Behind Blue Eyes: Films

My Film Project

I'm shamelessly stealing this idea from Jen's Kiefer Sutherland Project. She's been working her way through every movie Kiefer Sutherland has ever made.

In the meantime, I'm starting my project with movies which James Spader has appeared. Those who know me well (or who have followed this blog for any length of time) will remember how much I like Spader in Boston Legal. Well, he is great on film too, and plays such delicious characters. Below are the movies he's been in; I'll begin by updating with thoughts on the movies I've seen thus far and update as I see additional films.Then I'll move on to TV.

And after James? Well, there are just SO MANY people's movies to choose from! Colin Firth is right at the top, as is Hugh Dancy, one of my new favorite British actors.

The Rating System:
(all ratings are based on my personal opinion, natch)

Overall Movie Rating: 1 - 5 *s, five being highest
James Spader's Performance: 1-5 Js, five being highest, with rating based primarily on the character he plays, the amount of screen time and my overall feel for his acting in each film.

Films
Shadow of Fear (2004)
Alien Hunter (2003)
I Witness (2003)
****Secretary (2002) (Spader rating: JJJJJ)
The Stickup (2001)
Speaking of Sex (2001)
Slow Burn (2000)
The Watcher (2000)
****Supernova (2000)(Spader rating: JJJJ)
Curtain Call (1999)
Critical Care (1997)
Driftwood (1997)
Keys to Tulsa (1997)
2 Days in the Valley (1996)
Crash (1996/I)
Stargate (1994)

*****Wolf (1994): I loved this movie. Not only is Spader's Stewart Swinton lecherous and smarmy but he plays opposite Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer - both of whom are excellent. Aside from the rather unrealistic beginning (I mean, who stops in the middle of the nowhere to look at a wolf lying in the middle of the road?) the rest of the movie is quite a romp. Definitely recommended! (Spader Rating: JJJJ)

Dream Lover (1994)
The Music of Chance (1993)
Bob Roberts (1992)
Storyville (1992)
True Colors (1991)
****White Palace (1990)(Spader rating: JJJJ)
Bad Influence (1990)
The Rachel Papers (1989)
Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
Jack's Back (1988)
Greasy Lake (1988)
Wall Street (1987)
Less Than Zero (1987)

****Baby Boom (1987): Spader plays Ken, the underling to Diane Keaton's J.C. Wiatt who sweeps in and takes over after J.C. inherits a baby from a cousin. Spader's Ken is a smarmy, self-important, upwardly-mobile businessman-wannabe who takes advantage of Keaton's character's newfound motherhood. Overall the movie is good for a couple hours entertainment. For those of you interested in seeing lots of Spader, though, you'll be disappointed. I think he's in, maybe, 4 scenes. (Spader Rating: JJ)

Mannequin (1987)
Pretty in Pink (1986)
The New Kids (1985)
**Tuff Turf (1985)(Spader rating: JJJ)
**Endless Love (1981)(Spader rating: JJJ)
Team-Mates (1978)

"I could have me a million more friends, and all I'd have to lose is my point of view."

~John Prine