Happy Birthday, Wes Anderson!

Today, we're celebrating the 43rd birthday of Academy Award-nominated director Wes Anderson. He started directing in the mid-1990s, and he created his first feature length film - 1996's Bottle Rocket - with the acting help of Luke and Owen Wilson. From there, he's gone on to brand himself into a particular type of director, whose films all have the same quirky comedic feel. Anderson has also managed to partner himself with some of the bigger actors in Hollywood, having included the likes of Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzmann and Cate Blanchett in a number of his films. With such fan favorites as 1998's Rushmore, 2001's The Royal Tenenbaums and 2004's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Anderson has definitely made a name for himself amongst the public. Most recently, Anderson delved into animation to create the 2009 film, Fantastic Mr. Fox. Audiences will next be able to see his work in the upcoming 2012 film, Moonrise Kingdom. And so, to celebrate his directing prowess, I've listed my five favorite of Anderson's directorial efforts, and I've found clips from each film for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy them. Once again, happy birthday, Wes!

5. Rushmore

1998

*****

4. Bottle Rocket

1996

***** 

3. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

2004

***** 

2. The Royal Tenenbaums

2001

***** 

1. Fantastic Mr. Fox

2009

Happy Birthday, Gene Hackman!

Today we're celebrating two-time Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman's 82nd birthday. Although he has not appeared in a film since 2004's Welcome to Mooseport, Hackman has had quite the storied acting career. His first film appearance came in an uncredited role in the 1961 film Mad Dog Coll, and he continued to appear in television shows and movies throughout the early 1960s. He made his first credited appearance in a theatrically-released feature film in 1964's Lilith but didn't make a major splash until his role as Buck Barrow in 1967's Bonnie and Clyde, for which he earned his first Academy Award nomination. He nabbed his first win four years later for his performance in 1971's The French Connection. Hackman worked consistently throughout his career, appearing in such high-profile films as 1978's Superman, 1986's Hoosiers and 1992's Unforgiven (which gave him his second Oscar). So, to celebrate his birthday, I've listed my five favorite of Gene's performances. I hope you enjoy the videos I've found. Once again, happy birthday, Gene!

5. Lex Luthor
Superman (1978)


***

4. Harry Zimm
Get Shorty (1995)


***

3. Little Bill Daggett
Unforgiven (1992)


***

2. Blind Man
Young Frankenstein (1974)


***

1. Royal Tenenbaum
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Happy Birthday, Ben Stiller!

Today, we're celebrating the 46th birthday of A-list comedic actor, Ben Stiller. The son of Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, Ben made his feature film debut in 1987's Hot Pursuit. He appeared in a number of films in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but he didn't really make any type of splash until his performance in 1995's Heavy Weights. His first smash hit came in 1998 with his leading role in There's Something About Mary, and from there, a star was born. He appeared in 1999's ensemble piece, Mystery Men and followed that with three big-time films: 2000's Meet the Parents (opposite Robert De Niro), 2001's Zoolander (opposite Owen Wilson) and 2001's ensemble piece, The Royal Tenenbaums. Stiller and Wilson have since appeared in a number of films together, including 2004's Starsky & Hutch and both Night at the Museum films. Most recently, audiences have seen Ben Stiller in 2011's Tower Heist, which is currently in theaters. You'll next be able to see him opposite Jesse Eisenberg in 2012's He's Way More Famous Than You. So, for his birthday, I've listed my five favorite Ben Stiller roles. I hope you enjoy the videos. Once again, happy birthday, Ben!

5. Arturo Mendes
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)


*****

4. Chas Tenenbaum
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

*****

3. Mr. Furious
Mystery Men (1999)


*****

2. White Goodman
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)


*****

1. Derek Zoolander
Zoolander (2001)