Worst2First: Best Nicolas Cage Films
Worst2First: Best Nicolas Cage Films
Nicolas Cage is an interesting actor to say the least. He's been around for a long time, and has hit some highs, and crash landed terribly. Before I get to his movies, here's some fascinating facts about the man from his imdb.com profile:
-He was ranked #40 in Empire's "Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list in 1997
-He is a nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola ("The Godfather")
-He got Johnny Depp his first acting job
-Was cast in Tim Burton's "Superman" movie that never was made
-Was married to Patricia Arquette and Lisa Marie Presley
Interesting tidbits, right? Anyway, throughout his career he's had some amazing performances, but lately he's been slipping into the Cuba Gooding Jr. method of direct-to-DVD releases, most of which feature the same cover - him standing around looking dumbfounded, constipated or confused:
Although there's a lot to choose from on the terrible side of Cage's career, I was able to dig up ten gems in his otherwise tarnished career.
Here are ten films where Nicolas Cage didn't suck, Worst2First.
**There will be no spoilers.**
#10
Face/Off
Cage plays Castor Troy, a psychotic terrorist who's being chased by FBI Special Agent Archer (John Travolta). In order to catch him, Archer undergoes a procedure that allows him to assume the terrorist's identity. Unfortunately for him, Troy does the same to him. It's got great action, and it's often hard to play a different person's role (meaning having Travolta play Cage and Cage play Travolta, even though it isn't real), but they pull it off here.
#9
Kick-Ass
Even though he's not necessarily the lead, Cage gives a great performance as Big Daddy, a Batman-style hero, the father of Hit-Girl, which was one of Chloe Grace Moritz's first appearances in film. Based off a comic book series, "Kick-Ass" is a dark superhero action film that was cool before "Deadpool."
#8
The Family Man
In this Christmas drama, Cage plays a Wall Street executive who decided to choose his job over family, until he wakes up on Christmas Day and discovers everything's been turned upside down, and he's now living in suburban America, working at a small-time job, and learns the true value of family. Sure, it seems like a re-imagining of "It's a Wonderful Life," and it's sentimental and predictable, but Cage and Tea Leoni give it their all and it's a great film to watch during the holidays.
#7
Lord of War
Cage plays Yuri Orlov, who begins his career as a small arms dealer and as the years progress he rises the ranks and becomes internationally famous, as he's hunted by Interpol agent Jack Valentine (Ethan Hawke). Great performances all around, an intriguing story, and a true-life tale (as "true-life" as movies get) make this a must-see Cage film.
#6
Matchstick Men
Here Cage plays Roy Waller, a con artist who also suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder who works with his protege Frank (Sam Rockwell). All is going according to plan until Roy discovers he has a fourteen year old daughter, and this complicates the game they try to play. Directed by Ridley Scott and featuring a great cast with a story involving several twists and turns, "Matchstick Men" is one of Cage's finest.
#5
Leaving Las Vegas
In this semi-autobiographical film, Cage plays Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter who loses everything due to his disease and goes to Las Vegas with plans to drink himself to death, but then forms an unlikely friendship with prostitute Sera (Elisabeth Shue). This is the film that got Nicolas Cage the Oscar for Best Actor. Yes, Nicolas Cage was an Oscar winner before Leo was.
#4
National Treasure
For every Tim Burton there's a Johnny Depp. For Jerry Bruckheimer, in the 90s, it was Nicolas Cage that he turned to. The next three films showcase the talent of these two men in bringing forward some amazing action films. Now, I'm a sucker for history and conspiracy theories, and this film has them both, along with an action-packed tale and great performances. Cage plays Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian looking for lost treasure who gets involved in a conspiracy with the Knights Templar and the American Freemasons in search for the greatest treasure of all. Witty, intelligent, and full of action, "National Treasure" also birthed a sequel that isn't as good as the original, but still worth a look.
#3
Con Air
1996-1997 was one of Nicolas Cage's best years in movies, and "Con Air" is proof of that. He plays Cameron Poe, a former U.S. Ranger who went to prison for manslaughter after killing a man while protecting his pregnant wife. He's granted parole and boards a prisoner transport plane with other criminals when the criminals riot and gain control of the plane. Nonstop action, a great supporting cast and Cage's flowing mullet-style hair make this a staple for 90s action.
#2
The Rock
Combined with "Con Air," "The Rock" is Cage's one-two action punch in the 90s that left an indelible imprint on cinema. Cage is a top FBI weapon's specialist enlisted to take back Alcatraz (also known as The Rock) from a rogue group of disenfranchised U.S. Force Recon Marines, with the aid of federal prisoner John Mason (Sean Connery), the only man in existence to have escaped Alcatraz. Once again, Cage showcases his action prowess with the legendary Sean Connery in a fast-paced, action-packed thrill ride directed by Michael Bay, the king of action films.
#1
The Weather Man
This is one of Nicolas Cage's most unknown films, and it turns out to be his best. He showcases his trademark eccentric tone as David Spritz, a local weatherman who is constantly harassed by passers-by, belittled by his Pulitzer Prize-winning father (played by the great Michael Caine), and lives a broken life with his ex-wife, as he also tries to form a relationship with his children. Cage balances dark humor with downright emotional grandeur, makes you feel for his character, and offers a down-to-earth story with a tremendous performance.
So there are some films for you to check out. Just be sure to avoid his terrible remake of "The Wicker Man"...
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