- Brad Pitt in “12 Monkeys”
- Edward Norton in “American History
- Sharon Stone in "Casino." Ginger, what a character: the scene where, in her brown leather suit, she freaks out at De Niro in the backyard, screaming like a madwoman, "OMG." Only Scorsese understood Sharon.
4. John Travolta in "Pulp Fiction." A washed-up, forgotten actor, known for a cult film about Brooklyn youths letting off steam in nightclubs, is given a monstrous resurgence by Tarantino. One detail: in "Pulp Fiction," Travolta is always in the bathroom at crucial moments.
5. Christian Bale in “American Psycho.” Patrick Bateman, need I say more?
6. Viggo Mortensen in “A History of Violence” by the genius of Cronemberg, one of the best films of the last 20 years, with a stellar cast.
7. Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler”
8. Matt Dillon in “Crash”.
9. Leo DiCaprio in “The Departed”.
10. Finally, a mention for a Swedish film, which is technically not eligible: Noomi Rapace in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” brought to life and did justice to one of the most controversial and interesting female characters of recent years, Lisbeth Salander.