Sigourney Weaver has had a distinguished career that many can only dream about. A career that includes 3 Oscar nominations, $2 Billion+ grossing at the box office. She has also showcased magnificent range and versatility in an impressively array of films that includes comedies, serious dramas and cult classics. Especially, very few actresses till date can match the charisma of a young Sigourney Weaver.
She is today considered to be one of the most important figures in cinema history thanks to her pioneering role as a female action hero. It has inspired and set the stage for women to take-charge of the big screen and kick ass. Let’s take a look at the list of top Sigourney Weaver films.
12. Eyewitness (1981)
Eyewitness is a 1981 thriller film produced and directed by Peter Yates and written by Steve Tesich. It stars William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Christopher Plummer and Morgan Freeman. In the film a murder takes place in Daryll’s(Hurt) building, Tony(Weaver) arrives to report on the crime; to get close to her, Daryll fabricates an eyewitness account of the slaying.
The box office result of the film was unfair to this thriller which manages to build its mystery every scene by scene. Characters in the film are very well build and fantastically performed, especially by Hurt and Plummer. It is an engaging thriller that very well keeps the audiences involved in the mystery.
11. Ghost Busters (1984)
Ghostbusters is a 1984 American comedy film directed and produced by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It stars Billy Murray, Aykroyd and Ramis who start a ghost catching company in New York City. The film was a huge financial success and went on to receive two Oscar Nominations.
GhostBusters is an infectiously fun and entertaining film filled with special effects and hilarious comedy. Murray is amazing in the film with his deadpan comedy and leads an equally comedic cast. It’s smart, cool, slick, witty, scary, and intense.
10. Death and the Maiden (1994)
Death and the Maiden is a 1994 mystery drama film directed by Roman Polanski and starring Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley and Stuart Wilson. It is based on the play of the same name that follows a young woman who suspects the new stranger in their house to be the man who raped and abused her before.
Polanski masterfully creates this film scene by scene and is very meticulous and wise. He is able to keep the audiences attentive and keeps precision with the story and the actors. Kingsley and Weaver are incredible in the film and gives you a sense of emotional violence.
9. Avatar (2009)
Avatar is a 2009 American epic science fiction film directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron. It stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Michelle Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver. In the film an ex-Marine finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. Avatar is the highest grossing film of all time with over 2 Billion$.
James Cameron is known for creating box office spectacles, and with Avatar he outdoes himself. With some of the best visual and special effects you will see on a big screen, Avatar is a spectacle. Apart from it’s run time and the overly similar plot to ‘Dances With The Wolves’, it is a groundbreaking film that we will talk about for ages.
8. The Ice Storm (1997)
The Ice Storm is a 1997 American drama film directed by Ang Lee, based on the 1994 novel The Ice Storm by Rick Moody. It stars Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Chirstina Ricci, Sigourney Weaver, Tobey Maguire and Elijah Wood. The film takes place in suburban New Canaan, Connecticut, 1973, where a middle class families experimenting with casual sex and substance abuse find their lives beyond their control.
A thoroughly enjoyable blend of comedy and melodrama which captures its settings, character and situation with upmost precision. The performances from the ensemble cast are powerful and beautiful.
7. The Working Girl (1988)
Working Girl is a 1988 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Mike Nichols, written by Kevin Wade, and starring Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver. In the film ,Tess, a secretary, decides to fight back by using the identity of Katharine, her boss, after she steals her idea and presents it to a client. The film was a hit for both audiences and critics alike and it went on to get multiple Oscar nominations including Best Picture as well as acting nominations for Griffith, Ford and Weaver.
Working Girl has everything working for it, from the directors to the cast to the story. The on-screen chemistry is something most actors and directors can only dream about.
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6. Dave (1993)
Dave is a 1993 American political comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman, written by Gary Ross, and starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver. In the film Klines character(Dave) has an uncanny resemblance President Bill Michelle. When Bill has a sudden stroke, Dave is called upon to impersonate the President.
Dave is a fresh and smoothly written screenplay which will engage the audience with its charm. Kline delivers a genuine comedic performance and his charisma is undeniable. It is a wonderfully light-hearted entertainment that is very well-balanced and consistent.
5. Gorilla In the Mist (1988)
Dave is a 1993 American political comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman, written by Gary Ross, and starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver. In the film Klines character(Dave) has an uncanny resemblance President Bill Michelle. When Bill has a sudden stroke, Dave is called upon to impersonate the President.
Dave is a fresh and smoothly written screenplay which will engage the audience with its charm. Kline delivers a genuine comedic performance and his charisma is undeniable. It is a wonderfully light-hearted entertainment that is very well-balanced and consistent.
4. Alien (1979)
Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Sigourney Weaver in the lead
. In the film a highly aggressive extraterrestrial creature that stalks and attacks the crew of a spaceship. This is the film that originated the franchise, which would go on to be one of the most beloved and popular franchise of all time.
Alien blends science fiction, horror and bleak poetry into a seamless whole. Sigourney Weaver as the lead was revolutionary and would go down as one of the greatest characters ever created on screen. The tension is spine chilling and the craftsmanship is intelligent. It is definitely seen as one of the most important cinema in history, and deservedly so.
3. Alien (1986)
Aliens is a 1986 American science fiction action film written and directed by James Cameron, produced by Gale Anne Hurd and starring Sigourney Weaver. Second instalment of the franchise it follows Ellen Ripley(Weaver’s character) as she returns to the moon where her crew encountered the hostile Alien creature, this time accompanied by a unit of marines.
Just like the first film, scene to scene, encounter to encounter, its tension builds unrelentingly. It is however less atmospheric in tone and way more action packed. Often times a sequel never lives up to the hype of its original, but Aliens is bold and a worthy sequel. Sigourney Weaver is top-notch as always in the film.
2. Galaxy Quest (1990)
Galaxy Quest is a 1999 American comic science fiction film directed by Dean Parisot and written by David Howard and Robert Gordon. The film is a parody of science films, especially the StarTrek Universe. It stars Sigourney Weaver, Tim Allen, Allan Rickman and Sam Rockwell. The film was a modest box office success and was positively received by critics
In many ways, Galaxy Quest is more fantasy than science fiction. The film is fast, hilarious and is definitely one of the great entertainment flicks. It not only is a parody, but works as a basic space adventure as well.
1. The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)
The Year of Living Dangerously is a 1982 Australian romantic drama film directed by Peter Weir and co-written by Weir and David Williamson adapted from Christopher Koch’s novel of the same name. It stars Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver in the leads as a pair of journalists covering political unrest in Indonesia.
Combining political intrigue, steamy romance, and engaging characters, Peter Weir’s well-crafted is a highly enjoyable adventure. A young Mel Gibson anchors the superbly smart, suspenseful tale of intrigue and a sweeping romance.
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