Tuesday, February 28, 2017

ululate!

Another fixture from my childhood, actor Bill Paxton, dies following an operation at the tender age of 61. He apparently suffered a massive stroke after heart surgery this past February 25. Paxton may not be anyone's idea of an A-list celebrity, but like Forrest Gump, he participated in more globally famous events than you can name. The list of big-name movies in which Paxton has appeared over the past few decades is truly impressive, and while he wasn't generally the go-to leading man, he was never in the periphery. Paxton also had the privilege of delivering some of the most memorable lines ever to be uttered in film. In some movies, he delivered multiple memorable lines:

"This guy's a couple cans short of a six-pack!"
The Terminator

"Wash day tomorrow! Nothing clean, right?"
The Terminator

"How about a nice, greasy pork sandwich served in a dirty ash tray?"
Weird Science

"Start talkin', little man!"
Weird Science

"Sorry for being such a... shit to you all these years."
Weird Science

"How do I get outta this chickenshit outfit?"
Aliens

"Stop yer grinnin' and drop yer linen! Found 'em!"
Aliens

"Game over, man! Game over!"
Aliens

"Whyn'ch'a' put her in charge?"
Aliens

"Ass like a ten-year-old boy!"
True Lies

"I'm nothing. I'm navel lint! I have to lie to women to get laid, and I don't score much. I got a little dick—it's pathetic!"
True Lies

When it came to shit-eating grins, Paxton pretty much cornered the market, but he proved capable of handling serious roles, such as that of astronaut Fred Haise in Apollo 13. I never saw A Simple Plan, but I heard that he did a fine job in that drama, too. By most accounts, Paxton was also a mensch in real life, so it's a shame to know that he's gone. RIP.



3 comments:

Charles said...

I was surprised to see this news. Had no idea he was 61. Seems like he left us way too soon.

Bratfink said...

Yes, I'm gonna miss the dude. Loved him in 'Twister', too. :((

SJHoneywell said...

A Simple Plan is worth your time. Good story well told.

If you're in the mood for something more in the horror vein, I'd suggest tracking down Frailty, which not only starred Paxton, it was directed by him. I don't love the implications of the movie's conclusion, but it's a well-made horror/thriller with some really disturbing moments.