In the history of "guy" movies, there has been only one that could ever hope to claim the top spot as the very essence of what a guy movie should be, according to me of course.  And that movie is one that centers around the story of an Italian Stallion, Rocky Balboa.

I have thought long and hard about what film could claim this distinctive honor and I must say it was truly a grueling task.  In the annals of film history there have been many very good guy movies.  Let's take a look at the films that made my top 5:

• Rocky: Of course no 1 is Rocky, cause I just said that.  Sheesh.
• The Godfather: This was a tough choice really, but I think that Rocky still wins for many reasons I will cover shortly.
• The Dirty Dozen: Jim Brown, running with grenades... do I really need to say more?
• The Seven Samurai: The quintessential action movie, but wrapped within its layers lurk valour, sacrifice and honor.
• The Quiet Man: Now I am sure that many a' man will disagree with me, but I think that this is my favorite movie of all time and more than worthy to be listed here.

Now lets look at each movie in a bit more detail, note: the IMdb ratings are rounded up for ease of HTML entity use.

Rocky, 1976

The original Rocky was a cinematic masterpiece as well as a breakthrough roll for writer and star Sylvester Stalone.  This movie tops my personal list of the greatest due to its themes and central message.  In a herculanean feat Rocky's sheer force of will and his heart keep him up and fighting when a lesser man would have fallen bloodied to the mat.  I believe the final scene in the ring shows man at his finest, two warriors exhausted from an epic struggle collapse into each others arms, each acknowledging the worth of the other, culminating in my favorite exchange of diaologue in the movie:

Appolo Creed: "Ain't gonna be no rematch."
Rocky: "Don't want one."

What more can you say?

IMdb Rating for Rocky (out of 10): ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Godfather, 1972

Ah The Godfather.  The pinnacle of mafia movies and the standard that all crime dramas are still held up to today.  This movie loses to Rocky, mainly because I find the positive message of Rocky is more fitting for the top spot.  That being said I still love this movie.  The caliber of acting turned in is nothing short of extroirdinary.  The themes of loyalty, love and sacrifice while obsured by the corruption of the violent mafioso society is never-the-less stirring and inspiring.

IMdb Rating for The Godfather (out of 10): ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Dirty Dozen, 1967

This film explores redemption from past offenses and sacrifice for brothers-in-arms.  With precision choreagraphed action sequences that still thrill fans of action and war films to this day.  With noteworthy performances turned in by a stellar cast, this movie has been much copied, but never replicated or surpassed.  And as I said before how can you go wrong with Jim Brown running, throwing grenades?

IMdb Rating for The Dirty Dozen (out of 10): ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Seven Samurai, 1954

What can you really say about this movie?  Well I can say "moron!" to anyone who has not seen this movie.  Heralded as the Greatest action movie ever put on film the Seven Samurai is the ultimate story of honor and sacrifice, for strangers no less.  One of the greatest contributions to global society in my mind from the Japanese is the extreme sense of honor and loyalty espoused by bushido, the warriors philosophy and the code that all Samurai live and die by.  And there is no better illustration of this than that of the story of these Seven Samurai who defend a village from an army of bandits.  There is not enough room here to adequately describe to you the experience of seeing this movie, so you should just go out and watch it yourself.  Now.

IMdb Rating for The Seven Samurai (out of 10): ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Quiet Man, 1952

Lastly this movie is the authors perogative.  Meaning that I get to say this is no 5 and you can't argue with me.  Ha!  Seriously though, I think that this is the most beautifully shot movie John Ford ever made, and my favorite roll John Wayne ever turned in.  The Duke is not given enough credit for his comedic abilities and I think that this movie shows his timing off well.

The climactic fight between Sean Thornton (John Wayne) and Squire Red Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen) is glorious and fun, moving through the small Irish town as bets are placed and drinks are consumed (by the combatans no less).  There are numerous themes to this piece from the independence and worth of Mary Kate, to the coming to terms that Sean goes through while talking to the village priest.  Just a beautiful and fun movie.

IMdb Rating for The Quiet Man (out of 10): ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★