Rising star Robert Pattinson is the perfect storm of teen heartthrob and international man of mystery. The 26-year-old actor has seemingly conquered Hollywood, with roles in big-budget franchise films and smaller character-driven movies. In reality, though, he’s taken on a variety of roles, from vampires to werewolves and from pirates to fairies. Here, we rank his best movies by order of preference.
1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1
Few actors can match the raw magnetism of a Robert Pattinson. The British actor burst onto the scene at the height of the Twilight craze, portraying Edward Cullen in the hugely successful Stephenie Meyer adaptation. Now an established Hollywood star, it’s fair to say that his career has come a long way since he played a vampire in the first Twilight film. The actor’s screen presence is a unique combination of boyish charm and seductive intensity, and his charisma was perfectly suited to playing the undead. He oozes sexuality and a certain feline magnetism, making you want to swipe at him with a tiny cat brush.
That’s not to say the film isn’t amazing; it’s one of the most popular movies of 2012 and for very good reason. The fourth and final installment of the Twilight saga broke box office records in the US and around the world, propelling Pattinson’s career to new heights and cementing his place as one of the most exciting leading men in Hollywood. The film’s director, Bill Condon, has said that he deliberately stroked the actor’s ego by having him play both vampires and werewolves – and he’s right; Pattinson’s dual roles as the seductive Cullen and the werewolf Jacob were some of the highlights of the film. In the finale, it’s clear that both sides are equally matched, and it’s an incredibly tense battle between man and wolf. It’s not often that you get the chance to see a celebrity fight – or kiss – an animal, but it’s a spectacular scene that will definitely stay with you.
2. Remember Me
If Edward Cullen is the ultimate boyish charm, then River Phoenix was the ultimate dark and tortured heartthrob. The late actor starred in a number of films in the 90s, mostly thrillers and horror movies, and became well-known for his charismatic performance in Jacob’s Ladder and his bizarre, tragic death four years later. In the years since, directors and producers have tried various times to bring his unique brand of rough charm to the big screen, but have had little success. It wasn’t until indie filmmaker Lucky McKee’s 2013 film, The Night Train, that we saw a truly new and improved River Phoenix emerge. In the film, he plays Bob McGrew, a train robber who teams up with a couple of his fellow criminals to commit one last heist. The character is a cross between Phoenix and actor Chuck Norris, and it’s clear that McKee had a hand in shaping this unique vision of the late actor.
River Phoenix would have turned 27 this year, and while his on-screen influence still looms large, we can finally see a new side to the actor that we didn’t get the chance to see before. A brilliant, if underappreciated, actor with a very special way of connecting with his audience.
3. The Rover
If you thought River Phoenix was unique, then you should check out Tim Robbins. The prolific actor plays an American Indian guide who guides five white men, known as the quintuplets, on a treacherous mountain journey. It’s the kind of role that could easily become tiresome, but Robbins injects his character with enough charm and charisma that it never feels flat. The journey itself is a nail-biter, but the scenery is gorgeous and the pace is perfect – not to mention that the film features a then-unseen Rob Pattinson as one of the quintuplets.
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen an actor steal the show as much as Tim Robbins did in 1986’s Back to the Future. The actor took home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor that year for his performance in the film, and it’s clear that he continues to shine even three decades later. Still an active Hollywood star, Robbins will be turning 70 this year, and he continues to delight audiences with the unique charm that has made him one of the most popular and respected actors of his generation.
4. The Lost Boys
The late, great Peter O’Toole was always a firm favorite of mine. The veteran actor delivered some of the most iconic performances of the 70s and 80s, appearing, amongst others, in Lawrence of Arabia, The Man Who Would Be King, and The Ruling Class. His versatility and ability to tackle various roles, from charming to intense, made him a valuable commodity to the studios. It was never easy for an actor of his generation to transition to TV, but he did so with ease and became a mainstay of both theatrical and cable TV alike. The role of Michael Caine’s loyal manservant in The Lost Boys may not be one of O’Toole’s most iconic, but it’s certainly one of the most recognizable. The actor’s calm, quiet demeanor and stoic professionalism in the face of danger make him an enduring presence, even nearly three decades later.
5. Black Beauty
Wendy Brand has appeared in everything from comedies (Meet the Parents, The Wedding Singer) to action flicks (X2: X-Men United, Unmanned) and even a bit part in Disney’s Aladdin. On the small screen, her quirky sense of humor and willingness to tackle tough issues has made her a fan favorite. She appeared in the first season of HBO’s Vinyl and was also the host of E!’s Fashion Police, a popular celebrity panel show. The role of Anya, the troubled, brilliant horse mistress, was tailor-made for Brand and one of the highlights of the series. She plays the part with depth and emotion, which is something you rarely get to see in TV. It’s clear that the actress has an extraordinary affinity for animals, which is reflected in her varied roles; aside from Black Beauty, she’s also starred in several canine-themed movies, including 2018’s Covert Affairs, in which she plays a dog scientist.
6. Crazy Stupid Love
I don’t know about you, but whenever I’m asked about my top six favorite movies, the first movie that comes to mind is the delightful and romantic comedy, Crazy Stupid Love. The film, which also stars Glenn Close and Julianne Moore, tells the story of a recently wed couple, played by Close and Moore, who decide to spice up their marriage and embark on a passion play. The movie is exactly what it sounds like: a madcap, romantic comedy that marries drama and comedy. It’s one of the best films of the past decade and stands as one of Close’s and Moore’s best films as well. The two play off each other beautifully, with Close serving as a foil to Moore’s whimsical nature. It’s a wonderful performance that deserves to be remembered.
The couple has kept busy since their heyday in the late 80s and early 90s, with Moore delivering one of the most famous performances of all time in the 2015 film, Annoying Grannies. She had a small role in the upcoming Toy Story 4 and is also a series regular on the CBS sitcom, Code Black. It’s safe to say that, for fans of the duo, Crazy Stupid Love is still considered one of the best films of all time.
7. Mr. Wonderful
The funny thing about love is that, once you find it, you never know what could happen next. The best examples come from the imagination of Oscar-winning screenwriter, Terri Nunn, who in 2018 released her debut novel, Mr. Wonderful. The book is about a single mom who finds love with a man she meets at her son’s school. The meeting is completely by coincidence, as she’s there to pick up her son from school and has no interest in dating. That is, until she meets Matt, played by Robert Pattinson. The book doesn’t hold back in terms of describing the sex appeal that Pattinson’s character wields. It’s quite the passionate affair, made even more so by the author’s light-hearted yet accurate portrayal of the two lead characters’ whirlwind courtship.