The 10 Best Revenge Films of All Time

Yesterday, I saw Edge of Darkness with Mel Gibson. It featured a moving performance by him, a solid, well thought out plot, and some shocking bits of brutal violence. I think it is the best American made revenge film in recent years. But, what are the all time top ten? I love a good revenge film. It's a pretty simple idea. Our hero has something horrible happen to him/ her or to a loved one and then sets out to avenge that. The sub-genre can fall under action, exploitation, horror, or even sci-fi (Mad Max), but the best of the lot hit us with hard, vicious violence, as well as awakening an almost primal feeling in one. And, it should come to no one's shock that the Death Wish series and Chan Wook Park's films dominate this list. In the end, you owe it to yourself to see all these movies.

10. - Mixing horror, action, and gothic imagery this classic adaptation of the comic book is one of the most visually stunning and kick ass movies of the 90s, as our hero comes back from the grave to avenge the rape and death of his wife.

9. - The first of Park's fantastic revenge trilogy tackles the fact that when one wants revenge their is always another who will want to avenge that. And, hence it is a pointless, violent, and horrifying circle. Great acting, a wonderful plot, and an unforgettable climax make this a classic.

8. - After Paul Kersey's friend is killed by a gang of punks in Brooklyn, NY he (now back in NY) exacts his brand of vengeance and helps the scared community. One of the most wonderfully over the top and violent American action films of all time, Death Wish 3 has become a huge fan favorite and a classic over the years. The wild climax where senior citizen Charles Bronson mows down a seemingly endless group of punk scumbags using a Browning M1919 A4 machine gun, a .475 Widley Magnum, and (in the movie's wildest moment) a rocket launcher! All fucking hail Death Wish 3!

7. - Awesome, badass, and exploitative mix of the revenge film and the women in prison sub-genres. An amazing personal fav, this one has it all you could ask for: stylish movie directing, sexy, naked Japanese girls, red, hot lesbian action, graphic violence, and a great revenge story as our beautiful heroine seeks to get those who unjustly imprisoned her. The greatest women in prison film, ever!

6. - The sleaziest of the Death Wish series is, I think, the best sequel in the series. After his daughter is raped, (as is the housekeeper in a particularly mean spirited scene) again (!) and killed, Kersey goes off to kill the scumbags. Classic dialogue and graphic violence abound.

5. - The rape-revenge film is one of horror and exploitation cinema's nastiest sub-genres. This classic by Abel Ferrara is the best, in my humble opinion. A beautiful mute girl is raped twice in one day by two different pieces of shit. She flips out and eradicates scumbags and sexist men in what might be called a sort of feminist fantasy. Regardless of what you call it, this movie has excellent acting and some nice bits of bloody violence.

4. - When the shogun's decapitator's wife is killed by said shogun, our badass hero swears vengeance and wanders Japan with his cute little kid and armed carriage. My full review of this ultra-violent classic: http://gorezone.net/dvdcrypt/reviewstxt/stu/shogunassassin.html

3. - The single finest American made revenge film, this highly influential classic is not the bloodiest nor the wildest in the sub-genre, but it is smart and excellently directed. Liberal guy changes his ways after his wife is killed and raped, and his daughter raped, too. Lots of movies ripped this one off, many increasing the gore quota, but this remains a masterpiece.

2. - The most moving film in this list Lady Vengeance is the last film in Park's trilogy. This one feels different than the other ones in the series, probably cause our heroine has a truly understandable and just cause and the villain is so deplorable. An unjustly imprisoned woman looks to get her revenge and reunite with her little daughter. The climax of the film is amazing and moving. A beautifully made movie that never feels cheap or sleazy despite the graphic violence. The ending really pulls at your heartstrings. This one made me cray and only gets better with each viewing.

1. - The middle part of Park's trilogy, this story of a man who unjustly spends many years in jail is violent, shocking, and enthralling. The fight scene with the claw hammer kicks some major ass, while the ending is one of the finest and most shocking in movie history.

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The Top 10 Sequels Ever

Sequels are a something that has existed for ages and is, for better or worse, a major part of the movie world. Summer always brings us sequels (OK, fuck that the whole fucking year is always filled with sequels), and this summer is no different. This month, alone, we get a prequel, that seems to have completely reinvented a series in Star Trek and another that is directed by the guy who did the wretched Charlie's Angels movie and is a PG-13 entry in an R-rated series (and movies like Robocop 3 and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome already proved that idea always sucks cock and swallows) in Terminator: Salvation.

And, while we can all mention and think of countless of horrible, terrible, miserable sequels that should be shit on and buried never to be seen again, this blog is about the best of the best. Now, it is more than likely that you will feel differently about this list, and that you think I omitted some movies and whatnot. If so, tell me what films you think should be on this list.

But for now here goes my list. Enjoy.

10. - I know part 3 gets a lot of love, and rightfully so, and that, too, is a HUGE personal favorite of mine, but I think, overall, this is the better film. Sleazier and more violent than the original classic (though NOT better), this one ranks as one of the most exploitative and down and dirty mainstream action films ever made. It also has some pretty badass lines by my hero Charles Bronson. Too bad, we never got the unrated cut released on DVD overseas.

9. - The greatest movie of the golden age of horror, this classic manages to top the wonderful original. A true classic of American cinema.

8. - The sequel to the greatest American made action film is probably the second best American made action film! A bigger and more violent sequel this one is full of great stunt work, amazing set pieces, bloody violence (including a guy who gets sucked into an airplane motor, an icicle to the eye, throat slashing, gory squibs, headshots, etc), some really funny one-liners, and nail biting suspense.

7. - This is one of those films that solidified my love of horror and splatter. More of a remake than an actual sequel, though Raimi says that it is a sequel, this wonderful mix of humor, over the the top gore, and horror remains Raimi's best work. Bruce Campbell fucking rules, and you know it!

6. - I always call this film the thinking man's zombie film, cause it is. A smart gorefest with great acting and phenomenal FX work by Savini. The ultra-bloody climax remains one of the best the genre has ever seen.

5. - Considering how great the original is, it is mind boggling to see how amazing this movie is. I simply love how this movie cuts between the rise of power Don Corleone and Micheal's current position of power. A phenomenal movie, sequel or not, it also has some pretty somber and sad moments, as well as some of the best acting in this entire list.

4. - One of the most important and influential horror movies ever made DOTD is a perfect movie. Romero's directing and writing is in top form as are Savini's FX work and the cast's acting. Funny, smart, exciting, ultra-gory, and scary.

3. - Hey, we all know Lucas has shit all over Star Wars, in recent years, but this movie is one of the greatest films ever made. There is no movie I have seen more times than this one. Amazing FX work, great dialogue and acting, and a wonderful plot makes this one a masterpiece. From the jaw dropping battle on Hoth to the then shocking revelation this darker, more brutal film manages to amaze each and every time I watch it. Get on your knees and worship this film, now!

2. - One of my favorite movie going experiences, ever, I think this movie tops the original. Going in a more action oriented manner, than the nail biting suspense of the original (which truthfully tops some horror movies, in that respect), this movie is wall-to-wall excitement, with some of the best FX work, around, including amazing CGI and excellent make-up work by Stan Winston. It also has a lot of heart and is sort of moving, actually. Shit, the ending made me cry, when I was younger, but the mushy stuff never interferes with the kick ass action.

1. - This genre hybrid of sci-fi, action, and horror is my second favorite movie, ever. Exhilarating, touching, scary, gory, and featuring great acting and some of the greatest make-up FX work, ever, by way of the late-great Stan Winston, this movie is a fucking perfect, gift from the heavens. This is perhaps the single greatest monster movie ever made. And, it is a sequel that blows the classic first film out of the air hole and sends it deep into space (by no means is this a disrespect to the original, as it is a classic of both horror and sci-fi, in it's own right, I just greatly prefer this movie).

One more thing, today is Mother's Day, and I would love to wish all the mom's reading this a very Happy Mother's Day! And, to the rest of you I hope you all have something nice planned for your moms. They deserve it!

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