Action and adventure movies are perhaps the most popular to be watched on the big screen. So what is it exactly that makes a great action adventure movie? To a large extent the genre is defined (and redefined) by the movies themselves - the ones that are remembered the longest and most highly esteemed by movie-goers.
My selection below includes movies as varied as pirate adventure and science fiction yet they all fall into the action adventure genre, and are in my opinion, some of the best movies ever made. Essential ingredients include a great story or at least one that can move along at a good pace. Add to this a hero we can identify with. If our hero is slightly disadvantaged in some way, by a character flaw or overwhelming odds, then even better.
For an action adventure movie to be truly memorable we have to share our hero's experience as they face dangers and circumstances we never will (and probably wouldn't want to). In reverse order here are my top ten...
10. The Long Kiss Goodnight
Samantha Caine, a happily married suburban Mom can't remember anything before the birth of her daughter eight years ago. One night during a car accident she receives a blow to the head and her past slowly begins to come back to her. But it's a race against time when a former enemy sees her on television and breaks out of jail to take revenge for stabbing him in the eye. This is a terrific action adventure movie, which never quite got the credit it deserved.
9. The Fugitive
Respected surgeon Dr. Richard Kimble is falsely accused and convicted of the brutal murder of his wife. A failed escape by other prisoners gives Kimble an opportunity to escape. Pursued by the relentless US Marshal, Samuel Gerard, Kimble's only hope is to find those responsible for the murder of his wife. Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones make this one fantastic manhunt movie.
8. Aliens
Discovered half a century later drifting through space in an escape shuttle - Warrant Officer Ellen Ripley is the lone survivor of the mining ship Nostromo. With no witnesses and no one to believe her story she is stripped of her flight officer's license. She finds out that since her ordeal a human colony has been founded on the planet were the alien was first encountered and that all contact has been lost. Recruited as advisor she joins a team of marines to return to the planet to face what turns into a living nightmare. Where Alien was scary because you hardly saw it, Aliens is scary because they are everywhere.
7. Star Wars: A New Hope
I saw Star Wars at the age of 10, after a long wait with my Mom outside the cinema. Even then I new I had seen something important - I just didn't realize then that it was one of the greatest action and adventure movies of all time.
The Flash Gordon style text rolls back into the darkness of space, a gigantic Imperial space ship screeches past nearly filling the entire movie screen. Its prey... a hopelessly out-gunned spaceship - on board... Princess Leia Organa (a member of the Imperial Senate) and two droids: R2-D2 and C3PO. Inside the R2-D2 droid are copies of the plans to the Death Star, a weapon of unspeakable power. Between these three and a handful of others the fate of the free universe hangs.
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
This movie managed to restore the pirate adventure to main stream cinema long after it had gone out of vogue but only just! Imagine for a moment the same film without Johny Depp and Geoffrey Rush - not quite the same is it?
Captain Jack Sparrow and Will Turner are brought together in an unlikely partnership and must face a band of cursed pirates led by the treacherous Captain Barbossa. Both have different goals: - for Will it is to rescue the love of his life Elizabeth Swann and for Jack to recover the Black Pearl.
5. Raiders of the Lost Ark
After outrunning a massive boulder we see our hero surviving a snake pit, escaping elaborate booby traps, and taking on evil Nazis in pursuit of the Ark of the Covenant. Against all odds Indiana Jones will stop at nothing to attain the prize. With more action than you could crack a bullwhip at, this film, with the help of Harrison Ford, redefined what an action adventure movie could be.
4. Terminator II: Judgment Day
Arnold IS back! Not to terminate Sarah Connor but to protect her son. In the sequel to The Terminator, two robots from the future are sent back in time - one to kill John Connor (the future leader of the human resistance against the machines) the other to protect him. Our now "nice guy" Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) well and truly meets his match in the form of the T-1000, an advanced prototype liquid metal terminator which can imitate anything of similar size that it comes into physical contact with. Some shaky stop-frame animation in the first film is replaced with some cutting edge special effects in this one.
3. The Matrix
This is the movie that raised the bar in cinema in terms of fight scenes and special effects. The makers of The Matrix invented completely new ways to use the camera (cameras even) creating something called "bullet time" which revolutionized the action sequence.
Mild mannered programmer by day - hacker by night, Thomas Anderson has always questioned his reality. His search for a legendary hacker named Morpheus attracts sinister attention from "government" agents. Thomas Anderson is about to have his question answered and find out the true nature of The Matrix.
2. Blade
Born to a mother dying from a vampire attack, Blade is the "day walker" - man with all the strengths of a vampire but none of their weaknesses. Blades' mission is to hunt down the vampire as revenge for the death of his mother. This movie is a rollercoaster ride from beginning to end with some of the most spectacular sword-fighting scenes to be seen on the big screen.
1. The Bourne Identity
Found floating, half dead in the sea by the crew of an Italian fishing boat, Jason Bourne has nothing, not even his memory. The only clue to his identity is the Swiss bank account number embedded in his hip. In Zurich the discovery of passports, cash and a handgun in a safe-deposit box set alarm bells ringing, not only for Jason, but for those that want him dead.
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Friday, March 6, 2009
Top 10 DVDs for Kids
Can you remember the great movies from your childhood, ones that really had an impact; maybe some are on this list, maybe not. There are so many great movies for kids that this Top 10 really can't do the category justice. There were many note-worthy possibilities that stand out from my own childhood that did not make the list. I've also included movies I've seen as an adult that I'm sure I would have enjoyed had they come out when I was a child.
In reverse order here are my top 10...
10. Return to Oz
In this sequel to The Wizard of Oz (made 46 years after the original) it has been six months since Dorothy returned to Kansas from Oz. Although making a good physical recovery after her tornado ordeal Dorothy can't stop thinking about Oz and can't sleep at night. Worried about Dorothy's mental health Auntie Em' decides to take her to a "special" doctor in another town. The doctor is planning electro-shock treatment for Dorothy, but with the help of a mysterious girl Dorothy escapes and returns to Oz to find things have changed, for the worse!
9. Escape to Witch Mountain
I'm really showing my age by listing this film but it may be the first movie I ever watched at the movie theatre. Tia and Tony Malone, two orphaned children, have special powers that enable them to move objects with their minds. Hot on their tail are a host of baddies who want to take advantage of the children and use them for their own gain. Befriended by a widower, they go on the run and attempt to Escape to Witch Mountain - this is a great DVD for kids.
8. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
A group of alien botanists visiting Earth are disturbed by humans and make a hasty exit. In the rush one of the extra-terrestrials is left behind. A 10-year-old boy named Elliot befriends the alien after discovering it looking for food in the family's garden shed. It's a race against time to help the alien send a message home before being found by scientists and government agents.
7. Ghostbusters
After their grant runs out parapsychologists Drs. Venkman, Stantz and Spengler are fired from their easy jobs at Columbia University in New York City. They quickly set up business in an old fire station and begin investigating and ridding Manhattan of unwanted apparitions. After an encounter with a creature named Zuul, it becomes apparent that the sudden increase in paranormal activity is indicating an unavoidable confrontation with an ancient Sumerian god known as Gozer the Gozerian.
6. Back to the Future
Marty McFly is a regular American teenager growing up in the eighties. His good friend Doc Brown has created a plutonium-powered time machine made from a DeLorean sports car. One night whilst Marty is helping out, Doc is gunned down by a group of Libyan Nationalists who Doc cheated out of their plutonium. In an effort to go back in time and stop the Doc from being killed, Marty inadvertently goes back 30 years. On his arrival he tracks down the now much younger Doc Brown and tries to convince him of who he is and enlist his help to send him Back to the Future.
5. Finding Nemo
After the tragic loss of his wife, Marlin the clown fish is left to bring up his only son Nemo on his own. Disaster strikes again when on Nemo's first day at school he swims off alone to investigate a boat. Marlin looks on helplessly as his son is scooped up by a diver and taken away. In need of help, Marlin teams up with the friendly (but forgetful) Dory to embark on a daring mission to find his lost son. One of the high points of this animated movie is Ellen DeGeneres hysterical performance as the voice of Dory.
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
Johnny Depp stars as Captain Jack Sparrow in this pirate adventure set in the 17th Century. Jack strikes up an unlikely alliance with Will Turner after Jack's ship, The Black Pearl, is stolen by Captain Barbossa. Will Turner's motivation comes in the form of Elizabeth Swann, a childhood friend, who has been kidnapped by Barbossa. What Will doesn't know is that Captain Barbossa and his crew are cursed to live as the undead unless once-plundered treasure is returned to its "rightful" owner.
3. Toy Story
Woody (a pull string talking cowboy) is Andy's favorite toy and spends a lot of his time reassuring the other toys that they won't be replaced. Woody's position as top toy is put in jeopardy with the arrival of space action figure Buzz Lightyear. Woody hatches a plan to get rid of Buzz, but it backfires and they both find themselves lost in the outside world with only each other for company. Their only chance of getting home is to join forces; this eventually leads to genuine friendship.
2. Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
I've lost count of the times I watched this film growing up - it's an unbeatable classic. The story revolves around Charlie Bucket whose impoverished family barely makes ends meet. Charlie lives with his parents and both sets of grandparents and has heard many stories about the reclusive candy maker Willy Wonka. The eccentric Wonka holds a contest in which five Golden Tickets are hidden under the wrappers of his chocolate bars. The prize is a day-long tour of the Chocolate Factory.
The 2005 remake of this movie was quite weak, even the acting skills and charisma of Johnny Depp and modern special effects could not compete with the genius of Gene Wilder and the totally over-the-top production of the original.
1. The Wizard of Oz
This is the story of Dorothy Gale, a young farm girl from Kansas and her dog Toto who are thrust into the eye of a tornado and transported to the Land of Oz (complete with house). On arrival Dorothy lands on and kills the Wicked Witch of the East. Pursued by the Wicked Witch of the West (her sister) Dorothy travels to the Emerald City in the hope that the Wizard can help her return home. On the way she makes friends with a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion who all have an important journey of discovery to make.
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In reverse order here are my top 10...
10. Return to Oz
In this sequel to The Wizard of Oz (made 46 years after the original) it has been six months since Dorothy returned to Kansas from Oz. Although making a good physical recovery after her tornado ordeal Dorothy can't stop thinking about Oz and can't sleep at night. Worried about Dorothy's mental health Auntie Em' decides to take her to a "special" doctor in another town. The doctor is planning electro-shock treatment for Dorothy, but with the help of a mysterious girl Dorothy escapes and returns to Oz to find things have changed, for the worse!
9. Escape to Witch Mountain
I'm really showing my age by listing this film but it may be the first movie I ever watched at the movie theatre. Tia and Tony Malone, two orphaned children, have special powers that enable them to move objects with their minds. Hot on their tail are a host of baddies who want to take advantage of the children and use them for their own gain. Befriended by a widower, they go on the run and attempt to Escape to Witch Mountain - this is a great DVD for kids.
8. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
A group of alien botanists visiting Earth are disturbed by humans and make a hasty exit. In the rush one of the extra-terrestrials is left behind. A 10-year-old boy named Elliot befriends the alien after discovering it looking for food in the family's garden shed. It's a race against time to help the alien send a message home before being found by scientists and government agents.
7. Ghostbusters
After their grant runs out parapsychologists Drs. Venkman, Stantz and Spengler are fired from their easy jobs at Columbia University in New York City. They quickly set up business in an old fire station and begin investigating and ridding Manhattan of unwanted apparitions. After an encounter with a creature named Zuul, it becomes apparent that the sudden increase in paranormal activity is indicating an unavoidable confrontation with an ancient Sumerian god known as Gozer the Gozerian.
6. Back to the Future
Marty McFly is a regular American teenager growing up in the eighties. His good friend Doc Brown has created a plutonium-powered time machine made from a DeLorean sports car. One night whilst Marty is helping out, Doc is gunned down by a group of Libyan Nationalists who Doc cheated out of their plutonium. In an effort to go back in time and stop the Doc from being killed, Marty inadvertently goes back 30 years. On his arrival he tracks down the now much younger Doc Brown and tries to convince him of who he is and enlist his help to send him Back to the Future.
5. Finding Nemo
After the tragic loss of his wife, Marlin the clown fish is left to bring up his only son Nemo on his own. Disaster strikes again when on Nemo's first day at school he swims off alone to investigate a boat. Marlin looks on helplessly as his son is scooped up by a diver and taken away. In need of help, Marlin teams up with the friendly (but forgetful) Dory to embark on a daring mission to find his lost son. One of the high points of this animated movie is Ellen DeGeneres hysterical performance as the voice of Dory.
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
Johnny Depp stars as Captain Jack Sparrow in this pirate adventure set in the 17th Century. Jack strikes up an unlikely alliance with Will Turner after Jack's ship, The Black Pearl, is stolen by Captain Barbossa. Will Turner's motivation comes in the form of Elizabeth Swann, a childhood friend, who has been kidnapped by Barbossa. What Will doesn't know is that Captain Barbossa and his crew are cursed to live as the undead unless once-plundered treasure is returned to its "rightful" owner.
3. Toy Story
Woody (a pull string talking cowboy) is Andy's favorite toy and spends a lot of his time reassuring the other toys that they won't be replaced. Woody's position as top toy is put in jeopardy with the arrival of space action figure Buzz Lightyear. Woody hatches a plan to get rid of Buzz, but it backfires and they both find themselves lost in the outside world with only each other for company. Their only chance of getting home is to join forces; this eventually leads to genuine friendship.
2. Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
I've lost count of the times I watched this film growing up - it's an unbeatable classic. The story revolves around Charlie Bucket whose impoverished family barely makes ends meet. Charlie lives with his parents and both sets of grandparents and has heard many stories about the reclusive candy maker Willy Wonka. The eccentric Wonka holds a contest in which five Golden Tickets are hidden under the wrappers of his chocolate bars. The prize is a day-long tour of the Chocolate Factory.
The 2005 remake of this movie was quite weak, even the acting skills and charisma of Johnny Depp and modern special effects could not compete with the genius of Gene Wilder and the totally over-the-top production of the original.
1. The Wizard of Oz
This is the story of Dorothy Gale, a young farm girl from Kansas and her dog Toto who are thrust into the eye of a tornado and transported to the Land of Oz (complete with house). On arrival Dorothy lands on and kills the Wicked Witch of the East. Pursued by the Wicked Witch of the West (her sister) Dorothy travels to the Emerald City in the hope that the Wizard can help her return home. On the way she makes friends with a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion who all have an important journey of discovery to make.
Download Tons of Mp3
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