Top 6 Movies
The concept is simple, everybody always asks about top 5 things, top 5 movies, songs, dinners, cities, sexual positions etc... But 5 can be a easy number to hit, 6 however, finding that extra 1 is difficult. So this blog will focus over time on finding the Top six Movies in any category, whether its top 6 movies based on comic books, set in a sky scraper or starred in by a particular actor/actress, we will find the top 6 movies of any type of all time.
Top 6 Movies of Tommy Lee Jones
We are starting with the legend that is Tommy Lee Jones, why? I caught sight of him in the clip for the new Bourne 5 movie and that got me thinking, this is an actor who gives a solid performance in every film he is in so what are his Top 6 Movies?
6. Space Cowboys
Tommy Lee Jones makes up part of an all-star cast led by Clint Eastwood bringing life the concept of dinosaurs in space. Part of an elite air-force team scheduled to take part in their first space mission which was cancelled due to the space operations being handed over to a civilian run organisation, that we all now know as NASA.The original mission is green lit 40 years later after a Russian satellite falls into a decaying orbit due to a faulty guidance system that was designed by Clint Eastwood's character many years before. Brilliant performances all around from Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner, Donald Sutherland, James Cromwell and William De Vane.
This definitely belongs on the list of Tommy Lee's Top 6.
5. Captain America - The First Avenger
If you haven't seen the first Captain America movie then why the hell not? Marvel done wonders with this film setting up a great introduction for shield and the larger MCU/Avengers universe, especially after the success of Iron Man and Thor.
It's safe to say there were a number of great performances in the film Chris Evans, Haley Atwell, Stanley Tucci to name but a few, but Tommy Lee Jones for me brings his usual solid presence to the film as the Colonel in charge of Cap. Great film, great performance.
4. Under Siege
Safe to say this was Tommy Lee's break out performance really putting him on the map. Tommy plays William Stranix part of a dissolved CIA wet team who aims to take over the Battleship Missouri, which unfortunately for him has on board former Seal Casey Ryback played by martial arts master Steven Segal. Although it's not hard to shine next to the acting talents of Segal, Tommy Lee portrays a likeable rogue, very clever, ruthless and a bit unhinged, just like the all the best ones.
3. US Marshals
This was Tommy Lee's second outing as Sam Gerard from the US Marshalls office, hunting the lethal Wesley Snipes accused of murdering two government agents. The character of Sam Gerard is an intelligent leader and investigator, hard and precise about carrying out tasks yet fair and thorough when it comes to understanding his fugitive. Normally movies portray government agents to be foolish or blind, Jones character is nothing of the sort, he is firm, organised and ruthless, but he is also not one to suffer fools.
Brilliant film and great furthering of the character.
2. The Fugitive
Who can deny that this is a great film? Dr Richard Kimble convicted for the murder of his wife, escapes custody after the bus carrying him to prison crashes. Deputy US Marshal Sam Gerard is brought in to track Kimble down. Very rarely in movies do you want the wrongly convicted man and the government agents tracking him to succeed, but the Fugitive did that for me. This wasn't the usual case of the bungling marshals letting the good doctor get away, this was intellect meets intellect and a bit of bravery thrown in.
Classic film and I defy anyone who would disagree with this. Jones puts in an astounding performance winning him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. It is impossible not to like Jones in this film.
1. Volcano
This is probably a surprise for most of you reading and may not instantly jump out as a classic film, but I have to admit this is a personal favourite of mine, if ever you wanted someone to take charge of an emergency you won't go far wrong with Michael Roark.
Unlike most disaster movies this film doesn't entirely focus upon saving one family, (see Dante's Peak and San Andreas) Volcano presents a scenario of a natural disaster that although cannot be stopped but can be controlled in order to save lives and reduce damage. Mike Roark with the help of meteorologist Amy Barnes (played by Anne Heche) works to save lives and stem the flow of the lava tide. This is an exhilarating thrill ride of a film, combining adventure, emotion and action. For me this is Tommy Lee Jones best outing to date.
Well that's my list, I have no doubt that there will be disagreements to this list, there are good films that have been missed, JFK, The Company Men Double Jeopardy and Rules of Engagement to name a few, but these are mine. If you have some other thoughts on the subject then please put them in the comments below.
See you next time :)
