Top 15 Comic Book Movies
Posted on December 13, 2007
Filed Under Top 15 Lists | 9 Comments
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I am a big fan of comic book movies and I assume a lot of you are as well. That’s probably a safe assumption because Hollywood has been churning out these moneymakers on a consistent basis since the first X-Men flick was released back in 2000. That trend will continue in 2008 with Iron Man, The Dark Knight and The Incredible Hulk all hitting the big screen next summer.
Some comic book movies are really good or great, others not so much (see Spider-Man 3, Hulk) and still others downright stink (see Ghost Rider, Blade: Trinity). Here are the 15 comic book movies I think fall into that first category. Each of these flicks was based on comic book characters and/or a graphic novel.
15. Daredevil (2003)
I am sure some (or a lot) of you will disagree with this choice, but this movie actually surprised me. I am not a big Ben Affleck fan, but he did a solid job as, as far as I know, the only blind superhero.
14. Sin City (2005)
What a visual treat this flick is (no, not just Jessica Alba). Great story, great performance by Mickey Rourke and, hopefully, a great sequel one day.
13. Superman Returns (2006)
There will always be only one Superman to me, but Brandon Routh does a solid job as the new Man of Steel. I really liked that this Superman flick was for more mature audiences. Here’s the teaser trailer, which I like more than the full trailer.
12. Blade II (2002)
Better than the original? It’s a close call, but I give a slight edge to the sequel. As I stated in a previous post - combining horror and action is usually fun.
11. X2: X-Men United (2003)
You wanted more action and Wolverine going nuts? Here you go - enjoy.
10. Superman II (1980)
Superman II gets high marks for a decent plot and villains that can match the Man of Steel’s strength. I still need to see the “Richard Donner Cut” of this flick.
9. A History of Violence (2005)
Yes, A History of Violence is based on a graphic novel. I love this flick and its portrayal of a man trying to leave his violent past behind. If you haven’t seen it, do so. You won’t be disappointed.
8. Batman Returns (1992)
Some consider Batman Returns superior to the original, but for me the original Batman edges this flick by a whisker (or flipper). Batman Returns takes the dark mood set in Batman and goes further. This movie is definitely not for the kitties, I mean kiddies. Sorry.
7. Batman (1989)
Back-to-back Batman. Jack Nicholson gives a classic performance as the Joker and Tim Burton creates a world that has both a futuristic and retro feel at the same time.
6. X-Men (2000)
The original and best. Not as much action as the sequel, but we really get to know the characters and their pain in this flick. Wolverine’s introduction to the audience is great - he is cage fighting in a bar. After that introduction, you just knew that Brian Singer was going to get this right.
5. The Crow (1994)
I won’t get into all the parallels between the character in The Crow and the tragic death of Brandon Lee. I will save that for this flick’s entry in my Top 100 Movies list. Rather, I’ll focus on the atmosphere created by director Alex Proyas, who has done some amazing work in his career thus far (e.g. Dark City). Proyas takes a gothic character and puts him in a dirty and seedy city that is overrun by crime and uses the music of the time to bring it all together.
4. Spider-Man (2002)
Spider-man was it for me as a kid. I couldn’t get enough of the comics, toys and cartoons. So when they (finally) announced they were making this flick, I was ecstatic. I do think they screwed up The Green Goblin’s look, but Willem Dafoe was great as Harry Osbourne.
3. Superman: The Movie (1978)
Christopher Reeve was and is Clark Kent/Superman and the original movie shows you why. Not as action-packed as Superman II, but a great origin story and introduction to the Man of Steel.
2. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Spider-Man 2 is considered by many to be the best comic book movie of all time. I don’t (obviously), but it is superior to the original with a better villain and plot as well as more action than its predecessor.
1. Batman Begins (2005)
Has there been a more “realistic” portrayal of a superhero on film? No. Has there ever been a better back story for Bruce Wayne/Batman? No. That combined with two solid villains, great action, solid acting and fine direction by Christopher Nolan make Batman Begins the best comic book movie of all time. However, that may change after after The Dark Knight is released next summer.
Tags: a history of violence, alex proyas, batman, batman begins, batman returns, ben affleck, blade ii, blade III, brandon lee, brandon routh, brian singer, bruce wayne, christian bale, christopher nolan, christopher reeve, comic book movies, daredevil, fantastic four, ghost rider, graphic novel, green goblin, hulk, iron man, jack nicholson, jessica alba, list, michael keaton, mickey rourke, sin city, spider man, spider man 2, spider-man 3, superman, superman ii, superman returns, superman the movie, the crow, the dark knight, the incredible hulk, the joker, tim burton, top 15, wolverine, x-men, x2 xmen united
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Top 15 Movies To Watch On Halloween - Part III
Posted on October 30, 2007
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Here it is. The post you’ve all been waiting for (I hope). You’ve seen Parts I and II (numbers 15 through 6) of my Top 15 Movies to Watch on Halloween. Here is the conclusion - numbers 5 through 1.
Each of these final flicks was made in the 70’s or early 80’s. Obviously they were doing something right back then, like making original movies instead of remakes.
5. The Shining (1980)
A family is voluntarily stranded in a huge hotel in the mountains. Oh yeah, it’s also haunted and the father slowly goes insane.
What happens? If you don’t know you should really see this flick. Herrrrreeeee’s Johnny!
4. The Exorcist (1973)
Another classic and just a freaky, scary and gross movie. This flick stands the test of time.
3. The Evil Dead (1981)
Believe it or not, the director of the Spider-Man movies, Sam Raimi, is responsible for The Evil Dead (the movie, not evil dead . . . whatever). This flick just happens to be one of the best and most notorious horror films of all time. Another freaky, freaky movie.
2. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
I didn’t think the remake of this flick was that bad, it was just a different type of movie, one with a slick production and lots of gore.
Unlike the remake, the original is a gritty, nasty, grainy flick that has the feel of a documentary. Notwithstanding the title of this movie (which includes the words “Chain Saw” and “Massacre”) there is very little gore. Instead you have real scares, freaky characters (there’s that word again) and some incredibly creepy sets.
A word of warning: when you get done watching it, you may feel the need to take a shower (unless of course you endured a double feature of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Psycho).
1. Halloween (1978)
A little obvious? Maybe, but in my humble opinion, John Carpenter’s Halloween is the best horror movie of its kind and the best flick to watch on, well, Halloween.
Like the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, there is a noticeable lack of gore in Halloween. However, it isn’t needed. Halloween is scary as is. Besides, is gore scary anyway?
In the hands of a master, ordinary homes in a typical neighborhood can be scary as hell, especially when an escaped mental patient returns home to finish a job he started fifteen years earlier. John Carpenter used all of the tools at his disposal to create an eerie atmosphere on a fall day and night in a typical Midwestern town, including a perfect soundtrack and incredible lighting and camera angles.
I could go on and on, but I won’t. This flick speaks for itself.
If you think I omitted a movie that deserves to be in this list, or disagree with my rankings, please feel free to yell (or scream) at me. Happy Halloween!
Tags: halloween, horror, john carpenter, list, movies, psycho, remake, Sam Raimi, the evil dead, the exorcist, the shining, the texas chain saw massacre, top 15, top 15 movies to watch on halloween
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Top 15 Movies To Watch On Halloween (Part II)
Posted on October 25, 2007
Filed Under Holiday Movie Lists | 4 Comments
As promised, here are Nos. 10 through 6 in my list of the Top 15 Movies to Watch on Halloween (you can find Part I here).
10. High Tension (2005)
We start off with an intense flick.
“Haute Tension,” a 2003 French horror film, was released in the U.S. as High Tension in 2005. It was directed by Alexandre Aja, who directed the remake of The Hills Have Eyes, another intense flick.
For those of you terrified by subtitles, don’t fret - this movie has few subtitles and you forget that you’re even watching a foreign film. Besides, why not expand your horizons a little? OK, High Tension is not going to expand your horizons. Unless you desire to expand your horror movie horizons and subject yourself to an intense, shocking, gory, terrifying and disturbing movie.
You’ve been warned. I’m serious.
9. Friday the 13th (1980)
Ahhh, the original and best. Featuring a young Kevin Bacon, post Animal House. The sequels got progressively inane and were essentially the same movie rehashed after Part II (the first appearance of Jason, pre-hockey mask), but the original is a good “slasher” movie.
The trailer is kind of annoying though. Anybody else with me on that?
8. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Admit it, you were a little scared to sleep after you saw A Nightmare on Elm Street. Come on, you know it’s true. Blame it on Wes Craven. He did an excellent job making scenes look like nightmares - Freddy’s five-foot (or so) long arms in the alley, Nancy running up the stairs only to have her feet get stuck in some gooey substance, etc., etc.
If you need another reason to watch it - a pre-21 Jump Street Johnny Depp stars in this flick.
7. The Thing (1982)
The Thing is a remake of a 1951 monster/science fiction movie and number two on my list of favorite John Carpenter movies. Carpenter is a master at creating an atmosphere of fear, dread, panic and isolation. If you haven’t seen this flick, do so. It’s a horror masterpiece.
6. Psycho (1960)
A classic. After all these years, Psycho is still creepy and scary as hell.
While watching the trailer (which is long, but stick with it), be sure to take note of the happy/cheerful music and Hitchcock’s delivery. Genius.
So, what do you think so far? Part III is coming up next Tuesday, the day before Halloween. Yeah, I timed it that way. Pretty cleaver, I mean clever, huh?
Don’t forget, I will reveal No. 86 in my Top 100 Movies tomorrow.
Have fun watching The Office tonight.
Ok, that’s it. Boo.
Tags: 21 jump street, a nightmare on elm street, alexandre aja, alfred hitchcock, animal house, foreign film, freddy, friday the 13th, halloween, haute tension, high tension, horror, jason, john carpenter, johnny depp, kevin bacon, list, monster, movies, psycho, remake, science fiction, slasher, the hills have eyes, the thing, top 15, trailer, wes craven
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Top 15 Movies To Watch On Halloween (Part I)
Posted on October 23, 2007
Filed Under Holiday Movie Lists | 2 Comments
So Halloween is right around the corner and you’re looking for some scary movies to watch. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Between now and next Tuesday, I will reveal my Top 15 Movies To Watch On Halloween.
These flicks are not my Top 15 horror movies of all time. Rather, these are flicks that are just right for Halloween viewing. They are creepy, scary and, in many cases, gory. I will reveal Nos. 15 through 11 today, 10 through 6 on Thursday, and 5 through 1 next Tuesday.
Here we go . . . .
15. The Descent (2005)
I struggled with whether to include The Descent in this list. Why? Because I have never seen it. I doubt I will ever do this again. However, everything I have heard about The Descent screams for it to be included in this list and I can’t wait to see it myself.
14. The Devil’s Rejects (2005)
I did not like Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses (which co-stars Rainn Wilson from The Office.) So I was a little skeptical about its sequel, The Devil’s Rejects. This flick happened to be on the Independent Film Channel one night, so I recorded it. I was pleasantly surprised. This movie has a retro feel, sufficiently creepy characters, a decent story, and a great soundtrack. Definitely Halloween night worthy.
13. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
You can’t go wrong with the classics on Halloween. The original Night of the Living Dead is required viewing for all horror flick fans. It may seem a little dated, especially considering the zombie flicks that have been released recently (including a remake of Dawn of the Dead - the sequel to Night of the Living Dead), but it is still a great movie.
12. The Amityville Horror (1979)
There was a house in our neighborhood when I was a kid that looked a lot like the house in The Amityville Horror. I didn’t like walking by it at night.
11. The Ring (2002)
This flick has one of the most shocking moments in horror film history. It is completely unexpected. Check out The Ring, if you dare.
Remember, Nos. 10 through 6 will be revealed on Thursday and be sure to check back tomorrow for No. 87 in my Top 100 Movies list. Boo.
Tags: dawn of the dead, halloween, horror, house of 1000 corpses, night of the living dead, rainn wilson, rob zombie, sequel, the amityville horror, the descent, the devils rejects, the office, the ring, top 15, top 15 movies to watch on halloween, zombie
