He may have to keep waiting for that inevitable Honorary Oscar.

8. Jonah Hill – Moneyball – The best performance in the movie. His part is so interesting and spot-on that he has a real shot here.

9. Jim Broadbent – The Iron Lady – Playing opposite Streep has its benefits.

10. Viggo Mortensen – A Dangerous Method – Said to be great in this film directed by the guy who got him his first nom.

11. Armie Hammer – J. Edgar – This could be the Brolin in Milk/Giamatti in Cinderella Man “sorry we forgot you last year” nomination.

12. Tom Hanks – Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close – He is never really out of it.

13. John C. Reilly – Carnage – Being directed by Polanski is always a plus.

14. Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Ides of March – Had a couple terrific scenes, but his cast was just as good.

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

The Predicted Five

1. Michelle Williams – My Week with Marilyn – It is hard to see her not at least getting nominated for this role. She has to be the frontrunner.

2. Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady – I see her getting nominated obviously, but winning just may never happen for her again.

3. Rooney Mara – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – The trailer almost locked her into this category if she is indeed lead. The original was more about the Craig character.

4. Elizabeth Olsen – Martha Marcy May Marlene – Everything I hear is raves for Olsen. She will probably get in.

5. Viola Davis – The Help – I fear that going lead will hurt her chances, but her raves were so universal that it is hard to see a scenario where she doesn’t get in.

Others in contention

6. Kristen Dunst – Melancholia – She won at Cannes, but the film may be too weird for the Oscars. I have faith in her though.

7. Glenn Close – Albert Nobbs – She has the transformation role that normally gets nominated, but she is often overlooked.

8. Felicity Jones – Like Crazy – She could be one of the new faces in the crowd.

9. Tilda Swinton – We Need to Talk About Kevin – Her role promises to be gutsy, and the initial reviews have put the spotlight on her role.

10. Jodie Foster – Carnage – It is hard to judge the category placement for any of the actors in this.

11. Charlize Theron – Young Adult – She will probably be terrific in this, but a nomination seems unlikely considering the work she does between her really good roles.

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

The Predicted Five

1. Jean Dujardin – The Artist – I do not know why, but I feel like this is the most likely winner in any major category at this point.

2. George Clooney – The Descendents – This is almost a lock for a nomination.

3. Leonardo DiCaprio – J. Edgar – It is hard to see the Academy not nominating DiCaprio for this role that he will likely nail.

4. Gary Oldman – Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy – Everyone knows he is the best living actor without a nomination. If he is half good in this, he will get nominated.

5. Brad Pitt – Moneyball – His superstar status and likability will get him tons of notices. If he takes home a critic award or two and secures BFCA and HFPA nominations, then this is a foregone conclusion.

Others in contention

6. Michael Fassbender – Shame – Talks of NC-17 are scary, but it didn’t hurt Michelle Williams last year.

7. Woody Harrelson – Rampart – Maybe my most anticipated film, Harrelson will likely own in his second Moverman film.

8. Christoph Waltz – Carnage – Who knows?

9. Michael Shannon – Take Shelter – This looks amazing, and Shannon is always cool to see in the race.

10. Ryan Gosling – Drive – This is his most likely nomination for his huge year.

11. Paul Giamatti – Win Win – We wrote off Richard Jenkins for his early year release in a McCarthy film too. I wouldn’t completely count him out.

12. Sean Penn – This Must be the Place – I have no clue about this movie, but from the pictures I have seen, Penn will likely overplay it. That is usually enough for him at the Oscars.

BEST DIRECTOR

The Predicted Five

1. Stephen Daldry – Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close – Maybe they will just finally give him a win so that they can stop nominating him for everything.

2. Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist – Will get nominated for sure, but can he win?

3. Steven Spielberg – War Horse – Seems like a lock to many, but I am not convinced that this will live up to the hype.

4. Terrence Malick – The Tree of Life – I hope I am right about this. The Tree of Life is all Malick. It is foolish to think that he does not deserve a nomination at least.

5. David Fincher – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Maybe this is the ultimate wishful thinking, but I believe in him and the material.

Others in contention

6. Jason Reitman – Young Adult­ – Always in the running, but this may be a bit too light.

7. Alexander Payne – The Descendents – I am not sold on it, but everyone who has seen it is. Good enough for me.

8. Clint Eastwood – J. Edgar – Can they continue to snub him?

9. Tate Taylor – The Help – His film is poised for a huge Best Picture push, which immediately makes him a possibility.

10. Tomas Alfredson – Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy – His film may get in, but his recognition may have to still wait.

11. Woody Allen – Midnight in Paris – I am really curious to see how this is remembered in the coming months.

12. George Clooney – The Ides of March – Well-directed film, but reviews were not exactly what we were hoping for.

13. Nicolas Winding Refn – Drive – Could be the coolest nomination since William Hurt if it happens. He will need a couple critic awards to be taken completely seriously, though, even after his Cannes win.

14. Bennett Miller – Moneyball – If his movie is popular enough, then he could get swept in. It wasn’t quite as impressive work as Capote, however.

15. Angelina Jolie – In the Land of Blood and Honey – It is said to be epic and beautiful in the tradition of classic Oscar movies. Will anyone see this in time?

BEST PICTURE

The Predicted Ten (I predict 7 will get nominated)

1. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close – Trailer looks corny, but the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 helps more than we may realize. They may want something inspiring and weepy.

2. The Artist – It is hard to see the actors branch not making this one of the films to beat.

3. The Help – The love for this film is bigger than anyone could have thought. A Best Picture nomination seems almost locked, and I cannot believe I am saying that.

4. War Horse – Whether it is good or not, it will get nominated. See: Munich.

5. The Tree of Life – There are enough Malick fans and fans of the film in general that it will likely get the 5% of the votes needed. Plus, the love/hate intrigue will probably add an interesting storyline to the race, which the AMPAS is always looking for.

6. The Descendents – Alexander Payne movies are usually loved, but this one seems much more like a critics film than an Oscar movie. It will likely snag one of the last spots.

7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – The release date certainly helps. If it leaves everyone breathless, that will translate into a nomination here while it is fresh on everyone’s mind.

8. Moneyball – Everyone seemed to really enjoy it, but is this really Best Picture material?

9. J. Edgar – It screams Oscar, but the bias against Eastwood is hard to ignore.

10. Young Adult – I am not counting this completely out, but the trailer may be too much comedy and not quite enough dramedy.

Others in contention

11. Like Crazy – This is major dark horse in all categories.

12. Midnight in Paris – I have no clue if anyone will remember this, but if they do, it could get nominated for sure.

13. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy – This is one of the biggest British threats. They may jump behind it. And does this remind anyone else of The Departed?

14. Martha Marcy May Marlene – The status of this is somewhat unknown. Could it pull a Winter’s Bone?

15. The Ides of March – It seems like more of a Golden Globe film than an Oscar film.

16. Carnage – With potential acting nominations all around, it would be foolish to count it out.

17. Rampart – Sometimes under the radar is the best place to be.

18. In the Land of Blood and Honey – Just because we never know how much the AMPAS loves Hollywood’s most beloved couple.

So, that’s what I got. There are still a ton of films that I have not seen and that no one has really seen, so in the next month and a half, these lists will be whittled down significantly. What do you think? Anything I overlooked? Have you seen any of these at festivals and can provide insight into their award potential? Let me know.

Power Rankings: Most Bankable Hollywood Actors

Seeing how Moneyball is set to make a scorcher at the box office for no reason other than the fact that Brad Pitt is the lead, it got me thinking about who the most bankable actors are in the industry currently. By bankable, I am referring to box office guarantee, in terms of return on investment. The actors on this list can appear in almost anything and turn it into a box office smash. Every one of them has at least one flop, though, proving that it is impossible for anyone to be a complete guarantee. I am not holding independent films or supporting roles against them, since those films are reliant more on distribution and other actors than their own contribution to the film. For each actor, I will do a rundown of the past ten years or so, and I will give what I think is their single most impressive box office gross of their career as well as a notable flop. Note: I am only including actors (not actresses) because it would just be too difficult to combine them (meaning putting Sandra Bullock on the list).

Others receiving votes: Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tyler Perry, Seth Rogen, Denzel Washington

10. Tom Hanks

Most Impressive Box Office: Forrest Gump: $673 million ($55 million budget)

Notable Flop: Angels and Demons: $133 million ($150 million budget)

Ten years ago, Tom Hanks might have been topped this list. Now, however, since he is doing a lot more production work and less acting, his star has fallen a bit. Still, whenever he makes a movie, people want to see it. Larry Crowne had a decent run at the box office, despite not being all that good. His last big hit was The Terminal (excluding Toy Story 3), and that was 7 years ago. Angels and Demons was nowhere near as big as Da Vinci Code, but I feel like if he started making one or two movies per year again, he could be right back up there near the top.

9. George Clooney

Most Impressive Box Office: Ocean’s Eleven: $450 million ($85 million budget)

Notable Flop: Leatherheads: $31 million ($58 million budget)

George Clooney seems to be a lot more reliable in determining what is going to be awards-friendly than what is going to make a lot of money, but it is obvious that when he does appear in a movie, there is hype around it. His stardom has gotten to and perhaps surpassed Cary Grant-territory. His persona on and off screen has turned him into one of the most beloved celebrities around, and in all cases other than Leatherheads and The Good German (neither are good movies), he can pull in a $100 million box office in his sleep.

8. Jim Carrey

Most Impressive Box Office: Bruce Almighty: $484 million ($81 million budget)

Notable Flop: The Majestic: $37 million ($72 million budget)

Some of you may have a problem with my inclusion of Jim Carrey on this list, but it is undeniable that he can still pull the audiences in by the truckload. His star may not be as bright as it was 10-15 years ago, but Yes Man still pulled in over $200 million, and that was all him. Nothing about that movie could have been sold without his name attached to it. Mr. Popper’s Penguins is another example ($170+ million). These movies would not be made without Carrey. He is still as big of a star as anyone. I am not holding the horrible marketing of I Love You Phillip Morris against him. The Majestic is his only real flop, which only recovered about half of its budget. That was more of a problem with the fact that the movie is misunderstood than poor. Carrey is going to continue to make his movies and continue to tear up the box office as long as he wants to.

7. Ben Stiller

Most Impressive Box Office: Night at the Museum: $574 million ($110 million budget)

Notable Flop: Envy: $12 million ($40 million budget)

It is always interesting to see who actually the biggest stars in Hollywood are. Ben Stiller has to be on that shortlist. He does not have the movie star looks, voice, or persona. He is like the normal guy who cannot make a movie without people wanting to see it. Everything he does is a hit, and he always is playing more or less the same character. Night at the Museum is his single most impressive hit, mainly because it is the Ben Stiller show the entire time. Plus it got a sequel. His flops were Envy and Duplex, the two lame romantic comedies he tried to make in the middle of last decade that no one really saw and that never really got advertised. Now, however, even something as small as Greenberg gets its audience. He definitely deserves his spot on this list.

6. Shia LaBeouf

Most Impressive Box Office: Transformers: $706 million ($151 million budget)

Notable Flop: Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps: $70 million ($52 million budget)

Why does everyone love Shia LaBeouf? No, really that was a question. I can’t figure it out, but it would be ignorant to not include him in this conversation. Everything the guy touches turns to gold. Holes, Disturbia, Transformers, Eagle Eye. Everything he appears in gets a huge audience. The only one that didn’t was by far his best movie, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, which I think was just too smart for mass audiences. The fact that Transformers pulled in over $700 million with that first film was probably 25% subject matter, 25% Michael Bay excessive advertising, and the rest was split between LaBeouf, the reviews, and Megan Fox’s midriff. It was he who got the audiences in the seats, because let’s face it, if the movie was animated or starred some other young actor, not everyone would want to see it. LaBeouf is just one of those unique personalities that people can relate to, even when he is as pissed off and annoying as he is in all three of those ridiculously loud and obnoxious movies.

5. Tom Cruise

Most Impressive Box Office: The Firm: $262 million ($42 million budget)

Notable Flop: Lions for Lambs: $14 million ($30 million budget)

That’s right. He will not go away. It doesn’t even matter what the movie is about. Nazis, aliens, assassins… He makes everything a box office smash. It was difficult to find both a most impressive box office and a notable snub. I had to settle with Lions for Lambs, which was definitely not his fault, and I went with The Firm, mainly because it is the one film that would not have been anything without him in the lead role. It was 154 minute Tom Cruise show, and it became a huge $250+ million hit. Even now, he does Knight and Day, Valkyrie, a small part in Tropic Thunder. Each one of them nearly doubled their money. It is pretty smart of him to not make so many movies anymore, since people tend to not like him. But when he finally puts out another movie, people cannot avoid it. He leaves everyone wanting more.

4. Brad Pitt

Most Impressive Box Office: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: $329 million ($150 million budget)

Notable Flop: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford: $3 million ($30 million budget)

So, the man of the hour finally comes up. The decisions that this guy makes astound me. He works with every major director, turning each one of their films into one of the most talked about movies of the year. He had a very public Hollywood breakup with America’s sweetheart, and that does not touch his popularity like it would any other actor. In fact, people love him so much that they just blame it on the girl instead. It couldn’t have been his fault. Benjamin Button is his most impressive box office because that subject matter is so strange that I am not sure if anyone else could have made it that big. Jesse James was one of the worst advertised movies I have ever witnessed, so that had one horrible and short run at the box office after about 2 years of previews. But, he can still churn out movie after movie and make each one interesting. He is the definition of bankable. It is almost like directors cast him to ensure that their movie will be seen. Not a bad idea, actually…

3. Johnny Depp

Most Impressive Box Office: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl: $652 million ($140 million budget)

Notable Flop: The Tourist: $67 million ($100 million budget)

One of the obvious choices on this list was the inclusion of Johnny Depp. Every time anyone sees him in a preview, it is hard to not want to see what he is up to. He has done everything from a Willy Wonka remake, a bloody musical about a demon barber, to an animated movie about a lizard. He has done it all, and everything he touches is monumentally popular. That is except The Tourist, which oddly got no audience despite Depp and arguably the second most marketable actress Angelina Jolie. Depp will continue to make his own strange movies and turn them all into worldwide hits. He is unstoppable.

2. Adam Sandler

Most Impressive Box Office: Big Daddy: $163 million ($34 million budget)

Notable Flop: Little Nicky: $39 million ($80 million budget)

Before you jump on me, just think about this. It is true. Adam Sandler has a massive army of fans who will go see whatever movie he makes no matter how horrible it is. He has made 6 movies in the last 4 years that have all been just Sandler and his buddies acting like little kids. And they all made money. His only movies that do not break even are his good movies (Funny People, Punch-Drunk Love, and Spanglish). But those are not Sandler movies. Those are signs that he actually wants to be an actor, not just a funny movie star spewing out fart jokes in dumb movies twice a year. But hey, he can keep making more and more of these movies and people will see them. As horrifying as Jack and Jill looks, I can assure you that it will get a critical thrashing and open to $30 million or more in the opening weekend. That’s just the way it works.

1. Will Smith

Most Impressive Box Office: The Pursuit of Happyness: $304 million ($55 million budget)

Notable Flop: Ali: $87 million ($107 million budget)

Yeah, no surprise here. It is crazy to think about how far Will Smith has come since being on Fresh Prince. He had that incredible $200+ million streak that ended with Seven Pounds, which somehow still made a bunch of money. Seriously, Will Smith can do whatever he wants. He is the coolest guy out there, and he is probably the most likable and down to earth celebrity on this list. His divorce may take a bit of his charm away, but it cannot touch his box office success. In the words of Tom Luginbill (and almost any other ESPN football analyst), “what he has been able to accomplish is remarkable”. The Pursuit of Happyness is a movie that exists solely because Smith wanted to make it. Place any actor in that role, and it is just an indie flick that no one sees. Insert Will Smith, and we have a $300 million monster hit and an Oscar nomination. It is astonishing. Ali is his only movie to not break even, but that is one of his acting roles, not his entertainment pictures. And it was before his streak started. Try to argue with Will Smith being the top of this list. I dare you.

So, what do you make of this? Did I miss anyone? What is your top 5? Let me know.