The Latest from Cactus Tactical: Gunfights & Films

Gunfights & Films

This week we take a look three films that exemplify some of the best gun fights in modern cinema. Today we are taking a look at Smoking Aces, The Boondock Saints and Heat. Movies that are known for being action packed and rife with exciting shootouts. Three very different plotlines, premises and good vs. evil climactic endings, but what unifies them all is good old fashioned gunfight scenes. Weather it's a group of assassins, a pair of vigilantes or a power struggle between cops and robbers, these are the three films I watch over and over again.

https://youtu.be/ohhxbsp8Mss

#3 Smokin' Aces: Written and directed by Joe Carnahan was released in 2007 and starred Ryan Reynolds, Jeremy Piven and Ray Liotta with a slew of famous cameos and bit parts played by the who's who of Hollywood at the time. The plot line revolves around several groups of assassins all with the same primary target. Buddy "Aces" Israel is in some hot water and there are plenty of chef's waiting to boil this lobster. His only hope is two FBI agents that are just trying to do their job but find themselves mired in something bigger than they realized. The list of firearms used in this film are amongst some of the finest on the market as well as some scenes with some pretty interesting customs modifications. The plot line twists and turns as we focus on our anti-hero Buddy Israel and the long list of assassins hell bent on being the ones that acquire the prize. Smokin' Aces takes us on an insane journey with riotous violence brought into one scene after another. Two scenes which stand out the most in my mind are the elevator scene with Ray Liotta and the scene where the character Sharice decides to enact vengeance on anyone in the lobby of the hotel where Israel was being kept. .

The FBI Special Agent Donald Carruthers (Ray Liotta) and the other FBI Agents also carry the Heckler & Koch USP as their sidearm

A sideview of the Barrett Barrett M82A1 sniper rifle .50 BMG

For more information about the firearms used in this film go to http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Smokin%27_Aces

https://youtu.be/x04M-C0pF-U

#2 The Boondock Saints: Written and Directed by Troy Duffy and set in Boston was released in 1999, it became a cult classic. Starring Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery as fraternal brothers looking to rid the world of "evil men", The Boondock Saints take us on a wild ride of Irish Justice in mafia ridden America. The gun fight scenes in this film are intense and vigilant. Some would say this was our first glimpse of Reedus' more well known character of Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead. With the help of Rocco and later their father, The Saints attempt to eliminate the corruption that has taken over their city. Twenty-one different handguns were used in this film, as well as several different types of machine guns, sub-machine guns and the list goes on. The plot line of this film is easy to follow but not always predictable making it a film that has become loved by just about anyone. The most notable firearms used in this film are those held by the two brothers and the ones used by their father in the scene where he unleashes 6 guns on his then unknown sons and their companion.

Connor (Sean Patrick Flanery) and Murphy (Norman Reedus) McManus use pairs of suppressed Beretta 92FS pistols when dispatching various criminals in the film. They also give Rocco (David Della Rocco) a pair of Berettas when they recruit him to their team. We see the McManus brothers use these weapons through the entirety of the film as these guns are their "go to" firearms. My other favorite shoot out scene involves the introduction of "Il Duce" and his six gun vest. Il Duce was armed with an Taurus PT92, Para Ordnance P-14, Smith & Wesson Model 629, Smith & Wesson Model 686, Smith & Wesson 5906, and a Para Ordnance P-10.

The ending of this film is by far one of my favorite cinematic endings in any film. If you haven't had a chance to watch it do yourself a favor and check it out today. The speech is truly epic.
For more information on the guns used in this film go to http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/The_Boondock_Saints

#1 Heat: Written and directed by Michael Mann this film was released in 1995. This crime drama is marked as the first onscreen pairing of legendary actors Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Pacino stars in the film as Vincent Hanna, a lieutenant in the LAPD's Robbery Homicide Division who is determined to take down a robbery crew led by the master Neil McCauley (De Niro). This film is most well known for its detailed depiction of the techniques used by both the law enforcement and their counterpoint criminal elements. First making it's appearance as the 1989 television movie L.A. Takedown, Heat also was reported to have been viewed repeatedly by the robbery duo involved in the infamous North Hollywood shootout (depicted in the film 44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shootout). This films influence was also the felt by Christopher Nolan who used this inspiration to make The Dark Knight. Heat has it all, a love story, a heist story and a final shoot out of legendary proportions. A realistic jaunt into the streets of L.A. and a stylish gunfight that many films emulate to this day.

Some of the LAPD officers are seen armed with Remington 870s during the bank robbery shootout.

A bright and methodical film we here at Cactus Tactical LOVE this film. If you haven't had the pleasure of enjoying this mastery of crime drama you need to as soon as possible.

For a full listing of the firearms used in this film go to http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Heat

SPOILER ALERT!
https://youtu.be/ZL9fnVtz_lc

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Labels: cinema, films, firearms, guns