Happy Birthday, Jack

UNIVERSAL REMOTE

The legendary Jack Nicholson turns 68 today. I don't think I can overrate how big a shadow Nicholson has cast over Hollywood. Far too many people dismiss his performances as him "just playing himself." Nothing could be more wrong. No one person can be Jack Torrance in The Shining, Jake Gittes in Chinatown, Randle Patrick McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the Joker in Batman, Billy Buddusky in The Last Detail and Warren Schmidt in About Schmidt. These are all performances, brilliant ones, with far more nuance than he's often given credit. I think his star shines so bright, it blinds people to his talent.

He's been nominated for 12 Oscars, winning three. I'm particularly looking forward to his next movie, his first ever collaboration with Martin Scorsese in next year's The Departed. My personal favorite Nicholson movie/performance is Chinatown, one of the Top Five Greatest Movies Ever Made. Stunning work.