When I'm feeling down and need motivation, watching action films starring women who kick was always boosts my mood. There's just something empowering and motivating seeing other women in control and, honestly, beating the shit out of people. It's illegal for me take a samurai sword and chop someone's head off or unload a full clip into someone who broke my heart. So why not cheer on women who can? Films with intelligent, strong, badass women saving the day, exacting revenge or executing a damn near flawless heist, inspire me to get off my ass, take control and make something happen.

Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Kill Bill Vol. 2

Kill Bill was an instant cult classic. That seems to happen to a lot of Quentin Tarantino's films. Tarantino said he wrote this film specifically for Uma Thurman after working together on Pulp Fiction. Kill Bill is a duo of hack 'em, slash 'em revenge films that gets women in action all the way right. Not to mention, the perfect soundtrack to accompany each fight scene.

The Long Kiss Goodnight

The Long Kiss Goodnight is in my top 10 favorite movies of all time. ALL TIME. Geena Davis plays a woman who has had amnesia several years. She's a wife, mother, school teacher and pillar of her community. She's also a former covert operative. Remember the rapper Charlie Baltimore? She took her rap alias from the insanely badass Charlene "Charlie" Baltimore of this film. 

Point of No return

Point of No Return is an American remake of La Femme Nikita (honorable mention). Maggie (Bridget Fonda) was a junkie accused of murdering a cop and forced to train to become an assassin. Sadly, too many people haven't seen this film, so I won't give away spoilers. I'll just say, watch it. Bridget Fonda comes from the legendary Fonda acting family (her father is Henry Fonda and her aunt is Jane Fonda). I'm sure the pressure was on, but she looked as if she didn't even break a sweat! After seeing this film, I was hoping to see her in more action roles because she was good!  

Underworld series

Vampires, werewolves and a badass vampire heroine killing them all. Do you need more convincing? 

The Resident Evil Series

Zombie killing. Based on the popular game series, Resident Evil is nonstop action. Milla Jovovich does her own stunts. Oh, and killing zombies. Did I mention zombies?

Columbiana

Zoe Saldana is probably the queen of action films. Her background in ballet allows her fight scenes to look so fluid, real. Have you ever watched a fight scene as just thought "This looks horrible"? Never have I said that about a Zoe Saldana fight. And with Columbiana, she's the best. Saldana always opts to do her own stunts. My only problem with Columbiana is that there could have been more character development. 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The writing is extremely cheesy, but fun. That's what makes Buffy delightful. Sometimes you don't know what you can do until you have to do something, right? Granted, the television show that came from it wasn't as cheesy, but the campiness is what made Buffy "Buffy". Hooray for feel-good vampire killing!

Jackie Brown

When you've had enough, then you've had e-damn-nuff! Written specifically for the legendary Pam Grier, Jackie Brown is about an older woman whose tired of being caught up in other people's mess and she's ready to get out. This isn't the typical action film, but it's motivating nonetheless. Jackie is older and tired of the bull. One last score is all she needs. 

Tank Girl

She's eccentric, hilarious, loyal and dangerous. The film Tank Girl was based on the British comic debuting in the first issue of Deadline Magazine in 1988. It gives us a futuristic look at what can happen when corporations control the most basic of needs--water.

Which films do you turn to for a pick-me-up? We want to hear from you.