Looking to Gain an Adrenaline Rush, Read This!

A combination of thrillers and action films I have assembled a list of movies that survive on their ability to raise the hair on your arm.

'Point Break' (1991)

Point Break follows Keanu Reeves who plays Jonny Utah, an undercover cop looking to infiltrate a group of bank robbers. After proposing those committing the crimes are surfers he is accompanied by his superior, portrayed by Gary Busey, as they set out to scrounge the California coast in search of the group. The new recruit quickly finds himself in over his head as he begins to infiltrate the gang.

'The Place Beyond the Pines' (2012)

The second film on this list to encompass extreme sports with theft. The Place Beyond The Pines portrays Ryan Gosling's character as a stuntman who struggles to provide for his estranged family eventually leading to a life of crime. After making the acquittance of a local bank robber who acquires his unique riding abilities to assist him, he finds himself serving as a helpful accomplice. Followed in close pursuit by Bradley Cooper, who plays an officer of the law, the two quickly find themselves in hot water. Events that eventually conspire have lasting consequences that are felt for decades.

'The Dark Knight' (2008) (Rotten Tomatoes 94 Percent)

Serving as the second installment in the Nolan Batman universe, The Dark Knight follows Bruce Wayne as he struggles to maintain the mantle while addressing the death of a longtime friend and facing his greatest foe yet. Of the cast, Heath Ledger who portrayed the Joker, was awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor following the sudden tragedy which ended his life. Despite containing characters from the DC Comics, The Dark Knight’s success has been attributed to its cinematic ability to abandon the traditional superhero compensation and focus rather on other genres of film. Released in the summer of 2008, The Dark Knight is a cinematic masterpiece which has remained untouched by any other film of the same genre.

'Casino Royale' (2006) (Rotten Tomatoes 94 Percent)

Serving as a reboot of the James Bond series, Casino Royale released in 2006 promised a fresh start for 007. Bond, played by Daniel Craig, embarks on a mission to catch Le Chiffre, portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen who maintains and obtains funds through the use of a gambling community. Unlike previous Bond films, 007 does not remain unscathed following near-death experiences which accompany the non-stop action that continues throughout.

'The Town' (2010)

Available on Netflix, The Town starring Ben Affleck follows a group of bank thieves from Charlestown as they conduct heists throughout Boston. The group's safety is quickly jeopardized when Affleck develops feelings for a temporary hostage who is being investigated by the FBI in relation to their robbery.

'Training Day' (2001)

Training Day tells the story of Ethan Hawke's character, Jake, a rookie cop as he starts his first day on the job. Led by his superior played by Denzel Washington, Jake finds himself in danger when he discovers the line between crime and order is a lot thinner than he initially thought.

Point Break. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Performances by Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, and Gary Busey. Twentieth Century Fox, 1991.

The Place Beyond the Pines. Directed by Derek Cianfrance. Performances by Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, and Eve Mendes. Entertainment One, 2012.

The Dark Knight. Directed by Christopher Nolan. Performances by Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, and Aaron Eckhart. Warner Brothers, 2008.

Casino Royale. Directed by Martin Campbell. Performances by Daniel Craig, Eva Green, and Judi Dench. Columbia Pictures, 2006.

The Town. Directed by Ben Affleck. Performances by Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, and Jon Hamm. Warner Brothers, 2010.

Training Day. Directed by Antoine Fuqua. Performances by Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, and Scott Glenn. Warner Brothers, 2001.