by Cookie N Screen
Sam Rockwell is one of those faces that pop up all the time in films but people cannot quite put their fingers who they are and they're from. Not this gal, Rockwell has been, well, rocking my world for a long time now because the actor comes into any movie and makes it a million times better. The North American actor has dabbled in comedies, thrillers and dramas, adding another level of personality to proceedings and a lot of the time, stealing the show. Whilst the I’m With Geek crew may be polarised on how great Rockwell is, for the release of Poltergeist, we look at the essential movies!
Honourable Mention: The Green Mile because everyone needs to see that film and his manic performance as well as the underrated Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
Sam Rockwell is one of those faces that pop up all the time in films but people cannot quite put their fingers who they are and they're from. Not this gal, Rockwell has been, well, rocking my world for a long time now because the actor comes into any movie and makes it a million times better. The North American actor has dabbled in comedies, thrillers and dramas, adding another level of personality to proceedings and a lot of the time, stealing the show. Whilst the I’m With Geek crew may be polarised on how great Rockwell is, for the release of Poltergeist, we look at the essential movies!
Honourable Mention: The Green Mile because everyone needs to see that film and his manic performance as well as the underrated Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
Matchstick Men
Now, I often argue that there are no films past Con Air that you can truly say Nicolas Cage is great in. That’s a blatant lie because, bar Kick-Ass, Matchstick Men is the under-seen exception. Before Ridley Scott had his cinematic stroke, he used to be able to direct and he definitely creates an incredible one here. The movie is insanely good, dripping with different plots and ploys tat twists and turns redolently. Sam Rockwell plays Frank Mercer, a con man who tries to fool another con man. Rockwell is the main villain and tremendously tackles the role so believable that even you are tricked by his nature.
Seven Psychopaths
When you put Colin Farrell in a Martin McDonagh movie, he is no doubt going to shine excellently. But Rockwell managed to eclipse Farrell in the hilariously dark Seven Psycopaths - which delivers on its titular message. The film revolves around screenwriter Marty struggling with his next cinematic idea. His best friend Bill runs a kidnapping business where he steals someone's dog and claims the ransom (it’s in LA, they spend a lot on dogs). However, to inspire his friend, Billy starts killing and becomes the Jack of Diamonds killer. Roped in with the titular amount of psychopaths, Marty becomes involved in many sinister ploys. With Rockwell as Billy, the film is sickeningly entertaining. He really brings his spirit to the film, giving a witty and unforgettable performance.
Galaxy Quest
This movie has recently been included on the list of cult classics that are heading to the small screen. It’s a little bit irritating but it does give everyone an opportunity to go back to the movie that was so flipping great. Parodying sci-fi series such as Star Trek, Galaxy Quest revolves around the cast of a huge television series who are mistakenly believed to be real by an alien race who ropes them in to defeat an evil villain. Rockwell stars as Guy Fleegman, a red-shirt type of character who becomes obsessed with the show so hilariously balances the fandom aspect and the good-heartedness as someone so afraid of dying owing to his role as a disposable character.
The Way Way Back
Some may not like Jim "The Dean" Rash and Nat Faxon's directorial debut but it is one of the best films of 2013 largely because Rockwell is in it. The film revolves around Duncan who is taken to a beach for the summer by his mother and her dick of a boyfriend Trent (nothing good comes from the name Trent (except for Reznor! - Ed.)). Stifled by the company, Duncan finds solace in a Water Park, finding a father figure in happy-go-lucky in owner Owen. Not only is Rockwell's Owen the comedic centre of the film - appealing to a lot of the youth in the film for his frivolity - but the way he adapts to Duncan's needs asserts him as an undeniably strong fulfilled character. Rockwell dominates the screen with his effervescent personality whilst similarly understating the role in the more poignant moments. This is best shown in the moment where Trent attempts to belittle Duncan after the boy had reclaimed his summer. As Trent moves in, Owen merely steps in the way. Without a word Rockwell translates this message of "you are no longer in control here" as he simultaneously allows Duncan's resolve to shine.
Moon
It's really hard to be, technically, the only star of a film yet Sam Rockwell pulls it off magnificently. Evolving different personas of his character to great effect, interacting with them and portraying the cold isolation of space in such an incredible manner is utterly evocative. Duncan Jones' sublime space drama that combines the spirit of classics such as 2001: A Space Odyssey sees Sam Rockwell as spaceman Sam Bell who is on a mission to source fuel from the lunar body. However, when he discovers that the injured party looks like him - dead on the grey landscape - he unearths a sinister plot that has kept him in space for so long. Whilst it may star the voice of Kevin Spacey, Rockwell gifts the film with such a humanity that it is hard to not be invested in his now nightmarish world. The powerful and versatile actor truly flourishes.
What Do You Think?
Are these the best Rockwell films?
Or does he have more?
Let us know in the comments below!
Poltergeist is out in cinemas now!
Or does he have more?
Let us know in the comments below!
Poltergeist is out in cinemas now!
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