As a cinephile who has journeyed through the annals of time and space, witnessing the evolution of cinema, I must confess that my heart swells with nostalgia when I reminisce about the ’90s – an era of vibrant colors, grunge music, and teenage angst beautifully encapsulated in gems like “Empire Records”. Playing a young, ambitious, and tormented soul, Liv Tyler, who was herself navigating the complexities of adolescence during filming, breathed life into the character of Tyler. Despite some questionable aspects, the movie remains a delightful throwback to a time when flannel shirts, mixed tapes, and video stores ruled the cultural landscape.
Liv Tyler has been a familiar face on both large and small television screens since the 1990s, earning her a high profile in Hollywood. It’s worth noting that her journey to fame wasn’t entirely new – she was already accustomed to it, being the daughter of former Playboy Playmate Bebe Buell and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler. However, unlike some who may have been propelled by their last names or connections, Liv forged her own path in the industry.
Tyler consistently gives strong acting performances across various genres, whether it’s big-budget blockbusters or smaller independent films. She’s also captivated audiences on television shows like the supernatural drama “The Leftovers”. Additionally, she made a memorable appearance in Aerosmith’s music video for “Crazy”, alongside ’90s favorite, Alicia Silverstone. Yet, many believe her movies are where she truly excels and where her most legendary roles can be found.
Preparing for her upcoming appearance on the silver screen in “Captain America: Brave New World” as Bettie Ross, a character last seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe back in 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk”, let’s explore Liv Tyler’s top films instead.
11 Onegin (1999)
At the turn of the millennium, Tyler played the lead in a British historical drama titled “Onegin”, which was based on a novel by Pushkin. The story unfolds in the 1820s and centers around Yevgeny Onegin, a socialite residing in Saint Petersburg who later moves to the Russian countryside following his uncle’s estate inheritance. In this new setting, he encounters several neighbors, including Tatyana “Tanya” Larina, portrayed by Tyler. From the get-go, Tanya is smitten with Onegin, and despite his initial indifference, she persists in her pursuit.
Back in Time
Instead of the typical pattern in historical romantic dramas where a man pursues a woman, this story features a reversal. The captivating character, Tanya, while embodying the spirit of her era, also exhibits intricate layers and sharpness that resonate with contemporary audiences.
Tyler adopts a subtle and elegant style in her portrayal of Tanya, fitting for such a character. It’s a more modest film with a limited budget and a contained narrative, but it delivers effectively for historical drama enthusiasts, particularly those who appreciate a touch of sorrow.
10 Stealing Beauty (1996)
Lucy Harmon, a young woman, finds herself grappling with the loss of her mother. To find solace and make sense of her feelings, she travels to Tuscany, Italy, residing in a shared villa. The region holds numerous nostalgic memories for her, such as Niccolò, the boy with whom she once shared her first kiss. However, when Niccolò appears and fails to recognize her, it tarnishes the cherished recollections. Yet, there’s an opportunity to rekindle that connection or maybe form a fresh bond with Niccolò’s brother instead.
Ignore the Seedier Bits
Stealing Beauty isn’t flawless in any aspect. The older characters exhibit an unsettling fixation on Lucy, focusing excessively on her virginity and age-old topic of discussion. Despite being legally an adult (having turned nineteen), she is depicted as both innocent and naive while also being overly sexualized. Nevertheless, the enchanting Tuscan scenery and Tyler’s captivating performance add charm to the movie.
Many viewers are familiar with tales of individuals journeying to Europe in search of self-discovery. Despite Stealing Beauty following this pattern, its engaging cast and strong performances prevent the viewing from becoming monotonous.
Rent on Amazon Video
9 Armageddon (1998)
One of Tyler’s highly acclaimed movies is the science fiction disaster film “Armageddon.” The storyline revolves around an unexpected meteor shower that has devastated several cities in both the United States and Canada. NASA discovers that this catastrophe is far from over, as a colossal meteor is predicted to collide with our planet within just three weeks, potentially leading to Earth’s annihilation. To prevent this impending disaster, they recruit an unlikely team – drillers – who are tasked with saving the world as we know it. Among these drillers is Grace Stamper, daughter of a fellow driller.
The Heart of the Movie
Grace finds herself caught in a challenging situation, as she’s the daughter of Harry, the leader of the Earth-saving team, and she’s involved with A.J., who works as a driller. There’s tension between them because Harry strongly dislikes their relationship, which often fuels their personal disagreements.
Exceptional movies often incorporate compelling side stories to enrich the primary narrative, and “Armageddon” does exactly that. Although Tyler’s character may not be essential for the human survival mission, her presence significantly deepens both Harry and A.J.’s character development, adding an emotional layer that greatly enhances the film.
8 Jamie Marks Is Dead (2014)
In 2014, Tyler featured in the supernatural horror movie titled “Jamie Marks Has Died.” This film adaptation revolves around the events following the murder of a disliked and mistreated high school student named Jamie Marks. Despite not being popular or well-respected among his peers, Jamie was often bullied and those who didn’t participate in the abuse were either silent observers or passive bystanders. One such individual is Adam McCormick, a prominent athlete. However, even after Jamie’s death, he continues to be haunted by the spirit of his former classmate.
Sad and Horrifying
A different show with a comparable concept that garnered significantly more interest is “13 Reasons Why.” Despite millions tuning in, some viewers felt it was overly juvenile and lacked depth. However, Jamie Marks Is Dead offers a compelling counterpoint. In this series, Tyler plays Linda, the mother of Adam who’s confined to a wheelchair following a car accident. She endeavors to guide Adam through this challenging phase, yet finds many of her attempts ineffective.
Stream on Prime Video
7 The Incredible Hulk (2008)
2008 saw a new member, Tyler, entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s illustrious actor roster rather early on. The film “The Incredible Hulk” tells the tale of scientist Bruce Banner who was part of an experiment to create super-resilient humans, capable of withstanding radiation. However, Banner himself becomes affected by this radiation, transforming into the Hulk whenever he gets enraged.
1) He runs away, which now makes him a focal point for the administration that supported the project. Behind his efforts to discover a remedy for his illness is the encouragement of his girlfriend, Betty Ross (Tyler).
A Different Side to The Hulk
Betty is a well-respected cellular biologist and a significant person in Banner’s life. Her kind nature provides a stark contrast to the Hulked-out Banner following his transformation. For some time, Tyler had been primarily involved in smaller productions, but “The Incredible Hulk” rekindled her fame, prompting viewers to remember that she was more than just a figure from the ’90s. As I’ve already stated, Tyler will resume her role as this character in the 2025 film “Captain America: New World Order.”
6 That Thing You Do! (1996)
Tyler seldom participates in musicals, yet “That Thing You Do!” stands out as a captivating exception. Set in the 1960s, it revolves around aspiring musician Guy Patterson, who feels trapped in a monotonous job. His friends persuade him to replace their injured drummer at a gig. Miraculously, Guy gels with the band, even altering the song spontaneously. The movie traces their meteoric rise and fall. Faye Dolan, the lead singer’s girlfriend, is among their admirers, eventually developing feelings for Guy.
A Thowback to the ’60s
In this movie, often recognized as Tom Hanks’ first venture into screenwriting and directing, Faye’s character deserves attention beyond being just a member of the band’s entourage. Instead, she’s portrayed with an engaging, lively demeanor that charms viewers. This film was made during Tyler’s peak popularity, explaining why her character became so beloved. Alongside the band, Faye adds humor and charm to the storyline, creating a delightful, entertaining atmosphere.
5 Robot & Frank (2012)
Robot & Frank is a heartfelt blend of science fiction and comedy, where the story revolves around an elderly gentleman named Frank Weld. Aging brings challenges such as dementia for him, but Frank’s past isn’t that of your average cranky old man. He was once a skilled jewel thief and ex-convict. When his son Hunter finds it difficult to care for his father due to time constraints, he provides the solution in the form of a lifelike robot, designed to be Frank’s companion.
The role of being friendly and offering guidance was what the robot was designed to do. But engaging in another heist as a nostalgic act, that’s less likely.
A Feel-Good Film
In the movie, Tyler takes on a secondary role as Frank’s daughter named Madison. Unlike Hunter, she is not fond of the Robot and attempts to persuade her father to abandon it. Initially, their relationship was strained, but Frank has now fully embraced it. If viewers anticipate Tyler to be the main character, they might be let down. However, this shouldn’t stop them from watching this film. The movie has a Pixar-like feel, combining warmth, humor, and emotion.
4 Heavy (1995)
In the gritty world of Heavy, Victor Modino serves as a cook at his parents’ restaurant, finding himself deeply dissatisfied with his existence. He’s discontented with his physical appearance, mourning the demise of his father, and fearful that his aging mother won’t be far behind. Each day appears to blend into the next, offering little more than monotony. However, a change comes when a young woman named Callie, who dropped out of college, is hired as a waitress. Despite their initial encounters, Callie exhibits compassion towards him and gradually demonstrates that perhaps there’s more to life than he had thought.
Don’t Judge By The Premise
Some spectators might worry that this movie could cross into unsettling territory due to an older, reclusive man becoming involved with a young, aimless woman. Given this premise, some might hesitate to watch Heavy. However, those individuals would be overlooking a heartwarming tale that underscores the beautiful bond between Victor and Callie.
The entire host of characters is easy to like, from Victor’s mother, Dolly, to another employee named Delores. Heavy will make viewers laugh, cry, and smile throughout the movie.
3 Empire Records (1995)
“Empire Records” revolves around a team of staff members at a quirky record shop named Empire. One day, Lucas discovers that their beloved independent store is about to be swallowed up by a big, faceless corporation. Deeply upset, he hatches a plan to use the day’s earnings for gambling at a casino, hoping to multiply it. However, luck isn’t on his side and over the next 24 hours, Lucas and the rest of the employees must unite to prevent the store from being gobbled up.
An Ode to the ’90s
Tyler acts as Corey Mason, a student with ambition and hidden struggles with addiction, who’s attempting to win over her admired musician and figuring out her feelings towards A.J., another colleague at Empire Records. Some parts of the movie might not be appropriate today due to the excessive sexualization of a teenager (Tyler) during filming in high school. However, this movie remains fun and entertaining with its catchy music, vibrant fashion, and distinct ’90s vibe.
Rent on Apple TV
2 Wildling (2018)
In the movie “Wildling“, our character Anna experienced a challenging upbringing. Her father confined her to the attic, made her believe there was a harmful creature called a “wildling” he was safeguarding her from, and eventually administered drugs to weaken her.
Following a failed suicide attempt by her father, she was saved and taken to the hospital for care. Sheriff Cooper (Tyler) proposes to provide temporary shelter for Anna during this challenging time. However, the already difficult transition is made even more complex when Anna starts manifesting extraordinary abilities.
Why It’s Great
For those seeking a blend of horror and fantasy, the lesser-known film “Wildling” is worth checking out. The character Ellen finds herself in a complex position, needing to balance her duty to enforce the law against Anna, who appears to have broken it during these trying times. Despite Anna being the main focus of the movie, many viewers were captivated by Tyler’s performance as Sheriff Cooper. With its swift pace and divisive ending, the film is sure to provoke a strong reaction, whether positive or negative.
Stream on AMC+
1 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings (2001)
With little need for introduction, we find ourselves immersed in “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” a cinematic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved books. Our tale begins with Frodo Baggins, a humble hobbit, unwittingly coming into possession of a powerful ring. This ring, you see, is sought by the malevolent Sauron, who wishes to regain his full power. Recognizing the grave danger this poses, Frodo and a group of brave companions embark on a perilous journey to Mordor, the land where the ring can be destroyed.
The Start of a Legacy
Tyler was chosen to portray the elf character named Arwen. Although Arwen is not part of the Fellowship (Frodo’s group), she provides crucial assistance at pivotal moments throughout the movie. Given its enormous fanbase, it was inevitable that The Lord of the Rings trilogy would elicit passionate responses.
In summary, the series is generally adored by many and frequently considered a masterful introductory glimpse into Middle Earth. The world creation is remarkable, filmmakers spared no expense on set decoration, and with an impressive earnings of close to $3 billion at the box office, it’s evident that the series was a resounding success.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-08-05 05:02