Wrong: Lindsay Lohan – I Know Who Killed Me
Lohan first starred in Disney’s The Parent Trap at the age of 11. Her career kicked into high gear during 2003- 2005 when she starred in Freaky Friday, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Mean Girls, and Herbie: Fully Loaded. Then came the downward spiral into craziness. Had she taken the high road, critics say they’re quite certain this child-star had what it took to become America’s Next Sweetheart. After dating a not-so-great looking DJ and rumours of a lingering drug habit, Lohan didn’t have many movie roles to choose from, hence I Know Who Killed Me where she played a kidnapped stripper, or her twin rather... It’s pretty confusing and won eight Raspberry awards including “Worst Excuse For a Horror Movie.” Ouch. But you don’t have to see the film to imagine what killed Lohan’s career – cocaine and unprofessional behaviour. And then probably some more cocaine.
Wrong: Elizabeth Berkley – Showgirls
You may know Berkley from her teen acting days when she embodied the role of Jessie Spano on the popular Saved by the Bell. The show ran from 1989 to 1993 and when it came time to say goodbye to Screech and the gang, Berkley auditioned for the part of Nomi Malone, a very adult role in the 1995 movie Showgirls. A couple scenes shy of a porno, the movie was purposely rated NC-17. Many critics hated the film, resulting in its status as a box office bomb. The movie however, still went on to make millions and is one the highest grossing NC-17 films to date. Some speculate that this film wasn’t the wisest choice of role for Berkley, who was trying to shed her teen star image. It was just a little too much for fans to swallow. Zing!
Wrong: Alyssa Milano – A Bunch of Bad Movies
When Milano’s stint on Who’s the Boss? ended in 1992, she proceeded to accept roles that would peg her as a sex symbol rather than the cute girl next door. She appeared in a couple of erotic thrillers – the first being Embrace of the Vampire in 1995. The movie, basically an excuse for Milano to get naked, didn’t gain much respect from the critics, leaving everyone asking the question: What would Tony Danza think? She went on to film Deadly Sins in 1995, and finally Poison Ivy II: Lily in 1994 – which went straight to video despite its immense popularity among Milano’s male fan base. Regardless of these less-than-stellar movie roles, Milano’s career has never really halted. She went on to star in Melrose Place in the show’s ‘97 – ‘98 seasons and even starred in The WB’s series Charmed for 8 more years.
Right: Kirsten Dunst – The Virgin Suicides
You know Dunst from Interview With The Vampire where she played Claudia, a sickly girl who is turned into a vampire in order to keep Louis (Brad Pitt) from leaving Lestat. Dunst was 12 years old at the time and was even nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance. Instead of going the usual route, she later filmed Little Women. While she could have probably scored a skanky supporting role in American Pie in her adolescent years, she demonstrated her acting range by playing a troubled teen in The Virgin Suicides instead. Based on a novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, Dunst plays the role of Lux Lisbon. Despite the movie’s heavy themes and Lux’s many sexual escapades, the film was widely favoured by critics and deemed to be one of Sophia Coppola finest directorial pieces. Dunst went on to star in a load of other movies as well, including Bring It On and Spiderman.
Right: Kristen Stewart – All Her Choices To Date.
Remember Panic Room with Jodie Foster? Sure, you do. It was a great film. But many of you don’t know that Jodie’s little kid is none other than Kristen Stewart. She also starred in movies such as Zathura, Into the Wild, In the Land of Women, and Adventureland. But, we all know her best from Twilight. Some can argue that the Twilight franchise isn’t on their list of must-see movies, but it has been one of the biggest cult-phenomenons in a really long time. It hasn’t stopped Stewart from choosing her other roles wisely either. It’s doubtful that Stewart will try to shed her Bella-esque image by randomly starring in horror flicks bearing her boobs just to shed the good-girl vibe. Stay tuned for her roles in The Yellow Handkerchief and buzz worthy films like The Runaways, where Stewart portrays 70’s rockstar Joan Jett during her drug-fuelled days atop the charts.
Right: Jodie Foster – Taxi Driver
Veteran, Jodie Foster, began her career at the age of three, starring in commercials, but the defining role of her childhood (which sounds weird, we know) came when she starred as a preteen prostitute in Scorsese’s Taxi Driver. This would have been a difficult role for any actress let alone, a 14 year old. Foster was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role and continued the reputable streak when she won an Oscar in 1989 for Best Actress for playing a rape victim in The Accused. Foster has gone on to film other reputable movies, notably The Silence of the Lambs, where she played the role of as Clarice. The trick it seems with Foster is something that a lot of other young Hollywood starlets may have missed – If you’re going to be taking on a risqué part, make sure you’re doing it under the direction of a master filmmaker. It add credibility to your choice and allows you to be part of a piece of art, rather than smut.