Marisa Tomei's 8 Greatest Films

When you hear of  Marisa Tomei... well actually she's not really talked about. The few mentions she does get are to complain that she didn't win the Oscar. Well I've recently discovered that she's been multiple Film of The Year Winners, she's 48 and still smoking hot, and...well actually I don't need a 3rd reason. Here's some of her awesome back catalogue

8. Oscar

Many view this Sly Stallone gangster comedy as a misstep in every way possible, but I think that's just being hard and humourless. The film is very stupid, to be sure, but there are classic screwball antics, and the sorts of farcical mix ups found in episodes of Frasier. A guilty pleasure

7. 4 Rooms

This is a film for people who like films. A sprawling drama focusing on a number of different guest rooms in one hotel, loosely linked by a Bell Hop, it features early directorial work from Rodiguez and Tarentino. Tomei has a smaller, but nonetheless substantial role in the Honeymoon suite scenes

6. The Flamingo Kid

I love coming of age dramas, and this one is a great classic, starring a young Matt Dillon. It reminds me a bit of Adventureland, the comedic story of a young man finding himself. And the young Tomei is surprisingly different looking to now

5. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

This story of brothers robbing their parents' jewellery store never really struck a chord with me. But whilst I was never too keen on, it definitely seemed to win over critics and the such. Trust me, the Tomei sex scene with Seymour-Hoffman is something you'll wish you could unsee

4. The Ides of March

A strong contender in its year, the Ides of March was complex, broody and intelligent. Tomei's role was fairly small, but its her characters which brings about some of the biggest changes that draw this political drama to its third act

3. The Wrestler

Playing a stripper with a heart of gold, who semi-starts dating a retired pro wrestler may seem like a ridiculous cliche, but its to Tomei's great credit that she is both convincing, and endearing. A wonderfully human performance, in a great film full of them

2. Happy Accidents

If film of the year was around back then, this film would 100% have won it. A romcom of sorts, but about the nature of fate, and co-incidence, coupled with an element of time travel, you have to see it to understand why its sooo good.

1. Crazy Stupid Love

I LOVE this film, so no surprise its number one. A romcom, but featuring a wide variety of differing, interconnecting scenarios and characters, with the bizarre nature of love at its central them. It also has an excellent number of scenes exploring mid life crisis, and all the cast are wonderful.

Favourite Tv Characters of the 2008-2009 Season

I think my posts are often too broad, so here's something mega-specific! This is a really difficult list, especially for me, since I watch so much TV!

10. Alexander Mahone (William Fichtner), Prison Break

William Fichtner's Sheriff Tom Underlay was the best thing about the short-lived series 'Invasion', and once again he proves he can handle a complex character with ease. Veering wildly between justice, vengeance and angry instability, Mahone was a man you wouldn't want chasing after you. Smart as hell, but also willing to kill in cold blood, he was the perfect anti-thesis to Michael Scofield.


9. Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher), Desperate Housewives

You've gotta love her don't you. She's the dappiest, ditziest person you'd probably ever meet, like a character out of a rom-com movie, extended for 8 seasons. Yes its true that she does a lot of conniving, manipulating things, and she's neurotic like no-one else, but these things just seem to round her off, and make her more loveably human!


8. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), House

All the fuss is on House, but only a few people stop to consider how important a character Wilson is. Wilson is the one that gives House contrast, be it by showing the complete opposite of the rule-breaking doctor, or by showing a lesser, more rationalised approach than what House would go for. The banter between him and House forms some of the funniest parts of the series, because Wilson is the one who allows House's true nature to shine through. He's the kind of friend that would have unending patience, a strong sense of ethics, but also a fun side as well, as proven by his numerous practical jokes.


7. Burt 'Sock' Wysocki (Tyler Labine), Reaper

Tyler Labine has played similar characters in most shows he's been in and there's a reason....he plays them better than anyone out there! And the best of all these characters is hands-down, 'Reapers' Sock. Loud, brash, lazy and stupid, yet loyal to a fault, funny-as-hell and always lovable, Sock is the best friend everyone wishes they had. Interestingly, there has been many a comparison between 'Reaper' and 'Chuck', since both focus on slackers working in large retail stores. As such, Sock's equivalent would be the Buy-More's Morgan Grimes, and while I think Chuck is overall a far better show, Grimes aint got nothing on Sock!


6. Meredith Rodney McKay (David Hewlett), Stargate:Atlantis

McKay is one of those characters you love and loathe at the same time- no easy feat. A narcissistic egomaniac who is also an uncompromising genius, regularly saving countless lives, what makes him extra special is his ability to continue being arrogant and insulting throughout the entire run of the show, regardless of what situation he's in. His interaction with Radek Zelenka, another excellently understated and quirky character, is the perfect platform to show that the people that save us aren't always perfect, and often they're as flawed as we are. The reason Rodney rates above the others so far is that the premise works so well- McKay only shows his nicer side in small enough bursts to let you know he is overall a good person, but has still managed to maintain the purity of his characters flaws right to the end. Alas the show is no longer on the air, so we'll have to wait until the 'Extinction' movie is released [IF EVER!]  to catch more of the doc.


5. Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), Dexter

I love this character. I'm a huge fans of the books on which he's based, and that character comes across nicely in the show. I think we all acknowledge that we have very dark thoughts at times, thoughts we wouldn't want even our closest friends to know about. Dexter takes that to its extreme, and does the remarkable job of creating empathy. Dexter is a character we understand and relate to, even as he runs around tampering with evidence and looking for his next victim. I think the only reason he doesn't feature higher is that the character in the book is slightly more appealing to me. He's a bit more humorous and light hearted, which I prefer to Hall's Dexter, who always seems to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders despite being empty inside.


4. Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka), Heroes

Hiro is a fan favourite, and for good reason. He displayed a child-like innocence which was nothing short of endearing, and a much needed antidote to the gloom surrounding the rest of heroes. Seeing the little guy scrunch his face up, shout 'Mr Isaac!' and mumble on about being a hero is exactly the sense of fun, wonder and excitement the show needed. As Heroes went on, I think they tried to darken his character considerably, by placing emphasis on the fact that Hero's often have to make hard decisions. But the relationship between him and his best friend Ando (another fantastic character, and a close contender for the list) really helped define Hiro, without him loosing the great idealism he embodies.


3. Johnny 'Drama' Chase (Kevin Dillon), Entourage

Drama should perhaps be a lot lower on the list but I'm really Loving Entourage at the moment, and its my list! The obvious choice from Entourage might be Ari Gold, always found running around the agency in panic screaming 'LLoyd!' but where as Ari gets a lot of the best One-liners, I think Drama's biggest attribute is the jokes he shares with the group. Entourage's best feature has always been the banter between the main 4, reminding any guy of the sorts of conversation they have with their friends. And in those conversations, its Drama that shines. Combining colossal stupidity with snipey comebacks/putdowns, and sometime a complete loss of reality, Drama is the lovable loser, devoid of shame. Dillon, being the less successful brother of a Hollywood star in real life, plays this to perfection, and we end up simultaneously laughing at Drama's expense, and rooting for him as the underdog.


2. Benjamin Linus (Michael Emerson), Lost

Ben Linus is the most spectacularly slimey, weasely character is recent TV history. And that's what makes him so appealing. The man has almost no brute strength ,and little in the way of possessions. He's committed unspeakable acts and alienated everyone he knows, along the way creating some truly menacing enemies. But despite all that, somehow he always ends up alive, and its that facet of his character that creates such a warped fascination. Part of you wishes you were that clever, that skilled at manipulating people, and that prepared for any situation. Numerous flashbacks and scenes show he is only human, and just a simple man, but at every turn his actions seem to contradict this. As he says himself, 'How many times do I have to tell you, John? I always have a plan'. Chilling

.....and that takes us to my number one favourite character of the season.........



1. Jack Bauer ( Kiefer Sutherland), 24

Its a cliche I know, but who cares. Jack Bauer is the coolest man alive. We finally have a TV character not afraid to be a true bad-ass, to go to every extreme possible. A real, understated hero, sacrificing his conscience, maybe even his soul in the service of his country. All I can say is, it gives people hope to think men such as Jack Bauer might exist- if they did, the world would undoubtedly be a safer place.


And finally A few Honourable Mentions, who came close but didn't quite make it. In no particular Order...

Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) from The Big Bang Theory
Olive Snook (Kristin Chenoweth) from Pushing Daisies
Wiliam Adama (Edward James Olmos) from Battlestar Galactica
Buddy Garrity (Brad Leland) from Friday Night Lights
Agent Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski) from Chuck
Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) from Entourage
John Locke (Terry O'Quinn) from Lost
Bill Buchanan (James Morrison) from 24

Its interesting to see that quite a lot of shows I watch didn't have any characters make it to the list, while several shows had more than one. I suppose it goes to show, good characters really are the backbone of good shows.

As the time for Film of the Year 2012 fast approaches, there's already been some changes. Some flicks have been removed from the Shortlist, some added in. Going into detail would reveal too much. I think its time to look back at the Film of the Year's past winners, right back to 2003 when it first began....

2003

Winner: Lost in Translation
It was a decent year for films, with The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King  and Good Bye Lenin! in the mix too, but ultimately This Tokyo-set tale wins out. A great, moving, funny story, with just the right biter sweet tone. It set up Scarlett with a long and lucrative fiml career, but in her quiet, understated role her, its impossible not to fall in love with her.
The Runner Up was oddball Sci-Fi drama The Big Empty. A very difficult film to describe, its about an out of work actor who ends up caught in some sort of alien related cult gathering in the desert. It has to be watched to be properly understood, but Favreau is endearing, and Kelsey Grammar is hilarious.

2004

Winner: The Terminal
I've had a soft-spot for his film the moment I saw it, and I can't believe 8 years have passed since it was released. Its funny, and touching, and kooky, and its all about characters. Spielberg's production is fantastic, and anyone would genuinely believe it was filmed in a real airport, and not a film studio. Hanks carries his relatively unbelievably character across so well, that you genuinely care for him.
The Runner Up was I Heart Huckabees, an existential comedy drama and a unique blend of elements I've not seen replicated since. Its a film which seems slight and lacking in depth, but once its finished you realise, it threw in some seriously big ideas. Garden State came close, but ultimately it just wasn't up to the competition

2005

Winner: Sin City.
Quite a mainstream choice, but at the time, the visuals were amazing, and the sense of style had never been seen before. A collection of low-life neo-noir stories, coupled with pithy dialogue and great action scenes, it was an instant classic.
The Runner Up was an unusually low-key choice, Nicole Kidman's The Interpreter. It wasn't a flashy story but that was its beauty. It was claustrophobic, and told the story of a quiet conspiracy most people had forgotten about or were uninterested in


2006

Winner: Lady in the water
2006 was a great year for films. There was Batman Begins [though some would put it in 2005], which began the whole Dark Reboot trend we see today. Nacho Libre was a lowbrow slapstick which somehow ended up being far more than the sum of its parts, the setting and story lending it an unusual poignancy. The Lady in the Water ended up wining out however, because it had the X factor. In that low key, condo block, the simple people we see somehow make the story feel truer. The completely original fairy tale and the brilliant cinematography make everything feel magical, and Dallas Howard and Giamatti are both as excellent as always.
The Runner Up was Stick It, a tale of a rebellious girl forced into competing in a gymnastics competition. It was a close call with the more critically acceptable Pan's Labyrinth, and of all the films on the list, this is the only one I've ever considered retroactively changing. Ultimately though, Pan was a bit dreary and depressing for my taste. Stick It may seem like a gymnastics Bring it On, but gone is most of the teen silliness, and the romcom subplots. The focus is squarely on the main character, the struggles in her past, and the difficulty of the task ahead of her, all filmed in a snappy, stylistic manner.


2007

Winner: Ratatouille
 I know its a kids cartoon and it doesn't have the critical acclaim expected of the FOTY, but if you haven't seen it, I recommend it, and if you have, I urge you to watch it again. Its a sweet and funny story, full of heart and warmth, and with a tight plot and themes that permeate throughout. Not a single frame is wasted. To my eye, this is the pinnacle of Pixar
The Runner Up is Sunshine, which was a tough call. I absolutely adored Stardust, but ultimately I think there was something about it which couldn't quite escape its own formula, and whilst Hot Rod was very funny, it just wasn't FOTY material. Sunshine won out in the end, the story of a spaceship and crew flying toward a dying sun in the hope of kick starting it and saving the future of the earth. It has a slower pace which nicely explores the characters and the state of being on a long-haul, isolated journey. Some scenes are reminiscent of Alien, but the film goes pear shaped in its horror-schlock third act, undoing most of the previous good work

2008

Winner: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Kat Dennings is perfectly cast in this film about one long night in new york as a bunch of  teens scourer the city for a secret rock gig. Its so hip and cool it makes you wish you were young again, and pine for your own past glory days. Michael Cera, who only seems to ever play Michael Cera, gets it right as well
The Runner Up Was The Wrestler. A complex film about a former wrestling champion whose best days are behind him, having to face his advancing age and lowly mediocrity . Its not as bleak as it sounds though, and the excellent across the board, making for an excellent study in male machismo, faded dreams, and living in the past

2009

Winner: Adventureland
I've always had a soft spot for coming of age stories and this one gets the mix of humour, angst, love and frustration dead on. There is something bittersweet and ponderous about this story of a teen's summer spent working at an amusement park, which makes it excellent for watching again and again
The Runner Up was a tough choice, with Up in the Air, very very narrowly beating out the Hong Kong-set superhumans action-drama Push. Reitman's tale of a loner who flies from city to city firing people, finally making a human connection, is sharp and witty, and classy throughout. Its the sort of role Clooney could play in his sleep,and some schmaltz aside, the general message of the film is a positive one.

2010

Winner: Monsters
A very simple sci-fi film, shot on a shoe strong budget, its a romantic drama of sorts, as a journalist brings his boss's daughter back from an alien infected Mexica across to the US. Considering the non-existent budget, it looks amazing, and hauntingly realistic. A slow-burner, but one which builds the emotion slowly, and ends up being quite beautiful.
The Runner Up was The Winning Season. Some sources say this was 2009, others 2010. I guess there's some discrepancy with which cut is used etc, but I'm going with 2010. Its a typical story found in any formula sports drama, but the great thing is the way there is no majesty whatsoever shown of the game. The focus is on the players, and what this games, and on the down-on-his-luck coach who finds this crappy job he didn't wants ends up transforming his life. Its also very funny, and Sam Rockwell and Emma Roberts shine. The beautifully filmed Somewhere was also considered, but ultimately the tale of a minor celebrity facing boredom with his life, showed us a little too much repetition and mundanity in his life, and I became bored as well.

2011

Winner: Crazy Stupid Love
There was some scoffing and lambasting at the decision to make this 201's film on the year, when other critical darlings like Another Earth, Drive, The Tree of Life, The Ides of March etc were all floating around. In truth it was a very good year for films,  and while this is one of the most mainstream choices so far, there's a simple reason: Its an excellent film. It may look and feel like a basic Romcom, but this Little tale of how love works in various, confusing ways, is intricately plotted, and strikes an almost pitch perfect tone (the final  high school speech scene being an exception). Its is frequently and intensely hilarious, and there is a real emotional punch to the story of a man comming to grips with middle age and the disolution of his marriage. Everyone who watches it can identify with someone in it, and you have to be hard faced not to walk away having strong feels for all the characters involved.
The Runner Up was another commercial one: Super 8. What I love about this film was that it was simple, old-school film making, drawing up memories of early Speilberg. It tells the story of children in a Small town who get caught up in an alien conspiracy. The young cast are great, and Elle Fanning proves herself yet again as being arguable the better of the Fanning sisters. Its another film that makes you long to be young again, and it manages suspense, horror, comedy and drama nicely. The closing credit sequence is also probably the best I've ever seen.

8 Films inspired by Classic Literature

8. Clueless

This film about a rich, beautiful teenager dabbling in matchmaking and finding herself confused about love in the process, is the film that really launched Alicia Silverstone. It also inspired a passable TV series, but at the heart of its plot, was the 1815 novel Emma, by Jane Austen. Even the writers admit that it was only a loose inspiration.


7. What Love is

Panned on release, this indie release actually has a very good cast to it. Its basically one extended conversation about love, and bears more than a resemblance to Plato's classic musing on love, "The Symposium"


6. A Knight's Tale

A lowerclassman dupes the world into believing he is a noble, so that he can joust his way into the pants of his beloved, and beat the nobleman who once mocked him. Its a tale of Knights and gladiatorial spectacles, with an MTV twist and dollops of hit and miss humour. Surprisingly, it is based (very) loosely on The Knights Tale from The Canterbery Tales


5. O

A High school adaptation of Othello, this one sticks fairly close to the original plot, and unlike most of the other teen films of its type is placed deadpan without laughs, as the source material dictates. Look out especially for Julia Stiles in one of her better roles

4. Forbidden Planet

This sci-fi classic gave us Robby the Robot, and a chance to see Leslie Nielson in an early, non-comedy role. It even had a chain store named after it, but funnily enough, it was based on Shakespeare's The Tempest

3. O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Taking its title from Sullivan's travels, this is a depression era comedy about 3 escaped convicts on the long road to a soon-to-expire treasure. Despite the rural Mississippi setting, the film is based on an old Greek text, Homer’s Odyssey.

2. 10 Things I Hate About You

Stiles and Ledger again, this time joined by Alex Mack in a High school romcom retelling of the taming of the shrew. I have a soft spot for this film, its sweet and funny and oddly witty, but the less said about the TV spin off the better


1. Easy A

This is a great throwback to the teen films of old, and features the always delightful Emma Stone. The plot is a very loose, modern reworking of The Scarlet Letter, the book itself even being mentioned in the film

Racism in the Star Wars Universe

With the announcement that Carrie Fischer is reprising her role in the upcoming Star Wars 7, lets take a look back at some of the accusations of alleged racism which has spread into the sprawling sci-fi saga.
Ethnic accents and stereotypes are featured in several films, but the heat tends to focus most often on The Phantom Menace.

Nute Gunray

Firstly we have the Neimoidian Viceroy and his cronies on the trade federation, who have thick Chinese accents and seem like caricatures of crafty Asian bootleggers. They are portrayed as untrustworthy, dishonourable cowards

Queen of Naboo

Onwards to Naboo and despite her Japanese look, the fake Queen Amidala prattles away with a clipped British accent, embodying all the cliches of stuffiness associated. Apparently that's just how English people behave.


Watto

Over to Tatooine and we have Watto, a local owner of a parts shop. He speaks with a typical, strong Yiddish accent, and in Jew-bashingly bad taste, he has a long-nose and is so greedy and obsessed with money that even the Jedi mind trick doesn't work.



Jabba the Hutt

Jabba lives in a palace in the middle of a desert. He's fat, lazy, living off ill-gotten wealth, and is fanned day and night by skimpily clad women. Any similarities to Middle eastern Sultans and royals is purely co-incidental...allegedly

Admiral Ackbar

The Admiral was the one who headed the rebel  fleet in the attack on the second Death Star. He only realises it's a trap at the last minute, and spectacular botches up the assault. Its only due to the work of Luke and co on the ground that his competence is exonerated. The name may not be spelt Akbar, but surely its too close to be a similarity. The Incompetent leader is a Muslim.

Jar Jar Binks

But we've saved the best for last... Step forward Jar Jar Binks. Whilst supposedly a Gungan alien, one would be forgiven for thinking he was Jamaican, so strong is the West Indian Accent and dreadlocks. Add to the he has a large butt, and is generally a slow, dim-witted clown, and the comparison is far from flattering.

Jango Fett

Fett is a bounty hunter, and ends up being the clone behind every single storm trooper. That's literally the baddest of the bad...and lo and behold, he's played by Māori actor Temuera Morrison

Lando

Lando Calrissian is supposed to be one of Han's oldest friends, and it seems he's the only black person working for the good guys. So what does he do? He turns around and betrays his friends at Cloud City.The Black guy ends up a traitor..read into it what you will.

It wasn't until later on that Sammy L Jackson's place on the Jedi Council helped to reset this balance

List of Jack Ryans

With Skyfall still burning across cinema screens, the temptation to do a list of best Bonds is quite high. But that would be too easy, and you, my loyal readers, deserve better. So here instead, is a list of the actors who have played a slightly less popular literary hero: Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan

Name: Ben Affleck
Film: The Sum of All Fears

Affleck is on of those actors I don't find particularly endearing or affable, and this film did little to warm me to him. The bomb going off half way through the film was unexpected, but as a character, Affleck never really brought Jack to life. See what I did there? A little wordplay

Name: Alec Baldwin
Film: The Hunt for Red October

This one is certainly a classic film, and Balwdwin is pretty darn good, but in a film with the great Sean Connery, he was never ever going to be the star. Baldwin's Ryan isn't flashy or gimmicky, but he is efficiently convincing.

Name: Harrison Ford
Films: Patriot Games, and Clear and Present Danger

If there is one man synonymous with Jack Ryan, its Ford. He creates that perfect mix of seasoned agent, action hero and deep thinker, and it shows, as he is the only man to ever play the character twice


Honourable mention goes to....
Name:Chris Pine
Film: Jack Ryan

Though it hasn't been released yet, and wont be until 2013, there is already some buzz around it. I like Chris Pine, and I think in this type of role, he could add some real charisma. I guess we'll have to wait and see

TV Shows like Buffy aka Alternatives to Buffy

When Empire placed Buffy the Vampire Slayer at number one on their list of top TV shows, it was met with many a facepalm, myself included. But a recent re-watch has made me realise what an excellent show it was. Not top position mind you, but good very good nonetheless. It helped inspire a whole TV genre as we know it. So If you've just finished Buffy, and are jonesing for something similar, read on...

Angel

Obviously, first up we have the Buffy Spin-off Angel. There are many fans that never warmed to this show, sticking with Buffy to the end and then making a clean break from the Buffyverse. There are certainly difference: The high school setting is gone, and the soapy, romance element is substantially muted, but many of these are for the better. Buffy was about a young girl trying to lead a normal life whilst simultaneously competing with an overwhelming destiny which often felt like a burden. Angel is more about redemption, and atoning for the sins of the past. Its darker, and bleaker, but the trademark Buffy-style dialogue, wit and humour are all there. Its a bit like Buffy for grown-ups. A lot of fans were put off by the first series, which was much more violent, and had more of a noir-detective vibe. I personally liked it, but regardless, push on and in the subsequent seasons, the show becomes more and more like its sibling, especially the final season 5. In conclusion, Angel is a 100% necessary watch


Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil

This is a really bizarre show. Its set in high school and features a satanic book, which can be used to cast spells. The book ends up in the possession of various students in episode, who use spells for personal gain which invariably backfire. Todd and his crew of friends clean up these messes, whilst trying to destroy the book [although it flies away after each spell, which makes it tricky]. It features much more violence and bloodshed than Buffy, and there also isn't as much of a running story arch. The show is more of a horror comedy than a drama like Buffy, and is much much ruder. There is a profanity-free version they produce as well though, for before the watershed. And you have love a random small rile from Jason Mewes (Jay from Jay and Silent Bob)

Reaper

Reaper features an underachiever working in a bargain superstore, whose parents sold his soul to the devil. Now he's contractually bound to track down and return, escaped souls from hell, all with the help of his dimwitted best friends and coworkers. This one is squarely focused on being a comedy, and it takes a while for a series long thread to become apparent. The drama isn't great but Tyler Labine's Burt 'Sock' Wysocki is truly hilarious, and Missy Peregrym is crazy hot. Ray Wise rounds things out nicely as the suave, sharp-suited Devil. The second series was getting really good before it was abruptly cancelled. Typical.

Charmed

A bit more girly than Buffy, this is a show about three sisters who find out they are witches, and have a responsibility to find and stop various monsters and bad guys. The show is very Buffy-like in its monster of the week episodes, which give way to longer plot threads involving the human (read: relationship) drama of the main characters. It really picks up pace as the show progresses, although the last season is a little lacklustre. If you liked Buffy, this is well worth a look.

Supernatural

Two brothers drive across America hunting monsters. To say any more might give too much away. The show started out with Monster-of-the-Week Origins, but quickly moved onto a long and sprawling plot of death, destruction and conspiracy, which deeply draws you in. Its not profane, but it is graphically violent, and and can also be very funny and tongue-in-cheek. Characters are at the heart of the show, and its amazing that its in its 8th season but still only features 2 [maybe 3] main characters. It's a bit like Buffy [more like Angel] but with a lot of the high school drama/silliness and slayer slang ditched. Definitely watch this.