Movies

The Top 5 Female Performances in Modern Cinema on Satellite TV

The Hollywood leading lady has come a long way over the years.  While female roles began in films as all glamour ' or what happens when that image is crushed ' modern cinema has seen a whole new type of role emerge.  Starting with Jean Seberg in Breathless and climaxing with Hillary Swank's performance in Boys Don't Cry, here are the best female performances, all of which can be seen on satellite TV.

5. Jean Seberg, Breathless.  In many ways the beginning of modern cinema, 1960's Breathless made stars of Seberg, Jean Paul Belmondo and director Godard.  While the dangerous killer is on the loose, he can't resist Seberg, perhaps because of her stunning grace and short-haired beauty.  Seberg plays the role of hip American in Paris to the letter, in many ways helping usher in a whole new way of thinking about glamour and style.

4. Diane Keaton, Annie Hall.  Even in her cruelest moments, Annie seems just quirky more than anything else.  Woody Allen's ode to his muse gave Keaton the role she will be remembered for forever.  Her own insecurities and mishaps seem to pale significantly to Allen's typically distraught protagonist, but Annie makes it all right for the majority of the movie.  See this film in HD to get the most of the excellent cinematography, playing on satellite TV classic film network TCM.

3. Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada.  While Streep has been leaving her mark on countless movies for decades, none allowed her to flex her 'Ice Queen' muscles quite like this film.  Modeled after Vogue's Anna Wintour, Street does an American version of the famously demanding (and intimidating) boss.  While delivering an acting clinic, Streep seems to be having a great deal of fun, always a treat.  See this film on satellite TV premium networks like HBO and Showtime.

2. Jodie Foster, Silence of the Lambs.  Foster had quite an assignment in this film: go toe-to-toe with one of the most frightening movie villains of all time, who also happens to be Anthony Hopkins in a career-changing role.  Could she stand her ground?  Foster's portrayal is what makes this Jonathan Demme film excel without being labeled a one-note movie.  Foster brings enough intensity to stare down Hopkins and make viewers see beyond one virtuoso performance.  In fact, they get two with this film.

1. Hillary Swank, Boys Don't Cry.  To be the best, you have to overcome the biggest challenges.  Seeing Hillary Swank dressed up at an awards show ' in full glamour mode ' you would never think of her as a viable candidate for this role.  As the girl who became a boy and faced an incredible burden, Swank is mesmerizing.  Easily one of the most affecting movies of the modern era, Boys Don't Cry stays with the viewer.  Check it out on the Independent Film Channel with satellite TV packages.