A central figure in cinema over the last 40 years, Samuel L. Jackson has cemented himself as a cultural icon through a variety of roles.
Honored last week at an eventful Oscars ceremony, the 73-year-old shows no sign of slowing down just yet after the recent release of his new Apple TV series "The Lost Days Of Ptolemy Gray."
With all this in mind, what better time to look back at the lengthy filmography of Jackson and select five of his performances to stream this weekend:
Do The Right Thing, 1989
Set on a hot summer's day in Brooklyn, Do The Right Thing holds no punches in depicting the underlying racial tensions in one neighborhood.
With frustration simmering away in the background as the movie progresses, this remarkable work by director Spike Lee is bookended by Jackson, the local radio DJ known as Señor Love Daddy, acting as the diegetic narrator of this no holds barred representation of societal issues that continue to plague society to this day.
A stylized classic that isn't afraid to break the fourth wall and attack topics head-on that most will only hint at, Do The Right Thing can be bought/rented on Amazon Prime Video.
Pulp Fiction, 1994
Arguably Jackson's most well-known role to date, Pulp Fiction is widely regarded as a masterpiece by director Quentin Tarantino - with whom Jackson has worked multiple times.
Jackson's infinitely quotable Jules Winnfield is a key protagonist alongside his hitman partner Vincent Vega, played by John Travolta, as the two find themselves central figures in a series of misadventures - triggered by a selection of reprehensible characters.
A star-studded cast leads this must-watch movie - just make sure your kids aren't around for this one... Pulp Fiction can be streamed via subscription on Amazon Prime Video.
Jurassic Park, 1993
It's a park, full of Jurassic era creatures... the plot is pretty self explanatory.
Jackson stars as Ray Arnold, a park engineer who tries, and fails, to help get the park under control as the dinosaurs run rampant around the island.
Let's be honest, chances are everyone has at least seen snippets of this 90s classic by Steven Spielberg - but why not go back and give it a rewatch?
Make sure to "hold onto your butts," Jurassic Park can be watched via subscription on Hulu.
Kingsman: The Secret Service, 2014
If you've ever wanted to see Jackson play a megalomaniac telecommunications giant and McDonald's enthusiast attempt to take over the world - then this is the movie for you.
Jackson's Richmond Valentine has produced a sim card that is capable of controlling its owner with the flip of a switch. His goal? To turn the masses on one another, saving but a select few, to help heal the earth of its overpopulation issues.
Standing in his way are the Kingsmen, an underground organization of primarily gentry gentlemen who look to restore world order in an ever dignified manner.
Capped off with what can only be described as a synchronized ballet of multi-colored cranial explosions, Kingsman: The Secret Service can be rented/bought on Amazon Prime Video.
The Incredibles, 2004
Shifting our focus to something for the kids, The Incredibles remains one of the best animated features of the past two decades.
The Incredibles follows a family of five, each of whom has superhero traits. And no matter how hard they try to fit into everyday society after superheroes are outlawed, the world needs this strange quintet to return and use their abilities for the greater good and save mankind.
Aided by fellow heroes, including Jackson's Frozone, The Incredibles has arguably aged far better than many other animations over time and remains an entertaining movie for all.
The Incredibles can be watched via subscription on Disney+.
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