The Friday Five: John Goodman

The Friday Five: 

John Goodman

Although he's best known for playing the long-suffering husband to Roseanne on the hit TV series "Roseanne," John Goodman has actually had a stellar film career as well, and with his most recent film "Captive State" being released today, I made a list of my five personal favorite John Goodman films.

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**

#5

 Fallen

In this classic psychological thriller, Denzel Washington plays a detective who thinks he's put to death a serial killer, but learns too late that he was inhabited by an evil demon named Azazel who transfers his soul from person to person by touch.  Goodman stars as Washington's partner who helps him uncover the mystery, and gives a solid performance next to the heavyweight Oscar winner.

#4

Monsters, Inc.

 The imaginative people at Pixar decided to reveal the monsters that hide behind children's bedroom closets aren't as scary as you think in their classic Oscar-winning "Monsters, Inc."  Here, Goodman plays Sully, a huge blue monster who's the number one scarer at the corporation, who inadvertently brings a child over to the monster world.  Vowing to protect the child and return her home, he sets out with his best friend Mike to hide her from the authorities and bring her home.  Goodman gives a hilarious performance that's all the more strengthened by his partner-in-crime Billy Crystal, who voices Mike.

#3

 10 Cloverfield Lane

John Goodman plays Howard, a survivalist who traps a young man and woman in an underground bunker and tells them that there's aliens outside, which may or may not be true.  Goodman uses his natural charm and likability to play the role with unnerving perfection, showcasing his truly psychotic nature when you least suspect it.

#2

 Barton Fink

The Coen Brothers are well-known for directing some of the most thought-provoking, powerful pieces of cinema in recent memory, and "Barton Fink" is easily their most strange - in a good way.  Goodman plays salesman Charlie Meadows who befriends playwright Barton Fink (played by John Turturro), and pretty much becomes his only friend in California.  More than just a mere side character, Goodman turns Charlie into a unique character who has different layers to him that really drives the insanity of the film home.

#1

 The Big Lebowski

Maybe it's because he was overshadowed by Jeff Bridges' most iconic character ever, but "The Big Lebowski" wouldn't be what it is without John Goodman's unstable sidekick Walter Sobchak.  Goodman plays the eccentric Vietnam vet and bowling enthusiast with pure brilliance and perfect comedic timing, and even though most people remember him as Dan Conner, he should be remembered more for this timeless performance.