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Tag: Academy Award

Best Amy Madigan Movies of All Time Ranked

Amy Madigan accepts the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the 98th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

It took 40 years but actress Amy Madigan is finally an Oscar winner!

Beginning her career in the early ’80s appearing in classic films like ‘Places in the Heart‘ and ‘Streets of Fire‘, Madigan received her first Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Academy Awards for her performance in ‘Twice in a Lifetime‘, but lost to Anjelica Huston in ‘Prizzi’s Honor‘.
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She would go on to appear in more beloved movies like ‘Field of Dreams‘, ‘Uncle Buck‘, and ‘Gone Baby Gone‘, before being cast as the creepy Aunt Gladys in director Zach Cregger‘s ‘Weapons‘, which finally earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

In honor of her recent Oscar win, Moviefone is counting down the 20 best movies of Amy Madigan’s long and impressive career, including ‘Weapons’.

Let’s begin!

Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Weapons’

20. ‘The Dark Half‘ (1993)

Amy Madigan in ‘The Dark Half’. Photo: Orion Pictures.

Following the public’s realization that Thad Beaumont and George Stark (Timothy Hutton) are one and the same, the former stages a mock funeral, only for a series of gruesome murders to begin occurring as in his books.
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19. ‘Rules Don’t Apply‘ (2016)

The unconventional love story of an aspiring actress (Lily Collins), her ambitious driver (Alden Ehrenreich), and their eccentric boss, the legendary billionaire Howard Hughes (Warren Beatty).
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18. ‘Love Letters‘ (1984)

After discovering a box of old love letters sent to her mother by a mysterious stranger, Anna (Jamie Lee Curtis), a young radio deejay, begins a torrid affair with a married man. Burning attraction brings them together, but the reality does not come close to the passion expressed in the letters.
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17. ‘Nowhere to Hide‘ (1987)

Marine officer Rob Cutter (Daniel Hugh Kelly) and his wife Barbara (Madigan) have a son named Johnny (Robin MacEachem). Rob discovers that two newly delivered helicopters in his squadron have crashed because a defective part, a C-ring, has been made of a weaker, less expensive alloy. Before Rob can go public with this, Rob is killed on the orders of corrupt General Howard (John Colicos), who did not want Rob to go public with the defective part. Howard believes that Barbara, who is also a marine, now has the part, so Howard and his henchmen set out to kill Barbara and Johnny and get the part, but Howard is underestimating what Barbara is willing to do to protect Johnny.
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16. ‘Winter Passing‘ (2006)

Actress Reese Holden (Zooey Deschanel) has been offered a small fortune by a book editor if she can secure for publication the love letters that her father (Ed Harris), a reclusive novelist, wrote to her mother, who has since passed away. Returning to Michigan, Reese finds that an ex-grad student (Amelia Warner) and a would-be musician (Will Ferrell) have moved in with her father, who cares more about his new friends than he does about his own health and well-being.
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15. ‘Alamo Bay‘ (1985)

(L to R) Ed Harris and Amy Madigan in ‘Alamo Bay’. Photo: Tri-Star Pictures.

A despondent Vietnam veteran (Ed Harris) in danger of losing his livelihood is pushed to the edge when he sees Vietnamese immigrants moving into the fishing industry in a Texas bay town.
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14. ‘The Lifeguard‘ (2013)

A former valedictorian (Kristen Bell) quits her reporter job in New York and returns to the place she last felt happy: her childhood home in Connecticut. She gets work as a lifeguard and starts a dangerous relationship with a troubled teenager.
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13. ‘Sweetwater‘ (2013)

In the late 1800s, a fanatical religious leader (Jason Isaacs), a renegade Sheriff (Ed Harris), and a former prostitute (January Jones) collide in a blood triangle on the rugged plains of the New Mexico Territory.
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12. ‘Love Child‘ (1982)

The true story of Terry Jean Moore (Madigan), a young woman who is imprisoned for seven years on account of a “five-dollar” robbery. While in prison, she gets pregnant by a jailer (Beau Bridges) and must fight to keep her child.
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11. ‘Frontera‘ (2014)

After crossing the border illegally for work, Miguel (Michael Peña), a hard-working father and devoted husband, finds himself wrongfully accused of murdering a former sheriff’s wife (Madigan). After learning of his imprisonment, Miguel’s pregnant wife (Eva Longoria) tries to come to his aid and lands in the hands of corrupt coyotes who hold her for ransom. Dissatisfied with the police department’s investigation, the former sheriff (Ed Harris) tries to uncover the truth about his wife’s death and discovers disturbing evidence that will destroy one family’s future, or tear another’s apart.
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10. ‘The Hunt‘ (2020)

(L to R) Ike Barinholtz and Amy Madigan in ‘The Hunt’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are—or how they got there. In the shadow of a dark internet conspiracy theory, ruthless elitists gather at a remote location to hunt humans for sport. But their master plan is about to be derailed when one of the hunted (Betty Gilpin) turns the tables on her pursuers.
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9. ‘Antlers‘ (2021)

A small-town Oregon teacher (Keri Russell) and her brother (Jesse Plemons), the local sheriff, discover a young student (Jeremy T. Thomas) is harbouring a dangerous secret that could have frightening consequences.
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8. ‘Pollock‘ (2000)

In August of 1949, Life Magazine ran a banner headline that begged the question: “Jackson Pollock: Is he the greatest living painter in the United States?” The film is a look back into the life of an extraordinary man, a man who has fittingly been called “an artist dedicated to concealment, a celebrity who nobody knew.” As he struggled with self-doubt, engaging in a lonely tug-of-war between needing to express himself and wanting to shut the world out, Pollock (Ed Harris) began a downward spiral.
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7. ‘Places in the Heart‘ (1984)

In 1935 rural Texas, recently widowed Edna Spaulding (Sally Field) struggles to survive with two small children, a farm to run, and very little money in the bank – not to mention a deadly tornado and the unwelcome presence of the Ku Klux Klan. Edna is aided by her beautician sister, Margaret (Lindsay Crouse); a blind boarder, Mr. Will (John Malkovich); and a would-be thief, Moze (Danny Glover), who decides to teach Edna how to plant and harvest cotton.
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6.’Gone Baby Gone‘ (2007)

When 4 year old Amanda McCready (Madeline O’Brien) disappears from her home and the police make little headway in solving the case, the girl’s aunt, Beatrice McCready (Madigan) hires two private detectives, Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and Angie Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan). The detectives freely admit that they have little experience with this type of case, but the family wants them for two reasons—they’re not cops and they know the tough neighborhood in which they all live.
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5. ‘Twice in a Lifetime‘ (1985)

(L to R) Gene Hackman, Ann-Margret, Ellen Burstyn, Amy Madigan, Ally Sheedy and Brian Dennehy in ‘Twice in a Lifetime’. Photo: Bud Yorkin Productions.

A middle-aged steelworker (Gene Hackman) is content with his job and his family, but feels that something is missing in his life. On his 50th birthday, he stops in at a local bar for a drink to celebrate. He finds himself attracted to the young, very sexy barmaid (Ann-Margret)–and, to his surprise, he finds that she is also very attracted to him.
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4. ‘Streets of Fire‘ (1984)

Raven Shaddock (William Dafoe) and his gang of merciless biker friends kidnap rock singer Ellen Aim (Diane Lane). Ellen’s former lover, soldier-for-hire Tom Cody (Michael Paré), happens to be passing through town on a visit. In an attempt to save his star act, Ellen’s manager (Rick Moranis) hires Tom to rescue her. Along with a former soldier (Madigan), they battle through dangerous cityscapes, determined to get Ellen back.
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3. ‘Uncle Buck‘ (1989)

Buck Russell (John Candy), a lovable but slovenly bachelor, suddenly becomes the temporary caretaker of his nephew and nieces (Macaulay Culkin and Gaby Hoffmann) after a family emergency. His freewheeling attitude soon causes tension with his older niece Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly), loyal girlfriend Chanice (Madigan) and just about everyone else who crosses his path.
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2. ‘Field of Dreams‘ (1989)

Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) is an Iowa farmer who hears a mysterious voice telling him to turn his cornfield into a baseball diamond. He does, but the voice’s directions don’t stop — even after the spirits of deceased ballplayers turn up to play.
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1. ‘Weapons‘ (2025)

Amy Madigan as Gladys in New Line Cinema’s ‘Weapons,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Quantrell Colbert. Copyright: © 2025 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.
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April 12, 2026
8 Great Christopher Plummer Performances

Christopher Plummer accepting the Best Supporting Actor Oscar at the Academy Awards for ‘Beginners’

This week marks one year since we lost legendary film actor Christopher Plummer. Best known to several generations as Georg von Trapp in ‘The Sound of Music,’ Plummer’s acting career spanned over 70 years before the actor died last year at the age of 91.

The actor has appeared in countless movies including ‘The Man Who Would Be King,’ ‘Dragnet,’ ‘Malcolm X,‘ ‘Twelve Monkeys,’ ‘A Beautiful Mind,’ ‘Syriana,’ ‘Up,’ ‘The Last Station,’ ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,’ and 2010’s ‘Beginners,’ for which he won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards.

With the anniversary of the late actor’s passing upon us, let’s look back at eight of the greatest performances of Christopher Plummer’s long and acclaimed career.

The Sound of Music

Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in ‘The Sound of Music’

The film is set in the years before the Second World War and follows Maria (Julie Andrews), a tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey who becomes a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain (Plummer) with seven children. Before too long, Maria reintroduces the love of life and music into their home.

This is the role that made Plummer a household name, and the music from the movie is still iconic to this day. However, the actor technically doesn’t sing in the film, as his voice was dubbed over by musician Bill Lee.
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The Return of the Pink Panther

(L to R) Herbert Lom, Christopher Plummer, Peter Sellers, and Catherine Schell in ‘The Return of the Pink Panther’

The forth in the series, and widely considered the best, ‘The Return of the Pink Panther‘ features star Peter Sellers also returning to the role after an absence. The famous Pink Panther jewel has once again been stolen and Inspector Clouseau is called in to catch the thief, who he is convinced is his old rival, the Phantom. Plummer plays Sir Charles Litton, also known as the Phantom, a role previously played by David Niven in the other films.
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Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country

Christopher Plummer in ‘Star Trek VI: The Undiscoverd Country’

Plummer was no stranger to genre movies, having starred in ‘Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country‘ opposite original cast members William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.

The film’s plot serves as an allegory for the Cold War, with the Federation and the Klingon empire on the verge of peace, when an unexpected attack puts everything in jeopardy. Plummer plays Chang, a one-eyed Klingon general, and is widely considered (right behind Ricardo Montalban) as one of the best villains ever to appear in a Star Trek movie.
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The Insider

(L to R) Christopher Plummer and Al Pacino in ‘The Insider’

In this 1999 movie from director Michael Mann (‘Heat‘), Plummer co-stars with Russell Crowe and Al Pacino as ’60 Minutes’ host, Mike Wallace. The movie tells the true story of the CBS news series’ exposé of the tobacco industry, as seen through the eyes of whistleblower, Jeffrey Wigand (Crowe). The movie went on to earn seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
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Inside Man

(L to R) Denzel Washington and Christopher Plummer in ‘Inside Man’

One of director Spike Lee‘s best movies, ‘Inside Man‘ follows Denzel Washington as Detective Kieth Frazier, who must negotiate with a bank robber (Clive Owen) that has taken hostages at a Manhattan bank.

But no one is who they seem, including the Mayor’s mysterious friend (Jodie Foster), who is a little too eager to help Detective Frazier with the situation. Or the bank’s shady owner played by Plummer, who is keeping some deep, dark secrets of his own.
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Beginners

(L to R) Christopher Plummer and Ewan McGregor in ‘Beginners’

Directed by Mike Mills, this is the film that finally earned Plummer his long overdue Academy Award. He won Best Supporting Actor for playing Hal, a man that comes out of the closet at the age of 75 after his wife’s death. Ewan McGregor plays his son, and the film is told from his point of view in flashbacks, after Hal’s death.
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All the Money in the World

(L to R) Christopher Plummer and Mark Wahlberg in ‘All the Money in the World’

While it did earn Plummer his third and final Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, ‘All the Money in the World‘ is infamous for how and why Plummer received the role. The movie follows the story of the real life kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III, the grandson of billionaire Jean Paul Getty, who refuses to pay the ransom.

The role of John Paul Getty was originally played by Kevin Spacey. When his scandal broke, just months before the release of the film, director Ridley Scott decided to recast the part with Plummer and reshoot a large amount of the movie.
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Knives Out

Christopher Plummer in ‘Knives Out’

One of Christopher Plummer’s final film roles was in director Rian Johnson‘s extremely successful mystery-comedy, ‘Knives Out.’ The movie tells the story of renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Plummer), who is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday.

Enter the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. Blanc begins questioning Harlan’s dysfunctional family, and with the help of Harlan’s nurse, Marta (Ana de Armas), who has a physical condition that will not allow her to tell a lie, he eventually discovers the true murderer.
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January 31, 2022
‘Forrest Gump’ Facts

Tom Hanks in ‘Forrest Gump’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Starring Tom Hanks as the sweet and simple Forrest, 1994’s ‘Forrest Gump‘ captivated audiences with its emotional depth, historical integration, and unforgettable characters. Here are 15 fascinating facts about the Oscar-winning classic that even die-hard fans might not know.
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1. Tom Hanks Wasn’t Paid Up Front

Tom Hanks believed so strongly in the film that he took a percentage of the box office earnings instead of a salary. This gamble paid off—he reportedly earned over $60 million.

2. The Iconic Bench Scenes Were Filmed in Georgia

Although much of the movie takes place in Alabama, the famous bench scenes were filmed in Chippewa Square, Savannah, Georgia. The bench itself now resides in the Savannah History Museum.

3. The Running Scenes Were Filmed Across the U.S.

Forrest’s coast-to-coast run was shot in over 20 locations, including Utah, Montana, Arizona, and the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

4. Hanks’ Brother Helped With the Running Scenes

Tom Hanks’ younger brother, Jim Hanks, served as a body double for many of Forrest’s long-distance running scenes.

5. “Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates” Was Voted Top Movie Quote

The American Film Institute ranked the quote “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get” as the 40th greatest movie quote of all time.

6. The Feather Was CGI

The opening feather that floats through the air was a combination of real footage and digital effects—cutting-edge for its time.

7. Haley Joel Osment Made His Film Debut

Before ‘The Sixth Sense‘, Osment made his film debut as Forrest’s son, Forrest Jr., at just six years old.

8. Gary Sinise’s Leg Effects Were Revolutionary

To portray Lt. Dan without legs, Gary Sinise wore blue fabric over his lower legs, allowing the visual effects team to digitally erase them in post-production.

9. The Vietnam Scenes Were Shot in South Carolina

The lush Vietnam jungle wasn’t in Southeast Asia—it was actually filmed on Fripp Island and Hunting Island in South Carolina.

10. The Script Took Years to Develop

The screenplay, based on Winston Groom’s novel, underwent several rewrites and initially faced skepticism due to its unconventional mix of history and fiction.

11. Hanks Modeled his Character’s Voice After the Actor that Played Young Forrest

Michael Conner Humphreys, who played young Forrest, had a distinctive Southern accent. Hanks chose to mimic Humphreys’ speech rather than the other way around.

12. It Beat Out Heavy Competition to Win Best Picture

‘Forrest Gump’ won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, in a year that also saw ‘Pulp Fiction‘ and ‘The Shawshank Redemption‘ nominated.

13. Elvis Presley Was Voiced by Kurt Russell

Though uncredited, Kurt Russell provided the voice of Elvis during the early scene where Forrest teaches him to dance. Russell had previously player the character in the 1979 TV movie ‘Elvis‘, which was directed by ‘Escape from New York‘s John Carpenter.

14. The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Became a Real Restaurant

The fictional company inspired a real-life seafood restaurant chain. The first location opened in 1996 and now has multiple locations worldwide including Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles.

15. It’s Preserved in the National Film Registry

In 2011, the Library of Congress selected ‘Forrest Gump’ for preservation, recognizing its cultural and historical significance.

Whether you’ve seen it once or a dozen times, ‘Forrest Gump’ continues to leave audiences laughing, crying, and reflecting on the journey of life.

Tom Hanks in ‘Forrest Gump’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

July 4, 2021