Samuel Leroy Jackson is a BAMF. For example, his middle name is Leroy . Not enough? OK, Jackson has also been an extremely prolific actor and overtook Harrison Ford as the highest-grossing movie star of all time.
Archive for the ‘People We Admire’ Category
People We Admire – J.D. Salinger
On January - 31 - 2010
Unless you’ve been hiding in seclusion for the past few decades (ironically) you know that J.D. Salinger, great American novelist, has died this past week. Therefore I felt it would be appropriate to take a look at the writer of The Catcher in the Rye, one of our most famous modern works of literature from this country. Salinger created Holden Caulfield, who has grown into one of our easiest to associate with teenage characters. It’s why we have The Catcher in the Rye in so many reading lists across schools in the U.S. The argument is often made that nowadays the character can not be related to as easily with today’s youth. However, there’s always someone out there that has plenty to learn from a young man who is clearly unhappy with the way their life is panning out.
People We Admire – Summer Glau
On January - 6 - 2010
If someone asked me to name someone who personified “delicate looking killing machine” or to name a woman who, based on her work, could easily beat down most men I would have to say Summer Glau. She doesn’t look like much, but has had luck, and in the eyes of many nerds, most of her success playing strong female roles.
Her first ‘major’ role was in the way too short-lived show Firefly as River Tam, a supporting character that could easily defeat over 20 men in a single fight without being hurt. She also played River Tam in the movie Serenity, the plot of which was largely based around her character. She then went on to play Cameron Phillips, a Terminator sent back in time to protect John Connor, in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Her latest ‘notable nerd role’ was a 3-episode stint on Joss Whedon’s recently canceled Dollhouse.
Fight scene from Serenity after the cut.
People We Admire – David Tennant
On December - 31 - 2009
Wow, we haven’t done a People We Admire since Halloween? Well, no worries, I’m here to fix that.
David Tennant is the current, soon to be former, Doctor Who. He is the tenth actor to take on the role, and for a lot of people he will be the most memorable. Tennant brought a spectacular energy and eccentricity to the character. In his brown or blue suits coated by a long trench coat, Tennant made the character his own, as his predecessors have, but used a personality that made it thrilling to watch him solve mysteries and crises throughout time and space. I felt it would be nice to take a look at this talented actor, as this Saturday his final portrayal of Doctor Who will air on BBC with Doctor Who: The End of Time Part Two.
People We Admire – George Romero
On October - 31 - 2009
Fans of zombie movies will know this man well. While his 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, which he wrote and directed, wasn’t the first zombie film ever made it is recognized as the film that gave zombies their piece of pop-culture. He followed it up with Dawn of the Dead, the film many consider to be his masterpiece. Since then he has made Day of the Dead, Land of the Dead, Diary of the Dead, and Survival of the Dead (as far as his zombie movies go). Survival of the Dead has recently played at some film festivals and will most likely be released to the public one way or another in the coming months.
People We Admire – Robert Englund
On October - 29 - 2009
For horror icons, not too many are as well known as Freddy Krueger. Much of that is thanks to Robert Englund, the actor who has portrayed Krueger in every movie of the Nightmare on Elm Street saga, before the remake. Englund is the type of actor who can manage an incredibly creepy demeanor and threatening persona. Besides A Nightmare on Elm Street, Englund is also known for having been in the original V miniseries. Beyond that, we don’t really need to know much else because it’s Robert Englund. This man is just too awesome for words.
People We Admire – Marie Curie & Rosalind Franklin
On October - 1 - 2009
The past couple of weeks I’ve let myself slide with the People We Admire feature. Today I am attempting to redeem myself with a double dose of female scientist…to admire. Both of these women have been dead for over 50 years, but that doesn’t mean you can’t admire them. People still admire Jesus.
People We Admire – Demetri Martin
On September - 11 - 2009
This week I felt it would be nice to take a look at a comedian that manages to experiment with his trade in a way that doesn’t make him look like a horrible Las Vegas-based hack. Demetri Martin has only just begun to have his taste of celebrity and yet he is already producing a great many things that prove incredibly funny. He is the star of Important Things with Demetri Martin, where he has been able to show off his talents for comedy in a number of different formats. However, he’s also managed to show off talents beyond his guitar work and humorously ridiculous drawings.
People We Admire – Sam Witwer
On September - 4 - 2009
This week’s feature is on one giant nerd/actor: Sam Witwer. Witwer is a young actor whose credentials are out of every nerd’s wet dream. Though he is mostly known for playing Doomsday in this past season of Smallville, Witwer has been in many of sci-fi’s big name franchises. He was the voice and design for Starkiller in Lucasarts’ The Force Unleashed and played the role of Crashdown in Battlestar Galactica. When asked by the media why he enjoys working in the science fiction/fantasy genre, he responds by proclaiming himself a geek for this kind of stuff.
People We Admire – Hayao Miyazaki
On August - 27 - 2009
Today’s feature will be on one of the biggest influences to my art, Hayao Miyazaki. Some of you may not know of him, but he is co-founder of Studio Ghibli, an amazing animation studio that has worked on some memorable titles such as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and my personal favorite, Kiki’s Delivery Service.
One of Mr. Miyazaki’s most admirable traits is keeping to the roots of true animation. Most of his works are done traditionally, using some CG for Princess Mononoke, but going back to straight up traditional art for Ponyo. With so many more anime coming out relying more on CG, it is a breath of fresh air (especially for a strict traditional artist as myself) to see there is still such dedication and emotion that goes into hand drawn works.
