When an actor better known for good guys plays against type, I always look for the wink. Not a literal wink, of course, but that little moment that says: "Don't worry, guys! It's me, I'm only acting!"
Henry Fonda never winked when he gunned down a little kid in "Once Upon a Time in the West." Neither did James Stewart when he played a detective twisted into a controlling monster by his obsessions in "Vertigo," nor Denzel Washington as the dirty cop in "Training Day."
Then you have Tom Hanks, a true national treasure and the all-around nicest guy in movies. Just his presence in a darker role is enough to wink at the audience. For all his versatility, I'd argue he has yet to play a fully successful villainous role. He lacked the sinister edge Alec Guinness had as the loquacious criminal mastermind in the disastrous remake of "The Ladykillers,...
Henry Fonda never winked when he gunned down a little kid in "Once Upon a Time in the West." Neither did James Stewart when he played a detective twisted into a controlling monster by his obsessions in "Vertigo," nor Denzel Washington as the dirty cop in "Training Day."
Then you have Tom Hanks, a true national treasure and the all-around nicest guy in movies. Just his presence in a darker role is enough to wink at the audience. For all his versatility, I'd argue he has yet to play a fully successful villainous role. He lacked the sinister edge Alec Guinness had as the loquacious criminal mastermind in the disastrous remake of "The Ladykillers,...
- 2/19/2023
- by Lee Adams
- Slash Film
President Trump's visit to a Las Vegas hospital got one of the mass shooting victims to stand at attention ... even on his injured leg. Thomas Gunderson is one of the victims the President and First Lady met Wednesday in Vegas. Gunderson says he was running toward Mandalay Bay Sunday night when one of the shooter's rounds pierced his leg. Despite his horrific injury Gunderson pulled himself up onto his feet when the Trumps entered his hospital room.
- 10/4/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Honouring actors brings out red carpets, couture and - sometimes - creatures.
A monkey who's starred in 25 movies over two decades was top dog at the sixth annual Pawscars, the animal version of the Oscars. Waving a statue over her head in triumph, a beaming Crystal accepts the "lifetime diva achievement award" looking every bit the part in a pink, floor-length gown and necklace during the show streaming online Wednesday.
The Capuchin monkey, who played a Ben Stiller-slapping, key-stealing primate in Night at the Museum and a drug-dealing monkey in Hangover Part II, is "the Angelina Jolie of animal stars," said "NCIS" actress Pauley Perrette, who is hosting the show with teen actor Lou Wegner.
Holding her tiny hand, Perrette asks the prolific primate: "So Crystal, you have starred with some of the top leading men of all times - Bradley Cooper, Ben Stiller, Matt Damon, Robin Williams - did you have a favourite?...
A monkey who's starred in 25 movies over two decades was top dog at the sixth annual Pawscars, the animal version of the Oscars. Waving a statue over her head in triumph, a beaming Crystal accepts the "lifetime diva achievement award" looking every bit the part in a pink, floor-length gown and necklace during the show streaming online Wednesday.
The Capuchin monkey, who played a Ben Stiller-slapping, key-stealing primate in Night at the Museum and a drug-dealing monkey in Hangover Part II, is "the Angelina Jolie of animal stars," said "NCIS" actress Pauley Perrette, who is hosting the show with teen actor Lou Wegner.
Holding her tiny hand, Perrette asks the prolific primate: "So Crystal, you have starred with some of the top leading men of all times - Bradley Cooper, Ben Stiller, Matt Damon, Robin Williams - did you have a favourite?...
- 2/18/2015
- by Cineplex.com and contributors
- Cineplex
It’s no secret that Robin Williams was beloved not only by his costars, friends, and fans, but also by members of the animal world who were touched by his kind spirit. Koko the gorilla, who is able to understand sign language, had an emotional reaction to the news of the actor’s death. And now well-known screen monkey Crystal, who costarred with Williams in the three Night at the Museum films, is sharing fond memories (through her trainer Tom Gunderson) of their last encounter. In his penultimate Instagram picture, [...]...
- 8/14/2014
- Us Weekly
Crystal the Monkey -- whose TV and movie credits include the "Night at the Museum" sequel, "We Bought a Zoo," "The Hangover II," "Dr. Doolittle" and "Community" (yep, she's Annie's Boobs!) -- is now the biggest headline-maker of NBC's new fall schedule, starring in "Animal Practice."
Her presence at Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour even won applause from the usually tough crowd of critics and afterwards, I got to hang out with Crystal while interviewing her trainer Tom Gunderson. (We go way back -- check out this old interview with them.)
Crystal's the star, obviously, but Gunderson is the man behind the monkey, going wherever she goes to make sure that she's well taken care of and hits all of her marks. (Remember the ridiculous smoking monkey controversy with "The Hangover II"? Gunderson was there to ensure that no cigarettes were lit and no monkeys inhaled.)
So when...
Her presence at Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour even won applause from the usually tough crowd of critics and afterwards, I got to hang out with Crystal while interviewing her trainer Tom Gunderson. (We go way back -- check out this old interview with them.)
Crystal's the star, obviously, but Gunderson is the man behind the monkey, going wherever she goes to make sure that she's well taken care of and hits all of her marks. (Remember the ridiculous smoking monkey controversy with "The Hangover II"? Gunderson was there to ensure that no cigarettes were lit and no monkeys inhaled.)
So when...
- 7/30/2012
- by Maggie Furlong
- Huffington Post
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