Cinematic equivalent of junk mail

When I think of the United States and everything it stands for, I think of one person. No, not George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, FIGJAM, or Scooter Libby. I think of an Irish-Italian kid from Brooklyn who stole our hearts in countless classics and still had time to volunteer firefight. In celebration of the upcoming 4th of July holiday and to honor an actor comparable only to Brando, Bogart, and (Kirk) Douglas, I put together a list of my five favorite Steve Buscemi movies.

5. The Island - This is a pretty shitty movie and I hope Michael Bay doesn't rape Transformers like he did this gem. Regardless, Busc's part is the slimeball type he plays oh-so-well, and he gets killed which is standard issue. Extra bonus: Scarlett.



4. The Big Lebowski - No need for an introduction here. Enjoy the fucking short version.



3. Airheads - Mix the likes of Encino Man, Happy Gilmore, Kramer and Joey Zasa on the silver-screen with Mr. Buscemi about a band so hardcore they take over a radio station and you have an instant classic. Here's a clip from the end where Steve gets the hairy-eyeball from a couple of his prison mates.



2. Fargo - You don't say, eh? This had to make the list since old Carl Showalter went head-first through the ol' wood chipper. And he's not afraid to put hookers before pancakes.



1. Reservoir Dogs - Stuck in the middle with you. Typical fast-talking Buscemi as he plays Mr. Pink in the Tarantino classic. For a guy who usually gets knocked-off in his roles, Mr. Pink survived the closing triangular shoot-out and headed for the jewels. And the bastard doesn't tip. Kudos.



Honorable mention: Lonesome Dove. Sure, it's actually a made-for-TV mini-series, but it's a classic.