"GUY" films

"You have to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?" (flixster)

What are “guy" films? For one thing they are not made for the sushi eating, lily liver, liberal guys that we have to put up with today. You know who I mean: they are the ones who would never eat Tabasco Sauce, chicken wings, or drive a car that gets less than 30 miles per gallon. They get squeamish when guns are mentioned and they can’t wait to get one of those tiny Volt electric toy cars with the 100 mile range. Wow! That sounds exciting and they only cost $41,000!

For that crew I suggest they buy a ticket to see “The Devil Wears Prada”, "Beaches”, “The Women” or “Sex in the City” so they can wring the tears out of their hankies with their white wine drinking girlfriends (or boyfriends).

Guy movies are for guys who drive real cars or trucks, love burgers and fries, hot sauce, and don’t necessarily shave every day. And, if they did, it wouldn’t be with a fancy electric razor. These guys love sports and sports bars with plenty of TVs and would never wear lavender.

For them, movies with Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, and Clint Eastwood top their list of favorites. If the film is about war, cops, or loners they fit in nicely. It helps to have as much political incorrectness as possible as that movement has strangled our country and we need these guys to destroy it.

Unfortunately, Newman and McQueen are deceased but their films live on taking us back to an era when men were men, not imitation guys carrying European shoulder bags (purses!) and drinking light beer.

Eastwood is 80 but is still hanging on either through occasional acting gigs or directing films. What guy would ever get tired of him in “Dirty Harry” or “Unforgiven”?

Eastwood’s lines in “Dirty Harry” (1972) about the 44 Magnum being “the most powerful handgun in the world” and “You have to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?” are still memorable to guys. How about “Make my day” from “Sudden Impact”? Classic stuff.

Like “Dirty Harry”, “Bullitt” (1968), starring Steve McQueen, was filmed in San Francisco. The first thing guys think of from this film is Steve chasing the guys in the ’67 Dodge Charger while driving his Mustang 390GT. It’s great action but McQueen’s coolness rules the film; nothing can disturb that.

“Cool Hand Luke” (1967) shows Paul Newman at his best. In “Luke” he is a loser but has a never give up attitude toward escaping from a southern chain gang. Although he is always captured, he holds the respect of the other prisoners; especially after he eats all those hard boiled eggs!

I have to go now. Some of the guys are coming over to watch “The Magnificent Seven”, one of the all time great guy films. Not only does it have Steve McQueen but also Charles Bronson!

For those who don’t like that fare, I believe “Thelma and Louise” is showing just for you on another channel.

To leave a comment or to read the 60 other comments, click "Jim's azcentral blog" in the right column under links. You will not receive a virus. Jim McAllister writes for The Arizona Republic in Scottsdale, Arizona.