John Turturro has acted in over 70 movies in his career, making a huge impression in some memorable films with the roles he's played by the Cohen brothers: Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where Art Thou?, various Spike Lee films, The Luzhin Defense, and Quiz Show among others.

Mr. Turturro has that illusive trait common only among great actors. He always plays distinctively autonomous characters yet retains a powerful essence that marks each of them. There is a consistency to his ability to embody vulnerability and openness in a way that allows us as viewers to gain revelation and insight into the mind and actions of the person he's portraying. There is always a richness behind his movements.

Of course what I like best about watching him in films is that he knows how to pick good roles. That means when his name is on the cover of the DVD, I know most likely I'll enjoy the film itself. He likes complex characters, and it's obvious that he populates their world with even more nuances, making it a rich exeperience for me to watch him in action. Turturro is a part of my filmic litmus test for weeding through the millions of films available to screen.

If you haven't seen Barton Fink lately, rent it - it's worth watching again.