Tincanbandit's Must See Movie List

Winter time is movie watching season (at least where I come from), so I thought I would put together a list of movies that I believe any gun nut would love. 

These are just my suggestions, what is your favorite?

Tombstone

The story of the Shootout at the OK Corral and the following Earp vendetta. This movie has more famous faces than the back wall of a Hollywood Chinese take-out restaurant. 

Val Kilmer does his best work as an ailing Doc Holliday and Kurt Russel is a believable Wyatt Earp. Also starring: Dana Delany, Billy Bob Thorton, Bill Paxton, Sam Elliot, Charlton Heston, Powers Boothe, Thomas Hayden Church, Jason Priestly, Michael Biehn, John Corbett, Harry Carry Jr., Frank Stallone and Wyatt Earp......yes their was an actor in this movie named Wyatt Earp and yes he is a distant relative to the famous lawman (he plays the role of Cowboy Billy Claiborne).
True West Magazine named it one of the 5 best westerns ever made, I disagree, I think it is the Best Western movie ever made.

What is really cool about this movie is the fact that anti-gun hypocrite Kevin Costner tried to stop this movie because his ego was bruised when he was passed up for the main character in favor of Kurt Russell. The cry baby Costner went and made his own movie called, appropriately enough: Wyatt Earp, which was a decent movie, but a flop by comparison.

The guns: 
Of course the film makers continued the legend of the Buntline Special, but otherwise the movie is pretty accurate when it comes to the use of guns. 

Favorite Scene:
A very tough call...but here is one:....When town Marshal Fred White is killed by Curly Bill Brocious in the street and County Sheriff Johnny Behan refuses to do anything, Wyatt Earp (then still a citizen) jumps in to disarm and arrest Curly Bill......when the Cowboy gang approaches and demands that Wyatt release Curly Bill, Doc Holliday comes to his aid....one cowboy mentions that Doc is so drunk he is probably seeing double, to which Doc replies: "I have two guns one for each of ya"



The Game

While this is not a "gun" movie, there is a revolver that plays a pivotal role, but I won't spoil it for you. If you like thrillers, you really need to see this movie starring Michael Douglas as a rich businessman who has lost his way in life. Trust me on this one, you wont be sorry.

Favorite Scene: I can't divulge this without spoiling the plot....just watch the movie, trust me on this one..

Dirty Harry

Maybe you have been living under a rock and have never heard of this movie? Maybe you have seen it, but it has been a while? Time to revisit the movie that put Clint Eastwood on the "A" list and propelled the Smith & Wesson model 29 44 Magnum to record sales.
Follow the San Francisco PD's unconventional Inspector Harry Callahan on the trail of a serial killer known as the "Scorpio". The screen play is loosely based on the Zodiac killings that happened in the Bay area around the same time the movie was filmed (1971).
The movie became a franchise with sequels entitled: Magnum Force, The Enforcer, Sudden Impact and The Dead Pool
Guns: Besides the use of the aforementioned S&W 44 Magnum by Dirty Harry, there are plenty of revolvers, a sniper rifle and even a Walther P-38. 

Favorite Scene: Of course it has to be the opening bank robbery scene in which Dirty Harry says his most famous line..."I know what you’re thinking: 'Did he fire six shots or only five?' Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I’ve kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do you, punk?"

Inglorious Basterds

Probably Tarantino's greatest movie, forget Pulp Fiction, forget Reservoir Dogs, forget the Kill Bills & D'jango Unchained (a close second).....see this one and tell me it isn't the best and no I didn't misspell the word "Basterds", that is how Tarantino spelled it. The film's title was inspired by an earlier movie, but other than the name and setting, the two have little in common.
This movie is a WWII action flick with a rewrite of history....with two different story lines converging into one. Brad Pitt puts in amazing performance as Lt Aldo Raine, also worthy of note is actor Christoph Waltz as the evil "Jew Hunter". 
The scenery, camera angles, back ground music, strange interludes and narration make this movie Unconventional with a capital U.

Guns...oh yeah!, there are lots of WWII era guns including the use of a special glove mounted unit from the OSS.

Favorite Scene: Probably the final scene and the final words...."...I'ma gonna give you a little something you can't take off..."

Unforgiven

Spaghetti Western star Clint Eastwood's last western. This one he directed himself. Clint stars as a former old west outlaw William Munny who was tamed by the love of a good women. When a young stranger appears asking to partner up in the chase of some bad men he has to revisit his wicked past.
He insists on bringing his old partner in crime along, played by Morgan Freeman. What ensues is probably the most accurate portrayal of old west justice ever put on film. 
This is the only western on the American Film Institutes list of top ten westerns that was made after 1971.

Guns: Single Action Army's, old Remington 1858s, a S&W Schofield, a Spencer carbine, shotguns...if you like westerns, you need to see this one.

Favorite Scene:
Near the end of the movie...I can't tell you or I would spoil the ending, but you'll know it when you see it



Deadpool

I am not into the comic book super-hero genre, but this one was different. Super funny, lots of great one liners, some nudity and plenty of gratuitous violence

Guns: yep, tons of weapons used in this movie....in one scene Deadpool loads up every gun he has into a Hello Kitty duffle bag...

Favorite Scene: Tough call, the movie is entertaining from beginning to end, you must see this one.


The Patriot

If you hadn't guessed by the title, this movie is about the American Revolution. 
Mel Gibson plays Benjamin Martin, a widower farmer and former soldier who is dragged back into war when his fellow colonists decide to declare independence. Heath Ledger plays his eldest son. There is action, drama, romance and early guerrilla tactics on the part of Gibson's character. You'll cry, laugh and cheer.....

Guns: Firearms play a pivotal role (just as they did in the birth of our nation) and there is lots of shooting (and reloading).

Favorite scene: Near the beginning when Benjamin's son is taken prisoner by the Red Coats and he employs guerrilla tactics to take out the Brits..."Aim Small, Miss Small boys!" 


North by Northwest

Alfred Hitchcock's best work in my opinion. Cary Grant plays the business man mistaken for a spy. It has seat of your pants action, thrilling plot twists and even a romance, what's not to like?
Guns: There are some guns in this movie, but mostly in the hands of the bad guys. 

Favorite Scene:
Tough to call, perhaps when Cary Grant is bailed out of jail by Mother... 

Kingsman

The story line is eerily familiar, this could very well be the story of the 00 section of MI-6, but instead this is another British group of super spies that help keep stability in an unstable world. Starring Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Caine.

Guns: Yes, there are plenty, as well as knives and other weapons

Favorite Scene: The pub scene in which Colin Firth's character, trying to enjoy a pint of Guinness, is forced into teaching a gang of pikeys a lesson in how to be a gentleman 



The Boondock Saints

Two hard working, hard drinking, Boston, Catholic, Irish brothers are forced into a life of vigilantism after a run in with some Russian mobsters. They take truth and justice to a new level (their dedication is so deep, they got the tattoos in Latin).
A great performance was provided by Willem Defoe as the gender-bending, genius FBI Agent Paul Smecker.

Guns: lots of firearms and weapons used in this movie, including the peculiar use of a toilet.

Favorite Scene:
Not sure, again this is a fast paced movie with lots of action....I'll let you decide this one.
 
GoodFellas

If you haven't seen GoodFellas you must have been in a coma for the last two and a half decades or you are too young be exposed to such violence. Either way, this is a must see.
This Martin Scorsese film is the true story (with some creative license taken I am sure) of mobster Henry Hill and his life in the New York mob. It stars a "whose who" in mafia films: DeNiro, Pesci, Ray Liotta, Paul Sorvino, Lorraine Bracco...even Samuel L. Jackson plays a small part.

Guns: yes of course!, this is a story about the Cosa Nostra.....guns are present in virtually every scene. 

Favorite Scene:
I have two.....The scene in which Henry gives Karen's neighbor a lesson in manners by beating his face in with the butt of his Smith & Wesson revolver.
The second one is the "get your shine box" scene.

The Departed

Another Scorsese film about mobsters. This one is set in Boston and has another all star cast including: Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin.
Action, drama and suspense.....even a little sex mixed in with the deviance.
Guns: Yep, the typical mobsters and the special police unit that chases them have guns...lots of guns

Favorite Scene:
I won't spoil the movie, but it is the final scene I like the best

Ronin

Robert DeNiro plays a gangster for hire in this international action thriller. Also starring Jean Reno (Leon the Professional), Natascha McElhone (Karen from Californication) and a host of other actors that you may recognize.

Guns: Yes, plenty of them, this is a robbery/intercept mission planned by an agent of the IRA, involving organized crime....

Favorite Scene: One of the gangsters, trying to ascertain the skills and experience of the other hired gangsters asks DeNiro's character: "Did you ever kill anybody"...DeNiro's response: "I hurt somebody's feelings once"...classic DeNiro!

The Big Lebowski

I know what you are thinking....this is not a "gun" movie...and you are right, but it is a great movie and a couple of guns do make hilarious appearances in the movie ("Am I the only one here who gives a shit about the rules?").
The all star cast includes: Jeff Bridges as the "Dude", John Goodman as his best friend and Vietnam Vet Walter Sobchak, Steve Busceme as bowling partner Donny, Julianne Moore plays another Lebowski (although not related), John Turturro plays the pedophile bowler named Jesus and the movie is narrated by Sam Elliot who also makes a couple cameo appearances (even breaking the 4th wall).

Guns: A Colt Government Model is used to enforce the rules of Bowling and an Uzi Sub-Machine Gun serves duty during a "bag drop".

Favorite Scene: Wow, so many good ones....perhaps the brawl in the bowling alley parking lot with the nihilists... "Are these men going to hurt us Walter?"...."No, Donny, these men are cowards"


The Untouchables

The story of good vs evil, Al Capone and his gangsters against Elliot Ness and his band of "G" men.
Starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert DeNiro and Andy Garcia. If you haven't seen this movie, you need to and if you haven't seen it in a while, you need to see it again.

Guns: this is a 1920's gangster movie, of course there is a plethora of guns, in almost every scene. Colt 1911s, Revolvers of all types, Thompsons and even a sawed off double barrel shotgun.....you also get a lesson in gun & gangster jargon.

Favorite Scene: When Malone uses unorthodox tactics to get the bookkeeper to talk....

The Matlese Falcon

An oldie, but a goodie. Filmed in 1941 and directed by legendary director John Huston (believe it or not this was his directorial debut), this thriller involves the private  investigator Sam Spade, played by Humphrey Bogart, attempting to figure out what happened to his client. In the mix he gets tangled in a web of international smugglers trying to find a black statue of a bird. I'm sure you have heard of the movie, but perhaps never bothered to see it....well log onto Netflix and check out this classic.

Guns: of course Sam Spade carries a piece, it's a classic detective movie...and you can count on the bad guys to be armed.

Favorite Scene: Tough call, plenty of good ones....I think I need to watch this one again!

Sherlock Holmes

The timing of this motion picture is spot on. The character, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the late 19th century, has been told in movies and books more times than one can count.
The recent popularity of the Steam Punk movement must have played a role. None the less, this screen adaptation, just as the book is full of suspense and action. The role of Mr. Holmes is well played by Robert Downey Jr. as his that of his faithful assistant Dr. Watson by Jude Law.
The follow up movie Game of Shadows was equally worth watching

Guns: yes, there are plenty of period correct firearms as well as creative use of other weapons.

Favorite Scene: Probably the fight scene in the temple...

Taken

This movie is actually a bit tough to watch....seeing how human beings can treat each other, but still worth your time. The story of a retired CIA agent who runs to Paris to track down his daughter who has been kidnapped by an Eastern European human trafficking cartel. While this movie was followed up by two sequels, they just don't hold water compared to this first one.

Guns: Of course, the bad guys are armed (despite the draconian laws in Europe) and our antagonist uses what ever is available as a weapon.

Favorite Scene: the end, you have to see it

James Bond
If you are a gun aficionado, you no doubt have seen at least one of the 24 Bond films (25 if you count Never Say Never Again).
I know some people have a favorite Bond, many think that Bond franchise should have died with Connery's retirement from the role, but I have liked all of them, not a bad one in the bunch (yes I even like George Lazenby)
As far as the movies, it is difficult to pick a favorite, but I am really liking the direction the franchise has taken since Daniel Craig assumed the 007 identity.
Casino Royale is a good bet if you have to pick just one 007 film to watch. It has all the required James Bond elements including the requisite hot "Bond Girl": Eva Green.....

Guns: of course, this is 007, license to kill and all that

Favorite Scene: The chase scene in the African construction site, Bond attempts a bit of parkour and does a bang up job of it....


Sin City

As stated above I am not a comic book fan, so I didn't bother to see this movie when it was in the theaters....now I wish I would have. The movie is one of those you don't mind seeing again and again. The black and white, with selectively added color (red lipstick, red blood, red classic cars..etc), the corny "detective" one-liners along with the exaggerated violence all make for an interesting experience.

The cast alone makes it worth a look...Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, Benicio Del Toro, and many more names you may recognize.

The sequel A Dame to Kill For is equally good.... 

Guns: Yes, this is a Detective Film Noir, so guns play a big part of the story

Favorite Scene: Near the end when the multiple story lines converge

Jack Reacher

Tom Cruise plays the retired, no-nonsense Army Investigator who shows up to aid in the investigation of a shooting. What transpires is a seat of the pants thriller with plenty of violence mixed in. Reacher shows us what can be accomplished when you don't let the law protect the bad guys.

The movie also starts Robert Duvall and Rosamund Pike (who stared in the 007 flick, Die Another Day).


Guns: While Mr. Reacher travels sans gun (and any form of identification) he manages to make the right friends.


Favorite Scene: The climax where he takes on the bad guys with the help of a retired Marine Gunny Martin Cash (played by Robert Duvall).