This week, I’m doing some homework in preparation for an upcoming podcast appearance. While it’s been mercifully contained to only two films, I find myself watching certain movies only because a particular actor is in them.

This, dear friends, runs completely counter to my viewing habits.

Lately, like many of you, the only name that stands a chance of prompting me to put on my shoes and head down to the theatre is the name of the director attached. While directors are not above misfires themselves (I’m looking at you GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE), they seem to have more consistency on the whole. If I had to venture a guess, it’s because they have more control over the creative process than the actors they’re directing.

There was a time, back when I was a young cinemagoer, where certain actors got an automatic watch. But the more time has passed, the more crappy parts I see them do – even my favorite actors. Johnny Depp wasn’t worth two hours of THE LIBERTINE. I’m all about Zooey Deschanel but you couldn’t pay me enough to see YES MAN. And then there’s Daniel Day-Lewis (pictured above) and the craptastic mess that was NINE.

This might mean that I’m wearing my film snob sash a little bit straighter, but it’s the truth. While an actor I like, or a well-assembled cast might pique my attention, neither of them ensure my hard-earned cash and two hours of my life. Sometimes, they’re just too overmatched by the silly scripts they are trying to navigate…other times they’re just in it for the money.

What about you folks? Are there any actors that still get your cash no questions asked?