There are some subjects that should never be turned into feature films.  For example, I would not pay $11 to watch a two hour movie featuring a bowel resection or the history of the pencil sharpener. For the most part, this is also how I feel about video games being turned into movies.  For instance, I loved playing the stealth series "Hitman", and was understandably excited when I learned the game was being turned into a big budget box office extravaganza.   My happiness quickly faded and as I walked out of the theater disgusted, I vowed then and there to never watch one of these films ever again.  After I cooled down a bit, I came to the realization that there are a few decent examples. 

This was quite the challenge, but I did come up with the top five video game movies.

5.  Street Fighter, 1994.  To be honest, I only added this title because I am a firm believer than favorites lists should be produced in multiples of five.  Unfortunately, I could only think of four movies that could make it onto this particular countdown, so I added "Street Fighter" because it features an unforgettable performance from Jean-Claude Van Damme.  By unforgettable, I of course mean terrible.  The "muscles from Brussels" really outdoes himself in this movie.  If you are ever in the mood for an action film starring Jean-Claude, do yourself a favor and watch "Universal Soldier" instead. 

4.  Max Payne, 2008.  Okay, so Max Payne the movie and Max Payne the video game aren’t similar in very many ways.  Actually, they’re pretty much completely separate entities, but the special effects in this film were pretty impressive.  Mark Wahlberg does give one of his trademark prosaic performances, but I expect that from him.  I find comfort in familiarity, and if Mark Wahlberg were to ever show any sort of depth, I for one would be very unnerved. 

3.  Silent Hill, 2006.  We are finally to the portion of the list that features movies that were actually watchable.  Silent Hill is based on the survival horror game of the same name, and both film and game are very creepy.  The movie tells the story of Rose, a mother who wants to solve the mystery behind her adopted daughter Sharon’s violent uttering of the words “silent hill” in her sleep.  Rose soon learns that Sharon was born in the town of Silent Hill, and decides to explore her distraught daughter’s past.   A car accident occurs, and Rose is forced to search for Sharon in this unusual little town. The movie is filled with surreal monsters and several frightening moments.

2.  Resident Evil, 2002. One of my favorite horror movie genres is the zombie film, and the original Resident Evil takes the idea of flesh eating automatons to a whole new level.  If you have ever played any of the games, then you know all about the Umbrella Corporation’s “Hive”, which is located far beneath Raccoon city.  I love the fact that you feel a sense of urgency and claustrophobia when the virus is first unleashed.  Can you imagine being trapped underground with an army of ravenous zombies? 

1.  Super Mario Brothers. 1993.  Okay, you may completely disagree, but my choice to place this movie at the top of the list is based purely on nostalgia.  I remember watching "Super Mario Brothers" when I was a kid, and I couldn’t believe that Mario and Luigi were in human form on my television screen.  The performances were mediocre at best, and the plot was nothing to write home about, but neither of those points was of any importance to me at the time.  All I knew was that Super Mario Brothers was the first video game I ever finished on my own, and to an 11 year old kid, that was a huge accomplishment.