Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of Morbius, which co-stars Matt Smith, we’re counting down our favorite movies featuring an actor who has starred as Doctor Who! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
The Walking Dead is often cited as having reanimated the zombie genre, but for me it was Danny Boyle’s 2002 horror masterpiece, 28 Days Later. Set in Britain, the film unfolds amidst an epidemic that within mere seconds reduces an infected person to a rage-fueled animal. Therein lies the brilliance of this zombie reimagining because there exists no time for heartfelt goodbyes once a loved one is bitten, scratched, or otherwise infected. Those left alive can either urgently kill said infected, or they must run. Fast. Because the infected don’t merely shamble like the undead of other stories; instead they’re seemingly imbued with the speed of an Olympic sprinter. The audience awakens in this world alongside Jim (Cillian Murphy), the rules of which we are shown through his disoriented eyes. He’s joined by other survivors and together they set out on a perilous journey through the hellscape of the sick in an attempt to find salvation and the promised answer to infection. What they discover is Major Henry West (Christopher Eccleston) and a group of soldiers under his command. It’s at this point that the movie takes an even darker turn when the safety promised by the soldiers turns out to be a ruse. Major West himself proves that while the infected may be running rampant, the uninfected are still to be feared. Split into two distinct halves, the film juxtaposes two different styles of horror — suspenseful action and a more methodically paced, psychologically charged horror, and there’s no denying that 28 Days Later reignited the zombie craze, having brought a fresh perspective to an otherwise decomposing genre. (Jonathan Fedee)
What element began to fully take shape in the horror genre during the late 1960s into the 1970s? Demonic possession. Films like Rosemary’s Baby and especially The Exorcist set the stage for top-tier horror flicks to take the stage and rack up the money. The occurrence of being impregnated by Satan or possessed by demons took center stage of the genre and never really let go. We still see countless films of this subgenre, including whole franchises like The Conjuring. But what was one of the first films to thrive off the giant success of The Exorcist? The Omen. Damien… the spawn of Satan. One of the creepiest boys in the history of cinema is just the tip of the iceberg with plenty of horrific and terrifying frights and deaths along the way. The film is bolstered by an impressive cast including the legendary Gregory Peck who leads a horror film in the 1970s (something unheard of at the time). But there are plenty of other great supporting acts including David Warner, Lee Remick, and Doctor Who alum Patrick Troughton. Each of these talents get some iconic and memorable deaths that are remembered all these decades later. The Omen stands the test of time as one of the most terrifying horror flicks ever. (Shane Conto)
Two Doctors are better than one, right? Laurence Olivier’s 1948 adaptation of the Shakespeare classic features a pair of actors that have portrayed another iconic British character in The Doctor. Everybody’s favorite Grand Moff (Peter Cushing) portrayed The Doctor in two Who films in the mid-1960s, and here he portrays the courtier Osric. Our second Doctor (Patrick Troughton), was the Second Doctor and portrays the leader of the theater troupe. While Doctors might help round out the cast, this is Olivier’s show as he takes on both the lead role and sits in the director’s chair (his second time directing Shakespeare). There’s been no shortage of Shakespeare adaptations, and this might be the most prestigious. It earned four Oscars (Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Art Direction — Set Decoration, Black-and-White, Best Costume Design, Black-and-White) and was nominated for three more (Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Director, Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture). If you’re a fan of traditional adaptations, this is undoubtedly one of the classic examples. (Jake Bourgeois)
Before you hated him as Walder Frey in Game of Thrones, audiences everywhere hated David Bradley for his portrayal of the miserable caretaker Argus Filch in the Harry Potter franchise. However, the prolific British character actor also has made multiple appearances in the Doctor Who universe, too. He both portrayed William Hartnell — the actor who played the First Doctor— as well as the First Doctor himself. He’ll always be Filch to me, though, and I’ll take any opportunity to discuss my favorite film in the franchise — The Half-Blood Prince. It’s probably just the history fanatic in me, but I love all of the background that we get on Voldemort, from the family history and the explanation of Horcruxes. Getting to explore Harry’s relationship with Dumbledore is another aspect that I enjoy, particularly given the strained nature in the previous installment. As the penultimate entry in the franchise (at least when it comes to the novels), it’s a great primer for the conclusion of the series and provides some of its best emotional work. (Jake Bourgeois)
While it could be considered something of a cheat to include given the relatively small part David Bradley plays in Hot Fuzz, no list that can feasibly be allowed to include it should go without it. That’s not to say the part of Arthur Webley isn’t memorable, though; his wonderfully thick accent having to be interpreted to Simon Pegg’s character through three different people all from the same town is exactly the kind of comedic sequence that makes Edgar Wright such a beloved writer-director to many of us. Hot Fuzz is still my favorite film in his oeuvre, and Bradley’s character is part of the main reason why; its use of quirky, small town characters who go through life minding their business in the way that small town people do, while Nicholas Angel tries to be the ‘big city policeman’ that he is, makes for terrific comedic beats that you won’t get much of anywhere else. (Chris Bakker)
The How To Train Your Dragon series is one of the best trilogy of movies ever. Fun fact though: I did not know that David Tennant was in it! He plays a viking named Spitelout, the father of Snotlout (Jonah Hill). I remember living in L.A. in 2010 when How To Train Your Dragon came out and my roommate and I went to The Grove Theater to go see it. Both of us had rather low expectations for it, but we were both blown away with how good it was. To find original characters and a fresh take on a buddy adventure movie was refreshing. The animation is beautiful, particularly the scenes of them flying around the island during sunset. The message behind the movie about not judging something based on preconceived notions and how friendships can be developed in the oddest of circumstances is beautiful. Watching Toothless and Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) develop their friendship reminds me of how any pet-to-person relationship develops. They eventually become family together. The supporting cast was stellar and I really loved some the jokes that were for adults. How To Train Your Dragon is an epic animated movie that spawned an amazing series of movies that are among some of the best of the last 12 years. This is also easily in my top movies of all time. If you haven’t watched any of these movies, drop what you’re doing and watch them all now! (Mike Hilty)
Once more I dive into the list of shame and watch one that has always struck me as intriguing: The Elephant Man. Starring John Hurt as Joseph (erroneously named as John in the film) Merrick, Anthony Hopkins as Frederick Treves, and Anne Bancroft as Madge Kendall, this movie tells a story about how sometimes humans can be truly cruel, but also how true beauty and humanity isn’t based on physical looks, but on who you are on the inside. While this story is fictionalized in many ways, the overall message itself resonates heavily, and is acted out quite effectively in this movie. Not only that, but the use of black-and-white photography and camerawork really provides the feel of the late 1800s in both culture and medical science. Admittedly, this is a hard watch in a few ways, but this movie does a fantastic job at reminding us that no matter the walk of life someone has, they’re still a human being. (Joseph Davis)
You’d be forgiven if you couldn’t recall how Peter Capaldi fit into the Paddington-verse, but any excuse to rave about the pure dose of serotonin that is Paddington 2 is one that’s going to be taken. Capaldi plays the prickly Mr. Curry, neighbor of the Brown family with whom Paddington lives. While the film does largely mirror the titular bear’s sunny disposition when it comes to tone, it’s not one-note by any means. There’s great social commentary at work, particularly focused on how immigrants are viewed, and Mr. Curry is right at the center of that. Even if you’re brought in to play the sourpuss, like Capaldi, it’s got to be worth it just to be part of those sets. With how much fun they are for an audience, can you imagine how much fun they’re having on set? Even with the film’s lofty reputation among film lovers, you’d be hard-pressed not to be sucked in by its infectious joy. (Jake Bourgeois)
Instead of trying to find a new way how to praise one of my favourite movies of all time, let me talk you through how I view these classical films. Imagine how awesome it had to be — it’s end of May, 1977. You sit down in your local cinema, where you had to queue up to see this new movie about… space wizards I guess? You don’t know exactly, but it looked “kinda cool.” Plus, the intriguing name, Star Wars.And then you experience something you have not seen until then. George Lucas takes you on an adventure that feels fresh, new, and exciting (even though the cinephile friend you brought with you can’t shut up about how much this movie borrows from Kurosawa). And whether you realize it or not, you’ve just witnessed the start of the biggest, most impactful franchise in the cinema history. Sure, now MCU is probably bigger (box office-wise), but the impact Star Wars (remember, back in 1977 it wasn’t A New Hope, just Star Wars) had on cinema in general can’t be denied or argued. I can’t even imagine how British people must have felt seeing seeing Peter Cushing, who was Doctor Who, albeit briefly (only two movies back in the ‘60s) in a role that was memorable, but unfortunately brought back to life by an awful CGI in a later film (yes, I am talking about Rogue One). But this is not about that film, this is about Star Wars. And Peter Cushing creating Grand Moff Tarkin, a role that might seem tiny but he has been brought back in every animated Star Wars show, continued his legacy. And what a legacy this man left behind. (Luke Burian)
There can’t be many actors whose most iconic role involves them dying less than an hour in, but that is certainly the case for John Hurt. The bursting chest scene defines Hurt in such a way that he reprised the role in its spoof in Spaceballs. But even outside of that scene, Alien manages to be either chilling or terrifying throughout, despite having a longer runtime than most horror films at the time at nearly two hours. This longer runtime enables the story to unfold at a slower pace and build suspense before the more intense second half. Some feel a lot of what comes before the bursting chest scene drags. But I remained engaged in the suspense of seeing the crew landing on an unknown planet and seeing the horrifying image of the Facehugger, which appears to be suffocating Hurt’s character Kane. Kane’s miraculous recovery then lulls you into a false sense of security right before things go wrong. There should also be a lot of praise given to the portrayal of a strong female lead in Ripley (Sigourney Weaver). She was far more than just the final girl in a horror film, and she was the leader of the group in working out what was going on and how to escape. It’s a much brighter horror story than was typical for the time, and no characters die because they are stupid or panic. They simply have no idea what they are dealing with. (John Tillyard)
In the Loop
In the Loop, a satire poking fun at both the American and British political systems, is an intelligent, hilarious, and underseen comedy from the brilliant mind of writer-director Armando Iannucci. Led by the wildly underappreciated Tom Hollander, the film acts as a loose continuation of Iannucci’s excellent show The Thick of It, though one could easily watch the film without having seen the show, as the two storylines are entirely disconnected. Both the film and the show follow various politicians as they publicly embarrass themselves and creatively insult one another for our viewing pleasure. However, despite playing a supporting character, Peter Capaldi’s career-defining turn as Director of Communications Malcolm Tucker, a man with an awe-inspiring collection of endlessly creative insults, is the unquestionable star of the film. The writing for Capaldi’s character is so superb that you will find yourself alternating between hysterical laughter and utter amazement at the skill on display from Iannucci and his team of top-notch writers, whose work on the film earned them a well-deserved nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2010 Academy Awards. In the Loop and its companion show’s fast-paced dialogue and delightfully British sense of humor is quite simply unmatched. (Foster Harlfinger)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
There aren’t many one-off villains in the Harry Potter series. Bellatrix Lestrange, Dolores Umbridge, and Lucius Malfoy are just some of the extremely well-built secondary baddies that have plagued Harry’s school years (and beyond). But Barty Crouch Jr., played by David Tennant in The Goblet of Fire, is certainly one of the most unique villains to face off against Harry Potter, the biggest reason being he pulls off an incredible deception throughout the school year, building Harry’s trust under the guise of a great wizard. Unfortunately, there’s not much follow-up with his character (unlike in the novels), and it’s a real shame because Tennant is an incredible actor, expertly bringing to life a character that is evidently insane beyond salvation. His seasons of Doctor Who prove his commitment, and if he’s going to go big, he will go as big as he possibly can. It’s for that reason that his role in Goblet of Fire will always stand out to me when considering the wide pantheon of Harry Potter characters, and especially the villains. Behind Ralph Fiennes, there’s no one who does it better than David Tennant. (Rowan Wood)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Another week of BEC and another list featuring a Harry Potter film. Or in this week’s case, a few of them. Much has been said about the overall quality of Deathly Hallows Part 2; it’s really freaking good. I instead wanted to focus on one particular moment in the movie that I always particularly love, and it’s how absolutely incredible John Hurt is as Ollivander. Up until this point, we have really only seen Ollivander once before, in a delightfully odd and somewhat sinister scene in Sorcerer’s Stone as Harry picks out his wand. Here though, we see a man who has been all but completely broken. Tortured mercilessly at the hands of Voldemort for the better part of a year, Hurt brings all that pain into his performance. When we initially see him and Harry, Ron, and Hermione enter his room, it’s almost a shock to see the wear on him. You can hear it in his voice and the trepidation in which he answers the questions. But underneath it all, the Ollivander we met all those movies ago still exists. Under all the pain, Ollivander still carries that same glee for discussing wands and a mysteriousness about the intricacies of magic. And all of that rides on the back of Hurt’s performance. In what easily could have been a short expositional scene, it’s instead a powerful scene bookending the series with somewhat haunting words for Harry. It’s one of those moments that elevates Deathly Hallows Part 2 above most other Part 2 films. The characters feel incredibly lived in, even for those like Ollivander whom we’ve only spent a few moments with, and it makes it all the more satisfying when the credits finally roll. (Nashua Doll)
The World’s End
When I used to think of Edgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogy, I thought Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz were in their own special tier of greatness with The World’s End just one or two below in a tier of really good. But the more I’ve seen and thought about The World’s End over time, it’s snuck its way into the top tier. I now love all three equally, albeit for different reasons. The World’s End has all of the Wright trademarks, making it flashy, fun, and funny, but all the trademarks — his match cuts, creative transitions, and clever writing, chief among them — add to a deeply emotional story about growing up, maturity, and friendship. Oh, and former Doctor Who, David Bradley is a welcome addition every time his character, “Mad” Basil shows up on screen. He fits the now-off-putting town of Newton Haven perfectly. (Robert Bouffard)
Attack the Block
If there was a movie to recommend without it being from Edgar Wright, this would be my next choice. Attack the Block tells the story of a street gang who have to fight to survive the night against an alien invasion at a council estate in South London on Guy Fawkes Night. It’s fresh, clever, and sometimes, scary when you least expected it — 88 minutes of outlandish fun, a British sense of humor, infectious score, the performances, and of course, aliens. Also, it was the film debut of John Boyega, who skyrocketed in stardom after starring in the new Star Wars trilogy. Along with Boyega, we have Jodie Whittaker as well, who became the first woman to be the 13th doctor in the Doctor Who franchise. Who would’ve thought a few years later, Boyega and Whittaker’s careers would take off in amazing ways? I always come back to this film because it still stands 10 years later. I still enjoy watching it, and there’s a sequel in development. Hopefully the cast (alongside Boyega and who remains) comes back because I would love to see where they’ve been since the first invasion. (Chantal Ashford)
The Suicide Squad
It’s not all that often that a movie is remade within 10 years of its release. Yet, such is the case of David Ayer’s Suicide Squad, which was remade into the superior The Suicide Squad, written and directed by James Gunn. The 2021 entry is so much more funny, entertaining, and well-made, with a stellar cast including John Cena, Idris Elba, Margot Robbie, Sylvester Stallone, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, and former Doctor Who actor, Peter Capaldi. The film finds most of the characters from the first attempt, with some additions, under the thumb of Amanda Waller (Davis). The titular squad is comprised of Belle Reve inmates who carry out missions in exchange for shorter sentences. Waller sends them to South America to infiltrate the secret Project Starfish, led by The Thinker (Capaldi). Gunn’s script gives these characters a great story with some awesome twists, hilarious dialogue, and a group of flawed, yet lovable characters. It doesn’t always work out when a film is remade, but The Suicide Squad is a rare exception. (Jacob Kinman)
Last Night in Soho
From the brilliant mind of Edgar Wright comes comes one of the best mystery thrillers of 2021 Last Night in Soho. The film tells the story of Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie), who leaves her small town home to go to London to attend the College of Fashion there and, not liking her living situation, moves into an apartment in Soho. She lives in this new apartment at night, while she sleep-time-travels back into the ‘60s into the life of Sandie (Anya Taylor-Joy). The film just builds suspension, as it adds characters and story to the mystery. One character is Jack (Matt Smith), and if you are used to seeing Smith as the good-natured level headed 11th Doctor, then you are in for a surprise. Smith’s acting abilities really shine here as you try to figure out his role in the mystery. This film is also the last film for legendary actress Diana Rigg, who is absolutely brilliant in this film. The music, costumes, and themes of this movie just make it a fun ride as you transverse this story with Eloise. Wright delivers a truly jaw-dropping twist that just elevates this movie to the top. I wish I would have watched this sooner because I cannot express how great this movie is. This is one movie you don’t want to overlook and is a high recommendation. (Austen Terry)
Christopher Robin
Perhaps the most original take on the Disney live-action remake trend, Christopher Robin is a reminder of the love, innocence, and sense of wonder that we all once possessed as children. Years after Christopher Robin has grown up, Pooh journeys out of the Hundred Acre Wood to meet his old best friend and ask for help finding his friends. Although hesitant at first, Robin agrees and helps Pooh find Rabbit, Kanga, Roo, Tigger, and Eeyore. It’s a wonderful and simple story that reminds us all to stay youthful at heart. Usually I am not so easily baited into a positive opinion just based on my pulling my heartstrings. But this movie gets to me. (Samuel Nichols)
Hellboy
In2004, Guilermo Del Toro delighted audiences with his take on an unlikely comic book hero named Hellboy. Del Toro was the perfect candidate to tackle this material, his love for creatures, and the macabre really lent itself to the Hellboy property. This film was highly commendable in several respects including the cast, storytelling, and dazzling practical effects that were coupled with some impressive CGI creatures. To speak more to the cast, Ron Perlman as Hellboy and John Hurt as Tevor “Broom” Bruttenholm were excellent choices to play their respective roles. The familial bond can be felt with the scenes that they share. Despite Hellboy being very physically formidable, he needs the guidance of his father so desperately. Hurt utilizes his screen time extremely well and also superbly compliments Perlman’s performance as well as adds to Hellboy as a character. Perlman himself is completely immersed in his role and to this day audiences have a hard time picturing anyone else dawning the makeup and becoming Big Red. There are certain actors that were truly born to play their roles, and Perlman as Hellboy is high up on that list. A perfect melding of talent helped bring to life one of the most beloved and less conventional comic book characters to life with Hellboy. (Joe Vargas)
World War Z
Everyone has their own personal preferences when it comes to their taste in zombie movies. Although this isn’t my personal favorite, World War Z starring Brad Pitt is one of the best zombie movies of all time, even if it vastly deviates from the original source material. From the opening panic-inducing outbreak in Philadelphia, to the airport runway in South Korea, through the overtaking of Jerusalem, all the way to the trials at the World Health Organization in Wales, this is a non-stop thrill ride. It’s truly terrifying with how accurate and grounded it feels. It’s not hard to see that this is how the world would handle a pandemic of this nature. It’s also nice seeing a movie that trusts science when Pitt goes to visit a W.H.O. facility and gets assistance from Doctor Who himself, Peter Capaldi. If you’re looking for a solid zombie flick, or just want a fun Doctor Who cameo, you should check out World War Z. It stands out as a high recommendation. (Heath Lynch)
Gone in Sixty Seconds
Cutting the cable cord was one of the best monetary decisions of my life, but there is one thing I miss about it, and that’s flipping channels on a Sunday between TBS and TNT and half watching multiple movies simultaneously all day long. One of the best Sunday afternoon movies to watch, and a personal favorite of mine, is the car heist action comedy from 2000, Gone in Sixty Seconds. Although this movie may have inadvertently started the Fast and Furious franchise right down to the outside “family” barbeque at the end, it’s still a fast-paced entertaining movie with a killer ensemble cast. Nic Cage, Delroy Lindo, Angelina Jolie, Chi McBride, Giovanni Ribisi, Timothy Olyphant, Vinnie Jones and Robert Duvall have great chemistry! So, who would be better to match wits against this ragtag crew of car thieves than Christopher Eccleston? Years before he would pick up a sonic screwdriver and get all “timey-wimey,” he was a carpentry obsessed mustache twirling villain that wanted to put Nic Cage’s younger brother in a homemade coffin. One of my many, many favorite lines is his deadpan delivery of the line — “It never rains but it pours,” in reference to Nic Cage’s character’s last name “Raines.” It is a line that should be so forgettable but the fact that he delivers this cheesy pun of a dad joke with a matter-of-fact tone and dead shark eyes is just euphoric for me! What was going through his head? Was he trying to be funny? He didn’t even look amused by what he, himself, just said! Eccleston is barely in the movie, but he does so much with his limited screen time, and he fits right in with the rest of this top-notch cast, you would be crazy to skip this one. (Nick Ferro)
Womb
Do you like thinking about morality? Do you like to challenge yourself, challenging your views on certain topics? Have you ever seen a movie called Womb (or as it is known in the UK, for some reason, Clone)? If you have answered “yes” to my first two questions and “no” to the third one… I wouldn’t be surprised, to be perfectly honest. Womb is a little, underseen film starring Eva Green and Matt Smith. And since it’s such an underseen movie, I don’t even want to tell you the plot because I honestly believe it is best consumed by just jumping straight in, knowing next to nothing about it. That is what I’ve done — I only watched this film because of Green. Imagine my surprise when Doctor Who showed up. And then, the movie started to “plot” and suddenly, you are faced with a decision Green’s character makes. The film doesn’t try to tell you how to feel about it, because it wants you to think and come to your own conclusion. All I will say about Womb is, both Green and Smith are excellent, and I would recommend watching it in a big group of lovers of “unusual cinema,” as it makes for an excellent conversation afterwards. I still don’t know where I land on what this film presents; it’s that complex. And I love it when films challenge you and your views, and make you think about things that might be a bit uncomfortable. Womb is 100% worth seeing, even if you end up hating the storyline (or the question movie tries to discuss). But I can’t imagine anybody hating the performances by both Green and Smith. (Luke Burian)
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
I like Jane Austen, I like zombie movies, and of course I like Matt Smith, the latter being the reason as to why Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is included on this list. This film is absolutely ridiculous, fantastically minded, and has some truly badass fight choreography that will have you bowled over in your chair in excitement. Part alternative history sci-fi, part romance drama, the other element to keep in mind is the undeniable chemistry between the two leads. Portraying Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley) and Elizabeth Bennett (Lily James) is no easy feat; plus when you add in the undead it becomes more complicated. Smith plays the amicable, and slightly unlikely, Mr. Collins, and remains engaging with whatever scene he’s in. It’s raucous, its silly, and it’s a roaring good time, so I recommend checking it out if that seems like something you’d like. (Alice-Ginevra Micheli)
Also See: Melancholia, Jackie, Snowpiercer, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Dogville, Contact, Spaceballs, 1984, History of the World, Part I, A Man for All Seasons (John Hurt), Legend, The Others, Elizabeth (Christopher Eccleston), Top Secret!, The Flesh and the Fiends, The Mummy (1959), The Abominable Snowman (1957), Moulin Rouge (1952), The Curse of Frankenstein (1957) (Peter Cushing), Much Ado About Nothing (2011) (David Tennant), Terminator Genisys (Matt Smith), The Personal History of David Copperfield (Peter Capaldi), Treasure Island (Patrick Troughton)