You May Not Know Their Names, but You'll Know Their Faces.

 

Raynor Scheine

Veteran actor Raynor Scheine has had a career that has spanned the last 36 years, and he is still working.    Scheine almost always plays a character with a deep southern accent, that is either insane, an often corrupted and racist lawman or just an idiot.   I would love to see what the real Raynor Scheine is like, but I have yet to come across any interviews with the man.   He plays all of his characters so well, that it's hard to imagine what the real man is like.   Films you may have recognized him in are "Ghost Dad", "Fried Green Tomatoes", "My Cousin Vinny", "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective", "The War", "Gone Fishing" and most recently "Lincoln".   

 

Mark Holton

Mark Holton had a career that spanned from 1983 to 2008, that mostly involved B films with a few exceptions.   I thought when I was younger, especially with his exceptional portrayal of serial killer John Wayne Gacy in "Gacy" that Holton's career would take off and he'd be given the types of roles that had gone to the likes of other big men like John Goodman and John Candy.   I had originally taken Holton as a limited actor after having seen him in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure", "Teenwolf" "A League of Their Own", "Leprechaun" and "Little Giants" but he really surprised me with how well he did in "Gacy".    I'm not sure where Holton has been for the last 7 years.   Perhaps he made enough money and spent enough time in Hollywood that he felt it time to leave.   It's a shame because I feel that he left at a time when he really had the potential to break through.

 

 

Patrick Kilpatrick

If you like action/adventure films full of good guys kicking ass against bad guys, then you most likely have seen Patrick Kilpatrick.   Kilpatrick's career has spanned for the last 30 years and to my knowledge he has never once played a protagonist in a film.  That's right, in three decades on the silver screen, Kilpatrick has continuously played the sleazy, mean and downright dirty villain.  If you want to cast someone who knows how to play the role of an antagonist, look no further than Kilpatrick.    Some of the films you may recognized Kilpatrick in are, "The Toxic Avenger", "Best of the Best II", "The Stand", "3 Ninjas Knuckle Up",  "Under Siege 2" and "Free Willy 3".     What makes a B actor a B actor are the actors that you usually see in sequels after the series has all but died and Kilpatrick is in plenty of those.   I've seen more than one movie in my life, where I'm watching the movie and when I see the "bad guy" come onto the screen,  I'm like, "I know that guy! He played the part of another bad guy in another movie I saw."  I finally decided to look the guy up and find out what his name was.

 

 

 

Tracey Walter

Tracey Walter may be the most well known face/unknown name in Hollywood.   He's been making movies for over four decades and while some of his parts are bigger than others,  I am almost positive that he has never had a leading role.   Nevertheless, you do recognize him don't you?   He's been in "Annie Hall", "Conan the Destroyer", "Batman", "Pacific Heights", "The Silence of the Lambs", "City Slickers", "Philadelphia", "Junior", "Matilda", "Wild America", "Kiss the Girls", "Man on the Moon", "Drowning Mona", "Erin Brockovich" and he had a reoccurring role on "Reno: 911".    He's literally been in about everything over the last 40 years.   If you have a massive movie collection like I do, I guarantee he is in at least one if not many films that you own.  

 

 

 



Bruce McGill





Out of all of the recognizable face, unrecognizable name actors the talented and gifted Bruce McGill is my favorite.   Playing the character Jack Dalton in my favorite television show, "MacGyver" I always looked up to McGill as the type of actor I thought that my talents and abilities may allow me to play.  He's not a leading man.  He's no Tom Hanks or Dustin Hoffman, but what he does do, he is exceptionally gifted at.  He was born to play the characters that he plays, and few can fit the role as well as he has.    Besides, "MacGyver", you my have also seen McGill in, "Wildcats", "My Cousin Vinny", "Cliffhanger", "A Perfect World", "Black Sheep" and "Shallow Hal".   He is the type of actor that has played in numerous television shows as well.  I keep thinking each time I see him on screen, it may be the last time I see him, and that he has moved on to doing other things in his life.  Then I'll suddenly catch him on a television show or film again. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John C McKinley

I know what you're thinking.  You're thinking, "What!?!??  Everyone knows John C McKinley, that's Dr. Cox on 'Scrubs' and  the dude from 'Burn Notice' ".     Well you're right, as of today McKinley is a pretty recognizable face AND name.    However, before he landed a leading role on "Scrubs" were you much aware of his career?  Did you know that he spent 15 years in Hollywood doing various work as a third and fourth fiddle in films?   "Platoon", "Born on the Fourth of July", "Point Break", "Born to be Wild", "Seven", "Nixon", "Office Space", "The Animal", and "Identity" were all films that McKinley was in before his name became household thanks to the success of "Scrubs".

The Believeometer

            ZAP!!!!  The girl jumped as the shock from the believometer sent a jolt of electricity through her body.   Two burn marks appeared on her shoulder as the man with the believeometer handed it off to the panel to be analyzed for results.   It was said that there was a way to beat the believeometer.  That one could manipulate their own thoughts and beliefs to convince themselves that they believed even if they didn’t.    Yet in the last 5 months since the believeometer had been invented, Jason had only heard of one person who had beaten it.   Even then he wasn’t 100% positive if he had beaten it or if he had simply conditioned his mind over and over again to the point where he actually did believe.  Those who told the story of this mystery man, who ever he was, conflicted amongst one another on that.   Some believe that he had truly beaten the believeometer and some believed that he hadn’t. 
            The panel continued to analyze the results as the girl trembled as she looked around.   When she made eye contact with Jason, he could tell that she was mortified.   He knew it was for one of two reasons.   She was either a non-believer who like many non-believers tried to condition themselves to believe or she was a believer who was terrified that the results may come back as, “Non-Believer.”    The panel assured everyone that the believeometer was never wrong, but Jason knew of a few cases of people who swore to be believers, who ended up being classified as non-believers. 
            On the day of his own judgment, he had been judged along with 24 other people in District 66-IA at 8:00 a.m.   It was a day that he’ll never forget.   He stood in line waiting to be judged, as he kept reassuring himself that he was fine and that the believeometer would register that he was a believer.    There was no reason to doubt otherwise.  He had been going to church and praying and reading the Bible ever since he could remember.    There was no way that the believeometer would classify him as a “Non-Believer.”
            Yet when the pastor from his church, who stood directly in front of him, had his reading come back as, “Non-believer” a sudden panic came over him.  What if he only thought he believed?  What if subconsciously he didn’t?  If a pastor, who had gone to seminary and gave sermons every Sunday could show up as a “non-believer”, couldn’t anyone?   Jason couldn’t believe it as members of the panel grabbed his pastor by the arms and began to take him away.   One of two things happened to, “Non-believers” and all Jason could think about when he was shocked with the believeometer was what was going to happen to him if his reading came back as, “Non-believer.”    Would he be one of the “lucky” ones (as they were now referred to) who would be exterminated or would he be one of the ones that was brought into slavery to be worked like a mule for 15 hours a day? 
            “Believer!” One of the panel members shouted as the girl collapsed onto the floor and began to sob with relief.    It was nearly the same reaction that he had felt when his results had come back as “believer.”    She was helped up by one of the panel members and shown out the door.   Jason looked on as the next person stood in line already in tears as he slowly walked to the middle of the room to be judged by the believeometer.
            As the believeometer shocked him, he jolted in pain and fell to his knees.   His face was a mixture of colors as the veins in his neck and head flowed blue, the red of his upper face and forehead burned red and the two came together to make purple.   He knew the judgment that awaited him long before the believeometer and the panel were finished analyzing his results.
            Jason had to turn his attention away from the man.   He couldn’t bear to look at him.   He wanted to help the man.  He wanted to be able to have the power and the strength to fight off the panel, and anyone else he would have to, in order to save the man.   He didn’t think it was right.   He knew it wasn’t right, but he also knew the consequences that awaited anyone who opposed the panel.
            Jason closed his eyes for a few moments and then turned his head to the left.  As he opened his eyes he saw Craig Fowler, starring at the man.  Craig had been the only person in District 66-IA to have challenged the panel.   Jason wondered if other believers felt the same way that Craig did, but didn’t have the courage to stand up to the panel.
            “This isn’t right,” Craig said before the panel on the day he was judged a “believer”, “You cannot do this to people.   It is God’s place to judge these people, not ours!”
            “Mr. Fowler!” the panel answered him, “As a believer, how dare you question us!  We are God’s children.  We choose to believe in him and as a result we have a right to cleanse the earth of retched Non-believers.”
            “The God I believe in would not approve of this,” Craig said as he held his ground, “The God I believe in does not approve of this.”
            “Really Mr. Fowler?” the panel once again answered him, “Do you know the only way into the kingdom of Heaven?”
            “Yes,” Craig answered, “I do.”

            “And do you know what happens to those who do not believe?”
            “Yes, I do”
            “Good”, the Panel answered, “Then you know that non-believers end up in Hell!”
            “That is God’s right to decide that!” Craig shouted back at them, “Not yours!!”
            “Get him out of here!!!” the panel shouted, as members grabbed him by the arms and dragged him away.
            “You are wrong!!” Craig shouted, “What you are doing is wrong!  You all know it! Everyone one of you!   Why won’t someone help me?!  Why won’t someone do something!?!   You all know this is wrong!!”
            Jason stood there that day wanting to stand up to the panel and help Craig out, the same way that he wanted to help out the man who had just been judged by the believeometer today.   Yet, his reaction was no different then, that what it was today.   He just stood there, paralyzed in fear.  Terrified of what might happen to him if he did.
            Jason remembered that after Craig had been taken away that the panel began to talk to the rest of the audience convincing them that Craig was wrong and that what they were doing was actually right.  
            “Atheist, agnostics, Muslims, Buddhist, Hindus and Wiccans” the panel explained, “We all know that they are what’s wrong with the world today.  They are the evil of the world.  They are why there is war.  They are why we live in fear of our children being shot at schools.   Do you really want to live in that kind of a world anymore?”
            The audience of District 66-IA began to discuss amongst themselves as the panel continued.
            “We all know that if everyone in this country was a believer that we would live in complete peace and harmony amongst one another as God’s children.”
            The audience members began to nod their head in agreement.  
            “To Hell with Non-believers!!” the panel shouted
            “To Hell with Non-believers” the audience shouted back. 
            Jason was glad that it was extraordinarily crowded that day because no one had seen that he hadn’t said that.  As far as he knew, he was the only one there that day that hadn’t.
            Craig had been forced to work amongst the non-believers as a slave for an entire week, before he was brought before the panel to apologize for his actions.   He stood before them and the people of district 66-IA, and renounced what he had said two days prior. 
            Jason had no idea what the working conditions of the slaves were.  None of the “believers” of district 66-IA did.   Craig Fowler was the only believer in their district that had ever experienced it.  
            “It was Hell” was all Craig said to him one day when Jason got him alone and asked him what it had been like during the week he had been a slave.   Jason knew that it would have had to have been, there is no other way that Craig would have denounced what he had said, unless it had been.
            “Non-believer!”  the panel shouted as the man began to sob even louder.   Members of the panel came and grabbed him as he went limp begging for mercy.
            “Please!” the man cried, “I’ll do anything you ask of me.  Please,  I beg of you.”
            The head member of the panel held up his hand for the other members who were dragging the man away to stop for a second.   Jason looked on with a glimmer of hope that the panel may show the man some compassion.
            The head member smiled slightly and then said, “You should have believed.”
            The other panel members began taking him away again as he closed his eyes and went completely limp with exhaustion.  He could not fight to get away anymore.
            The crowd cheered and clapped as they shouted praise towards the panel, praise to God and obscenities at the man.   Jason just looked on as he turned his attention towards Craig.  Craig wasn’t clapping.  He wasn’t cheering either.   He just looked on with a noticeable sorrow in his eyes,  as the panel members dragged the man out of site.

Why Punisher 1989 was better than Punisher 2004

Before we get started, let me make it clear that I enjoy and own both films.   I've just heard a lot of people praise the Thomas Jane version while insulting and ridiculing the Dolph Lundgren version.   I have difficulty trying to see why so many people think Lundgren's version sucks, while Jayne's version is spectacular.    When I ask others why they say so, they usually give me rather conventional replies.

"He didn't have the skull on his t-shirt," is one I hear frequently and sometimes the only one I hear.   You wouldn't think that the skull on the t-shirt would be that big of a deal, but to many people it's a do or die decision.   To me it wasn't as big of a deal.   The trademark "Punisher" skull exist throughout the film as he puts it on all of the knives that he uses, and some of his other weapons.  To me it was good enough.   I'm not going to discriminate against a film because a guy doesn't have a skull on his t-shirt.

Other arguments I hear against "The Punisher" (1989) come down to the year it was made, which to me are invalid arguments.   If certain technologies weren't available in 1989, that were available in 2004, I refuse to hold that against a film.

So now the question remains, why do I feel that Punisher (1989) is an overall better film than Punisher (2004) when most of the world feels completely the opposite?

Well for many reasons.  Let's start at one.



 

Thomas Jane's version of Frank Castle/The Punisher was not as likable for me as was Dolph Lundgren's.   For one, I felt that once he became the Punisher,  Jane's version was far more rational and logical than what he should have been and that his vengeance was strictly personal.   Even though towards the end of the movie, he vows as a vigilante against crime, I never bought it.   I appreciated Lundgren's dark, insane version of Castle that has completely gone off the deep end.  The talks Lundgren's Castle had with God and the constant nightmares that he would have, seemed much more honest to me than the rationality of Jane's Castle.  It was more than just personal revenge for Lundgren's Castle, he had developed a true hatred for injustice and evil people.  

I also felt that just in general Lundgren's Castle was a more likable guy than Jane's.  At the beginning of the 2004 movie a young man loses his life because of his actions and he seems very nonchalant about it.   "He was just the son of a mobster, no big deal."    Whereas in Lundgren's version,  he has more compassion and empathy.   In Punisher (1989) Castle risk his own life to save the life of his arch rival's son.  Considering that his arch rival killed his wife and his daughters, that's pretty deep.

Frank Castle played by Thomas Jane in 2004 was very one dimensional, whereas Frank Castle played by Dolph Lundgren 1989 was multi-layered.   I appreciated that more.

 

 

 

Speaking of one dimensional characters,  Frank Castle's arch nemesis Howard Saint in Punisher (2004) was extremely one dimensional.  He was straight up unlikable, with no likable characteristics or traits.  Everyone he was involved with from his wife to his best friend Quinton seemed to mean nothing more to him, other than what they did or could do for him.  Even his vow for revenge on his son's death seemed to be more about him that it was about his son.   He was pure evil, with no remorse. 

Frank Castle's arch nemesis Gianni Franco (1989) on the other hand had those redeeming qualities that Saint lacked.  Still a scumbag, he had likable traits and characteristics.  His love for his son Tommy was sincere and genuine.  He didn't care about many, but at least he cared  for more than just himself.   During the scene when he tells Castle that he didn't mean to kill his wife and his daughters, that he meant to only kill him and if he could go back in time and take it back, he would...I believed every word of it.   Howard Saint struck me as the type of guy that would've killed Castle's whole family because he had a vendetta against him. (Oh wait, that's exactly what happened in Punisher (2004).)   Gianni Franco on the other hand wasn't that sadistic.  He wanted to kill Castle to get him out of his way, but he was not the type of person to kill an innocent woman and he was certainly not the type to kill two innocent children.   Franco was a much more likable, realistic and fun character to analyze, than was Saint.

 

 

 

Looking at the supporting characters, this area is more of a tie.  In Punisher (1989) I felt that the character of Sam Leary wasn't really needed and rather forgettable as she was underused and underutilized.  On the same hand though, I really liked the character of Jake Berkowitz, his background story with Castle, and I would have liked to have seen that element of the story more developed.

If you want to know the major difference between films of the late 70's through the mid 90's and films mid 90's post, that is it.   Films of yesterday had underdeveloped subplots and lacked in detail.  Films of today have an overabundance of detail, and are developed in too much depth.  Give us enough story to make us invest, but not so much to where we can completely eliminate our own imagination.   There is a fine balance to be met.

With that said, the Berkowitz character was very real and very genuine to me.  Frank Castle was his best friend, someone that he loved and cared about very much.   He wanted to help him, and felt a personal guilt for being unable to.   

In the 2004 version,  I never understood Joan's involvement.  I never resonated with her why she felt it was so important to get involved and why she took on personal responsibility.   There was nothing about that character that said to me why she would feel so strongly about wanting to try and keep Castle from taking vengeance.    What I did appreciate about the 2004 version, was the comradery that was developed between Castle and Dave, Bumpo and Joan.  The scene where Castle questions the three of them on why they risked their own lives for him, when they owed him nothing and Dave replied, "Because you're one of us," was very powerful to me.

Shake in Punisher (1989) was a bit of an eccentric character, but I at least understood and bought his personal investment.  He was Castle's eyes and ears, giving him information and he has enough decency about him to want to do the right thing when it mattered.  

Overall I like both sets of characters, but still have to go with (1989) over (2004) because Berkowitz's investment in Castle was very genuine, raw and sincere whereas Joan's investment seemed out of place and dishonest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once again, I'm going to gripe on one dimensional characters.   John Saint in Punisher (2004) was a very one dimensional, unlikable character.   He was already molded.  He was going to grow up to be an evil, sick twisted sadistic gangster, just like his dad.  No questions asked, all hope was lost.    Tommy Franco, Punisher (1989) on the other hand still had hope left.  He was a genuinely good kid with a heart that had not yet been corrupted.   The last line that Castle says in the movie is to Tommy.  "You're a good boy Tommy. Grow up to be a good man, cause if you don't, I'll be waiting."   Very powerful line.  It left Tommy with the choice that he can either remain pure or he can become corrupt like his father.   

 

 

Lady Tanaka

Before anyone jumps on my back, I do realize that Lady Tanaka in Punisher (1989) was a very one dimensional character herself.   Slitting her own brother's throat to be accepted into the Yakuza was in itself enough action to deem her as completely unlikable.  I have to say that I liked it though because not only was she unlikable, she was hateable.    Whereas I disliked Howard Saint, I never found myself outright hating him.   Which is another reason why I like Punisher (1989) over Punisher(2004). 

 

THE ENDING

Punisher (2004) had a pretty kickass epic ending.  I'll give it that.   The cars blowing up and making the image of the skull was pretty God damned glorious, but Punisher (1989) had an ending that to this day is hard to top.   The sense of urgency is magnificent.  Lady Tanaka has a knife to Tommy's throat, you think Gianni Franco is about to kill himself so that she won't kill Tommy and suddenly as all hope seems lost, Castle comes barging through the wall, throws his knife and kills Tanaka.   I'll admit that throwing a knife through someone's skull, especially at the angle he threw it is very unrealistic.  However, it was still freaking cool!




Overall I just feel that Punisher (1989) was a better story will better developed and more realistic characters.   It's not that I didn't like Punisher (2004) because I did.  I liked it very much matter of fact.  I just like Punisher (1989) better.


One more thing I want to say about Punisher (2004).....

Frank Castle Senior

   I really liked the character of Frank Castle Senior and I understand that he needed to die off early in the film for story development, but I would have liked to have seen him been more a part of the story.   I think his character could have been used in other ways, better ways.  

Stephen Stonebraker's Top 10 Favorite Female Actors

10. Catherine Hicks

 

In a way it's really a shame that Hicks is so well known for her role on "7th Heaven" because there is so much more to this vastly talented actor than the wholesome, Christian valued, family woman that she plays on the series.   Hicks is a vastly decorated actor that has the talent to play a variety of roles and has proven it in some lesser known films and made for television films.   As she proved in "Child's Play" in 1988, she has an ability to do horror as well.

9. Cher

 

This is a real rarity for me to add a singer on my favorite list of actors, as most of the time I feel that singers ought to stick to singing and stay out of acting.   In this particular case though,  I have to bow down and give credit where credit is do.   Even though Cher is much more known for her musical talents, I actually feel she is a better actress than she is a musical talent.    As good as she was in "Mask", "Mermaids", "Suspect" and especially "Moonstruck"  I'm surprised she wasn't offered more roles.   Unlike most musicians who try and make the transition from music to films,  she was quite natural in front of the camera and very realistic.   I'd like to see her in more films.   She's quite good.

 

8.  Molly Ringwald

 

Molly Ringwald is my Kevin Costner, on my list of Top 10 Male actors.   She doesn't have a wide arsenal of roles that she can play, but what she can play, no one can play better.    Unfortunately for Ringwald, her expertise is playing a teenage girl stuck somewhere between wanting to be popular and yet remain nice to everyone.  Not exactly a role she's going to win at age 46.    Nevertheless I absolutely adored her in "Sixteen Candles", "Pretty in Pink" and "The Breakfast Club".     She was also quite good in "Teaching Miss Tingle" and I'd have liked to have seen her in similar roles.   It seems that she's succumbed to less meaningful roles however as of late.  I'd like to see her rejuvenate her career but I'm not exactly sure what types of roles would suit her best at the moment.   Perhaps the mother of the type of girl she used to once play.  

 

7. Jennifer Jason Leigh

 

What makes me love Jennifer Jason Leigh is that she has such talent that she can make me love her, hate her, want to kiss her and want to slap her.   If her objective is to create a character that the audience can fall in love with, she can do just that.  If her objective is to create a character that the audience will absolutely loathe, she can do just that.   A lot of beautiful actresses are unable to play the role of a vicious antagonist because the audience cannot allow themselves to believe that a beautiful woman would be capable of such horrific atrocities.    Even though Jennifer Jason Leigh is phenomenally gorgeous, she is so good at what she does, that she can make her audience forget how beautiful she is, and truly despise her for the despicable acts that her character commits.   To me that is true talent and why I adore Jennifer Jason Leigh as one of my favorites.    "Fast Times At Ridgemont High", "The Hitcher", "Backdraft" and "Buried Alive".  Jennifer Jason Leigh can play an absolute sweetheart that you want to wrap your arms around in a big warm hug and she can play the part of an all out evil bitch that makes you want cringe at the sight of her.   She's truly one of the best.

 

 

 

6.  Penelope Ann Miller

 

Pronounced, "Pen El Oh Pee" and not "Pen elope" as I thought when I was younger.   Penelope Ann Miller has been one of my favorite actresses since I was a little kid.   Her appeal to me?  As you've probably guessed it,  her diversity as an actress.  She can play a complete nerd, with no sexual appeal whatsoever and then turn around and portray a complete knockout.   Whether she's playing the part of a loser or a well renowned popular citizen, she's playing the role with complete believability.   "Kindergarten Cop", "The Adventures in Babysitting", "Big Top Pee Wee" and "Awakenings" she has the ability to play whatever character is put forth in front of her.

 

 

5. Lori Petty

 

A lot of people give Lori Petty a lot of crap because of some personal decisions that she has made in her life and some professional decisions that she has made such as "Tank Girl" and rightly so, but she's also been in a variety of films where she has done an outstanding job in her role.   I don't get why sometimes in Hollywood fans, directors and other actors seem to forgive others for personal and professional mistakes/wrong doings/mishaps but not others.   I'm not sure what Lori Petty did that is so bad, to where she can't get the type of work she is more than capable of.    "Point Break", "A League of Their Own" and "Free Willy" I thought that she was fantastic.   In the late 80's and early 90's she seemed to have a career that was going places.  It stopped, understandably, but as far as I'm concerned it should have started again.   Time's ticking away, but there is still plenty of it left to do just that.

 

4.  Kirstie Alley

 

Kirstie Alley is a phenomenally talented actress that has proved her capabilities in both television and in film.   She does seem to play many of her characters the same way, but in the way that she plays them, she does a very good job.  I really like the way she handled her weight gain and took it head on, rather than let it get the best of her.  Even though tabloids, the news and talk show host tried to bury her, she stayed alive and well and when she lost all her weight, she shoved it hard back into their face.  Whether she was on "Cheers" as Rebecca or she was in films such as "Look Who's Talking", "Look Who's Talking Too" and "It Takes Two" she has always stepped up to the plate and done a great job.  

 

3.  Lea Thompson

 

Lea Thompson has always been one of my favorite actresses, who I feel was a bit type casted throughout her career.   I saw her in two episodes of "Tales From the Crypt" and didn't realize her capabilities to do horror until I saw them.    I almost feel that taking the role in "Caroline in the City" may have been a bit of a mistake as I think it really hampered what could have been an illustrious movie career full of many more titles.   She was phenomenal in the "Back to the Future" films, "Dennis the Menace" and I'll go as far to say "Howard the Duck".    I'm a huge fan of Thompson's and hope to see her more in the future.

 

 

2. Roseanne Barr/Pentland/Arnold/Thomas

 

Every single fat and unattractive female actor that ever makes it in the world of film, owes at least a little something to Roseanne.   She was a pioneer that paved the way for extremely talented female actors who weren't blessed with good looks to have a legitimate shot at making it in Hollywood.   She is one of the funniest women to ever grace the television screen and she is also one of the best dramatic female actors to ever be on screen as well.    She may not always be the most pleasant person in the world and she may not always have popular opinions but she laid a foundation down for the unattractive community to be able to shine in front of the camera.   Some say that she was just practically playing herself on the television show "Roseanne".  I say that maybe, but she obviously did one Hell of a good job playing herself, because audiences resonated enough with it to make it a #1 rated show and have it last for 9 seasons. 

 

1. Dianne Wiest

My favorite female actor of all time is Dianne Wiest.   I love watching her on the screen and I never grow tired of her.  A very diverse female actor that has the ability to play a multitude of roles.   She can play genuine and sincere and then in her next role play flakey and sinister.    I realize that after a long and illustrious career that her time in films has worn thin and that truly saddens me because she is just so good at what she does.   "Footloose", "The Purple Rose of Cairo", "The Lost Boys", "Parenthood", "Edward Scissorhands", "The Birdcage" and "I Am Sam" are just a few examples of her immense load of work.  



 

Stephen Stonebraker's Top 10 Favorite Male Actors

10.  Eddie Murphy

 

I consider Eddie Murphy to be one of the funniest people on the planet, and I enjoy him so much because of his comedic timing, his improvisational genius and his ability to mix comedy and drama near perfectly.   In theatre and film there is something known as "comic relief" but with Murphy it's often just the opposite.  You are laughing so hard that you actually need a break from the comedy, and Murphy will provide, "serious relief."   His comic genius shined through in "48 Hours", "Another 48 Hours", "Coming to America",  "The Nutty Professor",  "Dr. Doolittle" All of the "Shrek" films and "I Spy".   He showed us his ability to do drama in the action/comedies "Beverly Hills Cop" and "Beverly Hills Cop 2".      His career has thus slipped off the Hollywood radar after a few bad decisions personally and professionally.   Rumor has it that he is currently working on "Beverly Hills Cop 4" which I am optimistic about.   "Beverly Hills Cop 3" was a disappointment and I'd like to see both the series and Murphy's career revamped.

9. Kevin Costner

 

Kevin Costner gets a lot of flack and I'll admit that some of it is well deserved.  He is not a diverse actor that can do a multitude of different things.   He's made a list of horrible films from "The Postman" to "3,000 Miles to Graceland" to "Water World" and he has proven that he should always just use his normal everyday voice, because his accents in "JFK" and "The Company Men" are downright laughable.    Yet, with all that said,  what Kevin Costner does well,  he does extremely well.    He's one of the best dramatic actors and he's more than proved that in "Bull Durham", "Field of Dreams", "Dances With Wolves",  "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves", "The Bodyguard" "A Perfect World" and "The War".   As an actor you want to branch out and try new things, but unfortunately for Costner his career slipped when he tried playing roles that were clearly out of his range.   He recently came back to portray Jonathan Kent in "Man of Steel" and I hope to see him in some more dramatic roles in the future.   Perhaps some would conclude that Costner is not all that great of an actor considering that his capabilities to play comedy, horror and a list of other roles is very limited.   I disagree with that notion, because of how incredibly talented he is in playing dramatic roles.   He's one of the very best. 

 

8. Edward Norton

 

I remember the first time I saw him on the big screen nearly 17 years ago.  I thought to myself that this guy is the next big thing.  He will soon be the face of Hollywood.   He acts with such precision and puts all of himself into the role.  He completely encompasses the character that he is playing.    Why Hollywood has not utilized him more and made him into the top star that he truly deserves to be is discerning.  All of these other actors that they're trying to push and have been pushing for years makes me shake my head.   Norton is better than all of them.    His performances in "American History X", "Red Dragon" and "Pride and Glory" were phenomenal.   He was even magnificent in "Fight Club" and I didn't even like that movie.   He can play cool and collected,  insane and a variety of other roles.   I question his ability to do comedy, but I'd trust him to do absolutely anything else.  

 

 







7.  Tom Hanks






What can't this guy do?  Honestly,  what can't Tom Hanks do?  He can be dramatic, funny, scary and anything else you want him to be.  There is not a role that you can give this man that he cannot play.   What I admire most about him, is that I don't think he was born with the immense talent that he has developed.   If you go back and watch his roles from the early 80's and then compare it to stuff he was doing 10-15-20-25 years later, you can see how much he has progressed as an actor.   He is truly a student of the stage and that shows in every role that he has ever done.    While he's not my favorite,  I have to say that if I were asked who the greatest actor during my life time was, I'd almost have to say Tom Hanks, with only one other person in contention.    Every role he plays, I forget that he is Tom Hanks, and I honestly believe that he IS the character that he is playing.    "Splash", "Dragnet", "Big", "The Burbs", "Turner and Hooch", "Radio Flyer", "Sleepless in Seattle", "Philadelphia", "Apollo 13", "Forrest Gump",  All three "Toy Story" films, "The Green Mile", "Cast Away" and "Saving Private Ryan"  the list goes on and on.   He's made a multitude of phenomenal films.    He truly is one of the all time greatest.

 

 

6.  Dustin Hoffman

If you were wondering who the other person in contention for the greatest actor during my lifetime was,  here he is.    Dustin Hoffman's career has spanned over five decades because the man can do absolutely anything.   There is no role that this man cannot play.   He is the most diverse actor I have ever seen and most likely ever will see.   If I had 1/8 of the talent this man does as an actor,  I'd consider myself to be great.  That's how outstanding he is.    He can play his roles so well, that you don't even realize that it was him until you watch the ending credits.   On top of being so talented,  he is modest enough to where he doesn't always have to take the lead role.  "Dick Tracey" being an example of that.     If you have any question about his ability as an actor check out, "The Graduate" "All the Presidents Men", "Kramer vs Kramer", "Tootsie",  "Rain Man", "Hook" and "Sleepers".     The only time I've ever seen him play a role, where I felt he could have done better is "Death of a Salesman".   I suppose I enjoyed the way Lee J Cobb played Willy Loman in the 1966 version that I just wouldn't except any other adaptation of the role.  

5.  John Candy

 

I tear up a little every time I think of the man and how much I miss seeing him on the big screen.   It's hard for me to believe that it's been 20 years since his untimely passing.   He was taken from us way, way too soon.    Candy was a pioneer in many respects, because he proved that despite being unattractive, large and obese,  that a man could have such charm, eloquence and heart that audiences could fall in love with him.    He could play dramatic, he could even play mean or crass, but what he excelled at most was comedy.   "Splash", "Summer Rental" "Brewster's Millions, "Spaceballs", "Plains, Trains and Automobiles", "The Great Outdoors", "Who's Harry Crumb", "Uncle Buck", "Cool Runnings", "Wagon's East" and "Canadian Bacon."   I'll never turn down a film if John Candy is in it.   He's one of those guys that I wish I could have known.  Every character he ever played,  I would have liked to have been friends with.   I wish that he would have had the chance to have played a few more serious roles, even something suspenseful.  I think he would have surprised a lot of people with his capabilities and his talents.  It's a real shame that we couldn't have had him longer than what we did.  We were more than gifted with his presence. 

 

 

4.  Robin Williams

 

The day Robin Williams died,  I have to say that I felt like I had lost a friend.  I suppose it's because we had so much in common.   We both have a great passion for the sport of amateur wrestling and the positives that it did for our lives.  We both absolutely love to entertain people.  We both have a genuine and sincere empathy for humanity and we both battled the horrible demon of depression.  I suppose it sounds asinine for me to say this, but I almost feel in part, guilty for his death.   Yes, I know how crazy that sounds, but I had such a high admiration and respect for the man,  that I wish I could have somehow been there for him when he needed a friend.   I'll never be to the world as an actor what he was as an actor and as of right now I can only dream of being to the world as a writer, what he was an actor.   I will make it as a writer, to what degree though, I don't know.  If I make it as big and as bold as I dream to,  I hope to be as beloved by my fans as Williams was by his.    Here I am speaking on behalf of him as a person, and rightly so because he was an outstanding human being.  Don't kid yourself though, he's on this list because of his immense talents as an actor.    "The World According to Garp", "The Best of Times", "Dead Poets Society", "Awakenings", "The Fischer King", "Hook", "Aladdin", "Mrs. Doubtfire", "Jumanji", "The Birdcage", "Father's Day", "Good Will Hunting", "Patch Adams" and "RV", Williams did it all.  He could make you laugh, he could make you cry, he could make you scared, he could make you think and he could make you feel.   He was truly an amazing person on and off the screen.

 

3. Christopher Lloyd

 

If you haven't noticed by now,  I am very big on an actor's ability to be diverse in the roles that he chooses to play.   It's why I love Christopher Lloyd so much.  He can play the straight man, and he can play the funny man.   What a lot of people don't realize about Lloyd is that he didn't have success right away.  He spent years working in theatre, before he finally got his first big break on Broadway in 1969.  He was pushing 40 by the time he landed his first film role in 1975.    I sometimes get discouraged as a writer, thinking that I'm damn near 30 and I have yet to even  place my hands on the rungs, let alone take the first step up the ladder.  Then I think of Lloyd and remember how long and how hard he had to work before he was discovered.    From "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Next" to "Clue" to "Eight Men Out" to "Angels in the Outfield" to "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" to "Dennis the Mennis" Lloyd has played a variety of different roles.   None of which have been as iconic as his role as Dr. Emmett L Brown in all three "Back to the Future" films.   If I had to pick my favorite character from film, it'd be Dr. Emmett L Brown.  

 

 

2. Michael J Fox

 

There are a lot of people in this world that are exceptionally talented that don't have the love and passion for whatever it is that they are talented at.   There are also a lot of people in this world that have an immense love and passion for something that they have no talent at (Me at amateur wrestling!).   Then there are people that have an unbelievable, immeasurable love and passion for something that they are incredibly talented at, and that is Michael J Fox at acting.   I hope I have the honor and privilege of meeting Michael J Fox someday and shaking his hand.   I wish that everyone in life could be as passionate and dedicated towards something as he is/was towards acting.   Damn Parkinson's disease to Hell because the world of film deserves to be graced with the talents of Michael J Fox and Michael J Fox deserves to be acting, where he was meant to be.    In all three "Back to the Future" films, "Teen Wolf", "Doc Hollywood" and "Homeward Bound" he showed the world his unquestionable ability to play a role that can only be played by him.   I wish that before he came down with Parkinson's that he would have had the opportunity to have played more roles like what he did in "Casualties of War".    I would have even liked to have seen him play a role in a horror or suspense film.   He always played the part of the protagonist and I believe if given the opportunity he could have been a great antagonist as well.   I would have liked to have seen that.  Maybe one day I will.   Michael J Fox is truly one of the greatest and one of my all time favorites.

1. Donald Pleasence

What makes having Donald Pleasence my favorite actor of all time, is that I actually didn't discover him until his death.  Entertainment tonight ran a short piece about him, in which Paul Rudd and Marianne Hagen spoke on his behalf.  After listening to Rudd speak so highly of Pleasence and his ability as an actor, I decided to check him out myself.   I started with "Halloween" and really, I had to go no further.   I was 10 years old at the time and I can remember vividly watching him on the screen as Dr. Sam Loomis.   It was then that I decided that I wanted to be involved in entertaining people.   It was then that I decided that I wanted to take a shot at acting and see if it was something I could do.   It was then that something snapped inside of me and told me that in some way or another,  what would make me happy in life would be to entertain people.   As the years went by,  I began to discover novelist S.E. Hinton and Stephen King, along with screenwriters John Hughes and Eric Roth, to realize that my real talents and gifts lay in creative storytelling and writing.    It was watching Pleasence however, that sparked the flame of my desire. 



There you have it.  My top 10 favorite Male actors of all time.   Honorable mentions in case you  are wondering are the multi-talented John Malkovich and the action star Patrick Swayze, who both just narrowly missed the top 10 list. 

Halloween themed films to watch this Halloween

 

One of the things that makes Halloween one of my favorite Holidays, is all of the awesome films that have been made in its honor. Some of them scary horror films, others in good natured comedic fun and still others with more of an adventurous theme.   Halloween is a holiday that has many things about it that makes it great, and the movies made in its honor is one of them.

Here are some that I recommend.


Key

Orange - Will indicate horror films



Blue - Will indicate comedy films




Purple - Will indicate action/adventure films

The Halloween Franchise



 

The Halloween Franchise started in 1978 and if you count Rob Zombie's two horrific (pardon the pun) reimaginings,  it lasted for 31 years.  Rather ironic when you consider that Halloween falls on the 31st day of October.  Most everyone loves the original "Halloween" and "Halloween II."   They work so well  together as a continuous film, that is so well put together, it's hard to believe that there was a three year lapse in between the two films.   They seem as if they were filmed continuously.

It's a very simple storyline, about a mental hospital escapee that terrorizes a small Illinois town on Halloween night.   No cheap scares, no over the top gore, and an ensemble of characters that you can invest in and care about.   If you're looking for a suspenseful and scary film that will keep you on the edge of your seat for the entire movie, I highly recommend at least checking out the first two films in this series.

Parts III through VIII are hit and miss amongst fans, with the same being said about Zombie's versions.

For me "Halloween III: Season of the Witch" as a sequel completely falls flat, but as a stand alone film, I have to say that it is pretty good.   It has absolutely nothing to do with the first two Halloween films and it has nothing to do with it's predecessor "Halloween IV" either, but if you treat it all in a world of it's own, it's a good film.    It's about an evil warlock at a factory known as Silver Shamrock who puts curses on Halloween mask, that will activate when the kids watch a Silver Shamrock commercial, thus killing the kids.   While their are a few parts in the film that do use the element of gore, it once again is much more about mystery and suspense.   Without saying to much more about it, I will say that it is one of the best ambiguous endings that I have ever seen.  Usually ambiguous endings leave me feeling unsatisfied but not this one. 

"Halloween IV: The Return of Michael Myers" is hardly a shadow of the first two Halloween films,  but compared to some of the films that follow it, it's not half bad.    Donald Pleasence once again returns to fulfill his role as the heroic Dr. Loomis, and Ellie Cornell, along with Danielle Harris are welcoming additions. 

"Halloween V: The Revenge of Michael Myers" is the weakest out of the Halloween series, and frankly the one to skip if you're going to skip one in a movie marathon.   A weak script, with some very asinine executive decisions, that wouldn't even be watchable if it weren't for Donald Pleasence's performance.  Nevertheless there are a few parts of the film that are rather clever.

"Halloween VI: The Curse of Michael Myers"  -  It's hard for me to talk about this film, because I read it's original script and know how good this film could have been.  It is a film that was ruined by the actions of a pretentious and spoiled director that took a well written script, and completely butchered the Hell out of it.   Paul Rudd said that he took on the role of Tommy Doyle in the film because he loved the script and was thrilled at the honor of working with the legendary Donald Pleasence.  After the film was over, he said that he hated worked with Joe Chappelle and would never touch another Halloween film again because of how bad his experience was.  Marianne Hagen and Mitch Ryan had similar comments.   Even with all of the films flaws, it still has quite a few parts that hold up well, because the script was so strong to begin with.   If only there were a way to go back in time, and have the film done with the original script, it would be without a doubt the strongest film in the series.   You can even get a glimpse of that, as you watch the film. 

"Halloween H20" - Many fans of the series consider this to be the saving grace, that breathed life back into the series.  I feel that it was a good film and would have been a great film, had it not been missing Dr. Sam Loomis.  Unfortunately, he passed away two years prior to the making of this film and couldn't be a part of it.   It brings the focus back on the element of sister vs brother, and was a much better done film with the budget and backing of a box office film vs the B film treatment that the other three films before it received.   It has nothing on the original first two Halloween films, but it is pretty good.

"Halloween Resurrection" - Whatever "Halloween H20" did to try and save the Halloween series, Resurrection did what it could to put it back into a coma.  Trying to make unlikeable characters into heroic protagonist is an idea that I've never quite gotten.   "Halloween Resurrection" is not a film about horror or suspense.  It instead plays out much more like a game, where you root for Michael to kill everyone and cheer loudly at the screen each time he does.  

I'll give Rob Zombie's "Halloween" remake enough merit to say that it has an awesome cast and it is an extremely well lit film.   Other than that though, the film bites the big one.   A petrifyingly bad script, that contradicts itself multiple times throughout the film and has continuity errors up the wazoo.   As for his version of "Halloween II" I have absolutely nothing good to say about it.   Some people liked it though.

Based on my recommendation for sure check out the original "Halloween" and "Halloween II"  and if you want take a gamble on the other eight movies.    They're hit and miss with a lot of people, and you won't know until you try.

Ernest Scared Stupid

 

One of the stronger films out of the Ernest P Worrell franchise, "Ernest Scared Stupid" is a delightfully funny film, with a good strong story and fairly good performances out of the cast, considering how young and inexperienced most of them were.   Ernest is working as a city garbage man, when he accidentally summons an evil troll back to life that wrecks havoc on the town by turning the children into little wooden dolls.  Now that he caused the problem, it's up to him to try and fix it.   Along with the help of a few friends, Ernest sets out to defeat the troll and get the kids back to normal.

Hocus Pocus

 

Here is one that the whole family will enjoy.   Adventurous, funny, suspenseful and even a touch of horror.   Bette Midler, Sara Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy are all fantastic as the evil, yet stupid Sanderson sisters.   If you're looking for a film that is just plain fun to watch with children, a significant other, in a large group or just by yourself I highly recommend this film.  



Once Bitten

 

I'm normally not real big on Vampire films because they're either way to over the top for me on gore and seriousness without comedic relief or they're way to prissy, with unnatural and fake romance like "Twilight".     "Once Bitten" is an exception.   It's a bit corny and it's ridiculous but it's also fun and entertaining.   If you feel like a good laugh on Halloween night, check this out.

Scream

 

The Scream films are almost difficult to classify because while they are a parody of horror films that poke fun of the supposed rules and standards that each horror film must follow, they were not done in a comedic tone.  They were still, in spite of the fact that they were parodies, horror films, meant to frighten, thrill and scare.   The first "Scream" was a pioneering film that was truly the first of it's kind.  To this day, "Scream" remains the only franchise that I know of  that has parodied a genre, without being sarcastic or comical about it.    In this franchise, parts One and two work very well together, with part four being the strongest and  most clever of them all.   Part 3 in comparison to the other three films is a bit weaker, but do not skip out on part four just because you may not like part 3.   Part 4 is one of the best part four films of any that I've ever seen.  It proves that if done right, franchises do not have to get weaker as they go along. 

Scary Movie

 

 

There are five of these films, and while they poke fun of an assortment of different horror films their main focus (at least in the beginning) was "Scream".   Rather ironic to see a film parodying a film that was already a parody.    Of all of the films, I feel that part two was the strongest in story and laughs.   In all of the other parts,  the jokes were hit and miss with me.  Some making me drop significant amounts of weight trying to catch my breath, with others not even registering a smile.   All five films are fun, and worth the time of checking out.   If you like a film that is pretty much little more than a gag reel,  you'll enjoy all five of these.

Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th

 

A rather good, entertaining and funny flick that is often forgotten by the masses because of it's unfortunate release date.   It doesn't suffer from being a "copy cat" of the "Scary Movies" because it didn't come out after them.   It also doesn't suffer from being the original parody of a parody film either, because it didn't come out before "Scary Movie" either.   It ironically came out at nearly the exact same time that "Scary Movie" did and in my opinion, is just as good.  It has a good cast, it's well written and it's very funny.   If you enjoy forgotten about/never heard of films that are pretty good in spite of the fact that none of your friends know anything about it, then I highly recommend this hidden gem.

 

Sleepy Hallow

 

Sleepy Hallow is an action/adventure film full of mystery, suspense, horror and enough comedy relief to make it a phenomenally well rounded film.  Performances out of Johnny Depp, Christine Ricci and Christopher Walken are magnificent.   There have been many retellings of the classic story of "Sleepy Hallow" and this is my favorite of all of them.   Tim Burton has done a lot of films, and this is by far one of his best.

Casper

 

Taking a well known and beloved cartoon series from yesteryear and turning it into a full length feature film is a huge risk that sometimes pays off and sometimes doesn't.   In the case of "Casper" it most certainly paid off.     Funny, touching and sentimental, without being unnatural or fake,  "Casper" is a well done film that has a bit of everything for everyone.   If you have kids and like to watch films together as a family, I think this will be one to take a look at.  It's also a lot of fun to watch alone as well.

"The Halloween Tree"

"The Halloween Tree" is a bit difficult to classify, because it is tame enough and kid-friendly enough to where it cannot be classified as a true horror, but it also touches on enough adult oriented themes (For example, rather heavily enough on death) that you can't treat it as a wholesome Disney family film either.   I wouldn't recommend parents of small children to watch this as a family, because it does have some frightening parts. However, parents of children 9 or older ought to feel perfectly safe having their kids watch this.  Really if you are an avid lover of scary films, like I am, this is the absolute perfect film to start your kids on if you hope to get them into the horror genre.    It's a great film, with its strongest element being its heavy focus on friendship.   Four friends set out on a mission, Hell bent to save the life of their best friend.   One of the best animated films I've ever seen.




I also highly recommend, if you're able to, check out Halloween themed episodes of television shows.   "Roseanne" had three or four Halloween oriented episodes that were fantastic.    Many anthology series like "Are you Afraid of the Dark" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" also had some good stories centered around Halloween.

Halloween is a great holiday, to dress up in costume, eat candy and other junk food and enjoy some good films!

Check out the films that I've recommended.  Whether you're a fan of horror, comedy, action adventure, a combination of the two or all three I've listed so really good films!  Check them out!