Favourite Film Faces #15: James Earl Jones in 'The Lion King'

Unlike most people, I first saw James Earl Jones not as Vader or Mufasa - but as the presenter of 'The Making of Jurassic Park' documentary. A VHS copy hunted down in a Virgin Megastore back in the day.

After that, I knew James Earl Jones as Mufasa.

Then, in 2005, as Darth Vader. Well, I knew he was Vader, but I only watched the 'original' trilogy for the first time in 2005 across three days, as I watched all six Star Wars films chronologically.

Amazing how such a booming voice can be so useable (a better word? anyone?)... because, no-one watches The Lion King and thinks that Vader's voice doesn't work because it sure as hell does work.

Remember - you can always email The Simon and Jo Film Show directly using this email: simonandjoshow@gmail.com

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Favourite Film Faces #14: Ralph Fiennes in 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'

Last night, through watching all the Harry Potter films in order, I have reached the fourth installment: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I was tryin to recall at what point Ralph Fienne's turned up as the infamous Voldermort and this is that moment. I recently heard a podcast - Battleship Pretension methinks - and they explained how Mike Newell and Christopher Columbus made Harry Potter films for the kids, whilst Yates and Cuaron made much more darker and sinister films. I understand Columbus, in all fairness, was indeed making a kids film - and good for him - but Mike Newell... I don't know. I think HP4 has many dark elements just with a certain playful tone 'hovering' above it all.

Fact is, with regards to casting - this is the most perfect casting ever. In fact, so good - it seems as if this is what Fiennes was destined for. Ralph Fiennes often plays the villian - Schindler's List, Red Dragon and the complex-figure in the National Theatre's Oedipus, his own worst enemy - and the nose-less being that is Voldermort could not have asked for a better actor.

Ralph Fiennes - you are a legend. 

Remember - you can always email The Simon and Jo Film Show directly using this email: simonandjoshow@gmail.com

We are also on Twitter (simonandjoshow) and Facebook.

Favourite Film Faces #13: Peter Breck in 'Shock Corridor'

So, this was the first time I have seen Shock Corridor and the first Samuel Fuller film I have seen. It is a great film - incredible acting on Peter Breck's part. The clear influence on Shutter Island is clear from the outset as Breck, akin to DiCaprio, is investigating a 'case' in an asylum... and, inevitably, things go wrong...

When Breck is having difficulting speaking it truly is a terrifying prospect - you can completely imagine that feeling of mentally knowing what you want to say, but your mouth simply not moving. Its not The Matrix-type sealed-up, its a simple case of your mouth not moving ... everyone else just thinks your ebing silent ... you can't prove why it is happening, but it is ...

Peter Breck has you in absolute terror as he narrates the situation: "Who killed Sloane?.... who killed sloane?"...

Remember - you can always email The Simon and Jo Film Show directly using this email: simonandjoshow@gmail.com

We are also on Twitter (simonandjoshow) and Facebook.

Favourite Film Faces #12: Elijah Wood in 'Back to the Future Part II'

I forgot to mention this on the podcast regarding Back to the Future Part II - this, blink-and-you-miss-it role by a very young Elijah Wood. This always reminds me of Pre-Lord of the Rings whereby Elijah Wood was always getting closer and closer to the big-time - I'll never forget him in Forever Young with Mel Gibson and Deep Impact, my preferred mid-ninties meteor-attack film (over Armageddon). I knew Elijah Wood very well before Frodo Baggins came along!

Not to mention how kick-ass this nostalgic-eighties cafe is ... now someone should recreate the exact bar with moving TV-monitors and Michael Jackson reading you your menu.

Remember - you can always email The Simon and Jo Film Show directly using this email: simonandjoshow@gmail.com

We are also on Twitter (simonandjoshow) and Facebook.

Favourite Film Faces #11: Jack Nicholson in 'The Departed'

I heard Danny Boyle mention the Jack Nicholson quote "act accordingly" when referring to the inevitably of death.

And then I remembered someone mentioning how Nicholson was awful in The Departed.

He is awesome in The Departed. End of.

Remember - you can always email The Simon and Jo Film Show directly using this email: simonandjoshow@gmail.com

We are also on Twitter (simonandjoshow) and Facebook.

Favourite Film Faces #8: Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible

So, months ago I visited Prague and, amongst the art, culture, food and good-times that was had by all, I did manage to get together a short video to precede a podcast which Jo and I will inevitably complete on the [current] Mission: Impossible Series. In the same way that we covered the entire Scream, Jurassic Park  and Jason Bourne films, we will cover all three Mission: Impossible films to build ourselves up for M:I-4 or M:I:4 or whatever they are going to call it.

So, Sarah - as a present - purchased the 'Ultimate Missions Collection' and, day-by-day, the time draws closer tocovering all three films.

Suffice to say, Tom Cruise, as Ethan Hunt, in the Mission:Impossible, in my opinion, was the last time he looked good. To some extent, I think, they tried to bring M:I:3 back to the roots of the first one - so that doesn't really count - but most (if not all) of Cruise's other films since Mission:Impossible gives him that long-haired look which looks crap.

Favourite Film Faces #7: Jon Hamm in Mad Men

In anticipation and excitement for Season 4 of Mad Men, starting tonight at 10pm, BBC4 we have Jon Hamm. Maybe more a TV face than a film face but, his ridiculous masculinity simply forces you to aspire, to some extent, to be a little like him. Maybe not so much cheating. And drinking. Hell, he has alot of flaws - but he still looks a little like Superman and as Mad Men is so good, much like Clark Kent is to Superman, you completely believe in the multiple-sides of Jon Hamm.

Also, the Film Cynics must watch the programme. Now.

Favourite Film Faces #6: Stephen Graham in This is England

Having just written about This is England, again, I simply cannot praise Stephen Grahams performance enough. Flawless acting from an incredible actor.

A testement to British actors and, considering how good an actor he is, it comes as no surprise that Stephen Graham is appearing in Martin Scorseses' Boardwalk Empire and playing Al Capone.

So, if you want to be prepared for what will be a phenomenal performance - hunt down This is England.

Oh, okay, heres a picture of him as Al Capone...

Favourite Film Faces #5: Emperor Zurg in 'Toy Story 2'

Having just watched 'Toy Story 3', I must admit I missed Emperor Zurg. Then again, I was glad the film didn't constantly 'nod' to the previous films - showing Sid as an older guy, showing Wayne Knights crappy toy store, etc.

I have no idea how Zurg would have fitted into the story without being a shameless 'remember this guy' moment, but one idea might have been to use Zurg as an example of a Toy that gets destroyed by the toddlers. Imagine the horror!

Fact is, the start of Toy Story 2 was incredible and, I remember how - on DVD - I thought it looked incredible. Ultimately, it still does look amazing.

On a side note, I can't seem to write comments on certain bloggers posts and, interestingly, The Kid in The front Row had a dilemma about watching previous Toy Story films prior to the third one. I was fully intending to watch the 2nd one prior to watching the third (having watched Toy Story in 3D on its rerelease) but, alas, some friend had borrowed it and didn't get it back to me. Upon watching the third one, I realised that the music themes were still very similar and I reckon, if I did watch all the films over a week - i would have got a little disillusioned and bored by the same-y music and same-y jokes and characters. To cut a long story short, if you have watched the first two loads in the past, you don't need to rewatch them before watching 3 ... until you have a shiney new boxset whereby it is, almost, a ritual. 

Favourite Film Faces #4: Mel Gibson as Mad Max

If you have listened to the most recent podcast, you will know that Sarah and I were both unimpressed with our first viewing of George Millers 'Mad Max'. The sequence we play a clip of is the montage of Max, his wife and child playing around after Max has just quit the police. He is happy - happy enough to play Tarzan.

I think he is a plonker. Hence this weeks favourite film face - Gibson as a plonker.

Favourite Film Faces #3: David Koepp in 'Jurassic Park: The Lost World'

I caught the end of 'The Lost World' the other day on TV. It reminded me of one, of the many facts I know, about this film and the films of the franchise. Alongside facts such as Ariana Richards played Lex - an actress who starred in 'Switched at Birth'... Joseph Mazello, star of 'The Pacific', was in 'The River Wild' and 'Jurassic Park' also. Both made a cameo in 'The Lost World' too. Bob Peck is a shakespearian actor. The facts could continue.

This is indeed the screenplay writer David Koepp, writer of 'Spiderman', 'Jurassic Park', 'Mission Impossible' and up and coming 'Men in Black 3'

I asked a question for everyone to guess: 1. Name the film... 2. Name the Cameo...

Liam Crosbie, screen-writer extrodinaire got it correct so kudos to you sir.

For the record - the version I saw on TV cut a few seconds after this, when in fact it goes a little longer as the aforementioned actor is mauled to pieces.

Favourite Film Faces #2: Tom Hanks in The Ladykillers

So, in the final stretch of my ongoing Coen Brothers viewing, I have now watched 'The Ladykillers' and, without giving my verdict away just yet, I have selected my favourite face. I heard some pretty shifty things about this film - and Tom Hanks being in a Coen's film seemed a little strange.

We are introduced to the sneaky Dr Dorrs character he plays and, I felt, a little unsure how to take the character (a cat in a tree, not really that funny...) until Hanks gives this smile when noting a 'riddle'. Creepy, unique and completely erasing the standard-hanks-persona for an incredible character who holds the film in his hands - alongside Mrs Munson.

Favourite Film Faces #1: Jack Lemmon in The Apartment

Having just watched Billy Wilder's the Apartment for the first time ever, I cannot believe how great it is! Nevertheless, to kick-off the 'Favourite Faces' blog posts I have selected Jack Lemmon - and the moment he realises that, having brought a girl back to his apartment, no other than Ms Kublick (Shirley Maclaine) is sleeping in his bed ...