This is an attempt, in effect, to consume his filmography.
In chronological order I will view his movies (as actor only) and post a mini-review. This list from Wikipedia will serve as map and index for the endeavor.
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Taps | Cadet Captain Alex Dwyer | Acquired 9/26/08 |
| 1982 | Fast Times at Ridgemont High | Jeff Spicoli | Acquired 9/26/08 |
| 1983 | Summerspell | Buddy | Hard to find - may have to skip |
| Bad Boys | Michael O'Brien | ||
| 1984 | Crackers | Dillard | |
| Racing with the Moon | Henry 'Hopper' Nash/Lou | ||
| 1985 | The Falcon and the Snowman | Daulton Lee | |
| 1986 | At Close Range | Brad Whitewood Jr. | |
| Shanghai Surprise | Glendon Wasey | ||
| 1987 | Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam | Narrator | |
| 1988 | Cool Blue | Phil the Plumber | uncredited |
| Colors | Officer Danny McGavin | ||
| Judgment in Berlin | Guenther X | ||
| 1989 | Casualties of War | Sgt. Tony Meserve | |
| We're No Angels | Jim | ||
| 1990 | State of Grace | Terry Noonan | |
| 1991 | Schneeweißrosenrot | Himself | documentary |
| 1992 | Cruise Control | Jeffrey | short subject |
| 1993 | The Last Party | Himself | documentary |
| Carlito's Way | David Kleinfeld | Nominated - Golden Globe | |
| 1995 | Dead Man Walking | Matthew Poncelet | Nominated - Academy Award for Best Actor; Nominated - Golden Globe |
| 1997 | Loved | Man on the Hill (Michael) | |
| She's So Lovely | Eddie Quinn | ||
| U Turn | Bobby Cooper | ||
| The Game | Conrad Van Orten | ||
| Hugo Pool | Strange Hitchhiker | ||
| 1998 | Hurlyburly | Eddie | |
| The Thin Red Line | 1st Sgt. Welsh | ||
| 1999 | Being John Malkovich | Himself | uncredited |
| Sweet and Lowdown | Emmett Ray | Nominated - Academy Award for Best Actor; Nominated - Golden Globe | |
| 2000 | A Constant Forge | Himself | documentary |
| Up at the Villa | Rowley Flint | ||
| Before Night Falls | Cuco Sánchez | ||
| The Weight of Water | Thomas Janes | ||
| 2001 | Dogtown and Z-Boys | Narrator | documentary |
| The Beaver Trilogy | Groovin' Larry (segment Beaver Kid 2) | ||
| Scene Smoking: Cigarettes, Cinema & the Myth of Cool | Himself | documentary | |
| See How They Run | Himself | documentary | |
| I Am Sam | Sam Dawson | Nominated - Academy Award for Best Actor | |
| 2003 | It's All About Love | Marciello | |
| Mystic River | Jimmy Markum | Academy Award for Best Actor; Golden Globe; Nominated - BAFTA Award | |
| 21 Grams | Paul Rivers | Nominated - BAFTA Award | |
| 2004 | The Assassination of Richard Nixon | Samuel J. Bicke | |
| 2005 | The Interpreter | Tobin Keller | |
| 2006 | All the King's Men | Willie Stark | |
| 2008 | Crossing Over | Chris Farrell | awaiting release |
| Milk | Harvey Milk | awaiting release | |
| Witch Hunt | Narrator | documentary, post-production | |
| 2009 | Tree of Life | Adult Jack | post-production |
