7 Performers Who Made Us Change Our Minds This Year...Damn Them

By Joanna Robinson | Lists | August 8, 2012 |

By Joanna Robinson | Lists | August 8, 2012 |

There’s something potent that has knit this here Pajiba community together over the past few years. Yeah, sure, there are the things we all love. Whedon, “Doctor Who,” old “Arrested Development” jokes and Annie’s Boobs. But, more importantly, there are the things we hate. It’s our shared hatred that’s created the closest bond. Our scathes and b*tches, snipes and jabs. And that’s why it pains me to admit we might have been wrong about a few things. That the object of our derision and scorn may not be the worthless, vacant, sacks of pretty we took them for. Here are 6 performers who used their talent to force us to change our minds this last year. (And one who went the other way.)

Olivia Munn—Magic Mike, “The Newsroom”: Olivia Munn, fake nerd girl and unfunny “Daily Show” correspondent was completely, utterly and without question fine in Steven Soderbergh’s Magic Mike. She showed range (as well as her rack) and even sparked some genuine laughter with her unwanted advances towards a female co-star. But, even worse, Munn is flat-out great in “The Newsroom.” Sorkin’s show (which I love, because it’s Sorkin) may have some problems. I really, really wish Allison Pill’s character would stop running into things. But Olivia Munn’s Sloan Sabbith is not the problem. In fact, her performance is warm, funny and fully realized. Goddamnit.

Anne Hathaway—The Dark Knight Rises, that damn trailer for Les Miserables: Hathaway’s career has been a rather bumpy one. She’s fallen in and out of favor multiple times. Much of the critical acclaim she reaped with Rachel Getting Married was squandered with limp efforts like Valentine’s Day, Love and Other Drugs and One Day. (Not to mention her distressingly earnest hosting gig at The Oscars.) When The Internet heard she had been cast as Catwoman, the mock and droll ensued. When they first got a glimpse of her cat ear goggles, The Internet damn near exploded. But lo and behold, Hathaway grinned, pouted and high-kicked her way into our hearts with her scrappy take on Selina Kyle. She was, essentially, the only part of the movie that wasn’t picked apart. Hell, even the ears worked. Couple that with Hathaway’s heart ripping rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” in the Les Miserables trailer and I’d say Annie’s back on top. I know several people who have watched that trailer in tears based on Hathaway’s warble alone. With any luck, her next trip to The Oscars will be much more rewarding.

Channing Tatum—Haywire, 21 Jump Street, Magic Mike: Ahhhh, Charming Potato aka C. Tates aka Holy Hell This Guy Is Actually Kind Of Awesome. Tatum ended last year with a solid supporting role in Soderbergh’s Haywire. I didn’t get nearly as much joy out of his pummeling as I thought I might. He followed that up with an utterly disarming turn in 21 Jump Street and then somehow, somehow pulled off a stripper movie based on his own experience as male exotic dancer. If you haven’t seen Magic Mike, let me assure you that (barring one weirdly improvised scene) Tatum is great. His dance moves are extraordinary (I may have to watch his entire dance backlist now) and his acting is naturalistic and affecting. You can still call him a Charming Potato if you like, but the emphasis better be on “charming.”

Seth MacFarlane—Ted: We adore mocking MacFarlane around these parts. While “Family Guy” held a lot of joy during its first run, the schtick has quickly worn thin and its various spin-offs are no more original. That being said, damnit, MacFarlane somehow made a great movie this year. And it’s about a talking bear. DAMNIT. To see just how much it hurts us to heap praise on MacFarlane, check out Dustin’s full review.