It might seem as thoughSteamis primarily for buying video games, and for the most part, it is.Steamhas become the most populardistribution platform for PC gamesand the easiest way to download games on your computer. However, many people may be unaware that movies can also be downloaded through Steam.
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Granted, Steam doesn’t exactly have a huge collection of movies to collect, even in a genre as entertaining as action. But in spite of its focus as a games curator, there are still a handful of great, recognizable, and even iconic titles that can be purchased through the distributor.
5Reservoir Dogs
Quentin Tarantino’s first time in the director’s chairproved to be a successful one, asReservoir Dogshas become one of the director’s most iconic movies. The film follows a group of criminals who plan a jewelry store heist. After the heist goes horribly wrong, the group reconvenes and assumes that one of them must be an undercover cop; the rest of the film follows them as they tear each other apart, often with violent consequences.
While not quite as action-packed asKill Bill,Reservoir Dogsis still bloody and thrilling. Famously kickstarting the popularity of nonlinear storytelling in movies,Reservoir Dogsflashes back-and-forth from before and after the heist, constantly balancing out the quiet bits and the high-stakes tension. Even after thirty years,Reservoir Dogsis still intriguing and exciting.
4Ghost in the Shell
Now considered to be one of the best and most influential anime films of all time,Ghost in the Shellis based on the manga of the same name and can be rented or purchased through Steam. Set in Japan in the year 2029, it follows a cyborg security agent as she hunts a mysterious hacker who can rob people of their memories.
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Visually stunning and rich with meaning,Ghost in the Shellquickly became a cult classic despite its initial poor performance at the box office. It features some of the most thrilling and iconic action sequences ever put to animation, and like all the best sci-fi movies, explores themes of advanced technology and self-identity.Ghost in the Shellhas gone on to influence many popular filmmakers, such as James Cameron and the Wachowskis.
3John Wick
Beginning a brand-new franchise and revitalizing Keanu Reeves' career,John Wickis undoubtedly one of the most instantly iconic movies to come out of the 2010s. Keanu Reeves plays the titular John Wick, a former assassin who after settling down, receives a puppy from his recently deceased wife.When men break into his home and kill the puppy, John Wick vows to hunt them down, only setting off an endless series of violent and exciting encounters.
The filmmakers behindJohn Wickknow better than most how to put together an action setpiece that will stick with audiences for years.John Wick is an unstoppable killing machine; the excitement comes not from wondering if he’ll survive, but just how crazy the action can possibly get. YetJohn Wickalways feels as though it knows exactly what it is, making it an unforgettable entry into an ongoing franchise.
2Half-Life: The Freeman Chronicles
WhileHalf-Life: The Freeman Chronicleswas released episodically on Steam, they flow together nicely as a short film set in theHalf-Lifeuniverse. A non-profit fan-made series,The Freeman Chroniclesis a live-action reimagining of the events of the firstHalf-Lifegame, following Gordon Freeman and fellow guards and scientists as they attempt to survive zombies and soldiers during the infamous Black Mesa incident.
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Positively received byHalf-Lifecreators Mike Laidlaw and Gabe Newell,The Freeman Chroniclesis likely the closest fans will get to a live-action adaptation of theHalf-Lifegames. This action-packed spectacle is very well put-together for a fan-made film, with great production values and a lead actor who somehow looks exactly like Gordon Freeman (and unlike his video game counterpart, he can actually talk). What’s more is that the total runtime is somewhat short - around thirty minutes total - and that all three episodes are free. There really is no reason why anyHalf-Lifefan should miss out.
1John Wick: Chapter 2
Following up any action movie with a worthy sequel is difficult enough, butJohn Wickhas spun into a franchise as seemingly unstoppable as its title character. Picking up not long after where the first film left off, John Wick is dragged back into his life of crime to fulfill a debt he owes to an Italian crime lord. After arriving in Italy, however, he soon learns that a bounty has been put on his head, with every criminal wanting the chance to kill John Wick themselves.
Rather than simply being a rehash of the first film,Chapter 2, as its title implies, genuinely continues the seemingly neverending story of John Wick. What’s more exciting, though, is the exhilarating action.Chapter 2doubles down onits over-the-top and extravagant setpiecesthat have made theJohn Wickfranchise a household name. Apart from the well-choreographed action,Chapter 2expands the intriguing lore of the first film while also perfectly leading into the exciting third installment, released in 2019.
