22 February 2009

Ode to Alan

One of my favorite actors is Alan Rickman. His ability to change his appearance and demeanor from a vile villain to a neurotic actor is amazing. Try these on for size if you don't know what I'm talking about.

Galaxy Quest

Alexander Dane


This movie is by far one of the most underrated films. It has a great ensemble cast of misfits (Tim Allen, Tony Shaloub, Signorney Weaver) who are actors stuck in their Trekkie-type roles. In this flick, Alan Rickman plays Alexander Dane who frequently looses his mind because he can't believe he's known more for the alien with a rubber cap over his head and not for his more 'serious' work.

Jason Nesmith: You WILL go out there.
Sir Alexander Dane: I won't and nothing you say will make me.
Jason Nesmith: The show must go on.
Sir Alexander Dane: ...Damn you.


Harry Potter

Severus Snape

Rickman has turned the nasty professor who's constantly riding Harry Potter for his many faults into a comedic and likable character throughout the Harry Potter film series. Even his distain for the boy who survived he-who-shall-not-be-named, Harry Potter, is fun to watch.

Nobel Son

Eli Michaelson

Haven't seen this film yet but I can't wait. "Nobel Son" follows Rickman as a snobby chemist who just won the Nobel Prize. Unfortunately his son gets kidnapped and then decides to help the kidnapper get all the prize money due to his dislike of his father.

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

Marvin "the droid"

The depressed robot from this movie cracks me up. Rickman isn't even on the screen but his voice resonates though the big headed (literally) melacholy droid.

Marvin: I've been talking to the main computer.
Arthur: And?
Marvin: It hates me.


Sense and Sensibility

Col. Brandon Christopher

With Jane Austin's words, Emma Thompson's screenplay and a completely romantic chick-flick, Alan Rickman steps away from his comedic roles to portray the reliable and perfect love interest to Kate Winslet's Marianne Dashwood.

Dogma

Metatron


In this (probably the best) of Kevin Smith's films, Alan takes on the sarcastically funny angel Metatron (voice of God) who is as 'anatomically impaired as a Ken doll' yet must guide the last scion to New Jersey where she must stop two fallen Angels from entering a church. Smith fuses a story full of blasphemy, a poop demon, and great commentary on religion, religious fanatics and the rest of us.

Bethany: What are you?
Metatron: I'm pissed off is what I am! Do you go around drenching everyone who comes into your room with flame-retardant chemicals? No wonder you're single.


Metatron: Tell a person that you're the Metatron and they stare at you blankly. Mention something out of a Charlton Heston movie and suddenly everybody is a theology scholar.


Die Hard

Hans Gruber

Calling Bruce Willis a cowboy and generally being a great bad guy kept this action movie exciting until the last second.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Sheriff of Nottingham

The only movie I can sit through that features Kevin Costner. But lets face it as the rotten Sheriff who continually threatens people with spoons Rickman is just superb.

Guy of Gisborne: Why a spoon, cousin? Why not an axe?
Sheriff of Nottingham: Because it's DULL, you twit. It'll hurt more.


Sheriff of Nottingham: Wait a minute. Robin Hood steals money from my pocket, forcing me to hurt the public, and they love him for it?
[Scribe nods]
Sheriff of Nottingham: That's it then. Cancel the kitchen scraps for lepers and orphans, no more merciful beheadings, and call off Christmas.


Bottle Shock

Steven Spurrier


As California began to try a hand at the wine business, an English wine connoisseur created the 1976 blind taste test. As Spurrier, Rickman travels around Cali with Chris Pine's Bo Barrett tasting wine and choosing the contestants for the first ever contest. The film is based on a true story and features a great ensemble cast like Bill Pullman, Freddy Rodriguez and Elisa Dushku.

Jim Barrett: Why don't I like you?
Steven Spurrier: Because you think I'm an ass. And I'm not really. It's just that I'm British and you're not.

2 comments:

Jen-Knee said...

I too love Alan.... one of the best. And I have to agree my fav role is in Galaxy Quest.

Seany said...

Locksley! I'll cut your heart out with a spoon!