I don't agree with the goofy-look-argument. That's probably mostly a problem of perception and association in you, and not an issue of the actor.
It's always interesting to hear people say someone can't act. I wonder how they define bad acting. I can't say I notice a major difference between this guy's acting and Heath Ledger's. Heath has just played some more extreme roles, so the comparison isn't very fair. I definitely don't think Ashton's acting is bad, but I would like some youtube links or something of scene's that people feel really showcases his horrible acting skills.
Agreed completely. I think a lot of the times it depends on the role too. I never thought Heath Ledger was worth a d@mn as an actor, but then he just absolutely nailed the part of joker, just an epic performance.
You didn't think his performance in "Brokeback Mountain" was noteworthy?
IMO, he utterly "nailed" the part of a married, conflicted, closeted gay cowboy who lost his true love.
That's what I thought till I saw the butterfly effect. You know not of what you speak