The Martlet

When it’s just you and the boys for the evening, it’s necessary to do something manly. Chop some wood, shoot something — whatever you can do to pump the testosterone.

But maybe you’ll get splinters from chopping wood, and guns can get you in trouble. Before deflating to watching Gossip Girl when your girlfriend is out for the evening, take a look at the list of manly movies that guarantee to save your bobbly bits from falling off.

Oldboy (2003) Rating: 8/10 Length: 145 minutes Tagline: 15 years of imprisonment, five days of vengeance Synopsis: A man is imprisoned without reason for 15 years. After he is released, he immediately seeks explanation and revenge. Manliest moment: The anti-hero Oh-Dae Su is armed with only a hammer when he’s confronted with dozens of thugs. Why it’s manly: Oh Dae-Su loses most of his humanity during his imprisonment, where he spent 15 years teaching himself to fight. If you like this, check out: The Host

Enter the Dragon (1973) Rating: 7/10 Length: 137 minutes Tagline: The first American-produced martial arts spectacular Synopsis: A master martial artist acts as a spy when a one armed drug lord holds a martial arts tournament. Manliest moment: Bruce Lee performs a flying kick so fast it couldn’t be captured on film at 24 frames a second. Why it’s manly: Bruce Lee defined the martial arts genre, and this film is the pinnacle of his career. If you like this, check out: The Protector, Kiss of the Dragon, Drunken Master

Hard Boiled (1992) Rating: 9/10 Length: 127 minutes Tagline: He’s a cop with brains, brawn and an instinct to kill. Synopsis: A tough-as-nails cop and an undercover agent team up to shut down a sinister mobster. Manliest moment: Inspector Tequila slides down a banister with both guns blazing. Why it’s manly : Hard Boiled made stylish, over-the-top action what it is today. If you like this, check out: The Matrix, Equilibrium, Hot Fuzz

Predator (1987) Rating: 7.5/10 Length: 107 minutes Tagline: Soon the hunt begins. Synopsis: A team of commandos on a mission in the jungle are the prey of an alien hunter. Manliest moment: Commando Blain states, “I ain’t got time to bleed.” Why it’s manly: Not one of the commandos breaks down to hysterics or weeping. Anyone who dies does it in an obtuse and unnecessarily gory manner — as all men should. If you like this, check out: Alien

Conan the Barbarian (1982) Rating: 7/10 Length: 130 minutes Tagline: He conquered an empire with his sword. She conquered him with her bare hands. Synopsis: A child is sold into slavery and then grows into a man who seeks revenge against the warlord responsible for the eradication of his tribe. Manliest moment: Conan chops the villain’s head off (aptly named Thulsa Doom) with only a glare instead of the typical one-liner. This was revolutionary in the ‘80s. Why it’s manly: Arnold Schwarzenegger is in the best shape of his career. He proves that he can shoot them and plunge a sword through their head. If you like this, check out: Lord of the Rings

Sin City (2005) Rating: 8/10 Length: 147 minutes Tagline: There is no justice without sin. Synopsis: The stories of three people caught in the corruption of Basin City. Manliest moment: Marv leaps feet-first through the front window of a cop car barreling down on him, killing the two policemen inside. Why it’s manly: The visually groundbreaking style and terrific violence are unmatched. If you like this, check out: Pulp Fiction