Well, it's that time of year again where we get to sit outside and enjoy the great outdoors at barbecues and hit the beach. But not every day is a sunny day and not every day do you want sand in your drawers. Those are the days to hit the video store, get some munchies and kick back and get into some good action flicks. Being more into the ground pounder genre I'm giving you my top ten picks for action movies that are a must see. 

#1. The Final Option

This is a MUST see for those of you out there who are into counter-terrorist teams. This is a great movie based on the British SAS on whom Col. Beckwith modeled our American Delta Force.

Terrorists have taken the American Embassy and hold all the high ranking officials hostage. The CT team from the SAS is tasked with taking the embassy back and saving the hostages. The movie is a bit slow moving but the end scenes with the takedown (which was modeled after a true life takedown of the Iranian Embassy at Princess Gate in England in 1980) are masterfully done. More than worth the rental price, you gotta see this one. 

The plotline goes like this. In an elaborate cover story a  lone SAS soldier beats up two foreign military advisers while on a training mission which results in his "dismissal" from the regiment. This gives him the cover of a disgruntled former SAS soldier looking for revenge (kinda like a US postman.) He then just happens to hook up with a local anti-nuke group which is basically a front for a terrorist cell.

As the story moves along and he gains the confidence of Judy Davis the head of the cell, he starts to put the pieces together of a move they are going to make. He continues to attempt to gather as much intel as possible and forward it to the regiment but at the same time the terrorists start to become suspicious of his loyalty. When they are ready to make their move they take his wife and child hostage, and bring him along for the op. 

The target is the American Embassy in London where they demand the US pops a nuke to show the world the horror of nuclear war. With high ranking US officials hostage and negotiations breaking down, #10 Downing Street gives the go ahead for the SAS CT team to take the embassy down. In the greatest counter terrorist action ever put on film you will see the extreme choreography that goes into these types of ops.

Speaking with Carl Schnurr the Producer of Redstorm Entertainment's upcoming Rainbow Six I asked him if he had seen this movie. His response to me was that Tom Clancy himself had told the development team that this was a MUST see movie for them. If you're interested in this upcoming game or just in hostage rescues in general this I do say is a MUST see as well. 

#2 The Beast

The most accurate movie of modern armor. Based on a lone Soviet tank crew who gets lost in the war in Afghanistan and are being hunted down by a band of Mujahadeen guerrillas. George Dzundza and Jason Patric play the part of Soviet tank crewmen caught up in the middle of what was the Soviet Union's version of America's Vietnam: a war in which they could not win yet still would not admit defeat, only to throw more lives away in the process. 

The lone tank becomes isolated from its platoon and is trying to make its way to the safety of the Soviet lines. On their way they become surrounded by the guerillas who see the tank as much too grand a target to pass up. The guerillas have the upper hand as not only do they know the lay of the land, but the Soviets are totally disoriented and are starting to fight amongst themselves.

In true guerilla fashion they pick their attacks carefully and just toy with the tank and her crew. This leads to further dissension within the crew and a further loss of the threat the tank could be to the guerillas. By the movies end it turns into a survival movie outside the tank and you'll see to what lengths people are willing to go to live. Nice movie for those out there who want to see what modern tank crew jobs are like and want to experience the claustrophobia of being in an armored death machine. 

#3 Full Metal Jacket

A great movie showing US Marines in Vietnam. Starting off with Marine Corps recruit training (which those who have been to "the island" know it's not the same as what you see in the movie. It was filmed in England) and continuing with the same group of core characters through their experiences in Vietnam. Some of the most intense scenes of recruit training with GySgt. Hartman being played by R. Lee Ermey, himself a former Drill Instructor. 

The movie starts off in Marine Corps recruit training in Parris Island. Here we're treated to the continued expletives and tirades from former US Marine Corps Drill Instructor R. Lee Ermey in his role as GySgt. Hartman. Most are quite funny to those of us who have gone through recruit training as we can remember those good ol' days. "Sir, Aye Aye, Sir!"

In the process of recruit training we see one recruit in particular nicknamed Private Pyle after Gomer Pyle, slowly deteriorate to the point of no return. After receiving a blanket party, (the true military term not the "Code Red" we all heard about in "A Few Good Men" with Tom Cruise) he begins to do everything right which surprises everyone.

Pvt. Joker, his squad leader, notices that Pyle is really starting to lose it and begins to worry. The night prior to graduation Pyle is found in the head with his M-14 and a full magazine of 7.62 "full metal jacket" rounds. He is confronted by Pvt. Joker and GySgt. Hartman, Pyle kills his DI but lets Joker live before turning his weapon on himself. From here we go to Vietnam and follow Pvt. Joker as he fulfills his duties as a war correspondent for the Stars and Stripes military newspaper. Along the way he catches up with Cowboy his former boot camp buddy and we go along for the ride in the battle of Hue City. Directed in true Stanley Kubrick fashion it's part funny, very graphic and with moments that will cause yourself to ask "why were we there?"

#4 Braveheart

Mel Gibson starred and directed this enthralling epic of the civil war between Scotland and England in the 13th Century. Based on part truth, part myth with some authors freelancing in there it's a movie in the grand style of the old Hollywood epics of Cecil B. Demile. William Wallace is a Scottish rebel out to avenge the death of his wife and win freedom for his country by leading an uprising against the English King Edward. 

Adding in a love story which only adds to the movie and lends itself as the excuse for Wallace's reasoning to become involved in "the troubles", this movie moves along at a great pace. At 3 hours running time this one will not leave you with a sore behind and crusty eyes.

As for his wife being killed by the British there is a bit of the old Hollywood flair in there, the real Wallace was actually motivated to rebel after the death of his father at English hands. A minor noble with his own land Wallace' father was murdered when William was young which sparked the fire that grew and led Wallace to become one of those great Scottish hero's.

Taking some liberties with the battle scenes to make them even more dramatic than they were historically (the end scene for example with Robert The Bruce leading the troops in the battle of Bannockburn actually took place some 13 years after the death of Wallace and Banockburn was actually a boggy swamp not the simple flat terrain shown in the movie) but are very dramatic nonetheless. At the first battle Wallace makes a plea to his countrymen to stand and fight and gives one of the most motivating speeches I've ever heard. It just makes me wanna grab my broadsword and jump into the TV to go fight alongside them! Mel Gibson gives on of his greatest performances as William Wallace and truly deserved his Oscars for this one. A MUST have in your collection. 

#5 The Great Escape

Now what guy doesn't like this one? The whole concept of building not one but three tunnels to escape to safety right under the noses of German prison guards is inspiring! As great a cast as any epic war movie, and a great story too, based on the actual tunnels Tom, Dick and Harry that were dug out of a German POW camp in WWII. 

Another interesting aside about  this movie for those interested in finding out more about this episode in history, there is a book documenting the story called The Longest Tunnel. It goes into how the POW's planned and carried out the most daring escape plan in history and how they were executed in the same way as those in the movie. A grand movie that you'll need to set aside an entire afternoon to watch.

#6 Guns of Navarone

Two powerful German guns control the seas past the Greek island of Navarone making the          evacuation of endangered British troops on a neighboring island impossible. Air attack is useless so a team of six Allied and Greek soldiers is put ashore to meet up with partisans to try and destroy the guns. As always it's an impossible mission but it can be done. Starring great actors such as Gregory Peck, David Niven, Richard Harris and Anthony Quinn and based on the novel by Alistair MacLean. 

#7 The Longest Day

One of the greatest military operations in history is brought to life by a tremendous all star cast. Every angle of the invasion of Normandy is covered from each side. A long movie, but worth an afternoons attention. 

With such a strong cast how could this movie go wrong? Stars like Eddie Albert, Paul Anka, Richard Burton, Sean Connery, Red Buttons, Henry Fonda and of course John Wayne. Many other stars accompany this story as you are taken through the events leading up to the decision to invade and where to begin. With the Germans expecting an invasion at Calais the Allies make their move on Normandy. Sprinkled with some human stories not just the factual events, this movie draws you in as you view the different subplots within the grand scheme of the invasion. This should be on everyone's list.

#8 Sands of Iwo Jima

Two words for this one: John Wayne. The Duke leads his platoon of Marines through the island hopping campaign in the Pacific in WWII all the way to the historical taking of Iwo Jima. Only moments before the famous flag raising Sgt. Striker is struck down by a lone Japanese gunman. But his leadership carries on through the troops he has trained. A truly motivating movie, it'll have you humming along with the Marine Corps hymn even if you're not a Marine. 

#9 Siege of Firebase Gloria

Once again we have our favorite DI, R. Lee Ermey, cast as a Marine at Firebase Gloria. Didn't get alot of attention over here, probably because it was an Australian production. Good action, great battle scenes as a company of Marines fights to keep their camp from invading North Vietnamese troops. 

#10 The Odd Angry Shot

For those who didn't know our great brothers in Australia did serve alongside us in Vietnam. This movie follows a group of Aussies as they experience the war in Vietnam, through watching friends get maimed and killed to drinking Fosters a lot. Good action movie and shows that we weren't alone over there and the experiences in Australia weren't different from ours. Many Australian stars including Bryan Brown of FX fame. Some interesting patrol scenes show the constant vigilance required by these men in the unfriendly jungles of Southeast Asia and how hours of boredom were suddenly broken by moments of sheer terror. 

Honorable Mentions:  

Hamburger Hill - One of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam war brought to life on the big screen. It makes you wonder who the hell was in charge over there and why we wasted American lives for a stupid hill. Graphic battle scenes and plenty of action. 

Breaker Morant - During the Boer War, three Australian lieutenants are on trial for shooting Boer prisoners. Though 
 they acted under orders, they are being used as scapegoats by the General Staff, who hopes to distance themselves from the irregular practices of the war.

The trial does not progress as smoothly as expected by the General Staff, as the defence puts up a strong fight in the courtroom. Based on the novel of one of the survivors of this tragic situation novel, "Scapegoats of the Empire." Not an action movie, but one of the greatest dramas I have seen (IMHO), an excellent cast and a tragic story. The movie stars Bryan Brown of FX fame as well as Jack Thompson, a big Aussie movie star, and the late Edward Woodward who was The Equalizer on American TV.