Tuesday, June 5, 2012

(30) Stars of Summer - Day 5: Nicolas Cage

Yes.

Anyone complaining about not having something great to watch today just isn't trying. But just in case you need some ideas, here you go.

As always, here are the rules. If you need help finding a movie to watch, check out this list of all the month's actors with links to what's available on Netflix Instant. And if you're not a Netflix subscriber, maybe this will help.



Day 1: Jimmy Stewart
Day 2: Catherine Deneuve
Day 3: Christopher Lee
Day 4: Bette Davis

12 comments:

  1. The most recent Nicolas Cage film I had watched a few months ago was a little movie from 1993 called "Deadfall". This is an awful flick, yet Cage completely stole the show playing an over-the-top assistant until his character gets killed off early on. Directed by his brother Christopher.

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    1. I was just talking about Deadfall with JB. I don't know that there exists a more ridiculous Nicolas Cage performance, and that's saying something. I have to believe no one actually saw the movie; I don't think he would have been hired again if they had.

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  2. Season of the Witch (2011) Well, this was a surprise. This is a bad movie, no doubt. Horrible CG, awful script and directing. It's just not as horrendous as its reputation suggests. Part of it is that Ron Perlman is as always entertaining and also that I like the ideas the movie suggests, it just can't execute them that well. More of a rental for group viewing. (Bonus Christopher Lee cameo, obviously doing a favor)

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  3. Snake Eyes (1998)

    Cage's over-the-top performance makes a good match with Brian de Palma's over-the-top direction. It opens with a terrific 10-minute continuous shot (although I suspect that some cuts were concealed in a few whip pans), leading up to an assassination. This conspiracy thriller is so good for so long, it's really a shame that everything falls apart in the last half-hour. Still, you have to admire any movie that has the balls to literally show "blood money."

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    1. Little known fact. Cage's character, Rick Santoro, was based on Pennsylvania senator and future presidential hopeful Rick Santorum.

      But really, I love that ridiculous and spectacular movie. That opening shot is so ostentatious, basically a microcosm of the whole picture. It's like "I DEMAND YOUR ATTENTION, NOW. WHO CARES IF I ACTUALLY DESERVE IT?"

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  4. PEGGY SUE GOT MARRIED (1986)

    Had only read about it, but to actually see/hear Cage doing his character as Pokey from the "Gumby" shorts (R.I.P. Dick Beals) is whack; clearly young Nic only got away with it because he was in his uncle's movie. "Peggy Sue" is surprisingly warm and pleasant (and a money-maker, a rarity for an 80's Zoetrope picture), the only time Coppola did 'light' where he didn't take himself too seriously ("One From The Heart," 'Life w/Zoƫ' segment in "New York Stories") or he hadn't totally lost it ("Jack"). Turner does comedic weakling vulnerable rather well for someone known for strong female roles; her performance, the soundtrack and the production values (a dry run for "Tucker"?) stand out. Helen Hunt is miscast though (way too young) and, even in a supporting role, Jim Carrey is annoying.

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  5. SEASON OF THE WITCH. Hey, I actually liked this. It's goofy B-movie fun, and isn't afraid to have a sense of humor. The Evil Dead movies were clearly an influence.

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  6. Like Vargas, I too watch Peggy Sue Got Married. Man, I thought my cold, cynical tin box of a heart was immune to these sorts of charms. I had a great time. Is there a single actor in this movie who is not having the time of his or her life? There's this totally sincere optimism that hangs over almost every frame. I forgive the missteps the movie takes because it is having SO MUCH FUN taking them.

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  7. The Wicker Man

    A lot of fuss has been made over Nic Cage's over-the-top-of-the-top's-top performance in this one, but I don't imagine I'd be any calmer if NO NO NOT THE BEES NOTTHEBEES were being poured onto my head. That being said, in the original Edward Woodward conveyed more about his character with his posture than Cage managed with every bit of his shouty mega-acting.

    Performances aside, this was as truly awful as you've heard. The mounting dread of the original is replaced with wooden dialogue, empty characters, and sheer pointlessness. Bonus points for kicking Leelee Sobieski in the face, though.

    At least it gave me another reason to appreciate how good the original was.

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  8. Always love to see the Cage Rage. One that stood out for me recently was his performance in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans where Sir Nicolas takes on the role of a drug addicted police detective. Also if anyone hasn't seen it, Drive Angry was pretty insane. Loved it. And finally watched 2006 remake of The Wicker Man. Starts out okay but the ending is so over the top. I had a blast!

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  9. Season of the Witch (2011) - I wanted to watch something different from everyone else, but I've actually seen almost every Nic Cage movie. Flat direction, bad effects, disinterested Nicolas Cage performance. Gets better the longer it goes and the more it gets into silly supernatural nonsense. Oh well.

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  10. Adaptation. (2002) - It's been a while since I've seen it, and it's still pretty great. Two excellent Nic Cage performances. And Judy Greer's boobs.

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