What does it say about me that I love revenge films as much as I do? Does it say "don't wrong me unless you want me to seek you out and put you down like a sick little puppy and then hang over your dying body, gloating until you take your last breath?" Or does it say "hey, the guy just likes revenge flicks." Maybe a little bit of both.
If we were to judge a film simply by its fulfillment, can there be anything more satisfying than a revenge film? Who in the world has never been wronged and then fantasized about a little payback? As universal as revenge is, it's surprising there aren't revenge films coming out every week. But if there were so many, maybe I wouldn't like them as much as I do.
So this Tuesday, give me your Top 5 revenge films. Here are mine in no particular order.
If we were to judge a film simply by its fulfillment, can there be anything more satisfying than a revenge film? Who in the world has never been wronged and then fantasized about a little payback? As universal as revenge is, it's surprising there aren't revenge films coming out every week. But if there were so many, maybe I wouldn't like them as much as I do.
So this Tuesday, give me your Top 5 revenge films. Here are mine in no particular order.
1. Kill Bill Vol. 1 "Those of you lucky enough to have your lives, take them with you. However, leave the limbs you've lost. They belong to me now."
2. Oldboy "I'm going to rip you limb from limb. And your remains will never be found. Why? Because I'm going to swallow every last bit."
3. The Limey "You tell him, you tell him I'm coming. Tell him I'm fucking coming!"
4. RoboCop "I'm not arresting you anymore. "
5. Revenge of the Nerds "You just got your asses whipped by a bunch of goddamn nerds."
Cape Fear
ReplyDeleteDeath Wish
Kill Bill, Vo.l 1 and 2
Jaws
Brian,
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about this category is that the definition of revenge is up to many different interpretations. I would have never had thought about Jaws, but it's a great revenge film.
Not necessarily revenge movies, but DEFINITELY revenge-posturing movie dialogue:
ReplyDelete1. "You called down the thunder, well now you've got it!...You tell 'em I'M coming AND HELL'S COMING WITH ME."
2. "Remember, Sully, when I promised to kill you last? I lied."
3. "There's a difference, you know, between not liking one's brother and not caring when some dumb Irish flatfoot drops him out of a window."
4. "My name is not Buddy! And it's not Incrediboy, either. That ship has sailed."
5. "He tasks me. He tasks me and I shall have him!"
Payback. Although he swore it wasn't about revenge, it was about revenge.
ReplyDeleteJeremiah Johnson
Gladiator
Burbanked,
ReplyDeleteYou gotta give it up on the titles. I'm only familiar with a few.
Emily,
How can a movie titled Payback not be about revenge? Sounds like a good little twist to help promote the movie.
I just thought of another that's nothing but revenge and just happens to be one of my favorites: and that is Assault on Precinct 13.
2. Commando
ReplyDelete4. Incredibles
5. Wrath of Khan
And the other two are haunting me!
Oh, and of course as always, I don't have 5 yet, but...I'd put both Mean Girls and Heathers in a 'revenge' category...
ReplyDeleteGood picks Megan.
ReplyDeleteI would also add Hard Candy to the mix. It's a great revenge flick.
Check out the big brain on Megan!
ReplyDelete#1: TOMBSTONE
#3: DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE
BRING ME THE HEAD OF ALFREDO GARCIA always does it for me.....
ReplyDeleteFresh. Can't believe it took all day for that to pop into my head...
ReplyDeleteNo complaints about any of your 5 Piper - however, as much as I think "Oldboy" is great, I would pick "Lady Vengeance" (I just love every single frame of that film).
ReplyDeleteOthers:
- "The Sting"
- "Memento"
- "Vengeance Is Mine"
Revenge is spelled D-O-L-E-M-I-T-E
ReplyDeleteThis is hard, b/c I oftetimes feel conflicted about revenge films (though sometimes I think they are healthy as you and I discussed about Taken.)
ReplyDeleteFor starters, what about Carrie and er, Can't Buy Me Love? Don't laugh at that last one. Scoring the hottest chick in school can be revenge and you know it!
Revengence?
ReplyDeleteOffice Space. :D
Fox,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I honestly feel a bit dirty liking them as much as I do because ultimately it does say something about the kind of person I am. Or am not.
Can't Buy Me Love is a little strange and a little genius at the same time.
Fletch,
Revengence is Mine.
What about I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE and HER VENGEANCE, two great bids if you ask me. If you stretch it a bit, CARRIE could be considered a sort of revenge movie? Nah, not really... Is HALLOWEEN a revenge movie?
ReplyDelete