Top 10: Tough Guys

I made this list based solely on my own opinion.  If I left out your favorite let me know in the comments. I did follow these few rules:

1. They cannot be a “villain”.
2. They must be extremely cool.
3. Only people are allowed on the list (sorry Jaws).
4. Don’t talk about fight club.

10. Mr. Blonde

From Reservoir Dogs

A sly man, Mr. Blonde is one of six codenamed members in Reservoir Dogs. He stands out for his toughness,  performing one of the best interrogation scenes ever done in film history. This is done very coolly by him,  as he dances and listens to ’70s music  during the entire scene.

9. King Leonidis

From 300

This fearless leader knows “This is Sparata!”  Against all odds, he leads his army against his foes. Just make sure to not get on his bad side, or you’ll find yourself falling down his black pit.

8. Indiana Jones

From the Indiana Jones franchise

Jones isn’t your ordinary archaeologist. Whether escaping from Nazis or a humongous boulder, Indy always seems to save the day…unless if there are snakes. “Why’d it have to be snakes?”

7. “Dirty” Harry Callahan

From the Dirty Harry franchise

Blurring the line between professional and ethical, Dirty Harry does his job for the greater good. Although his methods aren’t usually endorsed by his superiors, he wields a Magnum that can “blow your head clean off”. Hard to believe, but Frank Sinatra nearly landed this iconic role.

6. T-800

From the Terminator franchise

The cyborg is a unique character, in that he has been both a hero and villain in subsequent films. Whether wielding a shotgun or driving a car, he is always a force to be reckoned with. He will leave you with an “hasta la vista baby”, but be assured that he will be back.

5. James Bond

From the Bond franchise

The most casually cool hero, he has survived 23 films over 50 years. Whether it’s killing villains, wooing Bond-girls, or drinking a martini “shaken, not stirred”, Bond is always enviable in his famous classy style of toughness.

4. John Rambo

From the Rambo franchise

The ultimate one-man killing machine, Rambo is the epitome of manliness. He can survive for months in the forest alone and kill you in more ways that you can count. Don’t push him, or he’ll make a mess out of you.

3. John McClane

From the Die Hard franchise

Probably the unluckiest person on the list, Det. McClane can never seem to catch a break. From going to a Christmas party that terrorists ruin to going to the airport, where he yet again encounters terrorists, McClane always saves the day with a “Yippee-ki-yay, mother…”

2. Jules Winnfield

From Pulp Fiction

This “righteous shepherd”  is so bad, even his wallet says “Bad Mother…” He is so tough, that he intimidates people just by quoting the Bible and eating a cheeseburger.

1. Lucas “Cool Hand Luke” Jackson

From Cool Hand Luke

Luke  refuses to follow the rules of society, and even prison.  He’s so tough, he can eat 50 hard-boiled eggs, the international test of toughness. He escapes from prison on three seperate occasions, getting locked up in a box as punishment. At one point he even refuses to stop fighting, despite the inevitability of a loss. Of course, he suffers from a “failure to communicate”, but earns the respect of nearly everyone, both guards and fellow inmates alike, but earns his nickname as he is always cool-headed and independent.

2012 Holiday Films Part 3

Django Unchained

Following up on a Best Director Oscar nod for his last film, Inglorious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino returns to theaters this holiday season with his latest film, Django Unchained, which opens December 25th.

The film stars Jamie Foxx in the title role of Django teaming up with Christoph Waltz’s character, Dr. King Schultz. It also features Jonah Hill and, frequent Tarantino collaborator, Samuel L. Jackson. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the villain, Calvin Candie. This is a major departure for DiCaprio, as he often plays lovable characters, whether they be heroes (Jack Dawson in Titanic) or even villains (Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me If You Can).

The plot follows the newly freed slave, Django, who hunts the South’s most wanted criminals with Schultz. Ultimately Django finds and attempts to rescue his wife from Calvin Candie, and his plantation called “Candyland”.

If Tarantino’s filmography is any indicator, this film is destined for greatness. With Quentin both writing and directing, this western-esque movie will undoubtedly contain dialogue sequences reminiscent to Pulp Fiction. It will surely be a must-see film this Christmas.