With Edge of Darkness coming out this weekend I thought it would be nice to introduce this weekly Top Ten list with my Top Ten Revenge Films.

Revenge movies are actually very common and if you look closely at a movie you can find a lot of revenge subplots in most movies.  However, for this list a film qualifies only if the main purpose of the film is to enact revenge. No minor character revenge subplots allowed here or any of that. Check out the list below.

10 – Cape Fear (1991) (dir .Martin Scorsese)

Max Cady (Robert De Niro) is released from prison after serving 14 years inside for rape.  He decides as soon as he gets out to start stalking the lawyer that defended him, Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte).  This movie may not be the Scorsese fan favorite but I think it deserves a lot of praise because of what he accomplished. He made a quality 70s-esque thriller with a great set of actors.  You may laugh at De Niro for being a bit of a caricature but it is a great performance in one of the best revenge films.

9 – Desperado (1995) (dir. Robert Rodriguez)

El Mariachi (Antonio Baderas) is looking for Bucho (Joaquim de Almeida), a local drug runner.  Bucho murdered El Marichi’s family and he’s out for revenge.  When I think of a revenge movie this is the first thing that pops up in my head.  It’s some of the most fun a film can bring as we watch Banderas shoot up bars and make a mess all over town looking for the one man who’s done him wrong.

8 – V for Vendetta (2005) (dir. James McTeigue)

In a post apocalyptic London, England V (Hugo Weaving) is out to get the government for what they’ve done to his country and him.  Here is a great stylistic action flick with one of the most interesting characters you can find in comic books and film.

7 – Taken (2008) (dir. Pierre Morel)

Bryan’s (Liam Neeson) daughter is taken while on a trip in France.  As a former badass he returns to his ways to find his daughter before it’s too late. On the way he annihilates everyone involved, making sure that they show the appropriate amount of regret for their actions.

6 – Inglorious Basterds (2009) (dir. Quentin Taratino)

Yes, this is a revenge film.  The film isn’t all about Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) hurting the Nazis, but more about Shosanna (Melanie Laurent) getting back at the Nazi’s for what they did to her family.  It’s a great film and should be seen by all.  Tarantino is  his best, giving us some of the best characters you can find in this WWII fantasy film.

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