Inside the Brain of E.C. Henry

Laws of Attraction: Exploring Issues in Rom-com Movies Volume VI

How important is it for you to view someone as being "attractive" when viewing a romantic comedy?  Does the choice of the leads in a romantic comedy have a bearing on whether or not you'll watch a given movie?

Let me start out by saying that I think being phycially attracted to someone is a VERY big deal.  I think it's the cornerstone of any romantic relationship.  It is the beginning, AND later as the relationship progresses it is the glue binds a relationship together.  Without it, forget it; their is no REAL romantic relationship.  You have to feel a physical attraction to that other person.

Now do I think that's where it ends?  Of course not -- how shallow do you think I am, you fuck?!  Of course their is the binding and interweaving of personalities; i.e. you can't emotionally hate the other person in a romantic relationship.  BUT it all begins with physical attraction.  That's the starting point.  And that something that starts the process is physical attraction.  Without it, why bother.  I don't subscribe to any nonsense that insists you date someone and try to get to know them, hoping the physical attraction will come later.  That is total bullshit.  Why do I say this?  Because when you date, whether you care to admit so or not, you're starting to bond with that other person.  And if you start the process without being physically attracted to that other person you risk really hurting that other person when you're finally forced to admit that you're not attracted to them. 

My point is: being attracted is a key starting point of a romantic relationship.  Don't start dating or call a couple with ANYONE, until you honestly say you feel physically attracted to that person.  If you're a "friend" of a member of the opposite sex, make sure they realize the status of that relationship, as sometimes that stuff gets confused.  Then IF you find yourself being attracted to them later, great!  Then begin the quest for a romantic relationship, but don't begin that quest until you honestly think they're hot.  

I think I started forming my opinions on romantic relationships back in the 80s.   Back in junior high, I remember reading the "Conan the Barbarian" series.  I remember the paperback's cover art typically featured Conan, with weapon in hand, fighting a monster, with some scantily dressed, healthy girl clutching his leg.  

Later came Paulina Poriskova.  She was the only swimsuit model I ever had a poster of.  And back in the mid-to-late 80s she was smoking hot.   She ended up marrying Rick Ocakek of the pop band, The Cars.  Good for her, I hope she's happy.  But back in my junior and high school years Paulina Poriskova was the apiome of physical attraction: the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. 

But as the years went on real life relationship with girls never materialized, but I continued to be attracted to them none-the-less, and then in the mid-90s I started getting into a genre of movies called romantic comedies.

The movie that got me hooked, was a sleeper hit from 1995, which starred Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman entitled, "While You Were Sleeping".  I was living in Boise, Idaho, at the time, and I swear I must have went to see that movie about 5 times in the theatre.  Perhaps it's only fitting that my love for rom-coms began with one based in Chicago, Illinois, my hometown, where I grew up until the tender age of eleven.  Sandra Bullockis so damn cute in that movie.  Not runway model beautiful like Paula Poriskova is, just sweet and likeable.  Sandra Bullock at her best.   

Since then I've watched MANY romantic comedies.  And noted the actresses who seam to frequent this genre. 

Drew Barrymore.  Overall impression: not very impressed.  Seems to get by with her smile.  Can't ever remember watching a Drew Barrymore movie where I thought Drew's acting was good comedy in action.  Always thought Drew Barrymore was serviceable lead in romantic comedies, but nothing special.   

Jennifer Aniston.  This actress SHOULD have dominated the romantic comedy scene late-90s through the 2010.  But she NEVER capitalized on her notoriety from NBC's "Friends" TV series.  Now, I did just see a movie with Jennifer Aniston in it that I really liked, "Horrible Bosses" (2011).  In it Jennifer plays a sex-craved dentist who constantly puts her male, dental assistant in compromising positions.  Really thought Jennifer Aniston was excellent in that movie.  Sexy AND funny -- but Jennifer wasn't the star in that movie, rather she was a supporting character.  Hopefully in the future Jennifer Aniston can follow-up on that success, because in all honesty her film career is underwhelming.  Jennifer Aniston is more of a tabloid queen than a ligament, rom-com heroine.  

Katherine Heigl.  Has become a rom-com enigma to me.  She left "Grey's Anatomy" to pursue feature films.  Just saw her in "One for the Money" (2012).  And all I can say after seeing that dud is, WTF?!  Really thought Katherine Heigl showed promise in movies like "Knocked Up" (2007) and "The Ugly Truth" (2009).  I do believe the Katherine Heigl has the ability to transcend sub-par scripts and make movies better.  This girl SHOULD have take the mantle from Meg Ryan, but to date, her career-work as a whole is undeserving of such an honor.

Andie MacDowell.  Stared in a couple GREAT rom-coms: "Green Card" (1990: Gerald Depardieu), and "Groundhog Day" (1993: Bill Murray).  But of all the lead actresses I've mentioned, Andie MacDowell is the one who I find rather unattractive.  

Guess the key here is the strength of story -- especially as pertains to "Groundhog Day" which may be the best high concept rom-com of all-time. 

As far a "Green Card" goes, I remember LOVING how Andie Macdowell bonded to Gerald Depardieu's character at the end of the movie, and didn't want to see him go.  Good stuff.

Jennifer Garner.  Has really come on strong as of late.  In my humble opinion she totally stole the show from Russel Bland -- err... I mean Russel Brand in the remake of "Arthur" (2011).

Jennifer Garner has the girl-next-doorish appeal -- only she can swing comedy quite nicely too.  LOVED Jennifer Garner in "13 Going on 30" (2004: Mark Ruffalo), and thought she did a nice job in "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" (2009).

Sandra Bullock, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston, Katherine Heigl, Andie MacDowell, and Jennifer Garner.  Quite the list I've composed, huh?  All can pull-off a rom-com, but only Jennifer Anisiton would I consider a total hottie.  And one, Andie MacDowell, by my own admission, isn't very physically attractive -- at least not to me!

Romance requires more than just physical attraction.  It requires another key component: chemistry.  So what is chemistry?  Chemistry is the bonding of two people emotionally.  Hook physical attraction and chemistry together, and over time you get love.  Love is the unique bonding of physical attraction plus chemistry over time. 

 I'll always be attracted to girls like Kathy Ireland.  Kathy Ireland is drop-dead gorgeous.  BUT I also remember hearing Kathy Ireland speak -- and she sounded awfully weird.  Great looks but once she opened her yap shit went sideways -- at least for me. 

So what have we learned here: E.C. Henry is superficial as fuck -- all he cares about is runway models in bikinis.  Not so.  If that's what you think, you're TOTALLY mis-reading me.  I'm a guy.  Guys like beautiful women.  That's just the way we're wired.  Why I do believe that it was a pastor who once said in a sermon:

Sex is God's way of getting men interested.

That was said by pastor Wolfson at Church for All Nations in Spanaway, Washingon.   You see even at the Christian pulpit they do talk about the inner nut-and-bolts between men and women. 

Physical attraction is where the story begins, but it is not where it ends -- unless you're emotionally shallow and unwilling to take to the next level.  This whole guy-girl thing is God's idea, but we get to chose: who we're attracted to, and who we eventually bond with. 

After being physically attracted to a member of the opposite sex it is only natural to attempt to take it to the next level.  Dating is where the whole chemistry thing developes.  Sure, you can have a friendship, then over time it blossoms into a romance.  But I believe it all begins with physical attraction.  Don't have that, you don't have any chance of having a lasting love.  And along the way of progressing towards love, who knows, you might even have moments like this:

Which may end up with you experiencing a moment, something akin to this:

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

P.S. I'm still hard at work on my newest spec.  Having a ball exploring the new world I'm creating, and discovering the characters therein, and what they're all about.  Not quite ready to start writing the 1st draft -- but I'm close.

P.S.S. It's with great sadness that I report the demise of "Creative Screenwriting."  Got an e-mail a couple days ago inviting me to a gathering where they were selling off their office equipment and computers.  Had a subscription to "Creative Screenwriting" a few years back, but then they just stopped sending issues...  Guess this means the end of the Screenwriting Expo in Los Angeles, which they sponsored.  Will really miss that.  I attended four of them over the years.

P.S.S.S. Sorry about my lack of regular post lately.  The goal remains the same.  Post one content post over the weekend, and one smaller post during the week.  Will try to get back on track this week.  Till then stay well.

The Power of Persona: A Discussion on the Best Lead Actors in Feature Films

Know when you've made it big?  Try when some actually makes collector's plate series in your honor -- and people actually buy it!!

Now the whole "John Wayne" thing was before my era.  But I don't think any actor in the history of the movies is iconic as John Wayne, also known as "The Duke."  Don't think I'm qualified to accurately articulate the Duke's career -- as I have yet to see ONE of his movies, BUT back when I was living in Boise, Idaho; I do remember going over to the mother of a friend of mine -- and she had a collection of man immortalized -- IN PLATES!  A whole slew of them.  Collector's edition plates enshrined up on an elegant, glass, display cabinet.  John Wayne may not have meant a lot to me at that time, but she meant a lot to my friend's mother.  Why?  I think that was because John Wayne represented the knight on a white horse to women.  Someone they could really on.  Someone who would protect them.  Someone who would fight the bad guys to make sure they were safe.   

Long before I got into this "screenwriting thing" I was introduced to the power that one iconic actor can have.  So was John Wayne really a great actor?  Ask my aunt that question, who did grow up in the John Wayne era, and she would say no, "John Wayne always played John Wayne.  He was no actor." 

Now I can't vouch for John Wayne, myself -- he was before my time, BUT invariably I do believe he helped shaped the way lead actors are perceived for the generations that followed him.  John Wayne's last legacy, ie. the message behind his success; build a persona, the career will follow.  

One thing I do believe with all of my heart is that we have the greatest collection of working actors today who are capable of playing leading roles in feature films.  But they are a diverse group, with slight subtleties; they're not all of the same flavor.  But like John Wayne, over the course of their film history they invariably carve out a niche, the instill in the hearts of the public that they are the hero.  They are the guy the audience can trust in and root for.  They are the "good guys."

One could make an argument that Harrison Ford took the mantle over from the Duke when he stopped making movies in the 70s.  Remember Hans Solo in "Star Wars?"  He's an icon now.  And Harrison Ford backed that character up with another iconic hero in "Indiana Jones" which got the movies in the 80s rolling.

Then along came Bruce Willisas John McCaine in "Die Hard."  Don't tell me Bruno isn't tough enough for you.  He out-foxed Hans Gruber at the Nakitomi Plaza high-rise.  

Later one of personall favorites had a nice ride of leading roles, Kevin Cosner.  I love the diverse movies Kevin Cosner has done over the years: "Dances with Wolves" (1990) Western Adventure, "Tin Cup" (1996); a sports comedy, "The Postman" (1997); a post-apocalypse, sci-fi action,"Bull Durham" (1988); a sports comedy, and my favorite Kevin Costner movie of all-time: "Waterword" (1996) which has been unjustly panned by way to many people in my opinion.

Long live the Mariner!

Now in recent years several other great, lead actors have arrisen.   Russel Crowe for instance.  Hard not to like him for the role he played in "Gladiator" (2000). 

But unfortunately, Russel Crowe has been in too many movies that left me feeling, well... uninspired.  Most recently with Elisabeth Banks in the "The Next Three Days."  What a dud!  NOT the way to build resume that rivals the ranks of the Duke, Harrison Ford, Kevin Cosner, or Bruce Willis.  Sorry Russell, but you gotta start chosing better roles.

"Hey wait a minute here, Russel Crowe stared with me in "Proof of Life."  What did you think about that, E.C.?"

Sorry, Meg.  Glad to hear your an active participant in this blog (at this point you're the only one, but if you only have one fan, she may as well be a hottie), but "Proof of Life" (2000) wasn't a memorable movie.  I was just kina blah.  Not bad, but not especially good.  And not the kind of movie you remember a year after watching.

And over the years Hollywood has cranked out several other leading men who bear SOME investigation: Arnold Swartzenegger, Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, Johnny Depp, Keanu Reeves, Hugh Jackson and Jean Claude Van Damme.

Of all of them Mel Gibson deserves the most recognition.  He can really deliver as a leading man.  I LOVE Mel Gibson.  The work he did in "The Patriot" (2000) is second to none -- and I mean that.  There is scene in "The Patriot" where he consoles his scared-shitless little girl on the beach that absolutely melts my heart every time I see it.

Okay, so on a personal level, Mel Gibson hasn't always been on his best behavior.  I still can't believe he divorsed his wife Robin, married a Russian model, then was charged with choking her at some point in their relationship.  Major letdown.  BUT I believe Mel Gibson is great actor.  He just needs to find the right balance in his life. 

Jean Claude Van Dammeis easily the most dismissible of all leading men candidates.  He looks all kick-ass, but the minute he opens his mouth and says something, shit goes sideways; he's not fit to be a lead actor.  NOW Arnold Swartzenegger had similar difficulties with the English language EARLY in his career, but over time I and other audience members were more apt to forgive his accent and just roll with that lovable Aussie.  Not so with Jean Claude.  He seamed to have difficulty with simplest of lines.  And adding subtext and depth.  Fuck that.  That shit's way out of his wheelhouse. 

Keanu Reeves.  Reminds me of a type of Pinocchio-ish mannequin who's trying to come in touch with being able to experience feelings like a real boy.  Something's not right there.  Now I know "The Matrix" was great, but let's give credit where credit is due, "The Matrix" wasn't great because Keannu Reeves transended the material to a higher level with his stellar acting prowess.  He'll always be clueless Ted Logan from "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure"(1989) to me.  It's like he started with that role, and never quite shed it.   Though I did really like "Point Break" (1991), which Keannu Reeves starred in, again that was more do to the story and the other characters than Keannu Reeves contribution.

Hugh Jackman could end up being one of the all-time greats.  The guy is insanely good-looking, he can be charming, he can do macho man shit real well.  He just needs a bigger body of work.  For now, Hugh Jackman is "the Wolverine."  He needs a second feature role that solidifies him among the leading man elite.

Tom Cruise.  Tom Cruise has had quite a distinguished career.  Not sure what my favorite Tom Cruise movie of all-time is, probably "Minority Report" because I LOVE the sci-fi genre, and this was pretty good sci-fi thriller.  Especially when Tom Cruise took the eyes of an Asian guy.  I have a hard time relating to Tom Cruise, that's probably why he's not higher up on my radar as far a leading men go.

Johnny Depp.  Can't leave the infamous "Captain Jack Sparrow" off the list.  If I did my mom would kick me in the nuts (she loves Captain Jack).   My problem with Johnny Depp is that the overall body of his work doesn't really translate into being considered one of the great, leading actors in cinematic history.  Aka the guy who can carry the flag that the Duke behind to proceeding generations.  Johnny Depp is more a quicky actor.  Gifted?  You bet.  I think Johnny Depp is highly gifted -- but that doesn't mean he deserves to be mentioned with the likes of Harrison Ford, Kevin Cosner, and Bruce Willis, because he doesn't.  Johnny Depp is different kind of favor.  A niche hero.  Kinda like I would qualify, the quirky hero of "District 9", Wikus Van De Merwe as played by Sharlito Copely.  

There was something refreshing about that leading man, Wikus.  He was just goofy.  I think it takes a 2nd viewing of "District 9" to really get into the beauty of his character.  I mean here is Wikus, a goofy dude, with a sunny disposition put into a role by his father-in-law where he is asked to find weapons in the alien community.   Wikus is a dim witt, he's not smart, or gifted is some special way.  Rather, Wikus is more of an under-dog.  YET, he's also the hero we go on this journey with.  It's a master re-envisioning of what a lead role can be.  Anywho...

Denzel Washington.  I'm not very passionate about Denzel Washigton.  Overall I think he's a serviceable, good-looking black guy who can deliver in dramatic situations.  But there were two movies that Denzel Washington was in that I did like.   One was "The Book of Eli," where Denzel plays a blind courier who's trying to take the last copy of bible acrossed nuked-out America.  And I really liked Denzel Washington in "Training Day" though in that movie he was the villain -- not the good guy.  And as for Denzel's last movie, "Safe House" WTF?  Both "safe houses" were broke into!  Ever get forced into the witness protection program -- don't let 'em send ya to South Africa!  'Cuz if they do, it's not safe house, it's unsafe house -- you'd be better off in the street!

Okay, so I've been all over the place saying a little bit about the prominent leading men of our current era --

"Hey wait, E.C.  I do believe you left out one critical name..."

You're right, Meg.  BUT for once I think I'm on your vibe.  I left out who my favorite leading man is.  Now when I pick this fellow it with the just balance of the past work he's done in comedy and in more serious pieces.  This is a multi-tooled actor. 

Tom Hanks is my favorite lead actor of all-time.   He wins that honor by staring in the movie, "Saving Private Ryan" (1998), which is one of my favorite movies off all-time.  Sure, this is Steven Speilberg's movie, BUT Tom Hanks chose to be in it, and I'm glad he was.  Tom Hanks' Lt. John Miller, the school teacher pressed into service, now leads the troops in the re-taking of France from the Nazis, was a thing of beauty to watch.  Think Jean Claude Van Damme could have pulled that off? 

What I like about Tom Hanks is that there's a natural, everyday-Joe, appeal about him.  And he EARNED that persona through past films, "Big" (1988) and "Forrest Gump" (1994).  You see leading actors are always building and solidifying their personna with every film they make.  And the composite choice Tom Hanks has made over the span of his career makes him my favorite leading man of all time.

"Yeah, and to think I was part of it all.   I kissed the guy once...  Okay maybe twice...  Or could it be three times?  Sometimes a girl forgets, hehehe.  Hard to keep track of such things."

Yes you did, Meg Ryan; yes you did.  Congratulations.  You'll almost certainly always have something over the rest of us -- except for Rita Wilson (she had two of his children, FYI)

But what exactly is persona?  I've went all out on fluff, but haven't delivered much meaty content.  What is persona?  From my ever present, New American Heritage Dictionary:

Persona: The role that a person assumes in order to display his conscious intentions to himself and to others.

Shit, now I'm confused.  Okay, reset -- just a scoach.  A Hollywood persona is a preception by the public of what a actor or actress can bring to a given in a given movie.  Okay, see where I'm going now?

A big name in a movie helps sell that movie to the public.  Why?  Because over time an actor builds crediblity with the public; they grow to trust that actor or actress.  Their trust in the actor then leads credence to their latest project.  "O, I liked them in that, so chances are I'll like them in this."  It's a form of street credibly, only Hollywood style. 

True, an actor doesn't necessarily "make" the movie.  But you hear that someone like Tom Cruise or Bruce Willis is in a movie, doesn't that bring some measure of expectation with that?  Yeah, you expect that movie to be good.  The actor lends his personna to a new film and it breeds confidence.  "O Yeah, Tom Cruise is in it, chances are it's gunna be good, let's go see it."  THAT'S the power of the leading actor.  And that's their persona throwing its weight around. 

Don't get me wrong.  Story still matters.  You can couple two people together with tremendous persona and still have a Box Office dud, BUT persona helps draw attention to movies.  It's an easy way for the general public to warm up to something new.   

Think I've said enough for now.  Sorry I haven't posted in the last two weeks.  Was thinking about this post a couple weeks ago, just didn't write it out.  Then this last week I got sick.  Real sick.  Had to take three days off work sick.  Will try to be more regular with the posts.  My goal remains the same: one major post on Saturday or Sunday, then one smaller post sometime during the week.

Till we speak again.  Stay well.



Sincerely,

E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

Summary of E.C. Henry's favorite leading actors of all-time:

1. Tom Hanks
2. Mel Gibson
3. Kevin Cosner
4. Harrison Ford
5. Clint Eastwood
6. Hugh Jackman
7. Tom Cruise
8. Bruce Willis
9. Johnny Depp
10. Nick Nolte
11. Arnold Swartzenegger
12. Liam Neilson
13. Denzel Washington
14. Sylvester Stallone
15. Keiffer Southerland
16. Robert Downey Jr.
17. Colin Farrel
18. Jeremy Renner
19. Chris Evans
20. Tobey McGuirre

The Best Villains in the History of Cinema

Villains.  Who's the best at doing them in the movies?  What makes for a "good" villain anyway?  And how important are they in stories?  That's what we're going to get to in today's post.  Lets begin with a clear definition of what a villain is.  Courtesy of E.C. Henry's American Heritage Dictionary (which he ALWAYS has ready to reference on his writing desk):

Villain: 1. A wicked or evil person; scoundrel.  2. A dramatic or fictional character who is typically at odds with the hero.

This post is highly influenced by a Screenwriting Expo class taught by Marilyn Horowitz that I attended in September 2011, and actually referenced in a earlier post.  The power of a "good" villain cannot be understated.  Personally, I think it's more important for the writer to "nail" a memorable villain, than it is to write a good protagonist.  Blasphamy?  I think not.  Let me explain.

As Marilyn Horowitz sold me on, it's the villian NOT the hero that propels the story onward.  As Marilyn Horowitz so profoundly atriculated and convinced me of, it's the hero who spends all his or her time trying to "be good", and it's the villian who gives the hero his or her opportunity to shine. 

So what makes for a "good" cinematic villain?  First off their are different kinds of villains.  In the slasher, horror films.  It's the guy (or girl) behind the mask.  They tend to be rather superficially, many times havingno overt goal other than increasing the body count: Michael Myers from "Halloween," the ghost-faced killer from "Scream", Jason Veehores from "Friday the 13th," Freddy Kruegger from "A Nightmare on Elm Street."  Now the passionate defender of the slasher genre may differ from me.  But of all the different flavors of villains to me this the easiest to dismiss, as their agenda is too boring.  Slasher movies work on the thrill of the chase: get a villain with a creepy enough look and set them against some hottie in peril.  Bore-ing!  Michael Myers in the original "Halloween" did it best.  And since then many have followed, but none did it as well as the original pale-faced, man-with-a-knife.

I'm of the opinion that a "good" villain needs to a believable character -- just one with a skewed sense of morals.  A "good" villain needs to be believable.  Not just e-vil, rather someone that is three dimensional with a purposeful agenda of their own.  They need to have stakes of their own.  They need to have a purposeful goal.  Basically, a good, memorable, villain needs to be the hero of their story. 

With that in mind lets look at E.C. Henry's favorite villains of all time:

(Note: this list was updated March 15, 2014, April 21, 2015) 

1. Maurice Evans' Dr. Zaius from "Planet of the Apes" (1968).  As referenced in an earlier post, I LOVE the fact the Dr. Zaius is an intellectual in his world.  He's the minister of science, and the defender of the faith.  And his world is shaken by the arrival of Bright Eyes, Charlton Heston's Taylor -- the speaking human!  From his perspective Dr. Zaius is the hero; he's trying to save the foundational beliefs of his culture against an outside threat, who threatens to undermine the beliefs on which his society is built on. 

Dr. Zaius is the best conceptual villain ever created and depicted on film.  I love the fact that it is Dr. Zaius who is the intellectual, pitted against Taylor: the swosh-buckling hero.  Brilliant.  Totally defies the simpleton's mere pitting of two, near equals duking it out.  Dr. Zaius and Taylor are not equals.  They come at each other from distinctly different points of view. 

2. Jack Nicholson's Joker from "Batman" (1989).  Me and my brother spent YEARS mimicking this memorable villain.  The Joker starts out as a high falutin mobster.  Then after his accident at Axis Chemicals realizes he can no longer be the same man he was before, and decides to re-imagine himself and take-over the mob which betrayed him.  Snap!  A  monster with a grudge.  A monster with a vengeance.  Jack Nicholson's Joker is so much fun to watch on screen.   Forget Michael Keaton's Bruce Wayne/Batman.  The Joker IS the movie.  And he carries "Batman" (1989) on his back, and makes it memorable. 

3. Edward Norton's Mike Shiner from "Birdman (or the Unexpected Vitrue of Ignorance)" (2014).  This villain not only terrorizes the main protagonist, he also is a hurdle for a supporting character to overcome.  What's so cool about this villain is that he shows that he has a conscious, but he deliberately ignores that voice of caution.  

4.Gary Oldman's Stansfield from "The Professional" (1994).  Remember that drugged-out, crooked cop?  Gary Oldman hit one out of the park with his portrayal of Stansfield, a cock-sure, living-on-the-edge police detective, who's trying to cover his tracks. 

5. Jason Issac's Colonel William Tavington of the British army from "The Patriot" (2000).  I loved how the screenwriters wrote a scene with Colonel William Tavington getting offered a primo estate by Tom Wilkinson IF he will be the henchmen and squelch the uprising that Mel Gibson's character is the ringleader over.  Colonel William Tavington is motivated by the promise of riches and a position in the new world.  Sure, he's going to have to get his hands dirty to get there, but that's a comprimise that Colonel William Tavington is willing to make.  Believable stakes.  And Jason Issac's deliverers in the acting department -- with flying colors.  LOVED that villian.  

6. Judy Greer's Lucy Wyman/Tom-Tom from "13 Going on 30."  What did you think I'd neglect my favorite genre of the them all?   Lucy Wyman's Tom-Tom started out being superior to Jennifer Garner's Jenna Rink, but over time Jenna blossomed and became the dominate one.  I loved how Lucy Wyman is secretly bitter over all of Jenna's successes.  This is a villain who is playing second fiddle the hero of the story -- and wants to be the top dog again!

Sure "13 Going on 30" is a romantic comedy, but that doesn't mean that it can't have a villain too!  I love how Lucy Wyman's attempt at rescuingthe place she works, "Poise" magazine, fails.  BUT then she learns that her best friend had been undermining the magazine for some time, so she decides to change tactics and beat her former best friend at her own game -- and she does!  Study this film, like I have, and you'll find that Lucy Wyman is pretty fleshed out villain.  She's bitter over Jenna's active sex life with a hokey player, and she's sick of her best friend's success and admiration from her boss, played by Andy Serkis.  Lucy Wyman is a motivated villain: she's out to reclaim her career and prove that she's back to being the top dog again; she's the hero of her own story.  A brilliantly conceived villain -- in a rom-com no less! 

7. Hans Gruber played by Allan Rickman in "Die Hard."  I loved how Hans is the mastermind of a layered, elaborate heist, yet at the same time this memorable villain knows how to act on his feet too, when Bruce Willis' character runs into him, and Hans pretends to be one of the hostages that escapes.  A villain with a brain who can think on his feet.  And the way Allan Rickman delivers his lines.  Very fun to watch.  Huge fan of Allan Rickman. 

8. Detective Jimmy Shaker played by Gary Sinese in "Ransom" (1996).  Much like Hans Grubber, Detective Jimmy Shaker is the mastermind of a crime.  Only his crime doesn't work out, the protagonist, played my Mel Gibson, decides not to pay the ransom, and the kidnapping to extortion attempt falls apart.  What happens when the bad guys plans fall apart?

A well-conceived bad guy adapts.  And that's what Gary Sinese's Deterective Jimmy Shaker did!  And that's why I loved him.  He shoots his accomplices, then shoots himself to make himself look like the hero, and  meet his goals.  I LOVED the looks on his face that Gary Sinese delivers in the coffee shop when Mel Gibson is seen on the TV set.  Good acting on display there.  More good acting on display when Gary Sinese meets up with Mel, after his son is returned, just before he finally pulls a gun on Mel when he realizes that he's been marked as the abductor.

Detective Jimmy Shaker is a thinking man.  And that's what I like.  He adapts to the changes.  He's not a one-note character.  He wants to the money from Mel Gibson so he can go off with his girlfriend.   

9. Dr. Evil played by Mike Myers from the "Austin Powers" franchise.   The villain of a spoof of the James Bond series.  Dr. Evil is just funny to me.  He makes me laugh.  Imagine that, a villain who make you laugh.  And Mike Myers pulls it off beautifully.  Forget Austin Powers.  I want more screen time given to Dr. Evil. 

And as Dr. Evil alluded to in his picture.  YES!  E.C. Henry does have a role envisioned for Mike Myers in one of his scripts; the role of Bob Lemon: the "evil", used car salesmen in "Love, Music and Monkeys: Give It Up for Chimpy II."  

10. Gordon Gecko played by Michael Douglas in "Wall Street."  A villian in the high money world of Wall Street.  Like how a schemer like Gordon Gecko gets his comeuppance by a man he was trying to mentor to be just like him!   "Greed is good," indeed! 

11. Agent Smith played by Hugo Weaving in "The Matrix."  I may be crazy here, but I got the vibe throughout the series that Agent Smith actually wanted to be human.  Sure he was the program sent out to stop Neo, but his dialog throughout makes it sound like he's tryingto understand what it's like to be human.  And the serious faces that Hugo Weaving can deliver on.  Good stuff. 

 Not enough villains listed?  Okay jackass, I'll more than double down--and go to 50!

 12 - 51 of E.C. Henry's favorite villains in cinema:

# 12) Max Caddy as played by Robert DiNiro in "Cape Fear" (1991)

# 13) Michael Myers as played by Tony Moran in "Halloween" (1978)

# 14) Green Goblin/Norman Osborn as played by Willam Dafoe in "Spider-man" (2002)

# 15) Anton Chigurh as played by Javier Bardem in "No Country for Old Men"

# 16) Peter Callahan as played by Peter Gallager in "While You Were Sleeping"

# 17) The Deacon as played by Dennis Hopper in "Waterwold" (1995)

# 18) James Gump a.k.a Buffalo Bill as played by  Ted Levine in "Silence of the Lambs"

# 19) Mitch Leary as played by John Malcovich in "In the Line of Fire" (1993)

# 20) Daniel Plainview as played by Daniel Day Lewis in "There Will Be Blood" (2007)

# 21) Otto played by Kevin Klien in "A Fish Called Wanda" (1988) 

# 22) Pinhead as played by Doug Bradley in "Hellraiser" (1987)

# 23) Hansel played by Owen Wilson in "Zoolander." (2001) 

# 24) Fauno/the Pale Man as played by Doug Jones in "Pan's Labyrinth" 

# 25) General Zod as played by Michael Shannon in "Man of Steel" (2013)

# 26) Clarence J. Boddicker as played by Kurtwood Smith in "Robocop" (1987) 

# 27) Dr. Phillip K. Decker as played by David Cronberg in "Nightbreed" (1990)

# 28) Jacobim Mugato as played by Will Farrell in "Zoolander" (2001)

# 29) Terminator as played by Arnold Swarteneggor in "The Terminator" (1984)

# 30) Captain Hook as played by Dustin Hoffman in "Captain Hook" (1991)

# 31) Ravenna as played by Charlize Theron in "Snow White and the Huntsman" (2012)

# 32) Mr. Orange/Freddy Newandyke as played by Tim Roth in "Reservoir Dogs" (1992)

# 33) Major Arnold Toht as played by Ronald Lacey in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981)

# 34) Dr. Phillip Barbay as played by Paxon Whitehead in "Back to School" (1986)

# 35) Colenel Miles Qualich as played by Steven Lang in "Avatar" 

# 36) Richard "Stick" Montgomery as played by Adien Quinn in "Stakeout" (1987)

# 37) Seth Brundle as played by Jeff Goldbloom in "The Fly" (1986)

# 38) Burk as played by Paul Riser in "Aliens" (1986)

# 39) Victor Von Doom as played by Julian McMahon in "The Fantastic Four" (2005)

# 40) Albert Ganz as played by James Remar in "48 Hours" 

# 41) Biff Tanen as played by Thomas F. Wilson in "Back to the Future" (1985)

# 42) Colonel Hans Landa as played by Christopher Walz in "Inglorous Basterds" (2009). 

# 43) Bodhi as played by Patrick Swayze in "Point Break" (1991)

# 44) Lancaster Dodd as played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman in "The Master" (2012)

# 45) Bill "the Butcher" Cutting as played by Daniel Day Lewis in "Gangs of New York" (2002) 

# 46) Suzzane Stone Moretto as played by Niccole Kidman in "To Die For" (1995)

# 47) Alex Forest as played by Glenn Close in "Fetal Attraction" (1987)

# 48) Jerry Dandridge as played by Chris Sarandon in "Fright Night" (1985)

# 49 T-1000 as played by Robert Patrick in "Terminator 2: Judgement Day" (1991)

# 50) David as played by Kieffer Southerland in "Lost Boys" (1987)

# 51) Major Henry West played by Chrisopher Eccleston in "28 Days Later"

 

Pretty varied group.  Some of those cinematic villains are true monsters.  But some are real-life like people that convievably you could meet in real life. 

Cinematic villains come from all genres of movies.  Why?   Because in story construction there are good guy and their are bad guys.  You need the bad guys to help create dramatic tension.  If you don't have dramatic tension, chances are you don't have a story. 

Villains add a key component to the movies.  I think a good villain more important than having a good hero.  Why?  Because a villain will draw out and expose the hero.  Villains set the stage for heros to do heroic things. 

There is another argument to be made why a compelling protagonist is not as important as a compelling villain, and that is the audience's desire to take the role of hero themselves and experience an adventure.  Why is that you're grippingyour arm rest when Clarice is in the liar of Buffalo Bill?  It's because you've emotionally invested in the heroine, Clarice (Jodie Foster) and don't want anything "bad" to happen to her. 

I'm of the opinion that as a watcher of the movie, audience members subliminally think they're the hero of the movie.  Thus a vague "good guy" is okay.  It's all about the ride.  And who supplies the thrills of this cinematic roller-coaster ride?  The villain, you fuckin' idiot!  Hit the reset button.  Start over.  Haven't you been paying attention to a word I've written?!

The villain is the most critical character in the story.  He or she sets the thrills in motion.

And guess what?  You're not supposed to like the villain.  And in most stories, the villain gets it in the end.   Case.  And.  Point.