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Top 5 Sailor Moon Episodes

One of my favourite anime shows of all time is the 90s classic Sailor Moon. The original anime based of the hugely successful manga by Naoko Takeuchi ran from 1992-1995 for five seasons following teenager Usagi Tsukino who is an underachieving schoolgirl by day and a crime-fighting hero by night. Along with the other Sailor Senshi who are introduced as the series goes on. The five seasons are known as Sailor Moon, Sailor Moon R, Sailor Moon S, Sailor SuperS and Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars (also known as Sailor Stars), respectively. One of my favourite shows for a long time, Sailor Moon is one of the most popular animes in the world and for good reason. It’s relatable look into the life of teenage girls as they deal with relationships and friendships while also having to pass school exams and think on their futures.

There are times when the show hasn’t dated well (insert the weight-shaming episode here) but overall, the show was pretty progressive considering it was made in the 90s with children being the target demographic. I say this because there are a slew of LGBT relationships throughout the show’s run from first season villains Zoisite and Kunzite to the third season’s addition of Sailor Uranus and Neptune who are in a relationship. Also, the depictions of death and loss grow more violent as the show goes on to reflect the greater threats as well as acknowledging that the audience has grown up alongside the show and its characters.

With its wide array of characters with distinct personalities, there aren’t a lot of shows like Sailor Moon around and it’s that resonance that has made it a pioneer of the Magical Girl genre within anime. With a staggering run of 200 episode, I have decided to rank my top 5 favourite in order which was insane given how many there was to choose from.

Here are my top 5 episodes:

5) “The Dark Queen: Birth of the Black Lady”, Sailor Moon R

The first episode to kick off this ranking is one from the show’s second season. Chibiusa has been manipulated by Wiseman into believing that no one loves her, conjuring up memories from Crystal Tokyo. Using her sadness and anger, Wiseman transforms Chibiusa into Black Lady. Given how the relationship between Usagi and Chibiusa is extremely turbulent during this season, it’s hard to watch as the former is unable to heal Black Lady. The foundations of their growing relationship seemed to have been wholly crumbled by Wiseman’s tricks and now Black Lady is another obstacle in the Sailor Senshi’s way to saving the world. All through Sailor Moon R, Chibiusa is seen as extremely stubborn but she is also a child and this is what makes her emotions easily swayed when she is constantly brainwashed into thinking she isn’t loved. Black Lady seems to be that culmination of negativity brewing inside Chibiusa that she feels against herself.

4) “Shadow of Destruction: The Messiah of Silence Awakens”, Sailor Moon S

The first of two Sailor Moon S episodes to make this ranking, this episode takes place later in the season and sees the second arc come to a brilliant climax. We see the innocent Hotaru succumb to the darkness that has ruled over her through the season and the revelation that she is the feared Sailor Senshi and the last to be revealed, Sailor Saturn. Having captured Chibiusa, the Mistress of Darkness has ruled over Hotaru and takes Chibiusa’s heart crystal and consumes it. Hoping that the light inside Hotaru will win and she will transform to Saturn is diminished and we see her change into the evil Mistress 9 instead. What puts this episode on my list is the heartbreaking betrayal that the darkness has made Hotaru carry out on Chibiusa. Their blossoming friendship is one of the highlights of this season and seeing the frail Hotaru succumbing to darkness is a sad turn of events. The strength of the evil seems to be hugely advanced as well and appears that it will overwhelm the Sailor Senshi. Hotaru has now become a figure to be feared rather than sidelined.

3) “Usagi’s Love: The Moonlight Illuminates the Galaxy”, Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars

It would be insane not to put the final episode of the whole show on here. Rounding of a fantastic 200 episodes in its 5 season run, the whole saga concludes with Eternal Sailor Moon defeating Chaos Galaxia. This episode sees Sailor Galaxia falls under the evil entity Chaos’ control thus becoming Chaos Galaxia and everyone except Sailor Moon is lost. Sailor Moon transforms into Princess Serenity and manages to defeat Galaxia by refusing to fight and holding onto her hand until she has rid herself of Chaos. Despite no violence, it’s still intense and action filled as Galaxia struggles to fight the darkness within. The series is rounded off nicely afterwards as Usagi is reunited with Mamoru and recounts the voice-over thay we were so used to from the first season when she introduces herself as the original theme song plays. Despite the Sailor Stars anime differing hugely from the manga, I think the ending ties everything up perfectly combining the more mature Usagi that has developed through the seasons with the more nostalgic and innocent Usagi we were first introduced to in episode 1.

2) “Death of the Sailor Guardians: The Tragic Final Battle”, Sailor Moon

The penultimate episode of the first season definitely comes as a shock to those who watch the show from the beginning. The Inner Senshi venture to the North Pole where Queen Beryl resides with her minions in a bid to end her plans once and for all. What happens next is a sequence that threatens to shatter the foundations of Sailor Moon’s strength that she has been building since the very first episode. One by one, the Sailor Senshi are taken out by minions until Sailor Moon is the last one left. It’s not so much that is alone that is sad, it’s the explicitly and way that the other four are killed. As the others are more mature than Sailor Moon, they understand and acknowledge the sacrifice that they must make to save the world and particularly when Rei is killed in a huge blaze, we see vacancy in Sailor Moon’s eyes. The hopelessness she feels as she staggers on threatens to undo all of the hard work that she has achieved making it one of the most intense sequences in the entire anime’s run.

1) “The Death of Uranus and Neptune: The Talisman Appears”, Sailor Moon S

By far my favourite Sailor Moon episode from my favourite season, the structure and execution of this midpoint episode is so unique and brilliant. Following the Witches 5’s failing search for the talismans, the story climaxes with the revelation of two of the three mysterious items. In a shocking twist, the two talismans are found in the hearts of none other than Sailor Uranus and Neptune and this episode is as heartbreaking as it gets. We see the Sailor Scouts in their most iconic scene in the anime as they hold hands and reflect on their mission and its importance. What follows is them agreeing to meet Death Buster, Eudial, who lures them to a cathedral where the showdown begins. The scene in which Neptune escapes a trap and tries to save Uranus who has a gun pointed to her heart is fantastically drawn. What is unique about this episode compared to other episodes is that the main focus is on Uranus and Neptune but also the structure differs. Rather than delving straight into the action, the first half is more of a character study into how Uranus and Neptune are outside of the Senshi. It’s a rare insight into their relationship that is slower paced and then the second half deals with that fast paced action sequence in the cathedral.

So that’s my episode ranking! As you can see, none of my favourite episodes are from Sailor Moon SuperS. It is my least favourite season due to its focus on Chibiusa and the absence of the Outer Senshi but there are a few good episodes in there, particularly “Mirrors on Dreams: The Amazon’s Last Stage”. I think the show thrives when it explores those moments of hopelessness and showing the characters pushing themselves past their limits. Overall, Sailor Moon S is my favourite season because it pushes the envelope with the introduction of Sailor Neptune and Uranus as well as seeing Usagi mature.

What do you think of my choices? Which Sailor Moon episode is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

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Top 5 Michael Fassbender Performances

One of the best actors working today without a doubt is Michael Fassbender. Born in Germany and raised in Ireland, Fassbender’s career has gone strength to strength showcasing his range from small-budget indies to massive blockbuster franchises. Garnering critical and commercial acclaim winning a slew of awards including the Venice Film Festival’s Volpi Cup for Best Actor (for Shame) as well as two Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (for Steve Jobs and 12 Years a Slave, respectively). Fassbender never fails to push the bar and standout in whatever film he is. He has worked with a variety of huge directors such as Steve McQueen, Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott and Danny Boyle to name a few and is currently working on Taika Waititi’s new film Next Goal Wins.

There are so many performances that I could list but I managed to compile a list of my top favourite performances which I think are the best of the best. Hopefully if anything, this list will demonstrate the range that Fassbender displays from an Irish activist on a hunger strike to an English soldier in World War II to an American billionaire. He has really established himself as one of the most exciting method actors working in Hollywood today.

Without further ado, here are my top 5 Michael Fassbender performances in chronological order:

Hunger (2008)

The role that catapulted Fassbender to the A List is not one to be overlooked. The first collaboration between Fassbender and  Steve McQueen already shows the fearlessness that they both have in their filmmaking and the roles that Fassbender chooses to take on. Fassbender plays IRA member Bobby Sands who takes part in a hunger strike for 66 days and also participates in a no-wash strike. The film also marks McQueen’s feature debut and won him the Camera d’Or at Cannes Film Festival. McQueen’s minimalist direction combined with a character driven script includes an incredible 17 minute shot in which Bobby is challenged to end his protest by Father Moran (Liam Cunningham). What Fassbender does so well in this film and his subsequent performances is his ability to pull off performances that are memorable but not over the top. What Hunger does is allow the focus to be on the performances of the actors because the film doesn’t have bells and whistles and special effects. Fassbender’s performance earned him a British Independent Film Award for Best Leading Actor and it’s easy to see why. His preparation for the role is evident in his dramatic weightloss pre-production. Hunger proves to be a great start when looking at the filmography for Fassbender as it shows his willingness to pick good roles and his dedication to method acting.  

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Following his stellar lead in Hunger, Fassbender starred in Quentin Tarantino’s fantastic revenge thriller Inglourious Basterds which is a fictional retelling of Nazi-occupied France during the peak of the War. The cast is led by Brad Pitt as Aldo Raine, the leader of the Basterds and stars Christoph Waltz in an Oscar-winning dazzling supporting turn as SS Officer Hans Landa, the latter of which was the major talking point for critics and audiences alike and with good reason. ANother brilliant aspect that comes from this film is Michael Fassbender’s small role as Leiutenant Archie Hicox, an English soldier drafted to France to assist the Basterds with their plan. His role is only short-lived in the film but what he lacks in screentime, he makes up for with charisma. Fassbender is memorable as the quick-witted soldier as he struggles to fit in with the others who are hellbent on revenge. The scene in the underground bar remains one of the best Tarantino moments and it’s largely thanks to Fassbender’s control of the character. As expected in a Tarantino film, the characters are larger than life and it’s clear that Fassbender is enjoying playing Hicox. As mentioned before, this is only a small role but it is a rewarding point in Fassbender’s career as it shows he can standout in a star-studded cast.

Shame (2011)

Fassbender’s second collaboration with Steve McQueen is a deeply explicit look at sex addiction. Fassbender plays Brandon, a high-living bachelor living in New York who is constantly having sex with prostitutes and masturbating in his workplace where he holds an Executive position. Brandon’s addiction is initially his lifestyle. Just like any other addiction, he is subconsciously engaging with sex in any way he can. The film documents the downward spiral Brandon experiences as his lifestyle begins to fall apart with the arrival of his self-harming sister, Sissy (Carey Mulligan) who stays at Brandon’s apartment as she has a few gigs as a lounge singer in the City. Sissy is openly lonely and upset, longing to bridge the broken relationship with her brother who has deluded himself into believing that he is not alone because he is constantly engaging with sex in some way or other. It is the slow-burning realisation that he is alone and that he is incapable of forming “real” connections that make way for Brandon’s downfall. The film earned an NC-17 rating in the US thanks to its explicit scenes which includes Fassbender appearing full-frontal. In an industry where full female nudity has become normalised, there is still a stigma around showing full male nudity. This role is understandably challenging and uncomfortable but Fassbender gives everything to the film. Brandon is deeply flawed and is looking for the puzzle piece that is missing in his life. Fassbender won a second British Independent FIlm Award for Best Lead Actor for his performance. It’s not the lightest film to watch by any means but it is an unafraid look into a common topic that is taboo in a very realist way.

12 Years a Slave (2013)

The third and (to date) latest collaboration between Fassbender and Steve McQueen is an adaptation of the memoir of the same name by Solomon Northup, a New York-born man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in Louisiana in 1841. Featuring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northup, Fassbender portrays plantation owner Edwin Epps, a despicable and inhumane person who takes pleasure in beating and raping the slaves who work for him. Fassbender is truly terrifying as Epps and the performance gives goosebumps due to his unpredictability. The scene in which he demands Northup whip Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o) and then proceeds to violently do so himself to a point where she almost dies is horrific to watch and shows a fearlessness in Fassbender’s performance. He is clearly not afraid to go the extra mile and show Epp’s evilness while keeping complete control of the character. This performance shows a different side to Fassbender’s range that we have not seen before, even in his previous antagonist roles. Epps is a man void of compassion and embodies evil incarnate. Thanks to McQueen realist and relentless direction, Fassbender successfully shows this and really gets under the skin of the character and presents this to the audience in a way that no filmmaker has done before. Everyone in the cast does justice to Northup’s story, especially Ejiofor, Nyongo’o and Fassbender, garnering awards attention for each. Fassbender was nominated for his first Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Steve Jobs (2015)

My favourite Fassbender performances sees him take on the titular character in this Danny Boyle biopic. Fassbender practically becomes the Apple CEO and co-founder as we follow Job’s life from the launch of the Mac that lead to his firing ending with the launch of the iMac which is seen as his Apple comeback. It is such a subtle masterclass of acting that you forget that you are watching an actor. He perfects the accent, the mannerisms and manages to create a deeply complex character that allows the audience to form their on opinions on the man. Aaron Sorkin’s script is a brilliant foundation that Fassbender takes and adds that extra dimension to the film. It is his command of the screen that constantly grabs the audience’s attention and elevates the film to something more than a biopic. The film also features a strong supporting cast led by Kate Winslet, Seth Rogan and Michael Stuhlbarg but it is Fassbender’s lead turn that will leave a lasting imprint long after the film’s ended. The scene in which Jobs and Steve Wozniak (Rogan) argue whether the former should acknowledge the Apple II team in his speech at both computer launches. Jobs is clearly a highly intelligent man but his stubborness and pride hinders him and makes him appear alien and detached from those around him. Fassbender was deservedly nominated for the whole round of major awards and, in my opinion, I think he should have won because the performance is top tier. However, this was the year that Leonardo DiCaprio won all of the awards for his brilliant turn in The Revenant which made the competition one of very high standards.

It’s clear that Fassbender thrives in an environment where he is given challenging and different material. He clearly is wanting to consistently show more range and depth by starring in different genres and working with varying directors and budgets. He is an actor who wants to challenge topical taboos and portray characters who bring discussions among critics and audiences alike. I know that there are tons of performances I could have included such as his performance as Connor in Fish Tank, Magneto in the rebooted X-Men franchise and the titular role in Frank but each of the films I listed are the real standouts in terms of him pushing his range and his charaterisations. I look forward to seeing him in Waititi’s new film and what roles he takes in the future. hopefully this will include a film that sees him sweep the major awards that he is long overdue.

What are your favourite Michael Fassbender performances? Let me know in the comments below!

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A Nightmare on Elm Street Ranking

If you had to ask me what my favourite horror franchise is, I would say A Nightmare on Elm Street with no hesitation. Home to Wes Craven’s iconic slasher villain, Freddy Krueger, a dream-haunting nightmare with knives for fingers on one hand. He’s disgusting and terrifying and doesn’t let his victims die easily. The first film was released in 1984 and has seen multiple sequels, a reboot and even a feature mashup with another certain horror icon. They’re not to everyone’s taste due to their extreme violence and inappropriate content but as a horror fan, I find them fun to watch. Kruegar is the first truly charismatic slasher to come from this genre as Jason and Michael Myers silently stalk and kill their prey. Freddy on the other hand likes to torment his victims and is constantly making grim jokes about their pending demise. Wes Craven has always been a skilled filmmaker but he really reached his peak with this creation. It’s brilliant and crosses the line between horror and humour. This makes the films entertaining and, dare I say, enjoyable to watch.

Now I’ve already done a ranking for the Child’s Play and Final Destination films which you can read here and here, respectively, but I thought it would be fun to look at this franchise as a whole and see where the films would slot from best to worst.

Without further ado, let’s delve into the nightmare and get on with the reviews:

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

The one that started the nightmare. A Nightmare on Elm Street is a pioneer in the slasher genre, coming after Halloween (1978) and Friday the 13th (1980). Spearheaded by horror legend, Wes Craven and featuring Robert Englund as the gruesome killer, Krueger, we are plunged into a world that sees the teens of Elm Street slashed to death one by one. The film is widely known for its explicit violence, paedophilic themed subtext and also marked Johnny Depp’s film debut. A group of teens start being killed off one by one, apparently by a badly burned man with knives for fingers. Led by Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp), the group work together to trap and kill the monster. It’s an iconic film. Even if you haven’t heard of it, you know what Krueger looks like and the basic premise of the film. Nancy is a brilliant protagonist and just like Laurie Strode in Halloween franchise, she is fearless when needed. It’s strange to think that a genre associated with the subjectification and glorification of violence towards women (which is a completely legitimate issue) also provides such progressive roles for women as well. There’s a humour in this film that you don’t really see in other slashers that would set a trend for franchises like Child’s Play and the sequels for Friday the 13th which purposely become weirder as the films went on.

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A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985)

It’s no secret that I love camp horror films. I love a film that isn’t afraid to be highly satirical of itself and the genre. Despite only being released a year before, Freddy had become somewhat of a titan of horror. A sequel was rushed through with no involvement from Craven and the result is the polar opposite of its predecessor. The film follows the Walsh family who move into the Thomson family home five years after Freddy’s initial defeat. Teenage Jesse (Mark Patton) is struggling to fit in and finds himself getting into fights with his peers at school but his world is quickly flipped when the people who . The film has become a cult classic among fans and is known for its homosexual undertones with Englund himself declaring it a “bisexual film”. There is a strong argument to suggest that Jesse’s inability to fit in is due to his conflict with his own sexuality. The big issue that I have with this film is that it flips Freddy around to be the hero. When he’s bullied by a group of partying teenagers, the audience sympathises with him. This sentiment was shared by Craven himself who stated that Freddy should be “threatening and overpowering” which I think was missing. Freddy becomes a punchline in this feature rather than a genuine threat.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

This sequel does not get enough love. Coming off the failure of the previous installment, Dream Warriors is a brilliant addition to the franchise. It’s known among fans of the franchise that this film is fantastic but not as well known to horror fans in general who truthfully are missing out. Following a group of young people in a psychiatric ward, we see Freddy messing with the minds of these vulnerable individuals and watch as their pleas are quashed by the doctors and other authorities figures. The film marked Patricia Arquette’s film debut as Kristen Parker, a young teen who is chased in her dreams by Freddy who then cuts her wrists which looks like a suicide attempt to her mother who swiftly commits her to Westin Hills psychiatric hospital. She teams up with a group like her who have had nightmares of the same man and soon they are killed one by one. Calling themselves “dream warriors”, they plan to use their weaknesses as strengths to quash Freddy’s murderous attempts. The film also marks the welcome return of Heather Langenkamp as Nancy who has grown to be a psychiatrist, inspired by the events of her childhood. This film features some of the best death scenes in the franchise and sees Craven taking control of his franchise once again.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)

The film follows the remaining survivors of the third film (Tuesday Knight taking over the role of Kristen Parker) after they have been released from the psychiatric unit one year later. Kristen is still haunted by what happens and Freddy returns to cause havoc on the survivors and their school friends. This is where the films start to play the same routine and becomes more repetitive but trying to make the death scenes as ridiculous as possible. There is even a death where one of the girls is turned into a cockroach and squished! It’s still a good popcorn flick but largely unoriginal. This film also features Lisa Wilcox as new protagonist, Alice Johnson, who takes the helm as scream queen for this segment after befriending Kristen. I like the aspect of bringing someone else into the dream which is continued from the third film into this one. Freddy uses Alice to lure him to her friends who he starts to pick off one by one, including a horrific death involving her asthmatic friend. This installment was the highest grossing the original franchise and kept it that way until 2003’s Freddy vs. Jason so it was a huge hit with audiences.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989)

The fifth film follows Alice (Lisa Wilcox) who is still haunted by the events of the fourth film. The opening scene throws us immediately into the dream world as we see Alice as Amanda Krueger, a nun who works in a men’s psychiatric ward who is subsequently raped by masses of inmates when she is accidentally locked among them. She has a second nightmare that sees Freddy as a baby digging up his remains from the fourth film and brings him back to life. After Alice’s boyfriend, Dan (Danny Hassel), dies tragically, Alice is convinced that Freddy is back which is swiftly followed by the revelation that she is pregnant and Freddy subsequently starts to give the unborn baby powers so he can be more like him. There is a lot going on in this film and the more I think about it, the more confused I become. There’s the usual plotline of Freddy killing teenagers then the subplot of Alice’s pregnancy and then there’s the second subplot involving Freddy’s origins. It’s a lot to cram into one film and naturally the film fails because of it.

Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)

This installment is by far my least favourite. If you thought the previous film was overcomplicated then you’re not prepared for this one. Freddy has killed all the kids and teenagers in a small town and seeks out the one survivor to bring more teens to kill. There are so many questions that come to mind regarding the cannon and where this sits in the universe as there is no reason for his reincarnation from the last one. The adults in the small town have gone insane and there is definitely a strange Twin Peaks tone that they are going for that fails spectacularly. This is probably the rock bottom for the original franchise and seems to just be a money grab rather than a genuine passion project. It also features a cameo from Johnny Depp and a bizarre cameo from Roseanne Barr who plays one of the deranged townspeople.

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)

This film takes place outside the universe and is a unique experience as it is very meta. Following the making of a new film, Freddy breaks out and starts killing the cast and crew. Featuring a return from Heather Langenkamp and with many of the other parts played by cast and crew. Wes Craven returned for the project and the great thing is that it seems like everyone is genuinely having fun. It’s a shame that this film had become largely forgotten as it is a great addition to the franchise. It’s to Craven’s credit that he is always trying to think of something new while still being faithful to the originals. The Freddy in this film also goes back to darker routes and becomes less comical than the last few installments.

Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

This film is one of those that is so bad it’s great and I love it. Freddy resurrects Friday the 13th villain, Jason Voorhees in a bid to scare the residents of Elm Street while they’re awake so he can kill them while they sleep. Soon enough, Jason starts going on a killing spree which angers Freddy and the two become embroiled in a feud that brings a huge body count. It’s a fun film that ventures on the wackier side and also serves up a variety of stereotypes in an ironic way such as the resident stoner and drunk partying teens. The film is the last to feature Englund as Krueger and stars Ken Kirzinger as Jason. It’s a shame they didn’t follow this up with a sequel as it would have been great to see what more they can do with this universe cursed with this villains. It’s not a great film by any means but it’s a fun popcorn flick. I think what makes this film so enjoyable to watch ishat it isn’t afraid to poke fun at itself and be completely bonkers.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

This is one of those rare films where I go against the grain a little bit. This film was (rightfully) torn apart by critics like one of Freddy’s victims despite its commercial success. It is equally hated by fans and despised so much that they didn’t even bother making any sequels for this reboot. It’s a rehash of the first film with newcomer Rooney Mara filling the boots for Nancy Thompson. The reason I go against the grain is that I am one of the few people who actually enjoyed this reboot. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t hold a candle besides the original at all but I thought it was an interesting take in bringing up the darker themes that couldn’t be discussed in the original, mainly Freddy’s paedophilic nature. I think Jackie Earle Healey is one of the most underrated actors working today and his performance is a darker take on Englund’s Krueger. I understand why his performance wasn’t well received because the humour and charisma is what differentiates Kruegar from other slasher villains. Also, Mara is one of my favourite actresses working today and this is the film that properly introduced me to her (aside from The Social Network but that was a small support role). I thought that the darker tone was an interesting aspect to explore but I do think ultimately the film suffers because of this and becomes just another horror film.

So that’s all of the reviews done and dusted. I am not sure if they’re going to create anymore, especially since Craven has since sadly passed, but it would be intriguing to see how they would reintroduce Freddy in this new revolutionary climate.

Here is my ranking:

1) A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

2) A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

3) A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)

4) A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985)

5) Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)

6) Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

7) A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989)

8) A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

9) Freddy’s Dead: the Final Nightmare (1991)

What do you think? Which one is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

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Top 5 Daniel Day-Lewis Performances

When it comes to listing the greatest actors in history, it would be pretty arrogant to not throw Daniel Day-Lewis’ name into the mix. The man puts the method in method acting and is renowned for his ability to truly become his characters. His refusal to break character offscreen or follow the typical hollywood lifestyle brings a sense of mystique to this genius who clearly has a passion for acting. Famously selective about his roles from early on in his career, he may not have the most extensive filmography but what is there is only the best and is full of brilliant collaborations with the best actors and directors.

He is the only actor to have won the Best Leading Actor Oscar three times and remains a titan in acting, even if he has retired (he has “retired” before and returned so who knows if this retirement will stick). Day-Lewis is in a league of his own when it comes to actors working today (the closest would probably be Joaquin Phoenix or Gary Oldman).

It’s been hard to pick top 5 but I have managed to do so. Here is my list of top 5 performances in chronological:

My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)

This early entry in Day-Lewis’ filmography is perhaps one of his most controversial. Made in 1985, Day-Lewis portrays Johnny Burfoot, a white Londoner who embarks on a romantic relationship with Omar Ali (Gordon Warnecke) who is struggling with his identity as a British-born gay man of Pakistani descent in volatile, racist Britain. The eeriness of this film comes in how relevant it feels today 35 years on. Stephen Frears refusing to bow to stereotype in this film, creating characters that are rounded and break the mould. In a general landscape that isolated homosexuals, My Beautiful Laundrette shows a relationship filled with adventure and excitement. The chemistry between the two leads is magnetic and it’s great to see a film about a gay couple that has a happy ending, something that is notoriously refused in the majority of mainstream LGBT+ cinema.

My Left Foot (1989)

The one that propelled Day-Lewis to stardom. Portraying disabled artist Christy Brown, Day-Lewis went full method for the role and refused to break character offscreen to channel the struggle of Brown’s experience with cerebral palsy. It brought Day-Lewis a global audience and his first Academy Award nomination and win. Christy is mischievous and hilarious, aiming to live his life to the fullest. A supporting cast led by Fiona Shaw who plaus Dr. EIleen Cole, Christy’s carer and Brenda Fricker as Bridget Fagan brown, Christy’s mother (who also won a Supporting ACtress Oscar for her performance) brings an authneticity to this low-budget Irish production. The film relies on the performance of its actors and refuses to use any Hollywood flares or special effects. This is a great introduction into the career of Daniel Day-Lewis and shows how capable and fearless he was from early in his career as well as providing an insight into what will become a flourishing and groundbreaking filmography.

Gangs of New York (2002)

The film that paired Day-Lewis up with Martin Scorsese for an epic that explores the conflict between Irish and Italian Americans. Based on a true story, it’s a film that explores what it takes to be a “true” American. In this nativist vs. immigrant plot, Day-Lewis plays William “Bill the Butcher” Cutting, a cruel leader of the nativist gang who refuse to allow the Irish settlers ownership on American land. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Amstardam whose father Vallon (Liam Neeson) dies at the hands of Bill in the opening scene and seeks his revenge years later under his new alias. The film itself falls short of its potential due to its odd pacing and the overall scope of the film feeling too big for its three hour running time but Day-Lewis’ performance elevates it and makes it worth the watch. Bill is maniacal and devious with no redeeming quality but he is also extremely charismatic. It’s flamboyant and subtle at the same time. Only Day-Lewis could pull the performance off in this way.

There Will Be Blood (2007)

The role to end all roles. The character of Daniel Plainview is nothing short of iconic. Day-Lewis is on fire in this role as a greedy prospector who soughts to purchase land that sits on oil. The film deservedly won him his second Best Actor Academy Award and for good reason. It’s a brilliant performance that shows the true greed of mankind and how much they are willing to destroy in order to gain more power. This film marks his first collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson and serves as a definite high point for both of their careers. They are a duo who click together so well with Anderson’s penchant for brilliant character development and Day-Lewis’ commitment to character is unlike any other. It’s the movie that gave us “I drink your milkshake” in what can only be described as one of the best film endings. Add Paul Dano to the supporting cast and you have one of the best combinations of a director/writer and cast seen in 21st century film.

Phantom Thread (2017)

Day-Lewis’ “final” role sees him reunite with Paul Thomas Anderson as a renowned couturier, Reynolds Woodcock, inspired by a culimation of designers including Charles James. He’s a man with an inpenetrable exterior that is soon challenged by a chance encounter with waitress, Alma (Vicky Krieps) who becomes his muse when his creativity wanes. They spark a professional and romantic relationship and his business starts booming again as Reynolds finds his inspiration to design. Always watched over by his eagle-eyed sister, Cyril (Lesley Manville), we see the highs and lows of Reynolds’ career and the challenges he faces when the sparks begin to fade. The character contrasts greatly with the previous Anderson outing. Reynolds is a more subdued character who can say just as much with a simple grimace or flourish of the hand in the same way that Daniel Plainview used his persuasive chat to manipulate. Day-Lewis was deservedly nominated for the major awards in what is a beautiful swansong to a brilliant career.

As you can see, there are many brilliant performances that didn’t make the list, in particular In The Name of the Father (1993) and Lincoln (2012), the latter of which won him his third Best Actor gong. It’s always difficult choosing my favourite performances but how do you do it when pretty much every performance is perfect? There really is no wrong answer when it comes to Daniel Day-Lewis as it is likely that you will feel impacted by his performances.

Which film is your favourite from Daniel Day-Lewis? Let me know in the comments below!

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Joker (2019)

I don’t know if there has been such a hype around a film with added polarisation to boot. Todd Phillips’ origin take on iconic villain in Joker shows how Arthur Fleck, a failed stand-up crippled with mental illness who rebels against a system that seems rigged and only rewards those born into riches and fortune. Arthur struggles to navigate his way in Gotham City which has gradually become more violent as the rich continue to cut public funding. I previously did a Top 5 Joaquin Phoenix performances post which you can read here in anticipation for this film. As I predicted, Joker would easily slip into the best of the best from an actor who can’t do any wrong. Joker also won the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival which is unheard of for a franchise superhero film because of its groundbreaking venture and reluctance to fit in with a particular aesthetic that audiences and critics are used to.

Todd Phillips shows his talent for direction with this film. Taking inspiration from some of the best directors in history, mainly Martin Scorsese, Phillips achieves in making an epic based not on a superhero franchise but on a character. This film is rich in character development that it would weirdly fit in with the films of Paul Thomas Anderson. It’s refreshing to see someone venture into a different genre of film despite his ridiculous motive. An obvious element to point out would be that the film is told from Arthur’s perspective in contrast to the numerous Batman films that only see the Joker from Bruce Wayne’s point of view. Phillips allows us to not necessarily sympathise Joker’s actions but to understand his view of a city that ignored him for years and stomped on him daily. Phillips throws us into a specific period of his life rather than showing us his life thus far. What we learn about Arthur’s background is varied and unreliable so it becomes hard to grasp Arthur as a person. What we do gain is that he has lead a life that has pulled him in all sorts of uncertainties and directions but when he is dressed as a clown, he feels comfortable behind the guise.

As expected, Joaquin Phoenix is nothing less than extraordinary and this role will almost certainly bring him an abundance of award wins I think. He is arguably the best working actor today. This may be his time to win a long overdue Oscar (he should have won for The Master really) but that’s not to say that it wouldn’t be deserved if he won for this. Arthur Fleck is a deeply complex character. His mental illness leaves him extremely vulnerable as seen in the opening scene when a group of teenagers take his sign and subsequently beat him up, he’s physically malnourished with Phoenix losing 50 pounds for the role. There are so many layers and sides to this character that he becomes increasingly unreliable and the uncertainty in his actions makes for a terrifying experience. There’s no predicting his motives or what he will do next. If I had to draw comparisons from another Joker, it would have to be Jack Nicholson’s particularly in the chat show scenes but that’s only a glimmer as Phoenix has managed to pave a way for his own Joker. Phoenix is an absolute powerhouse of acting and even those who dislike the film have respect for his portrayal. It’s a performance that shows the physical and mental consequence to actions made by those seen as “higher” and “superior” than himself.

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As far as other characters go, we have a supporting role led by Robert De Niro who is making a welcome return from a few years of very questionable choices in film as Murray Franklin, Gotham’s most popular talk show host. Arthur idealises this man but what he doesn’t realise is that Murray is a product of the society that threatens to marginalise him further. He broadcasts a portion of Arthur’s failed stand-up routine for the whole of Gotham to see and isolate him further. Arthur appears oblivious to Murray’s behaviour initially and eagerly accepts and invitation to be on his show in which he is ridiculed further but Arthur isn’t as vulnerable as it seems and his appearance on the show makes for one of the most intense scenes in film this year. I hope De Niro keeps this up and with The Irishman coming out later this year, I am hoping this marks a return to the actor that we loved before Dirty Grandpa.

My favourite scene would have to be the Bathroom Dance scene in which Joker finds his way to a grimy public bathroom and dances with himself. The combination of Phoenix’s whimsical nature and the dark, vibrant score that provides an undertone for what had occurred in the previous scene. Hildur Guðnadóttir’s award-winning score for Joker was one of my major highlights aside from Phoenix. It feels that the score and the character are connected as the score weaves its way through Arthur’s movement. In this scene, the two are combined as one and it is as if this is the music in his mind. If any scene could be used to sum up the film, it’s this one. The Joker is known for his violent outbursts but this scene sees him literally celebrating a triple murder. It’s a different side that we see for a character who had thus far been victimised and pushed down.

I was excited for Joker since I am a huge Joaquin Phoenix fan but, to be honest, the hype surrounding the film made me less and less excited and I was unsure whether I would enjoy. However, I was not let down and thoroughly enjoyed the film from beginning to end. As someone who has experience with mental illness, it was refreshing to see mental illness portrayed in a way that seemed unfiltered and honest. Of course, the character of Arthur Fleck isn’t one to aspire to but the film shows a picture of how those less fortunate are left to fend for themselves when thrown into difficult situations. Joker is a film that lends itself well to the DC franchise but also as a standalone in its own right. It’s depiction of a broken character who becomes even more fragmented is unafraid and undoubtedly a reflection of society today. The film feels progressive and risky while also remaining loyal to a character that has been well-loved for decades.