'The Killing of a Chinese Bookie'

I'm a pretty big fan of anything that director Wes Anderson has ever done. He's the prime modern-day auteur, who I believes takes his job very seriously and truly believes he puts movies out that he enjoys and that he thinks others will enjoy. Nothing against vying for a gigantic box office gross or dozens of sequels, but Anderson's ways and means are different many directors.

Wes Anderson had nothing to do with "The Killing of a Chinese Bookie." But Seymour Cassel did.

Cassel, most recently, has staked his claim as a great character actor, really solid performances mainly in Anderson flicks.

Cassel pops up in "Chinese Bookie" as a mid-level guy in a Los Angeles mob outfit. Unbeknownst to me, he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar several years before and has done a ton of work over the past four decades or so.

What Cassel brings to the table is invaluable. He knows his role in a film and doesn't over- or underact. He's perfect. His look and voice are signature. He's the guy you get when you need a supporting role nailed.

In baseball, he'd be willing to bunt a runner over or in basketball set a nice pick to get your shooter open.