GIRL INTERRUPED (1999) Jolie gave a bravura performance in this  movie based on Susanna Kaysen’s rite-of-passage memoir. Playing Lisa, a seductive sociopath, Jolie enlivens every scene she’s in --- so much so that whenever she’s not on screen, many viewers go into a state of suspended animation waiting for her to come back. Director James Mangold (Heavy) claims the role of Lisa is "a showy, tour de force kind of role, and a showy, tour de force kind of actress won the part."

BEYOND BORDERS (2003) No use denying it. I'm a sucker for old-fashioned epic romances like Gone with the Wind and Dr. Zhivago. Because Beyond Borders features a similar love story set in war-torn surroundings and taking place over many years, it's no wonder I was drawn into this ambitious movie co-starring Jolie and Clive Owen. Watching two gorgeous star-crossed lovers carry on a relationship while engaging in humanitarian efforts amid the ugliness of famine and bloodshed beats suffering through a flick filled with special effects and crude humor any day -- at least for me..

LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE (2003). Although Lady Croft (Jolie), the intrepid British archeologist of video game fame, did some amazing things in her original film outing, I never felt she was in much danger. It all seemed too unreal. But director Jan de Bont worked his magic here and changed all that for me. How often do we see a movie heroine who's brave enough to punch a ferocious shark in the nose, then hitch a ride on its back? Or one with courage enough to dive off a skyscraper and float through the air over an entire city before opening her parachute? Or one more interested in saving the world than in pleasing her materialistic boyfriend? However, the most stunning special effect in Cradle is Jolie herself.  With her crisp British accent, perfect figure, intriguing face (shown in plenty of close-ups!), and athletic performance, she's great fun to watch. Jolie definitely captured Croft right this time.   

SALT (2010). Jolie owns the screen in Salt, an exciting action thriller about a CIA agent who may or may not be working for the Russians. Is Evelyn Salt, Jolie’s character, loyal to the United States or to Russia? Either way, she's a marvel to watch -- whether running frantically through traffic, hanging from a window ledge, leaping from one speeding vehicle to another, shooting almost everyone in her way, or trying to hide her emotions about the man she loves. Jolie’s Evelyn Salt is like Lara Croft on speed. And, despite some head-scratching plot points, this fast-paced spy movie held my interest throughout.

MALEFICENT (2014). I look for outstanding performances and a compelling story while watching any film. Happily, Maleficent receives high marks from me in both areas. Jolie could have gone over the top as Maleficent, but instead she uses very subtle facial expressions to help us see what her character is going through. Whether leading her creature supporters in battle for their precious moors, raging over the betrayal she’s suffered, or developing tender feelings for a young child, I believed her completely. Kudos to the costume and make-up artists for making Maleficent appear so magical and powerful.

*****