Just in case you forgot that it's the most wonderful time of the year our host for Thursday Movie Picks, Wanderer at Wandering Through the Shelves, gave us a rather festive topic for this week. We're talking holiday action movies. When I found this out, my mind immediately went to that movie. Yeah, that one. I promise I didn't pick that one. No, no, I love that one. I just didn't pick that one. I picked these...
First Blood
(l982)
This only happened because, as our protagonist says, "They drew first blood!" Starting with the very next movie in this franchise, main character John Rambo is more or less a superhero. This makes it easy to forget that the original movie treats him like a real person. In his most endearing performance outside the Rocky franchise, Sylvester Stallone stars as a Vietnam vet home from the war...during Christmas.
Rocky IV
(1985)
Did I mention Rocky? Here, Sylvester Stallone is back for his fourth turn as the immortal boxer. Yes, I'm counting this as an action movie. Boxing scenes are nothing, if not action sequences, after all. This time, our hero travels behind The Iron Curtain to end the Cold War with his legendary pugilistic skills. I mean, "If I can change and you change, everybody can change." Sly's eternal David takes on the Goliath known as Ivan Drago...in Russia...on Christmas Day.
Cobra
(1986)
"You're the disease, and I'm the cure," says our titular character. He's one of those tough guy cops who doesn't play by the rules. He does things like use excessive force whenever the opportunity presents itself, which includes whipping his car around to drive backwards on a crowded freeway while shooting at bad guys. Ya know, normal cop stuff. Sylvester Stallone plays this particular renegade who's trying to stop an extra dangerous psycho...during the Christmas season.
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Ah... you can't go wrong with those 3 films. I like the theme within a theme as I too went a theme within a theme for my picks. First Blood is the best of the bunch because Rambo is someone you just don't push because of the consequences you're going to deal with.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, First Blood is the best of the bunch.
DeleteBut those other two are sooooooo fun.
I struggled to be original this week, but you clearly didn't. I forgot about Christmas being any part of First Blood.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Christmas definitely isn't at the forefront of First Blood.
DeleteGreat list! I haven't seen any of the Rocky movies, but I would love to soon!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to them. Classic series.
DeleteA theme within the theme! Love those!
ReplyDeleteFirst Blood is not a bad film as those sort of movies go and certainly a whole lot better than the follow-ups.
The first Rocky was a fine little guy against the odds story but I gave up on them after the second one.
It's been so long since I saw Cobra and it was so faceless and generic I don't remember much about it.
I wasn't as strong as you and did pick that film that is the first to pop into everyone's mind. It's such a great example of the genre and fit so well I couldn't resist! My other two are a bit more out of the main.
Die Hard (1988)-NYPD cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) has come to LA for Christmas to attempt a reconciliation with his highly successful wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia). Arriving at the high rise where her company’s holiday party is taking place things are tense between them but they are about to get much more so. Within moments a group of terrorists lead by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) take all but McClane, who is unseen, hostage and the pace from then on is relentless. McClane singlehandedly takes on the group in an ever-escalating series of attacks in an effort to save his wife and the day! Willis, Rickman and Bonnie Bedelia are all great in this standard setting action flick.
Reindeer Games (2000)-Newly released from prison as the Christmas holidays approach ex-con Rudy Duncan (Ben Affleck) plans to stick to the straight and narrow starting over with Ashley (Charlize Theron) who he became involved with through letters while he was in the slammer. But he discovers Ashley’s brother, the psychotic Gabriel (Gary Sinise) has other plans. Gabe thinks that Rudy has inside info about a casino he wants to rob and pressures him to join his cohorts in carrying out the scheme. Everyone has secrets and as they are revealed the damage and bodies mount.
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)-Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) is a small-town schoolteacher and single mother to little Caitlin (Yvonne Zima). During the Christmas season Samantha is out running a quick errand when she is involved in a minor car accident sustaining what seems a minor bump on her head, but almost immediately she begins to be able to perform precision defense moves. Turns out Sam has only been in town for eight years having washed up on shore a pregnant amnesiac. As memories flood back she realizes she was a government assassin. When her former bosses learn she has been reactivated the hunt is on to either re-recruit or silence her.
Have a great Christmas Dell!
The Long Kiss Goodnight is on my shortlist of favorite Christmas movies, but I've picked that one several times before. I've seen Reindeer Games, making this the first time in a while I've seen all of your picks. However, I must confess that I don't remember much about it. I liked it, but nothing stuck with me and I've never returned to it.
DeleteHope your Christmas was great, too!
First Blood was such a good film. It's a shame they made all those cheap movies afterwards.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the franchise, but I can admit that First Blood is a good and thoughtful film while the rest are mindless movies.
DeleteOooooh cool picks!
ReplyDeleteA couple of weeks ago, I discovered a fascinating podcast dealing with a book based on Ivan Drago. It's called finding Drago, and I would 100% recommend checking it out. :-D
Never heard of the book or the podcast. Thanks! Movie-wise, Creed II does a great job fleshing Drago out, as well.
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