Happy Thursday everyone! I’m kind of in a list-y mood so I’m doing yet another list post today, with the collaboration of my friend Josh of JJames Reviews … AND also all of you fine friends of FlixChatter!
Inspired my our recent viewing of JOE featuring the inimitable Nicholas Kim Coppola, aka Nicolas Cage was in top form, I thought we’d collaborate on this post. Ever since his feature film debut in Fast Times at Ridgemont High back in 1982, the prolific actor has done nearly 70 films, more if you count the ones that are not yet released! So I’m guessing most of you have seen at least 10 of his work. Love him or hate him, he’s made quite a name for himself in Hollywood, with perhaps the most erratic role choices that seems to be as mercurial as his temperament, on and off screen.
So, let’s get on with the list, shall we?
JOSH’s picks:
First, a word on how I made these selections. I did not select the ten best movies in which Nicolas Cage has appeared; instead, I considered whether or not a given performance demonstrates range. For example, Moonstruck (1987) is certainly a better film than Con Air (1997), and, strictly speaking, Cage is likely superior as Ronny Cammareri than as Cameron Poe. Yet, Poe made my list and Cammareri did not. Why? I submit that Con Air solidified Cage as an action star, something at which we had only hints in the late nineties, whereas Moonstruck showed us what we already knew: Cage can be funny, romantic and dramatic, capably shifting between the three seamlessly.
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10. Cameron Poe – Con Air (1997)
9. Grug – The Croods (2013)
8. Charlie Bodell – Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
7. Frank Pierce – Bringing Out the Dead (1999)
6. Seth – City of Angels (1998)
5. Damon McCready, AKA Big Daddy – Kick-Ass (2009)
4. Charlie & Donald Kaufman – Adaptation (2002)
3. Joe Ransom – Joe (2014)
2. Ben Sanderson – Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
1. H.I. McDunnough – Raising Arizona (1987)
One last word: Please, Joel and Ethan, please cast Nicolas Cage again. He was pure gold in your hands, gentlemen.
RUTH’s picks:
JOE was the first film since Kick-Ass in 2010 where I saw Nic Cage on film. It seems that in from 2007 and on he’s hellbent on making a string of crappola movies. Yes I know an actor is allowed a few bad films in their career but Cage seems to make it the norm instead of the exception! Yet for me, I think there’s a certain charm (or whimsy) about him that made him so watchable even in laughable material [ok, maybe with the exception of Ghost Rider which is just ghastly].
Now, like Josh said, my picks aren’t exactly about his best movies or best roles, but it displays his versatility and I think that’s part of his undeniable appeal. Whether playing a saintly cop or a devil-incarnate villain, he seems effortlessly convincing playing them. Please note that I have not seen some of his earlier work like Peggy Sue Got Married, people’s favorite Raising Arizona or his Oscar-winning role in Leaving Las Vegas. As with any list, these are by no means comprehensive as it’s based on the ones I have seen.
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10. Damon McCready, AKA Big Daddy– Kick-Ass (2009)
9. Stanley Godspeed – The Rock (2009)
8. Seth – City of Angels (1998)
7. Cameron Poe – Con Air (1997)
6. Ronny Cammareri – Moonstruck (1987)
5. Joe Ransom – Joe (2014)
4. Charlie & Donald Kaufman – Adaptation (2002)
3. Charlie Lang – It Could Happen To You (1994)
2. Jack Campbell – The Family Man (2000)
1. Castor Troy – Face/Off (1997)
So what’s YOUR favorite Nic Cage roles? Even better if you can share your top 10!
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Oddly, Ruth, the only character on your list that I didn’t even think about including was your number one, Castor Troy. I think I hated everything about Face Off. (Technically I didn’t think about adding the character from The Family either. But that’s because I haven’t seen it.)
And you should really see Raising Arizona. It has a couple violent moments here and there, but it is so very funny that I think you’d like it anyway. I’m not sure if you’d enjoy Leaving Las Vegas – it’s pretty heavy.
Oh man you hate Face/Off? I don’t know if we can be friends now 😉
I LOVE that movie, not ashamed to admit it. And it was easy to put him as #1 as we’re talking about fave roles and Nic Cage was so much fun to watch! It’s delightfully over the top but then again most 90s action movies are, ahah.
I might give Raising Arizona a shot one of these days but as you know I’m a huge fan of the Coens, but since it’s a comedy maybe I’ll enjoy it 😀
🙂 And yeah. Face-Off is definitely over the top. But that’s precisely why I don’t like it. Just too exaggerated for my taste.
I think there’s a chance you would like Raising Arizona even though it is the Coens. Why? Because the Coens early work is a little different than they’re more recent stuff – it still bears their mark, but the characters are a bit more center stage and the ambience is bit more background. The humor is also a bit more pronounced. Have you seen a lot of the Coens’ early stuff?
I think if it weren’t for John Woo’s style, which I like in this particular instance, and Cage/Travolta’s performance, I probably would agree w/ you.
No I can’t say I have seen Coens’ early stuff. Not sure why but I’ll go w/ RA first and see if I actually want to see more.
Raising Arizona is a good one with which to start. Holly Hunter and Cage are both terrific in it, and the characters are universally well developed. And, most importantly, it is incredibly fun. If you don’t enjoy it, you probably wouldn’t enjoy many of them.
Every role. Seriously. The man’s a legend.
Ahah, now THAT’s an answer!! But really, no particular role stood out for you Dan?
Great lists and great actor to choose. I really wish Cage would make a great comeback. Here are my favorite 7 (I haven’t seen enough of his earlier work to pick 10)…although I can’t list them in any type of order…that’s too hard. 🙂
National Treasure, The Rock, The Croods, Matchstick Men, Face/Off, Con-Air, Gone in Sixty Seconds, City of Angels.
I totally agree on The Croods, City of Angels and Con-Air (obviously). I haven’t ever seen Matchstick Men or Gone in Sixty Seconds, though.
Hi T!! I think he’s made a comeback with JOE as it’s been getting lots of good buzz, deservedly so.
Yay, another vote for Face/Off, one of my fave 90s flicks!! Haven’t seen Matchstick Men or Gone in 60 Seconds yet tho.
You know Nic Cage used to be one of my favorite actors until he got into financial troubles and started making crappy films after another. I haven’t seen Joe yet, but I definitely like all of your choices there. I’d add Benjamin Gates to the list too. I know those films weren’t the greatest but they’re so fun to watch and I hope they make the third one finish off the trilogy soon. Stanley Goodspeed from The Rock was also good, yeah he’s sort of a sidekick to James Bond but he’s good none the less.
I also like his other lesser seen films, 8MM and Snake Eye. The former was a dark thriller that’s probably too rough for most audiences and the latter was a suspense thriller that needs another chance, it’s not perfect but I really liked it. Then there’s his turn as a villainous role as Little Jr. Brown in Kiss of Death, I thought he’s great in that movie. Too bad it has a weak leading man in David Caruso, it would’ve been great had they cast someone else opposite him, someone like Mel Gibson would’ve been perfect. Jack Singer in Honeymoon in Vegas was pretty great too! LOL.
Then of course the role he didn’t get to play in Superman LIves/Reborn, that would’ve been very interesting had that film been made.
BTW Ruth, shouldn’t it be Sean Archer since he only played Castor Troy for about 10 minutes in Face/Off. 🙂
Hey, Ted. I like 8MM, too. Haven’t seen Snake Eye or the National Treasure movies, though.
I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on it once you’ve had a chance to see Joe.
Yeah 8MM was so dark that I knew it would never be a hit. Interesting enough though, it’s written by Andrew Kevin Walker and David Fincher was going to direct it. But I think Fincher wanted to make Fight Club and declined the offer. Had he made it, the film would’ve been much much better. But I was impressed with what Schumacher did, he apparently lighten up the tone of the movie because the studio thought the original script was too dark.
Hey Ted! Ha..ha.. I actually love his role as Castor Troy in that brief time more so than as Sean Archer! But when he pretended to be Castor before the crazy shoot-out happens at his friend’s house, I guess he was playing the villain role, so I guess it’s more than just 10 min 😀
Ok now I’m curious to see more of those flicks you mentioned. Btw, have you seen Lord of War yet? I’m curious about that one too.
Yeah I liked him as Castor too, he’s definitely more menacing than Travolta in the little time when he’s the villain.
Lord of War was okay, nothing special but Cage was good in it. I think you’ll like Honeymoon in Vegas if you’ve never seen that one. It’s a funny rom-com, this was in the early 90s and he starred in a few rom-coms. I see that you like him in It Could Happen To You so you’ll like Honeymoon In Vegas. I’d recommend Snake Eyes because it’s cool thriller directed by Brian De Palma, but 8MM might be too dark for your taste. The movie dealt with the dark world of snuff porn films and it contains some rough stuff that even I was disturbed by it.
This list was made not having seen Joe yet.
1. Ben Sanderson – Leaving Las Vegas
2. H.I. McDunnough – Raising Arizona
3. Eddie – Deadfall
4. Peter Leow – Vampire’s Kiss
5. Damon McCready, AKA Big Daddy – Kick-Ass
6. Ronny Cammareri – Moonstruck
7. Sailor – Wild At Heart
8. Charlie & Donald Kaufman – Adaptation
9. Charlie Bodell – Peggy Sue Got Married
10. Michael Williams – Red Rock West
The man was a genius…
This is pretty genius too:
Of your list, those I’ve seen made mine as well, save Moonstruck (which would be my number 11, probably). Sounds like I have some catching up to with the rest of his work.
Great selections!
Wow I totally forgot about Red Rock West, I loved that movie! Nice pick Dave.
Hey Dave!
Glad we have a few in common, I saw Moonstruck much later but he’s definitely memorable in it. I really need to see the top two on your list! Ha..ha.. that impersonation clip is hilarious, thanks for sharing that!
Ruth, don’t just see Raising Arizona for Cage. Holly Hunter, John Goodman and Frances McDormand are also most awesome in it.
Leaving Las Vegas may be the most depressing movie I can ever remember seeing. Just devastating. Nic’s finest hour for his serious work IMHO. Elizabeth Shue (Adventures In Babysitting) is truly a revelation in it.
I will see Raising Arizona partly for the Coens too as I haven’t seen any of their earlier work. They’re not my fave filmmakers by a long shot, so I’m curious if I’d enjoy their earlier stuff, starting w/ RA 🙂
LLV seems depressing but JOE was pretty bleak but I still enjoyed his performance. I figure that’d be the case here too. Interesting to see the career trajectory of Cage and Shue, not sure what she’s doing these days. Last time I saw her she was in Gerry Butler’s surfing flick in a very small role.
Ruth, Joe is grim, obviously. But just be aware that LLV is actually considerably darker and heavier. It isn’t as violent, but it is more disturbing.
Now. I still think you should see it. Both Cage and Shue are just …. Wow in it.
Well it was an HBO movie.
Ahah, the “Nic Cage losing his shit” video is the first thing that came to mind after seeing this post. That collection never gets old.
Interesting question guys. Once upon a time Cage was a fine actor. My list would be…
10: David Spritz – The Weather Man
9: Roy Waller – Matchstick Men
8: Terence McDonagh – Bad Lt.
7: Little Junior – Kiss of Death
6: The Kaufmans – Adaptation
5: Ben Sanderson – Leaving Las Vegas
4: Ronny Cammareri – Moonstruck
3: Peter Loew – Vampire’s Kiss.
2: Sailor Ripley – Wild at Heart.
1: H.I. McDonnaugh – Raising Arizona.
Mark if you haven’t seen the little gem Deadfall you must seek it out, Directed by Christopher Coppola, Nic’s brother. The Nu-Metal band from the 90’s, Snot, wrote their song “Deadfall” about this movie which featured one of Nic’s alltime greatest line readings from the movie. He’s in rare form in this one. Words do not do justice.
Interesting Dave. I have heard of it and have been tempted to check it out but the reviews were not kind and I took it to be a nepotistic project for Cage and his cousin. That’s why I avoided it in the end. I’ll take your recommendation onboard, though. Cheers buddy!
Oh Mark it IS terrible!… but its gotta be Cage’s most over the top performance ever… and that’s saying something.
Haha! That is saying something. I’d go with Vampires Kiss for that but now I really need to see this movie. It’s back on my radar Dave. Cheers man!!
Ha..ha.. I knew that as you’re a huge fan of the Coens you’d have Raising Arizona as #1. Man, I wish I had put that on my BlindSpot of the year but I’m definitely gonna try to catch that one. I’ve seen sooo many pics of him in Vampire’s Kiss, I have to see it just to see him w/ those ridiculous teeth! Thanks Mark.
Vampires Kiss is an absolute hoot, Ruth. Not the greatest film in the world but Cage is hilarious.
On the Coens note. Even though, I’m a massive fan, it still shouldn’t take away from Cage’s superb work. He really is something else that film. I noticed a comment earlier that recommends that the Coens work with Cage again. I totally agree. They are perfectly suited. By the way, it’s great to hear that Cage is doing good work again in Joe and great to see him get some love from fans once more. Let’s hope he’s finally settled that IRS bill of his and he can get back to proper work again!
Hey, Mark. Quite a few titles on there I haven’t seen. Those I have … I agree. He is great in all of them.
And if Joe (and to a lesser extent Frozen Ground) are any sign, he still is a fine actor.
I think that’s me sold on what my movie top 10 is going to be next week…
Hi Abbi, welcome to FC! So you mean you’re going to do a top 10 list or watch them? Either way, have fun! 😀
I’m going to do one 🙂
Very cool! Would you mind letting us know when you’re done w/ it? Curious which one (if any) from our lists would make yours.
No problem 🙂 I do top 10s on Monday so it’ll be up some time in the morning.
Awesome, would you send us the link? Thanks Abbi!
Of course 🙂
Here you go: http://wherethewildthingsare14.wordpress.com/2014/04/14/my-top-10-nicolas-cage-roles/
Looking forward to reading it, Abbi.
I’m not gonna choose 10 because I’m not all that familiar with his work, I’ve seen a lot of his movies but don’t remember them too well. All I will say is the reason that while I make fun of him but NEVER call him a bad actor is because of his work in Leaving Las Vegas. He has been in hilarious crap for years now but no bad actor could give a performance as amazing as his work there.
Amen, Sati. Cage is truly special in LLV.
I LOVE what you said here Sati. And though that is one role I have not seen yet (hopefully soon), I do agree he’s a capable actor and quite versatile, I think people give him crap because he sort of made himself an easy target. Just ’cause he made a string of bad role choices doesn’t automatically made them a bad actor.
Yeah, exactly! And at least his bad movies are hilarious – I mean Wicker Man is so astonishingly ridiculous I kinda believe those people who preach the word of Cage possessing amazing wisdom and all of that silliness in the film being intentional 🙂
I’ve only seen clips of Wicker Man and that famous bee scene. Seriously, not many actors could tackle such a scene, and I really think Cage is quite fearless as an actor.
You missed Wild at Heart!
Only because I haven’t seen it. 🙂
Neither have I Mark, but I hope to soon, I heard he was good in it.
He is good and the film is good but Willem Dafoe’s character will you give you nightmares. Just so repulsive.
Ahah, seems that Dafoe master repulsiveness very well so I totally believe you Sati!
I liked him in Leaving Las Vegas, Family Man (I don’t know why but I like this movie), City of Angels, and Face Off (even though the movie wasn’t great). Also his teeny tiny cameo in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, flippin burgers. 🙂
Family Man is a great film so props for liking that 🙂 I’ll look on Youtube to see that clip of Cage flippin’ burgers, ahah. Thanks and welcome to FC!
I thought I was the only person out there who liked Family Man. They always play it on Lifetime during the holidays (don’t laugh lol). Glad I found this site through JJames36!
Why thank you Josh for introducing us 😉 I love the story of The Family Man and both Cage & Cheadle were great, and so was Tea Leoni.
I have actually never seen Family Man, but if both of you like it . . . well there’s a good chance I will, too. I’ll check it out at some point.
And, Melissa, I’m glad you found the site, too. You are two of my favorite bloggers, so it seems only right that you ought to know one another. 🙂
Awesome thank you!!
1. Raising Arizona
2. Wild at Heart
3. Leaving Las Vegas
4. Matchstick Men
5. Adaptation
6. Kick-Ass
7. Peggy Sue Got Married
8. Moonstruck
9. It Could Happen to You
10. Guarding Tess
Those were the days when he was good. Yet, he did so awful shit like City of Angels (Wings of Desire was better and far more engaging and anyone who thinks City of Angels is better can go fuck themselves), Ghost Rider, and Con Air during that time. I hope Joe gets him back to making good movies again.
Joe is really good. 🙂
I rather like City of Angels, though. (Haven’t seen Wings of Desire.)
Go see Wings of Desire…. NOW!!!!
Hey hey, no need to use that kind of language here. Come on, every moviegoer is entitled to their opinion, we can’t agree on every single thing can’t we? And that’s part of the fun, it’d be boring if we always agree on everything. I hope we can have a civil discussion about films without having to resort to insult, ok Steven? 😀
JOE definitely proves he’s a good actor, always has been. And I happen to think his performance in Con Air is pretty darn good and the movie itself a heck of a lot of fun!
Sorry, it’s just that it was one of the first movies that I saw when I was in high school and thought….. “this is fucking crap”. I hate it. I really do. Then I saw Wings of Desire and realized everything the American version did took the guts and heart out of that film and made it into very sappy with one of the worst endings in film. Plus, it affirms my confirmation that Brad Silberling is a hack.
Ok I’ll check out Wings of Desire then 🙂
The original Wings of Desire by Wim Wenders is introspective and very European. It’s such a different movie. One’s an art house film and one’s a chick flick. They’re almost beyond comparison. Notably the B&W cinematography in the original film by Robby Muller is out of this world. He came up with Wim Wenders in Germany and later went on to work with Jim Jarmusch quite a bit. Criterion released a great version of this on Blu ray/DVD. Check it out Ruth.
I do love me some Nic Cage, and those are definitely some great picks from the both of you. Not sure if I could come up with a Top 10, but among my favorites off hand would include his roles in Con Air, The Rock, Kick-Ass, Adaptation, and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. Hell, I’m not afraid to admit that I love even his “crappy” movies, the guy is great no matter what. 😉
I don’t like Ghost Rider, really, but I agree Cage is never really bad, even in his bad movies. He is a very talented actor.
Yay, glad to hear it Chris! Nice to see we have a few in common. Sorry but Ghost Rider is really quite ghastly, ahah. I was actually in the Comic con panel of Ghost Rider 2 w/ Cage & Idris Elba in attendance and I still won’t bother seeing the sequel 🙂
WELL, I will go ahead and vote him in for Moonstruck while I didn’t care much for Cher, he was perfect. I love Raising Arizona, but wanted to give him a nod for this charming romantic comedy.
I even like Cher in Moonstruck, honestly. Like I said, Moonstruck is clearly a better movie than some of the movies that made my list, so I take no issue with anyone who votes it in. 🙂
Thrilled to see his performance in Joe in the top 5 of both lists, as I’m highly anticipating that film. I haven’t seen all of his acclaimed work, but here’s what I’d pick at the moment.
1. Leaving Las Vegas
2. Adaptation
3. The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call – New Orleans
4. Face/Off
5. Matchstick Men
6. Peggy Sue Got Married
7. Raising Arizona
8. Moonstruck
9. The Weather Man
10. Con Air
Quite a few similarities with our lists. Great to see!
And I can see why you have high hopes for Joe. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. 🙂
Hi Josh! JOE lives up to all the good buzz and hopefully Nic Cage continues this trend of picking good roles.
Yay, nice to see Face/Off on here, right on!! 😀
Well, the guy obviously have his charm but it didn’t stick too much to me 🙂 I love him the most in Adaptation 🙂
Because he’s great in Adaptation!
Have you seen some of his earlier (and most acclaimed) work?
This is like sifting through my bin to find the diamond necklace I accidentally dropped in it! But Cage used to make some good movies…
1. Bringing Out The Dead (far and away my favorite)
2. Adaptation
3. Leaving La Vegas
4. National Treasure
5. Matchstick Men
6. Honeymoon In Vegas
7. Face/Off
8. Raising Arizona
9. Snake Eyes
10. The Weather Man
Hey, Dan. A few movies on your list that I haven’t seen, but those I have . . . I agree, save Face/Off, which I really don’t like. 🙂
Great to see Bringing Out the Dead on your list, as well. I think it an underrated movie.
To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of any of his movies including Face/Off. That said, I do love Bringing Out The Dead but that’s Scorsese more than anything. He does, however, coax a great performance out of Cage.
Agreed that Scorcese owns Bringing Out the Dead’s success more than Cage.Though I do like Cage quite a bit more than you do – I think he has tended to pick really bad roles, but he selects something that showcases his talent (like Adaptation, or Raising Arizona, or Joe, or whatever), we see he has a whole lot of it.
Ahah, great analogy there Dan. I still need to see your #1 pick Bringing Out The Dead. I just realized he had two movies w/ Vegas in them, ahah.
I realized the Vegas thing while listing them too! He’s clearly a fan of the city since he loves making movies there! 🙂
No-one has mentioned Red Rock West above! He is brilliant in that.
I’d go for these as my favourite roles…
1. Wild At Heart
2. Red Rock West
3. Raising Arizona
4. Adaptation
5. Leaving Las Vegas
6. Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call – New Orleans
7. Kick Ass
8. Bringing Out The Dead
9. Birdy
10. Peggy Sue Got Married
I haven’t seen 1, 2, 6 or 9. Guess I have some catching up to do on Cage’s work. 🙂
I recommend all 4! Red Rock West is a real underappreciated modern noir, also starring Dennis Hopper, Lara Flynn Boyle and JT Walsh. I’ve been trying to find a copy for a while as I last saw it around 15 years ago and would love to see it again.
Well Netflix has it on dvd and there is a dvd out there with both Red Rock West and Adaptation for $7 on Amazon. Of course who buys dvd’s nowadays?
Not on Netflix in England, sadly, and can’t find the DVD here with correct region 😦
England… gotcha. It’s here in Region 2: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Rock-West-Nicolas-Cage/dp/B00004U0MH/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397329812&sr=8-1&keywords=red+rock+west
Actually, daveackackattack did put Red Rock West on his top 10 above 😉 I haven’t seen it but now I’m curious since a lot of ppl have mentioned it. I usually like modern noir and that’s quite a cast. Whatever happen to Lara Flynn Boyle I wonder.
Oops my mistake!! I recommend it though if you ever get a chance – here’s a recent review from Mark at Three Rows Back: http://threerowsback.com/2014/02/25/great-films-you-need-to-see-red-rock-west-1993/
Great picks by both of you! For me, my top Cage role will always be Ben Sanderson. He just slays me with that performance – I so love its pain. Loved your Charlie Lang pick too, I really adore that movie.
Charlie Lang is one of my favorite romantic comedy leads. It didn’t make my list, but It Could Happen to You is certainly a good movie.
And totally agreed on Sanderson. Wow is that performance good.
Wahoo Alex! Someone else who love Charlie Lang. I know lots of people dislike that movie but it’s just so sweet and I like the Capra-esque theme of that story.
Randy: All right, but when they attack the car, save the radio.
Charlie Bodell: Well, what’s the point of being a teenager if you can’t dress weird?
H.I.: Edwina’s insides were a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase.
Ronny Cammareri: Everything seems like nothing to me now, ’cause I want you in my bed. I don’t care if I burn in hell. I don’t care if you burn in hell. The past and the future is a joke to me now. I see that they’re nothing. I see they ain’t here. The only thing that’s here is you – and me.
Sailor: This is a snakeskin jacket! And for me it’s a symbol of my individuality, and my belief… in personal freedom.
Jack Singer: People get married and then they do the most hideous, unbelievable things to each other.
Doug Chesnic: Uh, Bobby, it’s a two for one thing so I suggest you go ahead and get both.
Stanley Goodspeed: How, in the name of Zeus’s butthole, did you get out of your cell?
Damon Macready: Good call, baby doll!
Milton: I never disrobe before gunplay.
All great quotes!
Awesome quotes Richard, thanks for sharing man. That ‘put the bunny back in the box’ line from Con Air is also quite memorable. Boy he’s got a bunch of great lines in his career hasn’t he?
‘Nicolas Cage losing his shit’ is my favourite thing on the internet. The whole. Damn. Internet.
I don’t know that I know it. But I will check it out. 🙂
There’s one above that’s posted already, here’s another one Josh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUltheRpJNw
Thanks. 🙂
Oh my gosh, Laura yes! It is so hilarious!
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It’s hard to pick his top ten roles. I think Face-Off is the quintessential one; both him and Travolta are amazing playing each other. It’s the type of action movie that carries the over-the-top 90s blockbuster vibe. And with all the action stars in Hollywood history, I don’t think it could be remade any better with other actors.
Family Man is another Cage fave; it’s a quaint updated It’s A Wonderful Life and a really sweet performance.
Hi Katy! Glad you’re a fan of Face/Off too! Yep I hope that won’t get remade, can’t imagine ’em topping that one, not just the acting but also John Woo’s style.
Yep, Family Man is definitely inspired by It’s A Wonderful Life, a modern Capra if you will.
I haven’t seen Family Man, though I will check it out eventually. Face/Off I didn’t like, but I probably owe it a re-watch (with which Ruth plans to help me).
I can’t share a top 10 because I don’t think I’ve watched 10 films with Cage, but I quite liked him in Kick-Ass and Moonstruck.
You should check out a lot of his 90s action flicks Fernando, well if you like that sort of thing 🙂 I think he’s great in drama/comedy/action, a pretty versatile guy!
I really want to see Adaptation, Face/Off and Raising Arizona.
There are some pretty big gaps in his work for me, so I probably couldn’t do a proper list, but I really liked him in Matchstick Men and in Kick Ass. There are some I really need to check out, Raising Arizona, for instance.
I think you’d like Raising Arizona a lot, Chris. Have you seen Leaving Las Vegas? (I don’t know that the movie can be called entertaining, really, but it is good. And Cage is . . . wow.)
Agreed on Kick Ass and the gaps in his body of work.
I haven’t watched much his movie…but I will go with you Ruth…him in Face Off was awesome
That seems to be the consensus. I never liked Face Off, but I’m in the minority, so much so that I owe it a re-watch (something with which Ruth will help me). I recommend checking out some more of movies. In my opinion, Cage is one of the more versatile actors in Hollywood.
I think he’s a good actor but I am not that awed by him. Haven’t found that moment where I can say he is versatile..yet.
Fair enough. Look out for JOE and let is know what you think when you’ve seen it. 🙂
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I *almost* always love me some Nic Cage 🙂 I probably can’t name Top 10 but off the top of my head, my Top 5, not in any order: Moonstruck, National Treasure, Face/Off, Raising Arizona and Kick-Ass!
Yet another vote for Face-Off. I appear to be one of very few people who dislikes that flick. 🙂
I haven’t watched it in like 15 years. I was pretty young back then. I don’t know how it’d hold up now but I remember it being decent. Maybe I’ll revisit it some time 😉
Ahah yeah you are Josh 😀
No mention of Matchstick Men or Lord of War? Oooorr The Rock and Gone in 60 Seconds? There’s so much classic Cage out there! Raising Arizona and Face/Off are up there in among my faves too.
I haven’t seen those two yet but I REALLY want to see Lord of War, hopefully soon. Glad to see you love Face/Off as well Jaina!
Lord of War is excellent. And has a fantastic opening title sequence.
Matchstick Men is very underrated. It’s a great film.
Sounds good. I really like the premise of that. Curious about Matchstick Men too now, thanks Jaina.
And it’s a Ridley Scott film!
Oh really? Which one, Matchstick Men? I generally like Scott’s films tho he seems to need to get his mojo back nowadays.
Yup! Not one people remember him for, but a good one for him, that’s for sure.
Ruth knows this already . . . . But that isn’t going to sell me. Never been a terribly big Ridley Scott fan. 🙂
Really? Well, his record is definitely a little sketchy. He’s done some fabulous things – Gladiator, Blade Runner. And then some bizarrely bad things like The Counselor and Kingdom of Heaven.
Yeah. And even the fabulous ones . . . I think flawed. Scott tends sacrifice character in favor of grandiose spectacle and intellectualism. Take Blade Runner. It is genius atmospherically and technically, but the characters barely make sense, and their relationships with each other are even less well developed. On balance, is Blade Runner a good film? Yes. But I don’t think it quite as perfect as many others. And it is probably my favorite Ridley Scott movie, at least of those I’ve seen.
Yes, he’s definitely a director who’s more interested over spectacle than getting in deep with the characters. Which is why Matchstick Men is one of his better films, because it’s not about the spectacle and he does it well there.
Interesting. That was a much better sales pitch – 🙂
I love when actors play against type. I love it even more when directors do it. Now I will give Matchstick Men a shot at some point.
Ha, that’s great! Happy I could convince you!
I haven’t seen either Matchstick Men or Lord of War, though I’m not necessarily opposed to seeing either. I have seen The Rock (good but not great) and Gone In 60 Seconds (not a fan). Also didn’t like Face/Off, but this list has taught me just how in the minority I am on that point. I’ll give it a rewatch just as soon as Ruth and I get together again, since she offered to lend it to me. 🙂
Face/Off is one of those films you can’t take seriously. Take it as it is. Action. Stupid one liners. More action. And Nicholas Cage having a good ol’ freak out every 5 seconds. What’s not to like? Haha
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the man is a legend: a weird legend, but a legend nonetheless. like christopher walken, he makes a lot of crap, but i wouldn’t want a world without him in it.
10.raising arizona
9. wild at heart
8. red rock west
7. honeymoon in vegas
6. the rock – face/off – con air
5. matchstick men
4. kiss of death
3. leaving las vegas
2. bad lieutenant port of call new orleans
1. adaptation
note: 1,2,3 are very close.