"Father. I would have butchered the whole world... if you would only love me!” (then proceeds to kill his dad in this scene…)”
5. Commodus (Gladiator, 2000)
What can I say about this guy? Well… He murdered his own father, THEN tries to have Maximus killed, THEN has Maximus’ entire family slaughtered oh and THEN tries to get his sister into bed. Killing your father in the first half hour of the film really sets Commodus apart and the sister complex….Deep family issues. Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix, is an envious, power mad, amoral demon but lets take into account he’s not just evil he’s INSANE. I think that pretty much sums this character up…
Most influential scene: For me has to be when Commodus gives the thumbs down. Maximus refuses to kill his opponent, the crowd cheers and Commodus frustration at not being able to have Maximus murdered more intense
“I believe in two things: discipline and the Bible. Here you'll receive both. Put your trust in the Lord; your ass belongs to me. Welcome to Shawshank.”
4. Warden Norton (The Shawshank Redemption, 1994)
The Shawshank Redemption proves to be one of the strongest feature film directorial debuts ever known. Frank Darabount secured the rights from Stephen King for a dollar of his bestselling novella “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption”. One of the rare examples where the film is better than the book. Darabont made numerous changes from the novella in the film’s screenplay most noticeably building on the character of Warden Norton. The novella had numerous wardens through Andy’s stay at Shawshank but reducing it to one adds greatly to character development. Norton is a sadistic, corrupt, overly religious monster who we just love to hate.
Most Influential Scene: The death of Tommy Williams. After Norton orders the brutal murder of Andy’s get out of jail free card we know this is one guy you wouldn’t want to mess with.
“A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti”
3.
Manipulative and brilliant Hannibal Lecter, played my Anthony Hopkins, may just be the most intelligent villain in film history.
Most Influential Scene: It’s hard to choose between his first meeting with Starling of his ingenious escape from prison. I think I’ll call it a tie. The meeting with Starling in intense and dramatic whereas the escape scene is gruesome, action fuelled, well thought out and overall brilliant.
“What do you do?” “I'm into... well murders and executions mostly.”
2. Patrick Bateman (American Psycho, 2000)
I LOVE Bateman. The unique character of Patrick Bateman was created by Brett Easton Ellis and is the main player in his bestseller “American Psycho”. Many campaigned to have this book banned for its graphic descriptions of sex, drug use and violence which (unsurprisingly) increased its sales dramatically and in turn a film was made. I couldn’t think of a better actor than Christian Bale to play Bateman; the charm, the finesse, the attitude and the hint of something darker underneath. Bale studied the character of Bateman intensely and even mimicked his lifestyle with days at the tanning salon and intense physical workouts and this devotion to the role shows. Bateman symbolises what was wrong with the 1980’s, although we are against what he does we can’t help but feel empathetic for the sordid world he lives in as a stereotypical yuppie. Intelligent, classy and a murderous psychopath. What isn’t there to love?
Most influential scene: The business card scene, Bateman’s expression after being constantly trumped by his “friends”. Priceless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU6SQ_e6VCo
"Are you gonna back all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
1. Mr Blonde (Reservoir Dogs, 1992)
There was no doubt in my mind over who would be my number one, from the day I watched this film he’s stuck with me ever since. It’s the number one man, Mr. Blonde. Mr Blonde, played by Michael Madsen, is another villain who’s pleading insanity. This was Madsen’s first team up with Quentin Tarantino but he returned to play one of the Bride’s numerous adversaries, Budd, in Kill Bill Vol.2. A total sadist Mr. Blonde seems to be the only member of the team who really enjoys inflicting pain on others. So lets see what earned him the top spot on this list; unnecessarily killing civilians, taking a police officer hostage, torturing him because its “amusing” and then there’s the whole ear thing... Every time he’s on screen Mr Blonde sends shivers down my spine with his complete nonchalance despite his horrendous acts of violence and his willingness to get back onto the crime scene after being out of prison for a few days. Although he’s seriously twisted we can’t deny that in this movie he just epitomizes cool. The gelled hair, the sunglasses, the great taste in music… Although the ear scene in the most disturbing for me the part following is the most intense. Mr. Blonde has doused the police officer in petrol and he’s made the trail. It’s all so slow and we’re just waiting for that horrific moment…but instead he gets shot by the rat, and at this stage, much to my relief. Stuck in the middle with you will never be the same…
Most Influential scene: Need I say it? The ear scene. We all know Mr. Blonde is bad news; we worked that out as soon as Mr. White gives him an earful (no pun intended) for killing those civilians but as soon as he turns on that radio and whips out the razor blade his villainy becomes immortalised.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CdW-4TRcDQ
Also an honourable mention to everyone's favourite Lord of the Sith, Palpatine :)
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