Streaming Recommends - Action Adventure
Last week, we made our recommendations for best movies that connote “friendship.” This is part of an ongoing series where Jessica and Rico offer some movies that are available to stream, especially during this time where a lot of people are currently at home due to Covid-19. There are some no-brainer picks on this list but that doesn’t mean that everyone has seen some of these classics. Think of this list as a friendly reminder of classic films that can jolt you with a shot of adrenaline when you haven’t left your couch in 7 hours.
The Last Samurai (2003) - Netflix
IMDb synopsis: An American military advisor embraces the Samurai culture he was hired to destroy after he is captured in battle.
This movie could be misconstrued as a “white savior” movie, but I would argue that it’s about two enemies becoming friends. About a man, who hates his own country and by extension himself, finding redemption and learning to appreciate and understand a different culture. It’s a beautiful look at the Japanese “way of the warrior” from the eyes of an ethnographer, in a sense. Watch for the bromance and gorgeous depictions of traditional Japanese life but stay, truly, for the stunning Hans Zimmer score. - Jess
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) - Netflix
IMDb synopsis: While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.
The fellowship is broken, but the quest still rages. This fantasy epic gains some serious scale in the sequel to Fellowship of the Ring—and yes, I’m talking about the battle of Helm’s Deep. Can we all agree that Gandalf charging in at dawn astride the “lord of all horses” with a legion of hot horsemen, Howard Shore’s score soaring, is the reason why we stick around for 3 hours? - Jess
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) - Netflix
IMDb synopsis: Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.
The storyline that’s been building for hours and hours finally comes to end. I still tear up when Aragorn turns to our four little hobbits and says, “My friends, you bow to no one.” Bless. - Jess
Aliens (1986) - HBO Go
IMDb synopsis: Ellen Ripley is rescued by a deep salvage team after being in hypersleep for 57 years. The moon that the Nostromo visited has been colonized, but contact is lost. This time, colonial marines have impressive firepower, but will that be enough?
There are very few sequels that we would recommend, but Aliens transcends the horror genre of the original and introduces Ellen Ripley to the action-adventure genre. One alien was bad...So now there’s a herd of them! Ripley gets in touch with her motherhood with Newt... “Instead of a dark lord, you shall have a queen!” Whoops, wrong movie. Anyway, the showdown with the alien “queen,” as she is known, is hella iconic. - Jess
Hook (1991) - Netflix US
IMDb synopsis: When Captain James Hook kidnaps his children, an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit in order to challenge his old enemy.
Why this movie has 28% on Rotten Tomatoes is beyond me. Robin Williams as Peter Pan is charming and inspired. The movie, directed by Spielberg, is nothing short of magical. We love all the not-so-subtle Peter Pan poses Williams does throughout, the cinematography of enchanting sets like the nursery or the Lost Boys treehouse, and most importantly, RU-FI-OOO! Did we mention that Julia Roberts plays Tinkerbell and that John Williams did the score? Bangarang! - Jess
Point Break (1991) - Vudu Free
IMDb synopsis: When Captain James Hook kidnaps his children, an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit in order to challenge his old enemy.
Before there was The Fast and the Furious, there was Point Break. The opening sequence consists of juxtaposing beauty shots of surfers in golden light with a young Keanu Reeves winning at some outdoor FBI shooting practice...in the rain...with a wet T-shirt on. Kathryn Bigelow directs all the boys in a movie that’s something to behold for sure. - Jess
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) - HBO Go
IMDb synopsis: A bored married couple is surprised to learn that they are both assassins hired by competing agencies to kill each other.
People may know this movie more for what transpired outside of the film than what happened inside. Yes, this was the end of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston and the beginning of Pitt and Angelina Jolie, but if we look past that, we get a fun spy movie. When you join two of the best-looking people in Hollywood, it's only natural that sparks fly. Throw in peak Vince Vaughn into the mix, and you get yourself a movie that is action-filled and funny along the way. - Rico
Indiana Jones Trilogy - Netflix US
This recommendation is probably a given and most likely a set of movies that people have already seen. In case you haven't watched them, which I recommend that you do, follows the charismatic Harrison Ford as archeologist Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones. Jones sets out on various quests, finding artifacts and treasures while fighting off mercenaries and Nazi's. It's hard to find a lousy movie among the trilogy, as each has its own quirks. Raiders of the Lost Ark is a stone-cold classic, introducing us to one of the most significant cinematic characters in history. Temple of Doom is a prequel to Raiders, which is fun in its own way, even if there are some issues. The Last Crusade is my personal favorite since it introduces one of Indiana Jones's most excellent foils, his father, played by Sean Connery. When they say "they don't make them like they use to," this is most likely what they mean. - Rico
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) - Disney Plus
IMDb synopsis: Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor's daughter, from Jack's former pirate allies, who are now undead.
A lot of time and stories have been said about Johnny Depp that most people will look at the Pirates franchise and scoff. With that, though, you would be ignoring one of the 2000s' most compelling characters. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was a monster hit in the early part of the millennium in large part because of Depp's portrayal of Jack Sparrow. Before he became a spoof of himself, Sparrow was dashing, charming, and cunning. The type of character that you loved seeing getting away with all of the shenanigans he could pull off. - Rico
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) - Hulu and Amazon Prime
IMDb synopsis: With the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon.
It would be easy to pick a new iteration of the Star Trek franchise. JJ Abrams's reboot of the beloved franchise was a smash hit, giving audiences an action-packed adventure. Yet, I went with the original cast, led by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. The movie was re-made, in a way, with 2011's Star Trek Into Darkness, where Benedict Cumberbatch played the famous villain Khan. I prefer Ricardo Montalban's over-the-top version of the villain, one that has fun with the material they are given. Some of the movie may seem cheesy, but there's nothing like the moment when Admiral Kirk yells out the famous line…. - Rico
Bumblebee (2018) - Hulu and Amazon Prime
IMDb synopsis: On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small California beach town. On the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, Charlie Watson discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken.
One of the biggest surprises of 2018 was a spin-off to a franchise that has already worn out its welcome. Bumblebee shines, not only because the movie doesn't go over the top with CGI, but because it was anchored by one of Hollywood's young and brightest stars Hailee Steinfeld. The bond that forms between Bumblebee and Charlie (Steinfeld) is one that anyone can relate to. Not only did we enjoy the movie, it even cracked our top 10 films of 2018. - Rico
Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018) - Hulu
IMDb synopsis: Ethan Hunt and his IMF team, along with some familiar allies, race against time after a mission gone wrong.
If you would've told me 10 years ago that the seventh installment of the Mission:Impossible franchise would, not only, be my favorite movie of that year but one of my favorite movies of the decade, I would've laughed in your face. Fast forward to today, where I will sing the praises of Mission:Impossible - Fallout to anyone who will listen, including in our review of the movie. In a world of green screens and CGI, Tom Cruise eschewed that for a sense of practicality, with stunts that leave you on the edge of your seat. Whether it's the HALO jump, the nightclub fight, or the motorcycle chase through Paris, there aren't many action movies that are this fun. - Rico
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) - HBO Go
IMDb synopsis: John Wick is on the run after killing a member of the international assassins' guild, and with a $14 million price tag on his head, he is the target of hitmen and women everywhere.
I got to the John Wick train later than I wanted to. It wasn't until 2019 that I watched the first two installments of the series. With every passing moment, it was clear that John Wick was special. With John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, the series gave us everything we wanted. Gunfights? Check. Knife fights? Check. Wick riding a horse? Check. Halle Berry and her attack dogs? Double-check! We gushed over how insane the action was in part 3, which will only grow when they return for part 4. - Rico
Haywire (2011) - Netflix US
IMDb synopsis: A black ops super soldier seeks payback after she is betrayed and set up during a mission.
Steven Soderbergh loves to experiment. Whether it's the use of an iPhone to shoot films (Unsane and High Flying Bird), or using unique talent for the front of the camera (using Adult Star Sasha Grey in The Girlfriend Experience), seeing what the Academy Award-winning director will do is always a treat. Haywire is a beautiful action movie starring MMA fighter Gina Carano. Before her roles in Deadpool and The Mandalorian, Carano was an unproven actress but had enough charm and physicality that made this an enjoyable spy flick. Plus, the cast is stacked, featuring Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor, Antonio Banderas, and many more. - Rico
The Rocketeer (1991) - Disney Plus
IMDb synopsis: A young pilot stumbles onto a prototype jetpack that allows him to become a high-flying masked hero.
This one may seem goofy, but I don't care. The Rocketeer is a fun blast from the past. The costume is incredible, and watching him take-off was always a thrill when I was younger. Another movie that takes place during the early parts of World War II, this hero fights the Nazis and looks cool while doing it. Sounds a lot like Captain America, which is funny because both movies were directed by Joe Johnston. Give it a shot. - Rico
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2 - Netflix US
IMDb synopsis: After awakening from a four-year coma, a former assassin wreaks vengeance on the team of assassins who betrayed her.
Quentin Tarantino is not someone who's movies we generally get much enjoyment from, with some exceptions. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2 are well-done action movies that have tons of references to older films, have an incredible shot selection, and are filled with moments you won't forget. Uma Thurman, as the heroine out for revenge, is wonderful to watch since she is a machine. Some of the violence may be a bit over the top (it is Tarantino), but it's a great entry into a cool universe. - Rico