Nicolas Cage, the most original and talented actor of all time, has been going strong for over three decades, bringing us an enduring and indelible filmography of over 60 films. The past year has been no exception; just when you thought the man could not demonstrate his gloriously eclectic range and depth of ability further, his cinematic genius in 2011 has continued to amaze and excite with new material in different genres, and with the thrilling promise of projects of epic proportions ringing in our ears as we head into 2012, us fans are very fortunate indeed that if anything, the momentum of our cinematNIC experience is even more amped up than ever!
So, cheers to Mr Nicolas Cage for yet another NICtastic year!
Here are some of our favourite Nic bits from 2011:
1. Arise Sir Nicolas Cage!
At long last, Nicolas Cage travels to the past as a knight fit for a castle, unleashing his sword in a suspense filled supernatural period thriller of witches and demons, vapour harpies, zombie monks, gnarling wolves, spooky forests straight out of a scene from The Wizard Of Oz, and all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the most stunning Austrian and Hungarian scenery, alongside cult b-movie horror movie maestro Sir Christopher Lee, in SEASON OF THE WITCH!
2. The Hero From Hell
Nicolas Cage drives straight out of hell, like a bad boy ghost pirate with a golden heart, into a gloriously decadent, muscle car racing, cult leader chasing, baby saving, gun toting-cigar toking-JD swilling-while having sex, R-rated in yer face full on 3D action supernatural movie DRIVE ANGRY!
3. A Tense And Twisting Diamond Dealer Thriller
In an intense reunion with director Joel Schumacher, Nicolas Cage brings us a multi layer performance, and Keeps Us Guessing In TRESPASS
4. The Hungry Rabbit Jumped!
Much anticipated by Nicolas Cage fans everywhere, The Hungry Rabbit Finally Jumped in this action thriller with a cleverly twisting, compelling plot. Plus, we get Nic Cage singing, dancing running and bringing us to tears with a subtle but exceptionally powerful performance in JUSTICE
5. Nouveau ShamaNIC
An actor supreme defined in detail his naturally evolved methodless acting methodNouveau Shamanic in a Q&A at the Sedona International Film Festival 2011.
“In recognition of your outstanding film career, bringing truly memorable characters to life on screen, in honor of your contribution to the arts and your commitment to the art of independent film making, thank you for bringing your passion to life on screen for us and the whole world. You are an inspiration.”
6. He Rides Again!
Comic-Con 2011 treated us to a glimpse into the new darker, edgier Neveldine and Taylor created GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE, due for release in Feb 2012, with this epic Ghost Rider Comic-Con Q&A Panel. Followed up later in the year by the long anticipated teaser trailer, unleashing a fire peeing, bullet vomiting flurry of adrenalized awesomeness!
As it this weren’t enough, just when you thought that for an actor who has excelled in many genres, there would be nowhere left for Nicolas Cage to artistically go, inthis interview at the beginning of the year, he revealed he would like to try his hand at a musical, and just as this enthralling proposition began to sing through the blood stream, news arrived of just such a project, at first only a rumour but soonconfirmed, Nicolas Cage is to reteam with writer director Charlie Kaufman in a Musical Hollywood Satire, FRANK OR FRANCIS. Intriguing music to our ears as their previous 2002 collaboration ADAPTATION was critically acclaimed, and the plot for the new film revolves around an online blogger, an issue pretty close to our hearts!
9. Nicolas Cage Teaches Us Biology
This has to be one of the more hilarious NICternet sensations of 2011, The highly ironic placement of a photo of Nicolas Cage as H.I and Holly Hunter as Ed, who were unable to have children of their own and stole a baby in the 1987 movieRAISING ARIZONA, on the front of an educational Serbian biology book.
Nicolas Cage has received many Awards during his enduring film career, but what could be more smile worthy than our favourite actor receiving The MAVERICK Award at the 2011 SCREAM AWARDS in recogntion of his
“fearless and intriguing body of work. Appearing in over 60 films, Cage has blazed his way through Hollywood and created some of the most memorable, eccentric and indelible roles.”
We hope you have enjoyed this article, please comment and share your favourite Nicolas Cage moments of 2011 with other fans!
Lula, what an AWESOME and STUNNING blog! You really captured the highlights of this NIC-CAGE-YEAR! This is really such an NICtastic article you wrote. Thank you so much for that! I had fun, reading it!
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"When you think about magic, it is imagination plus willpower focused in such a way that you can create a conscious effect in the material world..."
Wow what a memorable year it is indeed!How lucky we fans are,2011 was a year full of amazing ecletnic pieces of artwork from Sir Nicolas Cage, and it seems like 2012 is going to be just epnic with Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance,Frank or Francis,The Frozen Ground and many other masterpieces from the Sorcerer of cinematography. I'm in anticipation for Nouveau Shamanic heaven!This is what I call heaven on Nicolicious Earth!
Thank you so very much Lula Argante for this wonderful, fantastnic article and the blog,and for Cagealot Castle!! And,of course, my gratitude towards Mr Cage knows no bounds!
Hey, thanks for the awesome comments Team Cage! you guys rock!
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Flo, which interview was it that you hadn't seen?
we fans were treated to lots of NICtastic interviews this year Comic con, Sedona international film fest, Toronto Interntional film fest. ad lots more! how lucky are we? !thank goodness Nic does not have the same no interview policy as someone like Prince - although as an aside, at times I wish he did, imagine the increased peace he would have!
Lady Arwen and Voodoochild, your passionate words are inspiring! true Nic fans indeed!
How right you are vc, 2011 was yet another memorable Nic year, and it seems to me to be of increasing momentum! Nic's film career seems to keep growing in waves of new material..I so totally admire him for taking on completely new and different things.
When i was writing this, there were even more things I left out, and it struck me just how amazing Nic is and how lucky we all are!
This is great, Lula, a wonderful year of Nicdom indeed! I will have to do some thinking about my favourite ten moments too. Can't include Justice, unfortunately, but I am sure there are other Nicolicious moments for me to include.
I think most of mine are the same as yours, Lula, there are some truly epic Cageiastic moments there. I was just thinking that this past year was a very NICe one of pleasant anticipation, with the great movies we had to look forward too. Being able to see Season of the Witch and Drive Angry 3D in the theatre was a highlight for me! And loved the 3D too!
Also this year I saw Bringing Out the Dead for the first time, and that stands out in my mind as a really memorable event. I knew it was going to be great, but I was truly awe-struck by Nic's performance, and the whole movie, of course. I have seen it once more since then and I really do feel it is one of my most favourite of Nicolas Cage's movies, perhaps of all. Last year I saw Birdy for the first time, and included that in my list of top ten moments, because his raw youthful energy and charisma blew me away. Two movies, one at the beginning of a fabulous career that showed what a serious talent he had to offer, and the other really at the peak of his multifaceted abilities, both memorable for different reasons, yet both a showcase for his singular and nonpareil neauveau shamanic vision! Gotta wonder what 2012 will bring me to feast my eyes on.
Lady Trueheart, Thank you for sharing your fave Nic moments of 2011, your personal faves are moving to me, how special to have seen those older Nic movies for the first time..you truly have had a year!
I agree with you about the antNICipation we have had this year..truly amazing not only in terms of the release of 4 films, but the announcement of new projects...and the many appearances Nic as billed to make...most notably for me at comic con, TIFF and SCREAM! it really has been a CAGEtastic rollercoaster ride of a year!!!
stevesnest, thank you, glad you enjoyed it and welcome to Cagealot! please feel free to share your fave Nic moments of the year, always great to meet and hear from new fans!!
Gina, you are welcome, and thanks!! they were real high energy appearances forsure!! ..........totally curious as to your other 8 top Nic moments, if you care to share!!
Hi Nancy! thank you, glad you enjoyed it! Oh me too... drawing us into the new year like a delNICious treat! I have been look forward to spirit of vengeance for a long time!!