Press poll: Share your favorite action flicks

Wow, we had fun with that music poll.

Hundreds of readers chimed in, not just with votes for various songs but with plenty of comments about my own choices.

Different strokes for different folks and all of that, right?

No, I didn’t take any of the insults personally — nor will I do so in our next poll, ranking movies from any era.

The thing about movies, though, is that unlike songs, you can’t just toss them all into the same pile.

I mean, other than watching films on some type of screen and knowing they’ve won some awards, how could anyone possibly compare “La La Land” with “Citizen Kane?”

Impossible.

So what we’re going to do with movies is break them down into categories, and since it’s summer and everyone’s outside doing all sorts of physical things, we’re starting with “Action and Adventure.”

GOT IT?

Just as we did with the music poll, we’re giving you approximately a week and a half to vote.

I’ll write another column in roughly this same place next Sunday, more or less updating the votes to that point, and having a little fun defending my own picks — which I’m certainly not claiming are the best adventure movies in history.

Just my personal favorites.

Remember that this first go-round is “Action and Adventure” — although how you define that category is up to you.

Ponder the movies you’ve really enjoyed and that stick with you, then send me a list of your top 10.

If you want to comment on why you like the flicks you’ve chosen, cool.

OK, with next Sunday’s column you’ll also get a warning that voting closes at 5 p.m. the following Wednesday, July 12.

Then on Sunday, July 16, we’ll publish the grand finale with your collective decisions.

You’re probably noticing a little box with this column that reminds you how to vote in the movie poll, but just in case: Please send your ballots to me at: scameron@cdapress.com

Don’t phone anyone at The Press, or drop off lists with our receptionist.

Emails only, and just to me — basically because no one else has the slightest interest in counting these things.

NOW, ONE of the issues with this “Action and Adventure” distinction is that pretty much any movie that turned into a mega-hit spawned sequels and even series.

Even beyond that, some have become brands.

Industry publications suggest that the “Star Wars” franchise had earned $42 billion for various entrepreneurs by 2015.

The Walt Disney Co. owns the rights to future films, and likely will be cranking out movies long past our lifetimes, starting with “The Force Awakens.”

The same thing applies to long-running series like the James Bond movies — I have two on my own list — and for sheer non-stop action, the Jason Bourne franchise.

Yes, I’ve got Jason on my list, but I picked the second film (“The Bourne Supremacy”) because it’s the least confusing about his identity and he does away with all sorts of bad characters in a variety of lovely ways.

Oh, and there’s the obligatory awesome car chase.

ON THE other hand, sometimes we find one-off films that are truly inspired and have a proper beginning, middle and end.

I chose a movie with action, adventure and a definite message (that we’re not alone in the universe) as my overall No. 1.

“Contact” will stand the test of time, I think, as will the thoughts and spirit of the man who wrote the book on which it’s based, the late scientist Carl Sagan.

Besides, “Contact” gives you a rare chance to see Matthew McConaughey in a serious role — and with his shirt on.

If you think that’s a terrible selection, fine. Send me 10 better ones.

And if they are part of a series like the Bond movies or the Terminators or whatever, choose individual movies ... please.

Any questions, email me at the same address as you’d send your vote.

Remember, action and adventure only for this poll. We’ll get around to various other categories soon enough.

The contest is now officially open, so ...

GO!

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Steve Cameron is a special assignment reporter for The Press. Reach Steve: scameron@cdapress.com

Cameron’s Top 10 movies

Action and Adventure

1. Contact (1997)

2. From Russia with Love (1963)

3. Star Wars — A New Hope (1977)

4. The Dark Knight (2008)

5. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)

6. The World is Not Enough (1999)

7. The Hunt for Red October (1990)

8. Ex Machina (2015)

9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

10. The General’s Daughter (1999)