Comments on: 25 Awesome Characters of the Decade http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/ Where Cinema is more than just $100 Million productions Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:15:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: paul http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-39241 paul Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:52:20 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-39241 v from v for vendetta should be just a little higher v from v for vendetta should be just a little higher

]]> By: Marc Saint-Cyr http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38577 Marc Saint-Cyr Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:51:12 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38577 "none of those things were subtle." Hmmm...okay, if not subtle, how about overlooked? I'll add another one, too: mesmerizing. If nothing else, Lewis as Plainview is damn fascinating to watch. “none of those things were subtle.”

Hmmm…okay, if not subtle, how about overlooked? I’ll add another one, too: mesmerizing. If nothing else, Lewis as Plainview is damn fascinating to watch.

]]> By: Kurt http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38576 Kurt Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:39:30 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38576 Hahahahaha. Touche Andrew, Touche. Hahahahaha. Touche Andrew, Touche.

]]> By: Andrew James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38573 Andrew James Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:06:06 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38573 <em>"C’mon folks, the voice-overed trailer where he gives his ‘pitch’ to the village with an already flowing oil-well is so bloody good that he deserves to be on any ‘best of the decade’ performance list for that scene alone."</em> Wow. I think I took some flak from you guys for saying the same exact thing about Liam Neeson. “C’mon folks, the voice-overed trailer where he gives his ‘pitch’ to the village with an already flowing oil-well is so bloody good that he deserves to be on any ‘best of the decade’ performance list for that scene alone.”

Wow. I think I took some flak from you guys for saying the same exact thing about Liam Neeson.

]]> By: Rusty James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38571 Rusty James Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:53:39 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38571 @ There are so many subtle things that Lewis brings to that role – his voice, mannerisms, simply the way he uses his eyes in certain scenes none of those things were subtle. @ There are so many subtle things that Lewis brings to that role – his voice, mannerisms, simply the way he uses his eyes in certain scenes

none of those things were subtle.

]]> By: Rusty James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38570 Rusty James Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:51:41 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38570 @ He is one-dimensional by choice no no, good performaces, good characters are never one dimensional. They are paradoxes. @ He is one-dimensional by choice

no no, good performaces, good characters are never one dimensional. They are paradoxes.

]]> By: Rusty James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38569 Rusty James Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:50:31 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38569 George Clooney as Mr. Fox it might not be a movie but James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano Bill Murray in Lost In Translation Casey Affleck as the titular Bob Ford Brad Pitt as the titular Jesse James Stunt Man Mike Oh Dae Su (great name) Billy Mitchel in King of Kong (controversial) George Clooney as Mr. Fox

it might not be a movie but James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano

Bill Murray in Lost In Translation

Casey Affleck as the titular Bob Ford

Brad Pitt as the titular Jesse James

Stunt Man Mike

Oh Dae Su (great name)

Billy Mitchel in King of Kong (controversial)

]]> By: Kurt http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38568 Kurt Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:49:35 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38568 I am equally baffled by the 'dismissal' of Daniel Plainview. He is one-dimensional by choice, he has plenty of opportunities and significant choices (forks in the road) to become a 'human being' but the characters greed and desire to compete destroy everything. I think that the character is wonderfully multidimensional, but the point of the story is that he, the character, makes very poor choices. The movie is one of the key examinations of unfetter capitalism as a dark (gothic?) tale. I am equally baffled by the ‘dismissal’ of Daniel Plainview. He is one-dimensional by choice, he has plenty of opportunities and significant choices (forks in the road) to become a ‘human being’ but the characters greed and desire to compete destroy everything. I think that the character is wonderfully multidimensional, but the point of the story is that he, the character, makes very poor choices. The movie is one of the key examinations of unfetter capitalism as a dark (gothic?) tale.

]]> By: Rusty James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38567 Rusty James Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:45:32 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38567 How 'bout David Carradine as the Titular "Bill". How ’bout David Carradine as the Titular “Bill”.

]]> By: Rusty James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38566 Rusty James Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:36:52 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38566 Naw, I don't thinks so. Great actors do more than give great monologues. They create characters. DP is one dimensional. "I like milkshakes!" is no replacement for a real character. Naw, I don’t thinks so. Great actors do more than give great monologues. They create characters. DP is one dimensional.

“I like milkshakes!” is no replacement for a real character.

]]> By: Kurt http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38562 Kurt Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:00:29 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38562 C'mon folks, the voice-overed trailer where he gives his 'pitch' to the village with an already flowing oil-well is so bloody good that he deserves to be on any 'best of the decade' performance list for that scene alone. C’mon folks, the voice-overed trailer where he gives his ‘pitch’ to the village with an already flowing oil-well is so bloody good that he deserves to be on any ‘best of the decade’ performance list for that scene alone.

]]> By: Marc Saint-Cyr http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38558 Marc Saint-Cyr Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:07:25 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38558 As over-the-top as Plainview can get, there's just so much more to the performance than that. There are so many subtle things that Lewis brings to that role - his voice, mannerisms, simply the way he uses his eyes in certain scenes...all brilliant. As over-the-top as Plainview can get, there’s just so much more to the performance than that. There are so many subtle things that Lewis brings to that role – his voice, mannerisms, simply the way he uses his eyes in certain scenes…all brilliant.

]]> By: Drew http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38539 Drew Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:00:44 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38539 Yeah i've become a pretty big fan of this site. :D I'm a huge fan of PT Anderson so that could be part of the reason I like that character so much, but you know showy or not I just really enjoyed Lewis' performance from an entertainment point of view, I thought he was awesome. I also noticed you put Royal Tenenbaum on the list Andrew. That movie is in my top 5 all time list, and I loved Hackman in it, but I actually think my favorite character would be Richie Tenenbaum. There's just something about Luke Wilson in that movie... and in that beard... that just gets me. Yeah i’ve become a pretty big fan of this site. :D I’m a huge fan of PT Anderson so that could be part of the reason I like that character so much, but you know showy or not I just really enjoyed Lewis’ performance from an entertainment point of view, I thought he was awesome. I also noticed you put Royal Tenenbaum on the list Andrew. That movie is in my top 5 all time list, and I loved Hackman in it, but I actually think my favorite character would be Richie Tenenbaum. There’s just something about Luke Wilson in that movie… and in that beard… that just gets me.

]]> By: Rusty James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38536 Rusty James Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:14:35 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38536 Drew, it's nice to see you posting here lately. Whatever it is people find so fascinating about D. Plainview it's lost on me. Drew, it’s nice to see you posting here lately.

Whatever it is people find so fascinating about D. Plainview it’s lost on me.

]]> By: Andrew James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38534 Andrew James Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:00:06 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38534 Disagree once again. Plainview is in a believable/real/regular/subdued world and emerges completely insane. Far too showy of a performance for that movie. (tangent: as PT Anderson movies go, I'll take the "insanity" of Barry Egan (Sandler) over Plainview anyday). Butcher however is already in a topsy-turvy world and his "larger than life" charisma fits perfectly with the tone of the rest of that movie. It's been years since I've seen the movie as well, but I remember liking it quite a bit - funny that most around the webs seem to despise that movie. I'll have to watch again sometime early next year. Disagree once again. Plainview is in a believable/real/regular/subdued world and emerges completely insane. Far too showy of a performance for that movie. (tangent: as PT Anderson movies go, I’ll take the “insanity” of Barry Egan (Sandler) over Plainview anyday). Butcher however is already in a topsy-turvy world and his “larger than life” charisma fits perfectly with the tone of the rest of that movie.

It’s been years since I’ve seen the movie as well, but I remember liking it quite a bit – funny that most around the webs seem to despise that movie. I’ll have to watch again sometime early next year.

]]> By: kurt http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38533 kurt Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:49:00 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38533 "Some would argue for Daniel Plainview (There will Be Blood), but Bill the Butcher is so much more interesting and showy without being ridiculous. Yet at the same time the intensity and insanity leveled straight at the screen (and the hundreds he slaughters) is practically unmatched." It's been a while since I saw Gangs of NY, but I dunno how you can say that Plainview is more or less ridiculous than Bill The Butcher. They are both waaaaay larger than life characters in fascinating worlds. I'd say that Plainview is 10x more frightening (and therefore awesome). “Some would argue for Daniel Plainview (There will Be Blood), but Bill the Butcher is so much more interesting and showy without being ridiculous. Yet at the same time the intensity and insanity leveled straight at the screen (and the hundreds he slaughters) is practically unmatched.”

It’s been a while since I saw Gangs of NY, but I dunno how you can say that Plainview is more or less ridiculous than Bill The Butcher. They are both waaaaay larger than life characters in fascinating worlds. I’d say that Plainview is 10x more frightening (and therefore awesome).

]]> By: Drew http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38531 Drew Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:36:37 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38531 Oh, you mentioned him... I apologize. Oh, you mentioned him… I apologize.

]]> By: Drew http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38530 Drew Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:33:42 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38530 Where the @#%& is Daniel Plainview?!?!?! Where the @#%& is Daniel Plainview?!?!?!

]]> By: Kurt Halfyard http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38528 Kurt Halfyard Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:25:55 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38528 I didn't bring it up, but I totally agree. I love that performance, and quite like the movie as well. Actually speaking of the Coen's Andrew had Fred Melamed's Sy Ableman on his best peformance list, and he certainly deserves to be one of the most memorable bits of awesomeness in the decade, even if he was introduced in the final quarter of the final year! I didn’t bring it up, but I totally agree. I love that performance, and quite like the movie as well.

Actually speaking of the Coen’s Andrew had Fred Melamed’s Sy Ableman on his best peformance list, and he certainly deserves to be one of the most memorable bits of awesomeness in the decade, even if he was introduced in the final quarter of the final year!

]]> By: Goon http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38527 Goon Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:14:32 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38527 Rewatched Ladykillers recently (twice) and while he's a complete cartoon character, I've really become attached to GH Dorr as a character Only bringing him up because I doubt anyone else would Rewatched Ladykillers recently (twice) and while he’s a complete cartoon character, I’ve really become attached to GH Dorr as a character

Only bringing him up because I doubt anyone else would

]]> By: Henrik http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38526 Henrik Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:07:40 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38526 But I will say that Avatar does raise the bar considerably, but I find the effects much more directly descended from what Muren did with Hulk, than what WETA themselves did with Gollum. Hulk had moments of subtlety. But I will say that Avatar does raise the bar considerably, but I find the effects much more directly descended from what Muren did with Hulk, than what WETA themselves did with Gollum.

Hulk had moments of subtlety.

]]> By: Henrik http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38525 Henrik Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:04:10 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38525 "The benchmark creation of digitally created (mo-cap) performances" (this) “The benchmark creation of digitally created (mo-cap) performances”

(this)

]]> By: Henrik http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38524 Henrik Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:03:36 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38524 I definitely disagree with this. Gollum was easy, he basically looks like a man with his hair shaved. I think Hulk was a far more ambitious and succesful achievement, a real CGI creation. I mean Gollum is basically the same as Keanu Reeves in A Scanner Darkly, only with no hair. I definitely disagree with this. Gollum was easy, he basically looks like a man with his hair shaved. I think Hulk was a far more ambitious and succesful achievement, a real CGI creation. I mean Gollum is basically the same as Keanu Reeves in A Scanner Darkly, only with no hair.

]]> By: Andrew James http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38523 Andrew James Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:42:59 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38523 Anton Ego = ooo, good pick. Forgot about him. How about Riddick in Pitch Black too. Anton Ego = ooo, good pick. Forgot about him.
How about Riddick in Pitch Black too.

]]> By: Kurt Halfyard http://www.rowthree.com/2009/12/15/25-awesome-characters-of-the-decade/#comment-38522 Kurt Halfyard Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:27:38 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/?p=23087#comment-38522 Honorable Mention for 1. Denton Van Zan (Matthew McConaughey) in Reign of Fire. Dude was awesomely over the top. 2. Kakihara (Tadanobu Asano) in Ichi The Killer who beat Heath Ledge to the slit-mouth look by over half a decade. 3. The Host - A really, really big tadpole with teeth = Awesomeness. 4. Gollum - surprised he isn't on the list. The benchmark creation of digitally created (mo-cap) performances 5. Anton Ego (you needed two Anton's on your list) 6. Nicolai Tesla (David Bowie in The Prestige) -> Pure Awesomeness. Honorable Mention for

1. Denton Van Zan (Matthew McConaughey) in Reign of Fire. Dude was awesomely over the top.

2. Kakihara (Tadanobu Asano) in Ichi The Killer who beat Heath Ledge to the slit-mouth look by over half a decade.

3. The Host – A really, really big tadpole with teeth = Awesomeness.

4. Gollum – surprised he isn’t on the list. The benchmark creation of digitally created (mo-cap) performances

5. Anton Ego (you needed two Anton’s on your list)

6. Nicolai Tesla (David Bowie in The Prestige) -> Pure Awesomeness.

]]>