Villains, they are the ones we love to hate or love to love.


Kevin Spacey in anything

Christopher Walken in anything

Gary Oldman in anything

Alan Rickman in anything

The Raptors----Jurassic Park

Spike (James Marsters)----Buffy the Vampire Slayer/ Angel

Eric (Alexander Skarsgard)----True Blood

Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen)----Reservoir Dogs

Faith (Eliza Dushku)----Buffy the Vampire Slayer/ Angel

Alpha (Alan Tudyk)----Dollhouse

Damon (Ian Somerhalder)----The Vampire Diaries

Klaus (Joseph Morgan)----The Vampire Diaries

Crowley (Mark Sheppard)----Supernatural

The Joker (Heath Ledger)----The Dark Knight

Jane (Dakota Fanning)----The Twilight Saga

Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer)----Batman Returns

The Devil (Ray Wise)----Reaper

Loki (Matt Damon)----Dogma

Sylar (Zachary Quinto)----Heroes

Dexter (Michael C. Hall)----Dexter

Caleb (Nathan Fillion)----Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Glory (Clare Kramer)----Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Dr. Horrible (Neil Patrick Harris)----Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Magneto (Ian McKellan & Michael Fassbender)----X-Men Movies

Cole Turner (Julian McMahon)----Charmed

Muerte (Stanley Tucci)----Undercover Blues

Dalton Russell (Clive Owen)----Inside Man

Darwin Tremor (Chris Pine)----Smokin' Aces

Billy (Sam Rockwell)----Seven Psychopaths

Tate (Evan Peters)----American Horror Story

Azazeal (Michael Fassbender)----Hex

Marlowe (Danny Huston)----30 Days Of Night

The Operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor)----Serenity

Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz)----Inglourious Basterds

The Caller (Kiefer Sutherland)----Phonebooth

Jeffrey Goines (Brad Pitt)----12 Monkeys

Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle)----Once Upon A Time

Loki (Tom Hiddleston)----The Avengers/ Thor

The Accountant (William Fichtner)----Drive Angry


More later.


Quote of the day: "Your father was one of the greatest assassins who ever lived. The man who killed him is behind you."----Wanted

There are some characters that just stand above the rest and when the actors who play them really bring them to life; whether they kick ass or make us laugh, etc.., it makes it all the more enjoyable.------See also next post Villains. (Because some of the best characters are.)


The Entire Cast of Big Bang Theory

River Tam (Summer Glau)----Firefly and Serenity

Hit-Girl (Chloe Grace Moretz)----Kick-Ass

Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus)----The Walking Dead

Carlton Lassiter (Timothy Omundsen)----Psych

Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman)----Parks & Recreation

Walter Bishop (John Noble)----Fringe

Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette)----NCIS

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp)----Pirates of the Caribbean Movies

Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris)----How I Met Your Mother

Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.)----Iron Man/The Avengers

Sherlock Holmes (RDJ)----Sherlock Holmes Movies

Dr. House (Hugh Laurie)----House

Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley)----Scrubs

The Janitor (Neil Flynn)----Scrubs

John Casey (Adam Baldwin)----Chuck



More later.


Quote of the day:"What the hell kind of devil bird chirps at night?"----Failure To Launch

More hidden gems (see previous posts).


When one of them is dying, a group of friends (Christopher Marquette, Sam Huntington, Jay Baruchel and Dan Fogler) decide to travel cross country and break into Skywalker Ranch so they can view Phantom Menace before its release. Fanboys is full of Star Wars and geek culture humor and references, plus some fun cameos. Also stars Kristen Bell.

Jeff (Dennis Quaid) and Jane (Kathleen Turner) are former spies who got married and have a baby in Undercover Blues. While on maternity leave in New Orleans, they are approached by their old boss who wants them for a job, followed by suspicious cops and stalked by a inept mugger named Muerte (a hilarious Stanley Tucci).

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon is a horror/comedy about a young man who has given a documentary crew exclusive access to his life as he plans his reign of terror over the sleepy town of Glen Echo.

When Albert keeps seeing the same African guy, he believes it must be a meaningful coincidence. He goes to see a pair of existential detectives. I Heart Huckabees stars Jude Law, Naomi Watts, Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin and Mark Wahlberg.

The Nines is a movie in three parts that intertwine with a fun bizarre ending. Ryan Reynolds plays Gary (an actor under house arrest) in Part One, Gavin (a writer trying to create his tv show) in Part Two and Gabriel (a videogame designer stranded with his wife and daughter) in Part Three. Also stars Melissa McCarthy, Hope Davis and Elle Fanning.

In Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Harry (Robert Downey, Jr.) is a petty thief posing as an actor. When he is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition he finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl (Michelle Monaghan) and a detective (Val Kilmer) who's been training him for his upcoming role. Humorous narration by RDJ.

Will (Ryan Reynolds) is in the midst of a divorce when his 10 year old daughter, Maya (Abigail Breslin), starts to question him about his life before marriage. She wants to know absolutely everything about how her parents met and fell in love. He recounts the history of his romantic relationships with three very different women but changes the names so Maya has to guess which one is her mom. Definitely, Maybe also stars Isla Fisher, Elizabeth Banks and Rachel Weisz.

Harold (Will Ferrell) awakens to his own voice-over narration only to find he is the unwitting main character in the new tragic novel from acclaimed author Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson). Stranger Than Fiction also stars Dustin Hoffman, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Queen Latifah.




Quote of the day: "I killed the president of Paraguay with a fork. How've you been?"----Grosse Pointe Blank

When I was watching New Girl the other night and Nick & Jess finally kissed, I thought about other couples I've gotten wrapped up in (in no particular order).


Buffy & Spike/ Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV)

Chuck & Sarah/ Chuck (TV)

Jim & Pam/ The Office (TV)

Selene & Michael/ Underworld (Movie)

Leonard & Penny/ Big Bang Theory (TV)

Peeta & Katniss/ The Hunger Games Trilogy (Books)

Peter & Olivia/ Fringe (TV)

Cassie & Adam/ The Secret Circle (TV)

Abby & Connor/ Primeval (TV)

Monroe & Rosalee/ Grimm (TV)

Elena & Clay/ Otherworld Series (Books)

Tess & Kevin/ 4400 (TV)

Ben & Leslie/ Parks & Recreation (TV)

John & Jane/ Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Movie)

Sookie & Eric/ True Blood (TV)

Phoebe & Coop/ Charmed (TV)

April & Andy/ Parks & Recreation (TV)

Alex & Gigi/ He's Just Not That Into You (Movie)

Shawn & Juliet/ Psych (TV)

Jackie & Hyde/ That '70s Show (TV)

Pacey & Joey/ Dawson's Creek (TV)


Possibly more later....



Quote of the day: "Want. Take. Have."----Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Robert Downey Jr. is one of my absolute favorite actors. He has an uncanny ability to play lovable assholes. I don't know what I love more, RDJ as Tony Stark/ Iron Man or Sherlock Holmes. In my opinion, he was born to play both these roles. He was incredibly over the top in Hugo Pool (a movie written and directed by his father), hysterical in Tropic Thunder (though the movie sucked) and creepy in In Dreams. Also loved him in Only You, Heart & Souls, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Due Date, Zodiac, Air America, Soapdish and Home for the Holidays. He can do comedy, drama, action, suspense, period pieces, he even sings. I can't wait for Iron Man 3 and The Avengers 2. And I hope they make a third Sherlock Holmes.

I have loved Joseph Gordon-Levitt since 3rd Rock from the Sun. He just gets more talented and adorable as he gets older. He gave a powerful performance in Manic (though I don't think I would watch the movie again), absolutely wonderful performances in Brick, The Lookout and 50/50. He was sadistic in Killshot, adorable in 500 Days of Summer and 10 Things I hate About You. He was positively outstanding in Looper. Also loved him in Inception and Premium Rush. Will be renting Dark Knight Rises soon.

Reese Witherspoon is wonderful in everything. I loved her in Walk the Line, This Means War, Legally Blonde 1& 2, Just Like Heaven, Penelope, Overnight Delivery, How Do You Know, Sweet Home Alabama, Four Christmases, Best Laid Plans, Pleasantville, Little Nicky, Monsters Vs Aliens and Freeway.

My favorite Michelle Pfeiffer performance is Batman Returns, she will always be Catwoman (sorry every other actress to play her). I also loved her in Ladyhawke, Stardust, Witches of Eastwick, Married to the Mob, What Lies Beneath, White Oleander and Wolf.

Eliza Dushku will forever be known as Faith from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She was excellent on Tru Calling and Dollhouse (both shows were cancelled too early). Some of the movies I enjoy of hers are Bring it On, Soul Survivors and Wrong Turn.

I fell in love with Kevin Spacey when I saw The Usual Suspects. I also loved him in Seven, The Ref, L.A. Confidential, A Time to Kill, Outbreak, A Bug's Life and The Negotiator. He was good in Horrible Bosses, but it was basically the same character he played in Swimming with Sharks.

Simon Pegg is geekily adorable in Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Paul, Star Trek, and a couple of Mission: Impossible movies.

John Cusack has an everyman quality. Movies I liked him in are Better Off Dead, One Crazy Summer, Must Love Dogs, The Contract, 2012, Grosse Pointe Blank, War Inc, 1408, Identity, Serendipity, America's Sweethearts, Con Air, The Raven, The Factory and The Numbers Station.

Tom Hanks is the same way, he has that everyman quality. Movies I liked him in are Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, Big, Toy Story 1-3, Saving Private Ryan, That Thing You Do, A League of Their Own, Joe Vs the Volcano, Turner & Hooch, The 'Burbs, Dragnet, The Money Pit, Splash, Catch Me If You Can and The Green Mile. His son Colin Hanks has the same qualities and like abilities as his dad.

Elijah Wood is very talented. I loved him in Sin City. I also liked him in The Lord of the Rings movies, Chain of Fools, The Faculty, North, The Good Son, The Oxford Murders and even Wilfred.

Zooey Deschanel is absolutely adorable. She is delightful in New Girl and hysterical in Failure To Launch. She was also good in The Happening, Elf, Big Trouble, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 500 Days of Summer and Yes Man.

Johnny Depp is the king of weird characters and plays all of them to the hilt. My favorites are Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean), Sands (Once Upon a Time in Mexico), Ichabod Crane (Sleepy Hollow), Sam (Benny & Joon) and Rango (Rango). Also loved him in The Tourist, Edward Scissorhands, Nick of Time, Secret Window and Ed Wood. He's hilarious in Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas (though the movie sucked). He had a hilarious cameo in 21 Jump Street. I'm looking forward to him playing Tonto in The Lone Ranger.

Chloe Moretz is quite talented for someone so young. My absolute favorite role of hers so far has to be Hit-Girl in Kick-Ass, second being Abby in Let Me In. I'm looking forward to her in Kick-Ass 2 and Carrie (I'm one of the few who hated the Sissy Spacek version). Other movies I loved her in are Amityville Horror, Wicked Little Things and Not Forgotten.

I loved Dakota Fanning as Jane in the Twilight Saga movies, but they needed more with her. She is an amazing actress and she's only 18. She was good in Hide & Seek (though the movie lacked), I Am Sam, Trapped, War of the Worlds, Push and adorable as young Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama.

When I first saw Justin Long in Galaxy Quest, I knew I adored him, he has this cute/geeky thing going on. I also loved him in Dodgeball, Accepted, Drag Me To Hell, He's Just Not That Into You, Jeepers Creepers and Live Free or Die Hard. He has also played some weird characters in Idiocracy, Strange Wilderness, Old Dogs and Zack & Miri Make a Porno. In Serious Moonlight he was actually a bad guy.

More later.



Quote of the day: "I'm William Shatner; I can score anything."----Fanboys





 

More hidden gems (see previous posts).


After a tragic accident leaves Chris (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) with brain damage, he is reduced to being a janitor at a bank. As he struggles to maintain some semblance of order in his life, he is befriended by an "old school classmate" who ropes him into robbing the bank in The Lookout.


High school collides with film noir. When the girl he loves turns up dead, Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is determined to find the "who" and "why", getting entwined in a web of drugs and duplicity. Brick is a crime drama with a language all its own.


In Frailty, Fenton (Matthew McConaughey) enters the FBI station, claiming that he knows who the "God's Hand" killer is. In flashback, we see his father (Bill Paxton), believing God has recruited him to "destroy" demons in human form.


A couple (Rory Cochrane and Mary McCormack) struggles to survive when several bombs detonate in Los Angeles, spreading toxic ash across the city in Right at Your Door.




When a botched robbery leaves him 48 hours to pay or die, Nick (Alessandro Nivola) and his girlfriend Lissa (Reese Witherspoon) undertake drastic measures to get their hands on some fast cash in Best Laid Plans.


 A group of strangers have to take refuge in an isolated motel when a rainstorm turns into a monsoon. Then one by one, they start getting killed off. Identity stars John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Ray Liotta, Alfred Molina and Clea DuVall. It has a twist I loved.


Thinking that his girlfriend is cheating on him, Trips (Paul Rudd) with the help of Ivy (Reese Witherspoon) send a nasty "dear john" letter via Overnight Delivery. When a misunderstanding is revealed, he has 24 hours to try and stop the package.


A family curse causes Penelope (Christina Ricci) to have the nose of a pig. She thinks she may be able to break the curse when she meets Max (James McAvoy). Reese Witherspoon also stars in this romantic comedy.


Jimmy (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a young man who lives in a bubble. When he learns the girl of his dreams, Chloe (Marley Shelton) is getting married, he builds a portable suit and ventures out to win her over. Along the way he meets bikers, freaks and cultists. Bubble Boy is pure silliness.




Quote of the day: "As I was going up the stairs, I met a man who wasn't there. He wasn't there again today. I wish, I wish he'd go away."----Identity

When I hear certain songs, I always think of particular movies, television, even commercials. Anybody who has seen Reservoir Dogs would understand that when I hear "Stuck in the Middle with You" by Stealers Wheel, I automatically see Michael Madsen dancing around and torturing the cop. "Twist & Shout" by The Beatles makes me think of Matthew Broderick on the float in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (a movie I know verbatim). In Sgt. Bilko (the movie, not tv), whenever the Colonel was coming, they were warned by "No Particular Place To Go" by Chuck Berry playing over the P.A. Another Chuck Berry, "Johnny B. Goode", I picture Marty McFly singing from Back to the Future. I don't know anyone who can hear "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen and not think of the scene in the car from Wayne's World. "Barracuda" by Heart, I see Lucy Liu looking like a dominatrix in Charlie's Angels. I always see the opening of Zombieland when I hear "For Whom The Bell Tolls" by Metallica. Marilyn Manson's "Sweet Dreams" is House on Haunted Hill. "Psycho Killer" by The Talking Heads is Behind the Mask, Soundgarden's "Jesus Christ Pose" is S.F.W. Most anything by AC/DC makes me think of Iron Man, but "If You Want Blood" is Empire Records. Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" will always be The Replacements. The Rolling Stones have many songs I associate with movies. "Time is on my Side" is Fallen, "Paint it Black" is Stir of Echoes, "Gimme Shelter" is Air America and "Sympathy for The Devil" is Interview with the Vampire (even though that version is Guns and Roses). Any version of "Bad Reputation" plays and I see Hit-Girl from Kick-Ass. Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" makes me think of Phantoms. Anything by Neil Diamond is Saving Silverman, except "Sweet Caroline", that's Beautiful Girls. Every time I hear "Coconut" by Harry Nilsson, I see the Midnight Margarita scene from Practical Magic. "The Man Comes Around" by Johnny Cash is Dawn of the Dead, "Don't Fear the Reaper" is The Frighteners, "Low Rider" by War is Gone in 60 Seconds, "It's Not Unusual" by Tom Jones is Mars Attacks,  "Stayin' Alive" by The Bee Gees is Virtuosity, Lovin' Spoonful's "Summer in the City" is Die Hard with a Vengeance, "Chain of Fools" by Aretha Franklin is Sneakers, Rosemary Clooney's "Mambo Italiano" is Married to the Mob. Say Anything may have been a movie I'm not fond of, but it had the infamous scene where John Cusack held up the boombox playing "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel. I still remember commercials that featured certain songs. "Happy Together" by The Turtles was used for Golden Grahams cereal. Besides being in every '80s movie (like Ferris Bueller), "Oh Yeah" by Yello was Twix. The swing tune "Sing, Sing, Sing" was Chips Ahoy. Supernatural is full of classic rock songs, but the two I remember the most are "Carry on Wayward Son" by Kansas which any fan knows is used in the recap montages before season finales and "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor which was used in the episode "Yellow Fever" and the extra scene at the end where Jensen Ackles is lip-synching and air guitaring to it. I saw a video somebody made on YouTube of clips from the Nightmare on Elm Street movies done to Avenged Sevenfold's "Nightmare", which is awesome.



Quote of the day: "When man meets a force he can't destroy, he destroys himself. What a plague you are."----30 Days Of Night