Upcoming movies: A missing wife, a crazy reporter and… a birdman?

As the summer slowly but surely gives way to autumn (ok, maybe not so much here in Malta), it's time to leave the beach for the movie theaters. Here are a couple of movies to look forward to in the coming months, with a very short reason why I'm looking forward to them and trailers.

Nightcrawler

Obviously having lost his iPhone, Jake has to use a flashlight in 'Nightcrawler'.

"A young man stumbles upon the underground world of L.A. freelance crime journalism." That's the plot summarization on imdb.com. It doesn't say much, and for once the trailer doesn't give too much away either. Jake Gyllenhaal looks brilliantly crazy, the editing in the trailer looks promising and L.A. looks dangerously seducing. Bill Paxton and Rene Russo also star in this movie, but this definitely looks like a Jake Gyllenhaal movie. Could this be the 'Drive' of 2014? Check out the trailer and tell me you are not looking forward to this one. US release date is October 17th. 

The Drop

James Gandolfini and Tom Hardy in 'The Drop'

James Gandolfini's last movie looks like a good one! Director Michäel R. Roskam from Belgium has brought Matthias Schoenaerts with him, an actor who also collaborated with the director in the critically acclaimed movie 'Bullhead'. Schoenaerts did a brilliant job together with Marion Cotillard in the French movie 'Rust and Bone', a movie which despite all odds managed to use a Katy Perry song in a dramatic scene successfully. But back to 'The Drop'… James Gandolfini is joined by Tom Hardy, an actor who seems to get better and better for each movie he makes, and Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, famous for her character Lisbeth Salander in the Millennium trilogy. Also, the film is based on a novel by Dennis Lehane, and the author also wrote the script for the movie. Dennis Lehane wrote 'Mystic River' and 'Gone Baby Gone', two other novels that were adapted into two very fine movies, so expectations are high. He also wrote a couple of episodes of 'The Wire', arguably one of the best TV dramas to hit the screen. US release date is September 12th.

Trailer: 

The Equalizer

This movie has Denzel Washington kicking some serious ass. I doubt further reasons to watch the movie are necessary, however I'd like to point out the fact that this movie reunited Denzel with the director of 'Training Day', Antoine Fuqua (yeah, that's his last name). The movie is a new version of the TV-series from the 80s, and a sequel seems to be planned already… Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick Ass, Hugo, Let Me In) and Melissa Leo (The Fighter, Prisoners, Treme) are also on the cast list. US release date is September 26th. 

Trailer: 

Gone Girl

Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) during a press conference in 'Gone Girl'.

Gillian Flynn's novel 'Gone Girl' was a huge hit when it was released, and it didn't take long before a film deal was in order. The book was brilliant, and with David Fincher as director (Se7en, Fight Club, The Social Network) the script for it, also written by Flynn, couldn't have been in better hands. Ben Affleck takes on the lead role as Nick Dunne, whose wife (played by Rosamund Pike) goes missing. Nick is the lead suspect, and as we go back and forth in time, the couple's story is told in fractions never giving away too much, and always keeping us guessing… well, in the book anyway, and as author Flynn is responsible for the script, I highly doubt we can expect anything less from the movie. Could be one of the highlights of the year. US release date is October 3rd.

Trailer: 

Birdman

Alejandro González Inárritu has directed some wonderful movies before, such as 'Amores Perros' and '21 Grams', and this time he's back with a movie about a washed-up actor passed his prime. Michael Keaton plays the lead role, as the actor trying to cope with his former career as he tries to relaunch himself in a new Broadway play. From the looks of it, the movie is quite a spectacular piece of work, and I won't be surprised if this movie also gives Keaton an Oscar nomination. It certainly looks like a typical candidate. The movie boasts a stellar cast, with Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Amy Ryan and Zach Galifianakis. I'm crossing my fingers that it won't be too out there, but the trailer looks promising. US release date is October 17th.

Interstellar

Probably one of, if not THE, most anticipated movies in a while, Christopher Nolan is back in the director chair with a movie he wrote himself, 'Interstellar'. His resume alone is reason enough to watch the movie. His directorial CV includes 'Memento', 'The Prestige', 'Inception' and the Dark Knight Batman trilogy. Michael Caine is back working with Nolan again, while Matthew McConaughey has the lead role. The recent Oscar winner can do no wrong these days, and after the success of 'True Detective' and his award winning performance in 'Dallas Buyers Club', he's set for another big movie.
Anna Hathaway, Casey Affleck and Jessica Chastain also play their part in the movie set for US release on November the 7th.

Trailer: 

The Imitation Game

Directed by Norwegian Morten Tyldrum, this movie tells the story of mathematician Alan Turing, who helped the allies trying to crack the Enigma code during WWII, as the code breakers fought in a race against time against the Germans. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Alan Turing, with Mark Strong, Matthew Goode and Keira Knightley in supporting roles. Looks like a very good drama. The movie is set for US release November 21st. 

Trailer: 

Based on the book by...

It might be true; in most cases the books are better than the movies or TV-shows that follow them, but in many cases that does not necessarily mean that the movies/TV-shows are bad. On the contrary, so many great movies out there are based on books and novels, and here are a couple of my favorites:

Gone Baby Gone

One of my favorite movies, Ben Affleck surprised quite a few with his directorial debut for a feature film. This crime drama centers around two young detectives, Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro, who are hired to investigate the disappearance of a young girl from a tough Boston neighborhood. Definitely not a feel good film, it does raise some interesting questions on morale, and the story is portioned out at a perfect pace. Casey Affleck does a very fine job portraying Patrick Kenzie, though Michelle Monaghan is maybe even more impressive as his somewhat quiet partner Angie. The movie is also starring Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, my personal favorite Titus Welliver, sporting a rather ludicrous mustache and Amy Ryan, who is absolutely brilliant in her portrayal of the little girl's mother. 

The opening montage is wonderful. Accompanied by the monologue spoken by Casey Affleck, it sets the tone for a wonderful movie based on the book by Dennis Lehane: 

Sleepers

Another personal favorite of mine, this movie is based on the novel by Lorenzo Carcaterra. It depicts the story of four childhood friends in Hells Kitchen, New York, who ends up at a home for boys for 6-18 months after a prank on a hot dog vendor ends up killing a person. Unlucky. Both for the innocent victim of their prank and for themselves… At the home for boys they are systematically brutalized and abused, ultimately changing them and their friendship forever. The movie tells us both the story of the young boys as well as the story of their need for revenge and redemption as they get older.

Eldard, Crudup, Pitt, Patric and Driver in 'Sleepers'. 

The cast is perfect. Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, Ron Eldard and Billy Crudup plays the "old" version of the boys, and the film also have Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver and Kevin Bacon in important roles. Warning: You might end up hating Kevin Bacon after watching this movie. I did for years after watching it for the first time. 

Trailer: 

Band of Brothers

I'm not a huge fan of war movies. Just never really liked them much. There are exceptions of course, and this miniseries is one of them. There is obviously a lot of violence in it, but the beauty of the series is  the characters, the brotherhood, the amazing performances, the stories told and… well, the job Spielberg and Tom Hanks did. Because, have no doubt about it; the series looks amazing on screen. 

The series is based on the Stephen Ambrose book of the same titles. The cast includes actors such as Damian Lewis (Homeland), Scott Grimes, Donnie Wahlberg, Michael Cudlitz, Dexter Fletcher, Ross McCall, Michael Fassbender, David Schwimmer (!), Tom Hardy (!!!) and Neal McDonough. 

Tom Hardy before he hit the big time

Funfact: The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon has one scene in one of the episodes. 

Also, the show has one of the best intros ever. The score alone is enough to give you goosebumps. 

No Country for Old Men

The Coen Brothers have made a lot of brilliant movies, and this 2007 movie is definitely one of them. Based on a novel by the same name by Cormac McCarthy, the story revolves around a hunter who stumbles upon 2 million dollars in what looks like a drug deal gone bad. Naturally, when 2 million dollars are gone, there will be people looking for it. 

Javier Bardem laughs at his own haircut

Josh Brolin is stellar in his lead role as Llewelyn Moss, as is Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh, a class A psychopath with a class Z haircut. Tommy Lee Jones plays Ed Tom Bell, an old cop not used to the violence following in the path of Moss and Chigurh. The actor with the stone face is as laconic as ever, a perfect fit for the part. Woody Harrelson also plays a part in this brilliant adaptation of what I can only imagine must be a very good read. 

Trailer:

Mystic River

Another movie adapted from a Dennis Lehane novel, and again, as with 'Gone Baby Gone', the story takes place in Boston. Clint Eastwood directs the movie, Brian Helgeland adapted the novel into a script, and Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, Tim Robbins, Laurence Fishbourne and the wonderful Marcia Gay Harden brings the story to life on the big screen. Sean Penn plays an ex-con, Jimmy, whose daughter, Katie, is killed, and he launches his own investigation using his contacts in the streets. Again, as with 'Gone Baby Gone', we're not in for a feel good movie, but a good one? Oh, definitely! Sean Penn and Tim Robbins are amazing, and Clint Eastwood is a wonderful director. Looking forward to reading the book as well. 

Trailer: 

Jackie Brown

Tarantino's first adaption after having written all his earlier films, Jackie Brown is based on the novel Rum Punch by Elmore Leonard. Pam Grier is brilliant, and both Robert Forster and Michael Keaton did some of their best work in a long time. As with most of Tarantino's work, the dialogue is highly entertaining, and the violence both expected and sudden. Robert De Niro does one of his best supporting roles of the 90s, and Samuel L. Jackson is, as usual, a bad ass mutha… 

Odell: Is she dead? Louis Gara: Pretty much...

Justified

In 2001, Elmore Lenoard wrote a short novel, 'Fire in the Hole', about U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens and his pursuit of Boyd Crowder. About 9 years later, the novel became the basis for a wonderful TV show called 'Justified'. In 2015, the show will end after 6 seasons. Read more about it in this old post. 

Looking for Alabama

In 1993, Patricia Arquette portrayed Alabama Whitman in the movie 'True Romance', directed by Tony Scott. The script had been written by Quentin Tarantino, and although changes were made, the movie still has Tarantinto written all over it. In 'True Romance', Arquette - who last was seen in a reoccurring role in season 4 of 'Boardwalk Empire' - played a hooker who gets mixed up romantically with Clarance, one of her customers. Together they steal her pimp's cocaine and takes off. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is when she gets confronted with the character of Virgil, wonderfully portrayed by the late James Gandolfini. She gets beaten half to death, but... her spirit is never broken, and she never shows any weakness.

Patricia Arquette delivers one of her strongest performances

Quentin Tarantino of course, has a history of writing female characters with an above average tendency to feel the need to kick some ass, 'Kill Bill Vol.1' and 'Kill Bill Vol. 2' obviously being the best examples. Let's not forget Uma Thurman's character in 'Pulp Fiction', and Pam Grier's character in 'Jackie Brown'. Although not kicking ass as literally as the members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad of the Kill Bill flicks, they were still characters who didn't take shit from anyone. And more importantly, they never showed any weakness towards their surrounding friends/enemies.


My question is this; where is the Alabama of 2013? Kerri Washington's character of Olivia Pope on the show 'Scandal' is supposed to be one of those strong female characters, but to me she is quite the opposite. Obviously one cannot expect a character going through the tests of life never showing any weaknesses, but Pope seems to be constantly at war with her emotions. And her emotions wins about 80% of the time. Tatiana Maslany's character of Sarah Manning in the highly entertaining 'Orphan Black' could be considered a 'Modern day Alabama', and definitely more so than Kerri Washington's Pope. So far, though, I am still waiting for another Alabama…

Could Tatiany Maslany prove to be another "Alabama"? 

Supporting roles in TV-shows - As important as the main characters?

Sure, what would 'The Sopranos' be without James Gandolfini? Would Breaking Bad have made it to 5 seasons if it hadn't been for the amazing job Bryan Cranston has done with his character? Could anyone else have pulled off the role of Luther as good as Idris Elba did in the self-titled show?

1. (Probably not much)
2. (Absolutely not)
3. (No)

If a TV-show lacks a believable lead character, chances are it won't make it past a pilot, let alone a season. You can probably add a few adjectives to the last sentence. Sympathetic, likable, interesting, complex... They're not all definite. I do love Breaking Bad and Bryan Cranston's portrayal of Walter White, however I do not find his character very sympathetic or likable. Interesting however, very much so.

However, for me to really enjoy a TV-show, there needs to be other ingredients working in the recipe as well. It can't all be meat. You need the gravy, the red wine and your vegetables as well. Here's where the supporting cast comes in, and the characters (and casting of them) are essential. I've already written about some of my favorite supporting roles in TV-shows here.

Here follows a couple of characters I feel really contributes to their respective TV-show:

Mike - Breaking Bad

played by Jonathan Banks

Jonathan Banks as Mike in Breaking Bad

Showed up at the end of season 2, and quickly became one of my favorite characters on the show. Stone cold killer with a coolness and sense of old-school gangsterism that gave a new dimension to the show. Whereas most of the bad guys in the show up until this point had been young drug-dealers, Mike was instantly on par with his co-actors with his deep voice and calm presence. Continuing on my food-allorgy, Mike would definitely have been the gravy. 

Mike was also in one of the funniest scenes from the show, as he and Walter completely ignores Jesse's attempt of suggesting the use of magnets for one of their little... side projects: 

Alice Morgan - Luther

played by Ruth Wilson

Ruth Wilson IS Alice Morgan

In the pilot episode of 'Luther', one of the most interesting relationships in modern TV is formed, that of Luther and Alice Morgan. With her parents found dead, Alice is brought in for questioning, and magic happens. Idris Elba is brilliant as Luther, but Alice Morgan is the red wine, the gravy and quite possibly the vegetables as well in this masterpiece of a TV-show. 

Doug Stamper - House of Cards

Played by Michael Kelly

Michael Kelly as the right-hand man in 'House of Cards'. 

Although possibly slightly overrated, 'House of Cards' was/is still a very good show, with Kevin Spacey in a role pretty much perfect for him. Robin Wright is impressive in her role as well, but to me Michael Kelly was one of, if not THE most, impressive bit players in the show. Michael Kelly is made for these roles, business-types or agents, but he still shone in Kevin Spacey's presence. An honorable mention also to Corey Stoll as Peter Russo who did an exceptional job as well. 

In addition to these, here are a few personal favorites from other TV-shows. Some as part of the main cast (though not lead-character), some in smaller parts. 

Rachel Menken in Mad Men - played by Maggie Siff

- One of the first women that challenged Don Draper. Loved her on the show, and still enjoy her performances on 'Sons of Anarchy', where she was especially impressive in her last scene last season.

Sloan in The Newsroom - played by Olivia Munn

- Socially awkard and brutally intelligent in her field. Together with Thomas Sadoski as Don Keefer quite possibly the most interesting and funny characters of the show so far in season 2. 

Rebecca Halliday in The Newsroom - played by Marcia Gay Harden

- Very little screen-time so far, but the addition of Marcia Gay Harden in the second season is promising. Great actress, and she's already done much with the little time she's been given. More of Rebecca, please!

Pamela in Louie - played by Pamela Adlon

- The chemistry between Louis C.K. and Pamela is amazing. Some of the best scenes of the show are the ones with the two of them together. 

Chris Sanchez in Damages/Reese Lansing in The Newsroom - both played by Chris Messina

I like Chris Messina. He's got something. He can perfectly well play an asshole, but is equally good as one of the good guys. Did a great job on Damages, as most of the supporting cast, and I always enjoy his smugness as Reese Lansing in The Newsroom. 

Which are your favorites?

Movies: What to look forward to

As this summer's box office is dominated by sequels (Red, Grown-ups, Despicable Me), spin-off movies (Wolverine) and questionable comedies (again, Growns Ups 2, R.I.P.D. and The Heat), I look to the next six months of new releases. And there seems to be quite a lot to look forward to in the next few months. Here's a a rundown of what I am looking forward to, for various reasons:

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Although it isn't released until early January, there is already lots of buzz about this movie. Unfortunately, some of the buzz has come from the news on Mandela's illness, but there seems to be a lot of reasons to look forward to the movie either way. Idris Elba has quickly become a very popular man in Hollywood. The British actor rose to fame during his time on 'The Wire', where he portrayed the business-style gangster Stringer Bell. With an accent that even had Americans fooled, he was one of the best characters on the show, and this summer he is one of the stars of the blockbuster-movie Pacific Rim. During his three seasons as the lead in the brilliant BBC-show 'Luther', he has proven himself to be one to watch. In the trailer for the Mandela-movie, he seems to be able to also pull of a perfect South-African accent, which is impressive enough. The movie looks at Mandela's life all the way from his youth until his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. Will this movie give Idris Elba his first Oscar-nomination (and possibly award)? Naomie Harris plays Winnie Mandela. 

Release date: Varies from country to country, but December/January seems to be it. 

Trailer: 

The Counselor

Ridley Scott is the director, and the cast looks really interesting. Although not much is revealed in the trailer (and that is a good thing), it definitely pokes my interest. The movie is based on an original screenplay by Cormac McCarthy (who wrote the novel 'No Country for Old Men'), and the cast includes Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem, Natalie Dormer, Bruno Ganz, Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz. Also Dean Norris ('Breaking Bad') is in the cast, interestingly enough again connected to a project in El Paso (see trailer). "A lawyer finds himself in over his head when he gets involved in drug trafficking", says the plot. Not very original maybe, but this still looks like one to look forward to.

Release date: October 25th

Trailer: 

12 Years a Slave

Director Steve McQueen ('Shame') returns with a movie about a free black man who is abducted and sold as a slave. I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess he was held as a slave for 12 years. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays the lead character, Solomon Northup, in what is a rare lead role for the British actor. I am looking forward to seeing him in a bigger role then he is usually given, though. The cast is impressive, with Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, Paul Dano, Michael K. Williams, Michael Fassbender, Chris Chalk, Alfre Woodard and Sarah Paulson. Also the movie features Quvenzhané Wallis in her second feature film, the first being the lead role in 'Beasts of the Southern Wild'. Based on a true story, the film is based on the memoirs of Solomon Northup released as a book in the 1850s. 

Release date: Early January most places

Trailer: 

The Monuments Men

Bill Murray making the cast laugh. Of course.

George Clooney returns as a director in this movie based on the story of an Allied group during the last year of World War II. Their mission was to save pieces of art and important cultural items before Hitler was able to destroy them. Although a trailer has not been released yet, this movie has the cast working for it. In addition to buddies George Clooney and Matt Damon (who replaced Daniel Craig), it also stars Cate Blanchett and Jean Dujardin ('The Artist'). Add to this two of my favorites all-time, Bill Murray and John Goodman, and you've got yourself a movie that definitely finds its way to the "must-see"-list. Bill Murray. And John Goodman. In the same movie.

Release date: Early January most places

Trailer: 

Out of the Furnace

Maybe on of the movies I'm most looking forward to lately. Christian Bale is the lead role, and the trailer depicts a movie that somewhat resembles 'Winter's Bone', in that it centers around someone looking for a family-member up in "the hills". When Rodney Baze Jr. (Casey Affleck) goes missing, his older brother Russell (Bale) takes matters into his own hands looking for him, as the authorities seems to be out of their depth. Forest Whitaker, Woody Harrelson, William Defoe, Zoe Saldana and Sam Shepard also stars in this movie, which definitely seems to be a dark horse for a few Oscar-nominations come March. 

Release date: Late 2013/Early 2014. 

Trailer: 

Prince Avalanche

Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch teams up in this movie which looks strangely funny by the looks of the trailer. Basically, the plot is this: Two highway road-workers spend a summer together doing... highway road-work. In the middle of nowhere. (So maybe not highway road-work, but just road-work). Emile Hirsch has done this before ('Into the Wild'), and the chemistry between him and Paul Rudd seems to be reason enough to watch this. Especially if you appreciate the quirky humor of Paul Rudd (as I do), and the occasional "let's not set every movie to a big city"-film (as I do). 

Release date: August 9th (US), September/October (Europe)

Trailer: 

Wolf of Wall Street

Probably one of the coolest trailers in a long time, this movie is likely one of the most anticipated movies for the coming months. Martin Scorsese teams up with Leonardo DiCaprio yet again, and the screenplay is written by Terence Winter ('The Sopranos', 'Boardwalk Empire'). The movie is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a wealthy stockbroker, and his rather crazy life. The cast includes Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, Jean Dujardin, Shea Whigham and Cristin Milioti. This is the fifth collaboration between Scorsese and DiCaprio, and to be honost, I don't mind.

PS: Nice touch with on the song in the trailer (Kanye West - Black Skinhead)

Release date: November 15th (US), December (most European countries)

Trailer: 

The Butler

Director Lee Daniels ('Precious') directs this movie about a Cecil Gaines, a butler working at the White House. It is based on the real-life account of Eugene Allen, who was a butler at the White House through eight American presidencies (1952-1986). The movie looks into the social situation during the time of his tenure at the White House, and with Forest Whitaker at his best, this could be another Oscar in the making for the accomplished actor. The cast also includes Robin Williams (Dwight Eisenhower), James Marsden (John F. Kennedy), John Cusack (Richard Nixon), Alan Rickman (Ronald Reagan), Terrence Howard, Jane Fonda,  Vanessa Redgrave, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Oprah Winfrey. Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz are also in the cast, as they were in Lee Daniels' Oscar-nominated movie 'Precious'. 

Release date: August 16th (US), September (Europe)

Trailer: 

American Hustle

Director David O. Russell had huge success with his latest film 'Silver Linings Playbook', and he probably hopes that teaming up Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper again will prove a winning formula. Add Christian Bale, Jeremy Renner and Amy Adams to the mix, and I'm guessing he's onto something. Con artists, FBI agents, mobsters and politicians are key words in this movie, and as the trailer depicts, so is heartbreak, drama, money and... beards. Together with the trailer to 'Wolf on Wall Street', probably the most promising trailer I've seen in quite a while. Christian Bale might be finished playing Batman, but he is definitely not finished kicking ass on the screen.

Release date: December 25th (US), Late December/Early 2014 (Europe)

Trailer: 

A picture can speak volumes

Here's a selection of a few great photos of actors/actresses/movies. I recommend following FilmmakerIQ.com on Facebook or Twitter for lots of great (often rare) photos from the world of film. The photos are all from their pages.

R.I.P. James Gandolfini (1961-2013)

Tommy Lee Jones looking happy as ever, and Meryl Streep highly entertained.

Mads Mikkelsen, who has done a great job portraying a young Hannibal Lecter in the show 'Hannibal'

Sir Anthony Hopkins, who made Hannibal one of the most notorious characters in film history.

Claudia Cardinale, one of the stars of 'Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)

Melanie Laurent in 'Inglorious Basterds. She can sing too.

Robert De Niro and a mirror. Say no more...

Audrey Tautou far from her role in 'Amélie'

The wonderful Marion Cotillard playing around...

Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling, the stars of 'Crazy, Stupid, Love'

Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese and Harvey Keitel. Legends.

Patricia Arquette and Christian Slater in the highly entertaining 'True Romance'

The Denzel. 

Marion Cotillard. Photo by Annie Leibovitz.

Meryl Streep and Al Pacino. Two of the greats.

Paul Rudd suiting up. And then some...

And his co-star of 'I Love You, Man', Rashida Jones. 

Robert De Niro and his partner-in-crime Joe Pesci

Daniel Day-Lewis, an actor's actor. 

Sandra Bullock. Gotta love her...

Justified - Kentucky Fried Entertainment

Justified is, in my opinion, one of the best TV-shows that are currently on the air. The fourth season wrapped up about a month and a half ago, and I'm still struggling coming to terms with the fact I have to wait until January 2014 for more Kentucky-style action. Having recently watched the opening scene of the very first episode again, it hit me again how the opening totally contrasts with the general 'feel' of the show. Set in Miami, a world TV-fans probably more links with another TV-show, namely 'Dexter' and it's Cuban-style music, beaches and bright colors, 'Justified' is quite the opposite. In 'Justified' you're served quirky characters with hillbilly-tendencies, bluegrass and country-music, dust, trucks, whiskey and bourbon.

Walton Goggins and Timothy Olyphant

The star of the show is Timothy Olyphant, who turns 45 years old today, on the 20th of May. One of the stars of 'Deadwood', the character of Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens is a perfect fit for the actor. Olyphant has never really "made it" in the movies, but he's definitely done great in Television, his guest appearance in 'Damages' included. Just as Mr. Olyphant was one of many excellent bit players in 'Damages', the Kentucky-set show 'Justified' has a great number of amazing characters (and casting to match it).

If you haven't seen the show, it comes highly recommended. Not only is it obviously different from most TV-shows out there, but it is extremely well written, both when it comes to the dialogues, the story arches and the characters. Also, it has the obvious advantage of having the brilliant Walton Goggins in it's cast. Goggins' portrayal of Shane in 'The Shield' is probably one of the finest performances in TV. Ever. He also did a great job this year in both 'Lincoln' and especially in a couple of his scenes in 'Django Unchained'. 

Here are a few of my favorite characters of the show: 

Deputy U.S. Marshal Tim Gutterson

played by Jacob Pitts

Jacob Pitts as Deputy U.S. Marshal Tim Gutterson

Jacob Pitts does a brilliant job as Tim Gutterson. The former army-sniper has a strange sense of humor, but a certain coolness about him that keeps you wondering "what IS he really up to?" There's a mystique to the character, and some of his scenes - especially in newer seasons - are definite highlights of the show. Underrated character, in my opinion. 

Winona Hawkins

Played by Natalie Zea

Natalie Zea in 'Justified'

She appeared in a couple of episodes of 'The Shield', and in 'Justified' she is one of the regulars. That is a good thing. Great actress, with great chemistry with her ex-husband Raylan Givens. I watched the start of 'The Following' partly to watch her in that show as well, but couldn't really take all the other cringeworthy-ness that dominates that show. Stick to 'Justified' Natalie. 

Boyd Crowder

Played by Walton Goggins

Walton Goggins

The most eloquent-speaking bad guy you will ever meet. He was, as previously mentioned, perfect in 'The Shield'. It is amazing to see him dive into such a complex character yet again after his riveting portrayal of Shane in the LA Cop-drama. But he does it. And he does it well. Listening and watching Boyd Crowder speak, it is sometimes very difficult to know if what he is saying is something he actually believes himself. A man of many words, but also many layers. He'll make you laugh, he'll make you angry, and he will make you look forward the next episode. And he will make you pray Walton Goggins will forever have a character on a good TV-show. 

Limehouse

Played by Mykelti Williamson

Mykelti Williamson in 'Justified'

Season 3 introduced us to Limehouse, another great character of 'Justified'. He runs the little community called Noble's Holler, and as the butcher of the town, he runs the diner where pretty much everyone eats. Obviously, he doesn't just run a diner... Interesting character, and Mykeltin is a perfect fit for the role. More Limehouse, please!

Wynn Duffy

Played by Jere Burns

Jere Burns as Wynn Duffy

Quirky and funny, sometimes a little scary, and sometimes mostly scared. Wynn Duffy is like a bug that  just never leaves the room. Although one gets the feeling that Raylan Givens hates the guy, in certain ways you kind of sense that Raylan Givens finds the man almost entertaining. Nevertheless, Jere Burns does a great job, and his creepiness was picked up by the casting agents of 'Bates Motel', where he is a reoccurring bit player in it's first season.

Colton 'Colt' Rhodes

Played by Ron Eldard

Ron Eldard in 'Justfied'

I was surprised when I saw Ron Eldard cast in 'Justified'. I've enjoyed his performances on 'E.R' and even 'Men Behaving Badly', and also remembered him from his short scene in 'Scent of a Woman' and in the 90s sleeper-classic 'Sleepers' (which I hold in high regard). As the war-veteran struggling with... well, all types of shit, Ron Eldard does a great performance as 'Colt', an old friend of Boyd Crowder. His tough-guy appearance suits him, and so does the character. 

Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens

Played by Timothy Olyphant

It shouldn't really be necessary to highlight the main character of the show. However, here's a little bit of the Givens-magic from 'Justified'. 

If you think I've forgotten about Margo Martindale, I haven't. Arguably one of the best characters on the show, which is why I've written about her in a previous post. Read it here.