Director's Best of: Part 1 in a series: 10 Duels

I'm having trouble falling asleep tonight so I've decided to do a best-of film series leading up to the oscars 2 weeks from now. First up is Best Duels, defined as the hero fighting mono a mono, in no particular order. Hope I haven't missed anything is my sleepy state. Click the film titles to go to a youtube video of said duel.

The Vikings: Einar vs Erik
One of my personal favorites, this is a brutal fight between a freed one-handed slave and a one-eyed viking who realize that they're half brothers, yet still fight to the death because they truly hate each other. And they fight at the top of a castle tower, for real. Which leads me to...

The Secret of NIMH: Justin vs Jenner
I don't know if yinz have seen it but this is one of the darker and genuinely scary animated films. It was actually made by a bunch of disgruntled Disney animators who wanted to make something serious and well-made. Turns out they liked the duel from the vikings so much that they used it for their fight here between the rats.

The Matrix:Morpheus vs Neo
I'm calling this one out in particular because not only does it feature great fight choreography but we get a philosophy lesson from Morpheus at the same time. And it's fun.

Way of the Dragon: Bruce Lee vs Chuck Norris
No explanation necessary, other than to say that I love how one of Bruce Lee's moves is to rip off Chuck Norris's chest hair.

Star Trek: Arena: Captain Kirk vs a Gorn
I don't want to ruin how awful, and therefore awesome, this fight is. It has to been seen to be believed. Trust me: I'm a director.

Aliens: Ripley vs Alien Queen
I was sweating the first time I saw this scene because the Alien Queen is so monstrous and looks like the real thing. Not once did I stop and think to myself "that's a cool alien costume". I believed it was real. If the case for practical effects needs an exhibit A, I present this scene. It also has an interesting subtext, with Ripley acting as a mother figure to Newt and the Alien Queen as mother of the aliens - it's the ultimate bitch fight.

The Good the Bad and the Ugly: Angel Eyes vs Tuco vs Blondie
Sergio Leone is the maestro of the "Opera of Violence." Fact.

Predator: Arnold vs the Predator
I think we can all agree on this one. And since I'm sure you know it shot by shot an explanation isn't necessary.

Drunken Master: Wong Fei-Hung vs Thunderleg
Jackie Chan's best and earliest film, coincidentally directed by Yuen Woo-Ping, the famous fight choreographer for such films as the Matrix. In order to avenge his humiliation, Jackie Chan must learn the mysterious Drunken Kung Fu from his hobo uncle. In the final battle, he has to get completely trashed so he can fight with the styles of each of the "Eight Drunken Immortals", including the goofy "Drunken Miss Ho" style.

Snatch: Mickey O'Neil vs some dude
I think Snatch is Guy Ritchie's best film by far. It's the most kinetic, the most fun, and has a great ending that you don't see coming. Part of that is because of the set-up: Brad Pitt's gypsy boxer is supposed to the throw the fight, but he doesn't, and we think all is lost for our heroes. And then BLAM!