It's a shame. It's a damn shame.
Robin Williams is one of my favorite comedians ever. He is one of those few talented actors who can both light up a room with ease and also pull off the most dramatic and tear-jerking roles. From the way he moves, talks and smiles, we could all tell he was a gentle and loving person with a passion for making other people happy. He will always be the face of comedy to me. It's a shame that we will now have to live in a world without Robin Williams.
And as a tribute to you, Sir, I list down my Top 5 Robin Williams movies: (to which most of my generation would relate to)
5) Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Gender swapped Robin Williams.
Robin Williams played a woman. This is probably all you need to know to want to watch this movie. It's a family movie with all sorts of wacky shenanigans! And really, if I didn't know any better, I'd have really believed that Mrs. Doubtfire was a woman!
4) Jumanji (1995)
Jumanji is the ultimate board game! It's way better than our 3D games, or virtual realities, because in this game, challenges (and the dangers that come with it) actually come to life! Robin Williams played Allan Parish, a guy who was released from the board game after decades of being stuck inside its world. Unfortunately, along with Allan, the board game unleashed other things like killer monkeys, giant mosquitoes, man-eating vines, an animal stampede and a lunatic game hunter. With every roll of the dice, came more dangerous challenges and terrifying monsters. And the only way to stop them is to finish the game.
I wanted to play Jumanji so bad after watching this movie. Wouldn't you?
Jumanji is the ultimate board game! It's way better than our 3D games, or virtual realities, because in this game, challenges (and the dangers that come with it) actually come to life! Robin Williams played Allan Parish, a guy who was released from the board game after decades of being stuck inside its world. Unfortunately, along with Allan, the board game unleashed other things like killer monkeys, giant mosquitoes, man-eating vines, an animal stampede and a lunatic game hunter. With every roll of the dice, came more dangerous challenges and terrifying monsters. And the only way to stop them is to finish the game.
I wanted to play Jumanji so bad after watching this movie. Wouldn't you?
3) Bicentennial Man (1999)
What is a human being? Bicentennial Man very elegantly explores this loaded question.
This is not Robin Williams' usual role. Here he's less exuberant and more contemplative. And it's a role where he was able to express his more romantic side. Mr. Williams played Andrew, a very special android. Unlike others like him, Andrew exhibited creativity and a strong desire to learn. And this desire encouraged him to find out more about himself, his purpose and ultimately, what he should strive for.
The movie spans over 3 generations, I think. That's how long Andrew's journey is to find the answers to his questions. It's a very unique length for a story, even today. But more than that, this was the first time I was exposed to, or at least the first time I reflected on, a movie with philosophical substance. Robin Williams, in a way, was the reason I started asking existential questions.
Bicentennial Man is like a good book. Its meaning changes every time you watch it at a different point in your life. Which is why I'll probably never not like this movie.
What is a human being? Bicentennial Man very elegantly explores this loaded question.
This is not Robin Williams' usual role. Here he's less exuberant and more contemplative. And it's a role where he was able to express his more romantic side. Mr. Williams played Andrew, a very special android. Unlike others like him, Andrew exhibited creativity and a strong desire to learn. And this desire encouraged him to find out more about himself, his purpose and ultimately, what he should strive for.
Robin, you dog you.
The movie spans over 3 generations, I think. That's how long Andrew's journey is to find the answers to his questions. It's a very unique length for a story, even today. But more than that, this was the first time I was exposed to, or at least the first time I reflected on, a movie with philosophical substance. Robin Williams, in a way, was the reason I started asking existential questions.
Bicentennial Man is like a good book. Its meaning changes every time you watch it at a different point in your life. Which is why I'll probably never not like this movie.
2) Jack (1996)
CAN JACK COME OUT AND PLAY?!?!?!
I could never forget that line. (Mostly because the movie says it over and over again)
Jack is a kid who had to contend with the very unique problem of aging really really fast. He's a 10 year old boy stuck in a 40 year old's body. He enters school for the first time and obviously, Jack and his classmates are going to need to adjust.
This movie was fun, heart-warming, and also (occasionally) excruciating. It was fun seeing Robin Williams play with these kids and do the most juvenile things, but when Jack was being used, or abused, or when he was scared, god, my heart broke. Robin Williams' great at making people laugh, but he was excellent when he played this fragile, innocent character, Jack. ( I'm crying inside just thinking about it.:( )
CAN JACK COME OUT AND PLAY?!?!?!
I could never forget that line. (Mostly because the movie says it over and over again)
Jack is a kid who had to contend with the very unique problem of aging really really fast. He's a 10 year old boy stuck in a 40 year old's body. He enters school for the first time and obviously, Jack and his classmates are going to need to adjust.
This movie was fun, heart-warming, and also (occasionally) excruciating. It was fun seeing Robin Williams play with these kids and do the most juvenile things, but when Jack was being used, or abused, or when he was scared, god, my heart broke. Robin Williams' great at making people laugh, but he was excellent when he played this fragile, innocent character, Jack. ( I'm crying inside just thinking about it.:( )
"Life is fleeting. And if you're ever
distressed, cast your eyes to the summer sky, when the stars are strung
across the velvety night, and when a shooting star streaks through the
blackness turning night into day -- make a wish think of me. And make
your life spectacular. I know I did."
1) Hook (1991)
Hands down my favorite Robin Williams movie of all time! The colorful costumes, the fun and frantic sword fights, the lost boys' craziness, Dustin Hoffman's Hook, Julia Roberts' Tinkerbell, RUFIO, and of course, Robin Williams as Peter Pan! Everything about this movie was fun and memorable. And when Peter Pan finally "appears", it was such a glorious moment. When I was 5, watching Hook, I felt the excitement, the wonder, the magic - I felt it all! Robin Williams will always be Peter Pan to me.
If you've never watched this, you've had a lousy childhood.
Special Mentions:
The Crazy Ones (2013-2014)
This is a TV show that aired just last year. It's about Simon Roberts (Williams), a hotshot ad agency owner. What role is more perfect for Robin Williams than that??? During the time it aired, we were treated with Robin's wacky brand of comedy on a weekly basis! Which is why nothing made me more sad than when they announced that this show was cancelled. It was a really good show. Even more so for people like me who can relate to the craziness that is the advertising industry.
If the series wasn't cancelled, who knows, maybe things would have been different for Robin Williams.:(
Popeye (1980)
This is waaaaaaay before my time, but for some reason, I remember seeing Robin Williams as the live-action rendition of Popeye the Sailor Man.
Some of the movies I listed here are not only my favorite R.W. movies but also some of my favorite movies of all time! These movies were special. They were the kinds of movies I could watch over and over again when I was 10. And you're probably wondering why I didn't put movies like Dead Poets Society or Good Morning Vietnam or Good Will Hunting in there. Well, I'm lucky. Because I haven't watched them yet. I still have a few great Robin Williams films that I can watch for the first time!
There was a scene in Hook when the lost boys started chanting "Pan! Pan! Pan!" while looking up at Peter. This was exactly how I felt about Robin Williams when I was young. He was the embodiment of laughter and love, a true icon, and a personal idol. So thank you, Mr. Robin Williams, for single-handedly defining my childhood and teaching me what it means to make people happy. You've made me laugh and smile countless times, as I'm sure you've done for millions around the world. And right now, all of us are chanting your name one last time.
Some of the movies I listed here are not only my favorite R.W. movies but also some of my favorite movies of all time! These movies were special. They were the kinds of movies I could watch over and over again when I was 10. And you're probably wondering why I didn't put movies like Dead Poets Society or Good Morning Vietnam or Good Will Hunting in there. Well, I'm lucky. Because I haven't watched them yet. I still have a few great Robin Williams films that I can watch for the first time!
There was a scene in Hook when the lost boys started chanting "Pan! Pan! Pan!" while looking up at Peter. This was exactly how I felt about Robin Williams when I was young. He was the embodiment of laughter and love, a true icon, and a personal idol. So thank you, Mr. Robin Williams, for single-handedly defining my childhood and teaching me what it means to make people happy. You've made me laugh and smile countless times, as I'm sure you've done for millions around the world. And right now, all of us are chanting your name one last time.
RIP Robin Williams. We will miss you.
Oo nga!! I can't believe I forgot about Jack!!
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