MovieChat Forums > The Way of the Gun (2000) Discussion > Movies like this?

Movies like this?

posted 15 years ago by TheBeardedWonder
11 replies | jump to latest

Been a huge fan of this flick since I first caught it on VHS when it came out (still angry it was only in theaters for like a week).

Anyway, can anyone recommend movies like this? With good THOUGHT OUT action, a slow build up to the intense ending, badass characters who do whatever it takes, a modern western, etc...

The only few that come to mind are 2004's "The Punisher" (which was called a modern day Peckinpah movie when it came out), and the recent 'Edge of Darkness' (probably just because I saw it recently though). And 'the substitute' starring Tom Berenger.

So, anyone got any others?

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[–] aGuiltySoul 15 years ago

If you do a Google search you will find many bloggers and movie geeks who still write homages to this spectacular film. Whenever someone wants to convince me that I should get my panties in a twist over the Oscars, or SAG, or any other of the many yearly film awards--because they supposedly honor the best in filmmaking--I never fail to think of this gem that opened and quickly closed in its original theatrical release without finding an audience and without having received notice. Yet it has a large, diverse hard core fan base, like you and me, that adore it in every plot twist and golden one liner.

Here's a movie reviewer admitting in 2009 that they had done the film wrong when it was originally released, http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/349952/the_way_of_the_gun_retrospectiv e.html

And if you read it you'll see that the closest you'll get to this film will probably be Westerns. I'd probably steer you toward Clint Eastwoods Unforgiven. But really, TWOTG is a one of a kind.

"I'd never ask you to trust me. It's the cry of a guilty soul."

[–] house_head1753 15 years ago

aGuiltySoul is right. There really is no other movie like this. There are movies that share some elements, but none that take it this far. Even with movies similar to this, you've got an anti-hero who may be flawed, but has at least some redeeming qualities. The people who you're "rooting for" in this movie are degenerate criminal lowlifes, who's master plan is to kidnap a pregnant woman and hold her for ransom. Yet despite all that, you want them to succeed. Asside from Parker having a brief change of heart at the motel, and Longbaugh the same at the cantina, neither of these characters did anything "good" for 2 straight hours. The closest things I've ever seen to this movie were "The Shield" and "Deadwood". The Shield was crazy, because for 7 seasons you were rooting for a crooked cop who shot one of his team members in the face for informing on him to his superiors. In Deadwood, Al Swearengen seems to be evil incarnate until Cy Tolliver shows up and gives him a run for his money. In season 3 George Hearst shows up and eclipses them both.

While there are no other movies quite like The Way of the Gun, if you liked it, you may also enjoy these (only basing this on the fact that I'm a huge fan of Way of The Gun, and also like these).

The Wild Bunch
Unforgiven
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Once Upon a Time in The West
Man On Fire
Yojimbo, A Fistfull of Dollars, and Last Man Standing (these 3 share the same story, but are set in different time periods. Yojimbo=Feudal Japan/Samurai, A Fistfull of Dollars=Western, and Last Man Standing=Prohibition/Gangster)
Heat
Colateral
Thief
State of Grace
Brother
Payback (The Director's Cut)

[–] TheBeardedWonder 15 years ago

Yeah, you guys seem to be right. As you said, there's a few that are somewhat close, but as far one just like this? Probably never gonna happen again...

Thanks for article guilty soul, very interesting read for a fan of this flick. And thanks to house_head as well, i've seen some of those movies/shows, but i'll be sure to check out the rest...

PS: Just picked up the blu ray of this, glad someone was on their guard and didn't let this slip past them in that regard...

In-film effects > CGI

[–] jimbosims2001 15 years ago

the OP posted a nice list, I'd like to add Sexy Beast - and to keep going with the ian McShane tip - th tv show Deadwood. Similar dialouge (not as well written as the Way of the gun) but pretty darn good.

[–] maximumcool 15 years ago

Ditto about "Heat" one of the best.
Um...someone ought to mention "The Usual Suspects"? I mean it's obvious but hey sometimes someone misses the obvious. That was written by McQuarrie and is one of the top movies ever.
If you haven't seen "Boondock Saints" that's one you'll like and, like this one, is known and loved by anyone who has ever seen it.
If you like Benicio Del Toro he does a beautiful job in "Hunted" and the director's commentary on that one is very interesting. Also for Benicio fans, "Traffic" but I wouldn't say it's that similar to this movie (just a good one).

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[–] Creedence_Leonore_Gielgud 15 years ago

Lets see:

High Plains Drifter -- This is Clint Eastwood's darkest role, and probably the darkest western ever. Pale Rider is a good companion to this, because it's almost like it's mirror opposite, though it's not really as good.

The Devil's Rejects -- Ending kinda blows imo, but the build up to it is really good. You might want to watch House of 1000 Corpses too (first), though it's a completely different type of movie--DR is a quasi-sequel to it.

Near Dark -- Vampire movie, shot like a modern day western. Lance Henriksen and Bill Paxton are both downright evil, badass and awesome in this.

Dead Man -- This has been called an anti-western. It's not a mindless, shoot-em-up. It has very little action (but a great deal of violence) actually. Lance Henriksen shines in this as well, but so does everyone else in it. Definitely one of Johnny Depp's most underrated roles.

Hitman -- I'm a huge fan of the video games, and while this doesn't live up to them, it's a worthy effort.

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[–] rainofwalrus 15 years ago

Jim Jarmusch's "Ghost Dog."

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[–] wringho 15 years ago

off the top of my head...

To Live and Die in LA
David Ayer movies like Harsh Times and Street Kings
the Pusher trilogy from Denmark
some British gangster flicks like The Business, Layer Cake, Gangster #1 and The Krays are pretty cool
Straw Dogs-this movie is hard to categorize, but I am willing to bet if you like TWOTG you'll appreciate this one, meaning the original as I can't speak to the remake
True Romance
Wrong Turn at Tahoe
some Russian mob movies are worth checking out like Blind Man's Bluff, Tycoon, Burner, and Brigada

http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=30033672

[–] snikt_snakt 14 years ago

Ronin

I love TWotG and Ronin equally. I have never not watched Ronin if I catch it on cable. TWotG gets significantly less airplay, but I have both on DVD anyway and have seen them both too many times to count.

The reason I love both movies is they showcase groups of guys who know what they are doing and are good at what they are doing, doing what they do.

In TWotG, it's criminals, bagmen, and bodyguards.

In Ronin, it's ex-CIA, ex-KGB, and various other spooks versus Russians and various other spies, all in an effort to steal a case despite the fact that most people involved don't even know what's in it. They were hired to steal it, so they are going to steal it.

Ronin had an amazing cast, too. De Niro, Jean Reno, Stellan Skarsgard, Natascha McElhone, Sean Bean, Jonathan Pryce.

Great gunfights (not as good as here though), great car chases and car stunts.

Highly recommended.

Both movies are on my All-Time Top Ten list.

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[–] luke-hancock 12 years ago

Maybe I missed it, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned No Country for Old Men.
I'd also like to second whoever said Ghostdog.

[–] flask 12 years ago

I would suggest Sam Peckinpah's "Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia" (1974) or Peckinpah's "The Getaway" (1972).