411's Top 100 Guy Movies: #30 - #21

Posted by Chad Webb on 09.01.2010

From The Dark Knight and The Terminator to Enter the Dragon and Predator, the 411 Movie Zone's look at the Top 100 Guy Movies of All-Time continues with #30 down to #21! Check out the full article to see which guy flicks made this part of the list!

The List So Far...

100. Mad Max
99. Stripes
98. Saving Private Ryan
97. Death Wish
96. Old Boy
95. Top Gun
94. The Evil Dead 2
93. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
92. Bachelor Party
91. Shaft
90. The Searchers
89. The Rock
88. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
87. Shoot ‘Em Up
86. Patton
85. Training Day
84. Braveheart
83. The Killer
82. Big Trouble in Little China
81. Beverly Hills Cop
80. The Untouchables
79. Shaun of the Dead
78. Crank
77. Hot Fuzz
76. The Shawshank Redemption
75. Grind House
74. The French Connection
73. Dr. No
72. Ocean's Eleven
71. The Matrix
70. Kill Bill
69. Aliens
68. The Deer Hunter
67. Army of Darkness
66. Glengarry Glen Ross
65. Swingers
64. This is Spinal Tap
63. Commando
62. The Crow
61. Face/Off
60. Goldfinger
59. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
58. The Wrestler
57. Office Space
56. Blade Runner
55. Easy Rider
54. Ghostbusters
53. 48 Hours
52. Hard Boiled
51. Unforgiven
50. The Wild Bunch
49. Casino Royale
48. Heat
47. Road House
46. Porky's
45. Escape from New York
44. Seven Samurai
43. Clerks
42. The Departed
41. Apocalypse Now
40. Rambo
39. Taxi Driver
38. The Dirty Dozen
37. Tombstone
36. The Longest Yard
35. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
34. The Road Warrior
33. Slap Shot
32. Blazing Saddles
31. Blues Brothers

From #100-#91
From #90-#81
From #80-#71
From #70-#61
From #60-#51
From #50-#41
From #40-#31

#30
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Starring: Paul Newman and Robert Redford

Directed By: George Roy Hill

Release Date: October 24, 1969

Summary: Two Western bank/train robbers flee to Bolivia when the law gets too close.

Memorable Quote:
"Oh, good. For a moment there I thought we were in trouble. "
-Butch Cassidy [They both run out of the building, then a freeze frame sepia tone
shot of the two of them exiting the house.]

Blurb Written By: Steve Gustafson

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was a new breed of western at the time of its release and is a deceptively complex film that set the standard that all buddy movies have since tried attain. Even if you were to remake this film shot for shot, the chemistry between Robert Redford and Paul Newman could never be replicated. Newman is Butch and Redford is Sundance, the brains and the gun, respectively, of the infamous Hole-in-the-Wall Gang, a gang of bank robbers that were as liked as they were feared. This movie broke the standard when it showed that the heroes would rather run away rather than fight, squabbling about petty issues regardless of the seriousness around
them.

The spirit of the movie and friendship these two have for one another is never more apparent than in the climactic gun battle. The two of them find shelter in an empty house, low on ammunition. Butch makes a run to the mule to fetch the rest of the ammunition, but during his return they are both wounded. While tending to their wounds in the house, hundreds of soldiers of the Bolivian cavalry arrive and surround the place. The pair, unaware of the mass cavalry around them, discuss their next destination, with Butch pushing the English-speaking and wide-open continent of Australia. It doesn't matter. Friends to the end.

Manliest Moment: You'll be hard pressed to find a scene of friendship as meaningful as this one. Our two hooligans find shelter in an empty house, low on ammo. Butch runs to the mule to grab the rest of the ammunition while Sundance provides cover, but during his return they are both hit.

While tending to their wounds, 100s of soldiers of the Bolivian cavalry arrive and surround the place. The pair, unaware of the arrival, discuss their next step, with Butch pushing for Australia. Butch tells Sundance that when they get outside and get to their

horses to remember one thing. Before he can say it, Butch asks Sundance if he saw Lefors "out there". Sundance says that he did not and Butch replies "For a moment there, I thought we were in trouble." The film ends with the famous freeze frame sepia tone shot of the pair blazing from the house, while a voice is heard shouting: "Fuego!" accompanied by the sound of hundreds of rifles being fired. Perhaps my favorite ending of all time. Just two men versus the world.

#29
The Terminator

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and Michael Biehn

Directed By: James Cameron

Release Date: October 26, 1984

Summary: A cyborg is sent back in time to the late 20th century to kill Sarah Connor and her unborn son John in order to change the future and spell the end for all humanity. Luckily for us, the human resistance has sent back one of their own, with orders to protect her.

Memorable Quote: "I'll be back." (What, you expected something else?)

Blurb Written By: Jeremy Thomas

If for no other reason, The Terminator would earn its spot on this list just for being the movie that truly launched Arnold Schwarzenegger's film career. The Austrian-born bodybuilder-turned-actor (turned Governator) is one of the biggest action stars of all time, and while he'd found stardom in films like Pumping Iron and Conan the Barbarian, it was his role as the ruthless cyborg in James Cameron's sci-fi actioner that propelled him to new heights as one of Hollywood's A-list action stars. It very nearly didn't happen the way it ended up being, as Cameron originally intended to cast Schwarzenegger as Kyle Reese and Michael Biehn as the Terminator, with the original idea in the script being that as a smaller man the machine could blend in better with humanity. Amusingly O.J. Simpson was on the shortlist, but Cameron rejected the idea as he didn't believe that such a "nice guy" would be believable as a ruthless killer. Luckily for the franchise the stars aligned just right, and with Cameron behind the help on his own script the six million dollar-budgeted film—a low figure even in 1984—became a worldwide hit and received a lot of critical acclaim.

One of the reasons that the film succeeds so well with guys, besides the obviously thrilling action sequences and exceptional special effects, is the simple yet effective set-up of the plot; a literal killing machine is out there with a sole purpose in mind—kill Sarah Connor. It's a natural reaction for men to want to protect a woman in danger, and Cameron evokes those emotions very well here to draw us into the film. In doing so, the casting of Sarah Connor was exceptionally important, and Cameron found a jewel in Linda Hamilton, who takes this character from meek waitress and college student through a very believable—all things considering—path into a tougher, entirely more capable woman by the end. And there's no offense intended to the opposite sex here, as Hamilton will get her bad-ass going in the next installment of the series which is quite the guy movie itself. Biehn and Schwarzenegger are both very good in their roles as well, with the cyborg character becoming Arnold's signature role while Biehn would parlay this role into solider roles in great films such as Aliens and The Rock. And lest we forget them because I brushed them over, there are those bad-ass action scenes, including the chase scene with Arnold on the motorcycle shooting away while Hamilton and Biehn launch pipe bombs at him or Arnold's wiping out a dance club in the search of his prey. And let's not forget the cringe-worthy painful-looking scene where the Terminator performs surgery on himself with an Exacto knife. Yes, it was special effects of course, but it came out looking like a million bucks and just adds to the ballsy factor of the film. Finally, if that's not enough, there's the smoking hot sex scene between Biehn and Hamilton. Pick and choose whatever you want…any way you slice it, there's no denying that this movie deserves it's placement on this list.

Manliest Moment: After Sarah (Linda Hamilton) and her protector Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) are captured by the police, the Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) walks into the police station and asks to see Sarah. When the desk sergeant denies him access, the Terminator utters those famous words, "I'll be back" and is back moments later, plowing his car through the front of the building and going on a killing spree from hell.

#28
Platoon

Starring: Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and Willem Dafoe

Directed By: Oliver Stone

Release Date: December 24, 1986

Summary: A young recruit in Vietnam faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man.

Memorable Quote: Sgt. Barnes: "You talking about killing? Hmm? Y'all experts? Y'all know about killing? I'd like to hear about it, potheads." [takes pipe and inhales drag] "Are you smoking this shit so's to escape from reality? Me, I don't need this shit. I am reality."

Blurb Written By: Scott Rutherford

War movies tend to be a series of heroics and grandstanding events that help the viewer distinguish between right and wrong and a clearer sense of black and white. War is rarely, if ever black or white. Even with the best intentions movies like Saving Private Ryan so systematically divide their story into right and wrong that they usually make war look more glamorous than it really is. Oliver Stone served in Vietnam and he fought hard to make a movie that he believes truly reflects what war is and how it effects every man.

When you come across a movie that men "get" you usually find it has something in it that speaks to the base instinct in every man. With this movie the instincts and mental psyche that's explored are at the dark end of the spectrum and while you wont get too many that would volunteer that they could see themselves in the characters of this movie, you can certainly bet that they do in some form. This movie does that too you.

Manliest Moment: Dafoe's Sgt. Elias Grodin standing up to the rest of the men to stop them from killing innocent villagers. Charlie Sheen covered in dirt and blood, shooting wildly and yelling "Die you motherfuc*ers!" could also here.

#27
Enter the Dragon

Starring: Bruce Lee

Directed By: Robert Clouse

Release Date: August 19, 1973

Summary: A martial artist agrees to spy on a reclusive crime lord using his invitation to a tournament there as cover.

Memorable Quote: [Oharra throws a board in the air and smashes it with his fist] Lee: "Boards don't hit back."

Blurb Written By: Chad Webb

Arguably the greatest kung-fu movie ever made, is Enter the Dragon. When Bruce Lee died, the genre stood still, and no one thought a movie could be made unless his name was attached. How fitting that his final bow would result in his paramount achievement, a film that would carve a legacy for generations to come. Enter the Dragon has the distinction of also being the most accessible of Bruce Lee's canon. For those who had only heard of this iconic martial artist, this action-packed extravaganza is the best example of what he had to offer on and off the screen.

What separates Enter the Dragon from the rest of Bruce Lee's films is that for only the second time he used his natural voice in the United States. That may seem trivial, but to anyone that cannot stand the poor dubbing of Hong Kong cinema from that era, it makes a huge difference. With this choice, Bruce Lee was given the opportunity to shine as a skilled martial arts expert and as a performer with innate charisma. It is because of this mainstream appeal, and the wise direction of Robert Klouse, that makes Enter the Dragon worth repeated viewings.

Bruce Lee plays Lee, suitably enough, as a man recruited to investigate a tournament hosted by a gentleman named Han. It is believed that opium trades are being conducted there as well. Meanwhile, other supporting characters enter the same tournament, for various reasons. The plot is very simple, as are most of this ilk, and this one in particular resembles a James Bond storyline more that a standard kung-fu flick. The important point is that the plot and the acting, both of which are adequate, are secondary to the fight sequences. Enter the Dragon had a very special fight choreographer to aid with the execution of each moment, and his name was Bruce Lee. No one better than Lee knew how to pull off certain scenes, especially the huge battle outside.

Bruce Lee died 3 weeks before the premiere of Enter the Dragon, but he did see the final cut, and gave it his blessing. He gave his all toward this production, as a star and a member of the crew. He had multiple injuries, one involving a broken bottle, and the other was a snake bite. Few stars would put themselves in harm's way like Bruce Lee did, and the world has respected him and what he stood for, ever since. Enter the Dragon acts a gateway flick for aspiring fans of martial arts cinema. It accentuates all of its strengths, and virtually none of its weaknesses. And who can forget the brilliant "Hall of Mirrors" climax? Like the rest of the movie, it rocks.

Manliest Moment: The mirror room fight scene against the maniacal Han. His claw is no match for Bruce Lee.

#26
300

Starring: Gerard Butler

Directed By: Zack Snyder

Release Date: March 9, 2007

Summary: When the ambitious King Xerxes of Persia invades Greece with his huge army to extend his slave empire, King Leonidas brings his personal body guard army composed of three hundred warriors to defend the passage of Thermopylae, the only way by land to reach Greece.

Memorable Quote:
Persian: "The thousand nations of the Persian Empire descend upon you! Our arrows will blot out the sun."
Stelios: "Then we will fight in the shade."

Blurb Written By: Jeremy Thomas

Manly? This...is...Sparta! Sorry, I couldn't resist. Without a doubt, Zack Snyder's sword-and-sandal epic deserves a place on this list. What other movie packs more testosterone per minute than the story of Leonidas and his three hundred Spartans? The story is an inspiring one for any guy; we've all dreamed of fighting a drastically outnumbered battle and coming out on top, whether we would admit to it or not. Perhaps it's the result of too many martial arts and war films but whatever the reason it helps the story of the film, based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, resonate strongly with us. What's even better is that it's based (very loosely, but still based) on a real-life story where Greek forces fought off somewhere between 800,000 to 2.5 million Persians with three hundred Spartans leading the way and another 3,000 - 5,000 or so from other countries providing support. Clearly, this is not a film for historical accuracy but some films never try to be and this is one of those movies. Whatever the true numbers it is still an unbelievable military victory and that is an immediate draw for anyone with a Y chromosome.

What was almost as impressive was the film itself. Using cutting-edge CGI/green screen effects and a script that practically oozed machismo right off the page, Zack Snyder put together something that absolutely had to be seen to be believed. Featuring a star-making performance from Gerard Butler as Leonidas and strong support from Dominic West and David Wenham as the corrupt Theron and the narrator Dilios, the movie pushes forward with barely a chance to catch a breath. The combatants are heavily stylized and are clearly not meant to be taken as true representations of the Persians that the 300 fought; you have monstrous uber-soldiers and the mask-wearing Immortals just for starters to show that. But in that stylized fashion is completely works and draws the viewer in as a sight to behold. And while the battle scenes are powerfully done and full of style, it is the scenes involving Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo that really shine. Here's a strong woman character that very nearly competes with the men for screen presence; her loyalty to her King and to Sparta is unwavering and when she kills Theron as retribution for what he's done to her and her husband, she hisses "This will not be over quickly. You will not enjoy this. I am not your Queen!" That's bad-ass enough, but nothing makes her a woman to be impressed by more than when she tells Leonidas "Come back with your shield or on it." In 300, even the women are more manly (in a good way) than most of the men in movies these days. The movie is practically a lexicon of great manly quotes: "Our arrows will blot out the sun!" "Then we will fight in the shade." And in the end, we're left with the memory that even after the blood-spattered slow-motion battles, the tough guy quotes and the amazingly strong characters, the whole point is that self-sacrifice is sometimes needed for the greatest victory of all. There are few sentiments more noble and manly than that.

Manliest Moment: In one of the most recognizable scenes of the film, Xerxes's messenger (Peter Mensah) demands tribute from Leonidas (Gerard Butler) in order to save Sparta from conquest. Leonidas takes offense and pulls his sword on the messenger and points out all the ways he has been offended. The messenger proclaims in a panicked voice, "This is blasphemy; this is madness!" Leonidas responds, "Madness? THIS...IS...SPARTA!" and kicks the messenger in the chest, knocking him down into a bottomless pit. That's what I call cutthroat diplomacy.
Quote: "Spartans! Ready your breakfast and eat hearty... For tonight, we dine in hell!"

#25
Caddyshack

Starring: Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, and Ted Knight

Directed By: Harold Ramis

Release Date: July 25, 1980

Summary: It's people, the rich and poor alike, screwing around at a posh country club. Most of them play golf there, too. There's also a gopher.

Memorable Quote: Judge Smails: You know, you should play with Dr. Beeper and myself. He's been club champion three years running and I'm no slouch myself.
Ty Webb: Don't sell yourself short, judge. You're a tremendous slouch.

Blurb Written By: Bryan Kristopowitz

Trying to figure out what "Caddyshack," directed by Harold Ramis, is really all about is a bit of a fool's errand because it doesn't appear to be about anything specific. I mean, in a sense it's a movie about social classes and how those classes interact, but I highly doubt that Ramis and the flick's makers were out to strike a blow against those rich scumbags. The movie makes fun of everyone (yes, the movie does show slightly more sympathy for the lower classes since its main character is a caddy, Danny Noonan, as played by Michael O'Keefe, but if you look at Noonan's fellow lower class member Carl Spackler, as played by Bill Murray, you can see how the movie has no intention of being for anything or anyone outright). However, because I have to write something, I'll just say that the ultimate point of the movie is: have fun.

Don't fret about what you have and what you don't have. Always try, but don't try too hard because that will interfere with your fun. Think about Chevy Chase's character Ty Webb, the slacker playboy that just doesn't care. He comes from money, he has no cares, no stress, he doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to do. Heck, he doesn't even keep score when he plays golf. Webb plays golf because it's fun, because it relaxes him, because, well, what else is he going to do? And you get the sense that, even if he didn't come from money he'd still be the same person. He'd still be the guy out there, every day, playing golf and not keeping score. What's the point?

Of course, even for this movie that explanation may be too deep. It's probably best just to do what every guy in the world does when they think of "Caddyshack": quote the movie. Endlessly. Quote everything. Every character is quotable. Chase's Webb, O'Keefe's Noonan, Rodney Dangerfield's Al Czervik, Ted Knight's Judge Smails, and, of course, Murray's Carl. Why quote everyone and everything? Because it's fun. Because recalling those quotes makes you laugh, puts a smile on your face. And it gives you something to do besides fret about your future and wonder whether or not you should go to college.

Just be the ball.

Manliest Moment: Young caddy Danny Noonan decides to risk a sure thing (a full college scholarship) to possibly get a bigger reward (whatever the heck Al Czervik means when he says "If you win I'll make it worth your while"). That takes balls.

#24
The Dark Knight

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, and Aaron Eckhart

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Release Date: July 18, 2008

Summary: Batman has to deal with the remnants of the mob and the new insane criminal The Joker.

Memorable Quote: "Do you want to know why I use a knife? Guns are too quick. You can't savor all the... little emotions. In...you see, in their last moments, people show you who they really are. So in a way, I know your friends better than you ever did. Would you like to know which of them were cowards?"

Blurb Written By: Joseph Lee

2008 was the year of the Bat. Well actually, The Joker. Fans were frothing at the mouth for this latest sequel, for a number of reasons. Batman Begins was tremendous, the entire cast came back and early previews showed the late Heath Ledger owning his role as The Joker. Then when I sat down on IMAX, I got everything I was expecting and more. The Dark Knight is just a perfect film. More importantly, it's a perfect film for guys.

Some may write off TDK as just a superhero movie but it's much more than that. It goes deeper, darker and features some of the best acting ever in this type of film. I'd call it the best superhero movie ever but that would be insulting it, somehow. Needless to say, Heath Ledger shined as The Joker, turning the character we thought we knew into something much more. You'll hear stupid people cry that he's only winning awards because he's dead, but anyone with a brain knows better.

So what makes this a movie for men? I think the better question is, what doesn't make this a movie for men? Could it be the great action sequences that were expertly crafted and never fail to entertain? Could it be the epic car chase through the war-torn city of Gotham as Batman races to save the life of Harvey Dent? Maybe it's Batman fighting off cops to save the lives of civilians, while The Joker laughs with glee. Batman vs The Joker is a feud that has been going on for decades, and seeing it on the big screen with two great actors once again is something every man who loves comics loves to see.

The Dark Knight has all the action we've come to expect from a movie like this, but it's also much deeper than that. It explores the role of a vigilante and the implications of that for the man behind the mask. It explores the role of a vigilante as a symbol, and it's just a much smarter Batman movie than we've ever had. Of course, there's also plenty of explosions and fights that make it a guy movie.

Manliest Moment: The Joker takes a beating from Bats and laughs it away.

#23
First Blood

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, and Brian Dennehy

Directed By: Ted Kotcheff

Release Date: October 22, 1982

Summary: A war veteran comes home and has problems with a small town's police force. So they decide to start a war with him in the woods. Big mistake.

Memorable Quote: "I could have killed 'em all, I could kill you. In town you're the law, out here it's me. Don't push it. Don't push it or I'll give you a war you won't believe. Let it go. Let it go."

Blurb Written By: Joseph Lee

Stallone is Rambo. Do I honestly need to say anything else? If you don't know the bloody and violent legacy of John Rambo, then you should probably turn in your "man card" right now. John Rambo has been in four movies now, with a possible fifth on the way, but First Blood is where it all began. One man against an entire police force…and the cops do not stand a chance.

The movie starts auspiciously enough, it's just Rambo returning home, walking along as a drifter. He tries to make contact with friends of his, only to find out their dead. Due to the anti-Vietnam sentiment, he's kicked out of the town by the local Sherriff. Rambo re-enters the town and the police force starts messing with him and he doesn't like it. That's when things begin to go downhill for everyone involved.

Rambo is a man's man, and Stallone is a man's actor. He knows exactly how to make Rambo both tough yet sympathetic. The fact that Rambo takes out the entire police force, trying his best not to kill them (even though he clearly could with ease) means he doesn't want any trouble. Really, it's one man against the system, and we're right behind him the entire time. Only when his former CO comes to talk some sense into him does he even think about stopping and leaving this town alone.

Rambo is an incredibly violent movie, and it has a lot of great action sequences and tense moments that make it one of the greatest guy films ever. There just aren't movies like this anymore. Even the latest sequel, with all of it's brutality, can't match the amazing, layered story that is in First Blood. It's an intriguing character study, with lots of violence thrown in. Something for everyone, that is, if you're a guy.

Manliest Moment: Rambo starts blowing up gas stations and damaging property for no apparent reason.

#22
Cool Hand Luke

Starring: Paul Newman

Directed By: Stuart Rosenberg

Release Date: November 1, 1967

Summary: A man refuses to conform to life in a rural prison.

Memorable Quote: "Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand."
-Luke Jackson

Blurb Written By: Steve Gustafson

Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is a cool, gutsy prisoner, with more guts than brains in a Southern chain gang, who, while refusing to buckle under to authority, keeps escaping and being recaptured. The prisoners admire Luke and the camp staff actively works to crush Luke until he finally breaks. Cool Hand Luke speaks to men as it tells the story of a poor drifter who can't find his place in life. Luke's struggle is a universal theme we can all connect with and no one could pull it off as Paul Newman could. This film was an incredible display of his acting ability that has you both laughing and cringing. Can I tell you something? This was my number 1 pick. What scene stands out more than the "No Man Can Eat 50 Eggs" scene? To pass the time on a rainy day, Luke bets his fellow prisoners that he can eat 50 hardboiled eggs in an hour. Drawing a large crowd, Luke commences to put on a test of (stomach) endurance. As the seconds tick down, a sickly-looking Luke manages to choke down the last egg to win the bet. Again, Luke's indomitable spirit triumphs!

Manliest Moment: "No body can eat 50 eggs." What follows is the most famous egg eating contest in the history of cinema. Luke boldly wagers that he can eat fifty hard-boiled eggs in one hour. The odds were stacked against him. "Fifty eggs gotta weigh a good six pounds...A man's gut can't hold that. They'll swell up and bust him open....They're gonna kill him." Luke takes the challenge because, "It be somethin' to do." The big event begins and we witness the determination and courage of Luke. Some might say he's the original Jackass. As time is running out, and Luke eyes the elusive goal of 50 eggs, Dragline coaxes him on: "Just nine more between you and everlastin' glory...Just little ol' eggs. They pigeon eggs, that's all." Up until the the very end it is uncertain whether he has swallowed the last egg. Of course he has. He's a man. After winning, Luke is laid out on a table covered with egg shells, a grin crosses his face. Overcoming odds just because...proving it's cool to be a man.

#21
Predator

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Directed By: John McTiernan

Release Date: June 12, 1987

Summary: A group of commandos is sent by the CIA into a Central American jungle, ostensibly to rescue captured airmen from the local guerillas. They soon find that armed militias aren't their problem, as something in the jungle starts to take them one by one, turning the hunters into the hunted.

Memorable Quote: "I ain't got time to bleed."

Blurb Written By: Jeremy Thomas

For those who may not be aware, Sylvester Stallone is currently on location with possibly the greatest collection of action stars to film a movie called The Expendables which may well become the most testosterone-loaded film of all-time. Predator, directed by guy movie favorite John McTiernan, has to be considered its spiritual successor. How else would you describe a movie that has Arnold Schwarzenegger in his action-star prime, pro wrestler Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Apollo Creed himself in Carl "Action Jackson" Weathers, several other heavily-muscled, machismo-filled soldiers, and more spent ammunition than a World War II battlefield? The funny part of this is that Predator finds its origins in another manly film franchise, that of Rocky. After the fourth movie of that franchise had been released, there was a joke making rounds in Hollywood that Rocky Balboa had run out of opponents on this planet, so for the next one he'd have to fight E.T. Screenwriters Jim and John Thomas (no relation, I'm afraid) weren't laughing though, and soon they had a script ready about a group of commandos in the jungle being hunted by an alien. This is the movie that was too manly for even Jean-Claude Van Damme, who played the Predator for two days before quitting due to the rigors of wearing the suit (and his impressive ego, which objected to his face being hidden by the Predator suit).

So aside from the admittedly-impressive development of this film and the macho cast, what makes this film such a great guy movie? Well, let's see. You have the military aspect of the script, which is sure to draw any guy worth his salt. Along with that comes a massive amount of guns shooting, things blowing up and a red-blooded American feel to the film, as our soldiers are making a foray onto foreign soil…right on the heels of the Iran-Contra affair, no less. There's the non-stop action that is supplemented by some powerful sci-fi and even horror elements, two genres that always tend to draw men more than those of the fairer sex. The script has some of the most macho lines ever said, such as the aforementioned "I ain't got time to bleed" and "This'll turn you into a god damn sexual Tyrannosaur! Just like me." You tell ‘em, Jesse. Plus, Arnold going all Boy Scout survivalist with the wilderness booby traps was enough to get any guy's blood pumping. This movie just moves along at a breakneck pace, never letting the audience catch their breath, and by the time it ends—capped off with an explosion big enough to give Michael Bay pause—you're exhausted, exhilarated and ready to do something impressively masculine, like crush beer cans on your head or drink Brawndo. In fact, if Predator were able to be distilled into liquid form, it would be called Brawndo. I can't think of anything manlier than that.

Manliest Moment: Upon seeing the camouflaged Predator running away, Mac (Bill Duke) lets forth a bellow and unloads his assault rifle at the creature, drawing the rest of his quad to his direction. When he runs out of ammo he switches to his mini-gun, and the rest of the team joins him in leveling a good portion of the jungle in front of them by virtue of gunfire. Is it ecologically friendly? No. But is it manly? Oh, hell yes.

Thanks for reading and make sure to check back next week!