Most Bankable Actresses According to Forbes

Actress Naomi Watts has made No. 1 on Forbes list of actresses whose movies give the biggest returns when compared to the salaries they were paid. I don't go to the movies much, although I do have cable and get DVDs on occasion, so I thought I would compare my viewing habits against Forbes list.

Naomi may be delivering a return of $44 for every movie, but it doesn't look like she's making a dime off me. I don't think I've ever seen her in a movie, even on cable. Her IMDB page shows she's involved in a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" Original star, Tippi Hedren has voiced her distaste for the project: "To take a work of art like that and try to copy it is like trying to imitate the Mona Lisa." If I might be so bold as to voice my distaste, I'd say: "Feathered friends flying out of the fireplace freaked me out the first time so I'll pass." Sorry Naomi, the big returns on your movie will have to come from somewhere else.

Jennifer Connelly places second with an average return of $41 dollars for each of her movies. Now we're making progress. I have seen 2 of her movies, "Blood Diamond" and "Little Children," only I wasn't aware they were her movies at the time. I thought they were Leonardo DiCaprio's and Kate Winslet's, respectively. Nevertheless, these were OPDs (Other People's DVDs) so at least I have seen some of your work, Jen, but sorry to say I did not contribute.

Rounding out the Top 3 is Ms. Rachel McAdams, pulling down an average of $30 per flick. I am going to see "The Time Traveler" one of these days, Rachel, but first I have to wait till the details of the book fade in my memory. I'm not one of those book snobs who get mad when you can't squeeze every detail of a book into a movie. Au contraire, I can even appreciate the movie as a separate work. Just not right away. So I hope you understand. Oh, I did see "The Wedding Crashers" too -- on cable.

Natalie Portman is No. 4. Again I hand in a pathetic report of only seeing parts of "The Other Boleyn Woman." Oh and "Cold Mountain," too. IMDB says Natalie will be portraying Isabella, an heiress on the run from her family, in Isabella V. Sounds good. Meryl Streep comes in at No. 5. I've seen quite a few movies with good old Meryl. the one I liked the least was "Silkwood" and the one I liked the most is still "Sophie's Choice." I am planning on seeing "Julie and Julia" just for the hell of it, but never was a big fan of Julia Child, I didn't like the preview of "Julie and Julia" much so that must mean I'll like the movie, because the last movie I really wanted to see because of the preview ("Lakeview Terrace") sucked.

I have seen Jennifer Aniston (yes, she was No. 6, do I have to keep typing the numbers?) in some of her movies and of course in "Friends," but only because they were on and someone else was watching them. 'Nuff said. Next we have Halle Berry. I've watched Halle in a loads of stuff, starting all the way back with "Jungle Fever." I've seen "Queen," "B.A.P.S.," "Losing Isaiah," "Monster Ball," etc. etc. The Dorothy Dandridge TV movie and "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" where she plays one of Frankie Lymon's wives, are among my favorites.

Cate Blanchett is an actress that I do really like and have seen a few of her movies, although I haven't seen "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" yet. I don't like Brad Pitt. Sue me. Anne Hathaway has a movie coming up where she will play Judy Garland. I've seen a couple of movies she was in, too. Finally, at No. 10, is Hilary Swank. I like Hilary. I didn't see "The Black Dahlia" even though it's on cable, but I know I've seen her in something, or why would I like her? Just can't remember what.

Clearly, I haven't done my share to contribute to the box office returns of these fine top actresses, but somebody has. Since you were interested enough to read this whole article, I guess it must be you.