Minute44 - Dan Schonhaar

So yeah, this is my 5 favourite movie characters, in no particular order. Once you’ve read my list, I’d love to hear yours!

Tommy DeVito – Goodfellas

In Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas (1990) Joe Pesci played the role of Tommy DeVito, a wise guy with a serious case of short man syndrome. Oddly (or not) this character was almost identical to the character of Nicky Santoro in the 1995 film, Casino from the same director. Because of the originality though, Tommy DeVito is, to my mind, the better character and his scenes make Goodfellas my favourite Mafia movie ever. In particular, the “Funny Guy” scene is a favourite of mine.

Gny. Sgt. Hartman – Full Metal Jacket

Often imitated but never bettered, R. Lee Ermey’s character in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket (1987) has become the industry standard drill instructor in war and military movies. His character pretty much makes the first half of FMJ and leaves an impression like no other character in the movie. From his first scene in the movie, this character is pure gold. If you don’t love, or at least love to hate, this character then you have no place in my beloved corps!!! Now get on your faces and give me 25!!!

Hatori Hanzo – Kill Bill Vol. 1

He is the man from Okinawa, a once great master swordsman and sword maker turned sushi chef. He is also, in my opinion, the best character in Kill Bill. As soon Beatrix reveals that she knows who, and indeed what he is, his whole character changes and becomes all together serious. The scene in the sushi bar is my favourite scene in the movie. It shows that Hanzo san has a tongue as sharp as his swords. Hatori Hanzo was played by kung-fu movie legend, Sonny Chiba and weather or not this choice was made by Quentin Tarantino in order to work with a personal hero is irrelevant… because no one else could have carried it off.

Ellis “Red” Redding – The Shawshank Redemption

Cult favourite, The Shawshank Redemption was packed with fantastic performances and, indeed it is what I would call my favourite film of all time. One character stands out to me as being worthy of this list though; Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman). As the narrator of the film as well as one of the stars, Red is the voice of the movie and indeed, other than the main protagonist Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) the character we all remember. He is the self-confessed “only guilty man in Shawshank” and the man that inmates go to when they need something. The friendship he and Dufresne build makes this movie truly fantastic. You get no better essence of his character than in Red’s final parole hearing.

Ellen Ripley – Alien saga

Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is by far the most iconic female in all of science fiction. We first met her in the Ridley Scott classic Alien as Warrant Officer Ellen Ripley on board the Commercial starfrieghter Nostromo on it’s way back to earth with a cargo of mineral ore. It is when the Nostromo sets down on company orders to collect an alien life form, Ripley’s life takes an irreversible turn. From then on her life is bound to this creature which stays with her until her death… and subsequent re-birth. My favourite scene starring Ripley has got to be the Power Loader fight scene. Her determination, black sense of humour and unwavering leadership make her one of my favourite characters in all of cinema.

So that’s it… My five favourite… no doubt they’ll change over time but they’re pretty tough to beat in my opinion. I’d love to hear yours so get commenting.