BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) SOUTHLAND TALES
It was this or Alpha Dog. I’m one the of few who really liked both movies. Alpha Dog was the first real exposure I had to JT’s acting, but Southland Tales is just a little better. The movie is weird as shit. The fact that he signed on for it shows he’s not the bland pop singer everyone was expecting. The movie is weird and doesn’t have much rhythm. Timberlake narrates the movie and knocks it out of the park with one of the most surreal musical scenes I’ve seen. He stares at the camera and sings that track by The Killers. Seriously, if you watch the movie and get bored at least fast forward to THAT part.
(THREE) MUSIC
It’s easy to just put Timberlake’s music career in a disposable pop category. Yeah, he was in NSync, but so what? It’s not like they weren’t the best boy band out there at the time. I know that’s not saying much, but still. And yeah, before he “Brought Sexy Back” everyone outside of the pop world hated him. Then that album came out, he knocked down some walls and became a household name in music and pop culture. The hit pop singles are huge, but his ballads are just as strong if you listen with an open ear.
(TWO) THE SOCIAL NETWORK
If you ask me, The Social Network was the best movie of 2010. That says a lot because Black Swan and Inception was released in the same year. JT plays Sean Parker, some douche bag who created Napster. The person he’s playing is just one unlikable asshole. Still his charm shines through and he makes us care a little about the character. He might even be too cool to a fault. Justin Timberlake didn’t take home any Oscar or anything, but his work in this movie shows he’s ready to be out there with the big boys. His association with an Oscar movie is only going to help his career. I think he has a lot of potential and will continue to rock it on screen for years to come.
(ONE) SNL
There is a certain collective opinion over the SNL fan community that Justin Timberlake is the best recurring SNL host since the days of Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin showing up every other week. If Justin Timberlake wanted, he could be a cast member on the show. Not only a cast member, but most likely the funniest. He did a little sketch comedy stuff with the Mickey Mouse Club and has always had a good sense of humor. His serious acting is really taking off and his music is always there, but I think Justin Timberlake is at his best when he’s live from New York.
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