My Top 10: John Travolta Films

Since his astonishing breakthrough in the late 1970's John Travolta has thrilled audiences in multiple eras of the film industry, and in many genres.
From being seen as the man that inspired many people to take up disco, to being a slick gangster.

While this blog to celebrate the best of Travolta, I have mention that the majority of his back catalogue has been trashed by the public and critics. But thankfully, there are enough big hits in there to have him as one of the biggest actors of the late 20th century.

Out of his 65 films, I have only seen 27 of them. I will rank all of the ones that I have seen, and then give a short review for each of my top 10. While it is clear that I have seen very few of his entire back catalogue, there is not many well reviewed films left that I have yet to see. I am not counting his appearances in The Thin Red Line and Savages, as he is in for a very short amount of those films:

27) Old Dogs
26) Wild Hogs
25) Michael
24) Swordfish
23) From Paris With Love
22) Look Who's Talking Too
21) Look Who's Talking
20) Look Who's Talking Now
19) Staying Alive
18) I Am Wrath
17) Criminal Activities
16) A Civil Action
15) The General's Daughter
14) Broken Arrow
13) Ladder 49
12) The Taking Of Pelham 1 2 3
11) The Punisher

10) Phenomenon - While it does flirt over the line of schmaltz, corny cheesy, this touching drama I felt to be rather sweet.
It has a mystery and wonder to it that reminds me of films like K-Pax, Cocoon or The Abyss that just seems to work for me.

John Travolta plays the lead, plays a troubled farmer see a bright light that gives powers of super-intelligence and much more.

9) Be Cool - The follow up to Get Shorty that is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine, mainly for the hilarious performances of Dwayne Johnson and Andre 3000.

Travolta is back as Chili Palmer. After succeeding in the movie industry, the former loan shark now wants to get into the music business. It is both funny and action packed.

8) Face/Off - Yes the premise is ridiculous, and yes we have another crazy Nicholas Cage performance. But it is one of the most fun action of the 90's.

It sees Travolta play an FBI agent planning to do a face transplat to impersonate the terrorist he is hunting. However, the terrorist (played by Cage) seems to have a similar idea.

7) Get Shorty - A mobster travels to Hollywood to collect a debt. But his stay makes him discover that the movie industry is a lot similar to what he is doing now.

This crime comedy with a stellar cast is a solid fun time, and never has Travolta ever looked so slick.

6) Hairspray - After landing a spot on local TV, a sassy teenager teaches everyone racial segregation whilst pursuing her dreams of being a dancer.

Travolta makes quite a transformation as the lead characters mother, that managed to work out well for this over-the-top feel-good musical.

5) Bolt - The film that I think begun Disney's modern resurgence and a Travolta performance that I never realised he actually did.

Travolta voices the title character, a dog of a popular kids TV show who thinks what he's doing is real.
However, a certain event begins a journey of discovery of the world that he really lives in.

4) Grease - Seen by many as his most notable performance, plays the confident and arrogant greaser Danny Zuko.

After spending the summer with the girls of his dreams, the realisation of being in the same high school could rekindle their romance.

It's a lot of fun, the performances are charming and there are plenty of songs that will get stuck in your head.

3) Carrie - This iconic 1970's horror sees Sissy Spacek play the title character who begins to discover some supernatural powers that has been in her family for generations.

Travolta plays one of the main high school kids that pull the biggest prank on Carrie, leading to believe she is popular in her high school.
This well written horror still holds up after 40 years.

2) Saturday Night Fever - Possibly one of the biggest breakthrough performances by any actor.

The year is 1977, and everyone is about to go disco crazy. Travolta plays Tony Monero, a teenager who feels his only way to succeed in life is to be the king of the disco floor.

It is beautifully shot and has a soundtrack to die for.

1) Pulp Fiction - The film that many people associate with the revival of Travolta's career.

That is thanks to director Quentin Tarantino, who shows us the lives of two hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife and pair of bandits intertwine.

This 1994 hit is ground-breaking and one of the most popular modern classics.