Author: Bryan Tunick (5 Articles)

The inspiration for this list is simple: there’s something magical about a maniac, a weapon, and great musical direction. We laugh, we cry, our hearts pound out of our chests and our asses explore the forbidden territory at the ends of seats when these rare, but memorable scenes come along.

5. “The Opening Scene” – Face/Off, John Woo, 1997

The Maniac: Nicholas Cage as Castor Troy

The Weapon: Mass Murdering Bomb

The Music: “The Hallelujah Chorus – Since By Man Came Death”

Talk about a scene that lines up a whole movie. We have Castor Troy, a painfully symbolic named terrorist, planting a bomb, prancing around and grabbing choirgirl’s asses. Here, Cage shows contempt for everything that is holy and love for chaos. The face he makes while grabbing the girl’s ass makes you wonder why old Nick ever left being a villain. My only complaint with the casting in the movie is that he doesn’t stay a villain for long.

4. “The Ringer” Scene – The Big Lebowski, The Coen Brothers, 1998

The Maniac: John Goodman as Walter Sobchak

The Weapon: An Uzi and Dirty Underwear

The Music: “Run Through the Jungle” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

You can argue with me about whether or not John Goodman’s character is a maniac, but

please consider his half-dazed, shell-shocked, Viet Nam rants before you do. In, by far, the funniest scene on this list, Walter dives out of the dude’s car with an Uzi and a “fool proof” plan.  Goodman solidifies his role as a lost veteran and idiot in this scene, let alone our love for this film. Suspenseful? Oddly. Great Music? Definitely. Funny? You bet your ass.

3. “The Art Museum” Scene – Batman, Tim Burton, 1989

The Maniac: Jack Nicholson as The Joker

The Weapon: Sleeping gas and paint

The Music: “Partyman” by Prince

I may be biased, because this film brought me into the world of superheroes and villains.  I can’t be sure when I first saw it (I was only two when it came out). I subscribe to the fact that Heath Ledger’s Joker trumps all preceding Batman bad guys, but old Jack’s Joker holds a special place in my heart. This scene nails down the purpose of the Joker in a dark, fun, symbolic, and musical way. As Michael Caine tells us, “Some people just want to watch the world burn.” The art museum scene is filmed proof that Burton didn’t drop the ball on this character trait; he does a great job of showing rather than telling. By destroying valuable art, the Joker shows utter contempt for the best our society has to offer, and by doing it to Prince, he shows a lack of regard for everything the 80’s had to offer, but, somehow, it works.

2.  “The Ear” Scene – Resevior Dogs, Quentin Tarantino, 1992

The Maniac: Michael Madsen as Mr. Blond/Vic Vega

The Weapon: A Straight Razor

The Music: “Stuck in The Middle With You” by Steelers Wheel

Let’s get one thing straight: The only reason this isn’t number one is my love for the following film. I’m well aware that this is a bigger deal to most readers (so, save your typing fingers in the comments).  Rewatching this classic scene, the first thing I noticed is that I felt like I was the one with my mouth taped shut. One almost hopes Madsen gives him a break and shoots him (as he hopelessly writhes to avoid the aim of the gun), but no, it can’t be that simple in a Tarantino film. This is one scene where the music takes a front seat. We know, that as Mr. Blond, in his rat packesque attire, flips on the radio to “K. Billy’s Super Sounds of the 70’s”, we are in for a sick and bumpy ride here. As the music gears up, Madsen begins to walk-dance like Grandpa Cohen at a Bar Mitzvah, and the rest is history. Here’s an equation for you: A Straight Razor + A maniac speaking into a disembodied ear + a one hit wonder = history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLTqecGbdCc

1.  “The Fake Drug Deal” Scene – Boogie Nights , Paul Thomas Anderson, 1997

The Maniac: Alfred Molina as Rahad Jackson

The Weapon: Firecrackers and a handgun

The Music: “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield / “Sister Christian” by Night Ranger

Here’s the rundown: we have a stripper and two male porn stars on their long, spiraling, downfall. They’ve decided the make a quick buck by participating in a fake drug deal (they have some fake cocaine, coated with a little bit of real cocaine for effect) with a local drug lord. We meet them in the car outside, where Todd (played by Tom Jane) reveals he has a gun. The three walk to the door of the house in a humorous image of unpreparedness. Unfortunately, they discover, upon arrival, that their buyer has been on quite the drug binge and is walking the thin line between sanity and anything but. The three con men sit on a couch as the most suspenseful scene I’ve ever seen commences. They hope to not get cause as: 1) several thugs weigh and inspect their fake cocaine, 2) Cosmo (he’s Chinese) lights firecrackers off continuously (our con men jump every time, but Rahad, the drug lord, is unphased), and 3) Rahad  smokes crack, and goes on a manic rant about his music while playing Russian Roulette with his favorite, most shiny gun. Let’s face it, I can’t do it any justice in text, but if you don’t believe that a fake drug deal, sporadic firecrackers, Russian Roulette, and mustached Karaoke can exist in the same scene, you’re wrong (just see for yourself). It makes for crazy suspense in one of my all time favorite films.