Just watched Wall Street(dvd). Last time I seen it was in the cinema in 1987. Seem to remember the theatrical version being better / different.
Wonder Boys - far and away my favorite of his Romancing the Stone The American President Falling Down
War of the Roses. Although I really enjoyed him in A Perfect Murder; his performance has a sort of subtly comedic edge to it that I like.
I love this movie and will watch it again these few days but need to ramp up my suspension of disbelief.
To put it another way, I just like to strap myself in and enjoy the mind-fukke of a ride the movie takes you on.
Tell you one thing, it ain't Romancing the Stone! Just watched it for the first time in 30-something years and boy it has not dated well... and I liked it back in the day...
Best acting: Wall Street Best Film: Basic Instinct - Not complaining about acting, just a better film, imo.
Wall Street is probably my favorite by him, but I also really liked Black Rain. He is one of those actors I don't necessarily think of when having to list best actors, yet I believe he is a fine actor.
I have what is perhaps a more informative question: What has he done after 2000 that is really good and worth seeking out?
Did he ever do a western film? If so I've never seen it. His Dad was the perfect cowboy western star back in the day ya know. Maybe that's the reason he didn't.
The first I saw was The Star Chamber and he's still great. But all the Michael Douglas movies are cool. And the TV series too (from The Streets of San Francisco to The Kominsky method)
Love Falling Down, The American President and Wonder Boys. I haven't seen Wall Street though. I think The American President was a great central performance, taking on a role that Robert Redford accepted then rejected for being "too political" (what did you expect Robert?). It was a dry run for The West Wing TV series. Apart from the actors in common between movie and TV show, it's a good lounge game spotting the pieces of set used in both, especially a a particular staircase. In the movie it's the one that Annette Benning and Michael Douglas descend on their way to meet the French Ambassador.
The Game I think maybe the best. Followed by A Perfect Murder and then a few others The Game A Perfect Murder Romancing the Stone Fatal Attraction Basic Instinct The War of the Roses Black Rain Falling Down Wall Street
So many great films in the 20th century. Funny, I remember him on Letterman. He was one of the first guests after 9/11. Dave said that he was voted most reliable actor to be in a good movie and Michael was honored to hear that. Unfortunately, he was there to promote "Don't Say A Word" which is fair at best and then most everything after that was worse.
I will go with Falling Down. Love that film. I loved The Game, but thought it was a bit too contrived at times, and the ending is way too contrived (even with suspending belief to a large degree), but still highly enjoyable. Basic Instinct is another favorite, and not just because of Sharon Stone.