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By Sean Boelman  Nicolas Cage has proven himself to be one of the most productive actors working in Hollywood today, cranking out at least four movies a year since 2015. Granted, many of these films are little more than schlocky B-movies, but that is exactly why his filmography is so intriguing. Cage has gained a massive cult following thanks to his enjoyably over-the-top performances and his unorthodox acting style. In 2019, Cage appeared in five films and lent his voice to the narration of one documentary. That documentary, Love, Antosha (a love letter to the late actor Anton Yelchin), is not included in this list. Instead, only his five narrative performances, all in straight-to-VOD thrillers, are ranked below. Cage is showing no sign of slowing down, and this year is quite possibly his weirdest one yet. (Note: the ratings below indicate evaluations of Cage’s performance, not the film as a whole.) 5. Running with the Devil Perhaps his most “normal” performance of the year is his turn in Running with the Devil, a crime thriller written and directed by Jason Cabell. In the film, Cage plays a high-level player in a drug operation that is sent down the line to figure out where the supply is being cut. The film as a whole isn’t very good because the mystery in the story is ruined in the first half hour, but this is also the only underwhelming Cage performance of the year. The actor is playing against type in this film as the straight man, his co-star Laurence Fishburne getting to play the more off-the-walls character. As a result, this film largely feels like a waste of Cage’s talents. Rating: 1/5 Stolen Constitutions 4. Kill Chain Cage’s performance in the action-thriller Kill Chain is also a lot more subdued than many of the others he has given in the past, although it is much better than his aforementioned turn in Running with the Devil. In this film, Cage plays a retired mob goon turned hotel owner who becomes wrapped up in a conflict. The story is convoluted, and it takes a long time for Cage’s character to throw himself in the mix, but once he does, Cage steals the screen. Ultimately, the performance is just about as forgettable as the film itself, but the role does have a few moments in which it allows Cage to let loose his craziness. Rating: 2/5 Children Kidnapped 3. A Score to Settle The revenge thriller A Score to Settle does allow Cage some room to get a bit weird, but he is held back at times by a generic script. The film follows Cage’s recently released ex-convict as he sets out to get revenge on those who imprisoned him wrongfully. Admittedly, Cage’s performance in this is pretty much the same one he has given in most of his recent B-movies, but that doesn’t keep it from being enjoyable. What stands out about this film is Cage’s chemistry with his co-star Noah Le Gros, who plays his son. It is very enjoyable to watch them chew the scenery together. Rating: 2.5/5 Hijacked Planes 2. Grand Isle With his turn in the erotic mystery-thriller Grand Isle, Cage delivers what is possibly the weirdest performance on this list. Here Cage portrays a homeowner with sinister intentions that lures a young man into his home to escape a hurricane. Cage is truly off the walls in this film, dialing into the lunacy of the script in an extremely entertaining way. The dialogue features a large amount of sexual innuendos, and Cage delivers them in a way that is often hilarious. With anyone else in Cage’s role, the film would have just been stupid, but Cage’s performance elevates the film to the lovably bonkers B-movie that it hopes to be. Rating: 3.5/5 Faces Off 1. Primal Undoubtedly Cage’s best performance of 2019 is his turn in Primal, an action-horror-thriller directed by Nick Powell. Cage’s character is a wildlife dealer who finds himself caught in a battle between the exotic animals he is transporting and a dangerous assassin who is being taken to trial on the same boat. The story doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but it’s absolutely bonkers in the way only a Nic Cage movie could be. Cage’s character is certainly pretty confusing, but it allows him to spit out one-liners and participate in some CGI-heavy action scenes for an hour and a half, so who’s complaining? This is exactly what fans want from a B-movie Nic Cage performance. Rating: 4/5 White Jags Fans need not worry, because Cage looks to be keeping at it for the new decade. In 2020 comes the release of Color Out of Space, an H.P. Lovecraft adaptation that received great reviews out of TIFF 2019, and six more movies in various stages of development. Even though 2019 was a bit all over the place for Cage, it offered a few memorable roles for him, and one can only hope that 2020 does the same!
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By disappointment media Staff  In the past ten years, film has come a long way. The last decade ended with a new king of the box office, a technical feat unlike any other that had come before, and now nostalgia rules the marquee, with series (and sagas) that have lasted for years and years bringing in the bucks. However, in the past decade, there have been some great films, and now is the time to look back at those stories and images which have stuck with us the most. The three writers at disappointment media compiled their individual lists of the top 50 films of the decade and compiled them to determine the website's list of the top ten films of the 2010's. Points were assigned for each position in reverse order (a #1 ranking earns 50 points, a #50 ranking earns 1 point, and so on), and the results were summated. Only three films were mentioned in the lists of all three writers, one of which (Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom) did not make the cut for the top ten. With that, it is time to reveal disappointment media's top films of the decade! 10 (tie). Blinded by the LightSean Boelman: 18th Camden Ferrell: 19th Dan Skip Allen: N/A  The only film from 2019 to make its way onto this list, Blinded by the Light may seem like a conventional coming-of-age tale on the surface, and to an extent, it is. But the film, based on Sarfraz Manzoor’s memoir Greetings from Bury Park is so much more than that. It’s also a love letter to the artistic process and how a writer can be inspired by the words of another. Even though Manzoor’s story is very much a product of the time and place in which it occurred (Thatcher’s England), the themes of the film resonate across the boundaries of time and race. What earns this film its spot on this list is the fact that it resonates so well with anyone who sees it. -Sean Boelman 10 (tie). NightcrawlerSean Boelman: 30th Camden Ferrell: N/A Dan Skip Allen: 7th  Louis Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) is not so nice of a man. He's downright nasty, like a rat. He uses his camcorder to video grizzly crashes and violent crimes in Los Angeles. When his work catches the eye of a news producer named Nina (Rene Russo), they become a big thing in news media. Jake Gyllenhaal gives the performance of his life as this loathsome human being. He's evil incarnate. He makes everyone he encounters hate him from the moment he comes on screen. This film is an eye opening look at the cutthroat world of news media. Dan Gilroy, the director, really captures this underbelly of society. It's such an ugly look at what people will go through to get the "money shot". -Dan Skip Allen 9. Baby DriverSean Boelman: 4th Camden Ferrell: N/A Dan Skip Allen: 24th  Although it may not be as prestige-driven as the rest of the films on this list, Baby Driver is one of the most entertaining popcorn flicks of the decade, and it is all thanks to Edgar Wright’s excellent direction and witty script. A deconstruction of the heist genre that is simultaneously an extremely compelling romance, this film moves along at a pace that could only be described as breakneck (and even that is being a bit light), but it keeps the audience’s eyes locked on the screen from start to finish. And with the film’s killer soundtrack, one can’t help but get wrapped up in the energy of this film. -Sean Boelman 8. 12 Years a SlaveSean Boelman: N/A Camden Ferrell: 24th Dan Skip Allen: 1st  12 Years a Slave shows the real world of slavery like no other film or TV show before it. The vulgar language, blood and violence are at the forefront of this film. Steve McQueen, the director, doesn't hold back. Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, and Paul Giamatti all give performance that help give this film its credibility. It has an authenticity like no other film before it. These add to why 12 Years a Slave is one of the best films of the decade. It won Best Picture at the 2014 Academy Awards and Lupita Nyong'o won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. -Dan Skip Allen 7. MoonlightSean Boelman: N/A Camden Ferrell: 16th Dan Skip Allen: 6th  Moonlight is a profound exploration of one man’s life and his struggles with identity. Told in three distinct parts, this is a film that packs an emotional punch with each successive scene. This film is a cinematic act of empathy that will speak volumes for years to come. It’s such an emotional and poignant story about growing up, and it features some of the most powerful scenes of the decade. Barry Jenkins has carved himself a piece of cinematic history with this touching story that is a resonant journey for those who watch it. -Camden Ferrell 6. WhiplashSean Boelman: 5th Camden Ferrell: N/A Dan Skip Allen: 9th  Writer-director Damien Chazelle’s big break before he would go on to direct one of the most beloved films of the decade (which is also on this list), Whiplash is also a relative masterpiece, thanks to wonderful editing and some excellent performances. Miles Teller is great as an obsessive musician who is unflinching in his pursuit of greatness, but it is J.K. Simmons who steals the show with his Academy Award-nominated performance as the professor who is a bit too… aggressive with his style of teaching. This film truly is one of the most stressful of all time, and it earns its spot among these great films. -Sean Boelman 5. BoyhoodSean Boelman: N/A Camden Ferrell: 9th Dan Skip Allen: 2nd  Boyhood is about the lives of four people told through vignettes over a 12 year span. Mason (Ellar Coltrane), Samantha (Lorelei Linklater), Olivia (Patricia Arquette), and Dad (Ethan Hawke) are an everyday normal family that goes through ups and downs like anyone else. They experience love, hate and happiness throughout their lives. At first glance this film seems like any other, but it's not. Trying to get all of these people together for two weeks each year for twelve years is a feat unheard of before. It could have failed miserably, but it didn't. Linklater made everyday normal things fascinating because of the style he used to make this movie. Patricia Arquette won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the picture and director Richard Linklater were both nominated as well. -Dan Skip Allen 4. The LobsterSean Boelman: 6th Camden Ferrell: 1st Dan Skip Allen: N/A  Never has a movie tackled dating culture and 21st century romance in such a wickedly funny way as 2015’s The Lobster. From writer/director Yorgos Lanthimos, this is a highly original and memorable film that is thematically profound and emotionally resonant. Featuring astounding performances from Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz among others, this movie balances its pitch-black humor with some genuinely disturbing and tense scenes that creates such a captivating cinematic experience. This movie is filled to the brim with biting wit and layered beauty that make this a film worth visiting for years to come. -Camden Ferrell 3. La La LandSean Boelman: 1st Camden Ferrell: N/A Dan Skip Allen: 5th  Both one of the best romance films of all time and one of the greatest movie musicals ever made, Damien Chazelle’s La La Land is absolutely deserving of its spot on this list. Of course, Chazelle’s brilliant writing and directing goes a long way, as does the charm of its stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, but the real standout here is the music by Justin Hurwitz and Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. “Another Day of Sun” is an amazing and musically complex song, and “City of Stars” is a common tune to get stuck in one’s head. Plus, this is the only film to have temporarily held the title of Best Picture, only for it to get taken away! -Sean Boelman 2. The Social NetworkSean Boelman: 20th Camden Ferrell: 7th Dan Skip Allen: 21st  2010’s The Social Network is one of the most essential films of the decade. Featuring some stand out performances from its cast with steady and meticulous direction from David Fincher, this movie is a fascinating look at the creation of Facebook. Aaron Sorkin’s script may be one of the finest screenplays ever written, and it makes the film as enjoyable as it is. Even though it’s from the beginning of the decade, this movie continues to be timely. It’s a film that speaks across generations, and it’s a vital story about one man’s creation that changed our world forever. -Camden Ferrell 1. The Grand Budapest HotelSean Boelman: 9th Camden Ferrell: 2nd Dan Skip Allen: 3rd  It comes as no surprise that Wes Anderson’s 2014 masterpiece The Grand Budapest Hotel came in at the top spot on disappointment media’s best films of the decade list. All three of us ranked the film extremely high on our lists, which only goes to show how wonderful and agreeable this film truly is. Thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end, this is perhaps the single most rewatchable film to come out this decade. However, it is Anderson’s quirky visual style that often steals the scene here, the vibrant pastels of the film popping off the screen at every available chance. In the fictional country of Zubrowka, the eponymous hotel represented the last glimmer of brightness. The Grand Budapest Hotel is proof that there is still light shining in cinema. -Sean Boelman Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel is a masterpiece that is a testament to his abilities as a storyteller and stands as one of the decade’s finest achievements. Ralph Fiennes gives one of the greatest performances in history as the film’s protagonist, and Anderson’s signature style continues to be immaculate and visually poetic. The writing is clever and witty, and his execution is highly energetic and fast-paced. It achieves level of comedy and action that were previously unseen in his films, and it feels like this is a culmination of every strength he has as a filmmaker. -Camden Ferrell M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) is the concierge at The Grand Budapest Hotel, a ski resort in the Swiss Alps. When he is accused of murder he is thrown in prison, but this is only the beginning of the adventure. Throughout the film many different colorful characters are introduced portrayed by a myriad of Hollywood's finest actors: Zero (Tony Revelori) is the lobby boy and Gustave H's right hand man, Tilda Swinton portrays an heiress, Adrien Brody her son, Willem Dafoe a hit man, and Saoirse Ronan a baker's assistant and love interest of Zero. All these actors and more lend their talent to this ensemble. The list goes on and on and that's just one of the things that makes this film so great. Wes Anderson has a unique quality of involving beautiful colors to his films. The hotel he chose to film in is beautiful as well. The color palette chosen by Wes Anderson is sublime and the production value is first rate. All the scenes have a flavor only he could create. This film is a masterpiece of filmmaking by any standards. -Dan Skip Allen What are your favorite films of the decade? Did we have any glaring omissions? Let us know!
By disappointment media Staff Sean Boelman's Pick: Aisling Franciosi, The Nightingale Aisling Franciosi as “Clare” in Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale. Courtesy of IFC Films. An IFC Films release. Although her performance is unlikely to receive much awards attention due to its genre roots, Aisling Franciosi’s performance in The Nightingale is undeniably one of the year’s best. The amount of subtlety and nuance she brings to the role, even despite the extremely dark subject matter which the film is addressing, never ceases to impress. It couldn’t have been easy for her to pull off some of the film’s intense scenes in a way that feels entirely believable and honest. The film is certainly hard-to-stomach at times, and Franciosi’s performance is one of the main reasons why it packs such a punch. Her chemistry with co-star Baykali Ganambarr is also excellent, creating some of the film’s best moments. Since there have been plenty of notable big performances this year, Franciosi’s quiet one stands out. Camden Ferrell's Pick: Lupita Nyong'o, Us Lupita Nyong’o delivers one of the best horror performances of all time in Us. This film follows a family as an uprising of doppelgängers threatens their existence. Nyong’o has the task of playing two roles as the matriarch of the respective families. As the regular mother, she is a gripping protagonist who plays fear and concern masterfully. However, her real achievement is as her doppelgänger. She is incredibly haunting and frightening in this role. Without even being a physical threat, she can incite fear with only a monologue. She plays the role in a calculated yet unpredictable way that makes this movie so enjoyable. It’s a horror performance that doesn’t rely on cheap thrills and incessant screams, but it’s one that employs all of her facilities as an actress to create an environment of fear. Her dual performance is impressive, and it is the best performance by a lead actress in 2019. Dan Skip Allen's Pick: Charlize Theron, Bombshell Charlize Theron as ‘Megyn Kelly’ and Liv Hewson as ‘Lily Balin’ in BOMBSHELL. Photo Credit: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle SMPSP. Theron has won an Academy award in her past as Ilene Wuornos in Monster. I feel like she is overdue for her second Academy Award. Theron gives a great performance as Megyn Kelly, the Fox News anchor. She's stuck in the middle between her boss Roger Ailes and the women who have been sexually harnessed by him. She fights with herself because she believes in Fox but she has her own dark secret as well. She acts in an ensemble with two other great actresses of our time: Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman. These three are all terrific, but Theron rises to the top of the Best Actress race. She is so mesmerizing and disappears into the role of this woman who is stuck between her loyalty and what is right. What are your favorite performances of 2019? Let us know!
By disappointment media Staff Sean Boelman's Pick: Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems Adam Sandler. Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes. In what is one of the most surprising turns of the year, Adam Sandler gives a career-best performance as jeweler and compulsive gambler Howard in the Safdie Brothers’ Uncut Gems. Although the film as a whole is admittedly a bit rough around the edges, Sandler’s performance is the thing that makes the film work. This film went through multiple phases, many of which would have had someone other than Sandler in the lead role, and it is likely that the film wouldn’t have worked nearly as well. This role allows Sandler to have quite a bit of nuance, with some scenes tapping into his potential to be very subtle. However, for much of the film, it is Sandler’s charismatic (yet also anxiety-inducing) personality that comes through, causing the film to be the emotional rollercoaster that it is. Camden Ferrell's Pick: Adam Driver, Marriage Story Divorce is a topic that is explored often in film but rarely as captivating as 2019’s Marriage Story. This is mostly due to the phenomenal lead performance from Adam Driver. We see his character going through a strenuous and expensive divorce with his wife all while trying to juggle his job as a theater director and continue being a parent to his 8-year-old son. His role is a complicated role to nail, and he does it perfectly. He remarkably portrays the reality of divorce and the toll it takes on those involved. Despite the rather serious nature of the film, his performance is still filled with moments of laughter, awkwardness, and joy. He balances this with his painful scenes of frustration and vulnerability. He has fantastic chemistry with Scarlett Johansson, and it all feels extremely real. His performance is a resonant one that will speak to many people in a way only Driver could, and it’s the best leading performance by an actor of 2019. Dan Skip Allen's Pick: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker JOAQUIN PHOENIX as Joker in Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and BRON Creative’s “JOKER,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Niko Tavernise. Joaquin Phoenix gives the performance of his career as a damaged and deranged man in this film. Arthur Fleck is made fun of, manipulated, and embarrassed throughout the film, leading him to become what we all fear, the worst part of who we are. Phoenix embodies the worst possible outcome of people who are broken inside. The emotion he brings to the forefront can be seen as real and legitimate. Phoenix deserves to win his first Academy Award for Best Actor. He's been overlooked in years past, but not this year. He clearly gives the best performance of the year as Arthur Fleck aka Joker. What are your favorite performances of 2019? Let us know!
By disappointment media Staff Sean Boelman's Pick: Zhao Shuzhen, The Farewell Zhao Shuzhen’s performance in Lulu Wang’s The Farewell is not only the best supporting actress performance of the year, but also one of the best turns of the year as a whole. As the unknowingly terminally ill grandmother of the protagonist, Shuzhen brings a great deal of restraint to her character. In a film with a lead actress more known for her comedic tendencies, Shuzhen still ends up stealing the spotlight with her excellent comedic timing. Because her delivery is so effective, Awkwafina is able to give an (also wonderful) dramatic performance with a greater emphasis on the character’s emotions. The chemistry between Awkwafina and Shuzhen is also excellent, which is ultimately a very large part of the film’s success. It truly is difficult to resist the charm of Shuzhen’s Nai Nai. Camden Ferrell's Pick: Taylor Russell, Waves In Waves, Taylor Russell delivers an incredibly complex and mature performance. Playing the daughter of a Floridian family going through a crisis, she utilizes her screen time to give a harrowing and affecting portrayal of recovery. She captures pain and vulnerability in a way that was seen seldom to never this year in film. She juggles all of these complex themes while also carrying a sweet and emotional coming of age story in the latter half of the film. Her chemistry with the rest of the cast including her father (played by Sterling K. Brown) is impeccable, and their relationships feel very fleshed out. Her performance is incredibly deep and intricate, and it’s one that warrants repeat viewings. With the best performance by a supporting actress this year, Russell proves that she is one of the best young actors working today. Dan Skip Allen's Pick: Laura Dern, Marriage Story (and Little Women) In Marriage Story, Laura Dern portrays Nora Fanshaw. This cunning, cutthroat divorce lawyer commands every scene she's in. When Johansson's character isn't all in on the divorce, Fanshaw just decides for her what she needs. Acting opposite Alan Alda and Ray Liotta as the other lawyers in the film, she holds her own and imposes her will on these guys. Baumbach takes a lot from his own life when writing and directing films. I could tell he had experienced divorce in his life at some point. These characters were spot on and, Dern's performance as Fanshaw was the best in the movie. Dern is also in Greta Gerwig's Little Women. She portrays Marmee March, the mother of four young women coming into their own. She has a lot to deal with involving a tragedy and her husband going off to war in the Civil War. Little Women has an incredible cast. Dern could have been lost in this terrific cast but she isn't. She holds her own with the likes of Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, and others. She really has to go the gamut of emotions with everything she has going on with her family. Dern is terrific in Little Women as well as Marriage Story, but if she gets a nom it'll be for Marriage Story. What are your favorite performances of 2019? Let us know!
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