4) The Basement – Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Quentin Tarantino is renowned for his love of all things Mexican standoff, so for Inglourious Basterds he devised the ultimate tribute. In an attempt to rack up just about as much tension as an audience might possibly handle, Tarantino puts his Basterds (joined by Archie Hicox this time, a British soldier superbly played by Michael Fassbender) in a basement, dresses them as Nazis and surrounds them with… well, Nazis.
As the Basterds attempt to discuss upcoming plans to assassinate Hitler, they’re antagonized by an officer who suspects them of alterer motives. This, of course, culminates in a shoot-out that leaves ten or more people dead – including a whole host of our favourite characters. “You know, fightin’ in a basement offers a lot of difficulties,” acknowledges Lt. Aldo Raine before the fight. He’s damned right – but what great cinema it offers, too.