Billy Bob Thornton is one of the most iconoclastic actors of his generation . The atypical conduct serviceman and vista - stealing case actor paved his own success in Hollywood , first by conscientious objector - writing the superb criminal offense filmOne False Movein 1991 , which he also starred in . Five years afterwards , Thornton set the diligence ablaze with his deeply personal filmSling Blade , which he write , directed , and starred in en route to acquire Best Original Screenplay .

Thornton has roll up nearly 100 big and small screen credits since the mid-80s .   Of all those movies he ’s star in , there are ten that are deemed his skilful .

Monster’s Ball (2001) 85%

Halle Berry became the first   Black woman to win an Oscar for Best Leading Actress for her work inMonster ’s Ball , in which she star opposite Thornton . The controversial movie blossom a ardent dearest affair between a bigoted livid redneck and a widowed bootleg woman .

Directed by Marc Forster , the film is set in the deep American south . Hank ( Thornton ) is an overtly racist security system guard working at the Death rowing institution where Leticia ’s married man was recently executed ( Halle Berry ) . Despite their world of difference , the two produce a honey affair that makes both question their identity .

Puss In Boots (2011) 86%

In Dreamworks’Puss in Boots , Thornton and Amy Sedaris play Jack and Jill , a pair of in series killing outlaws who remain hot on the blab queen ’s ( Antonio Banderas ) trail on a pursuit across the American West .

The adventure kicks off when Puss and his two pals Kitty ( Salma Hayek ) and Humpty ( Zach Galifianakis ) put out to obtain the priceless egg set by a Golden Goose . Along the way , the trio steal sorcerous beans from Jack and Jill , leading to an epic cross - country CT - and - toon chase .

Ain’t In It For My Health: A Film About Levon Helm (2010) 87%

Although it was produced in 2010,A Film About Levon Helmwas not released in the U.S. until 2013 . The film observe the personal and professional life of Levon Helm , the iconic drummer for the 1970s musical act The Band .

The film was made prior to and loose after Helm ’s last in 2012 . In addition to fete his past study , the documentary centers on Helm writing and recording his first album in 25 years . Thornton is on hand to voice his admiration for Helm ’s lasting musical donation .

A Simple Plan (1998) 90%

Thornton earned the 2d Academy Award nominating address as an actor for his noteworthy play in Sam Raimi’sFargoesque criminal offense - thrillerA Simple Plan .

When Hank ( Bill Paxton ) , Lou ( Brent Briscoe ) , and Jacob ( Thornton ) circumstantially bumble on a crashed plane full of cash in the snow-white woods , they decide to hide the money before dividing it equally among themselves . When it becomes reset the stash is filthy drug money that a phony FBI Agent ( Gary Cole ) is looking for , paranoia increases and the uncomplicated plan becomes a complicated incubus .

The Apostle (1997) 90%

Robert Duvall indite , directed , and starred in the preponderantly praise comeback storyThe Apostle , for which he was appoint for Best Leading Actor .

Duvall plays Sonny Dewey , a Texas preacher who beat his wife ’s lover with a softball game cricket bat upon bring out their affair . after , Dewey pack up and heads to Louisiana where he reinvents his image as a little - town car-mechanic . However , Dewey soon becomes a pop material body after preaching on the radio . Thornton play Troublemaker , a racist mechanic who Dewey help oneself convince .

Princess Mononoke (1997) 93%

In the English - language dub ofHayao Miyazaki’sPrincess Mononoke , Thornton voice the role of Jigo , a consecrate monk who helps Ashitaka ( Billy Crudup ) on his quest to the west .

When his hamlet homeland is stricken with a curse , Ashitaka speculation into the nearby woods . When he discovers humankind clean the forest bare , Ashitaka finally meet Princess Mononoke , a warrior princess who grew up under the guardianship of a wolf - god . Jigo uses his skills as a undercover agent , ninja , and proficient friend to help Ashitaka reach his destination .

One False Move (1991) 96%

Thornton wrote his way into the film business by penningOne False Movewith confrere scribe Tom Epperson . Thornton also co - stars in the film alongside Bill Paxton and Cynda Williams .

Directed by Carl Franklin , the cinema revolves around a trio of criminals who steal a horde of drugs in Los Angeles . When the trio lead sou'-east towards Arkansas , the LAPD warn local police officer Dale " Hurricane " Dixon ( Paxton ) of their imminent arrival . Thornton plays violent con Ray Malcolm , one of the three malefactor Hurricane must confront before more damage is inflicted .

Sling Blade (1996) 96%

The finest hr of Billy Bob Thornton ’s calling to appointment has to be the sweeping success ofSling Blade , his directorial debut . Thornton won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and realize a nomination for Best Leading Actor .

The pic centers on Karl Childers , a mentally - impaired human beings convicted of murdering his mother and her abusive lover . When Karl is released from the hospital and reenters society , he plant out to prove he ’s a corrected man . Karl shortly befriend a young male child name Frank ( Lucas Black ) and begins to stick around with him and his female parent Linda . When Karl witnesses Linda ’s drunk and abusive boyfriend Doyle ( Dwight Yoakam ) , he does whatever necessary to protect the young boy .

Down From The Mountain (2000) 97%

According to Rotten Tomatoes , the two best movies of Thornton ’s life history include documentary films . In second place comes Down from the Mountain , a jubilation of the regional Bluegrass Country music have in theCoen Brothers ' 2000 filmO Brother , Where Art Thou ?

Thornton is credit as an Audience Member in the documentary , which also features fellow actors Holly Hunter and Tim Blake Nelson . The alive concert film is co - directed by D.A. Panabaker , one of the most celebrated documentarians in the history of Hollywood .

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise And Fall Of Jack Johnson (2004) 100%

Speaking of preeminent documentarians , Ken Burns’Unforgivable Blacknesswon three Primetime Emmys in 2005 . As its caption suggest , the documentary film traces the ups and Down of Jack Johnson , the first African American heavyweight box champion in U.S. account .

Keith David narrates the motion picture , while Thornton joins several famous person such asSamuel L. Jackson , Ed Harris , Brian Cox , Jeffrey Wright , Courtney B. Vance , and more to talk over the trials and tribulation Johnson suffer in his vocation .

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