Top 10 Action Movies For Xmas!

Posted by: Aku

Hey there all! Well itâ€™s getting closer to the J-mans birthday and that means last minute shopping. And what better to give as a last minute gift, than a kick ass DVD! Iâ€™ve composed a list of the 10 best releases since last Christmas to help ease you into a last minute shopping craze.

10. Seven Samurai- Criterion 3 disc special edition
Now this is definitely not for everyone, but is such an awesome film, it has to be mentioned. Akira Kurosawaâ€™s 1954 classic Seven Samurai follows a group of samurais who are hired by a poor village to help defeat a group of bandits who are terrorizing the villagers. (If the plot sounds familiar it may be because the film was remade as a western called The Magnificent Seven) This film is pretty kick ass, and great for any fan of martial arts or foreign films. The story is pretty entertaining and the film itself is like no other. And since Criterion released this great package, now is the perfect time to buy.

9. A History of Violence
David Cronenberg brings the graphic novel of the same title to screen in an incredibly shocking way. A History of Violence follows a man whose shady past finally catches up with him after he foils a robbery attempt on the small town diner he now works at. This film is great at keep you guessing as to whatâ€™s going on, and the choreography of the action scenes is phenomenal. A great buy for anyone who loves a little violence or who enjoys a film off the beaten path.

8. Oldboy â€“3 disc Ultimate collectorâ€™s edition
The addition of this movie, I must admit, is a little bias because it has definitely made it into that category of one of my all time favorites. Oldboy is the first in a trilogy of revenge by Korean director Chan-wook Park. The film follows a man named Oh Dae-Su, who after being imprisoned for fifteen years with no explanation as to why, is suddenly released and has 5 days to track down his captor and exact his revenge. Like I said, this film is one of my all time favorites, and has probably one of the most realistic fight scenes on film. This new box set, which comes in a sweet metal case, is filled with all sorts of goodies, including both an English and Korean audio track. (Especially great for those who donâ€™t like having to read subtitles) An excellent buy for just about anyone on your list who enjoys a little revenge now and again.

7. Fearless
In the film that will supposedly mark the end of action for Asian star Jet Lee, Fearless follows the story of real life Chinese Martial Arts Master Huo Yuanjia, and his exploits throughout China. The film follows Huo as he grows into a wondrous fighter, only to have his pride result in the death of his family. Huo resolves to never fight again, until he learns the meaning of sportsmanship and starts his now famous Jingwu Sports Federation. However a tournament is created with all the power holders of the world involved and Huo must battle these fighters from around the world, including a British boxer, a Spanish swordsman, a Belgian soldier, and a Japanese martial artist. The film was directed by Ronny Yu and choreographed by the legendary Yuen Wo Ping. This film is a must for that action fan in your life.

6.King Kong -Deluxe Extended Limited Edition DVD Gift Set

I usually donâ€™t go in for these "deluxe" gift sets, but I must admit that this one caught my eye. Peter Jacksonâ€™s 2005 version of King Kong was great, following the classic story of a film crew who discovers a massive ape living on an island long ago forgotten by the rest of the world. They return to New York with this monster, only to have it escape and run amuck through the city. Now this new deluxe edition has just about anything you would want with a movie; additional footage, several commentaries, behind the scenes featurettes, and all topped off with a sweet ass WETA workshop figurine of Kong climbing the Empire State Building. Film packages like this are always great gifts and for some reason seem more personal because of the statue. This is a film that definitely needs to be added to anyoneâ€™s collection who does not yet own it.

5. Superman Returns- 2 disc special edition

Now I was always a fan of the original Superman films with the late great Christopher Reeves, so I was a little apprehensive of the character being once again brought to the screen, but when Brandon Routh donned the â€˜Sâ€™ on film, I really thought he did a great job where Reeves left off. This film shows Superman returning home to Earth after years of space exploration while looking for the remnants of his home planet of Krypton. Upon his return he must not only deal with the fact that his nemesis Lex Luther has yet another plot to destroy him and half the world, but the fact that Lois Lane is now engaged to another man. This film is not just for superhero fans, but film fans of every caliber would be tickled pink to own a copy of this film.

4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Manâ€™s Chest
The second in the trilogy that follows Captain Jack Sparrow and his gang of unlikely heroâ€™s as they travel through the Caribbean. This one follows Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann as their wedding is interrupted by their own arrest. To gain their freedom they must retrieve a compass from Captain Jack that shows the way to a treasure owned by the one and only Davy Jones. However, Davy Jones also comes to collect the blood-debt that is owed to him by Sparrow. The only downside of this film is that being in the middle of the trilogy, it definitely is a lead up to the third film and leaves the viewer a little anxious to know what happens. If you know someone who is a Pirates fan, and it seems hard to find someone who doesnâ€™t enjoy these films, this is a great gift idea to help them complete their trilogy. (And this film is an especially great gift idea for those younger viewers on your list.)

3. Mission Impossible 3- 2 disc special collectorâ€™s edition

Now hereâ€™s a film that if youâ€™d asked me a year ago whether it would make it on my Christmas list Iâ€™d laugh at you. However I was truly blown away by the way this series really turned around in this third chapter. The latest in the series of Mission Impossible films, this one definitely makes up for the debacle that the 2nd one was. And best of all, you donâ€™t need to have seen the others to understand this one. (Sort of like how you never need to see other James Bond films to know whatâ€™s going on) This film follows the ever vigilant hero Ethan Hunt as he attempts to rescue his fiancÃ© and save himself from the IMF organization who thinks that heâ€™s a mole. This is a great non-stop action piece, and an all around fun movie to watch. Even if you didnâ€™t like the first two, this one is definitely worth taking a chance on, and I really doubt that youâ€™ll regret it.

2. X-men: The Last Stand- The Stan Lee Collectors Edition
In the final chapter of the X-menâ€™s film trilogy, this film finally gives viewers what they were dying to see; the ultimate battle between good and evil. The film follows Xavierâ€™s X-men as they battle against Magneto and his so called "freedom fighters" which accumulates in one great battle that takes place on the famous Alcatraz Island. A film thatâ€™s great for those fans who only know the X-men on screen, as well as those comic fans who will appreciate finally seeing some of their favorite heroâ€™s on the big screen. The film also does a great job at tying up the series and the only complaint can be that itâ€™s all over too soon. This special collectorâ€™s edition contains all kinds of goodies including deleted scenes, alternate endings, and a special comic book by the legendary Stan Lee. A great gift for fan boys and X-men fans everywhere.

1. V for Vendetta-Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition

Quite possibly the best comic-to-film adaptation, this Alan Moore inspired movie follows a man named V, who fights against a corrupt military state, as well as being a personal hero to the young Eve. This movie is truly exceptional, and doesnâ€™t need the knowledge of comic books that some movies in this sort of genre require. The action sequences are great, and the film contains a story line so deep and provocative, that anyone watching will become instantly captivated with the story of V. And the best of all is the way that film portrays real history, specifically the story of Guy Fawkes and the Gun Powder Plot, into a modern day fairytale. The 2 disc special edition contains all sorts of special features and makes an incredible gift, for yourself or someone else. If you buy one movie this year, this truly should be it.

Well thatâ€™s my list for you last minute shoppers and hopefully youâ€™ll be able to find some inspiration within it to help soothe that action/adventure craving beast that lives within us all. (Yah I know, a little corny, but thatâ€™s what happens when you watch too many of these adventure films) So use this list wisely and remember on thing about the gifts you give this season: Itâ€™s not what you give the person that matters, itâ€™s whether you kept the receipt in case of returns! Enjoy, Peace out!