The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: A Discussion of Movies for Men
Are you a guy looking for a movie that celebrates all that's awesome about being a man? Are you a girl looking for that perfect flick to make your man fall in love with you all over again? Well, I've done the hard work for you! Listed below, in some semblance of categories, are some of the greatest films for and about guys, in all their sweating, swearing, and fist swinging glory. As I roll out the rest of this lens during the next few days, celebrating such icons as DeNiro, Eastwood, and McQueen, feel free to weigh in on your favorite men and movies.
Who's that guy in the picture above? Steve McQueen. Every guy, now over the age of 42, wanted to be Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, or Burt Reynolds when they were kids.You might also want to check out my How to Be a Tough Guy site if you want to be as bad as these guys.
Movies for Men: The Undeniable Classics
Don't agree? We can always step outside and discuss it further.
The Great Escape (2-Disc Collector's Set)
True "escapist" pleasure for guys. Best part of the movie is, of course, Steve McQueen doing his own motorcycle stunts. Second best part: it's based on the true story of over 70 Allied soldiers who escaped a German POW camp in the later part of the war.
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 01/04/2010) 
The Magnificent Seven (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Another McQueen hit, with Yul Brynner sporting the first cool bald head on film. Nobody fans a six-shooter better than these guys. Check out the trailer below.
Amazon Price: $17.49 (as of 01/04/2010)
The Dirty Dozen (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Football legend Jim Brown makes a big screen debut in this WWII "bunch of losers on a mission" film. Many copycats in later years, but none could match this classic.
Amazon Price: $24.49 (as of 01/04/2010)
The Outlaw Josey Wales
All told, Clint Eastwood says, maybe, a total of 100 words in this flick. He lets his guns speak for him.
Amazon Price: (as of 01/04/2010)
Taxi Driver (Collector's Edition)
"You talking to me?" If you haven't seen this movie, you are missing the emergence of Robert DeNiro as one of America's greatest film legends (not to mention a pretty scary dude). Second best shaved head in cinematic history.
Amazon Price: (as of 01/04/2010)
The Losers
I could be wrong about these guys. But I'm not.
- Keanu Reeves: Almost pulls it off with the Matrix movies, but even months of martial arts combat training can't hide the fact that this guy is only suited to playing brain-dead surfers. "Like, whoah, this dude can't act..." And Sean Penn always pulled off that brain-dead surfer bit better anyway.
- Patrick Swayze: He sure didn't win me over in Dirty Dancing, which was one horrible follow-up to the almost watchable Red Dawn. He almost convinced me he was a tough guy in Road House, but seemed to care a little too much about his bullet-proof bouffant hairstyle. "Nobody puts baby in a corner." Swayze should have fell on his sword for that line.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger: Surprised to see this name? Proves that even muscleheads can be marshmallows under a thin veneer of masculinity. Anyone who ever saw Commando, Twins, or Kindergarten Cop will agree that he lost his place among respectable men. I have no problem with a tough guy playing a teacher, but any actor who agrees to such an inane script deserves the big boot. Want to see a real man play a teacher? Check out Edward James Olmos in Stand By Me. "I'll be back." Dude, don't bother.
- Ben Affleck: He almost suckered us in with School Ties and Good Will Hunting, but his later flicks were an embarrassment to anyone who had the misfortune to see them. You might be saying, "But Keith, what about Affleck's awesome cameo in Boiler Room? Doesn't that make up for other lousy roles?" No; not buying it. Check out Alec Baldwin's cameo in Glengarry Glen Ross. Affleck totally ripped him off. And I don't even like Alec Baldwin, so that's adding insult to injury. Coffee is for Closers, and this list is for Real Men.
- Brendan Fraser: Has this guy ever made a good movie? Yes. Crash. But that was too little, too late. If I had a funny line, I'd insert it here. But this guy just leaves me at a loss.
Matinee for Men
Hey, Keith... Matinee sounds kinds girlie...
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Dodgeball Versus Darwin
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Most of us recall our childhood dodgeball games in school as a type of "Lord of the Flies" experience, where the stronger kids would liberally pummel the weaker on a twice-weekly basis. It seemed to be survival of the fittest. But does dodg...
Weigh In!
In your opinion, what are the all-time best movies for men? And who are the all-time best male actors? Weigh in, and help me get this list right the first time. Real men hate doing anything twice.
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- janices7 janices7 Mar 11, 2009 @ 5:14 pm
- Funny - why is it that men seem to remember the lines to some of the dumbest movies like Fletch? I'm guessing it is the Mars and Venus thing - we women just don't get it. Totally agree with your loser list with one addition - Nicholas Cage.
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- Jimmie Jimmie Mar 4, 2009 @ 12:02 am
- I do see quite a few here that are favorites of my manly man husband!
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- carmine carmine May 27, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
- Great lens - Your lens rocks!
truck stop
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Reply
- harry2 harry2 Nov 26, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
- Nice lens, I have bookmarked it and I will return soon. Feel free to visit my lens about Download Sites
Get all the info you need on how to Download Movies here.
Harry Rackers
by kschoch
Keith Schoch comes from New Jersey. What's it to ya? He spends his spare time in manly pursuits.
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