M
Machete
I thought it was crazy when Hollywood started making spinoffs of 80’s cartoons and SNL skits. So what do you call it when they make a spinoff of a random fake trailer from a completely unrelated movie? Well there’s a first time for everything. This is certainly not the worst spinoff ever made. And rest assured its cheesiness and over-the-top violence is intentional. But the allure of an action movie these days seems to be special effects, for which this is severely lacking. And while there’s no shortage of action scenes, they are short-lived and unmemorable. So if it’s not a quality action movie, why see it? 3.5 action rating
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Mackenna's Gold
See it – This is “Indiana Jones” disguised as a western. It is overflowing with action and adventure as a group of outlaws, Indians, soldiers, townspeople, and a sheriff played by Gregory Peck search for fabled treasure in the old west. The impressive cast also includes Omar Sharif, Telly Savalas, Eli Wallach, Edward G. Robinson, and Lee Cobb. Although most movies during this time period were very family friendly, be aware that in addition to some violence, this movie has one of the first female nude scenes in a western. So keep it in mind before watching it with the kiddos. But if you are looking for a movie with non-stop action, this is one of the most action-packed, epic westerns you’ll ever see. You’ve got Indian fights, cavalry fights, gunfights, knife fights, tomahawk fights, and…belt fights? No joke. 5 action rating.
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Mad Max: Fury Road
5 out of 5 action rating
The Magnificent Seven
2.5 action rating
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Major Dundee
3 action rating
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A Man Called Sledge
An ending can make or break a movie. This savage western starts out well, but it falls apart at the end. James Garner plays a rare serious role as an outlaw who devises a grand scheme to steal a gold shipment. There are a couple good gunfights and an exciting prison battle, but the ending is just flat out “ornery.” Don’t go out of your way to see this one. 3.5 action rating.
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The Man from the Alamo
See it – This action-packed B-movie is over a little too quickly. It leaves you wanting a little bit more. Glenn Ford stars in the untold story of the one man who left the Alamo. When a group of local Texans in the Alamo find out that the Mexicans are raiding the countryside, they cast lots to see who will leave to go to the aid of their families. When Col. Travis draws his infamous line in the sand, Ford’s character is branded as a coward. After the Alamo falls, he vows to avenge his fallen comrades and redeem his name. 3.5 action rating
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The Man from Colorado
An extremely young William Holden and a creepy-looking Glenn Ford star in this cheesy western. The problem is that it is supposed to be a serious psychological western. Unfortunately, this movie did not age well, and to top it all off there is a serious absence of quality action. Glenn Ford plays a power-hungry, Civil War ex-officer who begins to feel the psychological effects of a life of violence and killing. After the war, his own friend (Holden) must turn against him to protect the livelihood of an entire town. The plot is very good, but the action is few and far between, and most of the acting and dialogue comes across as corny. 2 action rating.
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The Man from Laramie
See it – If Jimmy Stewart is in a western, you can pretty much count on it being a good one. The same holds true for this one. Although it doesn’t have as much action as some of his others, it does have a good plot and plenty of intrigue. It is a pretty unique western because there aren’t many gunfights in the classic sense that we are used to, but there is still enough excitement to keep you on the edge of your seat. And just in case you’re wondering, Laramie is in Wyoming. Although I can’t think of any reason you’d want to go there. 3 action rating
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Man in the Wilderness
See it – This one caught my attention in the opening scene with the big wooden boat being wheeled through the forest. Yes, this is technically a western, but the story takes place in 1820, so it’s almost a “colonial era” western. The film stars Richard Harris in his usual stark role as a coarse ruffian. The aforementioned boat is being pulled across the mountains to the Missouri River. But when Harris’ character is badly wounded, his fellow trappers leave him behind to die. He must survive on his own in the wilderness. There’s not much dialogue by Harris in this film, and it reminded me a lot of “Jeremiah Johnson.” There’s a great Indian battle with the trappers using the boat as a fort. And there is a very unique ending. Not a twist, just not the ending you would expect. 2.5 action rating
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Man of Steel
4.5 action rating
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Man of the West
See it – This little-known Gary Cooper western is one of his best. It was a box office failure, probably because 1958 wasn’t ready for such a dark movie. A far cry from the classic cowboys and Indians romps of the time, this psychological western is unique through and through. It is hardly action-packed, but it is violent and tense. Gary Cooper is great in an unusual role as a mysterious traveler with a dark past. An intelligent and cutting-edge western for its time, it is finally starting to get the acclaim it deserves. 3 action rating
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Man on a Ledge
2 action rating
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The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
See it – No other western is quite like it. Not non-stop action, but truly one of the greatest westerns of all time. Not to mention one of the biggest surprise endings you’ll ever see in any movie. 2 action rating
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The Man With the Iron Fists
A hybrid spaghetti kung fu movie that's heavy on the spaghetti.
3.5 out of 5 action rating |
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Man With the Gun
See it - A pretty darn good western if you ask me. Only 2 and a half gunfights, but the story is a classic. I only count one of the gunfights as half, because the second half of the fight involves a knife. Robert Mitchum does his best to carry this film solely on his shoulders, but he really could have used a big name co-star. 2 action rating
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Man Without a Star
2.5 action rating
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Maze Runner - The Scorch Trials
3.5 out of 5 action rating
The Mechanic (2011)
3 action rating
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Men in War
See it – There haven’t been many movies made about the Korean War. While “Pork Chop Hill” is an easy choice for number one, this Anthony Mann-directed psychological war movie may be number two. Starring Robert Ryan, the story focuses on a group of GI’s transporting ammunition who get cut off from the rest of their regiment when their vehicle breaks down. As they make their way on foot to deliver the ammunition to the rally point, they encounter snipers, mines, and all the usual hardships of the footsoldier. Eventually they meet up with a hardened veteran whose experience may be just what they need to make it back alive and accomplish their mission. When a well-defended enemy hill is the only thing standing in their way, the men decide that despite being outnumbered, they have plenty of ammo to attempt the assault. 3 action rating.
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Merrill's Marauders
See it – Definitely a guy movie. You could call this a mindless non-stop action movie. There were probably no prominent actors in this one because there’s no time for acting, only fighting. This has some of the best WWII battle scenes ever. And with all the gung ho, "hardcore-ness", the script and plot aren’t too bad. But the acting could have used an upgrade. 4.5 action rating
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Midway
3 action rating
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Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
4 out of 5 action rating
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
See it - 3.5 action rating
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The Monuments Men
1 out of 5 action rating
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More Dead Than Alive
See it – “Even the fastest gun can be beaten. Things are different when the target can shoot back.” In this largely unknown western, Clint Walker plays a reformed convict who vows never to use a gun again. Things change when he has trouble finding a job and agrees to become the main attraction of a traveling wild west show. But when the star trick-shooter gets jealous, there could be trouble. This is one of the most unique westerns ever made. It has a great story, a smart script, and a shocking ending. The only problem is that there is a gunfight at the beginning and at the end and nothing in between. If you get bored easily, stay away from this one. Otherwise, enjoy a one-of-a kind western. 2 action rating.
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Morituri
Skip it – If there’s one thing this movie proves, it’s that Marlon Brando has mastered the German accent. Unfortunately, this is not an action movie. Unless of course, you consider suspense to be action; in which case there is plenty of it. Brando is a pacifist who is blackmailed into becoming a spy for the allies. His mission is to disguise himself as an SS agent, go aboard a ship carrying a valuable cargo, and disarm the demolition charges so that the Krauts can’t scuttle it. Yul Brynner is the anti-Nazi captain of the ship. This is a good spy movie, enhanced by the setting of nearly the entire movie taking place on a boat. But there is no fighting to speak of until the end. Also an abnormally dark movie for its time. Great story, but not a great action movie. 2 action rating
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