Michael Wincott did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Top Dollar in The Crow.
I had a few choices to fill the last spot, but decided to use it to the highlight the memorable character actor Michael Wincott. Michael Wincott, with perhaps one of the all time greatest cinematic voices, well at the very least one of the most underrated. A off-beat character actor, who for me, is always a welcome presence to any film that dares to include his raspy gravitas. Wincott, as is often the case for the character actor, is usually regulated to a thankless role. Often times the secondary or bit part villain to be unceremoniously killed off before moving on to the main boss. The Crow is an exception as he gets to be the big boss, which I think makes me lament a bit about the current mainstream quality of a the modern superhero films. Although the Crow is rough around the edges to be sure, I love that it has such a memorable case of diverse character actors to be found, who would never be found in the modern day superhero. I mean we have the man who should've been Black Mask, not that prancing around Ewan McGregor, this with Wincott bringing a steely gaze and all the more cutting voice. Now Top Dollar isn't a great villain as written, has some random pseudo philosophic monologues, and we wait around before Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) finally get to them. Well that is enough for Wincott, who brings the right sort presence in the quietly gleeful killer that he makes Top Dollar. This in making those pseudo philosophic monologues sing, thanks to his one of a kind voice delivering them with the right sort of darkly quiet menace. Wincott brings a nice style to his crime boss, who seems to control all crime in the town, along with his wannabe sorceress girlfriend. Wincott having this ease in his manner, but also the shameless in his blithe delivery of dismissing deaths of lowly henchmen. Wincott creates a casual manner that sort of owns the style the film is going through, while having the right amount of a fun with it as well. This when he threatens a slimy pawn shop owner for information, Wincott carries his menace with a light effective touch, in just showing the darkly vicious quality in glimpses in his eyes, but also finding a bit of comedy in just how relaxed he is about killing. Wincott actually finds a way of making the part work by kind of doing almost a hypocritical performance. This as he's both underplaying his scenes while also still being over the top in a way. This as he never overdoes Top Dollar's devious speeches, but still with his sneer and pompous demeanor doesn't at all hide the villainy of the character. This perhaps best exemplified by his final scene with Draven. This as Wincott's delivery of admitting to putting out the hit that killed Draven and his girlfriend is with a calm, even comical, admittance, almost like he's talking to a friend. His followup emphasizes this all the more as noting the smile on his face for the fight that Draven brought to him, but Wincott still has that captivating presence that wholly keeps the menace intact even with this approach. In many ways this is still a limited role, but an example of Wincott plying his trade. Taking what's there, and bringing his unique presence to make something out of it.
55 comments:
1. Trintignant
2. Lindo
3. Auteuil
4. Woodbine
5. Wincott
Louis: I could be wrong but I think I might have won the prediction contest for 94 lead.
Louis: thoughts and rating for Shannon Williams in Once Were Warriors?
Your thoughts and rating on Gabriel Byrne in Little Women?
Louis: thoughts on the screenplay of Dumb and Dumber?
1. Trintignant
2. Lindo
3. Auteuil
4. Woodbine
5. Wincott
I just watched Driveways. I'm very much looking forward to that potential Dennehey review...what a beautiful ending.
Louis: Since I remember you saying some time ago that you can play the piano, what are some songs/compositions that you enjoy playing.
I could imagine Louis playing something like "Saturday Nights Alright" lol just him smashing the keys and shouting "SATURDAY SATURDAYYYYY"
Matt:
You did.
Calvin:
Williams - 3(He's good in basically creating a certain juxtaposition between the circumstance of his character and the certain optimism that glow from his manner. This in also contrast to Kerr-Bell's depressed work. He's particularly good in his last scene in portraying so earnestly just a warmth in his action, even as it is wholly in the very worst time to make the attempt.)
Tim:
Byrne - 3.5(Although substantially older, with a larger age gap, Byrne is one aspect I do prefer whole wholeheartedly in the 94 version. I just find that Byrne's performance just a bit more deft in creating the character in terms of crafting sort of the intelligent wit of the character and meeting of the minds with Jo. Even as they are matched at all by age, Byrne does find a real earnest quality that brings the needed charm for the character, making a bigger impact than I feel Garrel managed to do so.)
Lucas:
Well on the positive side of things some of the jokes are there, and so is the more important aspect in terms of structuring a bit of depth between the two friends that's essential. Having said that, the film is a whole lot better than the screenplay. One is so many of that jokes are better by virtue of Carrey's delivery than on the page, or also how there's a bit of variation in his work. There's more though in the editing and shooting of the film, that is better than the film. In the former, which can be seen in the worse in every way extended edition, eliminated or at least limited the amount of "maturity" within Lloyd's sexual behaviors. The editing made the character more innocent, which in turn made him funnier and less creepy. For example the two going to a sleazy motel together for no particular reason is funny, but Lloyd doing it to eavesdrop, is just creepy. In terms of the latter though, there are the improvisations and the elimination of some complications of the plot which were rightfully excised. The plot really doesn't matter, its there to facilitate the jokes, the final film knows this, the script does not. Although the screenplay isn't bad, the final film is considerably better.
Tahmeed:
Clair De Lune
Let it Be
Main Theme From the Conversation
In the Bleak Midwinter
Smile
Just to name a random few.
Louis: Have you ever tried Bohemian Rhapsody or Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Fourth Movement.
And your ratings for Jeanne Moreau in The Bride Wore Black and La Notte.
Louis: How about The Flight of The Bumblebee?
My request is Stephen McHattie in Pontypool for 2009 lead. Incidentally, much like Michael Wincott, another great Canadian character actor with an awesome voice.
Luke:
Not all the movements, but I think most who have tried their hand at a classical instrument has attempted the "Ode to Joy", and yes.
4's.
Emi Grant:
Sure.
RIP Diego Maradona.
Come to think of it there's so many Canadian actors with amazing voices. McHattie, Wincott, and Christopher Plummer, Catherine O'Hara, Donald Sutherland, William Shatner, Genevieve Bujold, Will Arnett, Leslie Nielsen, Graham Greene, Mia Kirshner...list seems endless.
Calvin: I'll throw Gordon Pinsent in there too.
I watched Borat 2, and lord help me I sort of loved it. I cringe-laughed a good deal of it. Bakalova is more lead than supporting, but I sure as hell won’t object if she manages to get nominated.
Robert: I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Even found it kind of moving in parts.
Louis: Did you find any of the Pulp Fiction cast thoughts I previously asked for? If not, could I have them?
Apparently Mads Mikkelsen was confirmed by Warner Bros. themselves as the replacement for Grindelwald in the next Beasts movie. Thoughts on this?
They need to stop wasting Mads' time on bullshit blockbusters. On the other hand I hope he's getting a nice hefty paycheck so all's good if he is.
Bryan:
Roth & Plummer - (Both are good in the opening scene instantly creating a sense of the two's relationship that likely could lead their own film. The two just have the right sort of off beat rapport and chemistry. This both a warmth and this intimacy in their conversation about robberies. Although Roth is wholly good, Plummer stands out all the more by the transition. This where she is such a believable sweetheart girlfriend, then becomes quite the terrifying robber in an instance. She's really the secondary highlight of the final scene, Jackson being the highlight, this as her performance she slowly loses sort of the psycho facade she's playing as the conversation goes on, slowly returning to just the loving girlfriend.)
Stoltz - (A little surprising that the Indie spirits went with him out of everyone, but he is good in a pretty unshowy role. He brings the sort of casual manner though befitting a casual drug dealer. He is also essential in bringing a humor and intensity to the final scene, in showing the guy winging the situation best he can. This striking up some good chemistry with Travolta as the two are just trying their best in a pretty sloppy way.)
de Medeiros - 2(Other than the man himself, the performance I don't like at all. This just as the actions of the character automatically are going to make it hard to like her, therefore you really needed to take her on as this charming innocence. Unfortunately I find her whole manner grating and unappealing, making her mistake involving Butch's watch more frustrating than I think it should be. And don't get me started on the potbelly speech, which I think I hate so much in part because of her overly cloying delivery.)
Anonymous:
I will say the more important news regarding the series is that it won't be solely written by Rowling, Steve Kloves is coming back so it will probably be a less structural mess. I'm still not enthusiastic and a potentially wasted Mikkelsen doesn't change that fact.
Louis: I think the potbelly speech kinda works as written, as just sort of one of those random things you just start talking about when you're really intimate with someone, but yeah the way she delivers it is pretty bad.
I don’t think if I reviewed this performance I’d be able to think of anything to say other than “Idk I just loved his whole vibe.” Also Is like to see him reviewed for Dead Man as well, he has one specific line delivery that left me in stitches and was almost review worthy on its own.
1. Jean-Louis Trintignant
2. Bokeem Woodbine
3. Delroy Lindo
4. Daniel Auteuil
5. Michael Wincott (Kinda want to put him 4th but the fact that you stated he had the fifth slot makes that seem unwise.)
I watched L.A. Confidential again for the first time in many MANY years and it really is a masterpiece.
Crowe-5
Pearce-5
Spacey-5
Cromwell-4.5
Basinger-2.5 (Definitely the weak link, but not the black hole that I remembered her as)
DeVito-4
Stathairn-3.5
I’ve always loved how Lance panics & hangs up his phone call with Vincent.
1. Trintignant
2. Woodbine
3. Lindo
4. Auteuil
5. Wincott
Michael: I loved him in Dead Man too, hope Louis takes to it as a whole.
I also like Robert Mitchums' small role in Dead Man. In a way, it felt like a good send-off, since it was the last notable film he was in.
1. Trintignant
2. Woodbine
3. Lindo
4. Auteuil
5. Wincott
1. Trintignant
2. Woodbine
3. Lindo
4. Auteuil
5. Wincott
Anonymous2:
1. Trintignant
2. Woodbine
3. Lindo
4. Auteuil
5. Wincott
1. Trintignant
2. Lindo
3. Woodbine
4. Auteuil
5. Wincott
Louis: Thoughts on the naming scene in Reservoir Dogs? I always liked Tierney's delivery of the names.
Luke, If we both manage to win this prediction contest, is it okay If I could request Whishaw in Bright Star, I saw it yesterday and he was fantastic, Abbie Cornish was amazing and Paul Schneider was really good too.
Anonymous: I'm trying to get Winstone next so by all means, I'd be all the happier for it anyway.
Michael McCarthy: On the question of 70/79, I'll concede that 70 should come next but I seriously hope for a 10 lineup albeit from 9 films.
Anonymous: i prefer his delivery of "Because your a faggot, alright?!"
1. Trintignant
2. Woodbine
3. Lindo
4. Auteuil
5. Wincott
Louis: What would you consider to be the best/most entertaining movie insults? (you can make an unranked approximation of some of your favourites).
There are so many great ones I know, but two of my clear favorites are Ken and Harry's conversation in In Bruges, and practically every single line out of Peter Capaldi's mouth in In the Loop.
Tahmeed: “SHUT IT, LOVE ACTUALLY!” is still one of the most devastating I’ve ever heard.
Louis, your thoughts on the use of cgi in zodiac. I'm rewatching the movie right now and it might be the best use of it that I have seen.
Tahmeed: everything by Gunnery Sergeant Hartman
Off the top of my head:
- ‘Hey Vasquez has anyone ever mistaken you for a man?’ ‘No. Have you?’ (Alien)
- Everything you touch turns to shit, you're like king Midas's idiot brother.‘ (Inside Llewyn Davis)
- Every other line in ‘A Fish Called Wanda’, but especially ‘To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people! I've known sheep that could outwit you. I've worn dresses with higher IQs. But you think you're an intellectual, don't you, ape?’ and ‘ You English! You think you're so superior, don't you? Well you're the filth of the planet! A bunch of pompous, badly dressed, poverty stricken, sexually repressed football hooligans!’
- ‘Now go get your fucking shinebox’ (honestly so many Scorsese films have great zingers in this regard)
I’m sure I’m forgetting some more subtle yet just as great ones.
JK Simmons in Whiplash has many golden ones in my opinion, yet my favorite from that film is Teller's "Hey, fuck off, Johnny Utah. Turn my pages, bitch". The sheer ferocity on Teller's delivery always makes me laugh.
Anonymous:
Although again, one where the logic is definitely that of an earlier screenplay, the scene works largely because of just how no nonsense Tierney is the whole time, and doesn't play a second of it for laughs.
Tahmeed:
Not definitive but ten I'm quite fond of.
"How can you trust a man who wears both a belt and suspenders. Man can't even trust his own pants" - Frank (Once Upon a Time in the West)
"I apologize for not telling you sooner. You're a degenerate sadistic old man" - Colonel Dax (Paths of Glory)
"Definitely" - Jimmy Hoffman (The Irishman, in response to "Am I beneath you" from Tony Pro)
"You're an intimate fucking object" - Harry (In Bruges)
"Truly, you have a dizzying intellect" - Westley (The Princess Bride)
"Sir, it seems that you are no better a judge of human beings than you are a specimen of one." - Buster Scruggs (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs)
"I can't understand how "I heart Huckabees" is on a list of DVDs considered suitable for armed-forces entertainment that self-indulgent crap is not suitable for combat troops" - Linton Barwick (In the Loop)
"It's for you" - Blondie (The Good the Bad and the Ugly, in reply to Tuco about letter addressed to "Idiots")
"It's amazing that brain can generate enough power to keep those legs moving." - Lex Luthor (Superman)
"When one hears such sounds. What can one say but Salieri" - Mozart (Amadeus)
John Smith:
CGI used for a pure good, and not a hint evil. Basically the replacing of matte paintings, and here you'd never even notice its use given how seamless it is. Marvelous "invisible" work.
Louis: Your top 10 Canadian actors/actresses with the best voices.
Louis: Have you ever watched Roman Polanski's An Officer and a Spy? If so, would you rate the movie of the year 2019 or 2020?
Louis: your thoughts on Isabelle Huppert as an actress? Looking over your thoughts on her performances it actually seems like she's fairly consistently very good in your books with the more you see of her.
Shaggy: He's not seen it yet and its 2019. I have Dujardin in my Lead lineup.
Calvin: Are you excited for Red, White And Blue with John Boyega.
Louis, Knowing how much you despise him, your thoughts on Jean-Luc Godard as a director.
Louis: Did you watch L'Avventura when you covered 1960? Asking because its cast seems to be absent from the Lead and Supporting overalls.
Anonymous:
1. Christopher Plummer
2. Michael Wincott
3. Donald Sutherland
4. Phil Hartman
5. Michael Ironside
6. Leslie Nielsen
7. Will Arnett
8. Stephen McHattie
9. Raymond Burr
10. Mia Kirshner
Calvin & Anonymous:
Let me get you those on the next post.
Tahmeed:
No.
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