WHO WAS THAT GUY (OR GAL)?
This week the British magazine EMPIRE listed the 100 top film characters ever, something that was also done recently by PREMIERE magazine. It's pretty amazing how the perception of popularity differs between film fans. Here are the top 10 characters, followed by their popularity in the states:
1. TYLER DURDEN (Brad Pitt): FIGHT CLUB (not in the US 100)
2. DARTH VADER (David Prowse): STAR WARS (#84)
3. THE JOKER (Heath Ledger): THE DARK KNIGHT (not in top 100)
4. HAN SOLO (Harrison Ford): STAR WARS (not in top 100)
5. HANNIBAL LECTER (Anthony Hopkins) SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (#15)
6. INDIANA JONES (Harrison Ford): RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (#7)
7. THE DUDE (Jeff Bridges): THE BIG LEBOWSKI (#55)
8. CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW (Johnny Depp): PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN (#87)
9. ELLEN RIPLEY (Sigourney Weaver) ALIEN (#8)
10. VITO CORLEONE (Marlon Brando): THE GODFATHER (#1)
OTHER FAVORITE CHARACTERS OF MINE
11. JAMES BOND (Sean Connery): GOLDFINGER (#5)
12. JOHN McCLANE (Bruce Willis): DIE HARD (#46)
18. TRAVIS BICKLE (Robert DeNiro): TAXI DRIVER (#22)
23. HARRY CALLAHAN (Clint Eastwood): DIRTY HARRY (#42)
34. ROCKY BALBOA (Sylvester Stallone): ROCKY (#64)
42. ALEX DELARGE (Malcolm McDowell): A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (#68)
50. QUINT (Robert Shaw): JAWS (#28)
58. RICK BLAINE (Humphrey Bogart): CASABLANCA (#19)
67. FRANK BOOTH (Dennis Hopper): BLUE VELVET (#54)
70. ATTICUS FINCH (Gregory Peck): TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (#13)
100. MARTIN RIGGS (Mel Gibson): LETHAL WEAPON (not in top 100)
It should be noted that at the time of the PREMIERE poll "The Dark Knight" had not been released. However, Jack Nicholson's portrayal of the Joker was not listed in the top 100. Curious how Darth Vader was not only #2 overall in England, but Han Solo, Yoda, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia also made the top 100 across the pond, while only Vader made it here.
THE MOOSE
This week New York Yankee pitcher Mike Mussina announced his retirement after 18 years of major league baseball, the first 10 with my beloved Baltimore Orioles. Mussina joined the Yanks in 2001 in search of that elusive World Series ring WHICH HE NEVER WON! HOPE JUMPING TO THE ENEMY WAS WORTH IT!! But I digress. All will be made right in 2014 when Moose goes into the Hall of Fame in an Orioles cap.
THE WINNERS ARE
This week President Bush presented National Medals of Arts to:
Olivia de Haviland, Academy Award winning actress and last surviving star of "Gone With the Wind."
Stan Lee (if I have to tell you who he is you need to NEVER visit this web site again!)
Richard and Robert Sherman, songwriters who won two Oscars for their work on "Mary Poppins" and composed such hit songs as "You're Sixteen." Past winners include Les Paul, Robert Duvall, Johnny Cash, Frank Capra and Billy Wilder.
In Nashville, the Musician's Hall of Fame welcomed the following new inductees: Duane Eddy, Billy Sherrill, Booker T and Buddy Holly's backup band, The Crickets (Jerry Allison, Joe B. Mauldin, Sonny Curtis).
HOLIDAY MOVIES
Check out next week's PCR for a run down of all of the upcoming films vying for your money (and Oscar nominations) this holiday season.
AND THE OSCAR FOR 1951 SHOULD HAVE GONE TO...
