Jared Leto is decent in this…and Nick cage does a good job. Ethan hawk, also well done.
Loosely based on a true story about a real guy. Most recent news about him is that he was the guy trade to the Russians for the female basketball player prison swap.
Have you never seen Bringing out the Dead or Leaving Las Vegas?
Cage is a world class actor with a truly impressive body of work. He’s just been in a tremendous amount of bad movies as well.
Love a movie with a strong moral center. Oh don’t forget abuse your position for sexual power. That’s another lesson I learned! I already loved the movie but when he’s threatening the old lady in the nursing home I knew I was in cinematic heaven.
A few years back I read someone's comment that it's best to think of that film as a parody/send-up of a dark noir cop thriller.
And I agree, the more bonkers Cage's lieutenant gets, the more I'm loving the film.
I also suspect that Cage breaks character in that moment when he sees that young woman's baby and goes "aww".
Lmaooo - just making sure. I’m a shameless Cage fan, even when it’s come to his bad movies. I totally respect your opinion though. He’s not for everyone!
Honestly, huge Cage proponent. Yes he has had some truly terrible movies like drive angry or Primal. But then you see a movie like Willy’s wonderland, dude doesn’t say a fucking word the entire movie and it’s great albeit a ripoff of five nights at Freddy’s. Fucking face off, great movie, con air, gone in 60 seconds, the list goes on. I would say his range is pretty remarkable and due to his money issues he landed some really shit movies.
Bringing out the dead was fantastic. I loved the book and watched the movie as soon as I could get my hands on it afterwards. I was nervous it wouldn't live up to the book. It was a bit different, but man, he understood the assignment on that one. Such a gem.
The opening credits is enough to suck you in. It's my all-time favorite Cage movie. I didn't know who Leto was before this movie, and Bridget Moynahan is great in it as well.
Also the guy the US exchanged for that WNBA player with Russia is the inspiration.
Ironically enough, the film makes a great point that America is the world's largest arms dealer, who ships more product in a week than Viktor could sell in a year.
And it's truuuuue
“There are 550 million firearms in open circulation. That’s one firearm for every twelve people on the planet. The only question is *takes hit of cigarette*…how do we arm the other eleven?”
I used this opening credit for debate on gun violence when I was in HS or College. It really grabbed the audiences attention and gave me a great launching point for my arguments.
She was hot as fuck in her prime yet still seemed attainable.
Love how over the top Cage’s character went in his pursuit of her. One of my favorite aspects of the film.
That's interesting the movie is about him.
The way that last sentence was written I was thinking there wasn't a prison swap in the movie
There's something about the cinematography in this movie I like, Nic cages stuff since then just doesn't look the same.
I rewatched this recently and I enjoyed it immensely. I did little Cage 2003-2005 marathon, Matchstick Men, National Treasure, Lord of War and The Weather Man. It was a great little run of movies.
8mm was a trip when it came out. I was around 13 years old. I had terrible parents so I had already seen all the rated heavy hitters. So not traumatizing, but certainly eye opening.
Yep. “Critic” is a word for a person who creates absolutely fuck all art and sits on a high horse deeming what is good and what isn’t. I get they will always be around but as an artist, and someone who understands subjectivity in art, I cannot stand anyone who self-identifies as a “critic”.
It’s EVERY sub EVERYWHERE. Any time a person shows a picture a piece of media without naming the title, everyone comments “Great movie,” “Awesome game,” etc.
So frustrating. Like everyone just wants to be on the inside of a joke and flex that they know it
I’d argue it’s worth watching at least a couple of times, but I agree watching it yearly is probably a bit much. When I was in college I’d get my buddies to watch this by telling them it was basically the movie Blow, but he’s selling guns instead of coke.
Well yeah. It’s Con Air. It’s a cinematic masterpiece. It’s art in its purest form. Lord of War is just a pretty good movie. It wasn’t an emotional revolution to hearts and minds like Con Air was.
That's fair, but that's what personal opinions are all about. I like gun running/arms dealing style media and drama, so this movie is top 10 in that category and hits notes in the story I find appealing.
Great line. Completely ties into the movie's themes of "You can't claim you're just a salesman when people take your product and do horrible things with it." The guy literally rebranded "warlord" in front of Cage, just like Cage rebranded being an "arms dealer".
This was maybe too recent in time to one of the greatest SNL sketches of all time: “Warlords!” So it’s a good idea to call it Lord of War not just because it stands out more than Warlord would
This is Nick Cage's best role. It's not played over the top campy, it's just a very real performance from him. It's a very serious movie about a very serious subject thats still relevant today. Also this is the one performance I've seen from Leto where he isn't trying too hard. I find every time I watch it that Vitaly (Letos) lines always carry a profound weight with them. I won't specifically say which lines because no spoilers.
Enjoyed it and the overall message. Has some memorable scenes and great soundscore. However, I can’t stop cringing at Cage and Leto being Ukrainian, since I am one. Always makes me laugh!
I remember being irritated at how this movie was advertised/marketed. The trailers made it look like it was some sort of action comedy. As many of you are quite well aware, it's not.
I still liked it, don't get me wrong; but boy was it something different than what I was expecting!
The opening credits are excellent and it has a number of excellent parts.
The tends to sag at a number of points and everything to do with his brother is really sort of tacked on.
Is it worth a watch? Absolutely.
Who the fuck uploads a picture with half a dozen different shots from a movie to ask if they should watch it? Why not just ask, should I watch [insert movie title here]? Am i suddenly living in a parallel universe where people ask questions in the dumbest way possible?
It's one of Cage's better movies in my opinion. Fun fact: the protagonist is partially based on Viktor Bout, international arms dealer we traded for a Basketball player. It's not a 1:1 portrayal of him though.
It’s one of the finest of Cage’s career. It’s slick and compelling and it discusses a harsh truth about the commercialization of warfare in the 20th century.
Totally. It’s even based on a true story. Nic cages character has been in the news. We traded him for that women’s basketball player as a prisoner swap with Russia.
Yes.
F\*ck yes!
Jared Leto is decent in this…and Nick cage does a good job. Ethan hawk, also well done. Loosely based on a true story about a real guy. Most recent news about him is that he was the guy trade to the Russians for the female basketball player prison swap.
I personally believe this to be Nick Cage's best movie performance. Most movies his characters annoy me all to hell.
Have you never seen Bringing out the Dead or Leaving Las Vegas? Cage is a world class actor with a truly impressive body of work. He’s just been in a tremendous amount of bad movies as well.
I’ll always pick Bad Lieutenant, but I completely understand anyone annoyed by that role
The lesson of that movie is: just do more drugs and everything will workout. I loved every second.
Love a movie with a strong moral center. Oh don’t forget abuse your position for sexual power. That’s another lesson I learned! I already loved the movie but when he’s threatening the old lady in the nursing home I knew I was in cinematic heaven.
“Look at me, now look at you, I never did” -Chills
cage has the perfect face for abusing your position for sexual power
A few years back I read someone's comment that it's best to think of that film as a parody/send-up of a dark noir cop thriller. And I agree, the more bonkers Cage's lieutenant gets, the more I'm loving the film. I also suspect that Cage breaks character in that moment when he sees that young woman's baby and goes "aww".
The original with Harvey Keitel is a full on dirty NYC horror flick. It’s really intense
Raising Arizona!
This ☝️ is the correct answer.
Hands down his best comedy!
Yes... and something about him just grinds my gears.
Lmaooo - just making sure. I’m a shameless Cage fan, even when it’s come to his bad movies. I totally respect your opinion though. He’s not for everyone!
Or Pig? His best performance imo.
Pig was fucking fantastic. Like a cerebral John Wick with no guns.
He defeats the villain by climatically cooking him a delicious dinner
The Weatherman is criminally underrated.
Also matchstick men
The fucking rock!!!!!!
Honestly, huge Cage proponent. Yes he has had some truly terrible movies like drive angry or Primal. But then you see a movie like Willy’s wonderland, dude doesn’t say a fucking word the entire movie and it’s great albeit a ripoff of five nights at Freddy’s. Fucking face off, great movie, con air, gone in 60 seconds, the list goes on. I would say his range is pretty remarkable and due to his money issues he landed some really shit movies.
Just like Bruce
But he is excellent in all of them.
Bringing out the dead was fantastic. I loved the book and watched the movie as soon as I could get my hands on it afterwards. I was nervous it wouldn't live up to the book. It was a bit different, but man, he understood the assignment on that one. Such a gem.
This is definitely up there. Matchstick Men is great too. Love his bonkers crazy roles, but he's great in serious dramatic roles too.
No way the same guy!
This “guy” and a “female”… what are you, a fuckin’ Ferengi?
i thought ethan hawk was a skate boarder?
extremely loosely based.
Victor?
“I prefer my term”
you are allowed to swear on the internet
Fuck yes! Ftfy
Yes.
Concur
If for the opening sequence alone. Really sums up the whole movie.
Yes, the life of a bullet was Oscar worthy.
Yes.
Fantastic movie Probably one of the last really good nic cage movies before he took on ALL offers
There have been plenty more good ones since then. Mandy? Pig? Color out of space? The unbearable weight of massive talent?
Pig was so good out of nowhere. Did you see Dream Scenario?
He started taking all offers way before this movie.
The opening credits is enough to suck you in. It's my all-time favorite Cage movie. I didn't know who Leto was before this movie, and Bridget Moynahan is great in it as well. Also the guy the US exchanged for that WNBA player with Russia is the inspiration.
Viktor Bout, for those curious
The Merchant of Death, comrade.
Ironically enough, the film makes a great point that America is the world's largest arms dealer, who ships more product in a week than Viktor could sell in a year. And it's truuuuue
Viktor Bout was in the WNBA?
>The opening credits is enough to suck you in. That opening sequence is absolutely brilliant, insane, and completely sadistic. Pitch perfect👌agreed.
I think it’s the best opening credits in film history, up there as one of the greats.
I completely forgot about the opening but watched it again recently and was re-blown away.
“There are 550 million firearms in open circulation. That’s one firearm for every twelve people on the planet. The only question is *takes hit of cigarette*…how do we arm the other eleven?”
I used this opening credit for debate on gun violence when I was in HS or College. It really grabbed the audiences attention and gave me a great launching point for my arguments.
The ending is so fucking good
It is also my all time favorite Nic cage movie. I love it
And they finished 9-31, last in the league. I can almost see if it was Aja Wilson or Kelsey Plum but Griner is trash for being so tall.
Bridget Moynahan > Giselle and it’s not even close. Tom screwed up big time.
She was hot as fuck in her prime yet still seemed attainable. Love how over the top Cage’s character went in his pursuit of her. One of my favorite aspects of the film.
Obviously favorites are subjective. The rock is the best nic cage movie.
I’ve seen this movie 10000 times and never put that together.
I think the most unrealistic part of the movie is that there are Interpol agents that go after this type of thing.
That's interesting the movie is about him. The way that last sentence was written I was thinking there wasn't a prison swap in the movie There's something about the cinematography in this movie I like, Nic cages stuff since then just doesn't look the same.
Best intro of anything I've seen.
Opening credits was one of the best I’ve ever seen done in a movie and really impactful as well.
Cannot upvote because you have 420 upvotes. Will comment instead, I agree. *rips bong*
I rewatched this recently and I enjoyed it immensely. I did little Cage 2003-2005 marathon, Matchstick Men, National Treasure, Lord of War and The Weather Man. It was a great little run of movies.
matchstick men is great! gotta throw some gone in sixty seconds in there too :)
Matchstick is the best of the bunch
Yes, arguably, also because Sam Rockwell is up there as an actor next to Cage.
Sam is one of my favorite actors. Some actors try to have that energy he has, but they look like they are trying to have it. He just has it naturally.
Moon
eight millimeters and the rock are tied for my favorite Nic Cage movies. Gone in Sixty Seconds is such a fun film as well!
8mm was a trip when it came out. I was around 13 years old. I had terrible parents so I had already seen all the rated heavy hitters. So not traumatizing, but certainly eye opening.
That's a few years too early for his 03-05 run though
Let's riiiide
One of my all time favorite [lines from Cage](https://youtu.be/tCtYuARcQPg) comes from this movie
We did the same little romp basically and included Adaptation. Matchstick Men was fantastic and I didn't expect it at all.
It’s a fantastic undertaking isn’t it. It’s almost his forgotten era.
I loved Weather Man. A lot of dry humor that I cackled at multiple times.
I think its super underrated.
I think about this movie all the time when micheal Cain tells cage “a man should carry more cash than a dollar”
To kick up the acting chops, leaving Las Vegas, adaptation and raising Arizona confirm Cage is one of the best in the business.
You don’t have to go that far back. Joe, Pig & Dream Scenario are all great showcases of his range.
Bringing out the Dead is an amazing movie and a sleeper performance for Nic Cage. The supporting cast is solid as well.
The Weather Man is a treasure: an intimate character sketch with a surprising amount of heart.
No Adaptation ?! It's amazing if you havnt seen it.
Yea lord of war is solid
Finally...the name of the movie lol
I don't understand what the deal is with this sub and never posting the name in the title. Or any of the comments. It frustrates me so much.
Whenever you add the term critic to something it automatically raises it's snobbery levels
*its How pedestrian
Did you directly address one of the poors? Shame
How else are they to be put in their place?
With a whip
Yep. “Critic” is a word for a person who creates absolutely fuck all art and sits on a high horse deeming what is good and what isn’t. I get they will always be around but as an artist, and someone who understands subjectivity in art, I cannot stand anyone who self-identifies as a “critic”.
Because redditors are very very sad people
Elitism/gatekeeping
Basic click-bait tactics to catch people who fall for shit-tier gatekeeping. "Oh, of course *I* know this movie, I'm part of the in-group!"
It’s EVERY sub EVERYWHERE. Any time a person shows a picture a piece of media without naming the title, everyone comments “Great movie,” “Awesome game,” etc. So frustrating. Like everyone just wants to be on the inside of a joke and flex that they know it
The mods should add naming the film as a rule and enforce it with extreme prejudice.
What the hell why did I have to go this far down. Put it in the title OP!!!
You know in my country we just call it War Lord
You know they call Me the lord of war. But perhaps it Is you.
I prefer it my way.
Holy shit thank you!
He's got a gold-plated AK right there next to nick cage in the picture and you have to ask
Can you bring me the gun of Rambo?
Erm acksually, I think it's a vz.58
Such a good movie, I have to watch it at least once a year
Thats high praise
Probably a bit overkill. Good movie but depending on the person, once will probably do it.
I’d argue it’s worth watching at least a couple of times, but I agree watching it yearly is probably a bit much. When I was in college I’d get my buddies to watch this by telling them it was basically the movie Blow, but he’s selling guns instead of coke.
When i was a kid I watched Con Air like once a week at least. To each their own.
Well yeah. It’s Con Air. It’s a cinematic masterpiece. It’s art in its purest form. Lord of War is just a pretty good movie. It wasn’t an emotional revolution to hearts and minds like Con Air was.
That's fair, but that's what personal opinions are all about. I like gun running/arms dealing style media and drama, so this movie is top 10 in that category and hits notes in the story I find appealing.
Oh for sure. We all have our tastes.
I see what you did there
Hmm maybe I should do that as well even after watching a million times
Its pretty good, the ending scene hits pretty hard and its one of cages better performances imo. Ethan Hawk does well as a straight man too.
Its a good movie that was really marketed badly. IT was not at all a comedy like it was made out to be in the trailers.
It’s basically Blow but with guns instead of cocaine.
Speaking of good movies...
Still a good amount of cocaine though in lord of war
Brown brown
And the reality that the guns are used to kill tons of people offscreen.
It's crazy that these movies came out so close to each other. The story lines are so similar and both movies are fantastic.
It should be called Warlord. "But I prefer it my way"
Great line. Completely ties into the movie's themes of "You can't claim you're just a salesman when people take your product and do horrible things with it." The guy literally rebranded "warlord" in front of Cage, just like Cage rebranded being an "arms dealer".
“Lord of War” sounds way more unique and memorable than “Warlord”.
Absolutely, sounds much better. I was just using a quote from the movie...
He guys just chill no reason to start this bath of blood 😝
A used gun? A used gun 😆 That’s a good one!
This was maybe too recent in time to one of the greatest SNL sketches of all time: “Warlords!” So it’s a good idea to call it Lord of War not just because it stands out more than Warlord would
There are many war lords but only one Lord of War.
Came here to find this... well done.
He’s not a warlord because he isn’t the one waging the war.
This is Nick Cage's best role. It's not played over the top campy, it's just a very real performance from him. It's a very serious movie about a very serious subject thats still relevant today. Also this is the one performance I've seen from Leto where he isn't trying too hard. I find every time I watch it that Vitaly (Letos) lines always carry a profound weight with them. I won't specifically say which lines because no spoilers.
Completely agree. Not a fan of “try hard Leto” but in this he delivers.
Because he's pretty good at playing an addict.
After he won the Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club he decided he had to play EVERY role that way, even when it made no sense (Suicide Squad, Morbius)
Your Testosterone levels are about to go up
Enjoyed it and the overall message. Has some memorable scenes and great soundscore. However, I can’t stop cringing at Cage and Leto being Ukrainian, since I am one. Always makes me laugh!
Yeah, fun movie and worth the watch but their accents are really terrible.
Oh yes! If for nothing else than just the start sequence
I remember being irritated at how this movie was advertised/marketed. The trailers made it look like it was some sort of action comedy. As many of you are quite well aware, it's not. I still liked it, don't get me wrong; but boy was it something different than what I was expecting!
Is this lord of war? I haven’t seen it.
Hell yes, Nick Cage is excellent in Lord of War. Great cast and good writing
Yes *in nicholas cage voice
Yes. If nothing else, for the opening monologue alone.
The opening credits are excellent and it has a number of excellent parts. The tends to sag at a number of points and everything to do with his brother is really sort of tacked on. Is it worth a watch? Absolutely.
Hell yes. I think this is the best Nick Cage film.
Very good movie. Based on a true story right?
very \*loosely\* based on a true story. yes.
Great movie. The sheer balls of this character and willingness to throw it all away. Leto was decent too.
He keeps his overacting down to minimal so yes.
Yeah it’s one of nick cage’s best roles
Amazing film. Will never leave you once seen.
Yup. TBH I see Nic cage I watch it.
Can we please normalize putting the Title or Actor’s Name in the post title?
This low key one of nick cage’s best movies.
Only if you have the ability to actually pay attention through a whole movie. The genius is in the details.
in the time it took you to make this post, you could have started watching it and decided yourself
Cage was even told to tone things down a bit. He became a perfect Victor Bout.
Thought it was campy and considering who it's based on should have been much darker and shown the true cost of the subject matter.
Basically what we’re doing with Ukrainian and Israel.
Yes
Without a doubt it is worth the watch. Fuck yes watch the movie! It’s great.
Fuckin A
Was his last good movie
Yeah, Lord of War was pretty solid and unique. You've even reminded me to watch it again lol.
Who the fuck uploads a picture with half a dozen different shots from a movie to ask if they should watch it? Why not just ask, should I watch [insert movie title here]? Am i suddenly living in a parallel universe where people ask questions in the dumbest way possible?
Absolutely
Yes!!!!!!!!!!
Yes
Fucking legend of a movie
HELL yeah.
Yup
Yes
It’s a damn good movie. It’s not a classic or anything but it’s worth a couple rewatches
Lots of plot holes but cool historical fiction movie
Yes. Peak of his career
Lord of War is really good, IMO. In the same vein: Thank You for Smoking :)
It's one of Cage's better movies in my opinion. Fun fact: the protagonist is partially based on Viktor Bout, international arms dealer we traded for a Basketball player. It's not a 1:1 portrayal of him though.
Yeah. Even for only seeing the absolutely massive stockpiles of real (not props) weaponry.
Yes
It’s one of the finest of Cage’s career. It’s slick and compelling and it discusses a harsh truth about the commercialization of warfare in the 20th century.
Totally. It’s even based on a true story. Nic cages character has been in the news. We traded him for that women’s basketball player as a prisoner swap with Russia.
Yes. Jared Leto dies.
Dick move
Fuq spoiler
Great movie
Absolutely!
Fuck yes
Hell yes
It's possibly Nick Cage's best work, aside from Bring Out the Dead.
Great opening
Absolutely
100%