Today, we're celebrating the 75th birthday of the legendary, three-time Academy Award-winning actor,
Jack Nicholson. He started acting in the mid-1950s and made his first feature film appearance in 1958's
The Cry Baby Killer, but it wasn't until his performance in 1969's
Easy Rider that he truly entered the public consciousness. Six years later, after hitting it big in 1974's
Chinatown, Nicholson won his first Oscar for his leading role in the 1975 film
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and a star was born. Since then, Jack has appeared in such big-time fare as 1980's
The Shining, 1983's
Terms of Endearment, 1989's
Batman, 1992's
A Few Good Men, 1997's
As Good As It Gets and 2006's
The Departed. Most recently, audiences have seen Nicholson in 2010's
How Do You Know, and it is currently unknown as to what his next project might be. And so, to celebrate his birthday, I've listed my ten favorite of his performances, and I've managed to find clips for each for your viewing pleasure. Once again, happy birthday, Jack!
10. President James Dale
Mars Attacks! (1996)
*****
9. Edward
The Bucket List (2007)
*****
8. Dr. Buddy Rydell
Anger Management (2003)
*****
7. Warren Schmidt
About Schmidt (2002)
*****
6. Joker / Jack Napier
Batman (1989)
*****
5. Melvin Udall
As Good As It Gets (1997)
*****
4. Wilbur Force
The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
*****
3. Frank Costello
The Departed (2006)
*****
2. Jack Torrance
The Shining (1980)
*****
1. R.P. McMurphy
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
It's birthday time, kids! Today we're celebrating the 53rd birthday of director/producer Tim Burton. Burton has spent his career crafting his own niche in Hollywood, consistently bringing forth some of the strangest and most innovative films to hit the silver screen. He's taken hold of the 0ff-beat humor in the darkest of situations and has gone full steam ahead with it. Because of this, he's developed quite a cult following, and although I don't think he's my favorite director, I'm still thoroughly intrigued by all of his work. Adding to his mystique is his marriage to the equally-quirky Helena Bonham Carter, with whom he has teamed on a number of occasions. So, as I usually do, I'm counting down my five favorite directorial efforts from Mr. Burton as a tribute to his career on his birthday. I know there could be a bit of debate with my choices, but I still hope you like this list. Once again, happy birthday Tim Burton!
Today, I'd like to wish Christopher Nolan a happy 41st birthday! Nolan has quickly become one of the premiere directors on the Hollywood scene with his ultra-successful Batman franchise and 2010's smash-hit Inception. My first introduction to his work was 2005's Batman Begins, and it's only been a flourish from there. While he doesn't have a massive number of films under his belt - he's directed seven films, six of which I've seen, since his directorial debut in 1999 - he has found a way to make each one of them simply astounding. I have yet to come across another director who has been so consistently proficient. Nolan ranks as my fifth favorite director of all time, and if you look closely at that list, you'll see that he and Sergio Leone are the only two directors who boast an 'A' for their films' average grade. So, as I usually do on birthday posts, I'm breaking down my five favorite of Nolan's films, giving you little snippets from each film for your viewing pleasure. Be sure to keep a weather eye out for Nolan in the future: his next directorial effort will be the third and final film in his Batman trilogy (2012's The Dark Knight Rises), and he is also producing and working on the screenplay for the new Superman film entitled Man of Steel. Because it seems as though everything this man touches turns to gold, I simply cannot wait for the rest of his career. Once again, happy birthday, Christopher!
