Noir
Western
John Carpenter
War
Australian
The Third Man, possible the ultimate Noir film.
Night of the Hunter, another Noir which is pure distilled awesome.
Miller's Crossing, modern Noir by the Cohen Brothers, a beautiful film to look at.
The Searchers, find out why everyone makes a fuss about John Wayne and John Ford.
The Good the Bad and the Ugly, Blondie, Tuco, and Angel-Eyes go on a road trip.
Once Upon a Time in the West, operatic, balletic, and mesmerising, it helps if you are familliar with the genre, but isn't necessary.
Escape from New York, trashy fun.
Big Trouble in Little China, trashier fun.
The Thing, John Carpenter gets classy, but still a bit trashy and a lot of fun.
Platoon, the definitive 'Nam film.
The Big Red One, a WW2 film by someone who was there, plus it has Lee Marvin and Luke Skywalker.
All Quiet On The Western Front, the war to end all wars.
Mad Max 2/ The Road Warrior, I love the first film but this one has more action, more violence, and Bruce Spence.
The Boys, see Faramir as a terrifying brooding malevolence, with a spinechilling soundtrack by The Necks.
Chopper, just Chopper, I met him once and he was friendly and agreeable but you always remember he is capable of great violence.