6 Directors Who Could Tackle The DCEU

With Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice fresh on the screens, fans and critics alike have become divided over DC's attempt to build the foundations for their Extended Universe. As I stated in my review of the film, I quite enjoyed the story and the majority of the characters and look forward to seeing more films set in this universe, however the films flaws lie within its direction, its editing and its uneven score. This got me thinking, if future installments to the DC Extended Universe had better direction then surely better films would be produced, improving on the flaws of Dawn of Justice. So who could take the helm of future DCEU films? Well I've came up with 6 directors who, in my opinion, would be perfect for the job.

Cary Fukunaga

If you've seen the first season of True Detective then you will surely recognise this name. Cary Fukunaga is an extremely talented director with quite a small filmography ranging form the aforementioned True Detective to his Mexican crime film Sin Nombre and last years Beasts of No Nation. Fukunaga undoubtedly has a keen eye for photography, providing some truly beautiful shots in all of his work, not to mention his six minute long tracking shot from True Detective. Although his career only seems to be beginning, Fukunaga has already displayed his keen ambition and talent for the craft. Fukunaga could easily improve on the direction presented in Dawn of Justice if he were to direct a future film and in my opinion I think he is one of those directors who could manage to find the balance between style and substance. 

George Miller 

If you need proof that George Miller has the capability to direct a memorable action flick then look no further than last years Mad Max: Fury Road. At age 71, the Aussie director has shown that he has the talent of blending a strong plot with likeable characters into a high octane action film, and trust me the action in Fury Road is turned up to the (pun intended) max. Miller is well able to shoot complex action sequences, especially car chases, without it looking sloppy or careless. The director was once upon a time attached to direct a Justice League film entitled Justice League Mortal, a project that unfortunately never took off, however he is set to produce the upcoming Justice League Part 1 so could a directors spot also be available? Fingers crossed.

Guillermo Del Toro

The director who was responsible for bringing Hellboy to the big screen, Del Toro is a man who could act as a valuable asset for the DCEU. He has a unique visual style that incorporates beautiful production design, grotesque monsters and a combination of practical and CGI effects, something that has established him as a true auteur. As seen in his films like Hellboy and even more so Pacific Rim, Del Toro can sure as hell direct action films as well as giving them heart and depth so that we as an audience value the protagonists on the other side of the screen. Nobody makes giant robots beating the shit out of Kaiju's with ships look as cool as Del Toro does. The director was at one stage attached to direct a Justice League Dark film that would follow characters such as John Constantine and Swamp Thing but it is still uncertain whether that film is still happening or as dead as, well, Deadman. Regardless, I just wish he'd finish off the Hellboy franchise first.

Edgar Wright

The man behind films such as Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Edgar Wright is a man who is as much about action as he is about humour and dialogue. One thing about Dawn of Justice was that it fell short of humour in comparison to Marvel, one man who could fix this is Edgar Wright. No I'm not saying turn every DC film into a comedy film, not at all, Wrights brand of humour holds a unique sense of subtlety that can easily be blended into any genre he wishes. His films are packed full of both action and wit which is probably why he was the original choice to direct Marvel's Ant-Man before leaving the project on the grounds of creative differences (some Wright-ism's can still be seen in the final film). Yes if anyone can bring a sense of humour to the DCEU then Edgar Wright is the man for the job.

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith is not only a brilliant director, but also a man with a huge admiration for comic books. His films frequently reference different comic book universes and he even has Stan Lee cameo in his film Mallrats, it shows his true passion for them. His films range from the comedic like Clerks, to the action packed like Red State and the utterly bizzare like Tusk and he has even directed an episode of The CW's television series The Flash. He has a vast knowledge and love for comics which is an excellent quality for someone directing a superhero film, I believe Smith would take great care of the story and characters, treating them with the respect they deserve while being faithful to their source material. Like George Miller, Smith was once attached to direct another failed DC adaptation, Superman Lives. However the film went through development hell and ultimately never happened, however I believe Smith deserves another chance at directing a comic book adaptation.

JJ Abrams

One of the most talked about figures in Hollywood at the moment both as a director and a producer, but why has he gained such high acclaim? Well this is the man who brought both Star Trek and Star Wars back to the big screens, introducing both franchises to a younger generation of fans. Abrams is a man of many talents, director, writer and producer, the man is a true force to be reckoned with and would do wonders to the DCEU. He issued in new installments in both the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises without tampering too much with the already established universes, pleasing fans both old and new. As a director he displays immense talent and his style is a lot more pristine than Snyder's when dealing with action sequences (although it can be a bit heavy on the lens flares). I believe that Abrams would be perfect for the DCEU.

So those are just 6 of the many directors out there that I feel could really benefit the DC Extended Universe in their own different respects. Although Marvel may not be shaking in their boots yet, there were some elements of Dawn of Justice that should have them feeling a bit concerned. The competition is real and although it may not seem it now, with the right people on board DC could really blow Marvel out of the water in the years to come.

'Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice' Review

With the recent success of Marvel's cinematic universe, the time has now come for DC to step up to the plate with their follow up to 2013's Man of Steel, Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice. I was really excited for this one as I am a big Bat fan but with recent reviews being so negative I began to grow skeptical, however after sitting down and watching the film today in a packed cinema my worries were put to rest. It is certainly not a perfect film and I must admit there were some aspects that I did not enjoy so much, however it certainly delivered and opened many doors for future installments in the DC Extended Universe. The film follows Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck), a billionaire turned vigilante who becomes skeptical of the extraterrestrial hero Superman (Henry Cavill) believing him to be a dangerous threat. It becomes clear that others share his views causing a mass conflict between those who support Superman and those who oppose him. Meanwhile in the midst of it all, the villainous Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) has his own plans for the heroes.

I'm going to start off by pointing out the films flaws, getting them out of the way before I go on to discuss why I enjoyed it. The main flaw is a combination of the editing and Zack Snyder's sloppy direction. Many of the scenes in the first half of the film seem quite rushed and before we can make heads or tails of what's happening, it cuts to the next brief scene. Snyder really let the film down and his direction is so careless that it will have your head spinning in the more intense scenes. This lack of focus is a continuous trend throughout the film and is also reflected in the score by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL. Generally the score reflects a films tone as we have seen in the likes of Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, but the score of Dawn of Justice seemed a bit all over the place and uneven. It was almost like listening to a mixtape put together by a teenage boy for his girlfriend. Also as a sidenote, a bit of humour wouldn't have done any harm. So those are what I felt let the film down, but there was a lot to like about it.

The cast were excellent, in particular Ben Affleck, not only does he make a fantastic Batman but he also gives an excellent portrayal of Bruce Wayne. His Wayne is a man who has been broken, who has has many a loss and is fearful of the likes of Superman, driving him to become such a violent force. All those fears about Batfleck will be put to rest after watching this film. Gal Gadot did a brilliant job of bringing Wonder Woman to the big screen, she too is a powerful force and a worthy match for her male counterparts. Cavill's Superman is not the loveable boyscout we all know and love, in my opinion he was the weakest of the three. I feel Cavill has potential to be a great Superman, he certainly looks the part, but in Zack Snyder's gloomy world he comes across as quite bland. Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor is not for everyone, his portrayal differs immensely from the likes of Gene Hackman's and Kevin Spacey's but I quite liked it, I felt he brought some life to the character and to the film itself. Other highlights include Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce's butler and guardian, it is safe to say Irons was born to play this role.

The film's first act seems very unfocused and slow, at times it is like watching a very long montage sequence and it takes quite a while for something to kick off, however when it finally does the film provides some memorable action sequences that are a worthy match for those at Marvel. In particular the final face-off against Doomsday is one that you will not soon forget. There are several other stand out moments, but I don't want to spoil anything. At the end of the day the primary purpose of this film was to set up a wider universe, something to rival the MCU and it manages to do that. There are countless easter eggs alluding to other DC figures throughout, along with cameos from Ezra Miller's Flash, the frequently paroied Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher) of Teen Titans fame. It really is a massive prelude at heart but it works, the story of two opposing forces coming together to fight a greater evil seems like something that has been done time and time again, but never like this. Seeing the three founding members of the Justice League looking so well onscreen together (with the exception of Cavill's rather lackluster Superman) was phenomenal.

Aside from being a superhero film, Batman vs Superman is also a political drama. It takes the world of the comic books and our own world and ties them both together to add a sense of realism, faces such as Neil deGrasse Tyson make appearances as themselves to help bring the world of DC into our own. The film also focuses quite a lot on the consequences of superheroism, the collateral damage and the publics reactions which is something that has never really been done explicitly in superhero films (aside from the likes of Watchmen). We see the destruction of Metropolis in Man of Steel from Bruce Wayne's perspective, how the casualties effect him and how that drives him to oppose Superman, it is things like these that help to ground the film. The majority of the first half even focuses primarily on Superman's clashes with Senator Finch (Holly Hunter), a politician who is fearful of the man of steel. This blending of fantasy and reality works very nicely in Batman vs Superman and makes it more than just your average superhero film.

Although it has plenty of flaws, Batman vs Superman is nowhere as bad as its being made out to be. It has some problems on the technical and visual sides of things but as for acting and story it is exciting and enjoyable (albeit a bit bleak). It has given us a fantastic new Batman and has introduced Wonder Woman to the big screen, something that was long overdue. It is not perfect, but it opens a variety of doors for future films within its universe, a universe that I for one am keen to return to. These future films can learn from Batman vs Superman's mistakes and improve upon them while retaining its redeeming qualities to build a cinematic universe that could quite possibly rival Marvel's. It will not please all, but it will certainly satisfy the fans and leave them hungry for more.

'The Witch' Review

Last year saw some real gems in horror cinema, from the Carpenter-esque 80's throwback It Follows to the bizzare kiwi splatter Deathgasm it is safe to say that 2015 was a good year for horror. Now with 2016 in full swing, director Robert Eggers has already proven that this year could be an even better one due to his feature length debut, The Witch. An eerie suspense horror in the form of a gloomy period piece, The Witch follows a family of British settlers in 17th century New England who come under threat from mysterious dark forces. As tension rises and paranoia increases between family members, things begin to spiral into dark and evil territory.

One thing that will strike many about this film is that it does not follow in the footsteps of most contemporary horror films that use excessive jump scares to shock audiences, in fact it utilises very little jump scares at all. So if you are planning on watching something like Sinister or Paranormal Activity then this is not the film for you. Instead, The Witch manages to build this atmosphere of unbelievable tension from start to finish that will have audiences almost hanging from the edge of their seats. One factor used in building this tension is its music, a beautifully haunting score by Mark Korven that is extremely effective when played out in some of the more tense scenes, helping to gradually build suspense. The lack of jump scares are replaced by a combination of Eggers' directorial abilities and clever editing by Louise Ford, something very reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining and something that really works. Some of the jumpiest parts of the film are its cuts. Of course, one of the highlights of the film is its visuals, the stunning cinematography from Jarin Blaschke manages to accentuate the films disturbing imagery making it something that as much as you want to, you cannot look away.

Along with being utterly unnerving, the film also contains some stellar acting from its ensemble cast. Game of Thrones alumni Kate Dickie and Ralph Ineson (or Finchy from The Office) portray the parents Katherine and William, a pair of Puritan Christians who stand firmly by their beliefs despite how it could effect their family. Inesons character is the more understanding of the two and although he is just as fanatical as his wife, he has a strong bond with his eldest daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) and often defends her. Thomasin is the closest thing to a central character in The Witch and Taylor-Joy gives a powerful performance as the young girl on the brink of womanhood. The younger actors are in fact some of the best things about this film, particularly Lucas Dawson and Ellie Granger who portray fraternal twins Jonas and Mercy, they bring a sense of humor every now and again to relieve the tension however they are not solely comic reliefs, their performances are equally as strong as their older co-stars. And it would be a crime not to mention the performance of Harvey Scrimshaw as Caleb, the second eldest child who gives a fantastic performance throughout, stealing the show in one particular scene.

The film focuses heavily on the themes of religion and isolation, emphasisng the Christian Puritan beliefs of the family without doing so disrespectfully. The idea of religion being such a prominent thing within the household manages to add to the films sense of realism and drives the characters when faced with what they perceive to be witchcraft. It is a very isolated horror as well, the families residence is located away from civilisation making them seem a lot more vunerable, it is very reminiscent of films such as the aforementioned The Shining and The Thing. This is another factor in building the tension that makes the film so unsettling, the isolated atmosphere builds a sense of cabin fever between the family members making things all the more suspenseful. In my opinion, it is a very hard film to fault.

Immensely suspenseful from start to finish and accompanied by fantastic acting and beautifully disturbing visuals, The Witch is a slow burner that will have your heart racing throughout. It preys upon the senses to create this tremendous feeling of dread by using its imagery and its score to build a terrifying atmosphere. A promising debut from both its director Robert Eggers and its younger cast members, The Witch is without a doubt set to be one of the scariest films of the year and perhaps even the decade.

25 Greatest Heroes in Cinema

Hello again, sorry about the delay with this one but the moment has finally come for me to give my pick for the top 25 film heroes. This will be the third and final installment in my series of posts about some of the greatest characters in cinema, my first focused on the villains, my previous focused on the antiheroes and this one will focus on the heroes. Over the years there have been a variety of memorable heroes on the big screen from superhumans, to warriors and even just a few nice guys, the list of names would be almost infinite. However, the following list is my pick for the top 25. Warning, may contain spoilers.

25. James Bond- James Bond franchise

Although the famous British agent can be seen as a bit sexist, he has done a lot to protect his country and even the world from the tyranny of evildoers such as the diabolical organisation SPECTRE. Suave and kitted out with all the latest gadgets, Bond has become an icon of cinema and has starred in over 20 films with a number of different actors taking up the role over the years. Known for his love of martini's that are shaken, not stirred, he is a recognisable character despite the changing faces over the years, he has combatted everything from crime lords and terrorists and even men who just love gold making him a highly successful agent of MI-6.

24. R.P. McMurphy- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Veteran of the Korean War and petty criminal, McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) could well be considered an antihero, but I have decided to put him on the heroes list due to the immense kindness he showed to his fellow patients at the Salem State Hospital. After managing to be declared insane, McMurphy avoids a prison sentence and instead is sent to an asylum where he bonds with his fellow patients and clashes with the nasty Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). He encourages the patients to have more independence, to enjoy themselves and rise against Ratched and in this he is successful. However, things do not end well for McMurphy as his behaviour eventually gets him a lobotomy courtesy of Ratched and he is finally put out of his misery by the silent Chief (Will Sampson). Despite not making it out alive, McMurphy inspired the patients to be more independent and free, he was successful.

23. George Bailey- It's A Wonderful Life

Another man who gained his heroism by inspiring others, George Bailey (James Stewart) was a friendly, kind and ambitious man who spent his life putting others before himself to help the citizens of Bedford Falls. However, as his life goes on he realises that these acts of kindness have prevented him from living out his own hopes and dreams, this along with going broke prompts him to wish that he had never been born, a wish granted by the clumsy angel Clarence (Henry Travers). George is a more grounded sort of hero compared to further entries on our list, he is a family man who suffers with the same issues as regular people and despite his own troubles, he always manages to help others before helping himself, a true gentleman. In the end, after seeing the bleak world in which he never existed, George realises how effective he has been to others and that it really is a wonderful life.

22. Abraham Van Helsing- Bram Stoker's Dracula

There have been multiple portrayals of Van Helsing over the years, from horror legend Peter Cushing's to the more recent of Hugh Jackman, however my personal favourite (one which is very faithful to the character from Stoker's novel) is Anthony Hopkins'. Hopkins portrays the doctor/vampire slayer in Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of Dracula and in this role he really captures the balance between vampire slayer and academic. He is extremely intelligent in both science and the occult and along with this he is also fearless, taking on Dracula's (Gary Oldman) evil brides. In this version, the animosity between Van Helsing and the Count is more explicit than a lot of depictions which is another reason as to why Hopkins' version is my favourite portrayal.

21. Rick Blaine- Casablanca

One of Humphrey Bogart's greatest roles, the sharp talking, no-nonsense Rick Blaine owned a nightclub in Casablanca that was frequented by the numerous refugees in the area. Rick is a bitter man, mainly due to his former lover Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) leaving him in Paris, however when she resurfaces in Casablanca he gradually becomes more forgiving and agrees to help her flee to America. He is a man who, despite his tough demeanour, is willing to help those who he holds dear, in this case Ilsa. He goes to great lengths to get her the necessary papers to flee to America, evading the sinister S.S. on the way, all in the name of love. In the end he accepts that Ilsa would not be happy with him in Casablanca and lets her go, his mind finally at ease.

20. Jeffrey 'The Dude' Lebowski- The Big Lebowski

Probably the least heroic hero on the list, The Dude (Jeff Bridges) is an unemployed stoner from Los Angeles who spends his time bowling and drinking white russians. However, a case of mistaken identity manages to get him involved in finding the kidnapped wife of a billionaire who's name is also Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston). He is a man with little worry and not a care in the world, until his rug gets pissed on, as Sam Elliots' character accurately puts it, 'the dude abides'. Accompanied by his friends, the Vietnam obsessed Walter (John Goodman) and the oblivious Donny (Steve Buscemi), The Dude eventually gets to the bottom of the kidnapping case, facing nihilists, pornographic directors and a marmot on the way. 

19. Andy Dufresne- The Shawshank Redemption

After being convicted of killing his wife and her lover, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sent to Shawshank State Penitentiary to undergo two life sentences. At Shawshank, Dufresne faces the harsh reality of prison, facing off against a gang of rapists and the corrupt prison warden, Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton), however he also finds friendship in fellow inmate and contraband smuggler Red (Morgan Freeman). Dufresne eventually puts his knowledge to use and begins to manage the finances of the prisons employees, however as all this is going on, Dufresne organised one of the greatest prison escapes of all time. He gradually dug a massive hole from his wall to the sewers, hidden by posters given to him by Red. After years of being exploited and intimidated by Warden Norton, Dufresne finally escaped Shawshank and exposes what really went on inside the prison.

18. Atticus Finch- To Kill A Mockingbird

In a society where prejudice and discrimination are the norm, Atticus Finch (Gergory Peck) stands out among the citizens as a man of reason with an open mind. As a lawyer, he is challenged with defending an African American man named Tom Robinson (Brock Peters), something that was quite difficult during the 1930's when the film is set. Finch does not conform to the discriminative  views of many of the other people, he takes in to account the facts and logic behind Tom's case to best defend him with. This makes Atticus a figure who many of the locals begin to question, people actually begin to dislike him because of how he defends Tom however it gains him immense respect from his children and sets a brilliant example for them. Peck's performance as Finch gained immense acclaim and he even befriended the author of the book upon which the film was based, Harper Lee.

17. The Driver- Drive

A man of few words, the nameless driver (Ryan Gosling) is a stuntman by day and getaway driver by night, taking part in jobs for criminals around LA. However, this criminal association does not at all make the driver a bad guy, he is a kindhearted man who becomes a protective figure over his neighbour Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her son Benicio (Kaden Leos). The Driver becomes involved in a job involving Irene's husband (Oscar Isaac) that goes awry, sending him on a violent journey through LA's criminal underworld. True, he could be more of an antihero but to me The Driver is just a good guy who gets involved in bad things, however he is in no way a bad guy, he is merely protective over the ones he loves.

16. Captain Jack Sparrow- Pirates of the Caribbean franchise

Outlaw and rum lover, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) is a different sort of hero. He is an eccentric pirate who was betrayed by his crew aboard his ship The Black Pearl before being marooned on a desert island. The rogueish Sparrow has went on a variety of adventures from fending off ghost pirates to facing the Kraken itself, proving himself to be one of the bravest pirates who ever lived. Along with this immense courage, Sparrow is quite an oddball from his appearance to his walk, he is not your conventional swashbuckling pirate. He is arguably one of Depp's greatest roles and is also a hero offscreen as well as Depp has been known to visit schools and children's hospital in the guise of the eccentric pirate. 

15. Max Rockatansky- Mad Max franchise

Former law enforcer in a post-apocalyptic Australia, Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) or 'Mad Max' as you may know him, lost both his wife and infant son to a gang of ruthless criminals. After enacting his revenge on his families killers, Max began to wander the wasteland on his own, helping those who he encounters on the way. Skilled and resourceful, Max has managed to survive the savage wasteland for a long time and is no stranger to violence or danger, although he generally tries to keep to himself there are times when he finds himself tasked with helping others and protecting people from the more violent residents of the wasteland. More recently he was portrayed by Tom Hardy as opposed to Gibson in the fourth installment Fury Road where he aids Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) take down the sinister Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne). Once he has completed this task he simply leaves and continues to wander, this is his way of life.

14. Beatrix Kiddo- Kill Bill

Quentin Tarantino's two-part revenge flick Kill Bill gave us one of cinemas greatest heroines, Beatrix 'The Bride' Kiddo (Uma Thurman). After her former teammates of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad attempt to murder her on her wedding day, killing her husband, The Bride decided to enact her revenge one by one before killing their leader Bill (David Carradine). She is one of the deadliest women alive, skilled in martial arts and lethal with a katanna, however she also fights with great honour and respect, the way she was trained to be. Things only get more complicated for The Bride when she realises that Bill is in possession of her daughter, the daughter she previously thought was dead. Along with being incredibly skilled, Kiddo is shown to be a woman with immense determination who will stop at nothing until her revenge is complete, a true force to be reckoned with.

13. Martin Brody- Jaws

Being the chief of police in the small island community of Amity does not entail much, it is a relatively peaceful community..that is until a great white shark comes along. Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) becomes aware of the gruesome shark attacks and seeks to keep the popular beaches of Amity closed until the beast can be stopped, however the Mayor (Murray Hamilton) does not allow this as he believes it will effect tourism. Brody is a family man, a quality that makes him even more protective when the shark attacks begin, along with this he feels it is his duty to protect the people of Amity as the Chief of Police. Along with marine biologist Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and Quint (Robert Shaw), a shark hunter, Brody sets out to kill the shark himself and despite his boat being destroyed and him almost being eaten alive, Brody destroys the beast, making the waters safe again... until Jaws 2..and Jaws 3-D..and (although we try to forget) Jaws: The Revenge.

12. Marty McFly- Back to the Future franchise

80's teenager Marty Mcfly's (Michael J. Fox) life gets turned around when he travels back to 1955 in a makeshift time machine constructed by his friend Dr. Emmett Brown. This sets off a chain of events that has Marty in a race against time to set things right in the past so that the future will stay intact. Although school is not his strong point, Marty is a skilled skateboarder and a talented guitarist (supposedly inspiring Chuck Berry) along with having a great sense of humor. He is a likeable character who is especially relateable to teenagers (In the 80's anyway) just don't call him chicken. Through time travel he has managed to save his family, Doc. Brown and even his home town from becoming a metropolis of corruption and filth. Next to The Doctor, McFly is one of the coolest time travelers ever.

11. Batman- Batman franchise

Okay, don't get me wrong I love Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight movies and I love Christian Bale, but that bat-voice was so unnecessary that I had to pick Michael Keaton's Batman over him. That's right, before he was Birdman, Michael Keaton was Batman in Tim Burton's first two installments to the franchise before said franchise was killed by Joel Schumacher. When his parents were gunned down in an alleyway when he was young, billionaire Bruce Wayne decided to train himself to become a vigilante who would fight the criminals of Gotham City, thus Batman was born.I like Keaton's portrayal, sure the costume's a bit rubbery and stuff but he is imposing and brooding the way Batman should be, even the voice was natural and did not sound too forced or anything. 

10. John McClane- Die Hard franchise

A detective in the wrong place at the wrong time. John McClane (Bruce Willis) was looking forward to a simple night of drinks and laughs at a Christmas party, until the party came under attack by German terrorists. John then found himself reluctantly combating the criminals and even resorting to walking barefoot on glass to defeat the evil Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), thus a legend was born. He is a hard as nails cop with a penchant for one-liners such as his signature 'yippie-ki-yay motherfucker', generally finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time in almost each of the subsequent films. This hard persona along with his wit and resourcefulness make John a likeable character and despite the circumstances, he always manages to take down the bad guy making him one of cinema's coolest action heroes.

9. Luke Skywalker- Star Wars franchise

Son of former Jedi turned Sith lord Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) grew up on the desert planet of Tatooine under the guardianship of his aunt and uncle. After an encounter with the droids C-3P0 (Anthony Daniels) and R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) Luke began his adventures across the galaxy and his journey from humble moisture farmer to Jedi master. Along with being skilled in the ways of the force, he is also a skilled pilot and managed to destroy the first Death Star with a combination of the force and a carefully aimed blast from the gun on his X-Wing. Above everything else, he is a loyal friend and goes to great lengths to keep his companions safe as seen when he rescues Han Solo (Harrison Ford) from the clutches of the slimy Jabba the Hutt (Larry Ward).

8. Ash Williams- Evil Dead franchise

Ash (Bruce Campbell) was once your average college student, he had a good group of friends, a loving girlfriend and his future was looking pretty bright, that was until one faithful night changed his life forever. During a getaway to a remote cabin in the woods Ash came across the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, the book of the dead, and when he read from its pages an ancient evil was unleashed upon him and his friends. After murdering his possessed friends and girlfriend, losing his hand and even getting possessed himself briefly, Ash made the transition into one of the coolest and grooviest heroes of horror cinema. Armed with his signature boomstick and chainsaw hand, Ash takes great pleasure in slaughtering the sinister deadites who threaten to take over the world by possessing and killing anybody who gets in their way. However, no evil can match the sheer grooviness of Ash Williams and his countless one-liners.

7. Han Solo- Star Wars franchise

Another Star Wars character and one that I find to be a lot cooler than Luke, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) could very well be considered an anithero. He is a smuggler, a sharp shooter and a smooth talker, however he is also a skilled pilot and a man who is loyal to his friends, putting them before his own interests as seen in A New Hope. Han is charismatic and witty and has a playful relationship with Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), a woman who is well able for solos charms. Like Luke, Solo is also a skilled pilot and is known for travelling around the galaxy in his ship, the Millennium Falcon alongside his friend Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), a wookie. Solo acts as an older brother figure to Luke initially, playfully teasing him now and again while at the same time being somewhat protective of the boy before he reached his true Jedi potential. He is a character who throws aside his rather unsavory lifestyle in the name of protecting his friends and saving the galaxy.

6. Neo- The Matrix franchise

Once a hacker known as Thomas Anderson, Neo (Keanu Reeves) discovered that the world which he perceived to be real was merely a virtual reality called the Matrix that was run by the evil machines. After being contacted by a group of freedom fighters from outside the Matrix, Neo soon realised that it was his destiny to bring peace to the Matrix and defeat the machines. Along with having brilliant computer skills, Neo was also trained in the martial arts as well as being a brilliant marksman, he can also manipulate the Matrix and use it to stop bullets and fly among other things. Neo was a man whose own perception of reality was turned upside down and whose old life became irrelevant when he learned the truth behind the Matrix, despite this he managed to become very strong and powerful, eventually bringing peace to the Matrix.

5. Superman- Superman franchise

Like the aforementioned Batman, a fellow character of DC comics, Superman has been portrayed by many people over the years but it is without a doubt that the greatest and most well known portrayal was by Christopher Reeve. After his home planet of Krypton was destroyed, Kal-El came to Earth where he was raised as Clark Kent, realising that he had extraordinary super powers, he became Superman and decided to defend the Earth from the forces of evil. Superman is a noble hero who believes in justice and truth, although he has the abilities of super strength and laser eyes (to name a few) he does not believe that killing is the best solution. Reeve really captured the personality of Superman in his portrayal, the patriotic boyscout trying to bring as much good to the world as he could and although the later installments to the franchise were a bit hit and miss, he still managed to give a strong performance as the man of steel.

4. Maximus Meridius- Gladiator

Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) was once a decorated general in the Roman army and good friend of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). However when he suspects that Aurelius' son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) was responsible for killing the emperor, Maximus becomes a fugitive of the Empire, his family are murdered and he is forced into slavery. He becomes a gladiator and gradually makes his way back to Rome where he seeks his revenge on Commodus, he is a brilliant speaker and leader along with having excellent skills in the battlefield and the arena. He is loyal to his companions and is an honourable man, even in vengeance, his sheer love for his family and for Rome is evident. Ultimately Maximus becomes a martyr for his fellow slaves and manages to get his revenge on the cunning Commodus before being reunited with his family in the afterlife.

3. Ellen Ripley- Alien franchise

The last survivor of The Nostromo after its crew was ravaged by a vicious alien, Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is without a doubt one of cinema's greatest heroines. Strong, sharp and brave in the face of danger, Ripley managed to take down any alien that threatened her or her companions and acted as a daring leader in each scenario put before her. From fighting for survival against a single Xenomorph to leading an all out war against hordes of them and even defeating their queen, Ripley is an unstoppable force who is no stranger to the sinster extra-terrestrials. Be she facing one or one hundred, there is no doubt that Ripley will always come out on top in the battle between the humans and the Xenomorphs.

2. Indiana Jones- Indiana Jones franchise

Renowned archaeologist and treasure hunter, Henry 'Indiana' Jones Jr. (Harrison Ford) traveled the world in search of powerful artifacts in order to keep them from the clutches of evildoers. Combating Nazi's and cult members to name a few, Jones has seen a great deal of action and adventure in his time and has traveled all around the globe from the jungles of South America to the deserts of Egypt. Known for his signature hat and whip he is a recogniseable figure both by looks and reputation and those who know his name know that he is a man who means business. Another brave and daring man, Indy is a risk taker who often finds himself going through life threatening situations in order to stop the forces of evil. Just don't pit him against snakes.

1. Aragorn- The Lord of the Rings franchise

Based on the character created by J.R.R. Tolkein, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) is a skilled and noble hero who joins the fellowship in the quest to destroy the one ring and bring peace to Middle Earth. A man who possesses equal intelligence and strength, Aragorn was a skilled commander in the battlefield leading the troops at the Battle of Morannon at the black gates of Mordor. He also possesses humility and takes great responsibility for his actions, this could also be due to the immense wisdom which he possesses. This combination of wisdom and strength make him not only a fantastic leader but also an excellent king as he eventually becomes the first High King of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor, his rightful place. Possessing a variety of differing heroic qualities, Aragorn is, in my opinion, the greatest hero in cinematic history.

And so that brings an end to my trilogy of posts about the characters of cinema, I promised some more posts this week but they have been delayed due to me being a bit busy but I will have them up soon. Thank you for reading!

15 Greatest Antiheroes in Cinema

In my last post I gave my pick for the top 25 movie villains, now comes the second entry in my trilogy of posts dedicated to some of cinemas greatest characters, this time focusing on antiheroes. There are several characters in cinema that neither fit into the hero nor villain category, they are generally too flawed to be a hero yet have enough good qualities to distinguish them from villains. These are the antiheroes and are generally heroes with flaws or villainous characters who act as a protagonist. So without further ado, here is my list of my top 15 movie antiheroes. Warning, it will contain spoilers.

15. The Devil's Rejects- The Devil's Rejects 

Okay I am aware that there are three characters here but I'm bending the rules a bit to count it as one entry, this sadistic trio consisting of Otis Driftwood (Bill Moseley), Baby Firefly (Sheri Moon Zombie) and Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig) terrorised the Texas backwoods with their evil ways prompting the authorities to hunt them down. First introduced as the antagonists of Rob Zombies House of 1000 Corpses, they were brought back for his sequel The Devil's Rejects where they were portrayed more as antiheroes as opposed to villains. Don't get me wrong, they still do some pretty sick stuff like murdering and mutilating but somehow Zombie manages to make these psychos likable and we actually feel for them in the final scene of the film where they meet their demise at the hands of the law. They're humorous and have good chemistry together, they might be maniacs but they're lovable maniacs.

14. Marv- Sin City

There are many citizens of Basin City that I could have chosen for this list, but Marv (Mickey Rourke) has to be the coolest and most memorable of them all. Based on the character created by Frank Miller, he is a hulking figure with a scarred face and chiseled jaw, Marv is an imposing character and has immense strength, on top of that he is also a skilled fighter making him a very powerful force. He is framed for the murder of Goldie (Jaime King), a prostitute with whom he had relations, which leads him to set out and find the real culprit by using any means necessary. He does not shy away when it comes to violence and will inflict it upon anybody who gets in his way, he is also slightly unstable which makes him all the more imposing as the cannibalistic Kavin (Elijah Wood) found out. Although he is violent and extremely unhinged Marv is not a bad guy, his methods are simply questionable in some cases.

13. Rorschach- Watchmen

Superheroes have various views on morality, many of them believe in justice and that killing should be avoided at all times, Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) does not. Based on the character created by Alan Moore, Rorschach was a member of The Watchmen and began investigating the murders of masked heroes years after the team disbanded. He is ruthless in his ways, he has no remorse for his enemies and has developed a profound hatred for criminals after several horrific incidents in his life. He is completely committed to getting to the bottom of the mysterious string of murders, jotting down all of his finds in his journal, and despite his tough demeanour, he seems to care about his former teammates. He is one of the most prominent protagonists in the ensemble of heroes in Watchmen and is willing to kill anybody who tries to foil his investigation.

12. Frankenstein's Monster- Frankenstein franchise (Universal)

The character of Frankenstein's monster has had countless onscreen adaptations, sometimes he is the villain while sometimes he is merely misunderstood. In the case of his portrayal by Boris Karloff in Universal Studios' Frankenstein and its subsequent sequels, he is the latter. Resurrected by the ambitious Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive), Karloff's monster is a sympathetic character who is only beginning to understand how the world works. He is timid and only becomes violent when provoked, he is also curious and seems to appreciate simple things in the same way a child would. However, he is misguided and has not yet developed a real sense of logic which is seen when he throws a young girl into a lake believing that she will float. Of course the local villagers don't take too kind to him and desperately try to hunt him down and kill him, but Frankenstein's monster is the real victim who simply needed time to learn how the world works.

11. Machete Cortez- Machete franchise.

I am still unsure if Machete from Spy Kids and the eponymous badass from Machete are the same character as they are both portrayed by Danny Trejo and both franchises are directed by Robert Rodriguez, but this entry goes out to the latter. Machete Cortez is a former Mexican Federale who becomes a hired hand of sorts after the murder of his family. After he is set up by a corrupt businessman (Jeff Fahey), Machete seeks revenge when he discovers that the businessman was in league with his wifes killer Rogelio Torrez (Steven Seagal). Machete is a total badass and a Hispanic Chuck Norris of sorts, armed with his signature machetes he is a skilled fighter with a thirst for violence. He also seems to be popular with the ladies as he is seen with countless women over the course of both Machete films. Tough as nails and incredibly deadly, Machete may not be your conventional protagonist, but he is without a doubt one of the coolest characters Robert Rodriguez has ever came up with.

10. Eric Draven- The Crow

After he and his girlfriend Shelly (Sofia Shinas) are murdered in their apartment by a gang of criminals, musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) is resurrected a year later by a supernatural crow so as he can enact his vengeance on his killers. Draven is a powerful character driven by love and a lust for vengeance, his gothic, ghost-like appearance is also strikingly memorable, especially to his victims. Draven is a kind man at heart, caring for the young girl Sarah (Rochelle Davis) whose mother neglects her, however his lust for vengeance pushes the undead antihero to the limit and he takes great pleasure in killing his enemies. He is a tragic hero of sorts but in the end Draven manages to set things right and he returns to his grave where he can finally be at peace with Shelly. 

9. V- V For Vendetta

Another Alan Moore adaptation, V for Vendetta saw young Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) being enticed into the world of the mysterious V (Hugo Weaving), a freedom fighter who challenges the strict authoritarian government that rules over the United Kingdom. Clad in all black apart from his white Guy Fawkes mask, V is an intelligent character who seeks to overthrow the government and give the power back to the people. He acts also as a vigilante of sorts who takes down corrupt individuals such as government officials and clergymen, taking a certain pleasure in doing so. Although he carries out some of his actions as an individual, his main goal was to inspire the people to rise up themselves and join him in his endeavours, most notably to witness the bombing of Parliament. Cultured, humorous, but also deadly, the anarchistic V eventually acted as a martyr, dying in the name of his cause and receiving a Viking funeral in an underground train full of explosives.

8. Amy Elliot Dunne- Gone Girl

It is tough to say if Amy Elliot Dunne (Rosamund Pike) is an antihero or just a straight out villain, but I believe that her actions (although extreme) were somewhat justified. Upon discovering that her husband Nick (Ben Affleck) had been cheating on her, along with several other incidents, Amy decided to enact her revenge by making herself disappear and using that as a means to frame her husband for her murder. She is extremely intelligent and resourceful, taking every little detail into account when plotting her revenge scheme. She is also quite manipulative as seen when she confronts her ex-boyfriend Desi Collings (Neil Patrick Harris). Amy has all the qualities of a sociopath along with being a strong and driven woman who is willing to go to extreme lengths to get back at her husband including self-harm, fabricating a fake diary and even contemplating suicide. She is the embodiment of every fantasy somebody who's been cheated on has experienced and although she is violent and manipulative, you have to appreciate her commitment to revenge. 

7. T-800- Terminator 2: Judgement Day

Contrasting the original model 101 that was sent to kill Sarah Connor in The Terminator, this model (Arnold Schwarzenegger) was sent back to protect her son John (Edward Furlong) from the sinister T-1000 (Robert Patrick). Although he was initially programmed to fight against the humans, a future John Connor reprogrammed him so as to defend his younger self. Despite having no emotions, the robot forms a strong bond with the young John Connor, acting as his father figure while John teaches him phrases such as the iconic 'hasta la vista baby'. Dressed in his signature leather jacket along with his black shades, the T-800 is a deadly killing machine, however he is loyal to those who he is sworn to protect and will do whatever it takes to save them, even if it means destroying himself.

6. Deadpool- Deadpool

Only very recently did the popular Marvel character hit the big screens (that's if you discount X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which you should) but Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) has already become extremely popular among cinemagoers. Before becoming Deadpool, Wade Wilson was a mercenary working in New York and was engaged to his girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), however when he discovered that he had cancer he underwent a dangerous experiment that ultimately turned him into a mutant. Seeking vengeance on those who disfigured him, Deadpool went on a violent hunt through the city looking for his arch nemesis Francis (Ed Skrein), breaking skulls and the fourth wall on his way. He is arguably the most comedic superhero, being fully self aware of the fact that he is in a film/comic and Reynolds is immaculate in portraying him. With a sequel already in the works it is safe to say the world has fallen in love with the merc with a mouth.

5. Jules Winnfield- Pulp Fiction

A dangerous hitman and self proclaimed master of foot massages, Jules is arguably one of the coolest Quentin Tarantino characters ever, only enhanced by the outstanding performance from Samuel L Jackson. Along with his partner, Elvis fanboy Vincent Vega (John Travolta), Jules was sent to recover a mysterious briefcase for his boss Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) but after a near death experience he manages to develop a strong faith in God. After cleaning brain matter from the inside of a car and talking down a duo of criminals, Jules decides to retire from his violent ways and simply walk the Earth. He is an intimidating figure but also a smooth talker and a man who is not afraid to speak his mind, he is also a skilled negotiator as shown in the films climax. Although he can appear as unhinged, it is evident at the end of the film that Jules is a man who is collected and at peace with himself.

4. Michael Corleone- The Godfather franchise

A man born in to a mafia family, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) did not wish to take part in the family business, instead enrolling in college and taking part in World War II. However, after his father Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) is almost assassinated, Michael finds himself slowly being enticed into a life of crime. Eventually he finds himself as the patriarch of the Corleone family, proving himself to be an excellent leader on occasions such as the day of his nephews christening where he orchestrates 5 separate but simultaneous murders. Gradually he becomes more ruthless, taking his position very seriously to the point where he is forced to have his traitor brother Fredo (John Cazale) murdered. He is a complex character who initially finds himself conflicted between his own aspirations and the family business but ultimately he chooses the family and becomes one of the most powerful criminals of his time.

3. Daniel Plainview- There Will Be Blood

A rather nasty piece of work but a protagonist nonetheless, Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) is the epitome of greed. Once a silver prospector, he then became interested in oil and owned a number of successful oil wells along with his adoptive son and 'business partner' H.W. (Dillon Freasier). Plainview is a man who is thirsty for wealth and the more he gains, the more greedy he becomes, he even resorts to sending away H.W. and murdering a man claiming to be his brother in order to protect his wealth. Eventually Plainview is left isolated in his lavish mansion, he is rich but suffers from alcoholism and his mental and physical health have both deteriorated. In the films final moments he lashes out at preacher Eli Sunday (Paul Dano) in a catharsis of rage where he kills the preacher after forcing him to denounce his faith. He is a complex character who lets himself be corrupted by greed, eventually leading to his downfall.

2. Travis Bickle- Taxi Driver

Taxi driver Travis Bickle (Rober De Niro) is an ex-Marine living in New York who works late night shifts in some of the seedier parts of the city. He is a loner who observes the criminals and the addicts on the streets and often fantasises about killing them, viewing them as nothing more than mere filth. He becomes increasingly paranoid throughout the film, buying weapons and fashioning a spring loaded gun on his arm and soon his fantasies become a reality. He encounters a young prostitute, Iris (Jodie Foster) who is abused by her pimp Matthew (Harvey Keitel) and it is then when Travis decides to 'cleanse the filth' from the streets. He is a man who is visibly unhinged, who is angry at society and the growing crime in his area and decides to finally do something about it. He views himself as a vigilante, a saviour of sorts and he proves himeslf as such by the films end when he rescues Iris after massacring several criminals.

1. Alex De Large- A Clockwork Orange

Although the protagonist of A Clockwork Orange, Alex (Malcolm McDowell) is anything but a good guy, getting pleasure from beating, robbing and raping along with his three droogs on the streets on a dystopian Britain. Clad in his white clothes and black bowler hat, Alex indulges in ultraviolence night after night which eventually gains him a lengthly term in prison. In order to shorten this term, he takes part in a controversial experiment which leaves him feeling ill even at the thought of violence, leaving him as a shell of his former self. Alex is quite the character from his dress sense to his penchant for violence, always speaking in nadsat (a form of slang) he teases and taunts his droogs and sometimes even resorts to beating them to keep them in line. He is a sadist and a sociopath and despite everything he goes through over the course of the film, nothing really changes for him. In the final scene of the film where he states 'I was cured alright' one begins to wonder what became of Alex...

Of course it tells you in the book.

So those were my top 15 antiheroes, characters who lie close to the center of the good/evil spectrum. I'll have a post up soon for my top 25 movie heroes, also next week will see more from the Vault of Doom and What If so stay tuned for those as well. Until next time!

25 Greatest Villains in Cinema

Over the years we have seen a number of memorable and fascinating characters on the big screen, characters that have since become iconic in the world of cinema and beyond. It is arguable that many of the most memorable characters have been the bad guys, the criminals, the murderers, the evil little bastards, personally I have always found the villains to be more interesting characters. The following list is my pick for the top 25 movie villains, it will contain spoilers so beware for those. Also, heroes with heavy flaws or bad people who are protagonists will not be on this list so don't be expecting to see Alex De Large or Daniel Plainview, there will be a future post for those lot.

25. Michael Myers- Halloween franchise.

The silent killer who stalked the babysitters of Haddonfield Illinois on Halloween night, Myers was a force of pure evil. First killing his sister when he was just a boy, Myers went on to kill a number of other individuals from behind his white Shatner mask while on the run from his former Doctor, Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence). He is an unstoppable force, surviving any sort of attack thrown at him so that he can continue his bloody string of murders.

24. Drexl Spivey- True Romance

An unhinged pimp with a penchant for egg rolls and blaxploitation films, Drexl Spivey (Gary Oldman) was one crazy guy. With his wild mane of dreadlocks and his scar, Spivey was a memorable figure despite his small role in the film. He is as intimidating as he is insane and almost gains the upper hand over the films hero Clarence (Christian Slater) but he meets his maker at the barrel of his shotgun. Drexl is a fantastic character yet his role is only a small one, he is a character that I would love to have seen more of and one of the highlights of Gary Oldman's career. 

23. Hans Landa- Inglorious Basterds

This cunning Nazi colonel (Christoph Waltz) was nicknamed 'the jew hunter' as he spent his time hunting jews across Nazi Occupied France. He has excellent skills of deduction and is very charismatic, yet he uses these skills for the benefit of the third reich making him a formidable foe for the basterds. Every scene with Landa is a tense one and he brings this brilliantly suspenseful presence with him at all times, he is certainly one of Quentin Tarantino's finest creations.

22. Freddy Krueger- Nightmare on Elm Street franchise

Instead of taking to the streets or the Texas backroads, this supernatural serial killer (Robert Englund) stalked people in their dreams while they slept. Once a human child killer, Krueger was killed in a fire caused by the angry townsfolk of Springwood, Ohio, only to come back as a demonic killer in his dream world. He has a ghastly appearance from his scarred face to his knived glove, yet he is comedic at times, spouting out more one-liners than his victims spout out blood. He is arguably one of the most iconic villains of modern horror cinema.

21. Agent Smith- The Matrix franchise

The nihilistic Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) was an AI that was created by the machines to keep order within the Matrix by terminating those who showed any opposition. He takes great pleasure in his job and despite his collected demeanour, he usually does resort to more violent methods. He eventually becomes a computer virus of sorts, gaining the ability to make numerous copies of himself and only grows stronger as the films progress. He is a very cool villain, always dressed in his black suits and shades and a dangerous opponent for Neo (Keanu Reeves).

20. Don Logan- Sexy Beast

Ex-con Gal Dove (Ray Winstone) was enjoying his peaceful retirement in his Spanish villa, then along came Don Logan (Ben Kingsley). Logan is a British gangster and sociopath who is tries to recruit Gal for one last job back in England, and he simply won't take no for an answer. He is bad tempered and incredibly unstable, lashing out at every unfortunate victim who crosses his path in fits of rage and violence. He is a man with determination willing to use violence and manipulation to get whatever he wants.

19. T-1000- Terminator 2: Judgement Day 

Although the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) was another formidable enemy, he shall be saved for another list. Instead this spot goes to the T-1000 (Robert Patrick), an more advanced model of terminator with the ability to shapeshift due to his body being composed of liquid metal. He is sent back in time by Skynet to kill a young John Connor (Edward Furlong) before he can lead the resistance against the machines. Using his abilities for things such as turning his hands into knives and imitating the foster parents of John Connor , he is even more powerful than the T-800 model and is willing to stop at nothing until he finds and kills John. 

18. Count Dracula- Dracula

The eponymous vampire from Bram Stoker's novel has had a number of onscreen portrayals, but my favourite would have to be that of Bela Lugosi. His portrayal is undoubtedly the most iconic and it is probably what most people think of when they hear the name Dracula. The thick accent, the piercing eyes, he is an icon of horror cinema. Coming to London to feed on the living, the vampire almost added Mina Seward (Helen Chandler) to his undead ranks but was stopped by Harker (David Manners) and Dr. Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan).

17. Colonel Kurtz- Apocalypse Now

Once a highly decorated member of the US army, Kurtz (Marlon Brando) went rogue and formed his own military unit in Cambodia during the Vietnam War. Kurtz was worshipped by the natives as a demi-god of sorts, he was an excellent thinker with brilliant oratory skills. He was also insane and used brutal methods on his enemies, methods that include beheading and grizzly torture. He is feared by the US military just as much as the Vietcong and if not for Ben Willard's (Martin Sheen) daring attack on Kurtz, who knows how powerful he could have became.

16. HAL 9000- 2001: A Space Odyssey

A super intelligent computer designed to control the systems of Discovery 1 on its mission to Jupiter, HAL (Douglas Rain) was depended upon by the astronauts on board to ensure that everything was in order aboard Discovery 1. However, astronauts Poole and Bowman soon discover that HAL has a malfunction and attempt to shut him down, to which he does not respond very well. HAL sets about killing the astronauts, making use of the environment around him which he controls. He is clever, his voice is chilling and worst of all he is in control which makes him all the more sinister given the amount of power he holds over the crew.

15. Nurse Ratched- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

R.P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) thinks he's getting the easy way out after he pleads insanity and ends up in the Salem State Hospital, that is until he meets the evil Nurse Ratchet (Louise Fletcher). She is a sadistic woman who takes advantage of her authority to keep the patients in order by revoking things like food and toiletries when they don't do as she says. She is a stern woman with an iron fist who is hated by the patients, a Margaret Thatcher type figure if you will. She clashes many times with McMurphy ultimately resulting in her having him lobotomized, however the patients no longer fear her thanks to him and most of her authority is lost.

14. Bill the Butcher- Gangs of New York

William 'The Butcher' Cutting (Daniel Day Lewis) led the Natives gang in the Five-Points district of New York city in the mid 1800's, attacking immigrants and anyone he saw as un-American. He gains immense power in the area, manipulating political leader Boss Tweed (Jim Broadbent), while also striking fear into his enemies with his brutal methods that include mutilation and torture. He is an extremely intimidating and unpredictable character portrayed impeccably by Day-Lewis and although being a butcher by trade, there are other more brutal reasons behind this nickname.

13. Paul- Funny Games

Dressed in all white and accompanied at all times by his colleague Peter (Frank Giering), Paul (Arno Frisch) is a sadistic maniac who takes great pleasure in torturing families. He uses a combination of physical abuse and psychological abuse to break his victims and taunt them continuously while at the same time discussing the rules of convention in cinema. He also tends to break the fourth wall, often smirking at the camera and addressing the audience throughout the film. He comes across as calm and charming but on the inside, Paul is a sadistic monster.

12. Jack Torrance- The Shining

This is a man on the edge. Although in Stephen King's book, Jack is portrayed as a man struggling with inner demons, the film version (portrayed by Jack Nicholson) is a man who is mad right from the beginning. Jack is near breaking point, from his annoying wife Wendy (Shelly Duvall) to his abstinence from alcohol, there is so much pushing Jack until finally he reaches breaking point during his time as winter caretaker at the sinister Overlook Hotel. He then attempts to murder his family with an axe, unleashing his madness through his rampage through the hotel. Different to the character from the book but a powerful performance from Nicholson.

11. Commodus- Gladiator

Based on the Roman Emperor of the same name, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) killed his father Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) to gain power for himself before slaughtering the family of Maximus Meridius (Russell Crowe). He is greedy and cunning, carefully planning his rise to power by the use of foul play, he is also smug and disrespectful to both friend and enemy. He has a personal vendetta against Maximus and goes as far as poisoning him in an attempt to defeat him in battle, but like all Roman Emperors, Commodus eventually meets his end.

10. Tyler Durden- Fight Club

Nihilist, anarchist, projectionist, Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) is a man with big ideas who befriends the humble narrator (Edward Norton), convincing him to join him in starting a fight club. His head is packed full of facts such as how to make bombs from soap and how to cut porn into reels of film but his aspirations soon turn sinister as the fight club gradually becomes a terrorist organisation known as Project Mayhem. Tyler is a violent anarchist who has no values or beliefs, only destruction. His charisma and oratory skills make him a brilliant leader and he will stop at nothing until he has left the world in ruin, not to mention that plot twist.

9. Anton Chigurh- No Country for Old Men

What's the most you've ever lost in a coin toss? These could very well be the last words you ever hear upon encountering Chigurh (Javier Bardem). He is a violent hitman who is sent to recover two million dollars found by welder Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) after a drug deal gone wrong. He is armed with a captive bolt pistol that he uses on his victims or to break locks on doors, it is his signature weapon throughout the film. He is an unstoppable force to be reckoned with and although he has committed a variety of brutal offences, his greatest crime is his haircut.

8. Darth Vader- Star Wars franchise

Once a brilliant Jedi named Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader (Richard Prowse/James Earl Jones) was born out of hatred and greed as Anakin embraced the dark side and turned on his fellow Jedi. More machine than man, he is enclosed inside a cybernetic life support suit that gives him immense strength and his sinister appearance, along with this he is extremely skilled in the ways of the force. Ruthless in his ways, force choking his way through his enemies, Vader became one of the most prominent figures of the Empire next to Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) himself. Despite this, he gains redemption in the end and his soul is finally at peace.

7. Annie Wilkes- Misery

Although she comes across as sweet and welcoming, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) is anything but that as writer Paul Sheldon (James Caan) soon finds out. After he is in a horrible car accident Paul is rescued by Wilkes who claims to be his biggest fan, but when she discovers that he is killing off her favourite fictional character her darker side comes out. She subjects Paul to a number of torturous acts including beating and 'hobbling him' in the films most infamous scene, she also frequently yells abuse at him calling him things such as 'a dirty birdie'. She is one of the most terrifying women in cinema and Bates has become renowned for her portrayal of Annie.

6. The Joker- The Dark Knight

Although I love Jack Nicholson's portrayal of the Joker in Tim Burton's Batman, it is fair to say that Heath Ledger's version has become the most iconic. He managed to take elements from different versions of the character to make it his own and oh how it worked, the greasy green hair, the smeared facepaint, the scars, he was truly something else. The Joker wreaked havoc on Gotham City, robbing banks, murdering mobsters, all for the sake of chaos. He had no real plan, only to introduce a bit of madness into the world which emphasises how truly unhinged he was. Unfortunately Ledger died some time after filming, however the role gained him an Oscar and high acclaim from both fans and critics alike.

5. Frank Booth- Blue Velvet

This insane crime boss (Dennis Hopper) has done everything from kindapping to rape and even murder to get what he wants, that being beautiful singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rosselini). He is sadistic and suffers from a split-personality disorder that seems to be connected with a mysterious gas that he frequently inhales. In order to win over Dorothy he kidnaps her son and husband, forcing her to obey his commands in order to keep them safe, a promise he does not live up to. Frank is extremely violent and unhinged, lashing out at random on whoever is near, be it to friend or foe.

4. Norman Bates- Psycho

Tall, handsome and charming, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) seems like the perfect man. He works at his family motel greeting guests along with taking up taxidermy as a hobby, however behind this simple life lies a dark secret. Norman suffers from a split personality disorder, switching to the persona of his deceased mother whenever he feels sexually aroused which causes him to commit violent murders while dressed as 'mother'. If that wasn't enough, he keeps the rotting corpse of his dear mother in the basement of their gothic house that looms over the motel. He may seem like your ordinary, mild-mannered man, but Norman Bates is much more sinister.

3. Keyser Soze- The Usual Suspects

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled is convincing the world he didn't exist. These are the words uttered by Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey) in the final scene of The Usual Suspects when it is revealed that he is the mythical crime boss Keyser Soze. Throughout the film Soze is talked about like a boogeyman of the criminal underworld, nobody knows what he looks like or who he even is apart from a select few. By the films end it is revealed that it was in fact the narrator, Kint, who was Soze, posing as a disabled and meek man. A manipulative sociopath, Soze evades custody by fabricating the story and placing the blame on his colleague Dean Keaton (Gabriel Byrne). As soon as the police realise the truth it is too late and Soze has already made his escape.

2. Hans Gruber- Die Hard

Ruthless criminal mastermind Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) arrives at the Nakatomi Corporation during a Christmas party accompanied by his henchmen. The German baddie and his men went under the guise of terrorists in order to steal millions of dollars from the corporation, not anticipating the intervention of Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis). Charismatic, violent and extremely intelligent, Gruber was relentless and murdered nonchalantly when he needed to, making him a brutal leader. It was his brains, however, that were his greatest asset, orchestrating his grand scheme along with having brilliant skills of improvisation. It is clear that Gruber is one of the most intelligent villains on the list, however, there is one man who beat him to the top spot...

1. Hannibal Lecter- Hannibal franchise

Although originally portrayed by Brian Cox in Manhunter and most recently on television by Mads Mikkelsen in Hannibal, Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Hannibal Lecter is undoubtedly the most iconic. From his first appearance in The Silence of the Lambs to his more prominent role in its sequel Hannibal and brief appearances in Red Dragon, Hopkins' version of Hannibal was extremely creepy yet impossible to look away from. He brings an eerie presence with him wherever he goes and we get a true sense of how dangerous the cannibalistic doctor is in his infamous escape scene in The Silence of the Lambs. Apart from being a deranged cannibal, he is sophisticated and cultured, having a superiority complex of sorts due to his immense intellect. Lecter is without a doubt the most intelligent and most intimidating villains in cinematic history and Hopkins does a brilliant job at bringing the character to life.

So that was my pick for the top 25 villains in cinema, obviously you'll have your own opinions so if you have a favourite movie villain that I have left out then let me know. I will be following up this list soon so stay tuned, until next time!