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• Point Break (1991)

The plot of Kathryn Bigelow's 1991 film Point Break almost sounds like a parody of the action genre: a cop named Johnny Utah (played by none other than Keanu Reeves) goes undercover as a surfer to catch a band of bank robbers (led by Patrick Swayze) known as the Ex-Presidents. The film is ridiculous as all get out, yet it is an adrenaline-fueled thrillride that is sure to put a big, testosterone-fueled smile on any action buff's face. As the movie unfolds, Utah and Bodhi (Swayze) both learn of each other's secret identity after becoming friends, yet they still remain bros in the hope that each can bring the other down.

In one of the film's most heart-stopping scenes, Bodhi convinces Utah to go skydiving. Not knowing whether this is a ploy to get the cop out of the picture, Utah agrees to jump with the knowledge that his chute may or may not actually work, resulting in him possibly plummeting to his death. After everyone jumps, the camera lushly captures the descent in a series of beautiful shots. As the men dance through the air, Utah and Bodhi actually have a moment of bonding even though their hidden agendas are nearing exposure. The scene does a fantastic job at portraying the beauty in skydiving, as all plot is forgotten for a few minutes as amazing cinematography captures the fall from every possibly angle. The rush finally ends as the men all safely hit the ground. This scene captures the jist of Point Break perfectly, as it is best to look at the film not for its plot, but for its breathtaking action.