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Film, TV and Streaming

For these young stars, the future looks bright

2014 brings breakout actors like O’Connell and Gleeson
Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson appears in movies like “Frank,” “Calvalry” and “About Time.”

A star is born every minute, and in this age of YouTube celebrities and Vine personalities, relevancy can end any second.

For screen actors hoping to make a name for themselves and gain a lasting career, it’s harder now than ever to break out in entertainment. 2014 has already given comebacks to stars like Michael Keaton, Reese Witherspoon and Keira Knightley and seen the expanding acting chops of Jake Gyllenhaal and Emma Stone. Now the question is: Which young newcomers are destined to make it in Hollywood.

Following behind Nicholas Hoult and Kaya Scodelario as an alumni of the UK teen soap “Skins,” Jack O’Connell has drawn a ton of attention and acclaim from critics and movie fanatics this year with “Starred Up,” “’71,” “300: Rise of an Empire” and the upcoming “Unbroken.” The first and last are hyped up to be two of the best performances of the year and it’s only November.

Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson became a familiar face last year for his lead role in Richard Curtis’ “About Time” and this year he continues his streak with the hit independent features “Frank” and “Calvary.” With the artsy sci-fi “Ex Machina” and the new installment of Star Wars happening next year, it looks like Gleeson won’t be fading away anytime soon.

Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel” was the first movie for Orange County native Tony Revolori. The young actor already has a handful of films lined up for release next year, and has been called one of the best acting debuts of 2014 by media outlets. His “Budapest Hotel” co-star Lucas Hedges also caught the eyes of many film crowds with “Labor Day,” “The Zero Theorem” and “Kill the Messenger,” all in the same year after beginning his resume with Anderson’s previous hit “Moonrise Kingdom.”

Amma Asante’s “Belle” helped give co-stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Sarah Gadon career boosts last spring, and now Mbatha-Raw is co-leading the romance drama “Beyond the Lights” this month. Gadon, meanwhile, has spent the year with roles in “What If,” “Enemy,” “The Amazing Spider-man 2” and “Dracula: Untold.” These ladies show a lot of potential.

After years in supporting roles such as Chris Nolan’s “Interstellar” and J.C. Chandor’s “A Most Violent Year,” David Oyelowo takes on the ambitious lead role as history icon Martin Luther King, Jr. in “Selma” right around Christmas.

Hockey player turned actor Wyatt Russell, who can be credited for many of the laughs in “22 Jump Street,” has also appeared in creep-fests “Cold in July” and “At the Devil’s Door.”

One of the most hyped acting breakouts of 2014 has been Katherine Waterston in P.T. Anderson’s latest project “Inherent Vice.” Already noticed earlier this year in “Night Moves” and “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby,” Waterston has been one of the front runners to be considered for best supporting actress this awards season.

Whether it’s an epic blockbuster, dramatic period piece or light indie flick, the future looks bright for the current class of acting newcomers on screen.

mbianco@durangoherald.com. Megan Bianco is a movie reviewer and also contributes other entertainment related features and articles.



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