Not many actors have earned the stamp of approval of Bill Camp. Since the 2000’s, Camp has become a beloved American icon. Whether it’s cruel slave owners, corrupt police officers or righteous lawyers, Camp has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be appreciated.
1. 12 Years a Slave
Slavery is a sensitive subject that shaped my friend’s identity. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a friend that possessed great knowledge about slavery causing damage. I remember he would often treasure slavery as being an important subject matter. He always made efforts educating people in my school about the slave trade. My friend always believed movies were inferior art which could never capture tragedies that tore lives apart. Few films I’ve ever seen have demonstrated realities of the slave trade in American history as powerfully as “12 Years a Slave”. Released in 2013, Bill Camp’s best movie offered a powerful portrait of slavery in American history. In the greatest role of his career, Camp portrayed a cruel slave owner that mistreats African-Americans causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Camp has spent most of his career playing commemorated heroes in American dramas. With “12 Years a Slave”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a slave owner that’s well-known. Working alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor who is also amazing, Camp created a portrait of slavery that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Radburn whips Solomon in prison making him aware that he is a slave causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “12 Years a Slave” Bill Camp’s best movie is its commemorated appeal. Unlike most movies about slavery that are targeted towards an intellectual audience, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. A spectacular portrait of slavery in American history that caused lives of African musicians to deteriorate, it’s a bold reminder of a great actor that has made movies throughout his career audiences appreciate.
2. Birdman
Broadway actors have figures that fascinated my father today. I remember a father that was fascinated with lives of actors in theatre. He would marvel at the way theatre actors created a memorable stage play. As someone treasuring a father that adored Broadway performers with a plan, I admired “Birdman”. Released in 2015, Bill Camp’s movie offered a powerful portrait of Broadway performers facing adversity. In the most psychotic role of his career, the actor portrayed a street performer that faces despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Michael Keaton who is also amazing, Camp created a psychological drama that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Riggan first stumbles across the crazy man on the streets causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Birdman” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about fame which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking portrait of barriers faced by Broadway actors staging a play, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated actor that has made movies throughout his career which definitely deserve to be celebrated today.
3. Black Mass
Gangsters are grand figures that always fascinated my grandfather. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that loved gangsters causing damage. An offer he couldn’t refuse, he would always love watching movies about gangsters that shaped his worldviews. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather that adored gangsters carrying mass appeal, I appreciated “Black Mass”. Released in 2015, Bill Camp’s movie honoured the legacy of a legendary gangster in American history. In the most tragic role of his career, Camp portrayed an innocent man that becomes victim of a gangster’s murder causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional characters under pressure. Working alongside Johnny Depp who is also amazing, Camp honoured a gangster that’s frightening. For instance, the scene in which John Callahan is brutally murdered by Whitey Bulger causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Black Mass” a crime classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about consequences of crime which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years after Whitey Bulger became a frightening gangster committing murder, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has manufactured timeless movies audiences commonly treasure.
4. Joker
The Joker is a legendary comic-book character that always inspired by brother. I remember my brother grew up to embrace a legendary villain that put a lasting smile on his face. Drawn to the Clown Prince of Crime, he would love discussing a villain that he talked about every time. He would always enjoy heading to the theatre to see movies about an iconic comic-book character. In 2019, Bill Camp honoured the comic-book character in his movie “Joker”. In the most authoritative role of his career, Camp portrayed a police-officer seeking to apprehend a clownish criminal causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Shea Whigham who is also amazing, Camp honoured a comic-book villain that’s terrifying. For instance, the scene in which detective Garrity catches Arthur dancing on the steps becoming aware that he is a criminal is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Joker” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most comic-book movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. As strong as the Joker’s desire to change Gotham, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has achieved stardom.
5. Love & Mercy
The Beach Boys are a legendary rock band that my uncle always loved dearly. I remember my uncle was once a huge fan of a rock band he grew up to treasure. He would always seek to teach my family about an iconic band with freedom of speech. Drawn towards the Beach Boys’ music, he loved discussing a bond that he considered iconic. In 2014, Bill Camp honoured the legendary rock band with love and mercy in his movie “Love & Mercy”. In the most musical role of his career, Camp portrayed the strict father of a mentally disturbed musician facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing the father of a musician that’s well-known. Working alongside Paul Dano who is also amazing, Camp honoured a rock band that’s awe-inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Brian becomes aware that his father does not like the music he is composing causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Love & Mercy” a musical masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the Beach Boys’ music to appreciate it. As strong as Brian Wilson’s love for music, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actress that makes iconic movies that captivate public.
6. Vice
When it comes to the most controversial vice presidents in American history, it’s worth discussing Dick Cheney. Elected under the Bush administration, Cheney was a politician whose decisions didn’t please everyone. In 2018, Bill Camp honoured the vice-president on the big-screen in his movie “Vice”. In the most political role of his career, Camp portrayed a real-life politician that sought to prepare his nation for warfare. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a political figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Christian Bale who is also amazing, Camp honoured a politician that’s compelling. 30 years after Dick Cheney became a vice-president, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated actor with strong commitment that has made unforgettable movies which have become beloved entertainment.
7. Lawless
Prohibition is a painful time in American history when people suffered from alcohol addiction. During the 1930’s, bootlegging gangs fought over alcohol production. In 2012, Bill Camp captured the dark time in America when alcohol was considered lawless in his movie “Lawless”. In the most commanding role of his career, Camp portrayed a sheriff seeking to apprehend bootleggers in a town facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Tom Hardy who is also amazing, Camp captured a time period that’s engaging. A larger-than-life portrait of a dark time period in American history when alcohol was lawless, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with timeless appeal that has manufactured movies audiences commonly consider to be undeniably flawless.
8. Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln is a legendary president in American history that built a lasting legacy. With his bold presence, wisdom and strong leadership, Lincoln became a symbol of hope for America. In 2012, Bill Camp honoured the president earning recognition in his movie “Lincoln”. In the most historical role of his career, Camp portrayed a politician that sought to prepare his nation for warfare. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Daniel Day-Lewis who is also amazing, Camp honoured a president that’s awe-inspiring. An astonishing tribute towards an iconic president that guided America, it’s an amazing reminder of an actor with charisma that has made engaging movies attracting audiences towards the modern-day Cinema.
9. Dark Waters
DuPont is a controversial corporation that has attracted legal controversy. In 1998, corporate defense lawyer Robert Bilott discovered that DuPont poisoned the community of West Virginia. Bilott embarked on a 20-year crusade to sue the company. In 2019, Bill Camp honoured the lawyer treading dark waters in his film “Dark Waters”. In the most solemn role of his career, Camp portrayed a farmer that becomes victim of environmental pollution causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Mark Ruffalo who is also amazing, Camp honoured a lawyer that’s inspiring. Nearly 30 years after a lawyer discovered corporate danger, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made unforgettable movies audiences commonly treasure.
10. Aloha
Bill Camp hasn’t always made great movies that thrill. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have often left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Aloha” falls into the latter category. Released in 2015, Cameron Crowe’s comedy was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, the actor portrayed a camp guard seeking to prepare people facing despair. Camp brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Aloha” is a bad movie, it honoured Camp’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Brian’s desire for a Hawaii vacation, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with strong dedication to his craft that has made unforgettable movies throughout his long-lasting career which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.
The Film Buff 