Zack Snyder's Justice League boasts a highly-acclaimed star-studded ensemble, many of whom have established a fanbase beyond their pursuits with DC Extended Universe. While actors like Ray Fisher (Cyborg), Jason Momoa (Aquaman), and Ciaran Hinds (Steppenwolf) might be more popular with their TV roles, leads, like Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), and supporting actors, like JK Simmons (Jim Gordon), have tasted cinematic success before.
A few cast members, like Ben Affleck (Batman) and Willem Dafoe (Nuidis Vulko), have even been associated with other non-DC superhero films, like Daredevil and Spider-Man respectively. The aforementioned Simmons and Joe Manganiello (Deathstroke) have also had side roles in the latter.
10 Braven (2018) - 5.9
Braven unites Stephen Lang and Jason Momoa as a father-son duo who must fight off drug traffickers while being trapped in a cabin amidst a snowy landscape. The setting and the storyline might seem simplistic, but the action easily makes up for everything.
Even though it doesn't offer anything new in terms of Momoa's acting, action-thriller flicks like Braven do suit his persona and physique. Further, for fans of his historical period drama, Frontier, the film will make for another opportunity to see Momoa brave the North American wilderness.
9 Cinema Verite (2011) - 6.5
Cinema Verite is a fictional account of the origin of one of America's earliest reality TV shows. Diane Lane leads the HBO film's ensemble, while Tim Robbins plays her husband. They seem to have an ordinary suburban life in the 1970s as the former's character handles the home, while the latter is mostly out on professional trips.
Witnessing the family's drama unfold in front of him, an ambitious director plans to capitalize on their real-life trials and tribulations by shooting a reality series on the family. A nine-time Emmy nominee, Cinema Verite is a must-watch for fans of family-centric reality television.
8 Enola Holmes (2020) - 6.6
Without a doubt, Millie Bobby Brown is the star of the Netflix comedy-drama Enola Holmes. However, Henry Cavill too succeeded at his unconventional (and slightly literature-accurate) portrayal of the detective Sherlock Holmes.
As Enola heads out on a trail of mysteries to find her missing mother, Cavill's Sherlock serves as a passive observer. He's introduced as a highly-skilled detective and yet he chooses to stay away from the limelight, allowing his equally-skilled sister to take charge. The role is a fresh take on the iconic character and offers Cavill some versatility, as viewers have gotten used to seeing him as usually a lead actor in action films.
7 Big Eyes (2014) - 7.2
While films like Arrival and Nocturnal Animals make for essential viewing, a lesser-known gem in Amy Adams' filmography is Big Eyes, Tim Burton's biopic on Margaret Keane.
Featuring standout performances from both Adams and Christoph Waltz, Big Eyes uses a comedic-dramatic approach into the life of artist Margaret Keane, her unique style of painting big-eyed characters and her struggles to get recognized for her work, as her abusive husband often took credit for it through unlawful means. Adams' performance earned her a Golden Globe win, along with a BAFTA nomination.
6 Reversal Of Fortune (1989) - 7.2
While Jeremy Irons' mainstream roles include antagonist turns in The Lion King and Die Hard: With A Vengeance, the British actor earned an Oscar win for his portrayal of the socialite and murder accused Claus von Bulow in the legal drama Reversal of Fortune.
Inspired by a true story, the film finds a wealthy man (Irons) convicted of the death of his wife (Glenn Close) as he desperately tries to clear his name. Rather than relying on any cheap genre tropes, Reversal of Fortune goes down the path of slow-burning thrills to flesh out suspense that leaves morally grey areas.
5 Silence (2016) - 7.2
Arguably the most underrated entry in Martin Scorsese's recent filmography, Silence finds two Jesuit priests (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) embarking on a journey to 17th century Japan to find their long-lost mentor (Liam Neeson). Meanwhile, the country is in turmoil as adherents of Christianity are increasingly prosecuted. What ensues is a complex tale that tests the faith and survival of all its characters.
Steppenwolf actor Ciarán Hinds has a major role in the start as the real-life Italian missionary Alessandro Valignano, who goes on to send the two protagonists on their travels.
4 Fast Five (2011) - 7.3
The film that introduced Gal Gadot's Gisele Yashar also turned out to be a watershed entry in the Fast and Furious franchise. Even though Fast Five's predecessors chiefly focused on street racing as an overlying theme, the 2011 film raised the stakes adding an international heist angle to the mix. The franchise has only increased in scope and scale ever since.
Gadot's character was an ex-Mossad agent, her first major American film role. She also performed her own stunts and in fact, director Justin Lin took her on board for her past experience in the military.
3 We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011) - 7.5
Based on the novel of the same name, We Need To Talk About Kevin serves as a psychological thriller and a realistic horror as it documents the coming-of-age of Kevin (Ezra Miller), a socially awkward boy with violent tendencies.
While the film unleashed a much younger Miller's dramatic prowess, Tilda Swinton also delivered one of her career-best performances as Kevin's troubled mother who desperately seeks a solution to parent her child. Hauntingly beautiful frames coupled with unsettling imagery make this Lynne Ramsey-directorial feature disturbing and yet highly relevant.
2 The Town (2010) - 7.5
A massive modern update on the otherwise-oversaturated heist genre, The Town finds director/star Ben Affleck heading back to his hometown of Boston to weave a tight-knit, adrenaline-fueled thriller. The premise involves a bank robber falling for a bank assistant, a move that jeopardizes his entire team's operations.
The Town's impact can be felt on Affleck's career as following Gone Baby Gone, The Town established his status as a noteworthy director, especially in the thriller genre. This was further strengthened after the release of Argo, a few years later.
1 Lord Of War (2005) - 7.6
Jared Leto has had a diverse filmography that includes both blockbuster films and experimental projects. While films like Blade Runner 2049 and Requiem For A Dream are common picks to appreciate his acting skills, a comparatively under-the-radar pick is Lord of War, in which he had a supporting role alongside Nicolas Cage.
The film works as a faux-biopic as it documents the rise of a global illegal arms dealer who finances his daily life through violence and terrorism. Leto brings his influences from Requiem as he appears as the protagonist's morally unstable and drug-addicted brother. It's a quintessential Jared Leto role, allowing him to channel his energetic self.
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