As one of the elite few movie stars in history,Kevin Costnerhas been able to have an impact on the cinema-sphere in every decade he’s been active. His first credit came in 1981, and his work continued to build steadily over time.Kevin Costner’s careerexperienced the highest highs with box office smash hits, Academy Award wins, and critical acclaim, as well as some career lows that would have been impossible to recover from even for manygreat actors.
Other than his undisputed talent and drive, Kevin Costner has a rare type of charm that appeals to all audiences.His performances evoke feelings of strength, vulnerability, safety, and thrills in equal measure, commanding the screen at every turn. He’s been a leading man, a great supporting character, a legacy cameo star, and even a background actor. His list of credits is long, covering multiple genres, and varying levels of quality, but whenever Kevin Coster is involved, there’s a level of class that’s undeniable.
Costner’s earliest film credit, this silly, raunchy comedy, wasn’t received well by critics or audiences at the time of its initial release (or subsequent 1986 re-release). The actor tried to buy the rights to the film later in his career, as he felt embarrassed about it, but was denied. Few people remember this rare misstep, and witha 2.7 IMDb rating, that’s probably for the best.
Night Shift
Cast
Night Shift is a comedy film directed by Ron Howard, featuring Henry Winkler and Michael Keaton in leading roles. The story follows an uptight morgue worker whose dull life takes an unexpected turn when he partners with a free-spirited new colleague to operate a nighttime prostitution ring out of the morgue. The film, noted for its humorous take on unconventional entrepreneurship, marked a significant departure from mainstream themes in early 1980s cinema.
This screwball comedy boastsan impressive lead cast that includes Michael Keaton, Henry Winkler, and Shelley Long. It was alsodirected by Ron Howard, and was moderately successful at the time, with the three leads being praised for their chemistry. Kevin Costner played Frat Boy #1, so while not a notable role, he was on his way to building a solid list of credits.
Shadows Run Black
Shadows Run Black is a crime thriller centered on a detective investigating a series of murders by the serial killer “The Black Angel.” As the case unfolds, the detective uncovers a pattern in the killings, suggesting they may not be random, intensifying the mystery behind the murderer’s identity.
This project was shelved for a few years after being made, but due toCostner’s rising star power, the film was finally released. Poorly received and poorly performing financially, this erotic thriller features the actor in a smaller supporting role of the main suspect. It has a 3.1 IMDb rating and 12% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Chasing Dreams (1989)
A young man is stagnating in his family, farm and school life, but after his baseball coach convinces him to start playing, he finds some comfort in the sport and ends up excelling at it, completely changing his outlook on life.
Kevin Costner is synonymous with sports movies in many ways. Football, golf, and even cycling have all been topics of his movies, but baseball has arguably been the sport he’s been drawn to the most. This is the first foray onto the pitch, and it’s clear that the best is yet to come.
In this melodrama set in the 1920s,Costner gets to show his leading man credentials. The film was made years before its release and was another one to ride the actor’s successful coattails. It received mostly 1 or 2-star reviews and currently holds a 3.9 rating on IMDb and 25% on Rotten Tomatoes.
There’s a nostalgic charm to this blackjack-themed drama. It’s a pleasant watch if only to see Kevin Costner’s fresh-faced approach to acting, and many delightfully dated film-making techniques. The budget was as low as the expectations, but die-hardCostner fans would appreciate it.
The New Daughter
The New Daughter is a horror-thriller film directed by Luiso Berdejo. Kevin Costner stars as John James, a single father who relocates to rural South Carolina with his daughter Louisa and son Sam. As Louisa begins to exhibit increasingly strange behavior, John uncovers a series of haunting and mysterious events that suggest the presence of an ancient and malevolent force.
A film that relied heavily on Costner’s star power for its otherwise lackluster marketing, this thriller has its moments. Co-starring Samantha Mathis, there are some genuine scares, and the acting is commendable. While it may not be his best material,the audiences can rely on the actor’s talent and experienceto ground this otherwise wanting horror. It also massively underperformed at the box office.
3000 Miles to Graceland
3000 Miles to Graceland is a crime thriller film that follows a group of ex-cons who plan to rob a casino during a Elvis Presley impersonator convention. Led by Murphy (Kevin Costner) and Hanson (Kurt Russell), the group’s heist goes awry, and they must evade the authorities and other criminals to get away with the loot.
The premise of this action caper is promising, and the impressive cast should add to its appeal, yet it was one of the most critically panned of Costner’s films. At the time,it received five Golden Razzie nominations, including Worst Picture, and nods for both Kevin Costner and Courtney Cox. It also failed to perform well at the box office. Through a nostalgic lens, some viewers might find the simple storyline and abundance of famous faces pleasant to watch.
Criminal
Criminal is an action crime drama that follows a recently revived CIA agent who finds his memories implanted into the body of an unpredictable and dangerous convict. In a last-ditch effort to stop a diabolical plot, the dead CIA operative’s memories, secrets, and skills are implanted into the unsettling death-row inmate in the hopes that he will complete the operative’s mission.
With a plot that involves “implanting a CIA agent’s memories into a criminal’s brain,” there are two ways this could go. Unfortunately, despite co-starring the likes of Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, and Gal Gadot,the film is very predictable and lacks true excitement. The reception was lukewarm, as was the box office performance, and the film failed to make an impact on the awards circuit.
American Flyers
American Flyers is a sports drama directed by John Badham, centering on two brothers, portrayed by Kevin Costner and David Grant, who reconnect and face personal challenges while competing in a grueling bicycle race known as “The Hell of the West.” The film blends elements of family, health struggles, and determination against the backdrop of competitive cycling.
One of Costner’s early pictures,this inspiring cycling drama has many heartwarming momentsthat make it stand the test of time. It centers around both sports and family drama, managing to engage viewers from both sides of the Venn diagram. With a rather warm critical reception, this was one of the films that showed the aspiring actor’s future potential.
