Question: Can you think of an Oscar winner who gets more bad press these days than Nicolas Cage?
OK, with the exception of Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Cage’s recent film choices have been weak, to be kind. But the critical floodgates opened up in a big way once his latest film, “Knowing,” hit theaters.
Apparently, it’s one thing to make a string of clunkers, but to crank one out that dovetails with religion is another matter.
Just google “nicolas cage worst actor” and see what you get.
I’m here to defend Cage, not bury him.
I can’t put up much of a defense for “Ghost Rider,” and I haven’t dared to watch “The Wicker Man” or “Next.” But Cage earned a permanent Get Out of Jail card for his brilliant role in “Raising Arizona.” He also won me over with possibly the silliest “SNL” skit ever … “Tiny Elvis.”
I’m not proud of the fact that it makes me laugh … but it does.
Just wish I could post a video of Tiny E here. Can’t seem to find one anywhere across the Web.
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i have no love for nic cage haters. cage has made more good than bad films in his career. one of my favorites besides ‘raising arizona’ is one of his first roles in ‘Valley Girl’ and you can’t forget ‘Vampire’s Kiss’ and his performance in leaving las vegas was great and worthy of an oscar.
Halle Berry gets almost as much bad press as Nic Cage and Cuba.
I remember the Tiny E skit- it was pretty funny, even though they did drag it out way too long. But then, that’s kind of what SNL does.
Cage’s early career was fascinating — weird, unconventional and exciting. It’s one reason why his fans feel betrayed by more recent choices.
I really thought he was solid in “Knowing,” but other critics disagreed … to say the least.
I thought Cage was very good in Next. The Next story itself was fascinating and fun to think about; I honestly didn’t see the end coming until 30 seconds before it did, but I loved it.
I really can’t pinpoint just why so many people despise Nic Cage. It’s true that the man has made some terrible movies, but this is the star of “Raising Arizona” and “Adaptation,” for Pete’s sake. And who could forget his well-deserved Oscar for “Leaving Las Vegas?” I too wish he would ease back on the nimrod action roles, but the guy is a serious talent and has more than earned his spot in film history.
I blame the hair, James … it’s just odd at times. Makes him look a bit surreal. I just wish a quality director would pick up the phone and ring him up … Mr. Tarantino on line one?
I don’t mind him, but he always acts the same… in every film he is always Nick Cage. Kind of like Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt. As an audience, we know what we’re getting when we see movies starring these guys.
The first hour of “Next” is terrific and I loved “Ghost Rider,” though the third act was weak, however the “National Treasure” films are both great fun, HEAD and SHOULDERS above the last, wretched Indiana Jones film and “Temple of Doom.”
I don’t get Nic Cage, but “Ghost Rider” had a serious religious theme and the “Treasure” flicks are extremely patriotic and uplifting. Whatever his politics, this has a lot to do with why most critics hate him.
Jack Nicholson, DeNiro and Pacino can make one stinking piece of caca after another without this kind of talk.
Raising Arizona made me laugh out loud a lot. A++
Next was quite good B+
Ghostrider was quite good B+
National Treasure 1 was very good A
National Treasure 2 was decent B
I haven’t seen Knowing.
Oh, yes, the Ladyfaire thinks he’s cool too.
Mr. Nolte is probably right about the politics.
I’m hearing some decent praise for “Next” … maybe I shouldn’t have written it off so quickly based on the critical assault against it.
I’ve always liked Nicolas Cage, but if you want to see him at his very worst, watch Deadfall (I’ve just realized that I don’t own a single Francis Ford Coppola movie, but I own three by Christopher Coppola!). It’s a performance that will make you redefine bad.
I’m with you on this.
His recent choices are bad, but he’s been part of some great films. Wild At Heart is one of my favorites. And I thought he was great in Moonstruck.
Perhaps because it contains so many fun(ny) characters, one of my favorite Nic Cage movies is Con Air.
I don’t care what anybody else says. I dug Faceoff when it came out. It was entertaining at the time (c’mon! you know you watched it too!) Seems cheesy now but I still find it fun to watch on occasion. If there is going to be a continuing flow of unrealistic action flicks then Cage is one of my choices to be part of it.
He does seem comfortable in the action genre … and his appearance alone makes him a good choice. He doesn’t quite look like an action hero … that gives his performances a nice twist.
“Firebirds” was the absolute worst movie ever, due in part to Mr. Cage’s over-acting. And now I owe someone in my unit a beer for having mentioned the name of that abomination…but it needed to be said.
Loved “Raising Arizona” and the “National Treasure” movies though.