by Erik M. Dell

Created on: January 17, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

The trick is to find a good war movie. You don't want to much explosion sprinkled with sub-par acting (Pearl Harbor). But you also don't want great actors with war as an afterthought (The Quiet American). And for the sake of argument I'll stick with war movies that only involves America. Here is my top ten all-time greatest war movies ever list (in no particular order):

1) Full Metal Jacket - Stanley Kubrick's timeless story is riveting and jarring. The story starts out in boot camp and takes the audience on a ride straight into hell. Expertly acted with memorable scenes.

2) Saving Private Ryan - This movie single-handedly changed the way movies were made. The good guy (Tom Hanks) dies, the beginning is shot with that frame removed choppy action sequence (also seen in Gladiator and Band of Brothers), and a superstar cast in small roles that make great character development (Vin Diesel, Barry Pepper, etc). This movie brings so many good things to the table, a top notch film.

3) Flags of our Fathers - Great movie describing the horrors of Iwo Jima. Can't wait to see the Japanese version and how Iwo Jima does at the Oscars.

4) Platoon - Willem Dafoe steals the show with his gritty performance. And kudos for a Sheen (Charlie) actually doing something good.

5) Black Hawk Down - Amazing movie. Something I never thought I would say about a Ridley Scott/Jerry Bruckheimer Production. Eric Bana is the man as he plays an amalgam character called Hoot.

6) Glory - I have the ring tone for the final charge up the hill at the end of the movie. Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, and Morgan Freeman give you the chills as you watch stunned the entire 122 minutes.

7) Midway - Grew up watching this movie with my dad. A brilliant movie that shows the historically accurate turn of events during the most important engagement in the Pacific.

8) Memphis Belle - A great look at the life of a special group of bombers. Movie still blows me away.

9)Tora! Tora! Tora! - Forget that crappy Ben Affleck flick Pearl Harbor, this is the movie you should watch. A great look at both Japanese and American sides during this tense moment in history.

10)Apocalypse Now - Another great Sheen movie (2 in one top 10 list, must be a first). I'm not talking about all the remade versions just the original. Marlon Brando and Laurence Fishburne. Harrowing trippy movie that immediately makes you want to watch it again.

Now for my disclaimer: I couldn't have possibly watched all the movies in the world so I apologize for leaving your top ten off the list.

One movie that should never be on a top ten war movies list: WINDTALKERS directed by John Woo and starring the monotonous Nick Cage. Makes me want to shoot my TV.

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