The Very Best of Samuel L. Jackson

By Bob and Aaron 9/18/2008

The only movie coming out this weekend that looks marginally interesting is Lakeview Terrace.  This looks to be a horribly funny [as in so bad it's funny] film that stars the one and only Samuel L. Jackson. Despite an early career Oscar nomination for Pulp Fiction, Jackson has gone on to play some of the most badass roles of the past twenty years and his current film appears to be no different. Having seen many of his films, we now count down Samuel L. Jackson’s top ten film roles.

Honorable Mention: Nick Fury-Iron Man

Since it’s only a cameo, we really couldn’t put him much higher on this list, but I only hope that great things are to follow once The Avengers film. Say what you will about The Ultimates, but Jackson will be badass in this role. -RCK

Sam Jackson sample: “I’m here to talk to you about the Avengers Initiative.”

10) Danny Roman- The Negotiator

I do believe this was the first movie I saw with Sam Jackson – back when I was eleven I caught this flick with one of my friends and their dad. Back then Sam was as intense as ever, and as usual, you struggled to decide if he was the good guy or the bad guy. Also in the audience was Denzel Washington who would phone in his role in John Q. Yawn. - AWV

Sam Jackson sample: “You want my blood? Take my blood!”

9) Russell Franklin–Deep Blue Sea

I think I’ve watched the movie just long enough to see Sam get eaten by a shark. That’s about all the movie’s worth – an annoying blockbuster that would make Michael Bay’s latest seem like Scorsese’s finest. And the only reason people rent this movie is because of that hilarious Chapelle skit that you can watch HERE 

- AWV Sam Jackson sample: “They ate me – a f**king shark ate me”

8) Ray Arnold-Jurassic Park

Arnold is on here for one reason and one reason only: being raptor food has never been so cool. When Laura Dern goes into that power center and she’s looking for the light and good old Ray Arnold lends her hand to comfort her, CLASSIC. – AWV

Sam Jackson sample: "Hold on to your butts" 

7) Neville Flynn-Snakes on a Plane

Probably the only actor that has ever chosen a role based on the title of the film, this cult internet phenomenon was hilarious in theaters but forgotten ever since. At least they went back and added this badass quote after filming had wrapped. -RCK

Sam Jackson sample: “That’s it! I have had it with these motherf**king snakes on this motherf**king plane!”

6) Mace Windu-Star Wars I-III

It has been said that Jackson accepted this role only when George Lucas assured him that he could choose his light saber color and that he would die in a completely badass manner. Windu’s purple saber lets him be seen from afar in Episode II’s climactic battle, and his death is what made Palpatine look like the Emperor we all knew and loved. I’d say Jackson got his wish. -RCK

Sam Jackson sample: “In the name of the Galactic Senate of the Republic, you’re under arrest, Chancellor.”

5) Mister Señor Love Daddy-Do The Right Thing

As the quasi-narrator radio show host of Spike Lee’s racial riot film, DJ Love Daddy sets the stage for the heat that is to follow. This role sparked Jackson’s career and led to most of the roles on this list.-RCK

Sam Jackson sample: “Whoa. Y’all take a chill. You got to cool that shit off. And that’s the double-truth, Ruth.” 

4) Zeus Carter -Die Hard with a Vengeance

I thought Sam Jackson’s Zeus was sweet in this movie and couldn’t figure out what McClane did without him in the first two movies. Looking for good Zeus quotes also made me realize that I forgot to put (shouting) before every quote, but, that’s just the way he talks. - AWV

Sam Jackson sample: “You got a problem with ebony?”

3) Carl Lee Hailey-A Time To Kill

Jackson plays the defendant in this John Grisham murder trial. After his daughter is raped, Haily gets his vengeance by killing the rapists in the only way he knows how. He then must stand up for his rights in a racially charged murder trial. Again, the movie is most known for his quote.

Sam Jackson sample: “Yes they deserved to die and hope they burn in hell!” 

2) Elijah Price-Unbreakable

In M. Night Shyamalan’s second film, Samuel L. Jackson plays frail, crazed comic book enthusiast Elijah Price, who has spent his life searching for his opposite. This creepy character leaves the audience terrified with the final revelation that he is the mastermind villain to counter Bruce Willis’s hero. -RCK

Sam Jackson sample: “They called me Mr. Glass.”

1) Jules-Pulp Fiction

Even in a movie that is so iconic and has so many memorable scenes, Jules still has some great ones in the little time he’s on screen. Whether he’s quoting the bible, talking about quarter pounders, gossiping about foot massages, or complaining about cleaning his car, he’s at his best here. And you can watch those bible quoting parts HERE, and HERE. - AWV

Sam Jackson sample: “I want you to go into that bag, and find my wallet…it’s the one that says Bad Motherfucker.”

Bob’s October Movie Preview

By Bob 10/2/2008

Now that we have gotten through the sludge of September movies, it’s time for some Oscar contenders, and movies that think they’re good but not. Halloween is also this month so there is bound to be a lot of random horror movies going on and of course a Saw film to soak in. Whatever happens though, I’m gonna guess that at least one of the following gets some nods come Oscar time. With that, my October Movie Preview:

Cops, Robbers, and Blah

10) Pride and Glory: October 24^th

From the director of Miracle comes one of the most clichéd trailers of ALL TIME. Edward Norton as A COP. Colin Farrell as HIMSELF. What more could we want from a movie? I don’t know, and I will likely never find out because this is not one flick I will be seeing.

9) Max Payne: October 17^th

As I feverishly go through my mind trying to think of a video game adaptation that has actually been a good movie, I’m also reminded of all of the bad movies Marky Mark has made over the past ever (excluding The Departed and Boogie Nights of course). I would be shocked if there is anybody who is actually excited for this, as anybody who actually played the game has probably outgrown the genre.

8) Body of Lies: October 10^th

Leonardo Dicaprio. Russell Crowe. Ridley Scott. Something about spies. The trailers really tell us nothing about this film except, “How am I supposed to run an operation when you’re running a side operation.” I don’t really know what that means, but Leo says it in the trailer. This film looks like another lame attempt by Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe to win Oscars. I’m not buying it.

7) Flash of Genius: October 3^rd

Greg Kinnear stars as an man who invents the intermittent windshield wiper, and then has it stolen from him buy the major auto manufacturers. This just looks like a boring film that will get a lukewarm response. For some reason, however, it has been getting a huge level of marketing with television and even radio advertisements. I doubt people will buy it.

6) RocknRolla: October 10^th

Guy Ritchie is back in the genre he knows best, and this appears to be an English gangster film much in the mold of Lock Stock and Snatch. We’ll see if he still has his stuff, but for now, I’ll just pop in my DVDs of the older films that I can trust, and look to be almost identical in plot to this one.

Movies that Intrigue Me

5) Changeling: October 24^th

Angelina Jolie stars in this Clint Eastwood film about a woman whose son goes missing and is returned with something different. Any film that Eastwood directs (that’s not Flags of our Fathers of course) is worth checking out, and this looks to be no different. It got solid reviews with it premiered at Cannes, and Angelina Jolie is ready for a solid role.

4) W.: October 17^th

A film that is certain to be the years most controversial, Oliver Stone directs this biopic about our current president. While I am sure Stone will exaggerate many of the details, there is no denying that he has put together an awesome cast including Josh Broling (as Bush), Elizibeth Banks (as First Lady Laura), James Cromwell (as his father H. W.), Richard Dreyfuss (as Cheney), Thadie Newton (as Condoleezza Rice) and others as the rest of his cabinet. Whatever happens in this film, it will certainly be interesting.

3) Synecdoche, New York: October 24^th

A film that I have been awaiting since last year, this is Charlie Kauffman’s directorial debut. I have loved the films he has written (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being John Malkovich, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, and Adaptation. ) and this should prove to be equally compelling. It stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as a playwright who attempts to put on a production in a warehouse that includes a scale model of New York. It will probably boggle our minds, but that is Kauffman, isn’t it?

2) Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist: October 3^rd

Michael Cera and Kat Dennings star as the eponymous Nick and Norah who meet each other one night in New York and have adventures. Something about the trailer really brought this movie to my attention, probably the indie style that I love. Cera is always great, and Dennings was really cool in Charlie Bartlett, so I might make my way to a cinema this week to check it out.

1) Zach and Miri Make a Porno: October 31^st

Seth Rogen and Elizibeth Banks star as two best friends who decide to make a porno together. This is Kevin Smith’s first film since Clerks 2, and I can only hope that it matches that film in hilarity. The only thing I don’t understand, is why are they releasing this film on Halloween? I guess there is probably a Saw film being released anyways.