Sure he’s got a slew of forgettable films, interchangeable even (do you know the difference between 2 Guns and Shooter?) but you have to admit, he’s also got some interesting blips.
Ted 2 is not an interesting blip, by the way. It’s pointlessly unamusing with all the same inane cameos as Entourage.
Palette cleanser!
Mark Wahlberg is a pretty straight-forward guy. He’s often not so much acting as working. You know, just showing up, gettin er done, home in time for spaghetti. He doesn’t always pick his projects with much judiciousness, he gets as many wrong as he gets right, but the stuff he gets right is actually pretty great. Like, two Oscar nominations great. Who would have guessed?
Blip: Boogie Nights – He was pretty good in Basketball Diaries and I suppose even in Renaissance Man, but Paul Thomas Anderson put Marky Mark on the map with this ode to the porn industry. Wahlberg’s portrayal is fearless and unassuming and no one saw it coming. The entire cast is stunning but few could have anticipated how well Wahlberg would hold his own against heavyweights like Julianne Moore and Philip Seymour Hoffman
Blip: I Heart Huckabees – I heart this movie right to death. David O. Russell gave Wahlberg a 
juicy part in Three Kings but this movie really hits it out of the park for me. His character is such an interestingly layered mix of macho and whimsical, fevered and confused. He’s a man on the cusp but manages to play his existential crisis with sincerity and commitment.
Blip: The Departed – Mark Wahlberg nearly steals the whole show for me in this one. The ensemble is crazy packed with exceedingly good performances, but his angry, explosive detective really takes the cake. He stole scenes not easily stolen. He clearly relished the role of Sgt. Dignam and you’ll find yourself not able, or willing, to take your eyes off him.
Blip: The Fighter – Christian Bale is probably the acting antithesis of Mark Wahlberg, being all 
method and shit. Bale took home an Oscar for his part but Wahlberg gave a captivating performance as well, throwing himself into the role and taking a pay cut just to get the thing made.
Is it weird that the guy who did the worst Transformers and talks to a vulgar teddy bear is neck in neck with Damon and DiCaprio for best actor of his generation? Of course it is. But his grosses are consistent and these flares that he keeps sending up, these blips of excellent roles, well, they’re coming regularly enough that you have to wonder if they’re not just blips. What if Marky Mark is the real deal?
ASSHOLES WATCHING MOVIES 
And we won’t even mention ‘The Happening.’ Shudder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wahlberg is great in I Heart Huckabees and in Boogie Nights…but on the average, I just want to punch him in the face.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think he has a really good screen presenceHe’s dependable in most movies even when the movie itself isn’t very interesting. I like your distinction between “acting” and “working”.
LikeLike
Marky Mark is a great actor but I think he needs to choose his projects a little more carefully. Working with Michael Bay may improve his financial position but it will tarnish his reputation as an actor.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It would have seemed so insane 1990 that Mark would end up being the most successful Wahlberg. Maybe that has helped him because he gives off a vibe that he’s having fun playing himself in every movie and is not going to let any critic ruin that fun. And really, why should he bother to be anything other than Mark Wahlberg in everything when people keep paying for it?
LikeLike
My favourite- for creepy amazingness- is Fear. I actually really loved The Big Hit too- cheesey funny action always appeals to me. And I am very happy you mentioned Renaissance Man, I have never had anyone know what I am talking about when I’ve referenced that. Rapping Hamlet? Classic! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
“He’s often not so much acting as working. You know, just showing up, gettin er done, home in time for spaghetti.”
Sounds about right.
“He doesn’t always pick his projects with much judiciousness, he gets as many wrong as he gets right, but the stuff he gets right is actually pretty great. Like, two Oscar nominations great. Who would have guessed?”
I wonder if his bad choices actually helped him to get Oscar nominations — the contrast with how bad some of his stuff is might make the good stuff look really, really good!?
LikeLike
That’s a very good thought. I sort of doubt that he’s up to that kind of strategizing, but maybe his amazing is very insightful!
LikeLike
Mark Wahlberg is legitimately one of the better actors of recent years… That is, when he isn’t being Shyamalan’d or Bayified, though I suppose he was one of the (Relatively) better parts of Transformers 4.
LikeLike
Great, interesting post. He sure has made some duds though. Dunno about up there with Damon and DiCaprio, I’d have Viggo at the top of that list, but he can definitely turn in a good performance.
Hmph this now has me itching to go watch the Departed again 😀
LikeLike
Good to see ol’ Wahlberg get some love. I’ve watched a few of his ‘phone in’ movies recently and they baffle me. They really do. I don’t know how many would share this opinion, but I reckon, when he shows up, he’s better than DiCaprio. Damon too actually. Always has way more character.
LikeLike
Yeah, I thought he overshadowed both in The Departed. I think I never really gave him serious thought before and am shocked to measure him and his movies and am astounded at how many I really really enjoy, because of him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I watched Boogie Nights for the first time this year, I was so surprised by the old Marky Mark as I always saw him as a name rather than an actor, if that makes sense. He was so amazing in Boogie Nights that it made me pay more attention to him in other films. It’s funny how that happens!
LikeLike
Yes, for sure! I think I’m just coming to terms with my own admiration and am still surprised that it’s him, the same guy!
LikeLike
I’m sorry but Mark is in the same list of Russell for me 😀
LikeLike
I like Wahlberg. He is excellent when given the right material. I wouldn’t say he’s on pat with DiCaprio. Then again, I wouldn’t put Damon up there, either. Wahlberg’s work in Boogie Nights, The Departed, The Fighter, The Big Hit, and a few other movies is excellent. BTW, I do know the difference between 2 Guns and Shooter. The first is a fun, underrated Lethal Weapon/Bad Boys-esque action/comedy while the latter is a meh flick about a sniper and is one of his more disposable movies. I’ll gladly watch 2 Guns again, though.
LikeLike
Okay, super bonus points for that!!
LikeLike
He does a lot of crap but I think he’s a fantastic, underrated actor. Superb in Huckabees (though I hated the actual film). Definitely stole The Departed for me. Plus, he’s freakin’ hot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
……Transformers though. He could be the next Mcconaughey he used to be a big joke, now he is a hot commodity. Just need to make some good movie choices then all the past wont even matter.
LikeLike
Well, If McConaughey can do Magic Mike, I guess there’s room for everyone!
LikeLike
I like Mark Wahlberg, the Departed is my fave movie all the time, now I feel like watching it again 🙂
LikeLike
I love it too!!
LikeLike
Omg, you have no idea how much all of New England has a boner for Marky Mark. It’s out of control!!!!!!
LikeLike