In honor of Patrick Swayze’s passing and a tribute to his entertaining career, Movie Mobsters is doing a special Top Ten list today.
10. Donnie Darko
His role was smaller in this film, but pivitol. Each scene he was in he commanded with dedication and the talent of actor who’s career may not always be remembered as the most distinguished, but certainly entertaining. One of his last roles, and an incredibly memorable one.
9. The Outsiders
Darrel “Darry” Curtis is the oldest of the Curtis brothers and is tough and determined. With an all-star cast in their very, very fresh years, The Outsiders was a break-out opportunity for Swayze and many others, not to mention a classic film that pretty much sums up the entire essence of the 80’s.
8. Young Blood
This hockey flick with Rob Lowe may not be a crowd pleaser, but it’s one of my own guilty pleasures. I loved this movie as a kid and still get a kick out of watching it now, but of course part of appreciating Patrick Swayze’s group of work is appreciating that he wasn’t afraid to shy away from either his good lucks or his corny sense of entertainment.
7. North And South
North and South was an epic collage of multiple tales obviously depicting the Civil War. This fictional tale does take a bit of time, but it’s probably one of his more well put together and less of a “typical” role for Swayze. It certainly showed he could do more than dance and spin kicks, even though we love him for both those things.
6. Point Break
It’s funny how most of Swayze’s roles tend to be guilty pleasures, and Point Break that happens to contain one of the most blatant movie bromances of all time is no exception. This film is pure and simply silly, but it’s still likable and one of the most referenced films around today.
5. Ghost
You can call this a chick flick all day, but for anyone who’s been in love or dreamed about it, this movie will get to you. No matter how old you are, people see a parody of the pot making scene and you know what movie is being referenced. As far fetched as some of the notions this films delivers are, it’s still a damn good movie, that IS touching, and Whoopi is the Shiznat in it.
4. To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar
This may not be another crowd pleaser, but it’s one of my personal favorites: PERIOD. My movie fan friends often tease me about my adoration of To Wong Foo, but it’s a great movie, and for me Swayze’s role as Vita is one of the most memorble characters of all time. She even made it into my TOP 100. Great movie and I won’t budge on it’s ranking.
3. Roadhouse
This is Swayze at his most excessive and I think most of us love him for it. As ridiculous as Roadhouse is, everytime it’s on cable I sit down and watch it with a goofy grin on my face. It’s mindless self induglence at it’s best.
2. Dirty Dancing
Probably Swayze’s most iconic role as the “bad boy” Johnny, who fell for the good girl, this movie is still downright entertaining for all it’s faults. It has one of the best soundtracks (heck, there were so many songs they made a part I and II record. I had them both on vinyl of course) and some of the best dancing in a movie ever period. And Swayze and Jennifer Grey together were kinetic.
1. Red Dawn
Sure, Dirty Dancing would have been an easy number one pick, but I’m not going there. I’m all about Red Dawn. For anyone who wants to deny Red Dawn, I will simply yell WOLVERINES! and charge you. That’s all I’ve got.
Popularity: 6% [?]
wow that was fast good job
Sarah says Dirty Dancing should be #1
Tell Sarah I just yelled Wolverines! and then charged. Though my head now hurts from hitting the wall.
Sarah thinks your funny
Kudos on having the cahones to put Red Dawn in it’s rightful place. It is remarkable how many of his movies continue to have a second life on cable. Within the past month I have watched at least parts of Dancing, Red Dawn, Point Break, Roadhouse, and Wong Foo because they were randomly on TV.
Oh and Ghost is uber boring. Except when the demons kill that one guy, total snoozer.
Red Dawn is AWESOME and deserves to be an number one. The remake will never live up to the original but had better be in memory of Swayze. I have to completely agree that Ghost is BORING. I am glad you have Young Blood on the list. That is actually one of my favorite Rob Lowe movies aside from St. Elmos Fire and Oxford Blues.
I don’t think I’ve seen Red Dawn… will you still yell WOLVERINES! and charge me? =)
Amy, you really should see Red Dawn it has a great cast. Charlie Sheen and C. Thomas Howell are great in it too.
No Amy, but you must see Red Dawn. It’s a required viewing for anyone who enjoys movies, but you have to accept it for what it is.
Interesting you put Red Dawn top, most people would have gone for Dirty Dancing, I would have said Point Break.
Random fact about Red Dawn you may or may not know. Kevin Reynolds wrote the story and drafted a screenplay while at collage. He dropped it for his final project opting to make a short film called Proof. Proof was the starting point for what became his feature début Fandango.
Jeez, I forgot how many of his movies I really enjoyed. Sad to see him gone now.