Catching Up With...Nicolas Cage

We watch five films we've never seen before from legendary actor Nicolas Cage

Right in the middle of a renaissance period of his career, Nicolas Cage is wonderfully chaotic and unpredictable, and that unpredictability is responsible for creating the fondness that follows his personality. As The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent hits cinemas, a film in which he literally plays himself, what better time to value and catch up on all those films we've missed in years gone by.

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Actor: Nicolas Cage

Age: 58

Breakout Film: Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Feature Film Credits: 105

Academy Award Nominations: 2

I want as much craziness from these films as possible. Nicolas Cage is famously such a zany personality on and off screen, and I just want as much as him as possible. As I'm sure is the same with most people of my generation my first knowledge of the actor was with National Treasure, and from there the films I've watched have only got stranger. I'll be picking out a Crazy Cage moment from each film...let's get watching! (Ellis)

FILM 1 - FACE/OFF

Prime/Disney+

First up is a Cage movie that are just can't believe I've never seen. And it did not disappoint. The opening feels like the climax it's so instantly intense, and there are good emotional callbacks and plot moments throughout. There's so much at play here; when you think about the fact that Cage is playing Castor Troy playing John Travolta playing Nicolas Cage. he doesn't;t have the essence of Travolta quite as well as Travolta has Cage, and the film does lose pace slightly in the middle act, but the film remains very fun. It's gritty and meaningful and keeps plausibility within itself. ★★★★

CRAZY CAGE - asking an air stewardess to suck on his tongue

FILM 2 - THE ROCK

Prime/Disney+

I didn't know what the hell was going on for most of this, and this is one example wherein the film isn't asking for Cage's zaniness. It's long and drawn out and includes moments of unrealistic comedy, but my word its worth it just for that sequence with the flares. ★★

CRAZY CAGE - "how in the name of Zeus' butthole did you get out of here?"

FILM 3 - MANDY

Rent/Buy

Weird and brutal and pretty nasty. Mandy is a film about grief and for once Nicolas Cage isn't the most bizarre part. I'm a big horror fan but this just didn't completely win me over for whatever reason. The first half is slow and drab, but as soon as the revenge plot kicks in it's rather exhilarating. There are some immense visuals in this too! ★★★

CRAZY CAGE - chainsaw duel

FILM 4 - CON-AIR

Prime/Disney+

The only place to start is with Nic's hair. What was he thinking? He's got long, luscious locks yet looks bald with a receding hairline that doesn't even belong in the 90's. When he's jumping in front of explosions and stuff my eyes are still ridiculously drawn to his hair style that is somehow magnificent but also a crime to cinema. ★★★

CRAZY CAGE - his hair

FILM 5 - ADAPTATION

Rent/Buy

It for whatever reason doesn't feel intelligent enough to be as pretentious as it comes across. I didn't love this one to be honest, the energy is weird and nothing seems to flow particularly well. Although Cage is good in both roles, he's not as charismatic as usual. ★★

CRAZY CAGE - 'Happy Together'

Although it's been fun catching up with these classics, I am a little bit Caged out...so now off to watch The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent and endure even more! Let's see if the real man with the golden guns can deliver an irreverent, crazy flick once again...

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent in cinemas from 22nd April 2022