Top Five Movies of Maria Bello

Jerry Bruckheimer made news this weekend because the movie “The Lone Ranger” did not meet minimized revenue expectations and came in at less than $50 million for the five-day weekend. Considering the film cost over $200 million to make, and more to market, I’ve read comparisons already to “John Carter” instead of to previous blockbusters from the same creative team like the first two “Pirates of Caribbean” movies. However, when I think of Bruckheimer, I think of this week’s essay topic Maria Bello and their shared movie, “Coyote Ugly.”

I have no idea why this movie fascinated me long after it came out and long after I saw it. I know that it related somehow to the tagline, “The Boss. The Law. The Dreamer. The Flame. The Heartbreaker. The Girls of Coyote Ugly. This party never ends.” I mean, wow. I already know all the characters personality traits in one line of a Word document. How is the movie going to last for 100 minutes? To ruin it for you, it really doesn’t. I also think that when I hear about the genius of Jerry Bruckheimer and his ability to make money, I come back to this one. With a worldwide gross of about $100 million and an estimated budget of only $45 million, it still made money. Is that genius? I suppose. Warren Buffet’s considered a genius. I just can’t associate genius with this movie. I can, however, associate genius with Maria. First off, because in one of my scenes as an extra, I got to appear in the background of “Prime Suspect” and in my brief bit, she was great. Secondly, it’s because these other five movies make me want to watch her again and again.

5. World Trade Center

Maria has so many strong movies, it was tough to make a choice as far as the last movie goes. I went with this Oliver Stone movie, though I have yet to see it. It will still take a bit to relive the events of 9/11 again through the eyes of Stone.

4. Permanent Midnight

It’s been a while since I watched this movie, but I remember enjoying the chance to see Ben Stiller do something a bit different than “There’s Something About Mary” which I saw before this. However, Stiller, like so many funny actors, hasn’t found many more options for “serious” roles, though “Greenberg” starring the lovely Greta Gerwig, did give him a chance to do something different. Unfortunately, neither made the money that the “Night at the Museum” movies did.

3. A History of Violence

As far as character actors go, you don’t get much better than Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris and William Hurt although, writing their names and thinking of them, maybe I should call them leading men. I don’t know. They’re right on that nebulous border.

2. Thank You for Smoking

I laughed a lot at this movie as I have at Jason Reitman’s other movies (“Juno,” “Young Adult,” “Up in the Air”). My favorite line came from Rob Lowe’s character, and it’s something I’ll think about as I write, “Probably. But it’s an easy fix. One line of dialogue. ‘Thank God we invented the… you know, whatever device.’”

1. The Cooler

An easy choice for number one, as not only does Maria put in a great performance, she acts alongside William H. Macy and Alec Baldwin in two of their top performances. With those three and a great moving story, I will watch this again and again.

Agree? Disagree? Which movies would make your Maria Bello top five?