6. Body of Lies (2008)

If Leonardo DiCaprio is in a movie, chances are I’m going to like it. He’s my favorite actor working today, and this film in particular shows once again why he’s a genius. This is an under written part, but DiCaprio not only elevates his performance, he nearly makes the entire film. If any other actor were in this role, the movie might not even be in my top ten, let alone #6. From the moment we see Roger Ferris (DiCaprio) on screen, we are immediately enraptured. DiCaprio’s ability to make everything seem important with high stakes is something not many actors can do. Russell Crowe is no slouch here either. This is probably one of his funnier roles, as he’s a constant pain in the ass to DiCaprio, but their banter back and forth is great nonetheless. We also get an up and coming Oscar Isaac appearance, and Mark Strong is certainly compelling as Hani, director of Jordanian Intelligence who builds a tense, yet beneficial relationship with Ferris, as both men try desperately to bring down a big time terrorist (Alon Abutbul). While a little long, this is a tense thriller, and probably one of Ridley’s more coherent films. It’s a solid caper with a good emphasis on character.

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