From the small screen, to the big screen four years later, Phoenix has grown into one of the few child actors to also have a successful acting career as a fully grown adult.
He is not known for being involved in many successful blockbusters, but the independent films is where Phoenix shines the most. There have been rumors of him being cast in a future Marvel film, so keep an eye on various movie news feeds in the near future.
From the adventurous space blockbuster SpaceCamp to his latest venture Inherent Vice, Phoenix has been nominated for three Oscars, BAFTA's and won a Golden Globe for one of my top 10 films.
Missing out on my top 10 and getting an honourable mention is 'Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot' where we see Phoenix portray cartoonist Michael Callahan.
After becoming a paraplegic, Callahan's path to sobriety begins through the power of his controversial cartoons.
There is enough inspiration in the execution of this story for it to be solid viewing, despite the jerky non-linear structure. Plus, Phoenix gives a great leading performance
Out of his 41films, I have only seen 24 of them. I will rank all of the films I have seen and give a short review for each of my top 10:
24) The Yards
23) Brother Bear
22) You Were Never Really Here
21) We Own The Night
20) Ladder 49
19) The Village
18) Mary Magdalene
17) Buffalo Soldiers
16) Inherent Vice
15) Beau Is Afraid
After becoming a paraplegic, Callahan's path to sobriety begins through the power of his controversial cartoons.
There is enough inspiration in the execution of this story for it to be solid viewing, despite the jerky non-linear structure. Plus, Phoenix gives a great leading performance
Out of his 41films, I have only seen 24 of them. I will rank all of the films I have seen and give a short review for each of my top 10:
24) The Yards
23) Brother Bear
22) You Were Never Really Here
21) We Own The Night
20) Ladder 49
19) The Village
18) Mary Magdalene
17) Buffalo Soldiers
16) Inherent Vice
15) Beau Is Afraid
14) The Master
13) The Sisters Brothers
13) The Sisters Brothers
12) Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far
11) Napoleon
It's a well written coming-of-age story with a more modern twist to it that makes it stand out. Plus, Phoenix's chemistry with child actor Woody Norman is a big highlight.
9) Joker - In terms of the performance, this is one of Phoenix's best. The film might not quite match that level. But it still remains a very strong piece of work that gives us another look into the iconic Joker character.
It sees Phoenix play a mentally troubled comedian that begins a downward spiral after society disregards him.
8) To Die For - This was a big surprise for me. It sees a TV personality played by Nicole Kidman willing to do anything to get in the spotlight.
With her career not going the way she wanted, she gets the help of three students (one played by Phoenix) to kill her husband to get her fame back.
It is an intriguing way of showing the celebrity wannabee lifestyle and the whole viewing experience was quite refreshing.
7) Quills - An enjoyable periodic drama set in the Napoleonic era that has a surprisingly high erotic tone.
It is set in an asylum where an inmate fights a battle of wills with an odd doctor.
It is definitely not the type of movie many would go for, but the performances and the pace of it seem to work. Phoenix plays a big part of the local priest.
6) Parenthood - A wonderful and charming family drama where we an American family dealing with their lives.
It sees the family coping with the pressures of their jobs, bringing up their children and their avoiding their strange relatives.
It will make you laugh, cry and warm your heart. As for Phoenix, we see him in at a pretty young age. But he has his moments that kick-starts his film career for the long-term.
5) Hotel Rwanda - Nominated for three Oscars and based on the tragic events in Rwanda of the mass genocide of the Hutu militia against the Tutsi refugees.
I felt it to be a modern day Schindler's List. A tough watch, but wonderful story-telling and gripping viewing.
Lead by Don Cheadle, Phoenix is in a supportive role as a cameraman reporting on the situation accompanied by a reporter played by David O'Hara.
4) Walk The Line - Phoenix's Golden Globe winning role as country music legend Johnny Cash.
It is a well made biopic by director James Mangold and it got me interested in a character that I hardly knew.
Phoenix is the star of the show and is screen relationship with Reese Witherspoon who played Cash's wife was exemplary.
3) Her - Spike Jonze's Best Picture nominee about a writer who finds an unusual relationship with an operating system that is designed to meet every need.
Winner of Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars, this is a wonderful idea that is made the most of.
It looks great, it is highly emotional and I hope to see more ideas like this seen on future big blockbusters.
2) Signs - One of Shyamalan's earlier works and one that really worked for me and was one of the most watched films in its year of release (2001).
It sees a family living on a farm finding mysterious crop circles.
Shyamalan definitely gives us the same tension he gave in The Sixth Sense. It is wonderfully tense and is totally gripping. The ending is it's only let-down, but it is a must-watch.
Lead by Mel Gibson, Phoenix plays Gibson's younger brother.
1) Gladiator - Best Picture Oscar winner that for me will stand the test of time.
Directed by Ridley Scott, this is his masterpiece.
It sees a Roman general betrayed by the new Caesar (played by Phoenix) and returns to Rome as a gladiator seeking revenge.
Every time I watch it, it never fails to entertain. I always forget how brilliant this really is.
It sees Phoenix play a mentally troubled comedian that begins a downward spiral after society disregards him.
With her career not going the way she wanted, she gets the help of three students (one played by Phoenix) to kill her husband to get her fame back.
It is an intriguing way of showing the celebrity wannabee lifestyle and the whole viewing experience was quite refreshing.
It is set in an asylum where an inmate fights a battle of wills with an odd doctor.
It is definitely not the type of movie many would go for, but the performances and the pace of it seem to work. Phoenix plays a big part of the local priest.
It sees the family coping with the pressures of their jobs, bringing up their children and their avoiding their strange relatives.
It will make you laugh, cry and warm your heart. As for Phoenix, we see him in at a pretty young age. But he has his moments that kick-starts his film career for the long-term.
I felt it to be a modern day Schindler's List. A tough watch, but wonderful story-telling and gripping viewing.
Lead by Don Cheadle, Phoenix is in a supportive role as a cameraman reporting on the situation accompanied by a reporter played by David O'Hara.
It is a well made biopic by director James Mangold and it got me interested in a character that I hardly knew.
Phoenix is the star of the show and is screen relationship with Reese Witherspoon who played Cash's wife was exemplary.
Winner of Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars, this is a wonderful idea that is made the most of.
It looks great, it is highly emotional and I hope to see more ideas like this seen on future big blockbusters.
It sees a family living on a farm finding mysterious crop circles.
Shyamalan definitely gives us the same tension he gave in The Sixth Sense. It is wonderfully tense and is totally gripping. The ending is it's only let-down, but it is a must-watch.
Lead by Mel Gibson, Phoenix plays Gibson's younger brother.
Directed by Ridley Scott, this is his masterpiece.
It sees a Roman general betrayed by the new Caesar (played by Phoenix) and returns to Rome as a gladiator seeking revenge.
Every time I watch it, it never fails to entertain. I always forget how brilliant this really is.
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