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John Doe’s 15 favourite Sam Rockwell Films.
Sam Rockwell is does it his way.
“I have a constant sort of melancholy approach to acting that fuels me. I want to do everything.” – Sam Rockwell
When John Doe thinks of intuitive character actors, charismatic star showman and fearless performers Sam Rockwell’s name reveals itself swiftly as a true craftsman. Popping with charisma when demanded and painfully internalizing the next, Rockwell is hilarious in comedy, happy to embrace the farcical theatrics. Excelling when bringing naturalism to the most exploratory drama, the man has range and is resilient.
“I just see myself as a character actor. I'd like to be a star in the same way as Gary Oldman or John Malkovich are famous, who get to do character pieces and not act like movie stars.” – Sam Rockwell
The upcoming release of Iron Man 2 co-starring the one and only opposite Don Cheadle, combined with the trapped in distribution limbo Betty Anne Waters (Starring Hillary Swank and Juliette Lewis) serves to highlight how adept the man is at juggling Blockbuster comic books and complex drama.
“I feel a little strange all the time, a little bit off-center. I never feel that people are as nutty as me.” – Sam Rockwell
Truth be told this post is John Doe's tiny protest against the Academy for not nominating his full scope performance in Moon as the years best. JD just has so much admiration for Mr Rockwell that he had to do a Top 15 films list. In some the one time Guy Fleegman is the leading man, others a discreet costar stealing scenes without chewing scenery, but all are entertaining films that resonate from his presence.
“When I took acting classes and being drunk was the assigned impediment of the day, a lot of people would go out the night before and get drunk. That's not research! Research is going to bar... and drinking coffee.” – Sam Rockwell
1. Moon (2009)
Sam goes to the Moon
2. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)
want to know why JD is awed by Rockwell's talent? As an added treat, a piece of footage that John Doe has watched obsessively since discovering it in the Special Features for Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. Behold Sam Rockwell the boogie King in this audition for the Chuck Barris exaggeration of the truth – with Clooney in the audience.
3. Lawn Dogs (1997)
Trailer for Lawn Dogs, that doesn't really do the film justice
4. The Assassination of Jesse James (2007)
Sam grabs his guns for Jesse James
5. Safe Men (1998)
One of the many hilarious scenes from Safe Men co-starring Paul Giamatti, Mark Ruffalo, Steve Zhan
"Safe Men was exhausting, although I had a great time on it. I have a special place in my heart for Safe Men. That was a true independent film, in a budget sense. There were no trailers. Steve [Steve Zahn] and I were hanging out. It was guerrilla filmmaking. But we had a blast. And such good actors. For such a low budget, we had top rate actors, Michael Lerner, Harvey Fierstein. Steve Zahn, by far, one of the best actors I have ever worked with...” – Sam Rockwell
6. Galaxy Quest (1999)
“That part is kind of an homage to Bill Paxton in Aliens (1986). I definitely stole some moves from my buddy [actor] Steve Zahn and Bill Murray's lounge singer character from "Saturday Night Live" (1975) is in there somewhere. Plus a little Michael Keaton in Night Shift (1982) and definitely some Richard Pryor. I get a lot from Richard Pryor actually. How agile he is, vulnerable.” – Sam Rockwell
7. Jerry and Tom (1998)
Sam goes from inept thief in Safe Men to incapable Hitman in Jerry and Tom
8. Heist (2001)
Standing beside Gene Hackman in David Mamet's Heist
9. Matchstick Men (2003)
Ridley Scott makes sam look good as a Matchstick Man
10. Choke (2008)
Sam chokes up for the camera but never in his career
11. Snow Angels (2007)
Sam brings out the best in Kate for Snow Angels
12. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Sam in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
13. Frost/Nixon (2008)
The Rockwell as James Reston Jnr
14. Box of Moonlight (1996)
Tom Dicillo Directs sam Rockwell, John Tuturro, Catherine Keener and Dermot Mulroney in Box of Moonlight
15. Welcome to Collinwood (2002)
Opposite William H Macy, Patricia Clacrkson, Luiz Guzman and Michael Jeter in Welcome to Collinwood
Disclaimer; Though admittedly he was the best thing about them, the movies The Green Mile and Charlie’s Angels were not included in this list because they are inferior works that no one should have to endure.
All Sam Rockwell Quotes courtesy of Imdb.com
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I like this post, I always like to learn about new actors, and this one seems like someone definitely worth taking a look at.
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
Seen nearly all of these and what is glaringly obvious is how many little gems he's been involved with - the kind of great little films that regularly fly under the radar. Especially like his work in Lawn Dogs, Choke, Matchstick Men and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
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There was an online petition going for Rockwell to get nominated at the time of the awards. The petition received a fair bit of press, so Sam does have some loyal fans.
See The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford ASAP. Not just for Rockwell, the entire cast are convincing in the era and the cinematography is flawless.
Film & TV on DVD
Thanks Catherine,
Sam really unleashes in Confessions with some high energy rewards, but its the softer more vulnerable moments that his character experiences that really make it a full bodied performance.
Assassination fo Jesse James is to be devoured and appreciated.
Always great to have you comment.
Film & TV on DVD
Hi Matt,
I have been waiting for the Rockwell respect to go intergalactic ever since Lawn Dogs. Thankfully the right people seem to notice him and cast him in great roles.
I really need to review "Moon" around here soon too....Matchstick Men was better than many give it credit for, a very different Ridley Scott excursion.
Film & TV on DVD
Hi Journeywoman,
Glad you liked him in Moon and Matchstick Men, you may like Lawn Dogs too.
Rockwell was an eccentric millionaire villain called Eric Knox in Charlie's Angels, who had a panache for boogie. I only saw it once myself and though it is painful to discuss Rockwell was good in it......Crispin Glover was also memorable.
Film & TV on DVD
I like this post, I always like to learn about new actors, and this one seems like someone definitely worth taking a look at.
Thanks Kirstine,
Glad to make you aware of Rockwell's skills, he really is one of the best out there. Drop back and tell me if you enjoy some of his films.
Film & TV on DVD
Seen nearly all of these and what is glaringly obvious is how many little gems he's been involved with - the kind of great little films that regularly fly under the radar. Especially like his work in Lawn Dogs, Choke, Matchstick Men and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
Hi David,
Had a feeling you would already be converted to Rockwell.
It's amazing how low key his success is considering how daring and outside the status quo his characters usually are.
Jerry and Tom was another under the radar delight I enjoyed...but Safe Men is hidden comedy gold.
Film & TV on DVD
Hi David Jobling
Galaxy Quest is regularly docking in the DVD bay of this house, so quotable.....Rockwell is so unfettered by ego in his part that you cant help but remember him when the closing credits come.
Have you seen Free Enterprise? It's a fun sci-fi comedy without the FX, more like a Swingers for Trekkies.
No Rockwell, but if your interested you can read my review by clicking HERE
Thanks for reading!
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
Excellent choice; a brilliant, brilliant actor, a craftsman without false pretensions who, sure as eggs, deserved an Oscar!
cheers and well done, there are a few I have not seen there too, thanks.
fog
Horrorphile
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (superb)
Galaxy Quest (hilarious)
Film & TV on DVD
Your ability to recognize talent was never in question but you may be even more excited about the guy than me....he has two strong allies here
Which ones are your favourites?
Film & TV on DVD
Good choices!
Galaxy Quest has been watched to many times to count around here...though that footage of sam poppin and lockin is a contender too.
Frost Nixon, and Hitchhikers was fabbo. and Matchstick men.
All great, Galaxy Quest was fun, but for humour I preferred Hitchhikers.
It surprises me, looking at his work listed, how he managed to slip under my conscious radar, I loved all those films, but didn't think of him as a star, I was wrong he most definitely is a star and one whom deserves all the accolades.
cheers
fog
P.S> Oh yes, and he IS rather fetching in his own way....hehe!
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
cheers
fog
Screen Adventure
Awesome bloody post my man
Film & TV on DVD
Don't know how you missed it. the man is a legend.
I haven't seen Iron man 2 yet, but he is the draw along with Mickey.
I will have to review Choke and express why i enjoyed it...but in a nutshell i found it hilarious at times, touching at others, challenging and most of all superbly acted. There were some pacing issues but i was enjoying the on screen performances so much that those lulls were still filled with fabulous character moments and satire.
Film & TV on DVD
Frost Nixon, and Hitchhikers was fabbo. and Matchstick men.
All great, Galaxy Quest was fun, but for humour I preferred Hitchhikers.
It surprises me, looking at his work listed, how he managed to slip under my conscious radar, I loved all those films, but didn't think of him as a star, I was wrong he most definitely is a star and one whom deserves all the accolades.
cheers
fog
P.S> Oh yes, and he IS rather fetching in his own way....hehe!
Happy to accommodate an expansion of the Sam Rockwell much watch library./..look forward to hearing what you think of his other appearances.
Lawn Dogs is particularly good, Directed by John Duigan who did "The Year My Voice Broke"