Jason Akst was going to pick five movies NIU students should have seen by now, but he changed his mind.

The NIU journalism instructor said after hearing news of actor Paul Newman’s death, he decided to devote his list to him.

“For half a century and more than 60 movies, Mr. Newman was an icon of American cinema,” Akst said. “He acted so well that he made bad movies good. I have only seen 21 of his movies, so here, in no particular order, are my top five Paul Newman movie picks.”

1) “Absence of Malice” (1981)

A must-see for all journalists. A cautionary tale about the dangers of irresponsible news reporting.

2) “Hud” (1963)

A bitter Texan who lives for himself. It was filmed about 30 miles from my hometown and his rendering of a Texan (of that era) is spot-on.

3) “Torn Curtain” (1966)

An excellent Cold War thriller about a nuclear physicist who infiltrates East Germany to steal weapons secrets.

4) “The Color of Money” (1986)

Newman’s only Oscar-winning performance revives pool hustler Fast Eddie Felson in a movie about pool that was so realistic and accurately portrayed that it changed the billiard sport and industry.

5) “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969)

In a lighter foreshadowing of “Unforgiven,” the tale of two outlaws who try to go straight and do the right thing but just can’t quite make it.