20 Years Before MobLand, Roger Ebert Hailed Pierce Brosnan’s The Matador as an ‘Overlooked Gem’

Even with the unusual accent, Pierce Brosnan is incredibly fun to watch as the crazed Harrigan, and he clearly enjoys the role. It’s a surprising performance for audiences used to seeing him as a charming hero, as he fully embraces playing a ruthless villain. In fact, this shift in image may have begun two decades earlier with his darkly comedic role as an aging hitman in the film The Matador. Film critic Roger Ebert called that movie an “overlooked gem,” and it showed audiences a different side of Brosnan, portraying a morally questionable character who cheerfully referred to himself as a killer-for-hire.

5 Unforgettable House Episodes That Keep Fans Coming Back

This medical drama is consistently engaging thanks to its fast-paced conversations, intricate storylines, and realistic medical details. While Dr. Gregory House isn’t exactly charming, he’s a fascinating character to watch, and his cynical perspective offers a surprisingly insightful look at the human condition.

Game of Thrones Officially Ended a Fantasy Era in Season 1 (& Nobody Noticed)

The death of Ned Stark marked the end of traditional heroism in fantasy television. This shocking moment worked because the show’s creators first made viewers believe in Ned as a truly honorable man, even leading many to think he deserved to be king. When that hope was abruptly destroyed, it ushered in a darker, more realistic era where goodness wasn’t enough to ensure survival. From the very beginning, Game of Thrones hinted that any character striving to be noble was ultimately destined to fail.

How ‘The Keep’ Nearly Ruined Michael Mann’s Career

Featuring Jürgen Prochnow, Scott Glenn, Ian McKellen, and Gabriel Byrne, The Keep is based on the novel by F. Paul Wilson. The film follows a group of German soldiers stationed in a remote Romanian castle during the early years of World War II. This castle wasn’t designed to protect against enemies, but to imprison an evil power. The Keep marked a departure for director Michael Mann, known for his crime dramas, as it delved into a dark, *Omenlike horror story. While it retains some of Mann’s signature 1980s style – including a moody synth soundtrack, dramatic slow-motion, and gritty dialogue – the film is otherwise quite different from his usual work.