Action Movie Central
Ranked #18,242 in Entertainment, #201,067 overall
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 two books on the subject of action films: The Incomplete Guide to Action Movies and The Incomplete List of Action Movie Clichés.
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
Horror Action
Thriller/Spy Action
Great films in the Thriller/spy action sub-genre.
Superhero/Comic Book Action
Great films in the superhero/comic book action sub-genre.
Comedy action
Great films in the comedy action sub-genre.
Criminal/Heist Action
Great films in the criminal/heist action sub-genre.
Disaster Action
Great films in the disaster action sub-genre.
Adventure Action
Great films in the adventure action sub-genre.
Martial Arts Action
Great films in the martial arts action sub-genre.
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...3 points
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
Best Action Series
Vote for the movie series you like the best.
Amazon Recommendations
If you loved Live Free or Die Hard (Unrated Edition), you might also enjoy:
The Bourne Ultimatum (Widescreen Edition)
Matt Damon returns as highly trained assassin Jaso more...1 point
Ocean's Thirteen (Widescreen Edition)
It's bolder. Riskier. The most dazzling heist yet. more...0 points
Die Hard Collection (Die Hard / Die Hard 2 - Die Harder / Die Hard with a Vengeance / Bonus Disc)
Disc 1: **"Die Hard" Widescreen Feature more...0 points
Fantastic Four - Rise of the Silver Surfer
Catch a wave of "terrific adventure" and more...0 points
Spider-Man 3 (Widescreen Edition)
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) finally has the girl more...0 points
Amazon Spotlight
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.
The Incomplete Guide to Action Movies
Almost everything you need to know to enjoy an action film!
Here it is at last!
Presenting an irreverent manual for dissecting an action movie, a guide to the nuances of that summer blockbuster!
Consider musings about crashes, clichés and cannon fodder!
Discover how to survive an action movie!
Learn the proper way to watch a bad action film!
Disagree with the recommendations and the top ten lists!
Read all about it today!
Buy it at Lulu.com:
Print Version of The Incomplete Guide to Action Movies
PDF Download of The Incomplete Guide to Action Movies
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
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agoofyidea
Sep 4, 2011 @ 7:42 pm | delete
- This is a great selection of movies I could see a dozen times each. I would add Death Race to your list (the newer one). I loved it from beginning to end. Great lens.
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