Cage makes a pretty easy target. Whether it be his ridiculous ever changing hairpiece choices or his long list of craptastic films, he’s just an easy mark. With the release of the already critically panned Knowing this weekend I thought it might be a good time to remind you that Nic Cage didn’t always suck.



Example #1
Raising Arizona
This is the Coen Bros. second and probably still one of their best films. Cage’s Iconic performance as the babynapping H.I. McDunnough made this movie. It also features a great supporting cast that includes Randall “Tex”Cobb, John Goodman, William Forsythe, and of course his costar Holly Hunter. It’s an absolute must see if you haven’t already.



Example #2
Valley Girl
“Gag me with a spoon!” Martha Coolidge’s Valley Girl is one of the most underrated 80′s comedies around. Cage punks it up for his performance of the loud but ultimately sweet Randy who falls for a girl from the valley. Cage is hysterical this might be his best role ever. Great soundtrack too.



Example #3
Wild at Heart
Cage as Sailor Ripley in David Lynch’s Wild at Heart is nothing short of amazing. The story, about two young lovers Sailor and Lula who are on the run from a variety of seedy characters hired to kill Sailor by Lula’s mother, is completely ridiculous and 100% entertaining. If you’re a Lynch fan and haven’t seen this dig it up. The scene where Cage’s character crushes a guys skull with his bare hands during a fight might be one of the coolest scenes he’s ever done. Watch this movie!



Example #4
Red Rock West
John Dahl’s Noir Western about a drifter, Nicolas Cage, who takes advantage of being mistaken for a hitman is a reminder that Cage isn’t just good at being quirky. Cage’s low key performance sets the tone for a great thriller with solid supporting performances by Lara Flynn Boyle and Dennis Hopper. The movie didn’t get much in the way of a theatrical release but critical acclaim helped give it new life on home video when it was released. Highly recommended film.

There are four solid reasons not to hate Nic Cage. Check back tomorrow for the second half, and if you have Cage films you think might be worthy of this list feel free to leave them in the comments section below.