Everything and anything that is an Action Movie.
I love many genres from sci-fi to anime (the good anime not the kiddie anime like Pokemon, although I do have a strange fascination with Pikachu, but that's another lens).
My absolute favourite genre is the Action Movie, the more slam bang the better.
And here's the shocker: this self-proclaimed aficionado of the action film is not a guy. Yes people, I'm female and I am an action move fanatic.
What are my qualifications to be an Action Movie expert?
1) Well, I've been watching them since the age of eighteen (no, I'm not telling you how old I am, but I have been watching films for a loong time).2)I have an extensive DVD (and video before that) action movie collection, well worn from viewing.
3) I have written a small book, The Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés, and am currently penning a follow-up book The Incomplete Guide to Action Movies.
Action Movie Definition
An Action Movie, as defined by me, is a movie that follows a standard formula.
This formula has a typical good guy vs. bad guy plot, a heroic main character (often a reluctant hero thrust into circumstances beyond his control), a deliciously corrupt villain, extreme gunfire (often with a high body count), and countless, often excessive, explosions.
How to Survive an Action Movie:
How not to die if you are:
1. A Female Hostage:
Do not scream, talk back, or generally draw attention to yourself (especially if you just happen to be the Hero's girlfriend/wife). Do not make eye contact when the Henchmen or Villain approach and if possible, hide behind the nearest hot blond chick. Better she be singled out by the bad guys than you. If you happen to be the hot blond chick, well tough luck.
2. A Beat Cop:
Do not be Heroic. Stay behind your car during gunfire, and never stand to get a better vantage point when the bullets are flying. Do not rush into a building without backup (and when you finally do enter a suspicious building, never be first).
3. A Security Guard:
You are toast. Your best hope is to trade shifts with some hapless co-worker and stay home. If you are unfortunate enough to be at work during an invasion of bad guys, your only option is to try and join the Villain's gang. Even then your chances of living are slim to none.
4. An Innocent Bystander:
Do not run during the first signs of gunfire. Hide instead, preferably behind thick metal or heavy furniture. Never stand in front of glass windows, flee any glass enclosed office and never, ever take the elevator. Do not stay on the streets during gun battles or explosions, whether you are in your car or a pedestrian. Flee inside the nearest intact building and head for the basement, using the stairs of course.
How to enjoy a bad action movie
Picking the Movie:
Try and choose an action genre you are fond of, (sci-fi, martial arts, disaster, etc.) or a derivative of a better film (Die Hard rip-offs are usually a good bet). It also helps if the lead actor/actress is someone you like or can tolerate.
Preparation:
Make sure your groans are up to snuff, and practice your put-down lines. Excellent commentary lines:
1. What were they thinking?
2. Oh, come on!
3. Who wrote that dialogue?
Watching:
Do not take the movie seriously!
You are here to shred the plot, dialogue, etc. while taking vicarious enjoyment in the gratuitous explosions and fight scenes. You want to fly with the commentary zingers and keep a running tally on the mayhem. If you watch with friends, a competition for the wittiest remark is an excellent pastime.
My favourite bad movie game is "pick the next character to die" (this is an especially good game to play with disaster films).
Some excellent choices in Bad Action Films:
Assault on Dome 4
Hard Target
The Marine
Double Impact
Desert Heat
Congo
My Five Top Action Films
Action Movie Sub-Genres
Example: With disaster action (and sometimes adventure) it's hero vs nature (with less gunfire and explosions); martial arts action often has swords instead of guns; the criminal/heist action it's usually sort-of-bad guys vs really bad guys.
1. Sci-fi: Example- Terminator 2; The Matrix
2. Horror: Example- The Mummy
3. Thriller/Spy: Example- The Bourne Identity
4. Superhero/Comic Book: Example- X-Men
5. Comedy/Parody: Example- Hot Fuzz
6. Criminal/Heist: Example- Transporter; The Italian Job
7. Disaster: Example- Volcano; Daylight
8. Adventure: Example- Cliffhanger
9. Martial Arts: Example- Hero
Sci-fi Action
The Matrix
Amazon Price: $6.49 (as of 12/04/2009) 
The Fifth Element (Ultimate Edition)
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Robocop (20th Anniversary Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Predator (Widescreen Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Aliens (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Horror Action
Tremors Attack Pack (Tremors/ Tremors 2 - Aftershocks/ Tremors 3 - Back to Perfection/ Tremors 4 - The Legend Begins)
Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Underworld (Unrated Extended Cut)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009)
The Blade Trilogy (Blade/ Blade II/ Blade: Trinity)
Amazon Price: $18.86 (as of 12/04/2009)
The Mummy (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition)
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Thriller/Spy Action
Great films in the Thriller/spy action sub-genre.
Face/Off (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
The Bourne Trilogy (The Bourne Identity | The Bourne Supremacy | The Bourne Ultimatum)
Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Casino Royale (2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
Amazon Price: $5.49 (as of 12/04/2009)
Superhero/Comic Book Action
Great films in the superhero/comic book action sub-genre.
The Dark Knight (Two-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy)
Amazon Price: $21.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Spider-Man 2 (Widescreen Special Edition)
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 12/04/2009)
Iron Man (Two-Disc Special Collectors' Edition)
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Sin City
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Hellboy (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009)
Comedy action
Great films in the comedy action sub-genre.
Hot Fuzz (3-Disc Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $27.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
The Last Action Hero
Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Criminal/Heist Action
Great films in the criminal/heist action sub-genre.
The Italian Job (Special Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 12/04/2009)
The Transporter
Amazon Price: $14.98 (as of 12/04/2009)
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Widescreen Edition)
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Shoot 'Em Up
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Payback - The Director's Cut (Special Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $12.49 (as of 12/04/2009)
Disaster Action
Great films in the disaster action sub-genre.
Daylight
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Dante's Peak
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Volcano
Amazon Price: $9.98 (as of 12/04/2009)
Adventure Action
Great films in the adventure action sub-genre.
Cliffhanger (Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Vertical Limit (Special Edition)
Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Indiana Jones - The Complete Adventure Collection (Raiders of the Lost Ark/ Temple of Doom/ Last Crusade/ Kingdom of the Crystal Skull)
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
National Treasure (Widescreen Edition)
Amazon Price: $15.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Martial Arts Action
Great films in the martial arts action sub-genre.
Hero
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2009)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Iron Monkey
Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 12/04/2009)
Jet Li's Fearless (Unrated Widescreen Edition)
Amazon Price: $14.98 (as of 12/04/2009)
Enter the Dragon
Amazon Price: $5.79 (as of 12/04/2009)
Vote!
Pick the next top action film.
Vote for the flick you think deserves to be among the exalted ranks of classic action films such as Die Hard.
Do you have a film you think should on the list? Add it, then vote for it.
Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 (Box Set)
A revenge flick, beginning with the near-murder of more...1 point
Crank (Widescreen Edition)
A professional hit man (Jason Statham) is poisoned more...0 points
The Transporter
Frank Martin (Jason Statham) is the best as what h more...0 points
S.W.A.T. (Widescreen Special Edition)
An arrested drug kingpin is transported by a Los A more...0 points
Amazon Spotlight
Best Action Series
Vote for the movie series you like the best.
Amazon Recommendations
Amazon Error: Could not open remote connection
Action Movie Link List
- The Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés
- The Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés by A. F. Stewart: A book for all those who love Action Movies, but secretly laugh at their plot absurdities.
This book details the most prevalent clichés that infuse these films. Read, laugh, enjoy. Come and read The List. - The Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
- IMDb: The biggest, best, most award-winning movie site on the planet.
- Action Movies
- Get the scoop on action movies past, present, and future at New-ActionMovie.com.
- Best Action Movies
- A great list of the best action movies of all time that are highly recommended for action movie aficionados. A selected list of modern and classic action movies with great plot, fierce battle, creative action sequences and terrific explosions.
Action Feed Search
- Feedmysearch needs your opinion, help and advice
- Dear feedmysearch user, Feedmysearch would require some serious server upgrade and a bit of developm...
Twitter Search
-
- Kyala_H
- RT @Ryan_Donk18: Home sweet home Watching Dangerous Bangkok (action Movie) » Is et niet bangkok dangerous??
-
- sugerdunkerton
- Action movie of the day....Robocop. "NOW I'D BUY THAT FOR A DOLLAR!"
-
- Jonathan_Rocks
- @Joe_Giomboni By the way, have you played Uncharted 2 yet? It's like playing a really good action/adventure movie. Very fun...
-
- Encyclocenter
- The Patriot Movie Directed By Roland Emmerich Action Flick With War Cast Mel Gibson Benjamin Martin... http://bit.ly/6OriHw
-
- PookeTellsEm
- Law Abiding Citizen - Wanted to be an 80s detective flick, action movie and revenge thriller. Succeeded in none + bad script heaven!! #movie
The Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés
Book Excerpt:
The List:
1- Plate Glass:
If there is a large, lovely glass window or door in an action movie, you can be sure someone or something will fly through it. And of course the glass will shatter into a thousand bits. This breakage also applies to car windows.
Just once I wish something would bounce off that glass.
Film Examples:
- Lethal Weapon 2
- The Rock
- The Transporter
- The Bourne Identity
- Live Free or Die Hard
- The Marine
2- Really Bad Aim:
Isn't odd, that despite numerous automatic weapons and vast numbers, the Bad Guys can never seem to hit anyone? They can, however, inflict terrible damage to walls, furniture, and assorted knickknacks.
Film Examples:
- This cliché is common to practically any action movie ever made. Pick a movie; it is a near guarantee that there are Bad Guys who can't hit a human target.
3- Wanton Destruction:
Whenever Action Heroes come to town, insurance rates must skyrocket. Buildings are destroyed, cars fly, and streets are rampant with shrapnel.
This cliché was contributed by J.C. Alexander.
J.C. Alexander's comments: Exploding cars or buildings...too many films to name, and come ON, folks, how often does that happen in real life?
Film Examples:
- Pick any Action Film, (Speed, Die Hard, The Rock, Desperado, etc), and there will be Wanton Destruction.
- My favourite Wanton Destruction is the nuclear explosion. True Lies is guilty of that one.
4- No Explosive Damage:
This cliché is the second cousin to Wanton Destruction (see Wanton Destruction cliché). This happens when massive, individual explosions occur in a film, and the collateral damage is minimal. There is no damage to surrounding buildings, parked cars or people.
In fact, the Hero can be in the middle of the explosion and walk away unscathed.
Film Examples:
- Die Hard
- Die Hard 2
- Speed
- The Rock
- The Transporter
- The Marine
5- Losing the Gun:
The Hero falls down, gets whacked over the head, or dives out of danger, and poof, his gun spins out of his hand and across the room.
Do Heroes use too much hand lotion? Maybe they should employ duct tape to hold on to their guns.
Film Examples:
- The Die Hard films are widespread with this one.
- Lethal Weapon 2
- The Marine
From the book The Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés
Copyright 2007 by A. F. Stewart
Book Link: The Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés
by scribe77
I am a newly published fantasy writer, who is desperately searching for readers.
I'm from Nova Scotia, Canada; I have been practicing the... (more)
Explore related pages
Top Science Fiction Movies- This is one genre of films that I really enjoy watching, so this lens is devoted...
Godzilla- Since his first appearance in 1954, Godzilla has remained one of the silver scre...
Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto" Movie Review- As the Mayan kingdom faces its decline, the rulers insist the key to prosperity...
"Hot Fuzz" Movie Review- Police officer Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is transferred to a rural village. On...
"Children of Men" Movie Review- Presenting a bleak, harrowing, and yet ultimately hopeful vision of humankind's...
TV Shows: Cult, Canceled and Beloved- Listed here are shows old and new, that were canceled far too soon by networks,...
