Phases

My first post was going to be about the phases I go through with different actors, but yesterday's issue seemed so pressing that I just had to address it first. Anyway, I go through phases with different actors where I watch movies, tv shows, talk shows, etc. that feature the same person. I guess to explain better I could use a specific example: One phase that stands out in my mind is my Dustin Hoffman phase--I watched what I consider his essential films and then I worked through some minor stuff. In case anyone is wondering his top five films are:
1. The Graduate
2. Midnight Cowboy
3. Little Big Man
4. Tootsie
5. Rain Man
Although to be fair, I also love him in Kramer Vs. Kramer, Marathon Man and All the President's Men. I have to admit I've never seen his portrayal of Lenny Bruce (although I hear from my dad that he's excellent) I'll get around to it sometime.
Over the years I've gone through phases with so many actors that if I sat down and thought for a few minutes I could probably remember everyone. I love to think back on all these people that have influenced and inspired my love of movies because I learned that I love seeing actors give great performances; it just astounds me.
Right now I'm going through a Peter Sarsgaard phase and it's not that I just discovered him--because I've loved him since I saw him Boys Don't Cry when I was in high school. I just hadn't until now gone through a period where I watch a bunch of his movies in a short period of time. Speaking of him, I really want to see his latest release An Education because I think it looks like a movie that would intrigue me and because I hear the performances are great and I could go on and on, but since the movie is in limited release (which could be an entry unto itself and probably will be) I can't see it until it either comes to the Akron area or comes out on DVD (both of these things make me sad). My top five Peter Sarsgaard films are:
1. Boys Don't Cry
2. Shattered Glass
3. Garden State
4. Kinsey
5. The Skeleton Key--again it grew on me.
Alternate (s): The Dying Gaul, The Salton Sea
Top Five Most Memorable Phases:
1. Dustin Hoffman
2. Matt Damon
3. Renee Zellweger
4. Jude Law
5. Edward Norton