The Film: The Dark Knight (2008)
The Film Thief: Heath Ledger (The Joker)
Heist Moment: At the end of the opening bank-job, the single surviving robber tears off his mask to reveal a cadaverous, smirking creature seemingly oblivious to the death and danger. ("I believe whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you... stranger.")
From then on, despite Christian Bale's conflicted Batman, despite Aaron Eckhart's complex Harvey Dent... the film is all Ledger's. Corrupting, subverting, forever dancing on the edge of panic and perversity...
The Oscar was a gimme and Ledger's cinematic legacy became immortal.
Memorable Line: "Madness is like gravity. All it takes is a little push..."
Tea-Leaf Trivia: Ledger based the Joker on a mix of Alex from A Clockwork Orange and Sex Pistol Sid Vicious.
Don't forget to check out next week's DVD Club movie, Ben-Hur. It kicks off at 8pm on Tuesday (May 19th). Full details here.
Like This? Then try...
- 8 Movie Characters Who Should Host The Oscars
- The 20 Worst Screen Couples
- 7 Movie Working Titles We’re Glad They Didn’t Go With
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Comments
nick1991
May 12th 2009, 9:33
Darth Vader? Samuel.L.Jackson's Jules Winnfield (Pulp Fiction)? Casey Affleck's Robert Ford (Jesse James)? Nicholson's Joker? Admiral Ackbar? (It's A Trap!) Marlon Brando - Apocalpse Now? Javier Bardem - No Country For Old Men?
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nick1991
May 12th 2009, 9:35
JOE PESCI IN GOODFELLAS
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kindredvampyre
May 12th 2009, 10:30
OH NO YOU DIDN'T. doth my eyes deceive me? um hey. ever heard of a tiny little movie called Girl Interrupted? Supposed to be Winona Ryders SHINING moment and guess who stole it? Angelina Jolie that is who! Oh and she also kinda won the Oscar and showed up in her black morticia dress and kissed her brother. Could we not do a recount? Maybe add a TENTH?
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Neil1972
May 12th 2009, 11:18
Alan Rickman in 'Die Hard' ("I could talk about industrialisation and men's fashions all day") and 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves ("And call off Christmas!")
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BeckyM84
May 12th 2009, 15:13
I'd like to nominate Paul Bettany as Chaucer in A Knight's Tale. And I second Neil1972's suggestion of Alan Rickman in Robin Hood.
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Desperation
May 12th 2009, 17:18
How about Clancy Brown in Shawshank? Michael Ironside in Starship Troopers?
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Aeghast
May 13th 2009, 2:35
"Javier Bardem - No Country For Old Men"??? Big shiny facepalm for you.
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timisstupid
May 13th 2009, 3:28
Samuel L Jackson in Pulp Fiction. SLJ is THE supporting actor.
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Desperation
May 14th 2009, 17:45
I've got another one. Michael Gross in Tremors.
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FilmFan1971
May 14th 2009, 20:38
Another great one is Steve Buscemi in the otherwise rubbish Domestic Disturbance. I especially like the way he goes around saying "I s**t you NOT!" and expecting people to react to it, like he's quoting the catchphrase from a TV show that only he's seen.
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zarvos
May 15th 2009, 13:56
Who could forget Sean Connery in "The Untouchables"? "They pull a knife, you pull a gun. THAT'S the Chicago way!" He Jim Malone character was the best thing in the movie.
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Revson72
May 15th 2009, 16:01
Samuel L. Jackson, not in Pulp Fiction, but Jungle Love... most overlooked suporting role in history
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LauraStewart121
May 15th 2009, 17:23
Michael Wincott in "What Just Happened" as cockney crackin film director Jeremy Brunnel. He stole the scenes right out from under Robert DeNiro, his acting mentor. How cool is that?
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alowe
May 15th 2009, 18:04
@zarvos Great shout! Connery completely robs the movie from Costner. Shame about the dodgy accent, mind.
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zarvos
May 15th 2009, 20:12
@alowe Yes, the accent was dodgy, wasn't it? DePalma should've written him as a Scot, cause he sure didn't sound full on Irish. SC still got the deserved Oscar though, for the part.
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filmbuffvidiot
May 16th 2009, 22:18
Girl Interrupted is the first film that came to my mind too.Howza bout Rachel McAdams in Mean Girls. Lindsay who ?
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eatyourbeets
May 16th 2009, 22:47
Cruise was good, but did he really steal the film from the brilliant Downey? Also, where is John Belushi? He was like the sixth or seventh lead and the only one you remember from Animal House. As far as Pulp Fiction, Willis and Walken had far smaller roles and were quite thief-like.
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LochNisMonster
May 16th 2009, 23:54
Val Kilmer in Tombstone
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youridol
May 17th 2009, 2:27
The Ruts - Rutger Hauer in BLADE RUNNER. R. Lee Ermey in FULL METAL JACKET. Sherman Howard in DAY OF THE DEAD. Charles Laughton in THE BRIBE. Peter Lorre in THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH. Bill Murray in KINGPIN. Jack Nicholson in THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Jack Palance in COMTEMPT. Rod Steiger in THE BIG KNIFE. Christopher Walken in TRUE ROMANCE.
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kewrock
May 17th 2009, 4:13
Come on, Gene Hackman, What movie did't he steal?
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Yonatan
May 17th 2009, 11:57
Nine performances I won't argue with. But I was disappointed the list doesn't include a movie released before 1992 (like most movie lists on the 'Net these days). And of the nine actors, six were Oscar-nominated for their role, including four winners. Unfortunately, a somewhat uninspired list.
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Midnight
May 17th 2009, 13:30
Dustin Hoffman (as Ratso) in Midnight Cowboy(1969) Orson Welles (Harry Lime) in The third man (1949) Robert De Niro (Vito Corleone)- Godfather part 2 ((1974) lol even if he was acknowledged for it with his oscar If I think of anymore I'll add some more. I agree with a lot of the people mentioned before.
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LeisSuit
May 17th 2009, 13:35
When reading the title for this list, I immediately thought of 2, neither of which made the list. First, Albert Brooks in Broadcast News. I defy anyone to watch the "sweating scene" and tell me he didn't steal that movie right then, lol. The second is K-k-k-en from A Fish Called Wanda, my favorite Michael Palin performance...although Kline won for his, in the same film, Ken is just such an endearing character.
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flint80
May 18th 2009, 0:11
Brad Pitt- 12 Monkeys Gene Hackman- The Unforgiven
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