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a weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves
While at a very early age I always rooted for the hero, as I grew up I became increasingly fascinated by villains, and I've found myself rooting for the bad guy more and more often. It's not a coincidence that American Psycho is one of my favourite films. As you probably imagined, this week I'm going with some villain films I love.
Monster (2003) - Review
It tells the story of Aileen Wournos (Charlize Theron), a Daytona Beach prostitute who was convicted and executed for killing six men. This is such a thought-provoking film and Theron is mind-blowing in the role of the killer.
Pulp Fiction (1994) - Review
I love everything about this Tarantino film. I love that it came out the year I was born. I love the intersecting story. I love the characters. I love the soundtrack. But most of all, I love that everyone is a villain here.
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) - Review
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It follows a poor young man, Tom Ripley (Matt Damon), who is paid by a wealthy man to go to Italy and bring his son, Dickie (Jude Law), home. Tom gets a little bit too attached to Dickie and his girlfriend (Gwyneth Paltrow) though and things get out of control. This is absolutely mindblowing and Tom Ripley is one of the best villains ever if you ask me.
Awesome list! We both match on Pulp Fiction! Such an engaging film!
ReplyDeleteI know! It's one of my all-time favourites!
DeleteThese are all good movies! It's been ages since I've seen Monster but I remember kind of..not blaming her for turning into a serial killer.
ReplyDeleteI was actually kind of rooting for her.
DeleteMonster is a great catch. My feelings for it are ones of admiration for the brilliance of Charlize Theron and to a lesser extent Christina Ricci but I it was a duty watch for me. It was pretty clear from the instant it was realized that Charlize had that Oscar in her hand so I felt it was something to be seen but I would never say I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this version of The Talented Mr. Ripley, I even found Paltrow tolerable. It's an interesting contrast to the original film Purple Noon with Alain Delon and Matt Damon offering quite different interpretations of Tom Ripley.
So many people love Pulp Fiction but I hated it utterly. When I went to see it in the theatre one of our group who was returning to see it for the third time told me I would either love it or hate it. She was right there was no in between in the people I saw it with reactions.
As is my custom I reached back a bit further for mine but villainous characters have long been the focus of films so it wasn't difficult.
The Shadow on the Wall (1950)-Businessman David Starrling (Zachary Scott) is knocked unconscious by a mysterious figure during a confrontation with his faithless wife Celia (Kristine Miller) and wakes to find Celia murdered. The couple’s young daughter Susan (Gigi Perreau), witnessed her mother's death but saw only a shadow on the wall and is unaware that the killer is Celia's evil sister, her Aunt Dell (Ann Sothern). Dell, now terrified of discovery must find a way to do away with her own niece before Susan realizes the truth. One of Ann Sothern’s rare villainess roles this includes future First Lady Nancy Reagan (billed as Nancy Davis) in a major supporting role.
M (1931)-Moody, expressionist classic tells the tale of Hans Beckert (Peter Lorre), a serial killer who preys on children. When he becomes the focus of a massive Berlin police manhunt his crimes are so repellant that other criminals join the police in his pursuit. Lorre is brilliant in the lead.
Sweet Smell of Success (1957)-Vicious New York columnist J.J. Hunsecker (Burt Lancaster) is a powerful man capable and willing to make or destroy Broadway careers in print. However he can’t seem to control is his younger sister Susan (Susan Harrison) who he is abnormally fond of and who is in a relationship with jazzman Steve Dallas (Marty Milner) of which he strongly disapproves. To get his way Hunsecker recruits publicist Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis) who he describes as “A cookie full of arsenic” to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method. Well-acted portrait of deeply rotten people.
I'm so sorry to hear that about Pulp Fiction as it's one of my favourite films. But at least you liked my other two picks. And I agree, both versions of Ripley are good.
DeleteI haven't seen any of your picks but M has been on my watchlist for ages. Hopefully I get to see it soon.
I still haven't seen The Talented Mr. Ripley though I did see another version of that story in Purple Noon starring Alain Delon.
ReplyDeleteThey are different versions but they are both great and both worth watching. I hope you get to see it.
DeleteI remember seeing The Talented Mr. Ripley a second time and had forgotten Blanchett and Hoffman was it too.
ReplyDeleteI too forgot Blanchett was in it.
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