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Favorite Films Starring Your Favorite Faces from Game of Thrones

by Ygal Kaufman on June 12, 2013

by Ygal Kaufman of In the Can: a podcast about movies

 

If you’re anything like me, you’re good looking, a talented athlete and a great listener. You also probably watch Game of Thrones like me, and just about every person with a pulse in the free world. But did you know the faces you see on G.o.T. are those of veteran actors with long resumes?  I know.  The world can be a real mind F sometimes…
Here’s a list of some of our favorite films starring Game of Thrones stalwarts (I’m gonna limit the list to characters who are still alive on the show as of Season 3, Episode 9.  I haven’t watched the season finale yet, sorry!)

Nikolaj Coster Waldau (Jaime Lannister on Thrones)

Headhunters (2011)

This Norwegian thriller, based on the novel by Jo Nesbo, was one of my favorite movies of the last few years. It follows the exploits of a slick corporate “headhunter” who lives a double life as a cat burglar. Coster-Waldau is at his ruthless best as a coldblooded killer out to get the thief and get paid by any means necessary. The writing here is crisp and fast paced, and the well-crafted thriller never goes where you think it will. It should also be noted that Coster-Waldau was in the classic and influential Nightwatch (1994), which was re-made in English by Danny Boyle. I could have also chosen that thriller, as it is a near perfect film.

Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister)

Dredd (2012)

As I say almost weekly on my podcast, Dredd was the best film of 2012. I know that sounds bananas, but it was. It made Argo look like Gigli. The seemingly out-of-nowhere reboot of the wonderful British comic was pure action beauty, and had a surprisingly deep screenplay. Headey played the baddest of bad guys, Ma-Ma to cruel perfection. In a rarity for comic book movies, the film actually feels like the source material it adapts, without feeling silly.  This was a tall order for the screenwriter, but novelist Alex Garland hit an absolute home run. Haters of the Stallone version from 1995 may balk at this recommendation, but I promise you, it’s better than you’re thinking right now. Seriously, stop rolling your eyes…

Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister)

Death at a Funeral (2007)

Skip the 2010 remake, in which Dinklage reprised his role, and go for the original.  Directed by the great Frank Oz, this hilarious tale of a British family coming apart during the funeral of their patriarch is a pure joy.  The writing is surprisingly warm considering the subject matter; death, mortality, mid-life crisis, infidelity, sibling rivalry, murder and funeral arrangements. The tinny remake lacked all of the feeling, most of the acting talent, and any of the wit of the original script.  But they did bring back the best part: Peter Dinklage.
Stephen Dillane (Stanis Baratheon)

The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)

To put this movie in perspective, let me preface by saying, I usually hate Disney sports movies.  I also usually hate Shia LeBeouf and referring to any round of golf as “the greatest game ever played.” That’s how good this surprising adaptation of the book about the 1913 U.S. Open is. Dillane plays legendary British golfer Harry Vardon, and he does so with all the lack of panache you’ve come to love him for on Thrones. That’s Dillane’s bread and butter; seething rage simmering just beneath the surface. Even LeBeouf can’t stop the strong script and undeniably heartwarming true story. It should be noted that Dillane was also a powerhouse in 44 Inch Chest, but I wrote about that film in my last post, so I left it off here.

 

Carice Van Houten (Melisandre)

Black Book (2006)

Legendary Dutch director Paul Verhoeven (Robocop, Total Recall, Starship Troopers) made this slick and engrossing WWII thriller with Van Houten in the starring role. She doesn’t disappoint as a Jewish girl trying to survive and find justice for her family in Nazi occupied Holland. The movie also never disappoints as it shifts seamlessly from mystery to history to thriller.  Written by long time Verhoeven collaborator (no pun intended…) Gerard Soeteman, who also wrote some of Verhoeven’s best pre-Robocop work (The 4th Man, Soldier of Orange, Flesh +Blood), the fast pace makes the lengthy movie (nearly 150 minutes) fly by.

 

Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth)

Harry Brown (2009)

No less than half the movies on my British films post from last week included this Irish character actor, and I didn’t want to relist them all here.  So bear in mind, Harry Brown is at best my 5th favorite film starring Cunningham.  And I loved it.  That’s how good he is. This gritty English revenge film stars Michael Caine as the titular octogenarian ass whipper Brown. When his best and only friend (played by British TV mainstay David Bradley, who also plays the villainous Walder Frey on Thrones) is killed by street toughs, Caine takes matters into his own arthritic hands. I thought the script to this film was just fabulous.  It manages to take a simple and well worn plot and turn it into something much fresher. It’s not quite revenge fantasy, and not quite social commentary.  It’s… social fantasy?  Cunningham, Emily Mortimer, Ben Drew and Iain Glen all shine in supporting roles.  Oh, and Iain Glen is also on Game of Thrones, as Jorah Mormont, so boom.  That’s like 6 Degrees of King’s Landing for you.

Now the next time you watch Game of Thrones, you ought to be able to recognize more than Emilia Clarke’s naked body, which we can all pretty much draw from memory at this point…

 

 

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