Film Junk Poll: What is the Best Christopher Walken Movie?
With Christopher Walken figuring quite prominently in the advertising for Martin McDonagh’s Seven Psychopaths, I thought it might be a good time to take a closer look at his extensive filmography. Although he hasn’t been getting offered the juiciest roles as of late, he’s still keeping busier than most other 69 year olds in Hollywood. His recent work has found him relying on his comedic abilities more often than usual but he’s been recognized for his dramatic performances in the past, earning two Oscar nominations thus far. Still, there’s no question that the vast majority of his roles involved playing villains, particularly throughout the ’90s, and many of them have been quite memorable. What do you think is Christopher Walken’s best movie to date? Cast your vote in this week’s poll and then sound off in the comments below.
Comments (15)
Mousehunt isn’t on the list.
Posted by Markus Krenn on October 11th, 2012I couldn’t vote for any other movie.
Thanks for not putting Pulp Fiction on there.
Posted by Steve on October 11th, 2012I really hate what Walken has become. It’s hard to even take him serious as an actor he’s so far up his own ass with the whole “Christopher Walken” affect.
I cannot stand when people buy into their own caricature that it’s just who they are now.
Also dreadfully boring– Robert DeNiro. Al Pacino.
Posted by Jon Rocks on October 11th, 2012Gotta go with Dead Zone, even as a young kid with no Walken experience, his delivery of “The ice…is gonna break!” was frightening. I also think he’s great in Joe Dirt.
Posted by projectgenesis on October 11th, 2012Write-in: Man on Fire
Posted by Nic Lipelli on October 11th, 2012So it’s okay to put True Romance, Catch Me If You Can and Sleepy Hollow in there, but not Pulp Fiction? I’m not quite sure about True Romance (I barely remember if he is in any more scenes than the one with Dennis Hopper), but I’m pretty sure that he had less screen time in Catch Me If You Can and Sleepy Hollow than he did in Pulp Fiction.
As always, it’s a conflicting decision between ”what his best film is” and ” in what film he does his best performance”. The latter would be True Romance, with his legendary scene in that film. The former is The Deer Hunter. But I have to say his performance in The Deer Hunter undoubtedly outdoes the tiny role he has in True Romance. But the scene in True Romance is so compelling and exceptional from an entertainment point of view, that I just had to include it. Even Tarantino went on to say that that was one of the best scenes he had ever written.
Posted by La Menthe on October 11th, 2012He did appear in Annie Hall too, didn’t he?
Posted by La Menthe on October 11th, 2012Christopher Walken in Weapon of Choice.
Posted by Kasper on October 11th, 2012#4
I’ve been a big fan of “The Ice…is gonna break” ever since that film came out. Also love his line to Tom Skerrit “You wanna know what God has done for me?, etc.
Posted by James on October 11th, 2012Best leading role, Dead Zone. Best supporting, Deer Hunter. Dogs of War is an honorable mention, very underrated film.
Posted by T on October 11th, 2012Poll is flawed. The movie where he makes chicken on youtube is awesome.
Posted by Emil on October 11th, 2012Dogs of War fucked me up as a kid, particularly the scene involving putting large triangles of glass into a guy’s mouth before beating him. Now, I remember nothing else about it. I need to rewatch that one.
Posted by Deven Science on October 11th, 2012@La Menthe
Yeah he’s in Annie Hall as Annie’s brother? who is legit psycho.
I’m just realizing how few serious films I’ve seen him in. Though it’s questionable how to decide if he’s a major player or not. Like in Mousehunt, where he’s just there for a scene or two. That one movie Jay talked about a while back, Brainstorm, sounded interesting and was one where he actually had top billing it seemed.
Posted by Owozifa on October 11th, 2012Finally something we can all agree:
/****|||-Deer Hunter-|||****\
Sorry can’t hear you!! na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Posted by kyri on October 12th, 2012I want to say True Romance in terms of my favourite standout scene he’s ever done but overall it still has to be Deer Hunter by virtue of acting and screen time. I’d love to include his telling of ‘The Raven’ too but that’s only an audiobook.
Posted by devolutionary on October 15th, 2012Leave a Reply