10. Quantum of Solace

Director: Marc Forster

Stars: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric

I’ll get the obvious out of the way, no this is not as good as Casino Royale. That said, Casino Royale set a pretty lofty standard to hold any movie up to. While not achieving that level of success this Bond installment succeeds in its own way.

Playing as a direct sequel, Quantum of Solace begins almost exactly where Casino Royale left off. Bond is seeking revenge of the death of Vesper Lynd and is mixed up with some powerful unknown super criminal organization. A modern day Legion of Doom, except these guys all seem like escaped members of a Clue game (Mr. Greene, Mr. White, etc…). the action is non-stop, and while you are missing some Bond staples, the movie works as a second act of Casino Royale. Ultimately, Bond does show a quantum of solace at the end of the movie, allowing his character to begin anew in the next installment.

9. Taken

Director: Pierre Morel

Stars: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace

If you live in the United States, you’ll have to get creative to see this one. Despite being filmed largely in English and being released in Europe almost a year ago, the film remains undistributed in the United States. To top it off, the rumored U.S. release will be edited down to a PG-13 rating. Disappointing. There are DVD and Blu-Ray releases in some countries, so imports are available as well as other less than legal means to obtain the flick.

As to the movie itself, it stars Liam Nesson in a commanding performance of a father who’s daughter is kidnapped. Neeson plays the action hero here, and if that sounds a bit odd to you do not fret as he pulls it off. If you want to compare it to something you’re more familiar with, think Bourne trilogy or 24.

8. RocknRolla

Director: Guy Ritchie

Stars: Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton

In his heart, Guy Ritchie is a guy’s filmmaker (his name is Guy after all). This is a man who brought us Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. I think we can forgive him for his Madonna diversions and whatever Swept Away was supposed to be. At least we can forgive now that he’s in his post-Madonna era.

RocknRolla is a return to form for Ritchie, even if he doesn’t hit the heights of his previous work. You’ll see the traditional Ritchie staples here: fast pace, witty dialogue, complex interwoven story lines, and a stylish piece of work bristling with energy. The basic storyline here is simple: when a Russian mobster sets up a real estate scam that generates millions of pounds, various members of London’s criminal underworld pursue their share of the fortune. Let the games begin!

7. Pineapple Express

Director: David Gordon Green

Stars: Seth Rogen, James Franco, Gary Cole

This is a movie rated R for “pervasive language, drug use, sexual references, and violence.” That’s a good start to any guy movie. A bizarre choice for artsy director David Gordon Green, Pineapple Express is a mixing of various genres, including action, but at its heart is all about the laughs.

And the laughs are certainly here, with just about every scene featuring some great dialogue, acting, or some sort of incredible sight gag. James Franco rejoins the Apatow clan after his work with Freaks and Geeks, and its him and not Rogen that’s the highlight of this film. This movie is another fine entry into the stoner film genre, hearkening back to the good ole days of Cheech and Chong.

6. The Bank Job

Director: Roger Donaldson

Stars: Jason Statham, Saffron Burrows

Based on the 1971 Baker Street robbery in central London, the Bank Job features a group of petty criminals that rip off a bank vault with plenty of unintended consequences. The amount of truth in what you see up on screen is for you to decide, as the depiction claims to be true.

Though you see Jason Statham’s name as the lead, this is hardly a typical Statham picture. It’s a straight caper movie, and a grittier one than normal Hollywood standards. A word of warning, the picture starts with a number of seemingly unconnected characters and stories that can come across as confusing or at least complex. But stick with it, the slow build leads to a payoff of excitement and excellence toward the end as everything comes together.

5. Rambo

Director: Sylvester Stallone

Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz, Matthew Marsden

Sylvester Stallone is back. Well at least in reprising one of his old characters, something he experienced success with two years ago in resurrecting Rocky Balboa. The fourth installment of the Rambo franchise, and twenty years since the last film, John Rambo is back in action.

The plot here is pretty simple and more or less a vehicle to setup the action sequences. And its the action sequences you’ll remember, as there are a reported 236 kills in this one (individual body counts may vary). But it’s not just sheer body counts, the action is also visceral and downright gory at times. Think of the scenes on Omaha Beach in Saving Private Ryan, or in other words you may not want to watch if you have a weak stomach. One can complain about the excessive gore, violence, and general lack of story, but I think that’s the exact reason people are attracted to a movie like this. Well either that or nostalgia.

4. Tropic Thunder

Director: Ben Stiller

Stars: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black

The movie starts with a few fake trailers mocking the clichés of Hollywood, including some of its personalities, films, and business tactics. Then it barrels full force into a feature that’s a unique blend of satire, action, and comedy. Although littered with comedy heavyweights like Ben Stiller and Jack Black, the scene stealer in this one is actually Tom Cruise, playing the ruthless and obscenity laced studio executive Les Grossman. Of course that’s not meant to take away from the rest of the ensemble cast, which together form a hilarious bunch. Of the names on the poster, Robert Downey Jr. has the best part, playing a Russell Crowe like superstar actor that gets deeply involved in his roles. As he would say, “I know what dude I am. I’m the dude playin’ the dude, disguised as another dude!”

3. In Bruges

Director: Martin McDonagh

Stars: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes

In Bruges is from the mind of writer/director Martin McDonagh, who won an Oscar last year for his short film Six Shooter. This movie is about two hitmen that badly botch a hit and are sent to Belgium by their boss to lay low for awhile. Despite the subject matter, the film works best as a comedy, with some action and violence mixed in.

Ralph Fiennes plays the boss, seemingly mimicking Ben Kingsley’s foul mouthed bad ass from Sexy Beast. The film has an overall European feel, and plays as something more than a simply action comedy. Still, even though it may be deeper than some films, it’s no overly artsy. I mean there’s a running joke about midgets throughout the picture.

2. Iron Man

Director: Jon Favreau

Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Terrence Howard

Favreau got his starts as an actor, but has started to make a name for himself behind the camera with enjoyable fare like Zathura and Elf. Iron Man is his best effort to date, and it tells the story of billionaire industrialist, genius inventor, and consummate playboy Tony Stark. What guy wouldn’t want to be that?

In another year, this movie could have easily topped this list. We see Tony Stark become Iron Man, an ordinary man that becomes extraordinary through the use of a self-designed high-tech suit. Robert Downey Jr. is perfect casting for Iron Man, and the movie delivers by mixing action, comedy, and drama in the right proportions. Don’t forget to say after the credits for a bonus.

1. The Dark Knight

Director: Christopher Nolan

Stars: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart

Did you really expect anything else? Loved by critics and audiences, there’s a good chance that this film garners a nod for Best Picture when the Oscar nominations come out next year. The follow-up to Nolan’s reboot Batman Begins, this time we are introduced to Batman’s arch-nemesis The Joker. Heath Ledger gives a commanding performance of the psychotic killer, in a version much more faithful to the comics than Tim Burton’s Batman.

The Joker is undoubtedly Batman’s most nefarious foe and ideal nemesis, and we get to see to what lengths he pushes him in this picture. This great movie does not give a single frame to breathe, filling each second with action and intrigue. It’s an ode to chaos and anarchy, depicting a real Gotham City that is dominated by fear while clamouring for a hero. The Dark Knight is simply a stunning masterpiece and the best comic adaptation to date.

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