Happy Birthday to Sam Rockwell, who turns 47 today!
I know there are quite a few Sam Rockwell fans but I never really paid much attention to him until The Way Way Back. I thought he was fantastic in that movie & his character is probably one of my very favorites of the last few years. He’s made some odd choices when it comes to some of his movie roles and I’ll admit now that I only really like the top four on this list. Now that Sam Rockwell has finally grown on me, I should re-watch some of his older films (like Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind, which I know I liked at the time but sure as shit can’t remember now). It feels like he still needs that one perfect movie & role to finally get him the recognition I think he probably deserves by now.
But he’s really screwed me over this year for Luke’s Fantasy Acting League over at Oracle Of Film as he had several movies listed as 2015 on IMDB that never got full releases! What gives, Sam Rockwell?! You’ve lost me loads of points! š
Here are My Top Ten Sam Rockwell Movies counting down to the four I actually really like as he’s had some dodgy films that have squeaked into this list to make it to ten (FYI – I always rank these lists according to how much I like the movie, not the actor’s individual role):
10. Charlie’s Angels
9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
8. Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind
7. Choke
6. Matchstick Men
5. Galaxy Quest
3. Moon
2. The Green Mile
FYI – these are the only two other Sam Rockwell movies that I’ve seen & they really could be interchangeable with 9th & 10th place:
– Iron Man 2
– The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy
Cinema Parrot Disco 
Nice list! Rockwell is a fabulous actor and no mistake. The first time I came across him was in 1998 with Lawn Dogs. A great little Indy flick that deserves much more attention.
Thanks, Mark! š Hmm… I’ve never even heard of that one. I’ll look into it! He IS a good actor – I’m finally starting to notice him. š
I love this list. This man deserves more recognition. I also enjoyed his performance in The Way Way Back, he plays that line between comedy and drama very well. As a film, though, I prefer Moon and would hold that up as a shining example of his ability. š
Thanks! š Oh, I love Moon. I originally had that at number two – it’s the most “me” on this list as I love sci-fi. At the time, though, I wasn’t really yet a Rockwell fan. I should watch it again. š
Great list! Moon is definitely my favorite performance of his. I also liked him in Choke, Snow Angels, Joshua, Lawn Dogs, and Seven Psychopaths.
Thanks! š I adore Moon. I like the top three on this list far more than the rest. You’ve seen much more of his films than I have – I’ve not seen Snow Angels, Joshua, or Lawn Dogs… WAIT! I’ve seen Joshua! Oh, damn – IMDB screwed me over! It’s listed as The Devil’s Child so I skipped over it as I’ve never heard that title. Hmm… Joshua was pretty good. I may have to rearrange my list to add it. Thanks! š
He’s such a reliable actor who always delivers.
Agreed! I’m starting to become a fan. Finally. š
Speaking of being a fan, do you like the Bond movies?
Nope! Not really. š
He did Polterge… sorry, I couldn’t keep a straight face. Yeah, he hasn’t had a good year.
Hehe. Don’t rub it in! I should’ve gone with my gut instinct of Miles Teller but he annoys me too much so I didn’t. š
I love your affection for The Way, Way Back. It was one of my favorite films of last year. Rockwell literally stole the show. He really grabbed my attention with that film as well.
Glad to hear from another fan of that movie & performance! Yes, it’s definitely the one that made me a Rockwell fan, even though I did love the movie Moon. But I adored his character in The Way Way Back. š
Not a big fan myself, but I do have to admit he is talented.
I really wasn’t either & have to admit that I didn’t see what the big deal was about him. But The Way Way Back changed my mind. š
I love this list! May have to work on watching all the ones i haven’t seen. I absolutely LOVED The Way Way Back and I am always re-watching Galaxy Quest when it’s on TV! Great post! – Jenna
Thanks! Well, if you haven’t seen the bottom five, you’re not really missing much. He’s not been in a lot of great films, unfortunately. Here’s hoping he’ll be in better ones from now on. š
Great post. Moon takes the cake for me, him carrying the entire movie on his own two shoulders and giving such an amazing performance.
OOH Im going to watch that again this weekend
I really should, too. Moon is an excellent film! At the time, I was more impressed that it was made by David Bowie’s son so didn’t pay a lot of attention to Rockwell’s performance. š
Thanks! I adore Moon. š But I’ll watch it again sometime as I wasn’t yet a Rockwell fan when I watched it.
Never seen him or heard of him until this post. Guess I’m in a time warp where movies are all in black and white.
Lol! Yeah… You should try a few modern films! š Honestly – of these, you should REALLY watch Moon. It has a great old-fashioned sci-fi feel. And David Bowie’s son made it. I highly recommend it!
He’s brilliant in Moon, I really like that film. Also enjoyed his performance in The Way, Way Back too. There are a few on that list that I need to catch up on!
Yeah, Moon is amazing. The top three on this list are the REALLY good ones but Seven Psychopaths is worth watching for his performance too if you’re a fan. š
I’ve had Seven Psychopaths on DVD for ages but haven’t watched it yet — I’ll make it a priority!
Gosh I’d forgotten he was in The Green Mile and the world’s biggest creepy-ass ever in there! Such a good performance though. Also, loved the Way Way Back. I was so surprised by it!
Yeah – what a hateful character in The Green Mile!!! š¦ I suppose he played it well but I much prefer his character in The Way Way Back. Obviously. š
It would be hard for me not to put Green Mile at the top
Good article. I loved Confessions. My fave Rockwell is probably Moon. However, I still need to see Way Way Back.
Oh man I love Moon. And I totally forgot he was in Green Mile (and Charlie’s Angels and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles but Green Mile seems worse to forget).
Love me some Sam Rockwell! š A very talented actor who I think is sometimes unappreciated in Hollywood. My personal favorites are Galaxy Quest and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.
I so wanted to love Hitchhiker’s as it’s my favorite book but I really didn’t like that adaptation. I know a lot of people love Galaxy Quest. š I really love Moon. I hope Rockwell gets the opportunity to be in better movies again soon!
I loved him in Galaxy Quest. I hated him in The Green Mile. If that’s not great diverse acting, I don’t know what is!
Yep! God I hated him in The Green Mile…. What an excellent film. š
Ah, Rockwell is simply amazing. He totally stole the show in The Way Way Back ā¤
Totally! Loved him so much in The Way Way Back. Plus it was just a great character. I’d totally hang out with that guy! š