AMERICAN CELLULOID HEROES -
HALL OF FAME!
Here I will give a brief overview of the movie characters that have been inducted so far.  I will also give a few "honorable mentions", if I can think of any.  With this said, show some respect and salute these heroes that have graced the silver screen thus far...
INDUCTEE #1: Barry Newman as "Kowalski" from "Vanishing Point" (1971)
CHARACTER BRIEF: Kowalski (Barry Newman) is a Vietnam vet turned disgraced cop, who eventually becomes a delivery driver.  After getting high on speed and getting behind the wheel of his latest cargo, a vintage Dodge Challenger, he is forced to run from the police, as well as his own personal demons that lie within his dark and painful past.  Both catch up to him, though, and it is both that he must face head-on in "Vanishing Point"'s intense and explosive finale. 
FAMOUS QUOTES:
QUEER HITCHHIKER: "You're so quiet...and moody."
KOWALSKI: "Maybe that's just part of my nature."

"First, last, and only." (reference to his character's name)
REASONS FOR NOMINATION:
- The stoic stare Kowalski gives behind the wheel that would make Clint Eastwood proud.
- Stopping for the accidents that he causes, making sure that everyone involved is OK (no kidding, watch the movie).
- Stopping for hitchhikers, and only laughing as one pulls a gun on him!
- Showing his human side through flashbacks of his painful past (including the loss of his girlfriend).
- Only smiling as he drives towards a police roadblock, facing certain doom.
- Driving very, very, fast, while very, very high on methanphetamines.  Do not try this at home.
- Not letting the police arrest him.  In my book, the Kowalski character passed "Go" and got $200.
I know the Hall of Fame my be a disappointment now, but as it picks up, there will be more to come.  I promise you!
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