Vijy Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 18 hours ago, zen said: Anyways, the topic on action films got me wondering which are the top 5-10 action films of all time. I am judging based on a variety of factors including action and stunt sequences, drama during (or related to) those sequences, setting/location, score, etc. ... Below is a tentative list based on top of the mind recall and in the order of release (English language only): Enter the Dragon: An ambassador of martial art films showcasing the best of Bruce Lee. Let's not forget the mirrors! Raiders of the Lost Ark: For the impossible situations that Indy has to come out from. Die Hard: One of the trendsetters! Leon: The Professional: One of the coolest action films. The score is brilliant. Matrix: Mind bending action. Bourne Identity: Any Bourne film would work so let's go with the first one. Raw action, fast editing, a consistent score that plays out through the film to create a tense atmosphere. Casino Royale: For stunts and some old fashioned action backed by a good score against good locations. Dark Knight Rises: Amazing action and score played out in Gotham under siege. Mad Max: Fury Road: Groundbreaking cinematography and score to enhance its great action choreography. The film can be viewed as a long chase sequence. John Wick 2: Innovative hand to hand combat sequences. Some throwback to Bruce Lee as well. I am sure there are few others that could have been considered but which may have escaped my mind at this point but the 10 above are all terrific action films so not sure if any addition-subtraction will create a major deviance ... All of the above are in my collection with their latest transfers (all in 4K except Enter the Dragon, which is in HD)! enter the dragon is amazing. still the GOAT martial arts film in my book, although some later ones are more technically accomplished zen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted November 14, 2022 Author Share Posted November 14, 2022 Just now, Vijy said: enter the dragon is amazing. still the GOAT martial arts film in my book, although some later ones are more technically accomplished IIRC, Enter the Dragon was shot on a low budget of around US$500K at that time so the producers had to scrimp on most things ... but kudos to them for optimizing the budget ... Look at the score for e.g.: Vijy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijy Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 Just now, zen said: IIRC, Enter the Dragon was shot on a low budget of around US$500K at that time so the producers had to scrimp on most things ... but kudos to them for optimizing the budget ... Look at the score for e.g.: they are like that fav underdog team with limited budget and resources who gon a giant-killing spree. and bruce lee was a titan - a gujju titan zen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee_rules Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 (edited) ETD GoAT Martial arts movie. Incidentally there is a Telugu dubbed version, which is inadvertently funny , tagging some gults @maniac @gattaca @kepler37b Edited November 14, 2022 by coffee_rules maniac, gattaca and Vijy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted November 14, 2022 Author Share Posted November 14, 2022 One action film that makes usually makes me clap after I watch it is Leon: the Professional: action, acting, score, drama, ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kepler37b Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 34 minutes ago, coffee_rules said: ETD GoAT Martial arts movie. Incidentally there is a Telugu dubbed version, which is inadvertently funny , tagging some gults @maniac @gattaca @kepler37b That's fair man. It is not so bad. Vijy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffee_rules Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 9 minutes ago, kepler37b said: That's fair man. It is not so bad. Villian Haan is so respectful.. vellandi, andaruni champesandi , it’s funny if I relate it to English version Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kepler37b Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 1 hour ago, coffee_rules said: Villian Haan is so respectful.. vellandi, andaruni champesandi , it’s funny if I relate it to English version I think he should have shouted like baalayya... Vijy and coffee_rules 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravishingravi Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 While watching this movie, I was asking myself which are best debut films in history of India cinema. Raj Shetty is certainly for me the best talent I have seen explode on screen in years. But going back, I am trying to recollect great directorial début films. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted November 18, 2022 Author Share Posted November 18, 2022 Purchased The Dirty Dozen (1967) on the spur of the moment. Watched it a long long time ago to recall much of the film. Wasn’t sure how it would hold up in 2022. Enjoyed it very much mainly for the ensemble cast. Lots of funny sequences. A good war-action-espionage classic to add to the collection along with other such 60s films like Guns of Navarone, Where Eagles Dare, The Great Escape, Dr. Strangelove (comedy), The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, Torn Curtain, etc. I can see from where Ghai got the inspiration for Karma (1986)! Vijy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijy Posted November 23, 2022 Share Posted November 23, 2022 On 11/15/2022 at 10:40 PM, ravishingravi said: While watching this movie, I was asking myself which are best debut films in history of India cinema. Raj Shetty is certainly for me the best talent I have seen explode on screen in years. But going back, I am trying to recollect great directorial début films. raj kapoor and guru dutt to name two zen and ravishingravi 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 (edited) The Secret in Their Eyes (2009) ... This Argentinian film is special as there are not too many films made like this one … Like the Vanishing (1988), this one was remade badly/averagely by Hollywood too. I had watched this a long time ago when I was not too much into such films. At that time (maybe around the time of its release), I had perceived it as a "slow" film (one of the reasons could have been one of its trailers that made it appear like a cool/stylish crime thriller but it is more of a crime drama film so maybe I was caught off guard) if I recall correctly ... In 2022, this one came across as one of the best films that I have seen. Excellent screenplay and acting, w/ some good cinematography. I mean wow! PS Below is a trailer that makes it appear like a cool/stylish crime thriller, creating false expectations: The trailer below is more accurate as the film is a relatively slow paced crime drama: Edited November 30, 2022 by zen Vijy and ravishingravi 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravishingravi Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 Kaithi was best action movie I have seen from India in last 10 -15 years. Lokesh Kanagaraj git so many elements rights. Especially cinematography and BGM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted December 3, 2022 Author Share Posted December 3, 2022 I usually find Stallone films mixed bags now as I like a few elements in them but a few elements look dated (some campiness too) ... Recently, I picked up Cliffhanger (1993)'s 4K UHD. I like mountains, snow, and such environment so thought that even if some of the parts are weak, it would still be a good watch for the locations and certain action sequences. I have to say that Cliffhanger still works well both as an action and a mountain film. Stallone shines like the action star that he is. In this film he (and his stunt doubles) is also like a mountain goat! This one still remains an excellent timepass action film ... And the 4K UHD is quite good too (Both Sony and Studiocanal have their versions), elevating the viewing experience. The sound effects in this film are cool too esp. from the helicopters flying, gunshots, etc. to Cliffhanger! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravishingravi Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 42 minutes ago, zen said: I usually find Stallone films mixed bags now as I like a few elements in them but a few elements look dated (some campiness too) ... Recently, I picked up Cliffhanger (1993)'s 4K UHD. I like mountains, snow, and such environment so thought that even if some of the parts are weak, it would still be a good watch for the locations and certain action sequences. I have to say that Cliffhanger still works well both as an action and a mountain film. Stallone shines like the action star that he is. In this film he (and his stunt doubles) is also like a mountain goat! This one still remains an excellent timepass action film ... And the 4K UHD is quite good too (Both Sony and Studiocanal have their versions), elevating the viewing experience. The sound effects in this film are cool too esp. from the helicopters flying, gunshots, etc. to Cliffhanger! Indeed Cliffhanger was underrated. Along with "last action hero" I would rate this as one of the better action films not appreciated by critics. Vertical limit tried to replicate, didn't quite work. Tropes were too apparent. zen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted December 5, 2022 Author Share Posted December 5, 2022 (edited) Black Book (2006, Dutch) … A film that I had watched at the time of its release. Still remains engaging. Based on true events (presumably of Jews being looted) during the Nazi occupation of Holland … A mix of some serious stuff with entertainment (action, suspense, etc.) … Possibly the best film directed by Paul Verhoeven. Edited December 5, 2022 by zen Vijy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijy Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 5 hours ago, zen said: Black Book (2006, Dutch) … A film that I had watched at the time of its release. Still remains engaging. Based on true events (presumably of Jews being looted) during the Nazi occupation of Holland … A mix of some serious stuff with entertainment (action, suspense, etc.) … Possibly the best film directed by Paul Verhoeven. verhoeven's latest film is good too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted December 14, 2022 Author Share Posted December 14, 2022 (edited) del Edited December 14, 2022 by zen Vijy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijy Posted December 14, 2022 Share Posted December 14, 2022 3 hours ago, zen said: del Yes, I agree. del toro's movies are uneven, but the best of them are amazing zen and ravishingravi 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravishingravi Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Parinda ( 1986 ) It didn't surprise me. I recalled that it was well crafted and ahead of it's time technically. But watching it again, my admiration only increased. Technically , it is a stunner. Beautiful cinematography and ground breaking sound cuts. It shows a director at the peak of his powers who has awareness of world cinema and fresh film school belligerence. Brilliant perfomance by Nana and Jackie along supporting cast. The BGM and theme for the characters was unique for it's time. Not mention fade out to transition ( much before pulp fiction made it popular ) The acting by Anil Kapoor and Anupam Kher didn't work. Neither did Madhuri. The songs were beautiful but a drag. Vvc was a lost talent. Became too full of himself. Never thd best thing for realising your potential. zen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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