Sorry for the delay on this post. I was on the move until early June and starting class has not allowed much time but here is what the Ten Man says about the Top 10 movie villains of all time. No need for much explanation here. They pretty much all inflict pain and death while also delivering unforgettable performances. Six of these ten villains won an Oscar for playing meaniepants. It would have been seven if they gave an Oscar for best performance by a shark, but alas, the Academy's close-mindedness inhibits that. Plenty of spoilers ahead so beware...

 

10. Jaws-Jaws

My only non-human to make this list doesn't need a lot of explanation because IT'S A 30 FOOT SHARK. And somehow is perfectly comfortable floating a few feet from shore and, oh yeah, HE DESTROYS A BOAT WITH HIS NOSE. Most of the villains on this list play with their victim's minds, but Jaws just eats his. He only eats five people and a dog in the film, but as you're watching you feel like he might eat you too..while you're sitting on your couch. I give the credit of that effect to Steven Spielberg's direction (of a mechanical shark? Yes.) and to John Williams' nail-biting and timeless score that earned him an Oscar.

Baddest moment-When Jaws chomps through Quint's abdomen whilst sinking a fishing boat with his own abdomen. It's really quite a hopeless moment for Brody and Hooper and everyone watching.

 9. Colonel Hans Landa-Inglourious Basterds

Colonel Hans Landa is sophisticated, charming, hilarious, and speaks five languages and those skills combined with Nazi employment make him deadly and my #9 villain. He is a Nazi Sherlock Holmes that never gives off his intuition. The reason he is so bad is because he is so good at his job and his job is hunting and killing Jews. He owns every scene he is in and effectively scares the mess out of you without lifting a finger. The one time Landa does take action (strangling Bridget Von Hammersmark) almost comes as a shock because we are so used to seeing him rely on cunning. Christoph Waltz earned a Best Supporting Oscar for his nefarious role as Landa and a role in Tarantino's next film, Django Unchained.

Baddest moment-Without a doubt, the opening scene; a grueling, slow-paced investigation on a French dairy farm that ends in the assassination of the Jews hiding under the floorboards, save one. His comparison of rats to Jews is malicious, as is his switching from French to English to toy with the helpless victims underneath. Here's a clip.

 8. John Doe-Se7en

Kevin Spacey can be creepy enough. Take him and make him a psychotic killer with no real name or record of any kind and you've got my #8 villain of all time. He barely squeezes into the last 25 minutes of the film and yet has the most memorable performance, even in a movie with Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt. His few minutes on screen are enough to solidify that he is a perfect balance of calm and manic. His shaved head and subtle clues make the car ride at the end of movie one that has the viewer hoping that sin can be triumphed over.

Baddest moment-With two sins yet to be fulfilled at the climax of the film, John Doe reveals his demented plan. "It seems that envy is my sin," he says. What happens after is the reason why Doe is one of the best villains; because everything that happens in the film is exactly what he wants, even the shocking end.

7. Anton Chigurh-No Country For Old Men

The most evil thing about Anton Chigurh may be his haircut. Ok, he also murders people with cattle guns and silenced shotguns and never shows an ounce of emotion after he does so. His relentless but relaxed pursuit of Llewelyn Moss is downright scary and his manipulative grilling of a gas station attendant makes you feel like you've just been interrogated by him. Chigurh does not care for meaningless conversation, humor, or haircuts. He even makes calling someone "friendo" sound as unfriendly and murderous as possible.

Baddest moment-This was difficult but I'm going to go with the scene in the gas station simply because it manifests Chigurh's indifference towards humans as well as any scene in the movie and he doesn't kill anyone. It shows how he gets pleasure from simply intimidating someone without raising his voice and twisting every word the attendant says. I think this is the best scene from the movie. Make sure and check your pants after you watch it.

 6. Alex DeLarge-A Clockwork Orange

Know this about Alex DeLarge and A Clockwork Orange. They make this list because of the nature of their depravity. I am also putting DeLarge here even though I saw the movie four years ago; because many of the scenes have stuck with me (unfortunately). This is not a film I recommend nor is it one that I will watch again. DeLarge DeLights in partaking in violent crimes in futuristic distopian Britain and the series of events that lead to his arrest are shocking, unsettling, and explicit scenes of torture, rape, beatings, drownings, and other acts of that violent nature. AND he does all of these for no other reason than because he can for the sake of doing the "bit of the old ultra-violence."

Baddest moment-A scene in which many of the above listed acts of violence are done against an older couple in their home and DeLarge gleefully sings "Singin' in the Rain" while destroying their lives. There really is not an appropriate video so here is a creepy picture of DeLarge to give a sense of his strange evil.
 

5. The Joker-The Dark Knight

As I got into the top five, it was difficult to decide where to rank the final baddies. I think a lot of people would have Heath Legder's curtain call role higher on the list as he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar posthumously and littered the film with memorable quotes like "You wanna know how I got these scars?" and "Why so serious?" He was so enveloped in his role that I sometimes feel like Ledger died as the Joker. It's said that the role did have profound impact on his poor health. The Joker has always been a sort of oxymoron because his true character is much darker. His greatest feat as a villain is playing Gotham into his hands and manipulating Harvey Dent, Gotham's white light, into one who wants to upset the established order like he does. Side hypothetical: What if Heath is actually alive and Christopher Nolan has just had him in hiding and is going to reveal him as the co-villain in Dark Night Rises?

Baddest moment-The silent shot of the Joker sticking his head out of the taxi after he escapes from prison always sends a shiver down my spine. It's only about a three second shot and to me it solidifies how formidable the Joker's schemes are. Even though it's temporary, this shot is a brief victory for the Joker.

 4. Antonio Salieri-Amadeus

If you haven't seen Amadeus, I highly recommend it. It's three hours and worth the time investment. Antonio Salieri is the truest example of how comparison robs you of all joy. He is a brilliant and gifted composer/conductor, but when Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart enters the story, nothing else matters to Salieri. He is consumed by jealousy and only sees himself as inferior to Mozart and wonders why God gave such an irreverent man such extraordinary talent. He doesn't punch, poison, insult, raise his voice, reprimand, or even touch Mozart. Yet, he willfully drives Mozart to poverty, poor health, and eventually no means of getting better physically, which eventually leads to Mozart's death. Salieri is a bad, bad man, and he is just like you and me. Salieri does not do anything to physically harm Mozart. Salieri's jealousy, bitterness, and anger relate to what so many of has have felt which is why he sits so high on my list, despite his lack of obvious "villainous" acts.

Baddest moment-A scene in which Salieri recounts how he planned to subtly bring Mozart to death while planning a masterpiece of music for Mozart's funeral that would be revered forever and finally give Salieri the credit he so obsessively longs for. It's a scary moment to see Salieri plan for death while imagining his own despicable glory.

3. Darth Vader-The Empire Strikes Back

Yes, Darth Vader from The Empire Strikes Back is the epitome of the dark side. I know there's "good in him" eventually, but nowhere in the second installment of the galaxy far far away do we see Vader doing "good". The Empire gives the rebellion the old 1, 2 punch again and again without letting up and Vader is the man/machine in charge. Is there anything more awesome/scary than Vader hurling heavy objects at Luke with his mind and then slicing his hand off? To top it off, Luke learns that his daddy is this Sith lord that just severed his hand. Vader's redemption in Return of the Jedi, albeit an amazing liberation from evil, is the only reason why he is not my greatest villain of all time.

Baddest moment-Much like the Joker's brief moment, the part when I sense Darth Vader's dark side the most is after Han Solo gets frozen in carbonite. The epic Imperial music begins, and the cloud of vapor disappears to reveal Vader's..uhh...face. It's just a moment, but for that moment, hopelessness prevails and Darth Vader is the baddest dude in the galaxy.

2. Keyser Sose-The Usual Suspects

This is one of my all time favorite movies and I want you to watch it. Therefore, I am going to be vague in my description of the "devil", Keyser Sose. Throughout the movie, the burning question is, "Who is Keyser Sose?" and does he even exist. "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." This is the essence of Keyser Sose. He never shows himself and he always gets what he wants, especially from anyone who crosses him. Go watch this movie.

Baddest moment-The film as a whole

1. Hannibal Lecter-The Silence of the Lambs

Hannibal the cannibal is at the top of most lists of best villains and I agree with no hesitation. Anthony Hopkins snagged an Oscar for Best Actor despite having less than 20 minutes of screen time. Every line he utters sends a chill through the your body and more importantly through everyone he interacts with in the film. The search for the serial killer Buffalo Bill is the central plot, but whether he is found is hinged on the twisted brilliance of Dr. Lecter. Lecter almost seems inhuman with his unwavering stare and monotone voice and does not waver in telling Clarice Starling of his inhumanity. In a tone of subtle enjoyment, he tells her, "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti"...followed by that lip thing he does. Try to watch that scene without laughing...just kidding, try to watch it without wetting your pants and asking the person nearest you to hold you.

Baddest moment-His first scene from within his prison cell and the interview with Starling that ensues. It is his introduction and nearly half of his screen time and it is about all you need to know that he is the most terrifying person/robot/creature/anything to touch the silver screen.

Honorable Mention
T-1000-Terminator 2
The Wicked Witch of the West-The Wizard of Oz
Aliens-Aliens
Phyllis Dietrichson-Double Indemnity
Amon Goth-Schindler's List