Action Is As Action Does
A few brief notes about the latest Guide at Pajiba, this one a salute to action flicks:
1. Like all collaborative lists, this one ain't perfect. Sure, there are some good action films on the list, but I'd gladly trade Mr. & Mrs. Smith for Mission: Impossible. But I think I was the only one who didn't have Mr. & Mrs. Smith on his/her ballot, so it made the cut. Democracy in action, folks: First that f**ktard Bush, and now this. Ah well. Anyway, we only had room for 15 movies, so my advice to you if any of your favorites is to mention it in the comment thread.
2. I know it's kinda tautological, but an action movie is an action movie, OK? Close your eyes and think of action movies. That thing that came immediately to mind, with the explosions and the guns and bad guys getting blowed up — that's mostly what we were going for. Sure, we broadened it a little, because at Pajiba we're all about screwing with the rules, which is why we included Raiders of the Lost Ark, which is more of a classic adventure pic despite having some of the all-time great action sequences. But there aren't any Westerns on there because, well, it's a list of action movies, not Westerns. Get it? Same goes with gangster flicks, or vampire flicks. I look forward to reading the comments we get (well, not all of them, since some of you scare the tar out of me), but seriously, take a moment to think if the movie you're talking about is actually an action movie or if you just feel like bitching.
Thanks for your time.
And now: Pajiba's Guide to the Best Action Films of All Time.
Comments: 5
I agree, great list.
I disagree.
speed
layer cake
desperado
the professional
mr. and mrs. smith
the killer
No.
But seriously Dan, Mr. and Mrs. Smith?? Who are these guys?
Ronin?
Hey, I'm with you. Only 10 items on the list match up with the 20 titles I submitted (we all drew from a large pool). My top 5 were:
Die Hard
The Professional
The Bourne Identity
Casino Royale
Mission: Impossible
And yeah, Ronin's good, too. But like I said, we only had room for 15. And I'm at a loss as to how Mr. & Mrs. Smith got on there. I had no idea anyone actually liked that movie.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith didn't make my list either. Go figure.
It was a great list (although I'm with you on the inclusion of Mr. And Mrs. Smith). I love a good action movie, sometimes you just want to see shit get blown up.
May 1, 2007 1:56 PM