From The Straits Times    |

13/08 UPDATE

As the world mourns the untimely departure of everyone’s favourite funny man, relive some of Robin Williams’ best moments.


A still from Night at the Museum. Credit: FOX Movies Premium

You can watch The Face of Love, Night at the Museum, The Big Wedding, Patch Adams, RV and Bicentennial Man once again on the small screen.

FOX Movies Premium (StarHub TV Channel 622)
August 15 at 7:35pm – The Face of Love (premiere)
August 15 at 9:10 pm – Night at the Museum
August 15 at 11pm – The Big Wedding

DIVA (StarHub TV Channel 522)
August 14 at 9.25pm – Patch Adams


A still from RV. Credit: HBO Asia

HBO Family (StarHub TV Channel 604)
RV
August 12 at 6:30pm
August 16 at 5:25am
August 17 at 11:45pm
August 27 at 8pm
August 28 at 11am

Bicentennial Man
August 13 at 6:30pm
August 14 at 9:30am
August 23 at 4pm
August 24 at 1pm
August 31 at 7:15am

_______________________

12/08

I’ll come out and say that I’m not a big movie buff. But when I heard that Robin Williams had passed away, the news gripped me and for a moment I held my breath. This was a man who had left me gasping for breath whenever I did end up in a cinema, rapt in his characters.

Although Mork and Mindy wasn’t a movie, I watched returns of this ’70s sitcom after I’d become acquainted with the Robin Williams on the big screen who everyone adored. The young Williams showcased his physical comedy prowess and gift for sound effects as the madcap alien Mork. His extraterrestrial role was a breakout and one that no one can forget in a hurry.


RIP Robin Williams, you will be missed. The actor at Bengal Tiger at The Baghdad Zoo Meet & Greet in New York City, 2011 © Walter McBride/Corbis

Like the rest of Williams’ other characters. The actor/stand up comedian/voice talent has been part of so many movies that it was impossible to pick a few that defined his colourful career. But I’ll go out on a limb and share my five favourite Robin Williams vehicles – yes, the actor steered every movie he appeared in.

MRS DOUBTFIRE
A cross-dressing Williams plays a devoted father and struggling voice actor who has to pretend to be an English nanny to spend time with his children, complete with white hair and bodysuit complete with boobs.

GENIE
Even though Aladdin was the lead in the Disney movie, who can forget the fast-talking blue genie who stole the show? Some may not know that Williams provided the voice to the cartoon character but no one can forget the wisecracking and PG-rated puns that are classic Williams material.

GOOD MORNING VIETNAM
Williams rocked as a US army DJ during the Vietnam War with his signature yell of “Good Morning Vietnam”, along with solid impersonations of Elvis Presley while trying to avoid censorship when relating what he witnesses during the war.

DEAD POETS SOCIETY
I admit I watched this movie because a young Ethan Hawke was in it. Although my infatuation Hawke has expired, I learnt how to carpe diem – seize the day – from Williams’ John Keating, a teacher I wished I had in school.

INSOMNIA
Williams can be creepy. Very creepy. Even as a villain, he flexes his acting chops and proves able to hold his own against Al Pacino.

RIP, Robin Williams, your legacy of work will live on.

Tell me your favourite Robin Williams movie in the comments below!