Actor of the day: Zoe Saldaña

How do you deal with the Queen of franchises?

It happened again on the Movie Pyramid recently.

Zoe Saldaña. How are you supposed to maintain a good pyramid score with someone who is best known for huge franchises?

I have exactly one Zoe deep cut movie, The Words (2012), and then my mind goes blank and I have to resort to Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, Avengers, and Avatar. Obviously Emilia Pérez (2024) is not a good answer. Let’s get serious and prepare for Zoe the next time around.

Amsterdam (2022)

I don’t feel badly saying that this is a movie I watched in one of my obligatory binges just because “I needed to know”. I wasn’t interested and didn’t expect to enjoy it.

It has a stacked cast, including Zoe. The movie is too recent to be a great option to use frequently, but for Zoe, I think a necessary addition so I can avoid any of the Guardians of the Galaxy. I don’t know how many there are in total, and it’s none of my business.

Further cast: Christian Bale, John David Washington, Margot Robbie, Alessandro Nivola, Anya Taylor-Joy, Michael Shannon, Chris Rock, Matthias Schoenaerts (a stretch for this game), Mike Myers, Rami Malek, and of course, De Niro.

And should she ever come up in some kind of weird edition of the Deep Cut puzzle: Taylor Swift.

Blood Ties (2013)

Another crossover with Matthias Schoenaerts. Whom I mostly know from the time I watched Far From the Madding Crowd (2015) to improve my Carey Mulligan game. It’s a solid answer for her.

I always need more Billy Crudup, Clive Owen, and Marion Cotillard options, check. A Mila Kunis movie that doesn’t involve Bad Moms or Seth MacFarlane, gonna add this to her rotation. James Caan comes up every so often. I am obsessed with using The Yards (2000), but this one will be good too.

The Terminal (2004)

I don’t yet know if I’m an aspiring Spielberg completist. Blank Check and Richard Lawson ranked this one pretty low on their Spielberg lists so I’m not hurrying to stream it. But because it’s rarely thought of, it does make a good Moviegrid answer.

In fact, I really choked when Stanley Tucci “Title contains The” came up on Cinematrix today. Had to resort to some variation of The Hunger Games. Could have used this.

Moviegrid cast includes: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stanley Tucci, and Zoe

Get Over It (2001)

A friend recently texted me when she remembered that this movie existed and suggested it could be a great Moviegrid answer to have on hand. I have to agree. I can usually picture the movie poster in my head but can’t quite conjure the title (this is a very scientific technique I use when I play).

Let’s review the cast, apologies if you’re already like I KNOW.

Moviegrid regulars: Kirsten Dunst, Zoe, Mila Kunis (there she is again)

Moviegrid potentials: Ben Foster (he should appear more, not sure if he ever has?? Justice for Hell or High Water (2016)), Colin Hanks, Swoosie Kurtz, Ed Begley Jr, Martin Short

Sorry, won’t make the Moviegrid cut: Sisqó (does have a bit of filmography though), Shane West, Coolio, Carmen Electra, Vitamin C

What a weird reflection of 2001.

I hope this was enough to prepare me for the next time Zoe pops up. Using Marvel movies is an absolute last resort.