The Top 20 Movie Heroes of the Decade (2000-2009)

Following the epic-ness that was my Villains list, here's the Top 20 Movie Heroes of the Last Decade!

20. Walter Kovacs/Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley- Watchmen, 2009)

Even though Zack Snyder's "Watchmen" divided critics, most agreed that one thing stole the show: Jackie Earle Haley's intense, powerful performance as the ruthless vigilante Rorschach. A man who thinks only in absolutes, Walter Kovacs is a loner in a world without superheroes, positive that the world is nearing its end, and believes in the kind of justice that isn't exactly by the books. He's a Batman-type detective mixed with a Punisher-style killer, seemingly devoid of emotion or compromise.

19. Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe- Gladiator, 2000)

"Are you not entertained? Are you NOT ENTERTAINED?!" Despite some historical inaccuracies on its part, Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" was still pretty kick-ass, and Russell Crowe delivered a fantastic, Oscar-winning portrayal of Roman General Maximus, a man who's definitely had better days. After the Emperor's son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) orders the murder of the noble Maximus' family, our hero is sold into slavery, and forced to fight to the death every day in gladiator arenas. But this predicament doesn't keep Maximus down: pretty soon, his epic battles gain him great popularity, allowing him to get closer and closer to the man responsible for the murder of his wife and son.

18. Jamal Malik (Dev Patel- Slumdog Millionaire, 2008)

Whenever you watch game shows, you never really look at the contestants and think, "Gee, that guy must've gone through a lot to get to this point!" But such a thought certainly applies to Indian teenager Jamal Malik, a pure-of-heart "slumdog" from the streets of Bombay who appears on India's version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" Though he's gotten every question right, he suspected of cheating, and is interrogated by security. Jamal goes on to recount his harrowing life, explaining how he knew the answers, and how his appearance on the show was merely a way to find the love of his life, Latika (Freida Pinto). English actor Dev Patel delivers a beautiful, sincere performance as Jamal, making us root for him all the way to the thrilling finale.

17. Anung un Rama/Hellboy (Ron Perlman, Hellboy, 2004; Hellboy II: The Golden Army, 2008)

He's big. He's bad. He came from the very fires of Hell, and he's... a cat-lover? Who'd have thought that a demon brought to Earth by Nazi occultists, raised by the U.S. military, and trained to become a paranormal ass-kicker was such a softie? But even though he gets all nervous around his firestarter crush Liz (Selma Blair) and he has an affinity for candy, Hellboy still isn't afraid to kick ass and take names. With his ever-present cigars, a huge right hand made of invincible stone, and a gun big enough to make Dirty Harry shit his pants, Hellboy is one devil you want on your side. Ron Perlman is a hoot as Hellboy, giving him a degree of empathy underneath all of his gruff, crotchety nature.

16. James T. Kirk (Chris Pine- Star Trek, 2009)

If there's one constant in life, it's that you can't top William Shatner. No way, no how. But Chris Pine was able to fabulously expand on where the Shat left off with Captain James T. Kirk in J.J. Abram's stellar reboot of the "Star Trek" franchise. Here we get a new take on Kirk's early life, but he's still that impulsive, charming, womanizing troublemaker that we all know and love. Remaining true to Shatner's characterization of Kirk (but thankfully never delving into an impersonation of the famously hammy actor), Pine delivers a funny and believable performance as the future captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise.

15. Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin- The Lord of the Rings trilogy, 2001-2003)

Even though hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood) is considered the main protagonist of "The Lord of the Rings" saga, the true heart and soul of the story is that of Frodo's loyal friend and bodyguard, Samwise Gamgee. Protective of his friend and without a shred of selfishness, Sam risks life and limb several times to make sure Frodo reaches his goal of Mordor. Even as the Ring of Power tightens its hold on Frodo, and as the scheming Gollum (Andy Serkis) plots to kill the two, Sam never gives up on his comrade, going so far as to physically carry Frodo up the steep landscape of Mount Doom.

14. Jason Bourne (Matt Damon- The Bourne trilogy, 2002, 2004, 2007)

Matt Damon proves that he's more than a pretty face in the role of amnesiac spy Jason Bourne in the "Bourne" trilogy of movies. Left for dead in France, and not having a clue who he is, Bourne nevertheless makes use of his proficient combat abilities and mastery of multiple languages. Hounded by the CIA and his former handlers, the human killing machine goes through whatever assassins and agents they throw at him as he tries to piece together his past.

13. Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen- The Lord of the Rings trilogy, 2001-2003)

Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy was a project of many successes, but none were more successful than the casting. In this case, the casting of Viggo Mortensen as exiled King and ranger Aragorn was a masterstroke. Rather than go for the usual handsome-guy-with-a-big-sword act, Mortensen gives Aragorn a true sense of angst and pain, battling his own sense of identity and responsibility, not to mention agonizing over losing his true love Arwen (Liv Tyler). But you certainly wouldn't want to get on his bad side, seeing as how his sword Anduril would happily take off your head.

12. Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe- The Harry Potter series, 2001-2009)

Tip for all bullies: never pick on the kid with glasses, because he just might cause you to inflate and soar into the sky. Orphaned Harry Potter certainly had a rough life growing up with his vile relatives, the Dursleys, but his life definitely turned upside down after learning that he's the son of two wizards and was destined for incredible things. Daniel Radcliffe shines in his star-making role (pretty much the only role he's had, considering that there's about seven million "Potter" movies), going from lonely nerd to a spellcasting super-nerd who seems to be the only one at Hogwart's who's paid any attention to.

11. Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire- The Spider-Man trilogy, 2002, 2004, 2007)

Once again, think twice before picking on the nerds. This time, he might web your sorry ass from the Empire State Building. After Leo DiCaprio, Wes Bentley, and Heath Ledger were considered for the coveted role of Peter Parker (a.k.a. the Amazing Spider-Man), the honors finally went to Tobey Maguire, who captured the introspective, quirky essence of the early '60s incarnation of the character. Driven by guilt and a sense of responsibility, Peter juggles a job as a photographer, an elderly Aunt May (Rosemary Harris), college life, paying the rent, pining after his dream girl (Kirsten Dunst), and, of course, protecting New York City from everyday burglars and superpowered maniacs. And he always learns the important lessons, from "with great power comes great responsibility", to "no one likes dancing emos".

10. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe- Letters From Iwo Jima, 2006)

Clint Eastwood certainly made a daring move with "Letters from Iwo Jima", the companion piece to his adaptation of "Flags of Our Fathers": he focused on the Japanese perspective of the war. Rather than demonizing our enemies like so many WW2 films have, Eastwood instead humanizes the Japanese soldiers, portraying many of them being surprisingly similar to our troops: scared, vulnerable young men fighting for their country. Leading the effort to defend the Japanese island of Iwo Jima is decorated General Kuribayashi. Having traveled to America many times before the war (and appreciating the American people he met), Kuribayashi is a compassionate and wise man who shows mercy to the U.S. troops his men capture, yet still will fight to the end to protect his homeland. Ken Watanabe delivers a stirring performance as the General, emphasizing the man's love of country, but also his refusal to view his enemies as faceless monsters.

9.  Harvey Milk (Sean Penn- Milk, 2008)

Every persecuted minority has its figurehead. The East Indians of the '30s and '40s had Mohandas Gandhi, the African-Americans of the '50s and '60s had Martin Luther King, Jr., and in the 1970's, no man could be better identified with the fight for gay rights than Harvey Milk. Having moved from New York to San Francisco with his lover Scott Smith (James Franco), Milk is shocked by the fierce anti-gay bigotry shown not only by the town's citizens, but also the police and local government. He decides to run for City Supervisor in hopes of giving a voice to the gay community, but is defeated election after election, but he finally wins in 1978, after which he leads a successful effort to strike down an anti-gay legislation known as Proposition 6. Sean Penn, in perhaps his first happy role since Jeff Spicoli, is terrific in his recreation of the tireless advocate of civil rights.

8. Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellan- The Lord of the Rings trilogy, 2001-2003)

Not much is cooler than an old man with a magic walking stick and wizard powers, and there's no person better for such a role than Sir Ian McKellan. A highly powerful wizard, Gandalf risks his life to protect Frodo and the Fellowship from the evil forces of Sauron, from going mano-a-mano with evil wizard Saruman (Christopher Lee), to facing down a giant, fiery Balrog. Of course, mere death is nothing he can't handle, and Gandalf switches his color scheme from kindly grey to kick-ass white, where he continues to lead the charge against the armies of Mordor.

7. James "Logan" Howlett/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman- The X-Men series, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009)

Canadians have been known to take a ribbing from their American counterparts every now and then. Of course, us Yanks wouldn't be running our mouths if a certain indestructible Canuck with six metal claws came knocking. In a star-making role, Aussie heartthrob Hugh Jackman portrays the popular Marvel mutant with one half ferocity, and one half humanity. His tragic, checkered past and his secret love of Jean Grey only endeared himself to the viewers even more. Though the character was portrayed as less feral and more tame in "The Last Stand" and his own spinoff film, there's no doubt that Jackman's performance is the shining constant amongst all four films.

6. James Bond (Daniel Craig- Casino Royale, 2006)

"The name's Bond. James Bond." After hearing this now-legendary phrase a billion times by Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and Pierce Brosnan, we'd think we'd be sick of Agent 007. But as "Batman Begins" proved, reboots of a beloved franchise can do wonders, and James Bond is no different, played this time by the superbly-cast Daniel Craig. Rather than being the suave, laid-back superspy we all know and love, 007 is portrayed here as a rough-around-the-edges newbie to the MI6 game, as brutal as he is efficient. Of course, he still retains his affinities for Aston-Martins, martinis, and every beautiful woman on the planet. Simply put, Craig is the best Bond since Connery, and despite the less-than-stellar sequel "Quantum of Solace" two years later, he still shows no signs of letting up.

5. Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp- The Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, 2003, 2006, 2007)

What do we all think when we see a fey, swaggering pirate with a bunch of black make-up and nail polish? A Goth working at Long John Silver's? No, we think of Johnny Depp, in his spectacularly funny, Oscar-nominated performance as the rogue Captain Jack Sparrow in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy. From his hysterical introduction on a sinking ship, to his showdown with an army of undead buccaneers, Depp all but steals the show. Reportedly basing his character's drunken mannerisms after rock legend Keith Richards, Depp single-handedly revived the pirate film with his unforgettable performance. "Now, show me that horizon..."

4. Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.- Iron Man, 2008)

Ever had a change of heart about something? Yes? Now, have you ever had a LITERAL change of heart? Well, billionaire playboy Tony Stark did, and after seeing the harm caused by his brand of military weapons, Stark plans to use his new, superpowered heart for good use. Played by Robert Downey Jr. in a career-reviving role, Tony Stark isn't your normal, everyday superhero. Instead of loathing his new life, he celebrates it. He proactively sets out to right all of his wrongs in his awesome, tricked-out new battle armor, and pretty much goes through the best anti-midlife crisis ever. He's Bruce Wayne, without all the glowering and angst.

3. Beatrix "The Bride/Black Mamba" Kiddo (Uma Thurman- Kill Bill, 2003-2004)

As stated on my "Top Villains" list, Quentin Tarantino has a knack for reviving the floundering or already-dead career of actors and actresses. After hitting it big in her Oscar-nominated role in Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction", Uma Thurman went through a slew of decent to mediocre movies, until she hit her nadir as Poison Ivy in the craptacular "Batman & Robin". Thankfully, QT was there to save the day, casting Thurman as the mysterious and deadly Bride in the homage-crazy, action-packed "Kill Bill" duo of films. Initially known to the audience by her assassin codename of "Black Mamba", the Bride doesn't waste any time hunting down the five people responsible for the massacre of her wedding party. Thurman exemplifies the strong woman warrior prevalent in Tarantino's films, whether it's enduring harsh tutelage by powerful kung-fu master Pai Mei (Gordon Liu), to singlehandedly carving up dozens of O-Ren Ishii's (Lucy Liu) "Crazy 88" gang. Of course, later on, we learn that there's a human side to this stone-cold killer, leading up to the final confrontation with the man who destroyed her life.

2. Bruce Wayne/Batman (Christian Bale- Batman Begins, 2005; The Dark Knight, 2008)

As stated above, the Caped Crusader reached his absolute low point with Joel Schumacher's 1997 bomb "Batman and Robin". Instead of being the dark, brooding vigilante that he's supposed to be, Batman became a laughingstock, with George Clooney sporting rubber nipples and ice skates that popped out of his booties. Thankfully, director Chris Nolan took a risk eight years later to bring the Dark Knight back to his roots in "Batman Begins". Bringing the superhero back to life was the terrific Christian Bale, who helped Nolan reestablish the more mythic, brooding side of the character. Free of the campy, neon-tinted qualities of the previous incarnations of Schumacher's films, and returning to the mature, almost scary version created by Michael Keaton and Tim Burton, Batman is back, and better than ever.

1. WALL-E (Sounds by Ben Burtt- WALL-E, 2008)

Though the decade had been brimming with superheroes, soldiers, action heroes, and mutants, no hero was more heroic or pure of heart than a character that physically didn't even HAVE a heart. Mixing Charlie Chaplin's "Little Tramp" with R2-D2, the little robot called "WALL-E" was programmed to gather up and crush trash on a heavily-polluted, now-deserted Earth, 700 years in the future. But a seemingly random glitch in his circuitry provided him something unexpected: a personality. And of course, with personality comes an inevitable sense of loneliness. Having collected many pieces of trash merely out of curiosity, and having watched the same VHS of "Hello, Dolly!" every day, WALL-E pined for something more than what he had. After meeting a sleek, feminine scout robot named E.V.E., our hero discovered love, and the two end up going on an epic adventure in the stars. Along the way, the two 'bots become closer, and WALL-E soon becomes destined to not only cement his love with E.V.E, but save the very human race as we know it. Proving that beating up bad guys and blowing things to bits isn't all it takes to make a hero, WALL-E is the greatest cinematic hero of the last ten years.


And the Top Five WORST Movie Heroes of the Decade:
5. Duke (Channing Tatum- G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra, 2009)

It's usually an unfortunate mess when a toyline from the 1980's is adapted into a movie. So, accordingly, the cast needs to be just as shitty as the movie surrounding them. And thankfully, Channing Tatum was up for the challenge! Boring, dull, and completely devoid of any charisma, Duke is portrayed as a jock numbskull who's better off posing for Calvin Klein ads than defeating international terrorists.

4. Thomas Anderson/Neo (Keanu Reeves- The Matrix Reloaded, 2003; The Matrix Revolutions, 2003)

"Whoa." If Keanu Reeves became any more wooden, he could be used for kindling. Though his stone-faced performance in the first "Matrix" was overlooked due to the groundbreaking CGI and original story, the two sequels weren't as lucky, leaving us with a boring portrayal of mankind's new Messiah and savior from the evil machines.

3. Rayne (Kristanna Loken- Bloodrayne, 2006)

Note to any aspiring actor: if you want to have a successful reputation in Hollywood, do NOT star in Uwe Boll's movies. Seriously. Even if you end up showing your boobs, viewers will not appreciate what they plunked down more than eight bucks for.

2. Susan Storm/The Invisible Woman (Jessica Alba- Fantastic Four, 2005; Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, 2007)

The sad thing about this travesty is the fact that in the comics, Sue "The Invisible Woman" Storm is a fully fleshed-out, independent character, who isn't used to merely titillate the male comic book readers. Unfortunately, in the film adaptations of "The Fantastic Four", director Tim Story and actress Jessica Alba didn't get that memo, instead making the character a boring, one-dimensional, and utterly passive-aggressive wimp who's only function is apparently to accidentally lose her clothing.

1. Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen- Star Wars: Episode II- Attack of the Clones, 2002; Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith, 2005)

"Like, some day, I'm gonna be the most powerful-est Jedi in the whole galaxy! Yeah! That'll show them!" Who'd have thought that before he became the most feared Sith in the universe, Darth Vader was such a whiny little pussy? After the God-awful portrayal of a child Anakin Skywalker by Jake Lloyd in 1999's "Episode I", the circle truly was complete when Hayden Christensen was cast as the older, "mature" Chosen One of the Force. Not only was his chemistry with Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) completely nonexistent, but when Christensen was meant to evoke anger and angst, it was laughably hopeless. It was essentially the "Star Wars" version of "Saved by the Bell". It makes Mark Hamill's whiny performance in the original "Star Wars" look like Lawrence Olivier.

Review: "WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE"

As a young child, I was a voracious reader. I had pretty much every "Berenstain Bears" book, I owned such classics as "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", "Corduroy", and "Strega Nona", and I couldn't get enough of Dr. Seuss. But if there was a single book from that time of my life that I recall having a significant impact on me, it was Maurice Sendak's beloved 1963 "Where the Wild Things Are". Forty pages long, but with only ten lines of dialogue, Sendak's book was hailed as a groundbreaking landmark in the realm of children's literature, not only for its highly imaginative illustration, but also a subversively intimate look into the emotions of children.

So it was only inevitable that one day Hollywood would adapt the book into a film. After all, it was adapted into an animated short in the early '70s, and an opera version toured the world in the '80s. But considering the fact that the movie would be at least ninety minutes and the book having a VERY minimal plot, Tinseltown execs couldn't just hand the project off to anyone. "Wild Things" ended up going through a long and tumultuous production history, starting off as an animated feature at Disney, then as a live-action version at Universal Studios, until it finally found a home at Warner Bros. in 2001.

Finally, director duties ended up going to cinematic wunderkind and Oscar-nominee Spike Jonze. A legendary music video director, Jonze certainly had a diverse enough career to earn the directing honors, from helming the mind-bending art-house films "Being John Malkovich" and "Adaptation", to co-creating the juvenile MTV series "Jackass". Having started filming in 2006, Jonze certainly had a challenge ahead of him in crafting a tale that would sustain a feature-length film, all while remaining true to the spirit of the book.

Despite some clashes with WB executives regarding the tone and content of the movie (along with some subsequent reshoots), Jonze's film is nothing short of extraordinary. Rather than going for the safe choice of making it bland and completely kid-friendly, Jonze and co-screenwriter Dave Eggers have created a daring, emotional, and visually-enthralling movie that is meant not just for kids, but for adults who still look at their own childhood in a retrospective and introspective sense. It's one part imaginative and one part psychoanalytical. In short, it's a children's movie that Freud would love.

The film essentially stays true to the original story: a young, hyperactive boy named Max (played by a terrific Max Records) causes trouble in his house, and is punished by his mother (Catherine Keener) for his tantrums. Max, wearing his favorite wolf costume, runs away from home, venturing into the woods, and setting sail on a lake in a small boat. He eventually finds his way to a small island inhabited by enormous animal-like creatures known as the Wild Things. Facing being eaten, Max builds himself up as a mighty king of incredible powers who can bring happiness to the group. The Wild Things believe him, and crown him as their king.

Of course, since the book put the story to the wayside to pay attention to the amazing visuals, Jonze and Eggers needed to fill in the gaps. As such, they expanded Max's story, depicting him as the lonely son of a single parent, brimming with imagination but held down by the sad reality of growing up and losing the pure joy of being a child. And as Sendak's book subtly examines anger and imagination, Jonze goes one step further by making each Wild Thing a metaphorical personification of a separate facet of Max's psyche: the lead Wild Thing, Carol (voiced by a fabulous James Gandolfini) is a passive-aggressive with anger issues; his former mate KW (Lauren Ambrose) is a loner who tries to set out for a newer life; Ira (Forest Whitaker) is a subdued, eager-to-please pushover, and his mate Judith (Catherine O'Hara), who's a bossy critic; the Bull (Michael Berry), who always keeps to himself; Douglas (Chris Cooper), Carol's close friend and the group's peacemaker; and Alexander (Paul Dano), a small goat-like creature who thinks that no one pays attention to him.

To say that "Where the Wild Things Are" is not for the youngest of children is a huge understatement. While scary in some scenes (though not extremely oppressive), the main reason why this film is more for older ages is due to how it focuses on the mind of a child. Despite what some may think, a kid's psyche is just as complex and multilayered as an adult's, which is why the film is not only something an elementary-age kid can relate to, but also for any grown-up who hasn't taken the full effort to understand why their early years were the way they were.

As a result, Jonze has created a highly intimate, emotionally-charged, and wonderfully realized cinematic undertaking, an experience not like many films before it. It also helps that the movie is absolutely beautiful on an aesthetic level: the world of the Wild Things is a fabulously intricate wonder to behold, bolstered by Lance Acord's cinematography and K.K. Barrett's production design. The costume design of the Wild Things are also amazing in their own right. Rather than being entirely computer-generated, the production utilized "suitmation" (think people in monster suits in "Godzilla" films, but twenty times more realistic and believable), with the highly expressive faces added in later via CGI. All in all, expect at least several tech category nominations (and possible wins) come Oscar time.

I had rather high expectations for "Where the Wild Things Are" prior to its release, and after viewing it, the film not only exceeded my expectations, but it also made me do something that kid's movies rarely make me do: think. I thought about my own childhood, about how difficult and confusing the world seemed then, and how my imagination saved me from mentally self-destructing. Any movie that can make one reexamine their past so proficiently deserves any praise it gets. A tender, beautiful, engrossing, and visual masterpiece, "Where the Wild Things Are" is an experience for the Wild Thing in all of us.

Letter Grade: "A"

Top 20 Movie Villains of the Decade (2000-2009)

Well, the decade's finally coming to an end, and as us movie lovers know, each decade has had its own landmarks in cinema. The 1970s were marked by Star Wars, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, and Rocky. The '80s had Raging Bull, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Platoon, and E.T. And the '90s were best known for Schindler's List, The Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, and Saving Private Ryan. And since the beginning of the 21st century, the 2000s have had its fair share of classic (and not-so-classic) movies. So in celebration of the upcoming new decade, I'm going to craft a few lists celebrating the best that the Double Zeros had to offer. So let's start with the nastiest baddies of the last ten years!

20. Saruman (Christopher Lee- The Lord of the Rings trilogy- 2001-2003)

You really can't get any badder than Christopher Lee. One of the all-time great villain actors, from the titular character of Hammer Films' "Dracula" series to Bond villain Scaramanga, Lee can't seem to find a sinister role that he can't sink his teeth into. As the malevolent wizard Saruman in Peter Jackson's epic "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, it's no different. Although he's merely a lackey of his all-seeing master Sauron, it still wouldn't be wise to cross this crusty old man's path. Whether it's conjuring up massive blizzards or manufacturing armies of hideous Uruk-hai, this is one wizard who doesn't mess around... or even brushes his teeth. Now THAT'S a sign of a scary dude.

19. Kim Jong Il (Voiced by Trey Parker- Team America: World Police- 2004)

Usually, a tiny, goofy-looking Korean guy with oversized lady glasses and a stereotypically thick accent wouldn't seem very threatening. Especially if he's a puppet. But thanks an uproariously funny vocal performance by "Team America" director/co-writer Trey Parker, a marionette version of North Korea's real-life dictator proves to be one of the funniest villains in movie history. Just like Parker and co-writer Matt Stone did with an animated Saddam Hussein in 1999's "South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut", Kim Jong Il is treated as a cartoonishly over-the-top megalomaniac (not unlike his real-life counterpart), but with a tinge of melodramatic sympathy (best personified by his hilarious musical solo "I'm So Ronery").


18. Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina- Spider-Man 2- 2004)

Mad scientists have always been a fixture in science-fiction movies, and they've never lost their allure, despite being prevalent in those campy classics from the 1950's. In the superior sequel to Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man", stage and screen veteran Alfred Molina not only brings classic supervillain Doc Ock to life, but breathes fresh life into a great archetype. Molina not only gains sympathy as the good Doctor Otto Octavius, but has a blast embodying the snarling, vicious, arrogant Doc Ock, letting the wild special effects act as merely icing on an already tasty cake.

17. Raven Darkholme/Mystique (Rebecca Romijn- The X-Men trilogy- 2000, 2003, 2006)

Usually in movies, the main villain's henchmen aren't all that interesting, merely serving as cannon fodder against the hero. But with Rebecca Romijn's sultry, deadly mutant shapeshifter Mystique, you couldn't give a rat's ass about the main villain. Clearly meant to make the virginal comic book nerds happy, Mystique nonetheless proves to be a ruthless, mysterious, and somewhat intriguing character (and not just because she's blue and naked, though that's a major factor). Though she doesn't think twice about snapping someone's neck when it serves her purposes, Mystique offers a kind of pathos that's best embodied in "X2": when asked by Nighcrawler (Alan Cumming) why she doesn't use her powers to stay hidden, she simply replies: "Because we shouldn't have to". Now that's deep for a naked blue chick.

16. Sylvia Ganush (Lorna Raver- Drag Me To Hell- 2009)

Ah, horror villains. Once you were great and memorable, like Norman Bates, Michael Myers, and Freddy Krueger. Now you're bland, non-threatening, and ultimately forgettable. Thank God that Sam Raimi decided to return to the horror genre to show the amateurs how it's done. After revolutionizing the horror genre with his sidesplitting "Evil Dead" trilogy, Raimi returns to form with his campy, funhouse-style "Drag Me To Hell". And here we get a truly great horror villain in the form of Sylvia Ganush, played by character actor Lorna Raver. All fury and vengeful resolve, Ganush curses a poor young woman, and doesn't mind laying the gypsy smackdown whenever possible. And she vomits worms. Can't get any more hardcore than that.

15. Idi Amin (Forest Whitaker- The Last King of Scotland- 2006)

Real-life murderers and dictators can be difficult to portray in film (or any kind of media, for that matter), with a tough Catch-22: focus on their inner thoughts and personality and you're accused of sympathizing with them, or keep your distance and be accused of not properly personifying them. With Idi Amin, you don't really need to dig deep to figure out what kind of a barbaric monster he was. Though the story of "The Last King of Scotland" is partially fictionalized, Forest Whitaker expertly captures the man's true viciousness, paranoia, and madness, easily earning Whitaker the Best Actor Oscar.

14. Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson- The Departed- 2006)

Only an actor of true talent can do the menacing Mafia act without delving too deep into the obvious stereotypes (I mean, come on, how many of us use awful Italian accents when imitating gangsters?), so it's fortunate that the King of Mentally-Unstable Typecasting himself, Jack Nicholson, plays Boston crime lord Frank Costello (a character loosely based on real-life mob boss James "Whitey" Bolger). Not having a bone of morality in his body, Costello is a perverse, amoral, and opportunistic devil who always makes sure of having a contingency plan. How evil is he? After shooting a woman point-blank in the back of her head, instead of expressing any sort of regret, he merely thinks that she "fell over kinda funny".

13. Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid- Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith- 2005)

To say that George Lucas' "Star Wars" prequel trilogy was a disappointment is an understatement of epic proportions. Instead of recapturing the sense of awe, angst, and wonder that made the original trilogy so great, the prequels instead manifested as bland, artificial, and downright embarrassing waste of hype. However, if anything was salvaged, it was Ian McDiarmid's wonderfully grandiose performance as the evil Senator-cum-Emperor Palpatine. Waiting 22 years to see Palpatine get all wrinkly and nasty was well worth it, especially in his epic lightsaber duel with Yoda.

12. William Stryker (Brian Cox- X2: X-Men United- 2003)

It says a lot when the X-Men's most dangerous enemy isn't even a mutant, but rather a regular human with no powers. This man is William Stryker, a military scientist and anti-mutant bigot with a serious grudge. Although the William Stryker of the comics was a self-righteous evangelist minister, the venomous hatred remains. Brian Cox does a superb job portraying a man who has no qualms exterminating an entire race, and will do anything to realize that goal.


11. John Kramer/Jigsaw (Tobin Bell- Saw- 2004)

It's not often that horror movies have a message. Usually, scary flicks are meant to, well, just scare you. But the wildly popular "Saw" films did what most of its gory predecessors didn't even dream of doing: it made you think. John Kramer, dying of cancer, is disgusted by how so many people take their lives for granted. As such, Kramer, calling himself "Jigsaw", decides to teach seemingly random people the true value of life. Trapping his victims in horrific traps and mazes, Jigsaw forces his quarry to go to the extremes to save their own lives. Such morality tales are scarce in horror films, but Jigsaw gives a fresh new take on how we view the precious little time we have.

10. Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush- Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl- 2003)

Ever since "Cutthroat Island" tanked spectacularly in 1995, the pirate genre was all but at the bottom of Davy Jones' Locker. Who would have thought that a movie based on a cheesy Disney World attraction would bring it back to life? Not only was "Curse of the Black Pearl" a blast to watch because of its amazing visual effects and tongue-in-cheek screenplay, but it was the performances of its lead actors, Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush, that cemented the film as an instant classic. Rush fully embraced his role as the mutinous and cocky Captain Hector Barbossa, harkening back to the old classic pirate baddies like Blackbeard and Captain Hook. Although he becomes a (sorta) good guy in movie #3, it's Barbossa's portrayal in the first film that adds to the infectious sense of fun and excitement.

9. Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto (Sir Ian McKellan- The X-Men trilogy- 2000, 2003, 2006)

Here's a good tip: if you ever plan on getting on Eric Lehnsherr's bad side, make sure your blood isn't rich in iron. Otherwise, you may end up getting exsanguinated in the most creative way possible. It's only appropriate that you get one of comic's most classic villains to be played by one of the world's most classic actors, and Shakespearian actor Ian McKellan is no exception. As Holocaust survivor and mutant supremacist Magneto, McKellan captures not only the character's vengeful anger, but also Magneto's vulnerable side, a man who's seen so many horrors, and vows to never let his people be persecuted. McKellan delivers a gleeful, strong, and very fun performance in all three X-films (he's one of the few saving graces in the bloated "X-Men: The Last Stand").

8. Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington- Training Day- 2001)

Typecasting is never a good thing, and though his roles have earned him countless awards and acclaim, Denzel Washington apparently decided to shed his friendly, heroic image and go in a whole other direction in Antoine Fuqua's dark and powerful crime drama "Training Day", and here, Washington shatters his previous image in an Oscar-winning role as Alonzo Harris, a cop who's not too interested in the whole "Serve and Protect" credo. Despite being a highly decorated narcotics officer, Harris has become as corrupt as the thugs he locks up, forcing a rookie cop (Ethan Hawke) to cooperate in his illegal activities. A chilling, brutal tour de force from Washington.

7. Bill (David Carradine- Kill Bill, Vol. 2- 2004)

It's a known fact that postmodern auteur Quentin Tarantino has been known to resurrect (even if for a little while) the careers of actors and actresses whose peaks occurred many years ago. Be it John Travolta, Robert Forster, or Pam Grier, QT is essentially the Ellis Island for forgotten character actors. Though his character was only heard (and briefly seen) in the first part of Tarantino's action extravaganza "Kill Bill", the incomparable David Carradine all but stole the show in the second part. Repulsive and vile yet sly and charming, Bill is a murderous bastard with a soft side: he truly loves his protege Beatrix (Uma Thurman), but after she fakes her death to start a new life with her then-unborn child, Bill eventually finds out the truth, and arranges the brutal massacre of her entire wedding party, and then puts her in a coma with a bullet to the head. Carradine adds a layer of empathy and gentlemanly attitude to an otherwise heartless character.

6. Gollum (Voiced and motion-captured by Andy Serkis- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers; The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King- 2002, 2003)

There aren't many truer sayings than "Power corrupts", and the hobbit known as Smeagol is living proof. After murdering his friend when discovering the lost Ring of Power, Smeagol is banished by his people, hiding away in the mountains while making his "precious" ring the all-consuming object of his twisted desire. Becoming an emaciated, cringing little creature with a split personality known as "Gollum", Smeagol loses the Ring, and obsesses over finding and ultimately reuniting with it. After being captured by ring-bearer hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood) and his friend Sam (Sean Astin), the vicious Gollum side overtakes the docile Smeagol, scheming to kill the hobbits and take back his "Precious". Andy Serkis does a marvelous job portraying such an engrossing character in the "Lord of the Rings" movies, not only revolutionizing the trend of motion-capture acting, but emphasizing the tragic nature of the creature's dual personality.

5. Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis- There Will Be Blood- 2007)

"I drink... your milkshake! I drink it UP!" Only method actor Daniel Day-Lewis can utter such a line with total seriousness without sounding like a complete ass, and that's a testament to his amazing talent, especially in regards to his Oscar-winning performance as turn-of-the-century oil baron Daniel Plainview in "There Will Be Blood". Completely amoral and motivated only by greed, Plainview isn't exactly a villain in the traditional sense, but his lack of compunction in regards to putting his fortune before his family cements his place amongst the all-time great bad guys. From adopting a son merely as a means to make his business seem family-friendly and marketable, to murdering more than one person in cold blood, Plainview is Gordon Gekko-meets-Fred C. Dobbs, a truly effective personification of all-consuming greed.

4. Tom Riddle/Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes- The Harry Potter series, 2005-2009)

You've got to be pretty damn scary if even your own henchmen are afraid of saying your name. Lord Voldemort, a.k.a. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" or "You-Know-Who", never had the happiest of childhoods, having been raised in an orphanage after his mother dies in childbirth and his father abandons him. And even though he's viewed as having great wizardry potential by Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), it also doesn't help that young Tom Riddle is secretly a sadistic, power-hungry monster who derives pleasure from inflicting harm upon others. He also has a tendency to make Harry Potter's life a living hell, from having the boy's parents murdered to systematically destroying Harry's life, piece by piece. Ralph Fiennes, one of Hollywood's go-to guys for nasty villains, is convincingly frightening and dangerous as the Dark Lord.

3. Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem- No Country for Old Men- 2007)

Arnold Schwarzenegger's iconic performance in 1984's "The Terminator" was a classic example of the classic archetype of the unstoppable, non-negotiating killing machine. Of course, the robotic nature of Arnold's character (and his acting) kept the audience from truly connecting with him. Luckily, 23 years later, Javier Bardem took the archetype in a familiar yet fresh direction as the sociopathic hitman Anton Chigurh in the Coen Brothers' dark thriller, "No Country for Old Men". Hired to retrieve a briefcase containing $2 million, Chigurh is pure evil, best personified in two scenes: his ghastly, introductory murder of a sheriff's deputy, and a scene where Chigurh torments an elderly gas station owner with a simple coin toss, all while maintaining his emotionless, stone-faced persona.

2. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz- Inglourious Basterds- 2009)

When you hear "Nazi", what immediately comes to mind? Pure, unadulterated evil? Truly, anyone proudly bearing a swastika usually tends to be morally bankrupt in the worst possible way, and cinema has consistently perpetuated that motif. Sometimes, movies make them seem utterly cartoonish and hopeless ("The Great Dictator" and "The Producers" come to mind), but for the most part, Nazi characters serve as a cinematic portal into the worst the human race has to offer. And SS Colonel Hans Landa, also known as "The Jew Hunter", is easily the epitome of evil hiding behind a pleasant face. Essentially a Nazi Sherlock Holmes, Landa is a detective of extraordinary talent, possessing an eerie ability to hunt anyone down. Fluent in four languages (!), Landa is romantic and charming, but merely as a means to get underneath the skin of his prey, and once they're cornered, he strikes with the precision of a cobra. Christoph Waltz gives the performance of a lifetime, one part funny, one part charismatic, and 100% Machiavellian evil.

1. The Joker (Heath Ledger- The Dark Knight- 2008)

"I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve." For all your Magnetos, Lex Luthors, and Green Goblins, no comic book supervillain has had as much impact as Batman's archnemesis, The Joker. Having gone through countless incarnations through the last seven decades via comics, television, and film, the Clown Prince of Crime has been an essential ingredient of the Batman mythos. While some interpretations have emphasized the character's goofy, clownish nature (Cesar Romero's portrayal in the campy '60s "Batman" series is a good example), few non-comic book versions attempted to focus on The Joker's dark, utterly sinister nature. While Jack Nicholson's cackling performance in Tim Burton's 1989 "Batman" was highly entertaining (the same goes for Mark Hamill's commanding vocal performance in the '90s animated "Batman" series), it wasn't until former teen heartthrob Heath Ledger was cast as the famous clown in the sequel to director Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" reboot. Here, all the rules were broken. This time, we don't know The Joker. We don't know his name, we don't know his past. Instead of becoming all pasty-faced via a vat of chemicals, this Joker is merely a scarred sadist with smeared-on makeup. He isn't about the money, but rather about sending a message to the people of Gotham: that everyone is corruptible, even the Caped Crusader (Christian Bale) himself. He goes on to wreak havoc in Gotham, spreading fear like a disease. He eventually matches wits with Batman himself, and nearly drives the Dark Knight mad with his torturous mind games. Ledger mixes Sid Vicious with Alex DeLarge in his portrayal, an anarchist thug with a hard-on for destruction. Behind the white makeup and shaggy green hair is a man with nothing to lose, and absolutely everything to gain: namely, the soul of Gotham City. Despite his untimely passing before the film's release, Ledger made the role his own, never letting go in his intensity and dedication, making his Joker the greatest villain of the last ten years.


And the Top Five WORST Movie Villains of the Decade:
5. Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle- Men in Black II- 2002)

As much as I love scantily-clad women, lingerie and prehensile tentacles does not a great villainess make. And that's all that Boyle has going for her. An ill-advised role in an ill-advised sequel.

4. Howard Saint (John Travolta- The Punisher- 2004)

Before Nicolas Cage, John Travolta was one of the premier hams of Hollywood, and here it's no different in his showboating, embarrassing turn as a ruthless Miami crime boss. Almost every line delivery is unintentionally hilarious.

3. Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone- Basic Instinct 2- 2006)

Seriously, Sharon. You need to fire your agent. Plus, no one wants to see your snatch anymore. Close those legs, and reevaluate your career.

2. Victor von Doom/Dr. Doom (Julian McMahon- Fantastic Four- 2005; Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer- 2007)

As a comic book fan, it was a figurative kick to my balls to see one of the landmark villains of comic books turned from a scary, commanding tyrant to a sneering, metrosexual pussy. Not only was the Doom character ultimately betrayed in terms of staying true to even his most basic elements, but "Nip/Tuck"'s Julian McMahon turns in an absolutely cringe-worthy mockery of a once-great villain.

1. Terl (John Travolta- Battlefield Earth- 2000)

Look at this picture. Need I say more?

Review: "WORLD'S GREATEST DAD"

We all have dreams. We all have huge aspirations for our lives, goals that, if we put our minds to it, never seem impossible. Even into middle age, those dreams can be far from flickering out. For Lance Clayton, his lifelong dream of becoming a published author hasn't died, even though his many works have been rejected, one after another. 

Though persistent, Lance must in the meantime suffer a painfully mediocre life: a high school poetry teacher whose unpopular class is nearly empty, secret boyfriend to a much younger teacher who sees him whenever it's convenient, and a single father to a sullen, misanthropic jerk of a teenage son who regards his dad with utter disdain. It's enough to warrant a prescription for Zoloft.

But it's that relatable sense of mediocrity and a pining for lost dreams that's at the crux of this drama/VERY black comedy from director Bobcat Goldthwait, in his latest darker-than-dark cinematic offering (following "Sleeping Dogs Lie", a.k.a. the "I-Gave-A-Dog-A-Blowjob-When-I-Was-An-Experimenting-College-Girl" movie). A harrowing, somber, and outrageous look at the world of fame, celebrity, and grief, "World's Greatest Dad" is bolstered by a fabulous screenplay and great direction (both by Goldthwait), and a terrific, Oscar-worthy performance by Hollywood's favorite goofball, Robin Williams. 

After a glut of good-to-meh offerings in the last couple of years, Williams returns to form in an uncharacteristically restrained role as a man who's tried to do everything right in his life, yet its seems as though nothing good's come of it. It also doesn't help that his only son, Kyle, is an absolute ingrate. Unpopular, unlikable, disrespectful, sex-obsessed, and a total asshole, Kyle pretty much hates his father and wants nothing to do with him. It's a fabulously malicious performance by Daryl Sabara, best known as one of the titular tykes from the "Spy Kids" series, and any innocent aura he may have had in those films evaporates immediately here. 

After a bizarre and horrific tragedy hits Lance's life, things change, strangely enough, for the better. Through a series of events, Lance encounters the fame and fortune he's searched for all his life. But is it really what he needs? "World's Greatest Dad" may have the image of a comedy, but what it really is is a look at our true vulnerabilities, and the concession to living a life we vowed never to live. A fantastic tour de force by both Goldthwait and Williams, "World's Greatest Dad" is an emotionally-gripping, darkly funny, and, in the end, strangely optimistic examination on the cruel mistress we call life.

Letter Grade: "A-"

Review: "THE INFORMANT!"

In this economic climate, most people don't have a positive attitude towards banks, Wall Street, or Big Business. Believed by many to be the root cause of last year's economic collapse, the corporate world can't seem to catch any slack nowadays.

But shady, conspicuous behavior by corporate conglomerates certainly isn't anything new. But the recent undercurrent of hostility targeted towards extreme capitalism serves to help fuel director Steven Soderbergh's "The Informant!", a clever, darkly funny adaptation of Kurt Eichenwald's nonfiction book of the same name.

Based on a true story in the early '90s (but with some aspects of the story and characters fictionalized, as stated by a snarky opening title card), "The Informant" revolves around Mark Whitcare (Matt Damon), Divisional President of Decautur, IL-based agri-business giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). A pudgy, seemingly clean-cut rising star in his field, Whitacre uncovers an illegal price-fixing scam perpetrated by both his superiors at ADM and their competitors in Japan.

After his wife Ginger (Melanie Lynskey) threatens to inform the FBI of this scandal if he didn't, Mark eventually blows the whistle on the illicit activity to FBI agents Brian Shepard (Scott Bakula) and Bob Herndon (Joel McHale). For the next two and a half years, Whitacre clandestinely tapes the illegal goings-on for the Feds, giving the authorities enough evidence to create an airtight case. But as time goes by, Whitacre turns out to be more than his image suggests, and it turns out that he's just as corrupt as the people he's helping bring down.

Soderbergh's movies have always been wildly diverse in terms of subject matter and tone, from the dark and somber ("Traffic", "Che"), goofy and lighthearted (the "Ocean's" series), and the highly experimental ("Bubble", "The Girlfriend Experience"). It's difficult to determine what category "The Informant" falls into. Despite the corporate espionage/corruption storyline that's worthy of a Crichton novel, there's an abundance of subtle, dark humor used as window dressing. From the bouncy, '50s-sitcom-style score by Marvin Hamlisch to the comically bizarre behaviors exhibited by the main character, you can't help but chuckle at how much the deceptive behavior shown here isn't too different from what you hear in the news every day (especially since this behavior really DID happen).

But Soderbergh's secret weapon for making this whole endeavor work is Matt Damon. Adding thirty pounds to his usually toned frame and donning a mustache that would make Geraldo envious, Damon makes the film his own in a fantastic and fascinating performance. His Whitacre unravels spectacularly, from a seemingly honest and hardworking family man to a conniving, bipolar, and shockingly pathological liar. Other performances are good, especially Bakula as the trusting and soft-spoken FBI agent, but in the end, this is Damon's show, through and through.

The advertisements paint "The Informant!" as a goofy, slapstick farce, but although there are laughs to be had, the film truly is a comedy with deeply serious undertones. A good way to vent for those fed up with greed-driven corporate culture, "The Informant!" is a corporate thriller of the postmodern variety, and a shining testament to the ages-old phrase, "Turnabout's fair play".

LETTER GRADE: "B+"