Only the Brave (2017)

Based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of elite firefighters who risk everything to protect a town from a historic wildfire.

Good firefighter tragedy with a solid cast is more focused on the protagonists' personal lives, but also offers some exciting firefighting scenes.

Savages (2012)

Pot growers face off against the Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend.

Basically a standard crime thriller with a highly contrived plot, but made with expertise and a capable cast; the double entendre ending is superfluous and disappointing.

Maltin**: "Stone encourages  his actors to go way over the top in this long, boring look at mostly scummy characters. Travolta comes off best as a corrupt DEA agent."

Lone Survivor (2013)

A Navy SEALS team is set out on a mission to capture or kill a notorious Taliban leader, but are left to fight for their lives in one of the most valiant efforts of modern warfare.

Warfare drama very successfully tries to recreate the actual feelings an reactions the team are confronted with in a hopeless ambush with emphasis on the personal interactions and omitting any political depth.

Maltin***: "...film manages to convey not only the brutality but the intense loyalty and feeling of brotherhood that exists among the SEALs."