There’s a great argument that out of all of the star studded names in the superb comedy HORRIBLE BOSSES, one motherfucker [Jones] steals the show entirely. Yes, Jamie Foxx is simply awesome in the role of the go-to ‘hitman’, grabbing the limelight from his A-list co-stars Jason Bateman, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey and a potty-mouthed Jennifer Aniston. To celebrate the release of the film, which hit home entertainment markets in the UK this week, we thought we’d think back and pop up some other movie scene stealers…
Christopher Walken in TRUE ROMANCE (1993)
If Quentin Tarantino were ever to ressurrect a character from one of his classic early movies, then Christopher Walken’s Vincenzo Coccotti would be it – and this guy lived right? For me, that whole scene in TRUE ROMANCE is the reason that I watch it time and time again. “I haven’t killed anybody… since 1984.” Walken managed to to the unthinkable and upstage one of the greatest actors of a generation in the form of Dennis Hopper as Clifford Worley, with just one scene. Yes, in the final cut Walken appears for just one scene, but for me that one scene steals the movie…
Remember…
“I’m the Anti-Christ. You got me in a vendetta kind of mood. You tell the angels in heaven you never seen evil so singularly personified as you did in the face of the man who killed you. My name is Vincent Coccotti. I work as counsel for Mr. Blue Lou Boyle, the man your son stole from. I hear you were once a cop so I can assume you’ve heard of us before. Am I correct? ”
Ken Jeong in THE HANGOVER (2008)
What’s up motherfuckerrrrrrrs? You wanna fuck on me? I think that Zach Galifiankis stole most of the movie, but it was the surprise of a naked Ken Jeong as Mr. Chow in the original that did it for me. Those superb one liners, that crazy broken English and that obvious lack of penis? Jeong started out life professionally as a doctor, but his status as a comedian took over and since appearing in the first ‘Hangover’ Jeong reprised the role in a sequel this year with more lines, more scenes, and more camp genius.
Toodle-oo, motherfuckers.
Tom Cruise in TROPIC THUNDER (2008)
We started to see some weird paparazzi images online during the filming of TROPIC THUNDER that seemingly displayed Tom Cruise in what looked like a fat suit… and a bald head. Thomas Cruise Mapother IV became Len Grossman in a film that was his first cameo comedy appearance since 2002’s AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER. While that performance wasn’t particularly memorable, Cruise’s appearance in TROPIC THUNDER was. As well as stealing this movie, Cruise also took to the stage at the MTV Awards and took over a performance featuring Jennifer Lopez… a moment and indeed a performance that will forever be etched in our memory.
“Great. Let me get this down. 100 million… Oh, wait! I got a better idea. Instead of a hundred million, how about I send you a hobo’s dick cheese? Then, you kill him. Do your thing, skin the fucking bastard. Go to town, man. Go to town! In the mean time and as usual, go fuck yourself. ”
Melissa McCarthy in BRIDESMAIDS (2011)
Most of us loved BRIDESMAIDS here at The Hollywood News and while we must celebrate the work of Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne and Chris O’ Dowd, it’s Melissa McCarthy’s performance as Megan that steals this show. Fuelled by Wiig’s hilarious script, it’s McCarthy’s delivery of it that won us over.
“I’m glad he’s single because I’m going to climb that like a tree.”
Heath Ledger in THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)
Not strictly Ledger’s last movie that he worked on, but considered to be his finest and the flick that won him a posthumous Oscar. The Joker is such a strong part, and the same scene stealing manner of the character could be applied to Jack Nicholson’s version in Tim Burton’s original movie. Ledger brings something extra; a more real, disturbed version of Joker that deserved all of the recognition that it got. Oustanding.
” I had a vision, of a world without Batman. The mob ground out a little profit and the police tried to shut them down, one block at a time. And it was so… boring. I’ve had a change of heart. I don’t want Mr. Reese spoiling everything, but why should I have all the fun? Let’s give someone else a chance. If Coleman Reese isn’t dead in sixty minutes then I blow up a hospital.”
Jeremy Piven in Very Bad Things (1998)
I know that this is a bit of an obscure one, and to be honest I really wanted to include Piven’s performance as Ari Gold in Entourage, but that’s TV and this is the movies. I’ve always been a fan of Piven, and other honorary mentions of the man stealing the show include OLD SCHOOL from THE HANGOVER director Todd Phillips, and JUDGEMENT NIGHT where Piven plays Emilio Estefez’s brother on a night out that goes wrong. VERY BAD THINGS revolves around a similar plotline, and indeed another evening gone bad when a group of guys head to Vegas for a night of stag night debauchery. Piven’s character is pivotal to the story, and itshis nervous, on-edge performance of Michael that sets this black, black comedy off.
“I fucked up.”
Will Ferrell in STARSKY AND HUTCH (2004)
Not the greatest of movies, but I loved Will Ferrell in this as the banged-up criminal Big Earl, which was an uncredited cameo, and a superb surprise.It’s Earl’s randomness that delights in an otherwise largely uninspiring movie version of the classic 1970’s TV show.
“Alright guys, I’m not gonna lie to you. This is gonna get kinda weird… Two dragons.”
Kevin Spacey in SE7EN (1995)
Yes, we all didn’t see this coming. Remember all of the way back to 1995 for David Fincher’s highly applauded SE7EN. The film starred Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman in solid performances, but it was the unexpected delight and strong prescence of Kevin Spacey as the villain, John Doe. Two third into the film, Doe hands himself into the police and the whole story starts to come together and plummet towards that ending. A performance that has to be seen to be appreciated and perhaps our number one scene stealer of the last couple of decades; fitting given Spacey’s prescence in HORRIBLE BOSSES.
“So, what were you doing? Biding your time? Toying with me? Allowing five innocent people to die until you felt like springing your trap? Tell me, what was the indisputable evidence you were going to use on me right before I walked up to you and put my hands in the air? ”
HORRIBLE BOSSES is out now on DVD and Triple-Play Blu-Ray in the UK.
