(DML Top 20 Lists - Action Thriller Films ranked)

Honorable Mention

Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Director: John McTiernan, rated R for language, violence

Think fast. Look alive. Die hard.

Starring: Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Graham Greene, Colleen Camp, Larry Bryggman, Anthony Peck, Nick Wyman

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Said Simple Simon to the pie man going to the fair, "Give me your pies... or I'll cave your head in." - Simon

Why watch this? John McClane met his match with Zeus - and that's a good thing!

Plot Summary: New York City is targeted by a mysterious terrorist named Simon, who threatens to detonate bombs throughout the city unless Detective John McClane follows his instructions in a deadly game of "Simon Says". McClane, reluctantly partnering with a man named Zeus Carver, is forced to race against time and across the city to solve a series of puzzles and challenges set by the terrorist. As the duo navigates the chaotic city and the terrorist's demands, they uncover a larger, more elaborate plot orchestrated by Simon.

Dad's Preview: Die Hard 2 (1990) seemed like a money grab. The third film captures more of the original magic. A new villain emerges named Simon, portrayed by the amazing Jeremy Irons, and he wants to ruin John's life. As Detective McClane is sent on wild goose chases all over New York City, he enlists help from Zeus, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson. It's Willis and Jackson's initial dislike of each other, and their eventual teamwork, that moves this film in the right direction. Simon says, "Don't miss this action flick!"

Cinergi Pictures; 20th Century Fox

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #20 Top

In the Line of Fire (1993), Director: Wolfgang Petersen, rated R for language, violence

An assassin on the loose. A president in danger. Only one man stands between them...

Starring: Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, Rene Russo, Dylan McDermott, Gary Cole, Fred Thompson, John Mahoney

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I have a rendezvous with death, and so does the President, and so do you, Frank, if you get too close to me." - Mitch Leary / James Carney / Booth

Why watch this? An excellent political thriller about the President's Secret Service detail.

Plot Summary: Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan, haunted by his failure to save President Kennedy, gets a chance at redemption when a former CIA assassin begins threatening the current President. The assassin, who uses the alias "Booth," engages Horrigan in a dangerous psychological game, taunting him with clues about his elaborate plot and exploiting Horrigan's past trauma. Despite skepticism from his superiors, Horrigan must race against time to prevent a presidential assassination.

Dad's Preview: This superb film, directed by Wolfgang Petersen, is a perfect blend of action, drama, and romance. Regarding the three lead characters, we fully understand their motivations, and that's essential. Malkovich and Eastwood are really fun to watch as they play the old "cat and mouse" game. Eastwood amazes me in that at his age he can still play a romantic lead role and not miss a beat. I love the film's thrilling finale.

Castle Rock Entertainment, Apple-Rose
Prod.; Columbia Pictures

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #19 Top

Oldboy (2003), Director: Park Chan-wook, rated R for language, violence, self-mutilation

15 years of imprisonment, five days of vengeance

Starring: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kan Hye-jung, Ji Dae-han, Oh Tae-kyung, Yoo Yeon-jung, Kim Byeong-ok, Yoon Jin-seo, Oh Dal-su

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Even though I'm no more than a monster - don't I, too, have the right to live?" - Oh Dae-su

Why watch this? This is a brilliant, blood-splattered, revenge movie created as a form of film art.

Plot Summary: Oh Dae-su is mysteriously abducted and imprisoned in a sealed, concrete room. He endures 15 years of confinement, almost losing his sanity. Then, again without explanation or information on his captor, he is drugged and released. Dae-su searches for his daughter, but cannot find her. Then he begins his quest to extract revenge on his captors by visiting Chinese restaurants until he finds the one that prepared this meals while imprisoned.

Dad's Preview: The plot summary only pierces the tip of the iceberg that is this complex, well-directed, painful story. It is a masterwork, an emotional thrill ride, that will keep you engrossed all the way to its shocking conclusion. Choi Min-sik's performance truly bares this man's soul. Oldboy was lauded at the 2004 Cannes Film festival, and received high praise from director Quentin Tarantino. It is truly like nothing I have ever seen, and that makes it all the more worthy.

Egg Film, CJ Entertainment; Show East

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #18 Top

Dr. No (1962), Director: Terence Young, rated PG

NOW meet the most extraordinary gentleman spy in all fiction!...JAMES BOND, Agent 007!

Starring: Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman, Jack Lord, Anthony Dawson, Zena Marshall, John Kitzmiller, Eunice Gayson, Bernard Lee

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"World domination. The same old dream. Our asylums are full of people who think they're Naploeon. Or God." - James Bond

Why watch this? Connery is a Man-of-Action, just like my best friend, DQ

Plot Summary: James Bond investigates the disappearance of a fellow agent in Jamaica. His investigation leads him to the mysterious Dr. No and his heavily guarded island base. Bond, alongside allies including the beautiful Honey Ryder, must uncover and thwart Dr. No's sinister plans involving the disruption of the American space program.

Dad's Preview: This is the first Bond film to star Sean Connery. It is easily the most realistic Bond because it's so lean. The super spy survives on his intelligence and deft skills, not so much on the fancy gadgetry (which grew more elaborate with each new Bond movie). Connery is cool as a cucumber, and so suave. Sir Sean is my favorite Bond, hands down.

Eon Productions; United Artists

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #17 Top

The Fugitive (1993), Director: Andrew Davis, rated PG-13 for language

A murdered wife. A one-armed man. An obsessed detective. The chase begins.

Starring: Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Joe Pantoliano, Andreas Katsulas, Jeroen Krabbé, Daniel Roebuck, Tom Wood

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"What I want from each and every one of you is a hard-target search of every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse and doghouse in that area." - Dep. Marshall Sam Gerard

Why watch this? This is a well-done action thriller. Jones and Ford are excellent!

Plot Summary: Dr. Richard Kimble is a respected surgeon who finds his wife murdered in their home and claims the killer was a one-armed man. Despite his protests, he is convicted of the murder, but escapes from custody after a bus crash. As U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard leads a relentless manhunt, Kimble endeavors to prove his innocence by tracking down the true killer.

Dad's Preview: Adapted from the popular 1960's TV show, The Fugitive, director Davis gives us a superb film with a tidy script. It is a real treat to watch Tommy Lee and Harrison square engaged in a desperate game of pursuer and prey. A respected surgeon is wrongly accused of killing his wife. He escapes (what a scene that is!), lays low, and covertly starts his search for the real murderer. Hot on his trail is a tenacious US Marshall and his crackerjack team.

Kopelson Entertainment; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #16 Top

Léon: The Professional (1994), Director: Luc Besson, rated R for violence, language

He moves without sound. Kills without emotion. Disappears without trace.

Starring: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, Michael Badalucco, Ellen Greene, Peter Appel, Adam Busch

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"The closer you get to being a pro, the closer you can get to the client. The knife, for example, is the last thing you learn." - Léon

Why watch this? The story is so honest and unique, and Natalie Portman - she's amazing!

Plot Summary: Léon is a solitary professional hitman living in New York City. His life takes an unexpected turn when he reluctantly takes in Mathilda, a twelve-year-old girl whose family was tragically murdered by a corrupt DEA agent and this thugs. A unique and unconventional bond forms between the two as Mathilda learns Léon's trade, fueling her desire to seek revenge for her family's deaths.

Dad's Preview: One of the rare films that dared to be bold and skirt the edge of what many might think controversial. It's a beautiful story about a friendship that forms in a dire, horrible situation. Throw in an amazing, villainous performance by Gary Oldman, and this film is a classic. I first saw Jean Reno in Ronin (1998), but I fell in love with him for his performance here. And what can be said about then eleven-year-old Natalie Portman - she quite confidently steals the film.

Gaumont, Les Films du Dauphin;
Gaumont Buena Vista Int'l

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #15 Top

Air Force One (1997), Director: Wolfgang Petersen, rated R for violence, language

Harrison Ford is the President of the United States, and he wants you off his plane.

Starring: Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close, William H. Macy, Wendy Crewson, Liesel Matthews, Paul Guilfoyle, Dean Stockwell

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Your national security advisor has just been executed. He's a very good negotiator. He bought you another half hour." - Ivan Korshunov

Why watch this? This superb film is at its best when Ford and Oldman go at it.

Plot Summary: A group of terrorists hijacks the presidential aircraft, Air Force One, demanding the release of their imprisoned leader. The President, initially believed to have escaped, secretly remains on board, fighting to protect his family and the other hostages. He races against time, battling the hijackers to regain control of the plane and thwart their plans.

Dad's Preview: Ford plays the US President whose plane is hijacked by Russian terrorists led by Gary Oldman. Harrison Ford is exceptional as the POTUS (we all wish we had), and equally effective is Glenn Close as his stubborn VP. However, it is Oldman who steals the show as the brutal antagonist - man, he can go over the top when it's most effective. Good thrillers must feel plausible - this one does. You'll be on the edge of your seat through-out this high-flying adventure!

Columbia Pics, Beacon Pics, Radiant Prod.;
Sony Pictures Releasing

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #14 Top

Con Air (1997), Director: Simon West, Writer: Scott Rosenberg, rated R for violence, language

One wrong flight can ruin your whole day

Starring: Nicholas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, Ving Rhames, Dave Chappelle, Rachel Ticotin

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Define irony: a bunch of idiots dancing around on a plane to a song made famous by a band that died in a plane crash." – Garland Greene

Why watch this? This is high-flying action on steroids, and you'll remember the name Cameron Poe.

Plot Summary: The story follows Cameron Poe, a decorated Army Ranger, who is paroled from prison after serving time for manslaughter. While on a flight transporting some of the country's most dangerous criminals, the inmates seize control of the plane, and Poe finds himself caught in the middle. With the help of a U.S. Marshal on the ground, Poe must work to stop the criminals' escape plan.

Dad's Preview: This and The Rock (1996) are awesome Nicholas Cage action films at the height of his muscular popularity. Con Air is a little more quirky and fun. It's up to Cage to save the f'ing day... That Southern drawl just rolls off his tongue like butter, and he's such a likeable hero. The secret to this film's success is the band of villainous convicts causing all the ruckus. This includes John Malkovich (truly an inspired performance), Ving Rhames and Dave Chappelle.

Touchstone Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films;
Buena Vista Pictures Distributing

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #13 Top

Sin City (2005), Directors: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez, rated R language, violence, gore, sexuality, nudity

Walk down the right back alley in Sin City and you can find anything.

Starring: Jessica Alba, Benicio del Toro, Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Elijah Wood, Powers Boothe, Alexis Bledel, Rutger Hauer, Michael Clarke Duncan

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"I'm not going to waste one minute wondering how I've gotten this lucky. She smells like angels ought to smell, the perfect woman... a Goddess. Goldie. She says her name is Goldie." – Marv

Why watch this? This engrossing film is really a work of art, albeit it's stylized violence.

Plot Summary: This story follows a dark, crime-ridden metropolis where several tough, interconnected characters seek their own form of justice and redemption. Stories intertwine, focusing on a detective's efforts to protect a young woman, a brute's quest for revenge after the murder of his beloved, and a private investigator caught in a conflict involving powerful forces.

Dad's Preview: Equally as unique as Frank Miller's graphic novel by the same name, this homage-to-noir film is visually stunning using primarily black and white. Then it infuses stark colors for effect - red, blue, yellow. There is brutal violence, so be warned. It is also jam-packed with top-notch actors who bring to life several quasi-related segments. My favorite character is Mickey Rourke's, Marv, a stone-faced killer, who has a moral code and a serious crush on blondes.

Dimension Films, Troublemaker Studios;
Miramax Films

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #12 Top

The Warriors (1979), Director: Walter Hill, rated R for language, gang violence

These are the Armies of the Night. They are 100,000 strong. They outnumber the cops five to one.

Starring: Michael Beck, James Remar, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, David Harris, David P. Kelly, Brian Tyler, Tom McKitterick, Marcelino Sanchez, Terry Michos

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"One gang could run this city! One gang. Nothing would move without us allowing it to happen. We could tax the crime syndicates, the police, because WE got the streets, suckers! Can you dig it?" - Cyrus

Why watch this? This is one bad-ass film.

Plot Summary: In New York City, a charismatic gang leader attempts to unite the city's myriad street gangs at a midnight summit. When this leader is unexpectedly killed, a Coney Island gang called the Warriors is wrongly blamed for his death. Now, targeted by every other gang in the city and pursued by the police, the Warriors must fight their way across enemy territory to reach the safety of their home turf in Brooklyn.

Dad's Preview: As toxically masculine high school males, most teen boys loved this intense movie about NYC street gangs (I was one of them). It combines non-stop action and a great rock soundtrack (which I played non-stop in my 1979 blue Camaro Z28's 8-track player). At a secret gang pow-wow in uptown New York City, the rebellion leader, Cyrus, is killed. The Coney Island Warriors, are framed for murder and are being hunted. The tough cadre has to battle their way back home to Coney, if they can survive. There are great fight scenes. The film's finale, back on the beach, as dawn breaks, still hits hard.

Lawrence Gordon Productions;
Paramount Pictures

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #11 Top

Reservoir Dogs (1992), Director: Quentin Tarantino, Rated R for intense, racial language, intense violence

Four perfect killers. One perfect crime. Now all they have to fear is each other.

Starring: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi, Lawrence Tierney, Randy Brooks, Kirk Baltz, Edward Bunker, Quentin Tarantino, David Steen

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Yeah, that's easy for your to say, you're Mr. White. You have a cool-sounding name. Alright look, if it's no big deal to be Mr. Pink, do you wanna trade?" – Mr. Pink, on finding out that this code name , in fact, "Mr. Pink"

Why watch this? It's low-life shenanigans dressed up in Tuxedos by Tartantino.

Plot Summary: A group of criminals is brought together by a mob boss for a diamond heist which quickly goes wrong, leading the survivors to suspect one of them is an undercover police informant. As they gather at a warehouse rendezvous point, the escalating tension and distrust among the colorful cast of characters unravel the events that led to the job's disastrous outcome. The film culminates in a tense, violent standoff where loyalty is tested and allegiances shift rapidly.

Dad's Preview: QT is a modern director who is determined to leave his mark on cinema - his own profanity-laced, bloody, violent legacy - ala Peckinpah and Scorsese. In his first big film, he shocks movie-goers with this quirky crime effort that follows a crew of very diverse men as they embark on a jewelry store job. Each have experience, but otherwise don't know their temporary co-workers. From the get-go, the heist is a disaster fueled by the group's monumental distrust for one another, and one member who happens to be a trigger-happy psychopath. This is not for the squeamish, and the scene with Mr. Blonde torturing the police officer caused some to exit theaters. That said the movie does stick with you and absolutely does NOT glorify the life of criminals.

Live Ent., Dog Eat Dog Prod.; Miramax Films

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #10 Top

The French Connection (1971), Director: William Friedkin, rated R for violence, language

When "Popeye" cuts loose, anything goes!

Starring: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, Marcel Bozzuffi, Bill Hickman, Ann Rebbot, Harold Gary

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"All right, Popeye's here! Get your hands on your heads, get off the bar, and get on the wall!" - Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle

Why watch this? It remains a pinnacle film in its crime action genre.

Plot Summary: New York City narcotics detectives, Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and Buddy "Cloudy" Russo are investigating a major heroin smuggling operation spanning from Marseille, France, to New York. Their relentless pursuit of French drug kingpin Alain Charnier, known as "Frog One," leads them through tense stakeouts, dangerous surveillance, and iconic car chases through the streets of New York.

Dad's Preview: This is the gritty crime drama about NYPD detectives Popeye Doyle and Cloudy Russo. Based on a true story, this film is action-packed, but manages to elevate itself above the standard "cops and robbers" films of that time period. Hackman's portrayal is brutal and unforgiving. He's not a heroic figure, but he gets his man. The film won five of eight Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor (Hackman).

Philip D'Antoni Prod., Schine-Moore Prod.;
20th Century Fox

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #9 Top

The Matrix (1999), Director: The Wachowskis, rated R for language, sci-fi violence

Free your mind

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano, Marcus Chong, Juian Arahanga

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #19 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of The Matrix

"Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You are a plague, and we are the cure." - Agent Smith to Morpheus, as he interrogates him

Why watch this? Conceptually, visually, creatively - this film set a new action sci-fi standard.

Plot Summary: A computer programmer named Thomas Anderson, known in the hacking underworld as Neo, feels that something is fundamentally wrong with his reality. He is contacted by the enigmatic Morpheus and Trinity, who offer him the chance to discover a shocking truth: that his world is actually a computer-generated simulation. Upon swallowing a red pill, Neo awakens in the desolate real world and begins a journey to free humanity from the machines that have enslaved them.

Dad's Preview: A few short minutes into The Matrix, I realized I was seeing the future - it was like nothing I'd experienced before. By the end, I was completely inside my own head. What just happened?! I had to see it again. And again. It was revolutionary cinema that warped all senses of reality. What a mind trip! And the soundtrack is edgy, ass-kicking alternative music. This was a wise career move for Reeves, but the best performances were by newcomers Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity and Hugo Weaving as the digital assassin, Agent Smith.

Village Roadshow Pictures, Grouch II Film
Partnership, Silver Pictures; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #8 Top

Dirty Harry (1971), Director: Don Siegel, rated R for violence, language

Detective Harry Callahan. He doesn't break murder cases. He smashes them.

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Andy Robinson, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni, John Vernon, John Larch, Woodrow Parfrey

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya... punk?" – Harry Callahan

Why watch this? ... for Eastwood's performance - a stoic man-of-action with an engaging charisma.

Plot Summary: Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan is a no-nonsense San Francisco cop with unorthodox methods. He's assigned to track down a deranged serial killer nicknamed "Scorpio" who is holding the city ransom with a series of murders. Callahan must navigate bureaucratic obstacles and legal limitations to bring the psychopathic killer to justice, even if it means bending the rules.

Dad's Preview: Before Dirty Harry, Eastwood was mostly known for his Spaghetti Westerns. This film boosted his journey to mega-stardom. Harry is the detective that gets the worse assignments. Why? Because he gets the dirty jobs done - his way. Here, he's tasked with stopping a killer called "Scorpio" (convincingly played by Andy Robinson). I was surprised to find him so likeable - the man does exude an irresistible charm.

The Malpaso Company; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #7 Top

Deliverance (1972), Director: John Boorman; rated R for violence, language, rape

Four men ride a wild river. A weekend turns into a nightmare.

Starring: Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox, Bill McKinney, James Dickey, Billy Redden

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Did you ever look out over a lake, think about something buried underneath it? Man, that's about as buried as you can get." – Lewis Medlock

Why watch this? It's a nail-biting journey down a dark river.

Plot Summary: Four Atlanta businessmen embark on a canoeing trip down a remote river in the Georgia wilderness before it's dammed and turned into a lake. Their adventure quickly turns into a struggle for survival when they encounter hostile locals intent on killing them. As they navigate the perilous river, the men are forced to do horrible things to survive.

Dad's Preview: I think everyone secretly fears running across nefarious characters, in the woods, determined to cause senseless harm. This film plays out that "worst case scenario". Four men, out for a week-end canoe trip in backwoods Georgia, encounter a band of moonshine-running hillbillies and they ain't friendly. It quickly escalates into a war for survival. This film is tense, disturbing, hyper-realistic, and exhausting. It pulls you in and will not let you go.

Elmer Enterprises; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #6 Top

Goldfinger (1964), Director: Guy Hamilton, rated PG

James Bond 007 Back In Action!

Starring: Sean Connery, Honor Blackman, Gert Fröbe, Shirley Eaton, Tania Mallet, Harold Sakata, Bernard Lee, Martin Benson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"This is gold, Mr. Bond. All my life I've been in love with its color, its brilliance, its divine heaviness." – Auric Goldfinger

Why watch this? Connery remains my favorite Bond, and this is my favorite Bond film.

Plot Summary: British secret agent James Bond is tasked with investigating the wealthy gold magnate Auric Goldfinger, who is suspected of smuggling gold internationally. Bond's investigation uncovers a grand plot, codenamed "Operation Grand Slam," which threatens to cripple the global economy. To stop Goldfinger's scheme, Bond must navigate treacherous encounters with lethal henchman Oddjob and the cunning Pussy Galore, all while unraveling the true nature of Goldfinger's plan targeting the United States gold reserves at Fort Knox.

Dad's Preview: Sean Connery portrayed super-spy James Bond in many classic films. Here he must outwit the genius Goldfinger. The portly villain's plot is to seize the world's gold supply and contaminate it with atomic fallout. Only Bond... James Bond... can stop him! But first, Bond must overcome the ruthless henchman, Odd Job, who wields a deadly top hat with a razor-sharp brim! It feels corny just keying that last sentence, but the film still works for me! There are even some lasers and slow-moving killing devices!

Eon Productions; United Artists

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #5 Top

First Blood (1982), Director: Ted Kotcheff, rated PG for violence, language

This time he's fighting for his life.

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Richard Crenna, Brian Dennehy, Bill McKinney, Jack Starrett, Michael Talbott, Chris Mulkey, David Caruso

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"In town you're the law. Out here it's me. Don't push it or I'll give you a war you won't believe. Let it go." - John Rambo

Why watch this? ... it's Stallone's best action film. Don't waste your time on the sequels.

Plot Summary: John Rambo, a former Green Beret and Vietnam veteran, is harassed by a small-town sheriff, Will Teasle, and his deputies. This escalating harassment triggers Rambo's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, leading him to escape into the nearby wilderness, where he is pursued by the sheriff's posse. Rambo uses his Special Forces training and survival skills to fight back against his pursuers. His former commanding officer, Colonel Trautman, is flown in to intervene and de-escalate the situation.

Dad's Preview: Stallone is John Rambo, a drifter who wanders into the wrong town, where the hard-nosed Sheriff Teasle decides to hassle him. What makes this film so awesome is it two lead stars, Stallone and Dennehy. Early on, we realize that this is going to be a battle to the bitter end, and people are going to get hurt. This is non-stop action right up to its awesome climax.

The Wallis Interactive; Carolco Pics, Anabasis
Investments, N.V.; Orion Pictures

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #4 Top

Jurassic Park (1993), Director: Steven Spielberg, rated PG-13 for sci-fi terror/violence

An Adventure 65 Million Years In The Making.

Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Bob Peck, Samuel L. Jackson, Wayne Knight

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"…your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." – Ian Malcolm

Why watch this? ... it's ground-breaking, based on a superb novel, and DINOSAURS!

Plot Summary: Wealthy entrepreneur John Hammond creates a theme park on a remote island, populated by genetically engineered dinosaurs. Before opening, a group of scientists, including a paleontologist, a paleobotanist, and a mathematician, are invited to assess the park's safety. However, a power failure caused by industrial sabotage leads to the dinosaurs escaping their enclosures. The visitors and park staff must then struggle to survive and escape the now-perilous island.

Dad's Preview: I read Michael Crichton's novel, about bio-engineered dinosaurs, and immediately thought, "Spielberg has to do this film!" Not long after, Spielberg announced JP as his next project. I wept. The original plan was to use only life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, however, the special effects team won over the director with their amazing CGI skills. The digital dinosaurs were jaw-dropping. The rest is history. The film became another Spielberg smash hit.

Amblin Entertainment; Universal Pictures

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #3 Top

Lethal Weapon (1987), Director: Richard Donner, rated R for violence, language

If these two can learn to stand each other... the bad guys don't stand a chance.

Starring: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Gary Busey, Mitchell Ryan, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Jackie Swanson, Lycia Naff

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You make it through tomorrow without killing anybody, especially me, or yourself, then I'll start trusting you." - Roger Murtaugh

Why watch this? ... it's Mel Gibson when he was People Magazine's Sexiest Man of the Year.

Plot Summary: Roger Murtaugh is a seasoned LAPD detective celebrating his 50th birthday. He's partnered with Martin Riggs, a younger, emotionally unstable detective with a death wish following his wife's recent passing. Their initial investigation into an apparent suicide leads them down a path of drug trafficking and former Special Forces mercenaries.

Dad's Preview: This awesome action film started the cop buddy genre, and is easily the best. It also catapulted Mel Gibson to the top of the A-list. For half the film, we think his character, Riggs, is literally insane. However, when things get dicey due to involvement with some really bad drug smugglers, Riggs and his special skillsets, come in real handy. Danny Glover, as Lt. Murtaugh, a good cop on the verge of retirement, is excellent as Riggs' grumpy police partner.

Silver Pictures; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #2 Top

Die Hard (1988), Director: John McTiernan, rated R for language, violence

40 Stories Of Sheer Adventure!

Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander Gudunov, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, De'voreaux White, Paul Gleason, William Atherton

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #47 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Die Hard

"Do you really think you have a chance against us, Mister Cowboy?" - Hans Gruber

Why watch this? It's the action film by which all action films are compared.

Plot Summary: This crime story centers on New York City cop John McClane, who travels to Los Angeles to spend Christmas with his estranged wife and their children. While attending his wife's company Christmas party at the Nakatomi high-rise, criminals take over the building and hold everyone hostage, except for McClane who escapes detection. He then must single-handedly fight the criminals to save the hostages, including his wife.

Dad's Preview: The real genius (beside loveable, compelling lead actors; interesting supporting characters; a creative, fresh plot; perfect pacing; breath-taking special effects) is the relationship between the hero, NYC cop John McClane, and the criminal mastermind, Hans Gruber. It drives everything and both are equally charismatic and complex. It's action film 101 - and Die Hard is teaching the class.

Gordon Company, Silver Pictures;
20th Century Fox

Top 20 Action Thriller Films #1 Top

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Director: Steven Spielberg, rated PG for violence, disturbing scenes

Indiana Jones - the new hero from the creators of JAWS and STAR WARS.

Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #6 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Raiders of the Lost Ark

"An army which carries the Ark before it... is invincible." - Marcus Brody

Why watch this? This ode to actions serials of the past combined the '80's hottest star and director.

Plot Summary: In 1936, archaeologist Indiana Jones is tasked by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis, who believe its power could make their army invincible. He embarks on a thrilling adventure, navigating treacherous locations like Nepal and Egypt while facing off against dangerous adversaries and overcoming perilous obstacles. Joined by his spirited ex-flame Marion Ravenwood, Indy races against time to secure the legendary relic and prevent its devastating power from falling into the wrong hands.

Dad's Preview: George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws) worked together on this little side project for the hunky Harrison Ford. The result was a cinematic homage to the one-reel, action-packed serials of the 1930's. Raiders transcends its own genre and stands alone as a masterpiece of the white-knuckle adventure film. It features a stellar supporting cast and an amazing John Williams' soundtrack. The result was solid gold. This film catapulted Ford's career as a legitimate international superstar, and gave Spielberg the power to make any film he wanted.

Lucasfilm Ltd.; Paramount Pictures