Image by Frenkieb
We’ve received a great deal of criticism for our 100 Great Movies Every Guy MUST See article due to the generic action flicks and repetitive Hollywood story lines. In the interests of promoting lesser known movies, we’ve rented, downloaded or borrowed hundreds of guy movies you may not have heard of before. We’ve watched them, reviewed them and now we’ll list our top ten. Here they are:
#10 – The Right Stuff
Not many movies are better than the book the story is taken from, but the Right Stuff is one movie that achieves this feat. The Right Stuff is the first act of a much bigger story in which the main goal was to reach the moon before the Russians. The Space Race. This story is downplayed and instead explores the seven original astronauts plus Chuck Yeager, the guy who wasn’t chosen for the mission. What makes it great is that even though these guys knew the dangers of space travel, the risk of death or being unable to re-enter the earths atmosphere, they took those risks because they were made of the right stuff.
?Is that a man??
-?You?re damn right it is!?
Click here to buy The Right Stuff
#9 – Croupier
A story about an aspiring writer who gets a job as a croupier in a casino. When he gets involved with a patron of said casino (cue Alex Kingston in her birthday suit), she encourages him to join her gang to be the inside man (see what we did there?) for their planned heist of the casino. All the while, Jack uses his experiences for the plot of his book, “I, Croupier”. The movie is multi-layered, combining love, sex, deceit and betrayal along with robbery and murder and is definitely a sleeper. We’d never even heard of it until we saw it. Clive Owen, as usual, portrays the character fantastically.
“The world breaks everyone, and afterwards many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break, it kills – it kills the very good, and the very gentle, and the very brave, impartially. If you are none of these, you can be sure it will kill you, too, but there will be no special hurry.” -Ernest Hemingway
#8 – District/Banlieue 13
Can you imagine what a ghetto would look like in Paris in 2010? That’s the setting for this movie. An undercover cop and a former bad guy try to infiltrate a gang to defuse a neutron bomb. What ensues is a high-octane fusion of freerunning and government conspiracy. If you’re looking for an adrenaline fuelled movie with some great stunts, you could do much worse than District 13.
“You really think the government would allow District 13 to be destroyed?”
-”Six million died for not having blonde hair and blue eyes.”
#7 – The Nest
If your movie of choice is a tightly-woven action thriller, you should pick up a copy of this stylish French movie which may go by its other name, Nid de gu?pes. The film is a combination of Die Hard and Assault on Precinct 13 which, surprisingly, packs an emotional punch and may draw a sob or two from the more sensitive viewer. It’s an intelligent film with a steady pace that may not sit well with the traditional Hollywood standards but we found it absolutely thrilling and enjoyed every second of the crisp, sparkling visuals, particularly during the numerous blood-soaked shootouts. Oh and it stars this lovely lady too.
?This is where it gets complicated.?
#6 – The Sting
Robert Redford and Paul Newman star in this crime-comedy caper as Johnny Hooker and Henry Gondorff. After a big job turns bad, Johnny turns to Henry (possibly one of the greatest con-artists of all time) to set up a revenge sting against the vindictive head of the big-time gangsters Johnny had inadvertently ripped off in his initial job. The mannerisms and methods of speech portrayed by the characters will whisk you back to the middle of the Depression, yet the characters portray charisma in bounds and enough human spirit to come together in battle against devilish gangster Doyle Lonnegan. This is cinematic enjoyment at its purest.
“Luther said I could learn some things from you. I already know how to drink.”
March 12th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Christian, you beat me to the punch with this post [but I had almost an identical idea for an article]. Your inclusion of #2 Rules of the Game only makes me love the post even more. It’s one of my favorite movies. Good Stuff.
March 12th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Ahh the Seven Samurai, my favourite film of ALL time, I have not seen that in AGES!
Come to think of it, I have just realised I don’t own a copy. Off to rectify that right now ………..
Ross
http://www.RossGoodman.com
March 12th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
This is a much better list, with some gems. Good work boys!
March 13th, 2008 at 4:51 am
13 Tzameti and Intacto…especially Intacto.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:57 am
Who hasn’t seen The Sting or The Right Stuff? I guess this is for 22-year-old men.
And the Limey is good, but it’s basically a retread of Point Blank (Lee Marvin)
March 13th, 2008 at 5:04 am
Just an interesting tidbit for those skimming: the quote from Croupier is originally from Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms.”
March 13th, 2008 at 5:10 am
One thing, rules of the game is not a murder mystery. There is no mystery in the murder at all. The important part is who kills who, why they killed him, what happens afterwards, and why it was so upsetting to the rich elite of France that the movie was banned for several years and the original ending destroyed.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:12 am
The one I was hoping would be on this list was… District/Banlieue 13.
I wanted to see this film, but I couldn’t remember what the title was. Thanks for listing that alone.
Personally i’ve seen 3 of your “not seen” movies. The Sting, The Right Stuff and The Limey.
I’m going to have to check out the others you’ve mentioned. Thanks again.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:18 am
You guys forgot another french movie. Brotherhood of the Wolf (Le Pacte des loups). Awesome action in it. Good story too.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:20 am
Love the Seven Samarai.
I’d also recommend “Things to do in Denver when you’re Dead”. Great guy movie! Buckweats!
March 13th, 2008 at 5:30 am
You forgot “The Last Boyscout” the best guy movie of all time.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:38 am
The Limey is truly a great movie, in some places quiet and powerful, you can feel Terrance Stamps character burning anger like fire on the other side of a door. in a way it reminds me of “things change”
even though that is a comedy it has a quiet power about it. and both have a powerful message loyalty, family and redemption.
March 13th, 2008 at 5:38 am
BROTHER.
Beat Takeshi (Takeshi Kitano). Yakuza. Seppuku. Honor. Brotherhood. Trust. Gangsters. Rise and fall. GREAT movie.
And where’s BATTLE ROYALE??
March 13th, 2008 at 5:42 am
Steele Justice!!
“You don’t recruit John Steele, you unleash him . . .”
(need I say more?)
March 13th, 2008 at 5:59 am
In both lists you’ve missed the Mad Max (Road Warrior) films. These are the films that gave Mel Gibson his big start – back when he was a decent law abiding Australian – he won’t be impressed.
Thanks for listing District 13 – further proof the French can make great films (see Taxi, #38 in the 100 Great Movies list)… and why Hollywood should’ve sacked the writers rather than submit to their demands).
Cheers
Steve
(A decent law abiding Aussie :p )
March 13th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Hey guys, great article!
I just wanted to drop a couple on you:
Ong Bak, Born to Fight, Fulltime Killer, Hard Boiled, The Killer.
Maybe you could check those out, I think you may well enjoy them!
March 13th, 2008 at 6:04 am
The movie Brick (2005) should be on here. Such a good film, unfortunately not many people know that. Its a good guy movie for sure. If you’re into noir this one is a must.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:10 am
Another one I would add is Ying xiong aka Hero with Jet Lee. Watching the original with sub-titles just made a huge impact on me.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Nice list. I’ve seen nearly half and will get onto the rest in due course. “The Limey” is bloody brilliant – Stamp’s best role since he frocked up for “Priscilla: Queen of the Desert”
On that topic: a couple of Aussie guy flicks.
Breaker Morant: Edward Woodward plays an Aussie Boer War soldier executed by the bastard Brits for following their orders. Best line: “Shoot straight, you bastards. Don’t make a mess of it!”
Gallipoli: one of Mel Gibson’s earliest & best roles – still sounded like an Aussie too. He plays a young soldier in WWI, sent with his best mate to the disastrous landing at Gallipoli in 1915.
The Proposition: Nick Cave’s screenplay debut. A dark brutal & revenge story set in 19th century Australia – you could call it a western noir.
BMX Bandits: It’s about BMX, it’s from about 1983, it stars a 14-yr old Nicole Kidman as part of a BMX gang on the run from criminals – you really don’t need any more than that do you?
It’s Australia’s answer to “RAD”.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Oh come on! City of God didn’t make it?
That’s a pretty good guy movie. It’s even a guy movie for guys age 5-95!!
March 13th, 2008 at 6:33 am
What about Wild Zero??? It’s a Japanese zombie movie staring a jet rock band called guitar wolf, who save the world by chopping down the alien mothership with a sword in the lead guitarist’s guitar. the dvd comes with a bonus drinking game where you are supposed to take a shot every time someone says rock n’roll, combs their hair, something explodes, or shoots fire.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Nice list, I haven’t even heard of half of those, and they sound interesting.
The quote from Croupier is mostly borrowed from Hemingway – not to take anything away from the movie, but I think he should get his due.
“If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially.”
-Hemingway
March 13th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Video stores in New Zealand are terrible, I can’t find District 13 and I really want to see it.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Hard Eight
Sexy Beast
Primer
Bound
The Cooler
Read My Lips
March 13th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Nice article! Aside from the obvious classics, I loved The Limey. Also Croupier, found that by accident in the cable listings, great thriller.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:35 am
it is one of the most popular movies of all time in Korea, but I’m sure many people don’t know about it here in the states..
it is called “Chingoo” or “Friend” in English. Highly recommended, check it out if you want a definitively “guy” movie from Korea.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Good call making The Limey # 1.
Addition to the list, I think Mel Gibson’s “Payback” is a great guy’s movie.
Happy to say I’ve seen most of these. District 13 was a nice surprise, it was fascinating watching the DVD extras to see how everything was done.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:42 am
The Usual Suspects
Snatch
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
March 13th, 2008 at 7:43 am
District B-13! One of my favourite movies. I am yet to see a movie with better ‘free running’ and up close man to man combat!
March 13th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Yeah.. that quote under Croupier? That’s Hemingway.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:25 am
?The world breaks everyone, and afterwards many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break, it kills – it kills the very good, and the very gentle, and the very brave, impartially. If you are none of these, you can be sure it will kill you, too, but there will be no special hurry.?
That is from ‘A Farewell to Arms,’ by Ernest Hemingway.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Are there really people out there who have never seen The Seven Samurai? That was such a staple in my house growing up, I probably saw it for the first time when I was about 5.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:17 am
The Sting won the academy award for best picture…i think its a pretty well known movie.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:32 am
“Usual Suspects” needs to be in this list.
March 13th, 2008 at 10:08 am
If its foreign films you’re looking for Cantonese cinema has some winners: ‘PTU’ is one of the best cop thrillers i’ve ever seen, ‘Protege’ is a gnarly look at the Heroin trade in south east asia – an asian ‘blow’ almost, except that it has Andy Lau rocking out hardcore, ‘Full time killers’ rounds out this list of awesome hong kong and is basically two assasins going after each other in order to prove they’re the best….
I can’t believe that ‘trainspotting’ didn’t make it on either list! just the bathroom scene alone makes it one of the ultimate guy movies
March 13th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Oh and check out the korean movie ‘old boy’ – twisted in a way that makes hostel look like a Disney flick
March 13th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Re The Limey: “his vocabulary is wonderfully English”
Actually, the quoted sample is indicative of Cockney rhyming slang:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockney_rhyming_slang
Far more specific than simply ‘English’.
March 13th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
How could you not list Zulu? Michael Caine’s first movie – one hundred thirty-nine British soldiers against five thousand Zulu warriors. My father had me sit and watch this with him every time it came on, and lectured about how it was a classic lesson in fire control winning battles. Awesome movie.
March 13th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I was looking at this list thinking “I have to have seen at least ONE of these films!” and then BAM! The Limey! I’ve seen it! Hahaha! I actually didn’t think that much of it.
-Josh
March 13th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Five Easy Pieces
Easy Rider
But I guess you’ve probably never seen them.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Why did you feel the need to spend half of the time you talked about human traffic defending the drug use in the movie? Seriously, who cares…its a movie…people take drugs in real life and people need to get over that. No movie is going to cause people to take drugs whether they are shown as glamorous or shown as horrible…people are going to take drugs either way…why…because they like the effects.
Other than that, cool list…i will def check some of these out.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
2 out of 10. I’m ashamed of myself
March 13th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Dead Man’s Shoes
I can’t emphasise how great this Brit-Flick is. Paddy Constantine is truly brilliant and this film is the reason why he keeps cropping up in Hollywood films like The Bourne Ultimatum.
Seriously brilliant!!
Additionally for me it was filmed in Matlock near Derby where I live in the UK.
Watch it!
March 13th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Here’s a link http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mans-Shoes-Paddy-Considine/dp/B000GPPPTU.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
The Thing!!!!
March 13th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Children Of Men. Clive Owen again, in a truly remarkable film. There are so many great moments that it’s hard to pick just one, but the scene where he carries the baby out of the building and the soldiers stop fighting is genuinely amazing.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Can’t believe you left Layer Cake off that list. Oh well. Daniel Craig will now come over and have Morty kick your ass.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
“Ice cold in alex” should be on this list. one of the best films ever made.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I absolutely love Rules of the Game, but is it a “guy movie”? I don’t think so.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Oh Patrick, how sophisticated you are! The Right stuff is so incredibly boring. I watched it with an open mind, and I’m really interested in the story, but that movie is just a piece of sh1te. It’s like 4 or so movies in one, you have a part which is comedy, a part which is drama, some action, blabla. Just boring and way too long. I was really disappointed. The Rules Of The Game on the other hand is the bomb.