We took a survey of our favorite films having a warrior-related theme and compiled the following listing of titles we can recommend for your viewing pleasure. Most of these are great movies, but a few rate only at the "above average" level, and a couple are downright lousy; however, they each have something important to say, and as such, might be worthy of your time when you’re deciding upon a movie to watch. While it’s possible you can learn a thing or two from each of these films, they are recommended based solely upon their entertainment value. The movies are in no particular order, but have been separated into four genres: Comedy, Drama, Action/Adventure, and Documentary. Each title will be followed by a brief comment, and a rating of up to 5 "stars" ( * ). Be advised, these titles are arranged in no particular order.

OUR RATING SYSTEM

5 STARS: Required Viewing.

4 STARS: Great Movie.

3 STARS: Significant Movie.

2 STARS: Good Movie.

1 STAR: Worth a Look.

Comedy

"Because sometimes you’ve just gotta have somethin’ ta laugh at. . ."

DAZED & CONFUSED: A movie about the last day of high school in a rural community during the mid-70's. A good example of independence and freedom from a much simpler time. * * * * *

SPIRITUAL KUNG-FU: This is an old Jackie Chan flick about a bumbling monk who is taught Shaolin kung-fu by four clown-like "ghosts" with rubber animal toys glued to their hats! This is a must-see film. * * * *

GROUNDHOG DAY: Probably Bill Murray’s crowning achievement. This story is about a man who must live the same day over and over again, and finally decides to make use of his limitless supply of free time bettering himself . . . a great movie. * * * *

GUARDING TESS: Sometimes loyalty demands that one throw one’s life away, such as in the "interrogation" scene near the end of this movie. * * *

MASTERS OF MENACE: This comical joyride with a cartoonish motorcycle club is closer to the truth than a lot of people realize. * * *

THE WICKER MAN: A bizarre suspense film with occult undertones which quickly degenerates into a farce. Definitely worth a look. * * *

PHANTASM: This is supposed to be a horror movie, but the low budget special effects and the flying brain-drilling orbs make it more of a comedy. Award for most creative use of a loose shotshell. *

BRAZIL: A comedy about totalitarian police-states and psycho-surgery? *

BAD TASTE: This gorefest about the threat of world domination by aliens was shot in New Zealand on a shoestring budget, but is widely considered to be the funniest (albeit sickest) horror movie ever filmed.  The director, Peter Jackson, later went on to bigger and better things (like Waxworks and Lord of the Rings) *

Drama

"Hey, there’s actually a story here! Shit . . . does that mean I haveta pay attention?"

TOUGH GUYS DON’T DANCE: Based on the surreal novel by Norman Mailer about an ex-con trying to remember what happened during his last drinking binge . . . a great fuckin’ movie. * * * * *

A PRAYER FOR THE DYING: A story about an IRA assassin who suddenly develops a conscience and decides to quit his profession . . . but then shit happens. * * * *

APOCALYPSE NOW: Considered to be one of the best War movies ever filmed (although a lot of veterans hated it). Far better than either Platoon or Saving Private Ryan. * * *

DRAGON: Based very loosely upon the life of Bruce Lee, but an excellent film nonetheless. . . much better than Enter the Dragon or Game of Death. * * *

RIVER’S EDGE: An astounding cinematic achievement about teenaged alienation, crisis, violence, and betrayal. * * *

ONCE WERE WARRIORS: A story about the Maori in modern New Zealand. Focuses primarily upon the concepts of machismo, honor, and vengeance. The scene at the end of the movie where "Uncle Billy" gets stomped and bottled is worth rewinding several times. * * *

CARLITO’S WAY: A story about a hoodlum who decides to better himself and leave the streets . . . but then (as always), shit happens. * *

AMERICAN ME: A long depressing story about life with the Mexican Mafia both in and out of prison. Violent and disturbing. *

HENRY — PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER: Easily the most fucked-up movie in this entire listing. Based so loosely upon the character of Henry Lee Lucas that it becomes a fanciful work of fiction which actually attempts to reflect this vile scumbag in an undeservedly positive light. Twisted. *

LOST ANGELS: A depressing film about gang affiliation, loyalty, betrayal, inner strength, and self-discovery. Worth a look. *

"Because some days you just get the urge to tear off your shirt and start slitting throats . . . sitting through a couple of these flicks while downing a six-pack helps to make everything right with the world again."

DAWN OF THE DEAD: George Romero’s epic about a world overrun by flesh-eating zombies. One of the goriest adventure films ever made — good for desensitizing oneself to violence and bloodshed. * * * * *

THE ROAD WARRIOR: Mel Gibson kicks ass with a tractor trailer and a sawed-off shotgun in the Australian desert. A classic. * * * * *

SHOGUN ASSASSIN: Japanese film about a lone samurai targeted for termination by hordes of ninja . . . and his infant son is in a baby carriage equipped with spring-loaded weaponry. Probably the bloodiest martial arts movie available. * * *

RONIN: The realistic car chases and firefights in this film are a refreshing change from the crap Hollywood usually puts out. * * *

TRUE ROMANCE: Quentin Tarantino’s crowning cinematic achievement. Admittedly, there are a couple of stupid parts, but it’s a great movie nonetheless. * *

FIRST BLOOD: The "Rambo" movies suck pretty hard, but this one follows the novel by David Morrell fairly close (although with a lot fewer casualties) and can be watched over and over again . . . primarily because Stallone has hardly any dialogue. * *

OUT FOR JUSTICE: This is widely considered to be Segal’s best movie (some say his only good one) . . . loads of realistic violence. The barroom fight scene with the improvised flail is priceless. * *

FIST OF LEGEND: Arguably Jet Li’s greatest film. The beltfighting sequence near the end is worth the rental fee in itself. * *

"The real deal."

HELL’S ANGELS FOREVER: A documentary filmed by the Hell’s Angels about themselves, their lifestyle, and their philosophy in the late 70's. * *

DOWNSIZE THIS!: Activist Michael Moore gives you a clear look at how Big Business wipes its ass with the honest working man — and then he dresses up in a stupid costume and starts harassing corporate executives for the amusement of his audience. Definitely worth a look. * *

STREETWISE: A documentary about street people in Seattle . . . and their kids. Fucked up and depressing. *

WACO: THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT: Vernon Howell (AKA "David Koresh") was a degenerate shithead who deserved to be burned alive (although in a solitary manner), and we support our country’s law-enforcement personnel (for the most part), BUT this documentary (which was nominated for an Academy Award) is like a slap in the face after having heard only one side of the story for so long. Deeply disturbing. *

These films were considered, but failed to meet our criteria for one reason or another. You will note that "splatter porn," "cartoonish Rambo/Ninja killfests," and similarly freakish fare (like Kids, Bad Lieutenant, Street Trash, and Faces of Death) are conspicuously absent. Again, these titles are arranged in no particular order.

JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN (DRAMA / WAR) * * * * *

THE DEER HUNTER (DRAMA / WAR) * * * *

THE BIG BANG (PHILOSOPHY) * * * *

KNIGHTRIDERS (BIKERS AT THE RENAISSANCE FAIR!) * * * *

BRAVEHEART (MEDIEVAL LEGEND) * * * *

SNATCH (OUTLAW COMEDY) * * *

CHARLIE VARRICK (DRAMA / CRIME) * * *

THEY LIVE (ACTION / SCI-FI) * * *

THE USUAL SUSPECTS (DRAMA / CRIME) * * *

HIGHLANDER (ACTION / FANTASY) * * *

FIRESTARTER (DRAMA / PSI) * * *

RUMBLE IN THE BRONX (ACTION / MARTIAL ARTS) * * *

DREAMSCAPE (ACTION / PSI) * * *

GONE IN 60 SECONDS (Original) (ACTION / CHASE) * * *

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST (DRAMA / PSYCHOSIS) * * *

MISERY (DRAMA / HORROR) * * *

GOODFELLAS (DRAMA / CRIME) * * *

THE PACKAGE (ACTION / COVERT) * * *

LA FEMME NIKITA (ACTION / COVERT) * * *

MASTER KILLER (DRAMA / MARTIAL ARTS) * * *

BETTER OFF DEAD (COMEDY / BIZARRO) * * *

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (DRAMA / PRISON) * * *

BOYZ IN THE HOOD (DRAMA/URBAN DECAY) * * *

A BRONX TALE (DRAMA/CRIME-RELATED) * * *

THE LIMEY (SUSPENSE/CLUSTERFUCK) * * *

GHOST DOG (GHETTO/SAMURAI???) * *

THE PRINCESS BRIDE (COMEDY/MEDIEVAL) * *

UNCLE BUCK (COMEDY/ECCENTRICITY) * *

MATILDA (CHILDREN’S COMEDY/PSI) * *

THE TERMINATOR (ACTION / SCI-FI) * *

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (Remake) (ACTION / HORROR) * *

BLADE RUNNER (Either version) (DRAMA / SCI-FI) * *

PULP FICTION (ACTION / CRIME) * *

FAHRENHEIT 451 (DRAMA / DYSTOPIA) * *

THE EVIL THAT MEN DO (ACTION / COVERT) * *

HOMEGROWN (ACTION / CRIME) * *

MAD MAX (ACTION / DYSTOPIA) * *

EXCALIBUR (DRAMA / MEDIEVAL) * *

ALIENS (ACTION / SCI-FI) * *

THE CHALLENGE (ACTION / MARTIAL ARTS) * *

THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER (ACTION / FANTASY) * *

STONE COLD (ACTION / CRIME) * *

MAN ON FIRE (ACTION / COVERT) * *

RESERVOIR DOGS (DRAMA / CRIME) * *

THE HOWLING (ACTION / HORROR) * *

BLOOD SIMPLE (DRAMA / CRIME) * *

FULL METAL JACKET (ACTION / WAR) * *

RAGING BULL (DRAMA / PUGILISM) * *

JACOB’S LADDER (ACTION / PSYCHOSIS) * *

ROADHOUSE (but only the first half) (ACTION / MARTIAL ARTS) * *

AMONGST FRIENDS (DRAMA / CRIME) * *

THE CROW (ACTION / CRIME) * *

BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA (COMEDY / MARTIAL ARTS) * *

PHANTASM II (COMEDY / HORROR) * *

UNCOMMON VALOR (ACTION / WAR) * *

WAXWORKS (COMEDY / HORROR) * *

SHORT EYES (DRAMA / PRISON) * *

THE EIGER SANCTION (ACTION / COVERT) * *

THE NINTH CONFIGURATION (DRAMA / PSYCHOSIS) * *

THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (DRAMA / MIND CONTROL) * *

THE MATRIX (ACTION / FANTASY) * *

BRAIN DEAD (DRAMA / PSYCHOSIS) * *

THE VAGRANT (DRAMA / PSYCHOSIS) * *

FREEWAY (LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD ON ACID) * *

THE BREAKFAST CLUB (DRAMA / TEEN) * *

REPO MAN (COMEDY / BIZARRO) * *

ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK (COMEDY / CAMP) * *

THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING (DRAMA / TRIBAL) * *

MY DINNER WITH ANDRE (PHILOSOPHY) * *

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER (DRAMA / PRISON) * *

OFFICE SPACE (FIGHT THE POWER!) * *

FULL METAL JACKET (only the first half) (THE PARRIS ISLAND BLUES) * *

GROSSE POINT BLANK (COMEDY/COVERT) *

THE CRAZIES (NEUROTOXIN-ENRAGED HOMICIDAL MOBS!) *

1984 (DRAMA / DYSTOPIA) *

THE STUFF (COMEDY / HORROR) *

DOGMA (COMEDY / BLASPHEMY) *

THE EVIL DEAD (Original) (ACTION / HORROR) *

ARMY OF DARKNESS (ACTION / FANTASY) *

TAXI DRIVER (DRAMA / PSYCHOSIS) *

THE HITCHER (ACTION / HORROR) *

PAPERBACK HERO (DRAMA / PSYCHOSIS) *

ROMPER STOMPER (DRAMA / GANG) *

WOLFEN (INJUN WOLVES) *

THE CARRIER (ACTION / SCI-FI) *

PROPHESY II (ACTION / BLASPHEMY) *

THE WANDERERS (DRAMA / GANG) *

THE OUTSIDERS (DRAMA / GANG) *

THE LOSERS (ACTION / WAR) *