Dallas Film Society staffers pick their favorite movie villains

by John P. Meyer

The staff of the Dallas Film Society (DFS) -- including Michael Cain, James Faust, Sarah Harris, Charla Masarik, Lisa Stabler, Harry Winters, and Danielle Barry -- recently named their picks for favorite movie villains, as a sort of half-baked, loosely-Halloween-themed exercise.

C'mon, guys and gals: Couldn't you have just picked your favorite horror movies? As we on the staff of Pegasus News are preparing to do?

(Whatever.)

Here's how it all shook out amongst the DFS-ers:

Michael Cain: Roger “Verbal” Kint (Kevin Spacey) in THE USUAL SUSPECTS

Keyser Söze: He is described as the Devil and someone who inspires fear in even the most corrupt. The mastermind behind every bad deed, yet no one knows for sure if he even exists.

James Faust: Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) in DIE HARD

Hans Gruber was ruthless, devoid of true compassion, well dressed, monetarily motivated and has the best wardrobe in the entire film. And he dies real good.

Sarah Harris: Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

“1958. It's been traveling 22 years to get here. And now it's here. And it's either heads or tails. And you have to say. Call it.”

Charla Masarik: Dr. Hannibal Lecter in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and HANNIBAL

He is twisted and dark yet likable and witty. Human liver, fava beans and Chianti … it doesn’t get better than that!!

Lisa Stabler: Ursula, the Sea Witch in THE LITTLE MERMAID

Ursula is deliciously wicked, intelligent and conniving; and she's not afraid to play dirty to get what she wants. And when she gloats, she gloats with style.

Harry Winters: Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes) in SCHINDLER’S LIST

The disturbing portrait of a “heart of evil” character on so many levels. The handsome, powerful (in his small universe) concentration camp commandant who is a brutal, exploitive, bullying, sociopath acting as a god on earth and deciding who is going to live and die based on his mood and whims on any given day.

Danielle Barry: Ralph Valmont (Adolfo Celi) in DANGER: DIABOLIK

I’m not certain what’s more villainous, Diabolik (John Phillip Law) the “hero” that sleeps in a bed of money and enjoys the high life -- plundering government money and treasures -- or Valmont the blubbering “villain” who’s evil plot involves a trap door in an airplane(!).

For the record -- I'm with Sarah.