Ever since movies began invading our conscious, we've always been fascinated with actors and the performances they give. Through the years many awards have been bestowed to those we think deserve praise and some of those actors have created iconic performances that resonate heavily across the world and generations.
With the advent of television we also found a new crop of actors and characters to hang out hats on. While movies still dominated, some of the best work and some of the most vivid characterizations were taking place on the small screen where an actor/actress could take the kernel of a character and develop them over the course of years until they became so familiar that when the show ended, it was almost like losing a member of the family.
We here at 411Movies decided that while actors already receive enough praise from the general public and critics alike for their work we wanted to honour the creations they have left behind, the characters we watched that helped define our generation and those before us and inspired us all to write about just how much we love movies. So everyday over the next two weeks we'll be unveiling what we think is an eclectic and varied list of great characters.
We hope you enjoy this as much as we did putting it all together.
#100 - Shrek
As Played By – Voiced by Mike Myers
Where Have You Seen Them - Shrek films
Classic Dialogue - Ogres are like onions….
Well Known Trait - Always talking to his ass.
Write-Up By 411's - Jerome Cusson
Everything about Hollywood seems to be so fake and pretty sometimes, something is lost. It's almost like Hollywood isn't a real place, all those stars with pearly white teeth and silky smooth skin. And all those pretty girls constantly end up with men that look like "Ken" dolls. Then a little film called Shrek changed everything. Yes, another princess needed saving, but this time a big green ogre was the knight in shining armor.
In the first part of the trilogy, Shrek is a loner and very angry. Yet, I never get the sense that he was openly hostile toward other creature. He just wanted to be left alone in his cave and in his swamp. Whatever you think of the movies, I challenge anyone to tell me Shrek isn't as good of a character as the other ninety-nine on this list. He's not a superhero. He really doesn't have a cool name or badass persona. He's not a great villain who will make you question your own morals or the way you live your life. In fact, one of the most distinguishing characteristics of Shrek is flatulence, the inability to control his own gas. Now while most people over, say the age of fourteen, won't find this funny or even cute, it is an important part of who he is.
Shrek does win the heart of the princess and as it turns out, this lovely young lady is an ogre herself. After the initial "aww" factor goes away, the reality is that this new couple must deal with a newly complicated life. It runs the gambit of simply meeting Fiona's parents in the second film to then finding a way to run the whole kingdom in the third film. Although Shrek strays away from doing the right thing at times, Shrek always ultimately ends up doing the right things, both for himself and for his family. A lot of it has do with Fiona, Donkey, and later Puss-in-boots. Being an individually great person sometimes requires the help of others along the way. No ogre can live in a swamp by himself, and this is very true of Shrek.
And in the end, he even gained at least some self-control for that flatulence problem too.
#99 – "Mad" Max
As Played By – Mel Gibson
Where Have You Seen Them - The Mad Max films.
Classic Dialogue - I'm scared, Fif. It's that rat circus out there, I'm beginning to enjoy it. Look, any longer out on that road and I'm one of them, a terminal psychotic, except that I've got this bronze badge that says that I'm one of the good guys.
Well Known Trait - Avenger the murder of the ones he loved most
Write-Up By 411's - Chad Webb
A tad under thirty years ago, Mel Gibson was a new actor that was basically unknown, but when he was launched onto the scene as Mad Max Rockatansky, his career could do nothing but skyrocket. This is because of the talent he conveyed right away in Mad Max. The potential for his range was apparent. Max progresses as such an extremely intriguing and fascinating character over the course of the three films by Director George Miller. Plus, he's one bad mofo.
When audiences met Max, he was a pursuit driver for the Main Force Patrol, a law enforcement organization that strove to keep law and order on the roads of post-apocalyptic Australia. At the end of Mad Max, he is a broken man that can never again be normal. In The Road Warrior, the healing process begins, but Max remains a wanderer in the outback, and in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, he regains what he once thought was lost forever…his soul.
He deserves to be on this list not just because he is the traditional hero, hell bent on vengeance after the deaths of his wife and son, but because of what he represents. Above all else, Max is human, and it is those genuine emotions that make him so alluring and so mesmerizing. Viewers sympathize with Max for what has happened to him, and since his character arc is so distinct, he immediately moves ahead of most action heroes in terms of timelessness.
However, he wouldn't be as unforgettable, if he was not exhilarating and electrifying too. Throughout the trilogy, Max is first and foremost an expert driver, but he also has quick reflexes with the sawed off shotgun, and is very intelligent. Max is a survivor. Another detail worth noting is how Max maintains an enigmatic aura for the duration of his saga. He is very quiet and does not speak at great length, but an animal is always bubbling deep beneath the surface. Sometimes that's what it takes to make a lasting impression.
#98 – Willy Wonka
As Played By – Gene wilder & Johnny Depp
Where Have You Seen Them - Willy Wonka/Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Classic Dialogue - You're really weird! (Depp), Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. (Wilder)
Well Known Trait - Having to recruit small children to run his factory
Write-Up By 411's - Scott Rutherford
Only a few characters on this list have the distinction of being played by different actors and unlike most of those, Willy Wonka has the advantage of two widely different and talented actors providing two disparate takes of the same entity created by author Ronald Dahl and both making them equally entertaining and diverse.
We'll start with the original...Gene Wilder. The original Chocolate Factory movie could almost be described as a children's horror tale and in fact, Wilder's Wonka wasn't really that likeable often taking pleasure in the ultimately nasty demise of the children as they walk through his confectionary factory. Wilder basically portrayed him as a cranky, curmudgeon that had very little empathy. Mind you, the little shits that came into the Factory were truly terrible and very much in the spirit of Dahl's book and while Wonka was a nasty cuss, you ultimately loved him when Charlie stole his heart and Wonka let his guard down.
Gene Wilder, who is perhaps better know as the straight man to Richard Pryor in a series of classic movies during the 70's and 80's, gives the role some serious duplicity as you are left wondering just what his agenda is when he shows some flashes of kindness and whimsy and then actively not trying to stop Violet from causing herself to blow up like a blueberry. His naturally expressive eyes also added to the intrigue and ultimately he created one of the much loved children's characters in movie history that still exists today.
When people heard Tim Burton was remaking The Chocolate Factory everyone was pretty happy too hear that. When news filtered through that Johnny Depp was to revive the character it caused a veritable frisson amongst fans of the story and of Depp themselves since he's been known to really go the extra mile to create characters. Having come off a huge star turn in Pirates of the Caribbean the time was right for him and Burton to really rethink the Wonka tale.
Depp for his part made his version of Wonka very much a man/child. Stuck in a state of perpetual whimsy, this Wonka didn't really have a mean bone in his body and wanted nothing more than to find someone to run his factory and to get the approval of his father. This isn't the only difference between the two performances. Where Wilder used a certain attitude to fuel his character, Depp created character moments to flesh out his Wonka, he was a germ-a-phobe with an almost childlike demeanor, who often pretended not to hear people who said things he didn't like. He was lost in fantasy no doubt but you also felt he was more than aware of everything that was going on.
Looking like a cross between a well dressed Marilyn Manson and a Goth, Depp managed to pull of the rare trick of taking a much loved character, updating it and making it wholly different yet keeping the heart of the original beating beneath the surface. Time will tell if it will stand up in the years to come (something that Burton movies have a hard time doing....I mean, have you seen Betelgeuse lately?) but most definitely it will stand as another sign post to the enduring talent of Johnny Depp and his knack for creating characters that often outlive the movies they come from.
#97 – Peter Venkman
As Played By – Bill Murray
Where Have You Seen Them - The Ghostbusters movies
Classic Dialogue - Back off man, I'm a scientist
Well Known Trait - Deadpan in the face of the spirit world/
Write-Up By 411's - Scott Rutherford
Bill Murray, the actor, today is a much different animal than the one that spiraled to fame in the late 70's/early 80's, back then he was almost like an every man, disheveled and distrustful of most things, he sarcastically quipped his way through many movies that were often hit or miss. Thanks to his turn on Saturday Night Live and a few cult classic films (Meatballs and Stripes) Murray was seen, even then, as a comic genius. It was Ghostbusters however, that shot him to worldwide fame and acclaim.
It doesn't hurt that Ghostbusters came form the pen of Dan Ackroyd, long time friend and collaborator. He knew enough to make Murray the mouse of the scene and the dialog his ball of string. Murray is the type of comic that can give you ten different reading with ten different lines for the same scene and each one is as funny as the other...it must be a nightmare editing his movies sometimes.
Ghostbusters, in of itself is a simple movie. New York is invaded by celestial spirits and the Ghostbusters are the only ones who can get rid of them. Of course, if that was the movie I wouldn't be sitting here talking about it right now. Inside that movie you had three very distinct and fantastic leads. You had the eager one who believes with everything in his soul that ghosts are real, the nerdy scientific one who shows no emotion and the cynical one who is slow to come around to this whole ghost business. Guess which one is Murray...guess which one is the funniest man in the whole movie?
With so many out their scenes due to the content of the movie, Murray was able to make Pete Venkman a true movie highlight. Venkman is a "scientist" who's more interest in using his title to pick up woman than to actually do anything meaningful research. When he does see a ghost and becomes believer he's more interested in the wealth it will bring rather than the ghosts themselves. Every scene you see him in as a ghostbuster he looks like he's dragging his ass because he just can't give a damn.
It's true comic mastery that Murray can take such an inherently unlikable character on the surface and make him almost lovable. Mind you, the moments when he does flip out are the true film highlights. His grandiose speech to the mayor of New York (Cats and dogs, lining together...mass hysteria!), disbelief at seeing at gigantic mash mellow man sent to kill them (What did you do Ray?), trying to keep his cool when cracking onto a woman (I'll take Miss Barrett back to her apartment to check her out...I mean check it out).
Though perhaps the single funniest moment of the film was a typical Murray sight gag. At the end of the movie and they have bathed New York in an avalanche of mellow goo and they have saved the day, his fellow three ghostbusters are covered head to tow in the white, sticky marshmallow substance. Out walks Venkman, cool as you'd like with only a tiny bit in his hair. Too cool to be messy, to smart to be in the way at the end.
He's everything you want in a movie character.
#96 - Maximus
As Played By – Russell Crowe
Where Have You Seen Them - Gladiator
Classic Dialogue - At my signal, unleash hell.
Well Known Trait - Inspiring those around him
Write-Up By 411's - Chad Webb
In the year 2000, Russell Crowe was not a new face among moviegoers or critics. With films such as The Insider and L.A. Confidential under his belt, he was quickly maturing into a star actor, and had gained worldwide attention. However those steps turned into one giant leap into a durable leading man when he collaborated with Ridley Scott for the first time in Gladiator, and the character of Maximus Decimus Meridius was uncovered.
If you looked up the definition of awesome in the dictionary, a picture of Maximus should most certainly be there. He is the quintessential man's man. Not only he is a born leader, but he holds every trait that is dreamed of in such a person. He is an authoritative General for the Roman army, but not cruel, and he demands respect from his troops, but only because he offers it to them in return. Maximus can be trusted. The soldiers look up to him, and Emperor Marcus Aurelius relies on his friendship and honesty.
Despite the similarities to previous characters like William Wallace in Braveheart, or Spartacus, Maximus stands out with no trouble. In such a short amount of time, the audience is drawn to Maximus. They care for him, and want him to return to his unpolluted life with his wife and child, but obviously it did not turn out that way. When he is forced to walk as a slave, and then eventually a gladiator, viewers are absorbing his energy and intensity for revenge.
True, Crowe has developed a reputation for his bad temper in recent years, but that cannot overshadow what he accomplished and what force he instilled into Maximus. Crowe dominates the film as the psychologically wounded and rancorous Maximus with his mighty weapons in hand. His gaze is cold and unforgiving, and his body is filled with hatred. Because the portrayal of Maximus goes beyond mere acting, Gladiator is as riveting the second and third viewing, as it is the first. The Best Actor Oscar was awarded to Crowe for a reason.
#95 – Bart Simpson
As Played By – Voiced by Nancy Cartwright
Where Have You Seen Them - The Simpson's movie & TV show
Classic Dialogue - A carumba!
Well Known Trait - Defying any sort of authority
Write-Up By 411's - Scott Rutherford
In the age of South Park, The Simpsons don't really seem that threatening. A relatively normal family with some quirks but usally they all love each other, get along and when it comes to crunch time, do the right thing…even if prodded by Marge. Back in the late 80's when The Simpsons first came onto our screen they was a massive outcry about the show and it was all mainly centered round the character Bart.
It's hard to imagine now, but The Simpsons used to revolve around Bart quite heavily in the first couple of seasons. While every character had their chance it was Bart that caught the attention out of the gate and parents were fearing he was going to lead an entire generation astray with his lack of respect of pretty much everything.
While his customary "Don't have a cow man!" exclamation is beyond benign today, there were actual protests from family groups about it. You can add "Eat my shorts" to that list of truly henious words that the moral "right" was fighting against.
While it seems ludicris today, Bart was a rebelious icon but the family groups that watched The Simpsons and looked on in disgust at him missed two simple facts…1) Homer was WAY more dangerous than Bart could ever be. Since Homer was actually funny and his character had NO moral centre 2) Bart ALWAYS came undone in the home stretch. Whenever he was seemingly home and hosed he would always get an attack of the guilty conciouns and own up. He turned out to be not a bad role model in the end.
While Homer now sits rightly atop of the icon charts in Simpsonland you always have to respect the road that was paved in the beginning and if it wasn't for Barts mild rebeliousness getting up the nose of those who have no sense of humour and causing such a rackus that a vast majority of us tuned in to see what it was all about, we wouldn't have the longest running sitcom of all time.
Funny old world this is.
#94 – Virgil Tibbs
As Played By – Sidney Poitier
Where Have You Seen Them - In The Heat of the Night
Classic Dialogue - They call me MISTER Tibbs!
Well Known Trait - Keeping it real in the face of intense racism
Write-Up By 411's - Tony Farinella
Virgil Tibbs is quite possibly one of the coolest characters in the history of cinema. Even in the face of racism and ignorance, he keeps his cool. It takes a lot to get a reaction out of Mr. Tibbs. He's focused, determined, and wise. He's also not afraid to go toe to toe with Chief Gillespie. While it takes a lot to get to him, he knows when to pick his battles.
Tibbs demands respect wherever he goes.
He doesn't waste his time getting involved in petty politics or the media. In his mind, it's all about justice. He'll put in the extra hours to make sure he's thought of every possible angle. Not only that, he's very observant. Tibbs pays close attention to detail. He sees what other people are missing right in front of them.
Tibbs doesn't say a lot, but when he talks, people listen. His presence is very powerful. When he enters a room, people stand up and take notice. He also doesn't talk just to hear himself speak. He only talks when it's important and worthwhile. Tibbs also chooses his words very wisely. It's safe to say he's well educated.
Tibbs doesn't believe in race or racism. If you disrespect him, he's going to respond. He doesn't care if you're White, Black, or Chinese. When he gets slapped in the movie, he slaps the White man right back. The White man is taken aback by his response. Tibbs just leaves the room and moves on. He doesn't have time to waste. He's made his point and is ready to move on. As mentioned above, he fights when he knows he needs to make a point. He's not going to fight just for the sake of fighting. That would be a waste of time.
What I admire most about Tibbs is his fearlessness. He's not afraid to enter enemy lines. He has a job to do, and he's going to go where the job takes him. He also knows that you should never show fear. The minute you show fear, you're dead. Most men would be too scared to do what Virgil Tibbs does. Tibbs doesn't believe in fear. I don't think the word "fear" is even in his vocabulary.
Virgil Tibbs is the one character that I would most want to be like in real life. It seems like we're always afraid of rejection or failure. Wouldn't life be a lot easier if we just went for our dreams? Tibbs just puts himself out there for the world to see. He knows he's going to get a lot of negative feedback because of his color, but so what? He's not going to stop living his life and doing his job.
Tibbs is not going to let them win.
#93 – Miles Raymond
As Played By – Paul Giammati
Where Have You Seen Them - Sideways
Classic Dialogue - No, if anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any fucking Merlot!
Well Known Trait - Being a master at wine tasting but a pathetic failure at everything
else.
Write-Up By 411's - Tim O'Sullivan
A surprise entry in this all-time list, but in my book, totally just. The impact of Sideways was far greater than its box office takings would ever suggest. Putting aside the award nominations, its effect on the wine industry was hugely significant. Wineries were visited more than ever, the art of its production was studied by many and it became a new hobby for thousands.
All of this was possible because of Alexander Payne's exceptional take on the lives of Miles and Jack, with this glorious backdrop surrounding the foundations of the wine industry acting as a perfect supporting character.
However, it was the lead actor that really stepped up and announced himself as one of Hollywood's finest actors. American Splendor had already established Giamatti as a world class actor, but it was his portrayal of Miles that showcases his finest hour.
Miles is a deeply complex individual, for whom the charismatic, Jack plays off superbly. For every night that Miles wants to stay in, Jack makes him see the real world and I love him for doing that. It brings out the true Miles. The asshole Miles. The enigma Miles. It works, and I can't get enough of it.
#92 – Roseanne Conner
As Played By – Roseanne Barr
Where Have You Seen Them - Roseanne
Classic Dialogue - Remember "Baby, Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me"? "I'll just use you then I'll set you free"? Use me and I'll set you on fire, you bastard.
Well Known Trait - Being the boss and never admitting she's wrong which somehow always makes her right.
Write-Up By 411's - Ron Martin
The typical sitcom mom was a thin and pretty homemaker who supported her family and often passed out wise advice while acting as the rock solid foundation for either her children or her husband's antics. Then came Roseanne Conner. Things changed. Drastically. Roseanne was the anti-sitcom mom. While she did support her family it was often with zingers and mind games more than hugs and hot chocolate. Topics that required "very special episodes" for other sitcom moms were toss away one-liners for Roseanne.
Roseanne was the dominant force in her household more often than not. Watching Roseanne was a surreal experience in that it wasn't surreal at all. It mimicked the life of the average American family instead of providing viewers with a feel good atmosphere. Roseanne led the charge smarting off to her kids, her husband, her family, her co-workers and even her bosses. When Roseanne walked into a room, everyone noticed. And then were heckled.
Certainly, TV (like most the men in her life) was not the same after Roseanne Conner had her way with it. Roseanne talked about sex, masturbation, menstrual cycles, homosexuality and bodily functions with regularity unknown to audiences of the time. Others followed Roseanne's lead. While not the daintiest, classiest or nicest lady on TV, Roseanne Conner was one that you weren't likely to forget. If you did, she would come after you. No one wants that.
#91 – The Bride
As Played By – Uma Thurman
Where Have You Seen Them - Kill Bill
Classic Dialogue - I'm going to Kill, Bill.
Well Known Trait - Never knowing when to die, never knowing when to quite. Also carries a mean grudge
Write-Up By 411's - Bryan Kristopowitz
The Bride, or Beatrix Kiddoe if you will (her name is bleeped out every time someone says it up until the middle of "Kill Bill vol. 2"), is a woman looking for revenge. She was attacked and left for dead by her former assassin colleagues in the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, her boyfriend and future husband was murdered, and her daughter was taken from her (The Bride, at first, thought her daughter Phoebe was dead. Nope). And then she existed in a hospital, in a coma, for several years before she woke up and decided to exact her revenge. Of course, her biggest nemesis is her former boss, the head of the Viper Squad, Bill. He was her former lover, potentially the father of her daughter, and the one that helped her become a highly paid killer for hire.
In her quest for revenge, the Bride manages to kill about a hundred people (I think it's actually much less than that, but I'm way too lazy to actually go and count the bodies myself or go search out someone else's tally). She's relentless, uncaring, and efficient, the true mark of an assassin (or so I've been told). She doesn't get to kill everyone she absolutely wanted to, but she comes close. She made a list of five people she wanted to kill, and she got three (one she didn't get to kill, and one, well, we don't know). She wanted all of them, especially Bill.
There isn't much else to the Bride beyond that. She's a woman with a singular purpose. So the question is why isn't the Bride something more, something else? I mean, she was a highly paid killer, part of a team, part of a philosophy (that whole pseudo samurai honor killer thing) who just decided to leave the "business" and go do something else. She wanted to be a mother, a regular person. The guy she had planned to marry before Bill and the Squad showed up and dang near killed everyone owned a record store. The Bride planned on working there day in, day out for the rest of her life. She didn't want to have the killer's lifestyle anymore.
But did she really?
As we heard Bill say in his final showdown with Beatrix (the Superman/comic book superhero speech), the Bride was born to kill. It's what she is, what she was, and no matter what she tries to do later in life, regardless of the new covering she puts on herself, she can't escape the fact that she's only suited to kill. And the Bride knows this. She breaks down, cries, because she knows that her former lover is right. She knows she is a killer. But then she says "But I would have had Phoebe!" She would have had a daily reminder right there in front of her of why she didn't want to be a part of the Squad anymore. Even if she didn't really love Chris or the idea of working in a record store all day she would have been able to be a mother. She would have been able to share her apparent "non-killer" love with someone. And that was all taken away from her. She had another choice in life, one she made for herself, and that choice was taken from her.
If you think about it, killing for revenge is an extension of killing for hire. In the case of revenge, the client is herself. She's satisfying her own contract. And yet she really doesn't want to be a part of that world anymore.
Think about the last scene we see of the Bride, at the end of "Kill Bill vol. 2," in the bathroom. She's on the floor, crying her eyes out. Why? I don't think it's because she killed the man she really loved (I mean, there's a bit of that there, but I don't think that's the reason). I think it has more to do with a release of self hate emotions and a bit of happiness. She had to sully herself and go back to what she thought she could get away from, and now that her personal journey of revenge is over and she has her daughter, she doesn't have to do that stuff anymore. She no longer needs to be a killer. The Bride doesn't have her groom. The Bride has her daughter.
Well, that's the way it seems to me anyway.
She can really kill people with a sword, too, that's for dang sure.
This list is all ready flawed...Bat Simpson should be higher than all of these.
Posted By: Chad (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Miles Raymond from sideways is an odd choice to be anywhere near this list.
Posted By: The Dood (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 12:11 AM
you have an ok list, but what the hell is bart simpson and roseanne doing all the way near 100? they should be alot higher, ....alot. and why is Miles Raymond ranked higher than Bart? Miles is a good character, but what the hell.
i look forward to seeing the rest of the list anyhow
Posted By: zer0vrs (Registered) on February 04, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Flawed from the get go. The Bride ranking higher than Bart and Roseanne? I'm sure a helluva lot more people will recognize Bart or Roseanne compared to the bride... MEH.
Posted By: Angry Ready (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 12:38 AM
sideways ? this list is terrible
Posted By: pist (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 12:50 AM
If Kool-Aid Man isnt #1 im going to be pissed...
Not really but, decent list.
Posted By: Brad (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 01:03 AM
bart in the 90s? damn you guys suck homer better be number 1 and seeing bart in the 90s i bet kelso aint even make the list you guys suck already with 90 to go
Posted By: jack white (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 01:28 AM
Good list guys. Even if I don't agree with it I appreciate the hard work that went into it, unlike others.
Posted By: Joseph Lee (Registered) on February 04, 2008 at 01:54 AM
Maximus...already? come on, he's better than leonidas and achilles, i better not see them anywhere on this list then.
Posted By: ben (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 02:03 AM
The Bride is not a complex character, and Uma Thurman is an awful actress.
Posted By: Joel Yeomans (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 02:21 AM
These articles are going to make for great reading, but maybe *some* sort of criteria should have been offered? That might make it understandable how the Bride was ranked above Bart Simpson. God knows Tarantino charecters are going to be all OVER this thing, but really.. putting THAT charecter over the one which spawned one of the most successful tv series in history?
Meh.. maybe I'm just biased. Tarantino = over-rated
Posted By: Guest#8866 (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 03:38 AM
Miles Raymond is the only odd choice I can tell of. Odd that Bart is at the very back, though.
Posted By: AdamS (Registered) on February 04, 2008 at 04:11 AM
QT is uinique, one of the bests, period.
Posted By: Croc. (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Bart Simpson should be alot higher than he is.
Also Bill Murray might be very funny but Egon was the best ghostbuster.
Posted By: DaveJuk (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 08:47 AM
i wasn't expecting Bart Simpson to be so far back on the list but Miles Raymond was a very pleasant surprise. =]
Posted By: bluenoserob (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 09:01 AM
The Bride above A Ghostbuster that's not Winston?
Posted By: David Litman (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 09:57 AM
I'm calling it now - it's a shoot out between Homer Simpson and Darth Vader for the top spot with George Costanza coming in third.
Posted By: Baron Skinny (Registered) on February 04, 2008 at 11:07 AM
what a completely random list.
Posted By: hellboysetsfire (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Peter Venkman 97?! Then you combined Jonny Depp and Gene Wilder? Depp was horrible in wonka. Gene Wilder's performance is one of the creepiest ever! Gave me nightmares as a kid.
Posted By: Kip (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 01:42 PM
This list is already biased if Bart is at the last of the list.
Posted By: The Dude (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 01:51 PM
COSTANZA and KRAMER both better be top 10. Giddyup.
Posted By: JackbomB (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 01:54 PM
The Bride seriously has no business on this list. Kill bill is QT's worst movie by quite a bit and she's not even remotely memorable. And I agree, Bart shouldn't be so low on this list. I also question grouping tv and movies together for a list like this. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the effort you're putting into this, but seriously even Shrek should be higher than the bride. She really doesn't even belong on the list in the first place. I look forward to the rest.
Posted By: Bahb (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 02:23 PM
I always hate these lists cause I have to wait so long for the top one. But I vote for Hannibal Lecter for the #1
Posted By: Adam (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 03:08 PM
I hope this is just a personal preference list as honestly Bart Simpson has already reached a type of pop culture immortality and will be that way for many generations to come. Bart Simpson... Number 5 on my own list.
Posted By: Dgnr8fox (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 03:13 PM
To Angry Ready:
The list is not a list of the most memorable, or recognizable characters, but a list of great characters. A character does not have to be memorable to be great. A character has to be seen to be memorable, but just has to exist to be good. Just because there are a lot of people that will not see "There Will be Blood", does not mean that DDL didn't turn in the performance of the century...
For the record, I have not seen the movie, so I am not saying he did turn in a great performance, just using it as an example.
Bastion Booger is a memorable WWF wrestler for some, but that in no way makes him a great character. Hope that gets across the point I was trying to make.
Posted By: Todd (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 06:09 PM
So everyone at least knows how the list was created....about 15 of us voted for their 100 characters. Each one was assign a a point value with the top ranked person on each list getting 100 points, #2 getting 99 points and so on.
So with the amount of people who put in, it was enough to smooth over any anomalies and gives a good indication of a collective vote.
I'll use Bart as an example...he didn't really figure that high in anyone's list but make it to enough to actually make it into the top hundred. Consider we had something like 500 different character voted for...
Then you compare him to The Bride. She placed high on a couple of lists but didn't get much else beyond that, so she also sits low for a similar reason to Bart.
He had more actual people votes for him but most of those people ranked him low. The Bride only had a handful of people but each one rated her highly. So it smooths itself out.
Of course this list isn't going to be perfect, none of these ever are. The fact that most all of us who voted are male, and in their early to late 20's is going to factor huge into who made it. But as it all unfolds it's a pretty eclectic list with a few surprises.
Posted By: Scott Rutherford (Registered) on February 04, 2008 at 07:20 PM
roseanne higher than bart?
good day sir.
Posted By: yojimbob (Guest) on February 04, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Thank you, Mr. Rutherford, for your response.
Posted By: Guest#0733 (Guest) on February 05, 2008 at 02:22 AM
whats the deal with the Bart fanatics. Its a list of best characters and while Bart is funny at times well was funny the character itself is shallow. Of course I do feel Virgil Tibbs should be higher than he is listed simply due to the power material the character comes from and the things he has to deal with make him a more real character, definatly more real than Bart.
Posted By: Salans (Guest) on February 06, 2008 at 01:14 AM
Ya Wilder was so freaky as Wonka. Remember on the boat when he starts singing and gets all psycho? No lie, that made a top 100 scary moments list!
Posted By: jmal (Guest) on February 07, 2008 at 03:42 AM
Um... where is J.R. Ewing. You might have heard of him. He's the main character of one of the highest rated tv series of all time, you may have also heard of an episode called "Who Shot JR?" Not even in the Top 100? Are you kidding me?
Posted By: Brian (Guest) on March 13, 2008 at 01:25 AM
