Best George Clooney Movies
It’s hard to get hotter in Hollywood than George Clooney. The 48-year-old actor/director has a movie coming out this week, “The Men Who Stares at Goats”; and stars in “Up In The Air,” a film shot partially in St. Louis that opens later this year.
Nice mullet, G.C.
All pretty heady stuff for a guy who got his start in TV sitcoms — ” Ace in “E/R”; George Burnett in “Facts of Life”; and Booker in “Roseanne.” While we have this chance, let’s take a look at the best Clooney movies (and one amazing mullet from the 1980s):
In "Syriana"
10. Syriana (2005) Bob Barnes: A solid film about the intrigue, betrayal, corruption and politics in the Middle East and the global oil industry. Clooney won a supporting actor Oscar for his turn as a CIA agent who is set up as a fall guy after an assassination plot and a missile deal fall through.
"Perfect Storm"
9. The Perfect Storm (2000) Capt. Billy Tyne: While this film was not near as riveting as the book by Sebastian Junger, Clooney does yeoman’s work as the captain of one of the fishing boats that is at sea at the worst of all possible times.
8. Spy Kids (2001) Devlin: One of the better family movies of the last 15 years, two young children (Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabara) discover that their boring parents (Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino) are actually international spies for the OSS and must be saved from evil forces. Clooney plays the OSS chief.
"Three Kings," with Cube and Wahlberg
7. Three Kings (1999) Archie Gates: After the Gulf War fighting subsides, four U.S. soldiers (Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze) plot to steal a massive amount of gold that had first been stolen from Kuwait. But they get involved with suffering refugees as they try to get away. Inventive filmmaking.
6. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) Jim Byrd: One of the more interesting and unusual films of the decade, Clooney directs Sam Rockwell in this story of game-show host Chuck Barris, who contends that he was a government spy while serving as creator/host of “The Gong Show.” Clooney has a small role.
Lawyered up in "Michael Clayton"
5. Michael Clayton (2007) Michael Clayton: Clooney deftly plays a high-powered fixer for a law firm that is trying to avoid paying major damages to victims of corporate greed and carelessness. Powerful story, good support work from Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton, and Clooney’s only lead-acting Oscar nomination.
4. Ocean’s 11 (2001) Danny Ocean: The sequels have been weak, but this first episode with Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts and a slew of other stars is a thrill ride of comedy, caper drama and a better-than-expected love story. Sorry, Ol Blue Eyes fans, but this is far better than the Sinatra original.
3. Good Night and Good Luck (2005) Fred Friendly: This biopic of famed TV newsman Edward R. Murrow is impressive mainly because of David Strathairn’s pitch-perfect performance in the lead role. But Clooney, who directed, co-wrote and had a supporting role, deserves major props for getting this on screen.
He's a Dapper Dan man
2. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) Everett: The Coen Brothers wacky retelling of “The Odyssey” is one of their best efforts, thanks in large part to Clooney and a great soundtrack. He is one of three idiotic chain-gang escapees (though he is the only who doesn’t know he’s an idiot) who seek their treasure in Depression-era Mississippi. Local hero John Goodman plays the world’s meanest Bible salesman.
"Out of Sight"
1. Out of Sight (1998) Jack Foley: A great crime drama about a bank robber who is looking for his last big score, but runs head-on into a nasty group of Detroit hoods wanting in on the action. Hard to beat the combination of Elmore Leonard’s crisp storytelling, Steven Soderbergh’s deft directing and across-the-board strong acting from Clooney, Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Steve Zahn, Albert Brooks, Dennis Farina and the talented Jennifer Lopez — before she became a diva/celeb.
And for your dining and dancing pleasure, check out the Soggy Bottom Boys — Clooney, Tim Blake Nelson and John Turturro — performing “A Man of Constant Sorrow.” (In fact, Clooney’s vocal were overdubbed by musician Dan Tyminski):
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(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Joe joined the P-D in 1989 and covered police, courts and politics. In 1999, he joined the features department as the film critic. Now he writes the "Life Sherpa" column, in the Sunday comics section; the trivia column in the Saturday paper; and the "Bar Exam" in Friday's GO! section. 
I would rate O Brother above Out of Sight.
You are right that the Clooney Ocean’s 11 is superior to the 1960s version. I had to watch it three times to figure out how they did the caper.
As a woman, I can’t believe Solaris isn’t included–just for the butt-shot of the man.
All good picks. My only changes would be to put Michael Clayton, O Brother Where Art Thou and Good Night and Good Luck higher and Out of Sight more in the middle.
This is one of the worst lists you’ve done this year. To say these are his “best”. Yes, Spy Kids was a good family movie.. but a “best” for Clooney? And Three Kings? How about adding some of his better work: For example One Fine Day to show his sensitive, parental side? Or how about his role in Thin Red Lineas Capt. Bosche? Or try the unique role in Leatherheads maybe? And finally… who can forget the huge Cult favorite in From Dusk Till Dawn where he did an awesome job in a rather different role. Leaving From Dusk Till Dawn off just ruined this entire list!
I stop and watch O Brother anytime I see it playing. Clooney’s good but I like the other two fellers.
Pete: “I’m voting for yours truly.”
Everett: “Well I’m voting for yours truly too.
Delmar: “Okay, I’m with you fellas.”
Good stuff!
Joe,
Awesome job. Thanks for recognizing that “Out of Sight” is a fantastic film. One of my favorites and deserving of the top spot. I also would have given a tip of the hat to “One Fine Day” over “Spy Kids.”
I’ve only seen the Ocean’s movies. I thought Ocean’s 11 was good the others were only okay. It’s not even Clooney though that I remember the most from 11. I always think of Brad Pitt’s character who is eating constantly.
You forgot to mention he’s the voice of The Fantastic Mr. Fox, the Wes Anderson animated film which will probably be a bigger hit than The Men Who Stare at Goats.
Major faux pas! Where, oh where, is “Intolerable Cruelty”?!
Thanks for the comments, guys and gals. Let me take this chance to dig the hole a little deeper:
I think “Intolerable Cruelty” may be the worst movie the Coen Brothers have ever made; “Leatherheads” was a poor attempt at screwball comedy; and “From Dusk Till Dawn” is a good but overrated movie, but I wouldn’t kick “Syriana” out to include it (I know the Tarantino Guild will disagree.)
Glad to see some others are showing love for “Out of Sight,” a vastly underrated film.
And “suzyjax,” I respect where you’re coming from but it just didn’t do near as much for me as it did for you. Go figure!
LOVE O Brother, however not because of Clooney, he simply will always be Booker from Roseanne to me.