Helmets Kids

Helmets Kids

Don't Forget Your Motorcycle Helmet: The Best Motorcycle Movies Ever Pt. 3

The motorcycle film genre, or biker gang genre, is as American as apple pie. Americans have a certain obsession with the freedom of riding in the open air on a powerful, loud machine. There have been numerous biker films in history and there will continue to be more until the motorcycle ceases to be a viable option in light of dwindling gasoline reserves. Here is a list of some of the best motorcycle movies. Don't forget your motorcycle helmet, kids.

Hells Angels on Wheels

This cult film staring Jack Nicholson is one of the most popular motorcycle films of the late 60s. Jack Nicholson’s character escapes his boring gas-station job for life on the road with the Hells Angels. The film is weighed down with too many scenes of the “cool” Hells Angels being egged on to act in violence by “squares.” The film makes a point to show that the Hells Angels are never the ones to start the trouble but that they take revenge after being provoked. It’s an idyllic view of road culture, for sure, but one that was often replicated again and again in the outlaw biker films of the era. It wasn’t until “Easy Rider” that a motorcycle film ended on a sad note.

Easy Rider

While “Easy Rider” often attempted to portray the motorcycle riders as the last of the true “free” Americans like many other biker movies, the difference was that in “Easy Rider” the characters were not blameless or innocence. The beginning of “Easy Rider” shows the two bikers smuggling cocaine from Mexico to Los Angels where they sell it and ride off to spend the money at a whorehouse in New Orleans. The duo of bikers find trouble wherever they go not only because of how they look, but because of their actions. When they give the finger to a couple hassling rednecks it would eventually be their final dismissive action as the rednecks shoot both of the rider, and end their journey forever.

She-Devils on Wheels

This 1968 exploitation film by notoriously gory director Herschell Gordon Lewis is another weird film from his unique oeuvre. Based around an all-female motorcycle gang called The Man-Eaters who ride the streets racing and then continue the all-female debauchery into the night is exploitation film-making at its silliest. The group has a set of rules about how they pick the men to use and abuse with the main one being that no woman can fall in love. Of course, one of the women’s loyalty to the group is questioned after she shows interest in a rival biker. Despite its exploitative nature the film can be seen in a feminist light as it was one of the first films in the increasingly popular and male dominated biker film genre to feature women dishing out the violence and in power instead of men.

About the Author

Alan McGee is a freelance writer from MN.

Helmets Kids
How Were Ancient Samurai Helmets Made?

I did some research, but it did not tell me how the helmets were made. I got websites to show me how a kid can make them. I want to know how ANCIENT Samurai Helmets were made. Please help. Need this info ASAP. Thanks.

They were made from a very precise mixture of dirt, water, and stone, which was almost cement-like when it hardened, but not nearly as heavy. They were shaped and had to harden in an ancient kiln for six months, which was basically just a hole dug into the ground, which trapped heat. (If they weren't there for at least 6 months, they were not nearly as effective. When they were badly in need of the helmets, they took them out after 4 months, and they just crumbled with a soft blow. They had to begin the process all over again.) They were then decorated by the samurai who would wear them. They lasted for so long, that they were passed along several generations. Usually the only reason one ever needed replacing was because it was lost or stolen. Opposing armies were known to steal them, because they were much better than other helmets.

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