AUDIENCE CHOICE: Here are 14 'manly films' that YOU recommended!

February 28, 2023

Courtesy of 20th Century Fox, Paramount Studios, Walt Disney Pictures

WRITER

Last week, Glenn's staff compiled a list of 14 "manly" movies that display positive depictions of manhood. It was such a hit that Glenn's audience wanted to chime in! We have compiled PART 2 of the "manly movie list" based on recommendations from YOU! Did YOUR recommendation make the list? Tell us what you think!

Gladiator

This was the first film recommended by Glenn's audience. There are fewer films that portray the themes of dignity, honor, sacrifice, and wisdom in difficult circumstances better than The Gladiator. Russell Crowe stars as Maximus, a once-honored general under Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Maximus is made a slave after the emperor's death under the new reign of Aurellius' jealous and power-hungry son. Maximus displays how to choose dignity in the face of temptation and to never compromise character for the sake of convenience and power. He embodies sacrifice, surrendering himself for the sake of honoring his family and country. Rated R

Braveheart

It comes as no surprise that Glenn's audience highlighted this classic. Like The Gladiator, Mel Gibson's iconic portrayal of the legendary Scottish warrior, William Wallace, displays how to use strength to fight for justice and freedom in the midst of injustice and oppression. He also shows the ultimate display of strength through sacrifice—giving his life for the sake of his ideals and countrymen. Rated R

Dances with Wolves

Glenn's audience was quick to recommend this classic. Kevin Costner plays a Civil War Union soldier John Dunbar who wants to see the frontier "before it's gone." He encounters the Lakota Indians and lives among them, attracted to the simplicity of their life. They give him the name, "Dancing With Wolves." Costner is caught in the middle of the conflict between the Native Americans and the growing westward presence in the U.S. The film shows Costner standing on his convictions and trying to be a voice for both sides rather than an agent of conflict. Rated PG-13

Band of Brothers

Though this is a TV series, it is no wonder why Glenn's audience highlighted this production. The iconic World War II-era series displays themes of strength and sacrifice, and shows how to rely on your "brothers" through unbelievably difficult challenges. The 101st Airborne Division is one of the most revered heroes in America's history, and this series does them justice! Rated R

The Adam Project

This recent Netflix film is a rare example of a modern Hollywood film portraying positive views of manhood and fatherhood. The dystopian film follows Adam Reed, played by Ryan Reynolds, who travels back in time from 2050 to 2018 to save his wife. Due to a malfunction, Reed crashes into 2022 and enlists the help of his younger self on his mission. The coming-of-age movie displays the struggles and victories of growing up as well as wrestling with the shortcomings of your parents that follow you into manhood. Rated PG-13

Men of Honor

Based on an incredible true story, Men of Honor follows Carl Brashear, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., the world's first black master diver, who overcame discrimination and struggles to become one of the most celebrated men in the Navy. Brashear, an ambitious sharecropper, joins the Navy's elite diving unit and battles against his discriminatory commanding officer, Master Chief Billy Sunday, played by Robert DeNiro. The story shows how heroes are made from personal character and perseverance in the face of challenges and oppression. Rated R

Heartbreak Ridge

Glenn's audience wanted to highlight a Clint Eastwood film and some were quick to recommend Heartbreak Ridge. Eastwood plays Marine Sgt. Thomas Highway, a decorated veteran of two wars. On his last posting before retirement, Highway is surrounded by officers with no combat experience who view him as a holdover "past his prime." Highway is assigned to train a group of undisciplined recruits who don't believe a war will ever come—but then the U.S. invades Grenada. This is a classic film about leadership and holding high standards of excellence, even when you don't think it necessary. Rated R

True Grit

Glenn's audience demanded a John Wayne film to be included on the list, and it is no wonder why! There are few figures who are associated with "manliness" like John Wayne, the icon of the Western movie genre alongside Clint Eastwood. We chose to highlight his classic film, True Grit, and his role as Marshall Reuben J. Cogburn. Though the film begins with Cogburn as a tough, money-hungry U.S. Marshall, he is transformed by a teenage girl, Mattie Ross, who hires him to help find her father's murderer. In the end, he risks everything to protect Ross, who he endearingly calls, "little sis." Like many Westerns, the film is also about traveling into the unknown and unruly to find yourself and bring about justice. Rated G

Secondhand Lions

This star-studded duo cast of Michael Cain and Robert Duvall depicts how strong male figures transform the life of a young boy yearning for direction, mentors, and love. The movie follows a shy boy named Walter, who is taken by his greedy mother to spend the summer with his two hard-headed great-uncles, Hub and Garth, who are rumored to possess a large fortune. His mother hopes that they will show him where their fortune is hidden. At first, the two old men, who are both set in their ways, find Walter's presence a nuisance. Eventually, they warm up to Walter and recount all the tales from their past, becoming the strong father figures he never had. In return, Walter helps rekindle their youthful spirit. Rated PG

Iron Will

A classic "coming-of-age" film, Iron Will tells the story of a teenager named Will Stoneman, who competes in a 500-mile-long dog sledding race to help financially support his mother after his father's death leaves his family in financial ruin. He battles with older, seasoned dog sledders who plot to bring about his demise as he continues to push ahead in the race. The movie shows how a young man chooses strength, dignity, and perseverance to overcome his challenges, rather than succumbing to the dubious plots of his competitors. Rated PG

Devotion

Devotion tells the incredible true story of Jesse Brown, the first black aviator in U.S. Navy history, and his enduring friendship with fellow fighter pilot, Tom Hudner. Their friendship, courage, and sacrifice helped turn the tide in one of the most consequential battles of the Korean War, making them two of the most celebrated wingmen in U.S. history. Rated PG-13

12 O'Clock High

The Hollywood legend Gregory Peck stars as the "no-nonsense" Brigadier General Frank Savage, who assumes command of an American Air Force stationed in England in 1942 that is plagued by a lack of morale. This World War II-era classic is a story of how good leadership can transform those around you. Not rated

Schindler's List

This gritty Holocaust-era classic displays how an ordinary man can be transformed into an extraordinary one. Erich Schindler was a man thirsty for power and money, who used Jewish labor to save on costs in his textile factory in Krakow, Poland. He was transformed by the horror of the Holocaust to view the Jewish people as an end in themselves, instilled with inherent dignity, rather than a mere means to an end. He gives up his entire fortune, reputation, and even risks his life to save as many Jewish people as possible by enlisting them to work in his factory. It is one of the most beautiful stories of transformation and redemption in the midst of suffering and evil. What's even more remarkable? It's based on a TRUE story. Rated R

The Right Stuff

Based on the acclaimed Tom Wolf novel under the same name, The Right Stuff tells the story of the first 15 years of America's space program, chronicling the professional and personal lives of the Mercury astronauts. The film highlights leadership in the face of political turmoil and traveling to the "unknown." Will you stand by your principles not only when the world is crumbling around you, but when you travel outside the known world? This film is a great example of leadership in the face of the unknown. Rated PG

The critical difference: Rights from the Creator, not the state

Bloomberg / Contributor | Getty Images

When politicians claim that rights flow from the state, they pave the way for tyranny.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) recently delivered a lecture that should alarm every American. During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, he argued that believing rights come from a Creator rather than government is the same belief held by Iran’s theocratic regime.

Kaine claimed that the principles underpinning Iran’s dictatorship — the same regime that persecutes Sunnis, Jews, Christians, and other minorities — are also the principles enshrined in our Declaration of Independence.

In America, rights belong to the individual. In Iran, rights serve the state.

That claim exposes either a profound misunderstanding or a reckless indifference to America’s founding. Rights do not come from government. They never did. They come from the Creator, as the Declaration of Independence proclaims without qualification. Jefferson didn’t hedge. Rights are unalienable — built into every human being.

This foundation stands worlds apart from Iran. Its leaders invoke God but grant rights only through clerical interpretation. Freedom of speech, property, religion, and even life itself depend on obedience to the ruling clerics. Step outside their dictates, and those so-called rights vanish.

This is not a trivial difference. It is the essence of liberty versus tyranny. In America, rights belong to the individual. The government’s role is to secure them, not define them. In Iran, rights serve the state. They empower rulers, not the people.

From Muhammad to Marx

The same confusion applies to Marxist regimes. The Soviet Union’s constitutions promised citizens rights — work, health care, education, freedom of speech — but always with fine print. If you spoke out against the party, those rights evaporated. If you practiced religion openly, you were charged with treason. Property and voting were allowed as long as they were filtered and controlled by the state — and could be revoked at any moment. Rights were conditional, granted through obedience.

Kaine seems to be advocating a similar approach — whether consciously or not. By claiming that natural rights are somehow comparable to sharia law, he ignores the critical distinction between inherent rights and conditional privileges. He dismisses the very principle that made America a beacon of freedom.

Jefferson and the founders understood this clearly. “We are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights,” they wrote. No government, no cleric, no king can revoke them. They exist by virtue of humanity itself. The government exists to protect them, not ration them.

This is not a theological quibble. It is the entire basis of our government. Confuse the source of rights, and tyranny hides behind piety or ideology. The people are disempowered. Clerics, bureaucrats, or politicians become arbiters of what rights citizens may enjoy.

John Greim / Contributor | Getty Images

Gifts from God, not the state

Kaine’s statement reflects either a profound ignorance of this principle or an ideological bias that favors state power over individual liberty. Either way, Americans must recognize the danger. Understanding the origin of rights is not academic — it is the difference between freedom and submission, between the American experiment and theocratic or totalitarian rule.

Rights are not gifts from the state. They are gifts from God, secured by reason, protected by law, and defended by the people. Every American must understand this. Because when rights come from government instead of the Creator, freedom disappears.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

POLL: Is Gen Z’s anger over housing driving them toward socialism?

NurPhoto / Contributor | Getty Images

A recent poll conducted by Justin Haskins, a long-time friend of the show, has uncovered alarming trends among young Americans aged 18-39, revealing a generation grappling with deep frustrations over economic hardships, housing affordability, and a perceived rigged system that favors the wealthy, corporations, and older generations. While nearly half of these likely voters approve of President Trump, seeing him as an anti-establishment figure, over 70% support nationalizing major industries, such as healthcare, energy, and big tech, to promote "equity." Shockingly, 53% want a democratic socialist to win the 2028 presidential election, including a third of Trump voters and conservatives in this age group. Many cite skyrocketing housing costs, unfair taxation on the middle class, and a sense of being "stuck" or in crisis as driving forces, with 62% believing the economy is tilted against them and 55% backing laws to confiscate "excess wealth" like second homes or luxury items to help first-time buyers.

This blend of Trump support and socialist leanings suggests a volatile mix: admiration for disruptors who challenge the status quo, coupled with a desire for radical redistribution to address personal struggles. Yet, it raises profound questions about the roots of this discontent—Is it a failure of education on history's lessons about socialism's failures? Media indoctrination? Or genuine systemic barriers? And what does it portend for the nation’s trajectory—greater division, a shift toward authoritarian policies, or an opportunity for renewal through timeless values like hard work and individual responsibility?

Glenn wants to know what YOU think: Where do Gen Z's socialist sympathies come from? What does it mean for the future of America? Make your voice heard in the poll below:

Do you believe the Gen Z support for socialism comes from perceived economic frustrations like unaffordable housing and a rigged system favoring the wealthy and corporations?

Do you believe the Gen Z support for socialism, including many Trump supporters, is due to a lack of education about the historical failures of socialist systems?

Do you think that these poll results indicate a growing generational divide that could lead to more political instability and authoritarian tendencies in America's future?

Do you think that this poll implies that America's long-term stability relies on older generations teaching Gen Z and younger to prioritize self-reliance, free-market ideals, and personal accountability?

Do you think the Gen Z support for Trump is an opportunity for conservatives to win them over with anti-establishment reforms that preserve liberty?

Americans expose Supreme Court’s flag ruling as a failed relic

Anna Moneymaker / Staff | Getty Images

In a nation where the Stars and Stripes symbolize the blood-soaked sacrifices of our heroes, President Trump's executive order to crack down on flag desecration amid violent protests has ignited fierce debate. But in a recent poll, Glenn asked the tough question: Can Trump protect the Flag without TRAMPLING free speech? Glenn asked, and you answered—thousands weighed in on this pressing clash between free speech and sacred symbols.

The results paint a picture of resounding distrust toward institutional leniency. A staggering 85% of respondents support banning the burning of American flags when it incites violence or disturbs the peace, a bold rejection of the chaos we've seen from George Floyd riots to pro-Palestinian torchings. Meanwhile, 90% insist that protections for burning other flags—like Pride or foreign banners—should not be treated the same as Old Glory under the First Amendment, exposing the hypocrisy in equating our nation's emblem with fleeting symbols. And 82% believe the Supreme Court's Texas v. Johnson ruling, shielding flag burning as "symbolic speech," should not stand without revision—can the official story survive such resounding doubt from everyday Americans weary of government inaction?

Your verdict sends a thunderous message: In this divided era, the flag demands defense against those who exploit freedoms to sow disorder, without trampling the liberties it represents. It's a catastrophic failure of the establishment to ignore this groundswell.

Want to make your voice heard? Check out more polls HERE.

Labor Day EXPOSED: The Marxist roots you weren’t told about

JOSEPH PREZIOSO / Contributor | Getty Images

During your time off this holiday, remember the man who started it: Peter J. McGuire, a racist Marxist who co-founded America’s first socialist party.

Labor Day didn’t begin as a noble tribute to American workers. It began as a negotiation with ideological terrorists.

In the late 1800s, factory and mine conditions were brutal. Workers endured 12-to-15-hour days, often seven days a week, in filthy, dangerous environments. Wages were low, injuries went uncompensated, and benefits didn’t exist. Out of desperation, Americans turned to labor unions. Basic protections had to be fought for because none were guaranteed.

Labor Day wasn’t born out of gratitude. It was a political payoff to Marxist radicals who set trains ablaze and threatened national stability.

That era marked a seismic shift — much like today. The Industrial Revolution, like our current digital and political upheaval, left millions behind. And wherever people get left behind, Marxists see an opening.

A revolutionary wedge

This was Marxism’s moment.

Economic suffering created fertile ground for revolutionary agitation. Marxists, socialists, and anarchists stepped in to stoke class resentment. Their goal was to turn the downtrodden into a revolutionary class, tear down the existing system, and redistribute wealth by force.

Among the most influential agitators was Peter J. McGuire, a devout Irish Marxist from New York. In 1874, he co-founded the Social Democratic Workingmens Party of North America, the first Marxist political party in the United States. He was also a vice president of the American Federation of Labor, which would become the most powerful union in America.

McGuire’s mission wasn’t hidden. He wanted to transform the U.S. into a socialist nation through labor unions.

That mission soon found a useful symbol.

In the 1880s, labor leaders in Toronto invited McGuire to attend their annual labor festival. Inspired, he returned to New York and launched a similar parade on Sept. 5 — chosen because it fell halfway between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

The first parade drew over 30,000 marchers who skipped work to hear speeches about eight-hour workdays and the alleged promise of Marxism. The parade caught on across the country.

Negotiating with radicals

By 1894, Labor Day had been adopted by 30 states. But the federal government had yet to make it a national holiday. A major strike changed everything.

In Pullman, Illinois, home of the Pullman railroad car company, tensions exploded. The economy tanked. George Pullman laid off hundreds of workers and slashed wages for those who remained — yet refused to lower the rent on company-owned homes.

That injustice opened the door for Marxist agitators to mobilize.

Sympathetic railroad workers joined the strike. Riots broke out. Hundreds of railcars were torched. Mail service was disrupted. The nation’s rail system ground to a halt.

President Grover Cleveland — under pressure in a midterm election year — panicked. He sent 12,000 federal troops to Chicago. Two strikers were killed in the resulting clashes.

With the crisis spiraling and Democrats desperate to avoid political fallout, Cleveland struck a deal. Within six days of breaking the strike, Congress rushed through legislation making Labor Day a federal holiday.

It was the first of many concessions Democrats would make to organized labor in exchange for political power.

What we really celebrated

Labor Day wasn’t born out of gratitude. It was a political payoff to Marxist radicals who set trains ablaze and threatened national stability.

Kean Collection / Staff | Getty Images

What we celebrated was a Canadian idea, brought to America by the founder of the American Socialist Party, endorsed by racially exclusionary unions, and made law by a president and Congress eager to save face.

It was the first of many bones thrown by the Democratic Party to union power brokers. And it marked the beginning of a long, costly compromise with ideologues who wanted to dismantle the American way of life — from the inside out.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.