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Tomorrow’s War
the man from nowhere
There is a strong John Wickian spirit in The Man from Nowhere. Cha Tae-sik (Won Bin) is a pawnbroker trying to avoid trouble (a recurring theme in action movies). He then gets into trouble when gangsters kidnap his only friend – the little girl next door, So-mi. Cha Tae-sik embarks on a righteous mission to save So-mi, killing some unnamed guys in the process. Four years before John Wick, Man from Nowhere is a good example of how Eastern cinema understood action films before the West decided to pull itself together.
the wounded man’s closet
The Hurt Locker was nominated in 9 categories at the Oscars where it won 6 awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and more. For an action movie based on a simple story of a sergeant training his subordinates, the fact that he has received so many awards should give you a good idea of just how good he is. Jeremy Renner does a fantastic job as the ruthless sergeant, and the heart- Intense action sequences with slow pauses add to the drama. One of the best Hollywood action movies of all time, a must for war movie lovers.
The exterminator
Highlander (1986)
Is Highlander a little ridiculous and corny? Yes, of course – that’s part of the appeal. The film’s story follows Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) as he fights other immortal warriors over time, trying to cut off their heads so that “there can only be one”, and the film’s story is a bizarre mix of fantasy – tropics, science fiction flourishes and silliness of historical events. But the film’s visual style, a hazy plethora of bold MTV-era choices provided by Australian filmmaker Russell Mulcahy, is its true selling point, along with Lambert and Sean Connery’s performances as its mentor. If you want your movie to be over the top, this is certainly a memorable way to do it.
Mission: Impossible (1996)
The Mission: Impossible franchise is in its seventh installment, slated for this year, but it’s important to remember where it all began because the first film reigns supreme. While Ethan Hunt’s stunts have gotten more ridiculous over time, the original remake of Brian De Palma’s 1960s TV series is just as gripping. Starting with a brilliant disorientation that sees Ethan watching from Tom Cruise as his entire team is killed in an IMF stab wound, the undercover agent flees and eventually allies himself with Vanessa Redgrave’s sassy arms dealer Max. You know the scenarios. that make this thing boil – the exploding fish pond, the Langley accident, the train chase – all impeccably staged, as you remember.
Shadow of a Tear (2013)
Scott Adkins is a name you should know. A trained martial artist and regular antagonist to Jean-Claude Van Damme, Adkins is the kind of charismatic fighter who would be huge but delivers in blockbuster VOD movies and small roles (see: The Bourne Ultimatum). Ninja 2 is his latest masterpiece, a revenge movie where every scene is an excuse to fight. Fists, swords, barbed wire flails – you name it, Ninja 2 has it. And unlike the JCVD, Adkins not only makes downfalls bearable, but also believable. He is a talent that can handle punches and words.
Taken (2009)
Taken must be unforgettable. Six months passed between the theatrical release in France and the US because those in charge couldn’t decide whether director Pierre Morel and producer Luc Besson’s action movie Geri deserved a theatrical release. Finally, it landed on our backs—and with great force. Liam Neeson’s grizzled charisma, unparalleled karate chop skills, and one of the most iconic mission statements in recent memory (“I have a very special set of skills…”) made the Daddy Rescue image an instant cult classic and revival. career long character actors and legions of lesser imitators (many including Neeson himself).
Robocop (1987)
Great science fiction novels often have a touch of irony; As good as new technology may seem, we are all pretty screwed thanks to the unchanging aspects of human nature. Paul Verhoeven tapped into that same spirit with Robocop, steeped in dark comedy and slimy ultra-violence. The film combines a cruel parody of the corporate world with glimmers of hope for a safer future under the watchful eye of technology. With Peter Weller adding soul to the film’s robotic enforcer and some of the most memorable vulgar lines in a sci-fi movie, Robocop blows holes in hypocrites.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Steven Spielberg’s World War II film solidified itself as an American classic 15 minutes after a serious and poignant reenactment of the Normandy Beach invasion. The rest of the movie lives up for the sequel, with Tom Hanks, Matt Damon and an unimaginable list of well-known actors playing a universal gang of brothers. When saving a life is worth it, the backstory is what counts, and Spielberg’s direction enriches the lives of his men as much as he enacts the horrors of war.
