At no point do we remember when we were watching Taxi, did we think that Tony Danza would have a long career in acting, but the former boxer started off playing a role he understood; a former boxer. As the dim-witted Tony Banta, Danza had the kind heart, tough fists and the New York attitude that helped make the ensemble comedy work. The show also paid a lot of attention to Banta’s boxing career, and made a point of incorporating it in minor plotlines. Incidentally Danza’s boxing record was considerably better than Banta’s; who was often knocked out. The Bullet Points: TV Show Appeared: Taxi (1978-1983) Actor: Tony Danza Why you should vote for him: His boxing plotlines were often referred to. Why you should not vote for him: He may have been Italian, but he was no Rocky. {youtube}
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It is universally agreed that Rocky V was the worst of the series. It may have been so bad that the final film could have been titled: “Rocky VI, The Apology”. Nothing really worked in this film, especially Tommy Gunn, whose story arc resembled (and was acted almost as well) as Hayden Christensen’s transition from Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader. Basically, Morrison did not have the acting skills, nor was the story good enough that we cared about Tommy Gunn’s betrayal of the “Italian Stallion”. It didn’t help that it was the most anti-climactic ending fight scene in the Rocky series. I guess we are saying that we aren’t even sure we would put Tommy Gunn in a Rocky Hall of Fame, let alone the one we have here, but as always…this IS the Rocky franchise and any character from it will likely be considered by some fans. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: Rocky V (1990) Actor: Tommy Morrison Why you should vote for him: Any Rocky villain deserves a look….. Why you should not vote for him: …Except for this one. {youtube}
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The acting wasn’t great, and the plot was paper thin, but guilty pleasures abound in watching Tommy Riley (James Marshall). “Gladiator” (and we are not talking about the Russell Crowe Oscar winning film). Although the acting wasn’t great, the fights were entertaining, and the corn-fed looking Marshall was the lead in the flick. That is enough for us to put him on the ballot. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: Gladiator (1992) Actor: James Marshall Why you should vote for him: We have always had a soft spot for Brian Dennehy, and James Marshall took him out in the end. Why you should not vote for him: This is clearly a fast forward to the fights kind of film. {youtube}
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So how many of you clicked here expecting to see a well-endowed Heavy Metal drummer? Here is guessing that the producers of “Best of the Best” were Motley Crue fans, but we also wager that they watched a lot of early Chinese Kung Fu films where the hero avenges the death of his father/teacher/brother or whoever. This is what we have here, where Tommy (again not the drummer) avenges his brother who died in a Tae Kwon Do match against a Korean opponent, and oh who cares? It is a shallow role, (which gets shallower with each sequel) and it doesn’t matter because there is a lot of fighting, which is all anyone wants to see. That could be enough for a few votes here…especially since Frank Dux doesn’t qualify. The Bullet Points: Movie Appeared: Best of the Best (1989) Best of the Best 2 (1993) Best of the Best 3 (1996) Best of the Best 4 (1998) Actor: Phillip Rhee Played for: U.S.A. Why you should vote for him: There are very few Martial Arts nominees here. Why you should not vote for him: Seriously, couldn’t they come up with a better (not metal) name for the guy? {youtube}
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