My Favourite Kevin Bacon Films of All-Time

Not many actors have earned appreciation of Kevin Bacon. Since the 1990’s, Bacon has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s dedicated police-officers, intelligent army commanders or rebellious teenagers, Bacon has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Footloose

Dancing is a passion that my friend always enjoyed pursuing. Several years ago, I formed a strong friendship with a kid in school that loved dancing with bravado. I remember that he was a rebellious teenager that had big dreams of becoming a professional dancer. He was the most popular kid in school admiring breaking every rule. My friend always believed movies were art that couldn’t honour an activity holding a precious place in his heart. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured my friend’s passion for dancing breaking loose as powerfully as “Footloose”. Released in 1984, Kevin Bacon’s best movie captured the life of a rebellious teenage dancer. In the greatest role of his career, Bacon portrayed a rebellious teenager that seeks to change dancing rules in a town facing despair. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Bacon has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “Footloose”, however, the actor showcased rare flair for dancing that he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside John Lithgow who is also amazing, Bacon created a dancing drama that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Rem first becomes aware that dancing is banned in his town causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Footloose” Kevin Bacon’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies made during the 1980’s which tend to be outdated today, it has aged beautifully. It delivers a meaningful message about adolescence which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years following the release of a classic film about rebellious teenagers with a passion for dancing, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has made movies which are worth celebrating.

2. Apollo 13

The moon landing is a great event in American history that my grandfather always found fascinating. I fondly recall with nostalgia fond memories of a grandpa that appreciated NASA. I remember my grandfather was fascinated with efforts it took to get the first man to land on the moon. In 1995, Kevin Bacon honoured astronauts that achieved moon landings years ago in his movie “Apollo 13”. In the most heroic role of his career, Bacon portrayed a real-life astronaut that participated in a dangerous space mission causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical astronaut that’s well-known. Working alongside Tom Hanks who is also amazing, Bacon honoured the moon landing. For instance, the scene in which Jack is first recruited seeking to prepare for the moon landing is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Apollo 13” a space masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most space movies, it tackles themes that would resonate with everyone. It delivers a bold message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. A powerful tribute to moon landings in space, it’s a soaring reminder of an actor making great movies that audiences embrace.

3. A Few Good Men

Courtroom dramas are a genre of movies that my uncle loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia heartwarming memories of an uncle appreciating the courtroom drama genre. My uncle grew up to embrace a genre in which 12 angry men experienced a courtroom case. As someone treasuring fond memories of an uncle admiring legal movies about a few good men, I adored “A Few Good Men”. Released in 1992, Kevin Bacon’s movie honoured a play about Guantanamo Bay. In the most authoritative role of his career, Bacon portrayed an army commander facing despair. Bacon has always excelled at playing emotional characters under pressure, and “A Few Good Men” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also amazing, Bacon created a drama that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Ross delivers a speech about justice in court causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “A Few Good Men” a courtroom classic is its appeal. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Guantanamo Bay to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about importance of the truth which would resonate with everyone. A powerful adaptation of a play about Guantanamo Bay, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies deserve to be celebrated today.

4. Mystic River

It’s challenging to face the loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit a crushing low when our great housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, my housekeeper became a victim of grim murder. Her devastating death left my family mourning. As someone haunted by the death of a beloved housekeeper, I adored “Mystic River”.  Released in 2003, Kevin Bacon’s movie offered an engaging noir murder mystery. In the most conflicted role of his career, Bacon portrayed a dedicated police officer seeking to investigate a gruesome murder in a town causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Sean Penn who is also outstanding, Bacon created a murder mystery that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which detective Devine first becomes aware that a murder has been committed causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Mystic River” a classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about loss which will resonate with everyone. A strong portrait of grief causing the lives of men to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a great actor that has manufactured memorable movies throughout his career which people appreciate.

5. Crazy Stupid Love

Divorce is a devastating process that causes stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face broken marriage. I recall the night when she endured a fight with her husband that wasn’t a pretty sight. As someone that witnessed my aunt fall out of love, I adored “Crazy Stupid Love”. Released in 2011, Kevin Bacon’s movie captured the impact of divorce on families. In the most comical role of his career, Bacon portrayed a businessman that has a romantic affair with a divorced woman causing despair. With “Crazy Stupid Love”, the actor showcased rare talent for comedy he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Julianne Moore who is also amazing, Bacon created a divorce comedy that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which David gatecrashes Cal’s birthday causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Crazy Stupid Love” a commemorated comedy is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about marriage which would resonate with everyone. A devastating depiction of the frightening divorce process which causes stress, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has commonly produced great movies throughout his career achieving success.

6. X-Men: First Class

When it comes to the greatest comic-book heroes in history, it’s worth discussing the X-Men. Ever since their creation in the 1970’s, the X-Men have gained a huge fan following. In 2011, Kevin Bacon honours the first-class superhero team in his movie “X-Men: First Class”. In the most villainous role of his career, Bacon portrayed a Nazi scientist seeking to cause the X-Men to face despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase a villainous side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside James McAvoy who is also amazing, Bacon honoured a superhero team that’s inspiring. An extraordinary tribute towards a commemorated superhero team that’s excellent, it’s an exceptional reminder about an impressive actor with strong commitment towards his craft that has always made engaging entertainment.

7. Tremors

Kevin Bacon has always excelled at playing emotional characters facing tension. Bacon has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing heroes facing emotional damage. Bacon’s strength for playing emotional characters is clearly evident in his movie “Tremors”. Released in 1990, Ron Underwood’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most frightening role of his career, Bacon portrayed a fearful handyman struggling to fight monsters causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under pressure. Working alongside Fred Ward who is also amazing, Bacon created a horror movie that’s captivating. As strong as Val’s desire to defeat tremors in Nevada, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with charisma whose movies always attract audiences to the Cinema.

8. JFK

Few presidents in American history are as beloved today as JFK. During the 1960’s, John F. Kennedy was a powerful politician that guided his country amidst adversities. However, in 1963 the president’s career ended when he was assassinated tragically. In 1991, Kevin Bacon honoured memory of a president that passed away in his film “JFK”. In the most political role of his career, Bacon embodied a detective investigating the murder of a president causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for stealing the show in a supporting role. Despite limited screen-time, Bacon left a strong impression as a politician. Nearly 40 years after John F. Kennedy was assassinated in a crime politicians investigated, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor whose movies deserve to be celebrated.

9. Black Mass

Whitey Bulger is a notorious gangster in American history that built a lasting legacy. During the 1970’s, Bulger was a menacing mob boss engaging in illicit criminal activities. In 2015, Kevin Bacon honoured the iconic gangster with mass appeal in his movie “Black Mass”. In the most thoughtful role of his career, Bacon portrayed an FBI agent tasked with apprehending a mobster in a town causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing an FBI agent that’s well-known. Working alongside Jesse Plemons who is also outstanding, Bacon honoured a gangster that’s terrifying. 30 years after Whitey Bulger became a commemorated gangster that was notorious, it’s a riveting reminder of an adventurous actor that thrives embodying courageous characters in movies audiences consider precious.

10. R.I.P.D.

Kevin Bacon hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “R.I.P.D.” falls into the latter category. Released in 2013, Robert Schwentke’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, the actor portrayed a cop embarking on a dangerous mission causing despair. Bacon brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “R.I.P.D.” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Bacon’s enduring legacy. As strong as Bobby’s desire to become a successful police-officer, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with a charismatic nature that has manufactured commemorated movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to accomplish dreams of becoming a writer.