As a film enthusiast and someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, I must say that Joshua Jackson‘s career is as diverse as it gets! From gritty dramas like “The Safety of Objects” to horror comedies such as “Cursed,” he’s shown an impressive range that keeps audiences guessing.
The well-known actor Joshua Jackson has been a fixture in Hollywood for more than three decades now. He initially gained recognition as the hockey player Charlie Conway in the popular ’90s sports series “The Mighty Ducks.” Later, he stole hearts when he played the endearing outcast Pacey Witter in the 1998 teen drama hit “Dawson’s Creek,” captivating audiences worldwide and propelling him to mainstream fame.
After achieving significant roles in successful series such as Fringe, The Affair, Dr. Death, and more recently, ABC’s new medical drama Doctor Odyssey, it might surprise some that Joshua Jackson has also graced the silver screen in numerous popular films throughout his illustrious career. Here are nine movies you may have forgotten he starred in.
9 Urban Legend (1998)
Back in 1998, I found myself utterly captivated by the spine-tingling movie “Urban Legend”. At a distinguished New England university, where I was a student, we were faced with a heart-stopping series of grisly murders that mirrored ancient folklore tales. After my dear friend Michelle met an untimely and gruesome end while driving alone, a pattern began to emerge that sent chills down my spine – a pattern noticed by Natalie Simon (brilliantly portrayed by Alicia Witt). To uncover the truth behind these terrifying events, I joined forces with Paul, an aspiring journalist (played by Jared Leto), and fellow student Brenda (Rebecca Gayheart). Together, we delved into the dark heart of this murder spree.
Jackson’s Slasher Extravaganza
In the horror movie, Joshua Jackson played Damon Brooks, a fraternity member and prankster, who tried to manipulate Natalie’s emotions for his gain, but was firmly rebuffed. However, things took a turn for the worse for Damon as he became the focus of the evil force tormenting the students, ultimately leading to a gruesome end.
The film “Urban Legend” was financially successful at the box office but received unfavorable reviews from critics, ultimately earning over $72 million. Despite being criticized for being a copycat of “Scream”, it’s notable as one of the early significant Hollywood productions to reinvent folklore and urban legends on screen.
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8 Shutter (2008)
A new version of the 2008 Thai horror film titled “Shutter” centers around the couple Ben and Jane Shaw (Joshua Jackson and Rachael Taylor) who move from New York to Japan due to Ben’s job as a photographer. Following an unfortunate car accident that seems to have killed a girl in the woods, they experience a terrible tragedy. As time passes, they start questioning if they are being haunted by the enigmatic figure they struck in the forest, as strange shadows appear in Ben’s fashion photos taken from his camera.
An Underwhelming American Remake
With each bizarre event becoming more intense and aggressive, Jane becomes curious about the mysterious girl from the forest. Shockingly, she finds out that Ben has kept secrets regarding the girl’s real identity.
Produced with a budget of only $8 million, the movie “Shutter” earned a staggering $48 million globally and became a significant box office success. However, critics were somewhat unimpressed by the lackluster American remake, labeling it as less inspiring compared to the original. As a result, the horror film received unfavorable reviews, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 11% and a Popcornmeter rating of 33%.
7 Gossip (2000)
Highlighting an impressive ensemble of emerging Hollywood talents such as Kate Hudson, James Marsden, Norman Reedus, and Lena Headey, the 2000 psychological thriller “Gossip” revolves around a college project that spirals out of control. College roommates Jones (Lena Headey), Derrick (Norman Reedus), and Travis (Reedus) initiate a rumor as part of their project to observe its rapid spread through the school for their joint final paper. However, their seemingly harmless prank takes a dark turn when Naomi (Kate Hudson) implicates her boyfriend Beau (Jackson) in a false allegation of sexual assault due to their rumor.
A Harrowing Social Experiment
Showcasing standout performances from its gifted young cast, Gossip delves into a compelling concept that masterfully examines the impact of words, keeping viewers gripped with numerous unexpected plot developments. Despite not being a hit with critics or audiences, this gripping thriller premiered during the peak of Dawson’s Creek‘s popularity and provided Jackson an opportunity to explore more mature acting roles, demonstrating his versatility as a leading man by holding his own alongside his talented co-stars.
6 Cruel Intentions (1999)
1999 saw Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Reese Witherspoon deliver memorable performances in the romantic drama “Cruel Intentions,” a contemporary adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ novel. The story revolves around the cunning stepsiblings Sebastian Valmont (Phillippe) and Kathryn Merteuil (Gellar), who engage in a sinister game of manipulation, where Valmont aims to bed and win over their innocent classmate Annette Hargrove (Witherspoon).
An Undisputed ’90s Cult Classic
Back in the ’90s, I found myself captivated by the iconic cult film. In this masterpiece, the charismatic Jackson took on the role of Blaine Tuttle, Sebastian’s icy-haired confidant. This cunning duo manipulated poor Greg, a close friend of Annette’s, in a heartless scheme. They deceived him into believing that Sebastian was truly a good person, ultimately forcing him to persuade the stunning blonde that their friendship was worthwhile.
Cruel Intentions captivated audiences worldwide, igniting a significant pop culture trend with its daring plotline and electrifying performances by its charismatic actors. Over the past 25 years, this tantalizing drama has continued to shine as a standout gem of the 90s and remains beloved by fans.
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5 Bobby (2006)
In the 2006 drama “Bobby,” Emilio Estevez, known for his roles in the ’80s, stepped behind the camera and took on both director and actor roles. This film offers a dramatized version of the events that transpired before the tragic assassination of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, which occurred at the Ambassador Hotel’s Embassy Ballroom on June 5, 1968. The story unfolds as Kennedy had just won crucial primaries and was preparing to address his supporters when he was fatally shot by his assailant, Sirhan Sirhan.
Jackson & Estevez Are Reunited Once Again
In this movie, Estevez took on multiple roles as writer, director, and actor. He assembled an impressive cast that included Laurence Fishburne, Anthony Hopkins, Demi Moore, William H. Macy, among others. Jackson played the character of Wade Buckley, who was Kennedy’s campaign manager.
In an interesting turn of events, Bobby brought back together the actor from Dawson’s Creek with Estevez, who was his co-star in the popular ’90s series The Mighty Ducks. Despite not receiving high praise from critics, this intriguing drama managed to garner a B+ CinemaScore and even received a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes.
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4 Scream 2 (1997)
In the eagerly awaited sequel to Wes Craven’s iconic slasher movie, the fittingly titled 1997 film “Scream 2” returns focus to Sidney Prescott, portrayed by Neve Campbell, who is now trying to move past her harrowing history while studying at Windsor College. Haunted by the traumatic events of the Woodsboro massacre, Sidney and her college friends Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) and Dewey Riley (David Arquette) are alarmed when a murderer mimicking the original killer starts causing chaos in the town.
A Minor-Yet-Meaningful Appearance
In the thrilling follow-up to the horror film, Jackson is momentarily present as College Student 1. He passionately discusses with Randy and Cici Cooper, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, about the influence of the fictional movie titled “Stab,” which itself was inspired by the Woodsboro killings, during a lively classroom debate.
In another collaboration, Jackson worked on a minor part in Kevin Williamson’s project, which was “Scream 2.” Later, Williamson is recognized for his work on the TV series “Dawson’s Creek.” Both productions were filmed in the year 1997. Interestingly, “Scream 2” was a unique horror sequel that garnered both critical acclaim and a positive response from fans, thereby opening the door for even scarier sequels.
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3 Battle in Seattle (2007)
Stuart Townsend, who played the role of the Vampire Queen in “Queen of the Damned,” directed his first movie with the 2007 political action thriller titled “Battle in Seattle.” This film is loosely based on the significant anti-globalization protests that happened during the 1999 World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference. Over 40,000 protesters gathered to voice their opposition and disrupt the event, which escalated into rioting and violence over a span of five days. The intense film portrays these events as they unfolded in Seattle’s streets, starting peacefully but ultimately resulting in chaos.
Townsend Winningly Explores the Infamous Protests
In the movie “Battle in Seattle,” although the characters are imaginary, the story is inspired by real-life events and centers around activists like Django (André Benjamin) and Lou (Michelle Rodriguez), who find themselves caught up in violent riots. The character Jackson portrays Randall, another protester. The film made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received mixed reviews; critics praised its emotional portrayal of protests and outstanding performances, but criticized it for downplaying the actual chaos that occurred during the tumultuous time period.
2 The Safety of Objects (2001)
Drawing inspiration from A. M. Homes’ collection of short stories, the 2001 drama titled “The Safety of Objects” centers around Glenn Close portraying Esther Gold, a family matriarch who begins to distance herself from her husband and daughter while caring for her son Paul (Jackson), who is in a coma after a severe car accident. The poignant tale of Esther is woven with those of her neighbors, illustrating how their actions and choices ultimately shaped the fates of everyone involved and played a significant role in the tragic accident.
A Powerful & Poignant Look at Human Nature
Title “The Safety of Objects” features well-known actors such as Dermot Mulroney, Timothy Olyphant, and Kristen Stewart, offering a captivating exploration into the intricacies of human nature through diverse families grappling with the aftermath of a tragic car accident. The New York Times praised both the exceptional acting of the ensemble cast and director Rose Troche in their favorable review, noting that “[Troche] skillfully constructs the fractured lives within Ms. Homes’s world with subtlety and care, opting frequently for understated nuance rather than easy satire or predictable sentiment.
1 Cursed (2005)
In 2005, Jackson collaborated with the ’90s icon of Halloween, Christina Ricci, in Wes Craven’s horror comedy titled “Cursed.” This film revolves around Ellie and Jimmy Myers (Jesse Eisenberg), orphaned siblings living in Los Angeles who experience a terrifying encounter when they stop to aid a woman involved in a car crash. After this harrowing incident, they gradually discover that they are turning into werewolves. Facing the impending transformation, they desperately search for a remedy before time runs out.
Jackson Sticks to the Horror Genre
In this new project, the actor was brought together once more with Craven and Kevin Williamson, who wrote the script again. The actor played the role of Ellie’s boyfriend Jake Taylor, presenting a charmingly malicious portrayal as Ricci’s character’s questionable love interest on screen.
Although it boasted a strong ensemble cast featuring Judy Greer, Milo Ventimiglia, and Michael Rosenbaum, the film Cursed unfortunately bombed at the box office, with even its director, Wes Craven, expressing his disappointment in the final product. In 2018, there were demands for the studio to release the “Craven cut” of the movie, featuring unseen footage from the original production, but this movement did not gain traction.
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2024-10-13 19:32