Top 5: Michael Wincott in Sci-fi/Fantasy films

People don't talk about Michael Wincott enough. I'm sure you know him. Yeah, you do. The gravelly voiced, meth-head skinny lookin' guy? He's been in some films. You know him now, right? He was in that one, with that guy and the thingy... right? Come on now... Michael Wincott? Yeah. See? THAT guy. I told you that you knew him. You gotta start trusting me more. Anyway, people don't talk about him enough. Especially his sci-fi/fantasy/genre film work.

Wait a minute, that gives me an idea...

My Top 5 favorite examples of Michael Wincott in genre films

5. Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Somewhat dwarfed in all things, save for the sheer power of his grease-mullet, by the monstrous scene-chewing presence of Alan Rickman's Sheriff of Nottingham, he still plays a fantastic second fiddle bad guy. Too bad Kevin Costner plays Robin Hood, because otherwise this film might not suck so much.

I'm not exactly sure what is happening at this point in the film, but judging by his face, he seems rather shocked by it. Shocked and, dare I say it? Somewhat delightedly scandalized as well... "Well, I do declare!"

4. Frank Elgin in Alien: Resurrection

This film is notable for four things. 1. It's not very good. 2. Winona Ryder. 3. It is written by Geek-King Joss Whedon. 4. It is obviously a dry run for what would later become Firefly. In short, it is fair to say that the film is a bit uneven... Conversely, it is perhaps unfair of me to include Michael Wincott in this list, even though it is a part of a larger list that is all about him, since his role really isn't that big... so I won't.

"Hey... what's that slimy death-monster kind of noise around the corner? I hope it's not a slimy death-monster... Oh crap, it is! AAAAARRRGGGG..."

3. Philo Gant in Strange Days

This film has the distinction of featuring a rare Michael Wincott/Tom Sizemore joint appearance, and despite the near-constant appearance of Juliette Lewis (including a scene where she "sings"), that makes it something to be treasured. Also, if you ever wondered if millennial cyber-punk sci-fi ages very well, this film will very quickly answer that question for you. And it will answer: No. No, it does not.

Michael Wincott, acting (center)

2. Top Dollar in The Crow

Fire it up! Fire it up! Fire it up! Oh, the 90s... so grim, so gritty. And in the late winter of 1994, none were grimmer or grittier or more made for KMFDM than the Crow. It is truly a creature of its time. It reeks of the bitter potpourri stink of Clove cigarettes and late nights at Denny's, the taint of a thousand unborn Hot Topics clinging to every frame. Regardless, two things can be gleaned from this film. 1. Brandon Lee can not dodge bullets. And 2. It can't rain all the time. Michael Wincott, ladies and gentleman. In a world of the Crow's ridiculous villains, he was... Top Dollar... you might say... (single arched eyebrow)

Wincott, in the middle, acting...



1. Conway Twill in Dead Man

The early to mid 90s were good time to be Michael Wincott, as he blazed a shining trail across the genre film sky. And no role shined brighter than that of the notoriously loquacious bounty hunter and hired gun Conway Twill, a man who talked himself into an early grave and another man's stomach. And for a time before that, his britches were open and no one told him. You'd think a fella would mention the fact. Jeez, his Henry was cold...

Wincott in the middle, in the middle, Wincott in the middle

Hell yeah, Filmzilla has these.

Come on down,

Jon

Shallow Grave (1994)

Three friends audition new roommates (or "flatmates" as they are called in the UK) until they find one who seems perfect--quiet, demure, and keeps to himself. He moves in, and soon afterward, our heroes return home to find he has hanged himself and left behind a large briefcase full of money. I know what you're thinking--best roommate ever, right? They decide to dispose of the body and keep the money, but the mysterious flatmate's past catches up with them. Danny Boyle would go on to direct the cult hit Trainspotting, and the 2008 Best Picture Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire. This was his arthouse breakout movie starring two new actors we now know as Christopher Eccleston and Ewan McGregor. Criterion edition available.

Last Days Here (2011)

Fascinating documentary about Pentagram, the band that should have been America's answer to Black Sabbath, but never happened. Drug problems, personality conflicts, and perhaps a bit of bad luck, prevented Bobby Liebling from ever making it big. If it all went down the way it should have, we'd all be talking about how we're so sick of hearing Pentagram on KQRS every freaking hour. The filmmakers treat the subject with the respect he deserves. They film him smoking crack and living in his parents' basement, and yet manage to convey tragedy rather than ridicule. And the music is good.

Crazy Lips (2000)

This one is weird, even for Japan. It has to be the only musical ever made featuring a reverse necrophiliac rape scene. (I don't know another way to describe it. It just has to be seen to be believed.) I'm not sure whose lips are going crazy, and it is doubtful the director did, either. But you've never seen anything like it. Which could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your point of view.

Lawn Dogs (1997)

The ever irritating Mischa Barton made this when she was just a little girl, and she's actually quite good. Yet another actor who had a natural screen presence as a child, but grew up and sadly never learned to act. Sam Rockwell stars in this modern day fairy tale about an unlikely friendship between a bored and precocious little girl who lives in a gated community and the working class young man who mows their lawns. A sad, beautiful drama.

Henry Fool (1997)

I'm pretty sure the last time I blogged about a Hal Harley movie, I called it his masterpiece, but Henry Fool truly is his masterpiece. But I guess it just goes to prove what they say about Hal Hartley--every movie he makes is his masterpiece until he completes his next one. Or maybe it's just me who says that...anyway...

Henry Fool, an aspiring writer with a dark past, introduces garbage man Simon to the world of literature and poetry. Simon writes an epic poem and becomes a literary sensation. He's either a newly discovered genius or an over-hyped hack, but nobody can ignore him. Meanwhile, Henry's own writing sucks so bad he can't pay anyone to read it. Parker Posey is fantastic as Simon's sister. Enjoy, and remember--there are no innappropriate moments to laugh during a Hal Hartley movie.

The Filth and The Fury

Julien Temple makes use of his extensive footage of the Sex Pistols with astonshing results. He filmed them in various situations over the course of their short, but eventful career. Here he assembles the incoherent mess into a coherent mess and adds in new, retrospective interviews with the band members. The finished product is an insightful look at the Sex Pistols themselves, as well as the state of culture in the UK that gave rise to the punk movement. The older Pistols' faces are hidden in shadow. From beneath the veil of relative anonymity, John Lydon (the Public Image Ltd. frontman formerly known as Johnny Rotten) cries uncontrollably over the death of his friend, Simon Ritchie, aka Sid Vicious. A rare occurrence, indeed.

In the PERFORMANCE section, under "S" for Sex Pisols.