Not many actors have made movies audiences recall like Corey Stoll. Since the 1990’s, Stoll has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s political leaders, renowned painters or comic-book villains, Stoll 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 a commemorated actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Midnight in Paris
Paris is a beautiful city that my father always loved dearly. I remember that my father grew up to treasure a French city that changed his life forever. Drawn towards the big streets of Paris, he would love to discuss an iconic city that he often considered to be precious. He would always love to plan big trips to a great city in France with which he created long-lasting relationships. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the big beauty of Paris at midnight as powerfully as “Midnight in Paris”. Released in 2011, Corey Stoll’s best movie captured the life of a bold writer that roams the dark streets of Paris at midnight. In the greatest role of his career, Stoll portrayed a legendary painter that seeks to prepare great art in a city facing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Stoll has spent most of his career by playing likeable heroes with fictional backstories. With “Midnight in Paris”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a bold painter that’s well-known. Working alongside Owen Wilson who is also amazing, Stoll created a portrait of Paris that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Ernest Hemingway gives Gil bold advice seeking to prepare him for life in Paris is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Midnight in Paris” Corey Stoll’s best movie is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about Paris, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 15 years after the release of a film about writers in the streets of Paris at midnight, it’s a bold reminder of a bright actor making great movies which deserve the spotlight.
2. Ant-Man
Ant-Man is an amazing comic-book hero of whom my brother was always a fan. I remember my brother was a huge fan of the small comic-book character with the big abilities to shrink in size causing disaster. A huge fan of Marvel, he often praised a great hero that he considered very special. In 2015, Corey Stoll honoured the iconic hero with a huge fan following in his movie “Ant-Man”. In the most villainous role of his career, Stoll portrayed an evil scientist seeking to design suits causing Ant-Man to face despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase a villainous side to himself that he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Paul Rudd who is also amazing, Stoll honoured a superhero with talent for shrinking. For instance, the scene in which Darren threatens Ant-Man in warfare causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Ant-Man” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies targeted towards comic-book fans only, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A spectacular tribute towards a superhero with abilities to shrink in size, it’s a superb reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences prize.
3. Black Mass
Gangsters engaging in criminal behaviour always fascinated my grandfather. I remember a grandfather that was fascinated with the crimes cruel gangsters committed. An offer he couldn’t refuse, my grandfather loved gangsters that shaped his worldviews. He would always speak fondly of mass appeal of gangsters about which he had come to strongly feel. As someone treasuring memories of a grandfather that adored gangsters with mass appeal, I adored “Black Mass”. Released in 2015, Corey Stoll’s movie honoured the true story of a gangster in American history. In the most conflicted role of his career, Stoll portrayed an FBI agent facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Johnny Depp who is also amazing, Stoll honoured a gangster that’s frightening. For instance, the scene in which Fred becomes aware of crimes Whitey Bulger has committed causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. ltimately, what makes “Black Mass” a crime classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most gangster movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 60 years after Whitey Bulger became a gangster committing murder, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has manufactured timeless movies audiences treasure.
4. First Man
Neil Armstrong is a strong astronaut that always inspired my mother. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a mother that adored a great astronaut that broke barriers for NASA. I remember my mother would swoon over an astronaut that achieved the feat of landing on the moon. In 2015, Corey Stoll honoured the first man to land on the moon in his movie “First Man”. In the most historic role of his career, Stoll portrayed a renowned astronaut that participated in a space mission causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a legendary astronaut that’s well-known. Working alongside Ryan Gosling who is also amazing, Stoll created a portrait of NASA that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Buzz Aldrin seeks to prepare for the first space mission is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “First Man” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies set in space, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with NASA to appreciate it. 60 years after Neil Armstrong changed the world by being the first man to walk on the moon, it’s a bold reminder of an actor whose movies won’t be forgotten soon.
5. West Side Story
West Side Story is a legendary musical that my grandmother always loved dearly. I recall with nostalgia memories of a grandma that adored Maria. Drawn towards the iconic musical, she would always love discussing a film holding a place in her heart that was special. In 2022, Corey Stoll honoured the iconic musical about Latin-American communities in his movie “West Side Story”. In the most authoritative role of his career, Stoll portrayed an FBI agent seeking to resolve crimes in a town causing despair. It’s a movie that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited-screen. For instance, the scene in which Lieutenant Shranck discovers crimes that gangs have committed causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “West Side Story” a commemorated musical is its universal appeal. Unlike the 1960’s movie, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about community which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking adaptation of a larger-than-life Broadway play, it’s a brilliant reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured entertaining movies which deserve to be celebrated today.
6. The Report
When it comes to the most shocking documents ever written in American history, nothing beats the torture report. A top-secret document, it detailed the CIA’s torture during the war on terror. A frightening document, it built a legacy that’s lasting. In 2019, Corey Stoll honoured the torture report in his movie “The Report”. In the most political role of his career, the actor portrayed an investigate FBI agent that inspected torture causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Adam Driver who is also amazing, Stoll honoured a torture report that’s frightening. Nearly 30 years following the creation of the torture report, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor manufacturing captivating movies which audiences support.
7. The Normal Heart
Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Hollywood has long held a history of building barriers against the LGBTQ community. In an industry where queer people are rarely treated with a heart, it’s worth praising “A Normal Heart”. Released in 2014, Corey Stoll’s movie honoured the AIDS crisis in American history. In the most provocative role of his career, Stoll portrayed a queer man that fought discrimination during an era causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone playing a gay man that feels alone. Working alongside Mark Ruffalo who is also amazing, Stoll created a portrait of the LGBTQ community that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of heavy burden queer men bear, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has created an impressive career.
8. North Country
Sexual harassment is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in entertainment. Hollywood has often ignored stories of sexually assaulted women that are misunderstood. In an industry ignoring stories of sexually assault women, it’s worth praising “North Country”. Released in 2005, Corey Stoll’s movie honoured a real-life woman that survived sexual harassment tragedy. In the most feminist role of his career, Stoll portrayed a prisoner causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show as a supporting character. Working alongside Frances McDormand who is also amazing, Stoll created a portrait of sexual harassment that’s compelling. A powerful portrayal of sexual harassment, it’s a fabulous reminder of an actor with commitment that has become an icon in entertainment.
9. Cafe Society
Few filmmakers in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Woody Allen. With their witty dialogue, compelling characters and strong storytelling, Allen’s movies have earned a fan following. Allen has always had a great eye for casting actors in his movies. In 2016, Allen showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he cast Corey Stoll in his movie “Cafe Society”. In the most witty role of his career, Stoll portrayed a restaurant owner in Paris facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional men under intense pressure. Working alongside Jesse Eisenberg who is also amazing, Stoll created a romantic drama that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of 1930’s Hollywood, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies which are always good.
10. The Bourne Legacy
Corey Stall hasn’t always made great movies that enthral. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Bourne Legacy” falls into the latter category. Released in 2012, Tony Gilroy’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Stoll portrayed an FBI agent on the hunt for a spy causing despair. Stoll brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a disastrous movie. Although “The Bourne Legacy” is a bad movie, it honoured Stoll’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Jason Bourne’s desire to become a successful spy, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to electrify making memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking that will never die.
The Film Buff 