Best Donald Sutherland Roles

After his villainy masterclass in The Hunger Games trilogy, this week we salute a real Canadian treasure. The 80 year old native of St Johns, New Brunswick has brought a lot more to cinema than his son Kiefer. Possessive an ability to steal a film away with only the most deft of touches, Sutherland is one of cinema's true underrated greats. Here are a collection of his greatest on screen appearances

(**Apologies for not being able to provide all videos directly!)


John Baxter: Don't Look Now

Sutherland's performance here is magnificent two part one- on the one hand he expertly gives a devastating real impression of a bereaved father. On the next hand he is a man whose curiosity is leading him down a very dangerous road. Haunted by a small figure in red mack around the lurking streets of Venice, director Nicholas Roeg encaptures the true horror involved. But its the opening scene that sets the tone as every parents nightmare comes to life The abject fear and crushing bewilderment in his eyes makes his character come alive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8yqq6uBrKc



Colonel X: JFK 

Swiftly stealing Oliver Stone's movie from under star Kevin Costner, Sutherland provides what is the most accomplished cameo is this 1991 ensemble. "Call me X" his whistle-blowing army Colonel informs D.A Jim Garrison. What follows next truly turns Stone's movie around and we realize this is no ordinary conspiracy. Speaking at unhurried pace, the almost creepy joy X has while hold his deck of substantial cards slowly elevates tension. Did his transfer to a remote base in the South Pole have nothing or everything to with the assassination? This brief appearance leaves us reeling.

Ronald Bartel: Backdraft 

Another showcase of his scene stealing abilities, as recovering fire-bug Ronald, Sutherland is absolutely electric in Ron Howard's drama. Appearing a collected, if slightly odd character he is needled like acupuncturist by fire investigator Shadow (Robert De Niro). His sudden childish glee at his desire to what he wishes to do to the world, "Burn it, burn it all!" is utterly frightening and his more dangerous side appears. One of his more OTT on screen moment but when carried with such gusto it hardly matters.

Calvin: Ordinary People

As father Calvin Sutherland is reduced to playing referee to control the bitter animosity of his wife and son. Secretly drowning in his sadness and despair following their beloved older son's death, Sutherland brilliantly plays a man just trying to hold on. One of the great missed performances that Oscar should have rewarded, Sutherland's underplaying of his final scene with Mary Tyler Moore lament her coldness and their lost love as a result is heart rendering.

Hawkeye Pierce: M*A*S*H 

He may not have made as many waves as Alan Alda as the laid back, Martini loving Hawkeye but Sutherland is still wonderful in Robert Altman's satire. Constantly sporting his beloved shades (even during surgery) Sutherland gives one the more refined demonstrations of comedic touch. Always one to make his point in an almost docile manner, Hawkeye is the man every wants to go and among the various characters teetering on the verge of breakdown- Hawkeye is the only level head. Shown during his calculated and casual baiting of rival Frank Burns (Robert Duvall)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXtVS8SFmJw

Flame Out: Review of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

Director: Francis Lawrence

By Alex Watson

Finally the adventures of Katniss Everdeen are given a skillful end by Francis Lawrence. After the misfiring Part 1 installment, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 delivers the thrills. Injection a sense of neat tension into the mix, Lawrence ensures that final assault on Panem is one to remember. These adventures have become one of the cornerstones of the young adult genre and with a hard-nosed heroine like Katniss they are impossible to dislike. 

The stakes are no longer just for survival in District 13 and Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) realizes that she will have to kill President Snow (Donald Sutherland) to unite this world. Her feelings are conflicted between old friend Gale (Luke Hemsworth) and tortured former lover Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) whose had his mind warped by Snow previously. However there is a still the question about the motives of President Alma Coin (Jennifer Lawrence). 

"It's so frustrating when she goes rogue" smirks Plutark Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffmann) as she once again deserts to join in an attack. The audience however will disagree because Katniss' rebellious streak is what keeps Mockingjay Part 2 alive. This young woman is not the chosen one by any means but is no the less continually willing to put her body on the line. Unwilling to play along to the tune of her unofficial handlers Coin and Heavensbee, Katniss revels being on the front line as is unafraid to talk to her audience directly and icily convince them to lay down their arms. The fine line between politics and good storytelling has been a highlight of this franchise. In this installment it is no exception. 

Katniss in some ways has become disillusioned with her fight and seems aware that the cause she is fighting for is potentially a losing one. Alma Coin was a mysterious figure whom our heroine forged a tentative alliance with in the previous installment. Her motives have always been ambiguous but in Part 2 it becomes clear that she perhaps isn't so far removed from Tyrant Snow after all. This mission has the odds going for it, Capitol is currently struggling to keep up with the rebel advance. But although each player pulls their own weight such as propaganda director Cressida (Natalie Dormer) the end cost will be one that is brutal. 

The set pieces add the most excitement into Lawrence's last installment, there is an almost horror film feel as the encounters 'The Mutts' into sewers of Panem. Prepare to jump in your seat as the team runs, dodges and sets things on fire. One sequence sees them attempt to advance on a block of abandoned buildings only to encounter the pods the enemy has place to stop them. Moments later a surging black liquid causes them to literally run for their lives. In the end lives are altered and by the time they reach Snow's mansion one final act will firmly blur the lines of right and wrong leadership. However, it is all worth it to see the venomous glint in Snow's eye as Katniss stares him down for the final time. I won't give away too much here but expect to have a rug pulled from under your feet. 

Jennifer Lawrence has made the Hunger Games series her own and as Katniss Everdeen she has made for a ballsy but heartfelt heroine. Lawrence has given this woman a bold feel over the four installment and this has been one of the key steps towards her cement her A-List status. Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson also deserve credit for bring to life two conflicted souls in Peeta and Mitch. The pair have been irreparably shaken by their outings and are attempting to get back to what they are. Donald Sutherland has perhaps stolen the show during his time as President Snow and with great relish he has bought this Machiavellian villain to life. A true adversary who is both smarter and unafraid to play dirty, he has proven an obstacle to climb! 

So it is with great regret that we say goodbye to the fine franchise and Mockingjay Part 2 has been a send off that fans should be proud of.

The Girl On Fire: Review of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One

Director: Francis Lawrence

By Alex Watson

So now Suzanne Collins' beloved Hunger Games Trilogy novels begins to come full circle. Thus far Katniss Everdeen has proven to be a fearless yet real heroine that the big screen has been calling out for. After the success of the previous installment Catching Fire, director Francis Lawrence again returns for this two part finale. Fans are sure to be kept waiting on tenterhooks as we await the final outcome in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part One.

After the devastating consequences of Catching Fire, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her family are now living among rebels in District 13, run by President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore). While Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) is being kept prisoner in Panem by villainous President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Eager to seek justice for the tyranny caused, Katniss agrees to be the rebels 'Mockingjay' and the face of the upcoming revolution!

While it is very well acted, stylish and entertaining as normal, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One cannot escape the fact that it just feels like a filler before the big event! Going for the same two part format as Harry Potter, this installment feels more like the business end of the spectrum and the characters we love are not given any potential room to breathe. Set mainly in the District 13 underground, this confined space makes Francis Lawrence's film suffers from a lack of thrills.

Early on there are some memorable moment such as an exciting air raid sequence on an unarmed hospital. More moments like this could have raised the movies game further. There are moments of unexpected comedy such as Plutarch Heavensbee's (Philip Seymour Hoffman) roaring frustration behind the special effect desk during his first attempts at filming Katniss' propaganda clips. But these brief flurries are only blips on the radar and before long the lengthy and talky sequences underground begin to stifle us!

Katniss is still appealing as a character and it is through her that the movies mainly qualities come to light. Forced to play the role of reluctant idol, her trips above ground provide a real eye opener for her. As she witnesses the ruins of her old district, we are shown what is essentially a mass bone yard of bodies! Her pain and anguish are potent here and she continually witnesses the violent injustice of Snow's empire, we feel every ounce of her venom pouring into the speeches she is forced to film! 

Jennifer Lawrence has been the main credit for the appeal of Katniss and once again she delivers in Mockingjay Part One. Demonstrating her great human touch along with her tough rebellious streak, Lawrence is the driving force once more and you can see exactly why her character appeals to rebels she is sworn to protect. One of the finest actresses on the planet currently, it is unbelievable to think that she isn't yet at the peak of her powers!

Philip Seymour Hoffman reminds us what a great talent he was before his tragic death earlier this year (the film is dedicated to his memory). Julianne Moore makes a decent but not unmissable presence as Alma Coin and seems to spend the majority of her time making grand speech. Donald Sutherland in only a few scenes still makes for an icy and bold villain as President Snow and his casting has proven inspired.

While Part Two might be the cherry on top of the flaming cake, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One just isn't satisfying in the way that we would hope. It will leave die hard fans counting the days until the true finale appears, but to others it will just seem like a disappointing starter to a more meatier main course.