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Top 10 Best Cameos
As promised, this week’s top 10 will consist of what I believe to be the best cameos in cinematic history. After last week’s list of dreadful and down-right idiotic guest appearances, I think this segment could use a pick-me up, don’t you? Now, we can sit here until we’re blue in the face arguing what makes a cameo truly great. We can list the traits off one by one, subtlety, hilarity, relevance, and on, and on. Regardless, in this top 10 I believe you’ll find, like I did, that a cameo doesn’t have any criteria, they simply succeed or falter based on their own individual merit. Granted, a few of the cameos listed are quite odd, funny, incredible, memorable, and indescribable, but there are no errors. I’ve compiled this list with purpose, to be diverse, I want there to be something for everyone, and if there isn’t, please let me know.
Again, just so there are no discrepancies later on. Tom Cruise in “Tropic Thunder” will not be featured in this top 10. The image is simply a header for the top 10 and this will continue until I am able to create a suitable segment header.
As always, if you feel that I’ve overlooked a cameo or believe one was listed that shouldn’t have been, please comment below. I am always looking to improve on this segment and all feedback is welcome.
Let’s get started!
10: Tim Robbins “Anchorman”
Why?: Upon appearing in numerous films that have historical and cinematic importance, it was extremely odd to see “Andy Dufresne” chop off Luke Wilson’s arm with a machete.
9: Hugh Jackman “X-Men: First Class”
Why?: I know for some it wasn’t a surprise at all, but I had no idea it was coming and laughed my ass off like an idiot.
8: Martin Freeman “Shaun of the Dead”
Why?: Honestly, I had no idea he appeared in the film until very recently. Now that I know, I think it is possibly the coolest thing ever. Bilbo Baggins killing zombies, c’mon.
7: Will Ferrel “Wedding Crashers”
Why?: You know why, if you don’t, you’re not my friend.
6: Bruce Campbell “Spider Man” trilogy.
Why?: I know most of you didn’t like the fact I disliked Stan Lee’s numerous cameos in multiple Marvel films. And the fact that I am adding Campbell from three films in which Lee also appeared must really burn. But, c’mon, it’s Bruce Campbell…”Evil Dead”…”Army of Darkness”…you know…he’s awesome.
5: Cate Blanchett and Peter Jackson “Hot Fuzz”
Why?: Two of the most respected names in film appearing in a movie centred around a corrupt, murderous, deranged town…Yes Please!!
4: Christopher Walken “Pulp Fiction”
Why?: I don’t really know if this counts as a cameo or a supporting role…can any of you clarify this? Nonetheless, it is hilarious and inventive.
3: Bill Murray “Zombieland”
Why?: IT’S BILL FUCKING MURRAY!!
2: Martin Scorsese “Taxi Driver”
Why?: It is one of my all time favourite Scorsese scenes, just incredible.
1: Ralph Fiennes “The Hurt Locker”
Why?: Can anyone clarify this as a cameo or supporting role? Anyway, I am a huge Ralph Fiennes fan and this cameo is pure brilliance.
I hope you all enjoyed this week’s top 10. If you feel I’ve overlooked a cameo or placed one in the top 10 that shouldn’t be there, feel free to comment below. Everyone have a great weekend!
Seven Psychopaths (2012)
The impeccable placement of incoherent rants and misplaced attempts of psychotic sincerity are no doubt Seven Psychopaths strong traits. But it is the idiotic gangsters, lazy thieves, and the disgruntled writer that Martin McDonough embellishes to serve a hilarious, malicious endearment dependent on the compatibility of one another that is truly a brilliant malfunction. Scribed in the same manner or at least running along a similar wavelength, stunningly I might add. Seven Psychopaths draws serious reflections to Charlie Kaufman’s screenplay Adaptation. Featuring Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, Woody Harrelson, Colin Farrell, and directed as well as written by the aforementioned Martin McDonough. Seven Psychopaths is a grisly rendition (even if it is melodramatic), of the comedic struggles that accompany being a writer in our current society.
Marty (Farrell) is struggling with his unfinished, overdue script entitled “Seven Psychopaths.” Unwilling to accept help from his close friend Billy (Rockwell), Marty continues on his alcohol fuelled destructive path. Upon arguing with his girlfriend Kaya (Cornish), Marty has no choice but to seek shelter at Billy’s house. Taking this as a sign that Marty needs assistance, Billy issues an add in a local magazine regarding Marty’s search for psychopaths to star in his script. All the while Billy and Hans (Walken) conduct a thrifty business in which they steal dogs from their owners in hopes of returning them when an reward has been issued. Unknowingly, Billy and Hans accidentally steal the dog of a psychotic mobster named Charlie (Harrelson), who is desperately searching for the dog using any means necessary.
The desert portion of Seven Psychopaths is by far the most comedic and brilliant. While Rockwell, Walken, and Farrell diverge from one another and succumb to their own demons. The expansive shots of the vast desert at night clashing with each characters emotion and obscurity is oddly epic. Seven Psychopaths has one of the best assembled casts of 2012. By a wide margin, the most intriguing psychopath is Sam Rockwell. His version of a conscientious, loyal, honest murderer is a phenomenal revaluation. Rockwell shows his satirical severeness, yet also comedic aura that he hasn’t performed this admirably since Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. If it wasn’t for Rockwell, Walken would have controlled all of the viewers gazes. Christopher Walken surface is rock solid but his interior is molten emotions. One of Walken’s best performances to date, he is funny, smart, and intimidating. Woody Harrelson matches the laugh output of his fellow cast members as well as out performing their insanity. Big kudos to McDonough for his original script and firm hand behind the camera. The panoramic shots of the desert and skylines are exceptional. However, McDonough’s clever and witty dialogue would be useless if it didn’t have this outlandish and eccentric cast to relay it.
Seven Psychopaths: 8 out of 10.
Top 10 Films of 2012
We might be a bit late to this particular list’s party, but better now than never. This was a difficult list to compile, lots of great pictures to chose from. But myself (monster1711) and my bud (cinema2033) think we’ve created a diverse and respectable list. If you feel that we overlooked a certain film or have any suggestions for future top 10′s, please comment below. Without further anticipation, let’s get started.
10. Looper. Easily the best science fiction film of the year. Featuring terrific performances from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis, Looper is a brain scrambler that will leave you stunned.
9. The Cabin in the Woods. Speaking of brain scramblers. The Cabin in the Woods is definitely the most bizarre film of the year. Mixing the hilarious and terrifying elements of horror and poking fun at them, it is sure to be a cult favourite.
8. Skyfall. Quite possibly the best Bond film to ever grace the big screen. Skyfall is witty, charming, and one hell of a ride. With towering performances from Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem, Skyfall is not to be missed.
7. Seven Psychopaths. Another entry into Martin McDonagh’s violent comedies. Seven Psychopaths is full of violence, hilarity, and outstanding performances from Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken.
6. Argo. Winner of the 2012 Oscar for best picture, need we say more? Directed and starring Ben Affleck, Argo is history come alive.
5. Silver Linings Playbook. Thought by many to be the best picture of 2012. Silver Linings Playbook is another solid outing from David O. Russell and features a return to form for Robert De Niro. Not to mention the emergence of Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence as real acting heavyweights.
4. On The Road. Possibly the most controversial film on the list, On The Road left audiences divided. Based on Jack Kerouac’s generation defining novel. On The Road features entrancing performances from Sam Riley, Garrett Hedlund, and especially the lovely Kristen Stewart.
3. Django Unchained. The second chapter in Tarantino’s yet to be finished history trilogy. Django Unchained landed Christoph Waltz another supporting actor Oscar. Also starring Jamie Foxx, Samuel L. Jackson, and a deliciously evil performance from Leonardo DiCaprio, Django Unchained is violently hilarious.
2. Zero Dark Thirty. Best picture nominee Zero Dark Thirty is brought to you by the creators of The Hurt Locker. There really isn’t anything else that needs to be said. Incredibly tense, monumental performances, and impeccably scripted. Zero Dark Thirty is an unstoppable force.
1. The Dark Knight Rises. The conclusion to the Dark Knight trilogy, directed by the brilliant Christopher Nolan. With Tom Hardy as Bane, The Dark Knight Rises has the best villain performance of the year. Including an unmatchable cast and an epic finale no one saw coming, The Dark Knight Rises might be the greatest comic book adapted film in the history of cinema.
Honourable Mentions. Lincoln, Sightseers, Prometheus, The Avengers, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, End of Watch.
