The Warriors

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In director Walter Hill's 1979 cult classic film, The Warriors, the leader of New York City's largest street gang is murdered by a rival gang leader, who frames The Warriors for the act, and they have to spend the night running, hiding, and fighting their way from the Bronx back to the safety of their Coney Island turf. Unaware (at first) that every gang in the city is looking for them, The Warriors are in a state of disarray. They are locked into a power struggle when Swan (Michael Beck,) has to take over as War Chief after their leader, Cleon (Dorsey Wright) turns up missing, a move challenged by Ajax, (James Remar.) The gang has been saddled with Mercy (Deborah Van Valkenburgh,) a tag along from a neighborhood they've passed through, and the police are looking to lock up every gang member in the city. The Warriors is, frankly, a blast. The gangs are cartoonish, but the fight scenes are great, and intensify in progression (and this isn't just mindless gun violence. There are just two guns in the entire movie, neither of which, other than in the opening scene, factor in much.) Notable actors include Roger Hill as the murdered gang leader Cyrus, David Patrick Harris as his killer (who reportedly improvised his famous "Waaaarioors, come out to plaaaaay" scene,) Lynne Thigpen as an underground radio DJ, and Mercedes Ruehl, who plays a plainclothes cop. While the film's score (outstanding) was composed and performed by Barry De Vorzon, the soundtrack also features songs from Joe Walsh and Desmond Child. Honestly, I could watch this movie every night and not tire of it. Something about it just fires me up, and in a good, productive way, not in an "I gotta go fight someone now" way. It is definitely an all time favorite. (Info verified by Wikipedia)