Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)

Tagline: Welcome to Savannah, Georgia. A City Of Hot Nights And Cold Blooded Murder.

Cusack plays: John Kelso

Rather interesting (if a little long) film based on the book of the same name. John Kelso is a writer sent to cover a millionaires Christmas party in Savannah, Georgia. After befriending the man, Kelso then walks in to find the man (Kevin Spacey) has shot and killed his young lover/handyman, Jude Law. Was it self defence? A murder trial follows and Kelso ends up embroiled in the case and the city's strange residents, including drag queen Lady Chablis.

Apparently Cusack's performance in Grosse Point Blank persuaded director Clint Eastwood that he was right for the job, and he gives a pretty good account of himself. Its hard playing the straight man (literally) to a drag queen and the flamboyant Spacey. I have a hunch the book might be more enjoyable and maybe I'll get to it one day.

Fun fact: There are two Lex Luthors in this film - Spacey, and Michael Rosembaum from Smallville.

Anastasia (1997)

Tagline: Discover the Adventure Behind the Greatest Mystery of Our Time
Cusack Plays: Dimitri

Oh yeah, I'm doing the animations too, check my dedication to the cause. Anastasia is a non-Disney animation, loosely based on the story of the Russian Princess Anastasia and the urban legend that she escaped when her family were slaughtered. The film sees her living as a poor amnesiac orphan called Anya who is recruited by John Cusack's Dimitri to pose as the real Anastasia and get her grandmother to stump up reward money.

Its an interesting story and there are some nice songs. Alas Cusack doesn't do any singing. Boo.

Hell Cab aka Chicago Cab (1997)

Tagline: Do you dare pay the fare?
Cusack plays: Scary Man

The title and poster are a little misleading. It looks more like some kind of killer car or murder wagon. In reality, this is a film following a Chicago cab driver on a long shift, who experiences all kinds of customers from rape victim, druggies, drunk old lady and Cusack's Scary man. Who sits there looking scary and smoking while directing the cabby to drive down the street. A really good central performance by central character Paul Dillon as he tries to keep it together and finish the shift. He, Cusack and regular collaborators Pink and DeVincentis also produce the film which is based on a play.

Con Air (1997)

Tagline: One wrong flight can ruin your whole day

Cusack Plays: US Marshal Vince Larkin

Family Connections: Bill Cusack gets a role as a paramedic

Die Hard, stand aside, for Con Air has to be my favourite action film of all time. I take your "Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker", and raise you a "put the bunny back in the box". Utterly ridiculous, but rather joyfully so. Cusack plays the straight(ish) man in the this over the top action fest. Criminals (all with fabulous names and backstories) being transported on a plane take it over. Thankfully good-ish guy Nicolas Cage and his mullet are on board to help Cusack who's down on the ground.

If I had a criticism it would be that the end scenes in Vegas aren't really all that necessary, but the ending (which Bruckheimer didn't originally want) is fairly fantastic in making you feel terribly happy a mass murderer walks away unscathed. Also I suspect that there must be several brilliant drinking games you can play along to this one.

He did this one for the money, but John, you really don't have to be that ashamed. It was nominated for two Oscars. And two Razzies.

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

Tagline: Even A Hit Man Deserves A Second Shot!
Cusack plays: Hitman Martin Q Blank

Family Connections: Sister Joan being awesome as Martin's assistant Marcella, brother Bill as 'waiter' (clocked him puring drinks at the reunion) and bit part for sister Ann.

For one of the key films in the Cusack catalogue you think they would have gone for a different picture for the poster - looks a bit unlike him right?

Things which are great about this film: every single Dan Aykroyd scene, the 80s soundtrack, Cusack looking ace in a suit, sharp script, the performances (wasn't a massive fan of Minnie Driver before but I guess she's ok in this), and THAT scene where he holds the baby as Under Pressure plays in the background. Swoon. This is probably the film which made me fall for Cusack, and it was great to watch it again with friends, cakes and Rum. One of the best.