Happy 49th Birthday, Brad Pitt! What's His Hottest/Best Moment?

When you think about it, Brad Pitt's career has been as varied as any notable thespian's, so maybe it's time I start taking his three Oscar nominations, countless box office hits, and penchant for experimental facial hair seriously. The Missouri native turns 49 today, and thus it's time to think back on his mostly above-par (yikes, Cool World!) run in the business. What's his best performance ever? And more importantly, what's his hottest moment ever?

Let's start with the critic's domain. I think Brad Pitt's best performance is both unassuming and powerful, even if I'm not a huge fan of the movie itself. He's deeply convincing as a baseball manager who vows to think differently, attempt a heretofore unimaginable version of roster improvement, and look pretty intractable while doing so.

Best performance: Moneyball

I'd have been totally OK with Pitt taking home the Best Actor prize last year. In fact, doesn't it seem a little bit ludicrous that Jean Dujardin walked off with that statuette? The Artist felt like an elongated short subject, but Moneyball was an opportunity for Brad Pitt to prove he could be both a commanding presence and a credible everyman. Seems paradoxical, but he never missteps.

Now, onto his hottest movie role. Sorry, but you can't beat the sheer wow factor and distinct sexual energy he brought to his breakthrough role.

Hottest movie role:Thelma & Louise

Sorry, Fight Clubbers. Tyler Durden may be sexy and bad-ass, but he also empowered every pretentious jackass in my high school class to gab about the meaningfulness of Fight Club for months on end, and that almost ruined my life. As J.D. in Thelma & Louise,he made me believe in the raunchy power of a hair dryer, the slick sensuality of the shirtless cowboy, and the eternal sexiness of Dungarees. You can't recreate the shock factor of his initial presence here. He was a phenomenon, and rightfully so.

Agree? Disagree? Let's hear it.