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CineChart: Director David Gordon Green's Action Favorites

When director David Gordon Green approached the stunt drivers on the set of The Dukes of Hazzard and said he eventually wanted "to do some crazy shit" with them, he wasn't joking. With the release of The Pineapple Express, he realized his car chase action fantasies and then some. The explosive comedy places its two lackadaisical protagonists, played by Seth Rogen and James Franco, in ridiculous situations where they dodge the violent wrath of a vindictive drug lord, exploiting conventions of the "high octane thrill ride(s)" which practically spill out of the multiplex these days.

Pineapple recalls seminal genre films of the '80s and early '90s which many of today's teens and 20-somethings grew up watching. We asked Green to name the 10 movies which influenced his directorial foray into action, and he provided us with the following list of 11, counting one sequel. Get thee to a rental outpost after perusing his suggestions.

1. The Blues Brothers








2. Conan the Barbarian








3. The Gravy Train (a.k.a. The Dion Brothers)








4. Midnight Run








5. They Live








6. If Looks Could Kill








7. Home Alone








8. (and 9.) Die Hard and Die Hard 2








10. No Holds Barred










10. Lone Wolf McQuade










—Heidi Atwal
08.08.08