Nicolas Cage

[mae]

Sadly, nowadays Nicolas Cage is often thought of as a joke or a meme. Too bad. But he is actually a really good actor and in the 1990s he was one of my favorite actors. Recently, of course, he's been able to pick the turds with remarkable precision, but I'm hoping that run runs out soon enough. As I was debating this with a co-worker, I thought I should come up with my personal Top Ten Nic Cage films and looking through his filmography, he's had plenty to choose from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Cage_filmography

Well, then 10 turned into 20 as I was mulling it over, but feel free to count the extra ten as honorable mentions, though there are some great movies there.


20. Windtalkers (2002)
This is probably a very little-seen movie, but I actually saw it in theaters and own the DVD (as I do most if not all of these). It took an intriguing topic of Navajo code-talkers during WWII, and while not the best war movie, it is visually interesting (directed by John Woo), and Cage gives a really strong performance. People thought it overlong, but war epics usually are.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOmH0_F8_XI

19. World Trade Center (2006)
This Oliver Stone film probably suffered because of the too-soon factor, but it's actually a very good film. It takes guts to make a movie like this a few years after a huge tragedy like 9/11 and make a solemn and worthy film. Great and human performances by the two leads.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU738srDJRY

18. City of Angels (1998)
I'm a sucker for a good romantic (chick flick) movie, just the softie that I am, and this was one of my favorite such movies back in '98-99. Cage and Meg Ryan (at the height of her cuteness) are great together and the film looks pretty nice. And a pretty cool soundtrack to boot.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCrcDidiGJs

17. National Treasure (2004)
This is a stupid movie. But it's a good stupid movie. It's fun and exciting and it's super fast-paced. It's no Indiana Jones, but it's almost the next best thing.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjHKA4hFo5M

16. Moonstruck (1987)
I'm not a big fan of Cher, but I am a big fan of the 1980s and Cage and 1980s Cage. This is another fun and light movie, and if it's playing on TV while I'm flipping through channels, I'll definitely stay and watch.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M01_2CKL6PU

15. Bringing Out the Dead (1999)
Really one of the best Cage performances here and it's a very under-seen film. The look and the mood are very stark and dreamlike. And it's a Martin Scorsese movie. That alone is good news. What else could you ask for?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TMg9WlKgsU

14. Wild at Heart (1990)
From Scorsese we move onto Lynch. What a crazy movie. Cage here is his usual still-'80s self with chock-full of cool supporting characters. And nice music, too.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uRJartX79Q

13. The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)
Buried within many many terrible movies of the period was this surprising and disturbing crime thriller that sort of signaled that Cage may not be done yet.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvy1qlbh5Q4

12. Red Rock West (1993)
In a way similar to Wild at Heart and Bringing Out the Dead, this is a little-seen film with lots of great stars and another great Cage performance. Very western, very noir, very early-'90s.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqlGO7rYhwY

11. Lord of War (2005)
I don't know if this one is also little-seen, but I don't see it mentioned a lot when Cage movies are discussed. Maybe it's just me but I loved this one. So dark. And funny. It's shot amazingly and directed perfectly by the talented Andrew Niccol. And Cage is at the top of his game.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej83QvHuiNI

10. 8mm (1999)
And here we go with the Top Ten, and probably an unpopular choice, but this is a really really good movie. Extremely dark. Great performances throughout, especially by James Gandolfini (pre-Sopranos, I think).



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCV3LEsXdH4

9. Joe (2013)
This is Cage getting back to respectability, I hope. I haven't yet seen what he's got in the pipeline coming, but this was a welcome return to form. Not Academy Award form, but getting there... Do more of this, Nic!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w_yqcQUTfY

8. The Weather Man (2005)
This is most likely another "huh?" for a lot of people, but I really really like this one. Cage plays Cage perfectly here and I don't understand why it's not more popular. I guess it's not exactly a crowd-pleaser.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZIIKsnM6MM

7. The Rock (1996)
Speaking of crowd-pleasers, how about this one? Like National Treasure, this is a stupid movie that's exceptionally well made. It's got great performances, awesome music and stunts, and this is Michael Bay before he became "Michael Bay". Good shit.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI6Mbg_bMzQ

6. Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
More '80s and more Cage, and this time there's time travel! Plus an early Jim Carrey cameo! Pretty unique performance by Cage, too.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IahNwbcBdts

5. Adaptation (2002)
And speaking of unique, this had to be in the Top Five, obviously. Great movie, great dual role played by Cage, which got him an Oscar nomination.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMwOEkTmTyQ

4. The Family Man (2000)
This is a sweet and just great film. I don't think it would be at the top of many best-of lists, but it's definitely at the top of mine for the year and the decade. If you haven't seen it, watch it ASAP!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnouJoQs52c

3. Raising Arizona (1987)
Cage. Coens. Eighties. Fun.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjWu8i6eMZo

2. Matchstick Men (2003)
Like The Weather/Family Man, this is another early 2000s film that I really really really like. I love this heartbreaking masterpiece for lots of reasons, including the great performance by the beautiful and rarely seen Alison Lohman, and Ridley Scott's impeccable direction, and also for the - spoiler! - twist that apparently everyone saw coming but me. But I'm gullible like that. I get absorbed and lost in the movie and let it all come at me.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDoOdd00nHM

1. Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
There could be no other number one, obviously. The guy won the Oscar for Best Actor for Pete's sake and so well deserved. Can't watch this one too often. But it's an all-time classic, a perfect film.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke6kU0rD8Jg

So that's it. What are your favorite Nicolas Cage movies? Post your own Top 10 or whatever list!

[fernandito]

Nicolas Cage has made so, so, so many stinkers that his 1 or 2 good performances have been diluted by the countless baked turds.

Favorite Cage movie is Face/Off, but not because of a powerhouse performance or anything. It's such a ludicrous premise and its pretty evident both Cage and Travolta took full advantage of Woo lifting all restrictions on the cheese factor.

[Girlystevedave]

Raising Arizona will always be a classic, and I will never see any of "joke Nicholas Cage" in the character of H.I.
Also : Valley Girl. Sure, it's a cheesy 80's flick, but Cage isn't what makes it cheesy. I really like him in that flick. :)

[DanHocker]

I don't think I could actually make a top 10 Nick Cage movie list, but if I could Gone in 60 Seconds would probably make the list.

[killjoy72]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUltheRpJNw

[mattgreenbean]

My favorite Nick Cage movie is also my favorite Christmas movie, Trapped in Paradise. Alongside him is Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz. And I have a soft spot for Madchen Amick who plays the love interest. Funny movie for anyone who has a crazy family. This isn't over the top Cage, but it's definitely Cage.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGHRkervPL4

[Still Servant]

My favorite Nick Cage movie is also my favorite Christmas movie, Trapped in Paradise. Alongside him is Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz. And I have a soft spot for Madchen Amick who plays the love interest. Funny movie for anyone who has a crazy family. This isn't over the top Cage, but it's definitely Cage.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGHRkervPL4

Kudos, Matt. I thought I was the only one that remembered that movie. I never hear anybody talk about it, but I loved watching it back in the day. It helps that I love Dana Carvey. I think a lot of people brushed it off as a silly comedy with a couple SNL stars (Carvey & Lovitz), but it's actually pretty good.

Nice list, Pablo and great write-ups! Cage has become a punchline at this point, but he's not done yet. I think he's had a few bright spots in recent years that tells me he's got something left in the tank. Joe and Kick-Ass come to mind. Cage is also in the upcoming Snowden film with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I think we might just get to see him flex his acting muscles once again.

One Cage film that you didn't mentioned that I've always enjoyed is Con Air.

[mae]

I left Con Air and Face/Off off the list because they're just too silly. I was trying to highlight the best acting Cage has done, in my view, and also the best overall films.

[Jon]

I do like Cage. Matchstick Men is great. I had a bit off comic love for Ghostrider. Gone in 60 sucked me in for the cars.

[needfulthings]

118 Minutes
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/2192/0df3EU.jpg

127 Minutes
http://imageshack.com/a/img913/2080/rgSb3i.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img661/7721/9o24WP.jpg

BUT WAIT...You said you liked it for the cars?
Then you want this one.
http://imageshack.com/a/img540/5036/MFaA27.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/9830/4jSTCX.jpg

[Odetta]

Leaving Las Vegas is one of my favorite movies... It is definitely my favorite Nick Cage movies...
Lord of War is a close second

[DoctorZaius]

Can't believe I am even doing this, but here goes.
The Rock - love it
Con Air - guilty pleasure
Red Rock West - love it
Valley Girl - loved it when I saw it years ago, not sure how it would hold up
Moonstruck - snap outta of it!
Leaving Las Vegas - should I kill myself now? or later?

But my favorite is the found footage of Saint Nick as Superman - priceless!

[Mattrick]

Pablo, no Face/Off? Travolta and Cage hamming it up, imitating each other's styles?

Here's mine. Keep in mind that I haven't seen any Nicholas Cage films prior to Guarding Tess

9. Con Air
8. 8MM
7. The Rock
6. Snake Eyes
5. Kick-Ass
4. Face/Off
3. Leaving Las
2. Matchstick Men
1. Adaptation

[Still Servant]

You have to add one more to your list. 9 just looks weird.

[mattgreenbean]

Because of this thread I watched National Treasure today.

[Mattrick]

You have to add one more to your list. 9 just looks weird.

Don't have anymore to add. The other films of his I've seen, I didn't like nor did I like him. I never finished Lord of War because the DVD I borrowed screwed up half in. I have Joe to watch and when I do, that will give me ten lol

[mae]

What about the others from my Top 20?

[Iwritecode]

I've never been able to figure out exactly why, but I've always loved The Family Man. I've lost count of the number of times I've watched it.

[mae]

It's a very sweet movie with great performances. Not high art, but it's so well done.

[DoctorZaius]

Because of this thread I watched National Treasure today.

And?

[mae]

And I just rewatched Matchstick Men. Such a great and heartbreaking film. It's only 12 years old (wow does time fly) but they sure don't make 'em like that anymore.

[Still Servant]

And I just rewatched Matchstick Men. Such a great and heartbreaking film. It's only 12 years old (wow does time fly) but they sure don't make 'em like that anymore.

Matchstick Men is really good. It's too bad Alison Lohman disappeared. You would think after Drag Me To Hell her career would have taken off. I guess not.

[Mattrick]

I've seen Matchstick Men at least a dozen times. It's one of my favourites.

"She left the door open! It was BITCHIN!"

"Pygmies."

"My associate tells me you have five grandchildren. WOW!"

"Well there's a couch, if you want to sit. Or over there if you prefer. Or the couch."

"Uhhhh....uhhhh...that was wrong what you did! And--and--you're a nosy parker! And that's no way for a young lady to behave. And...SHAME-ON-YOU!"

[fernandito]

Because of this thread I watched National Treasure today.

And?

And now he hates us all.

[DoctorZaius]

Because of this thread I watched National Treasure today.

And?

And now he hates us all.

Wait till he watches the sequel!

[mae]

"Pygmies."

I don't know why but that is so funny.

[becca69]

Hmmm, not sure about the order, but:

1. Valley Girl - will always be my favorite
2. Raising Arizona - also a favorite
3. Lord of War - because Jared Leto :drool:
4. Peggy Sue Got Married
5. Wild at Heart
6. Rumble Fish

Because these are so awesomely bad
7. Face Off
8. Snake Eyes
9. Con Air
10. The Rock

Do these count?
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Grindhouse

[needfulthings]

:nana:
http://imageshack.com/a/img910/5643/7nonkw.jpg

[Merlin1958]

Hmmm, not sure about the order, but:

1. Valley Girl - will always be my favorite
2. Raising Arizona - also a favorite
3. Lord of War - because Jared Leto :drool:
4. Peggy Sue Got Married
5. Wild at Heart
6. Rumble Fish

Because these are so awesomely bad
7. Face Off
8. Snake Eyes
9. Con Air
10. The Rock

Do these count?
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Grindhouse


"Grindhouse", I am not familiar with that feature. Any other info or pics available? I assume you are not referring to the, Tarantino film?

[needfulthings]

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/2596/MKab10.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/5972/dLiuiC.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/6771/ksRPmI.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/7838/52W2sH.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/3811/hgfYdS.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/4954/9kObWt.jpg

PHONEY TRAILER IN GRINDHOUSE
http://imageshack.com/a/img540/5257/HgExjo.jpg

[Merlin1958]

I have that DVD set and never realized that, Cage was in the trailer. LOL

[Mattrick]

Matchstick Men is really good. It's too bad Alison Lohman disappeared. You would think after Drag Me To Hell her career would have taken off. I guess not.

She had quite a few good roles during that time. I felt about Lohman as I feel about Wasikowska, having seen Matchstick Men, White Oleander and Big Fish numerous times. She seemed like the next big breakout star. After she filmed Drag Me To Hell and Gamer, she had a child and seems to have taken quite a bit of time off. She seems to have had a bit part in this years The Vatican Tapes, but has no other projects in any level of production. Hopefully she'll come back. I wish I could find a picture from her at the end of Matchstick Men, I don't know if It is just the shocking difference between her looking like a teenager and her being grown up, or just the way she is dressed, but goddamn, did she look wonderful...like in Seinfeld, major memory burn.

[mattgreenbean]

Because of this thread I watched National Treasure today.

And?

And now he hates us all.

Wait till he watches the sequel!

And now I'm a treasure hunter!!! I love both those movies, and have seen them several times. I'd be down if there were a third one.

[becca69]

Because of this thread I watched National Treasure today.

And?

And now he hates us all.

Wait till he watches the sequel!

And now I'm a treasure hunter!!! I love both those movies, and have seen them several times. I'd be down if there were a third one.

I forgot to add this one. I like the first much better than the second.

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF5IspEU_Vg

[Merlin1958]

^This was done before and probably with a lot less liberties I'm guessing.







http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMl1NbR0h_A


1,197 men went in the water. 317 came out. Sharks took the rest. Anyway, we delivered the bomb.

[becca69]

Ever since I found out he trashed the traycase for his lettered copy of Regulators, I like him a little less :shoot:

[mattgreenbean]

Ever since I found out he trashed the traycase for his lettered copy of Regulators, I like him a little less :shoot:

What's the story there?

[webstar1000]

Ever since I found out he trashed the traycase for his lettered copy of Regulators, I like him a little less :shoot:

?? FILL me in too:)

[becca69]

Some years ago his copy of Regulators was offered up for sale due to his needing money (tax troubles), blah, blah. The book was listed with no traycase. It was stated that there was no traycase and it was either lost or thrown away and the book had been out on display. That's all I know.

Edit: Found the original post here: http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/showthread.php?226-Intriguing-Stephen-King-King-Related-Dark-Tower-Auctions-Sales&p=658120&viewfull=1#post658120

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMKm9ydY12s

[St. Troy]

Talented guy whose style and abilities lend themselves to everything from the popcorn movie to the cheesy movie to the real quality stuff. There's probably something for everyone among his body of work (I know I like him).

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uGhtpLZfFg

[St. Troy]

That looks incredible.

[Heather19]

So my boyfriend made me watch Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans this weekend. Oh my. Has anyone seen this? I couldn't even stay awake to the end, but what I saw was so crazy. It was like a hard boiled police crime drama with a dash of Fear and Loathing thrown in. Those really weird random moments, while hilarious, and I know what they were trying to achieve, were just so unbelievably cheesy and different from the rest of the tone of the film.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXNfHb9b6Y0

[Still Servant]

So my boyfriend made me watch Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans this weekend. Oh my. Has anyone seen this? I couldn't even stay awake to the end, but what I saw was so crazy. It was like a hard boiled police crime drama with a dash of Fear and Loathing thrown in. Those really weird random moments, while hilarious, and I know what they were trying to achieve, were just so unbelievably cheesy and different from the rest of the tone of the film.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXNfHb9b6Y0

Yup. You pretty much nailed what makes that film so... odd but entertaining. When he's talking to the iguana, I remember being like WTF am I watching.

Actually, I had a quote from the film in my signature here for a while.

It's actually a remake, which starred Harvey Keitel. I haven't seen that one just yet.

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTabX1ONwRY

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg12xyGX5CY

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vse9mg7AnGM

[Shannon]

That looks fairly decent!

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2n8rM5xPU4

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4Kb40pnoOY

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9jPUvijVa4

[mae]

The Cage Master never stops:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSxewWTynZE

[mae]

Does this guy ever sleep?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBVjnerk7Dk

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI054ow6KJk

[Randall Flagg]

"That's not a knife..."




"That's not a chainsaw..."




WTF. The trailer itself is hallucinogenic.

[mae]

WTF

Yes. I love it.

Also, just happy someone watches my trailer spam :unsure:

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckkL3dZEGSA

[Iwritecode]

https://i.redd.it/s2fp9ox6u6s11.jpg

[Tommy]

WTF

Yes. I love it.

Also, just happy someone watches my trailer spam :unsure:

I saw Mandy a few weeks back, amazing!

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpfPzmAXITc

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dowIAZb4VKw

[blunthead]

Cool.

[blunthead]

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0448011/videoplayer/vi3391554329?ref_=tt_ov_vi

[blunthead]

I don't know how to post videos.

[mae]

Another month, another Cage:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7byXUosJCbU

[mae]

This actually looks decent:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agnpaFLo0to

[mae]

Back to back Cage!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMZA9aafu18

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfh8_X3sH5s

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XByiHpUvrj0

[Still Servant]

He's got a film at Sundance called Prisoners of the Ghostland. The early buzz is that it's another wild Cage performance.

[mae]

He's got a film at Sundance called Prisoners of the Ghostland. The early buzz is that it's another wild Cage performance.

Yup, Sion Sono's first English language film. Should be... something.

[Still Servant]

He's got a film at Sundance called Prisoners of the Ghostland. The early buzz is that it's another wild Cage performance.

Yup, Sion Sono's first English language film. Should be... something.

Have you signed up for any screenings?

[mae]

I didn't know that was a thing. How much is it?

[Iwritecode]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XByiHpUvrj0

I watched the first episode of this and it was hilarious.

I also learned that Samuel L. Jackson is *not* #1 among actors for most times using a swear in a movie.

Somehow it's Jonah Hill. :eek:

Leonardo DiCaprio is #2 and Samuel is #3.

[Br!an]

Pretty funny!

[Still Servant]

I didn't know that was a thing. How much is it?

15 bucks a ticket.

They have some packages too. I ended up just buying a bunch of single tickets.

https://tickets.festival.sundance.org/

[Joe315]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XByiHpUvrj0

I watched the first episode of this and it was hilarious.

I also learned that Samuel L. Jackson is *not* #1 among actors for most times using a swear in a movie.

Somehow it's Jonah Hill. :eek:

Leonardo DiCaprio is #2 and Samuel is #3.

You'd think Jackson, with his prolific career, would be number 1.

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i-_CRKdh4Y

[daniel_pyle]

I don't know if I'm crazy (actually, I do), but this one intrigues me.

[Hunchback Jack]

I watched Pig. High recommendation from me.

[mattgreenbean]

He's got more coming.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDBIKpbOY9M

[mae]

Yup, I think I posted that in the Sion Sono thread.

[mattgreenbean]

Yup, I think I posted that in the Sion Sono thread.

I had to search Sion Sono, yeah Takashi and Nic, gonna be wild!

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJmJ5FbY5RY

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8VuWhvk87o

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LmO6rmDW08

[fernandito]

This looks like pure schlock.

I'm in.

[OldCrow88]

Even bearing the weight of his massive talent, Nic Cage floats above us all.

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IOwEPjQq9M

[fernandito]

This looks like A24's Inception, starring Nicolas Cage


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3x9iUL-74w

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJEOJbSuOvI

[Hunchback Jack]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8VuWhvk87o

Finally got around to watching this one the other night. I enjoyed it - it was fun. Not exactly biting satire, but then, it's not that kind of movie. Pedro Pascal was also great in it.

HBJ

[mae]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNARuSROxbM