Awesome Movies for Gamers

Since we're pretty much all gamers in the ThePANACHE team, we've had loads of discussions of what movies gamers like us like. Whether it's about actual gaming references in these movies, or completely unrelated movies that reminded us, or gave us the urge to bring out our controller, these are few of the movies that we're pretty certain would appeal to most of you:

Grandma's Boy

Released: 2006
Genre: Comedy
Win-o-meter: 4 / 5

Unlike most movies where game testers or developers are portrayed in the cheesy larger-than-life extremely-eccentric manner that pisses me off, Grandma's Boy follows the tale of a down-to-earth game tester who, after screwing up with his rent, is forced to live with his granny. What follows is a series of screw-ups that set him on the right path in life, teaching us all, that no matter how big a loser you are, things could always get better (in other words, you could always score with that hot chick in your office!). If you haven't already seen this flick and like light-hearted comedies, be sure to watch this one!

The Wizard

Released: 1989
Genre: Comedy/Adventure
Win-o-meter: 3.5 / 5

I was a kid when I first watched this flick, and was in awe of it for the longest time! The story's about a kid named Jimmy who runs away from home along with two friends, and goes on an adventure across the country to take part in a really big-time video game championship. Armed with what seemed like the "ZOMFG coolest controller evar" called the "Power Glove" and his mad skills, Jimmy kicks some serious ass.

Crank

Released: 2006
Genre: Action
Win-o-meter: 5 / 5

If you're an adrenaline junkie, this movie's for you! Crank's the story of a professional assassin 'Chev Chelios' (played by Jason Statham) who gets injected with a deadly poison that gradually drops his heart rate, killing him slowly. He figures out that the only way to keep himself alive long enough to extract revenge, is to perform as many over-the-top stunts he can to keep the adrenaline in his blood high. The movie's a riot of the most awesome scenes ever, be it Chelios banging his girlfriend in the middle of a crowded marketplace, or him standing on a speeding bike just to get the rush he needs to stay alive. If you're in the mood for pure, undistilled win, this one's a must watch.

xXx

Released: 2002
Genre: Action / Adventure
Win-o-meter: 4.5 / 5

Here's another one for you adrenaline junkies. xXx was the flick that portrayed Vin Diesel (he should be named 'Win' Diesel) as a gamer/adrenaline junkie who gets manipulated by the US Government into working for them as a an undercover agent to infiltrate a Russian crime ring. Being the notorious guy he is, and with his terrible attitude, he's the last one they'd suspect. What seems like an unlikely story, is transformed into an awesome flick that has a crap-load of stunts that'll make the win-absorption part of your brain overload.

The Matrix

Released: 1999
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi
Win-o-meter: 5 / 5

Unless you've been under an especially sound-proof rock, you've undoubtedly seen or at least heard of the Matrix franchise that took 1999 by storm with its crazy setting and insane sci-fi action. Bullet time whores who tripped on Max Payne probably had cardiac-arrests when they couldn't take the excitement from watching 'Neo' do the bullet-dodging limbo dance in slow-mo.

Big Trouble in Little China

Released: 1986
Genre: Action / Comedy / Adventure
Win-o-meter: 4 / 5

An American trucker (Kurt Russel) finds himself amid an ancient battle between Chinese wizards and ancient spirits, when his girlfriend gets abducted and the trail leads straight to San Francisco's Chinatown. The game's abundance of bad guys (that come in all flavors) and brightly colored world reminded me of the side-scrolling genre of action games. If you're up for a watching a retro action flick, this one's for you.

Underworld

Released: 2003
Genre: Action / Horror
Win-o-meter: 4 / 5

If you're one for vampire stories or games, such as the Vampire: Masquerade series, you surely find the entire werewolves-versus-vampires setting really cool. If that's the case, Underworld is for you: it portrays the dark world of these creatures of the dark really well, as they take on one another for a bloodbath you won't soon forget.

300

Released: 2006
Genre: Action
Win-o-meter: 5 / 5

If you like beautifully choreographed bloodbaths, 300 is one massively orgasmic ballet of flesh and steel! The movie tell the tale of how a mere 300 Spartans took on and slaughtered the hell out of thousands of invading Persians. If there was a race of Kratos-descendant Spartans, they're all in this movie!

 
Sin City

Released: 2005
Genre: Action / Crime
Win-o-meter: 4.5 / 5

The movie tells the tale of three different individuals and how they get caught up in the grim slipstream of a world full of crime. The movie is grim, dark and ruthless, and a must watch for those of you who like extremely stylized over-the-top action movies/games.

 

Lord of the Rings

Released: 2001
Genre: Fantasy / Adventure
Win-o-meter: 4 / 5

If you're one who digs high fantasy and Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) lore, you're sure to enjoy the way the movie world's conjured into a real, believable realm in Lord of the Rings. What more can I say about the movie that you don't already know; after all, when it was released back in 2001, there were advertisements plastered all over. You couldn't have missed it!

The Evil Dead series

Released: 1981
Genre: Horror / Action
Win-o-meter: 3.5 / 5

You don't have to be a complete horror fanatic to love Evil Dead. While the first movie was really creepy, when the movie's lead character Ash gets on a killing frenzy, it's a completely satiating zombie-gore action flick. In fact, there were many lines that 3D Realms borrowed from the movie for Duke Nukem 3D, as a tribute to the movie.

Equilibrium

Released: 2002
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi
Win-o-meter: 5 / 5

If action flicks like The Matrix are right up your alley, Equilibrium is a must-watch! It has all the makings of a truly epic movie - a great, unpredictable plot, some of the most beautifully choreographed fight sequences, and the some really great acting. If only they'd make a good game out of this flick!

Transformers

Released: 2007
Genre: Action / Sci-Fi
Win-o-meter: 4.5 / 5

When two extraterrestrial races of robots decide to fight each other and pick dear Earth as their playground, all hell breaks loose. What follows is some completely orgasmic robot on robot action that's sure to arouse the sci-fi freak within. If you're as fascinated by robots like the rest of us, please watch this one! In fact, go ahead and watch the Transformers 2 trailer; we're REALLY looking forward to the movie!

 

Escape from New York

Released: 1981
Genre: Action / Adventure
Win-o-meter: 4.5 / 5

Escape from New York is one hell of an action flick! When the President's plane crashes into a maximum security prison, the government hires (or manipulates, rather) Snake Plissken (Kurt Russel) to work with them to rescue the President. The bad-ass Plissken blows up anything and everything in his way, to give a truly wholesome treat for all of you that love maximum destruction!

 

Blade (1 & 2)

Released: 1998
Genre: Action / Gore
Win-o-meter: 5 / 5

When you think of 'Vampire Slayer', does Buffy come to mind? If it does, you fail miserably! Please find a nice dark alley and get your blood sucked by a million mosquitoes! 'Blade' (Wesley Snipes) is about a half-mortal, half-vampire, and full kick-ass vampire slayer who slaughters more vampires than a completely sexually active covenant of vampires could produce in a 100 years, and doesn't even blink. If you like your action down and dirty, and love vampire movies, this one's certainly for you.

These were all the movies I could think of right now, and I'm sure there are a ton more that I've missed out on. If you think you could recommend more flicks to our gamer brethren, please do so by leaving a comment!