Top 10 Movies Men Must See and What Beer to Drink While Watching Them

Mission Statement:

All men love movies. All men love beer. I wish to share with you, eager male readers (or perhaps fun loving partners of a male movie and beer lover), my own personal and coveted top ten essential guy flicks that are “must sees,” along with the appropriate beer that should be consumed while partaking in such a honored tradition; the tradition of men, movies and beer. This is not a discriminating list either. Gay or strait, my Top 10 Movies with Beer is for all men, as all men must stand together in this crazy world regardless of sexual orientation to achieve greatness. That being said, I must state this important disclaimer. I, as a strait man, will not be arrogant or ignorant enough to speak on the behalf of the awesome power that is the homosexual man; and therefore will not include stereotypical comments like “and even if you can’t stand action movies just look at that hot sweaty body of Brad Pitt,” or, “and even if you ‘swing the other way’ check out the package of David Bowie in those tight shorts,” as they are empty and thoughtless attempts to cover my own butt (pun intended). I speak on my own accord, and just want to share what I feel should be seen. Enough banter, on with the list.

The Movies:

10. The Terminator. No man could ever be standing with a group of people with the classic movie “The Terminator” flash on the T.V. and have nothing to add when inevitably everyone around him erupts with praise and applause. You would look like the stinky kid eating paste out of a jar while everyone else is playing dodge ball.

Beer: This is a definite calling for Bad Ass Ale, brewed in Lake Tahoe. The name defines itself, a very stout taste for all you strong ale enthusiasts.

9. Princess Bride. Easily argued for a chick flick; let me explain how wrong you are. There is no greater adventure story, to date, of a man going after his loved one. None. Furthermore, there isn’t a single man out there who hasn’t watched this movie and then for the next, oh, lifetime, dreamt of swashbuckling swords against impossible numbers and conquering all odds where in the end he saves his love and escapes into the sunrise still the most badass sword fighter ever to slash his way to the big screen… Goosebumps gentlemen… Goosebumps.

Beer: Due to the feminine qualities of this movie pick combined with the obvious components making it a man made movie classic, Corona Extra is the beer of choice for this movie. Lime optional and only slightly a chick drink, men from all over will be able to enjoy this fine brew while watching a man’s diamond in the rough movie.

8. Animal House. All right, all right, enough with the hisses! I know some of you expected this a little later on this list, perhaps even at number one… I will admit that during the first few drafts of my list it actually was. However, upon reflection and looking deeper into my inner man I have decided that it appropriately stands at number 8, and should be lucky that it isn’t at number 10 or even off the list. It could be argued that it is the ultimate man’s man movie; Animal House is the original N.L. movie about beer, boobs, and bonking (heck, it was even Kevin Bacon’s first movie), but its concept has sadly been repeated thoughout the generations thus taking away from its original credit. Here in lies the point. This movie has been copied over and over again since its début in 1978, and therefore has lost its high rankings on the list of men’s must see movies. A man could watch similar movies and still get the same beer, boobs, and bonking from a multitude of different knock offs. Ask a teen in high school what ‘Animal House’ is and they will most likely answer with a “huh?” but ask them about another movie further down my list and they will tell you who the director is. However, it is the original and that counts for something, thus its appearance on my list.

Beer: Most light beers will do for this movie as long as you finish the ENITRE keg before the movie is through, on your own. When Louie Louie comes on during Pinto’s initiation, you should be about halfway through. Light beer of my choice, my college throw back to Natty-Light. Yours should be a light beer throw back to college as well. If you aren’t in college yet, STOP DRINKING. If you’re old enough to drink but found college isn’t for you, a popular hometown light beer will work just fine.

7. Pulp Fiction. Possibly the only good recent (therefore to all you crazies who were going to scream “Reservoir Dogs,” hush, I said recent) movie Q.T. has put out. Not only does it have some of most intense scenes shot in movies, the dialog between the two main characters of the movie depicts one of the greatest male friendships ever seen in movie history. It dives into all aspects of real friendship being truth, respect, and the ability to joke around. Fantastic movie.

Beer: A little known Japanese beer called Asahi Super Dry. Just like the movie, it’s complicated and confusing to follow throughout most of the tasting experience however right when you think all is lost, at the very end the beer stands out and becomes exceptional.

6. Stand By Me. This movie takes on some of the most serious and profound psychological experiences a young man can have, and in the end learning how the only way to survive is through the friendships he makes in life at a young age when girls don’t matter and all you have is your boys. A man never forgets who his first best friends where; they help direct you into what you are down the road of life.

Beer: The beer for this movie is Miller High Life, the beer geared towards the fathers of all the characters in the movie. Not sweet to taste, but just like the movie gets the correct point across; life is hard so rise up or grin and bear it.

5. Enter the Dragon. Truth being told, number 5 goes to any movie done by the untouchable Bruce Lee. The man is a legend, and should be respected as such. He created an entire martial art study based only on killing the opponent; he devised an art based only on taking down the opponent as quickly and effectively as possible. He is the ultimate figurehead of an individual who had a goal, and focused every single one of his abilities to accomplish that dream. If every man truly had such an intense drive, the world would be a much better place. The only problem is he didn’t leave room for anything else; i.e. sexual relationships. Big whoops and keeping him and his movies from number 1, but none the less kick ass and a must on my list.

Beer: One of the best beers out there and one of my personal favorites: Tsingtao from China. Absolutely powerful in taste just as Bruce Lee was, but also like him surprisingly light and quick to satisfy even the pickiest of beer enthusiasts.

4. Alien/Aliens. Ahh, lots of heads shaking here, I can feel them through the web waves. That’s okay, time for men to pause and give credit where credit is due. A man can’t be the hero every time, and it’s with this movie that we take a step back and realize the amazing potential in the force that is woman. There is not a single man out there who wasn’t screaming when the alien popped out of nowhere in the air duct scene in the first “Alien,” or a single man who wasn’t audibly cheering at the screen when Ripley was fighting the Queen Alien in “Aliens.” “Aliens” is arguably the best action flicks ever made, and it must be respected and appropriately placed on my list.

Beer: Of course it has to be something alien or unknown to most of us, hopefully I will be able to pick a beer so unknown it will be considered alien to all readers for sake of my own ego. The beer is called La Penneffoise and is a Belgian blond ale. I have never tasted this ale (and is therefore alien to me) and it came to my attention via a rare beer list found from Michael Jackson’s rare beer club list; I must assume that most will find this beer as alien yet curiously appealing as I have. Perfect for this movie.

3. Top Gun. My God, I remember getting Ray Ban Aviators four years ago in college, you know, the ones with the silver reflection, just because they are still soooo sweet. Why are they sweet? “That’s right Ice, I AM dangerous!” F-15’s, Russian migs, motorcycles, and volleyball; it’s the perfect formula for a man’s movie. Okay, the volleyball wasn’t necessary but it was totally the 80’s, and keeping that in mind it’s still one of the best guy movies out there. Tom Cruise pre-scientology too, just an added bonus.

Beer: The best beer to drink during this movie is Miller Lite. Smooth like flying in a F-15, and drinking enough of it results in a night of high flying shenanigans any Maverick would be proud of.

2. Bloodsport. Classic guy movie at its best, I mean come on, Jean-Claude Van Damme? You just can’t beat it. Not only does it have crazy ninja fighting throughout the entire movie, it also has one of the first scenes in a movie that shows an exposed bone, and why was it exposed? Because it got an amazing cool ninja awesome karate kick to the shin causing the shattered bone of the victim to puncture out, that’s right, OUT of the skin and WE GET TO SEE IT. An absolute must for any aspiring cage fighter or any other man with an exposed bone (exposed only when appropriate of course!).

Beer: For this movie, my beer selection may come as a surprise. Without further ado, I choose Pabst Blue Ribbon or the famous PBR beer. It is one of the greatest classic beers, always delivering a punch during the first drink that is not forgotten, even to the most dedicated PBR lover. One must have as much PBR while watching Bloodsport; the more PBR taken in the less it hurts when seeing a bone pierce through skin.

1. A Walk to Remember. Yeah, I said it, so what. You gotta be crazy not to think this movie is flipping amazing. She’s sick and it’s not her fault, she’s just trying to survive in the hectic world that is high school while battling her own demons. Come ON, that guy loves her despite all her problems; you should all be so lucky!! Hey, BACK OFF, YOU DON’T KNOW ME, WHATEVER, DON’T JUDGE ME!! OHH, LOOK WHO’S ALL TOUGH NOW, MR. “What about Batman? The last one was pretty good,” BUT IT STILL HAS NOTHING COMPARED TO MICHAEL KEATON’S VERSION OR EVEN ADAM WEST’S MOVIE OR T.V. SERIES!! WHAT??? DID YOU JUST ASK “WHO’S ADAM WEST????” WHATEVER, I DIDN’T JUDGE YOU WHEN YOU SAID RAMBO WAS BETTER THAN TOP GUN, SO STEP BACK BEFORE YOU GET STEPPED ON!!! And breathe… whew… Just kidding anyway, settle the eff down.

Beer: Michelob Ultra. Watered down and repeated usage results in nothing but frustration. Nothing ever comes from watching the movie, just as no buzz ever comes from drinking the beer.

AND DRUM ROLL PLEASE…

The moment you have all been waiting for, the Number 1 Man Movie of all time!

1. Rocky. Hands down, the absolute greatest guy’s movie ever made. Here’s a simple man with a simple quest; to be nothing more than he is, and to be the very best at it. He is a thesis all of its own: In a world where everything beats him down he still finds the inner strength to fight his way back up. Movies just don’t get any better than that. Nobody, man or woman, wasn’t cheering “Rocky, Rocky, Rocky” with a fist clenched high in the air and a heart beat matching “Eye of the Tiger” while watching that movie either for the first time or for the 100^th time. That’s how you know it’s the greatest man movie ever made, no matter how many times you’ve seen it you still find yourself with an elevated heart beat and anxiety that comes with no other movie. Best man movie ever, Rocky. Period.

Beer: Only the truest and bluest, honest and age ol’ all American beer can be devoted to such an amazing man classic. Therefore, the only beer to knock back with vigor while watching this movie can only be Bud or Bud Light. The alcohol itself will conform and morph its clear color through your veins into the colors of red, white and blue. You will find yourself becoming punch drunk with love for the movie, becoming even more in awe of the best movie ever made for a man and for quite possibly the best movie ever made. Well, maybe not the best movie ever made, but I challenge you to find a better movie after being a case deep in all American goodness. Instead of ending your prayers with Amen, you’ll find yourself screaming towards the heavens: Yo Adrian!! Adrian!!

And There's the List!

So there you have it, 10 to 1 with beers and all. Let me know what you think!! What did I miss, what movies or beers have I left out of the many lists of history? Let me know, and happy watching!