Top Ten Superhero Flicks

Over at Comics Fairplay a challenge has been issued to commit your top ten best super hero movies. I'm pretty sure I might have to revise this list at the end of the summer but here goes.

10. The Crow - I never have read the comic so I don't know how good of an adaptation it is but I love this flick. I listened to the soundtrack non-stop when it came out. The story is perfect and the morals and actions in the film always made an impression on me. Best scene in the movie is the first revenge scene with the pawn shop order. Lee was a pretty darn good actor I regret he didn't have a chance to make more films.

9. Daredevil - Affleck was the bomb in phantoms yo. He's alss pretty good in this. The casting except for Elektra and Kingpin is perfect. I don't have beef with the black Kingpin I like their logic in going with Michael Clark Duncan as the best big man out there, but whatever I like my Kingpin to be a little bit of a tycoon and less of a hood. The story is solid and the imagery works. The cameos by writers and artists that worked on Daredevil is cool and fun.

8. Blade 2 - Del Toro is a god in my eyes. He has done the best entry in the Blade series. His Blade was moody and added to the Blade mythos in a big way for me. The fight scenes were the best they've been and the villains are hard to look at which is impressive. I loved the vampire gang with Perlman.

7. Spiderman 2 - The only Spidey flick I've liked. It felt like it was a real family film that was friendly to all audiences with a story that resonates. Molina is brillaint as Doc Ock, he is both tragic and frightening. The special effects work, and the cinematography is iconic.

6. The Punisher - Thomas Jane is a great actor. I like the way he was translated and the way the movie is treated like an action movie. I love the cinematography in this flick it has a very wild west style which i dig. Also the various villains that try to kill him were awesome especially the guitar guy I forget his name.

5. Iron Man - See this .

4. Batman Forever - I will defend this pick. I love Jim Carey in this movie, he is crazy and it works for me. Two-Face is also cool although campy and I like the way his origin is not dealt with on screen. I love the scene with the glow in the dark skull gang fighting Robin. Kilmer isn't bad as bats although he should have died his hair black. Oh yeah, and i get a kiss from a rose on the grave, biznitch.

3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - I've never read a turtles comic in my life. As far back as I can remember this was my favorite movie and almost every toy I owned was tmnt themed. It also has the best ten minute of opening in any movie. That really perfectly sets tone, mystery, and the various character dynamics.

2. Batman Begins - This movie is perfect. Chris Nolan is the best dramatist of our time. The cast is superb ev en if batman sounds like a shitty Clint Eastwood instead of Kevin Conroy.

1. Hellboy - I'm a Del Toro fan boy this movie is beautiful, fun, touching, romantic, dramatic, epic, funny, and everything a movie should be. This is on my top 10 favorite movies of all time list.

What's your top 10?

Weekend Watcher

What super awesome weekend I'm going to have. 

Tonight I get to see the Strangers which looks super awesome. I never get scared during movies I think that this movie might actually get to me.

Tommorow night Kimbo Slice my very own hometown street fighting legend gets to kick some ass on cbs.

And on sunday night...the third season of the Venture Bros. comes out.

OH YEAH!!!

Here is a clipped they leaked to wet your appetite.

By the way Rich has some fantastic posts on Lost. So if you're a lost fan like me check'em out. I got a bunch of Lost theories that I think I'm going to post once I re-watch this season.

Go Team Venture!!!

Interpreting Y-the Last Man part 2

The inspiration for the last post incase you didn't figure it out was actually the way Jules explains the Ringo Honey Bunny situation in Pulp Fiction.

Y is also as fond of Pulp Fiction as I am as you can see.

So where was I, STAR WARS! Why Star Wars for interpreting Y? If you look at the Matrix that is layed out with elements and story beats from all the faiths and philosophies of the world, it is easy to draw parallels and give a work of fiction emotional weight based on the strengths of other writings. Not only does it add weight but depth. So basically whenever I see a young writer try to tell a scifi coming of age story I have to draw as many parallels as possible from Star Wars. As I deduced last post, the Boba Fett of the story wielding the force is simply not a satisfactory ending. Hero does not deserve love, maybe it's because I read the series in a short span of time and not five years, the wounds of her first betrayal and murder still run deep for me.

Another beef I have with the story is the Sisko-ing of Yorrick. (Comic Book Weekness Made-up words: Siskoing is defined(by me) as the process by which a main character shaves his head in order to show maturity and growth. This is of course a reference to Captain Sisko of Deep Space Nine, who shaved his head halfway through the series run amking his character cooler more bad ass and open to debate on who is the better bald Starfleet Captain, but I digress.) So Yorrick at the end of his journey shaves his head, because he is going bald. He looks totally ridiculous to me with a shaved head and I'd imagine the Yorrick from page one of Unmanned would agree. Also the Sisko-ing just makes me draws parallels between Yorrick and Vaughn that I rather not make. As a fiction writer I feel like all my characters are aspects of my own personality, no one character can represent all that is me. So I really hope that Yorrick does not represent all that is Vaughn and he isn't a total surrogate for Vaughn in the story, because it makes me uncomfortable. Also making the trek move with character growth kills the Star Wars parallels and jumbles the message. If Yorrick is Sisko/Quark, the world without men is DS9, 355 is Casidy Yates/Bajoran Beliefs , Dr. Mann is Odo, Hero is the Klingon Empire/Martok/ Worf, Beth #1 is the Prophets, Beth #2 is Jake Sisko?, and Alter is Gol Dukat. Okay this doesn't work either because the Klingon Empire cannot becom the Emmisary of the Prophets.

I think what I'm trying to say is Star Wars is like the christianity of nerds and Star Trek is like the Judaism of nerds. In interpreting science fiction those are the two sources you go to for understanding and deconstructing story. Maybe I'll elaborate on this whole Christianity Vs. Judaism thing but not now.

By the way I'm a Trekkie, oy vey.

Just so you guys can prepare yourselves, next week is the debut of Y-movie lines day. Every thursday we will be looking at the best lines in Y-the Last Man.

6 reasons to accept Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

So I saw the new Indy flick, twice. I had to watch it twice. Not because I loved it the first time but because I didn't love it the first time. I now like the movie after seeing it the second time and proudly accept into the Indiana Jones mythos. I must say that I liked the movie however there are still problems I have with it.

6. Aliens - I like the idea that Indiana Jones can star in any movie a sci-fi flick, an adventure flick, a ww2 flick, etc. So aliens don't really bother me but if you're going to do aliens and Indian Jones you should really go balls out. I expected the third act of this movie to be Indiana Jones versus Aliens or at the very least Indiana Jones against people with superpowers. I mean how cool would it have been to see Indy dodging laser gun blasts, or bullwhipping a giant rancor pitt monster, or even grabbing a lightsaber off the body of a dead ewok. 

5. Action Set pieces - All the action was top notch. It was fun, exciting, and original. The big fight in the warehouse filled with boxes from Raiders was awesome but it wasn't the right way to start the movie. I would've much rather have seen the a-bomb test site as the opening teaser. Other than that though the fights were fun especially the flesh eating ants, sword fights, and greaser fights.

4. Plotting - The plotting sucked. I felt like the first half of the movie was trying to sell me that Indy was badass. I know Indy is a bad ass. I 've seen three movies where Indy has been a bad ass,  just cause Indy's old doesn't mean that I discount him as some has been. Also there was whole lot of looking back on the previous movies, space in between movies, and characters that I didn't care for. The great thing about Indy movies is that they stand alone and that they are independent adventures. You don't need to know Raiders to enjoy Last Crusade and so on and so forth. This movie seems to be overly referencing Last Crusade and Raiders. I don't need homages to sequels, I own the sequels. The only way this sort of ever looking back would work would've been the whole Shortround main villain scenario which I would have liked to see.

3. Cate Blanchet - She kicked ass. She was a fun villain who was just as good as any Nazi villain we've seen before. I would have liked to see them play more on the politics and villainy of communism. I felt though that they missed oppurtunities with her. Like they hinted at her being a psychic but they never elaborated on it. Indy versus some psychic chick would've been a cool fight but they missed it.

2. Shia Lebouf - Stole the movie his acting is perfect. His intro ala The Wild One was cool and fun. Him as a greaser punk was a perfect compliment to Indy's fedora wearing cool. I would totally love to see "Mutt Jones and the Time Machine of Ghengis Khan". Alot of people have complained about his bits with the monkeys and him getting hit in the nuts, but it works thats the type of levity the movie needs. In fact it needed more comedy. 

1. Harrison Ford - Harrison Ford is not the worst actor in this movie. Karen Alllen is. He is the star of the movie so his shitty acting is harder to stand. I don't think that Harrison Ford has given an honest performance since the Fugitive. He spends this entire movie smirking and grunting. In past Indiana Jones movies smirking and grunting showed thoughts behind it. In this movie he looks like a confused old man who Spielberg is asking to put sad faces and happy faces for the shots. I'm sorry Harrison Ford I love you, but could you please try to care about this movie that so many people care about. 

Speed Racer VS. Indy 4

Speed Racer is still the best flick I've seen this summer. Harrison Ford just holds this movie down way to much. Speed Racer is till king and his McDonalds toys are way better than the BK Indy toys.

Despite the missed opportunities and shitty acting. It's still and Indy flick and it only gets better with time. The joy of Indy movies is watching them over and over to see your favorite parts and moments. Oh and by the by my favorite line from the movie is "Get that Greaser!!!"

the read pile - 5/29/08

Final Crisis is here!!! And due to memorial day doesn't come out till Thursday.

#1 FINAL CRISIS #1(OF 7) - I am so hyped for this it's not even funny. Every bit of advertisement and previews have been perfect.

#2 BLUE BEETLE #27 - Jaime and Traci sitting in tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

#3 GREEN LANTERN #31 - Everyone should be reading this.

#4 NEW AVENGERS #41 - I like what happened last week in Mighty Avengers talking about the Sentry. Hopefully we'll see some New Avengers and not just more stupid skrulls.

#5 TEEN TITANS #59 - This arch isn't bad but it feels like it's moving so slowly.

#6 SHADOWPACT #25 - Usually Shadowpact covers suck. This one however is the best the book has ever produced. Why is Blue Devil there? He lost his powers? I think I'm the only blogger that reads this book.

#7 IMMORTAL IRON FIST #15 - Let's get to know an old school Iron fist. I want to see a cowboy Iron Fist. I wish marvel would take requests.

#8 BATMAN #677 R.I.P. - I liked the first issue even though it left me confused.

#9 MARVEL 1985 #1 (OF 6) - This looks like it might be totally horrible, but the cover is pretty sweet.

#10 HUNTRESS YEAR ONE #2(OF 6) - The first issue totally knocked me on my ass how good it was. I like the religious angle hopefully they can keep it up.

#11 WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #3 - This book is solid.

#12 STAR TREK YEAR FOUR ENTERPRISE EXPERIMENT #2 - When will I have trek on Tv again?

#13 MS. MARVEL #27 - I like this tie-in but Ms. Marvel as a character seems so totally bland.

#14 SECRET HISTORY THE AUTHORITY JACK HAWKSMOOR #3(OF6) - This is okay but i forgot what happened last issue.

#15 ACTION COMICS #865 - Toyman + battle royale = I'm there.

#16 X-MEN LEGACY #212 - Why is this book called legacy?

#17 JSA CLASSIFIED #38 - I don't want to read another Wildcat story. Can i get a Cyclone story, or lightning, or any of the 20 other JSAers stories.

MOMENT OF WEAKNESS

I have begat another blogger go on and say hi to him. Over at comicbookish

erislaughs and stephen watches: chapter 1

I'ma big fan of erislaughs over on the youtube. If you are not familiar with her than here is erislaughs introduction of herself.

Why do I like erislaughs?

Because she likes comics, duh. Plus, she ends every vlog with a kiss. She is that elusive unicorn all nerds have heard the myth of, the beautiful girl that actually likes and reads comics (no offense is meant to my fellow female bloggers shelly, sallyp, redheadfangirl, Heidi Meeeley, and brainfreeze. I treasure your viewpoints but it's rare to find girl nerds in my age range). She's a marvel fan, so I can't go totally head over heals for her. None the less I watch all of her youtube vids when they're released. So I've decided to put my erislaughs fandom on display for the entire internets to see. When ever she posts a new vid so shall I encapsulate it in my blog and dissect her reviews alittle. So let us enjoy the wonder of the nerd unicorn herself, erislaughs, gentlemen our feature presentation.

My thoughts.

Captain Britain - Didn't read it sorry.

X-men Legacy - Haven't read it yet.

Huntress Year 1 - I like the religious angle alot on her. 

I am proud you like a DC book.

Giant size Hulk - Won't read it.

The Goon - I don't read it I think I'm going to start.

Batman R.I.P.- Read it.

CTHULU Tales - I like to pronounce the comics I like. 

Indian Jones Flick - You liked it more than me but my review is coming soon fellas.

Oh and erislaughs you should totally check out Booster Gold it's the best DC book out there.

All New Atom #23: Remender's got Nards

If you don't understand the title then you've never seen the cult classic The Monster Squad. Click the vid and get caught up.

So no one has talked about the All New Atom from a couple of weeks ago or Remender. Am I the only person who is still on this title? It's a pretty wild issue and I think he might've finally won me over but he has to tread carefully. He won me over not for character work like Gail did it's for a zany plot. It's a little dark for this Atom than were used to but it's zany. Spoilers ahoy mates! If you haven't read it and plan on reading it turn back now.

All New Atom #23

So Ryan has been sucked into the giant monster which is actually an organism or parasite or something that has infected his body. There's alot of techno babble I don't really understand. Eitherway he's stuck in some type of microverse that is all trippy and weird and filled with giant monsters.

Ryan is in  a pretty cool bio-suit and is going all John Woo on the monsters.

When he stumbles upon an interesting bit of forshadowing. 

There is going to be some chick Chronos and the Atom is going to kill her inside of this microplace. Before Ryan can process his own demise he is ambushed by some castaway type badass who turns out to be...Panda. That's right Ryan's fat, funny, sidekick is now a ripped bearded man of action.

Not only is he ripped but the chick that Ryan has been crushing on for two issues who is dressed like a sexy Wilma from the Flintstones is now Panda's girlfriend eat that Ryan. 

Rest of the issue goes on with the standards stranded in a harsh environment plot, running from monsters, fighting monstaers, and red shirts being eaten to give a little sense of danger.

Ryan interacts with Ivy Town's citizens but one a-hole citizen is very pissed at Ryan for getting him stuck there and letting his girlfriend die. 

So he shoots Ryan in the face with his own ray-gun. 

Remender even promises next issue will feature Booster Gold.

Words of caution to Remender:

By the end of your arch Panda better be fat, loveable, and totally un-badass or else I will be pissed. As far as Ryan getting shot in the face, he better not die and as for using Booster Gold next issue DON'T MESS HIM UP! Also take it easy with the technobabble and give me more floating head. Other than that keep up the good work, wild plot twists, and hot chick Chronos.      

Hell's Yeah!!!!!

OMFG! This is the most supercool news like ever. I have never been so hyped just from a strange quirky concept idea. I mean Ollie Queen, who if I had a time machine would be played by a young Kurt Russell, in jail with DC supervillains is bad ass in a million ways.

SUPERMAX!!!

Who will play the Joker, Ledger's dead?

Could I see James Franco

or Sam Rockwell?

Also can the main villain be Captain Nazi played by Daniel Craig or Neil Patrick Harris

or even better Deathstroke aka Slade Wilson played by Ron Perlman or Clint Eastwood

and Luthor played by Clancy Brown or Micheal Rosenbaum?

Could this be the greatest movie ever. As good as Con-Air!!!

the read pile -5/21/08

Good sized week, little bit of the usual and some new stuff.

#1 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #21 - I am very hyped about Final Crisis the sketchbook was really cool and I love all the design work so far.

#2 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #15 - There's supposed to be a big throw down in this issue. So it's time to to see what Alan Scott has up his sleeve.

#3 DYNAMO 5 #13 - This might be the most consistently good comic I read I have to turn this comic onto other people.

#4 X-MEN DIVIDED WE STAND #2 (OF 2) - A chance to see what Noriko is doing, i'm excited.

#5 DC WILDSTORM DREAMWAR #2(OF 6) - Last issue was a bit of, meh. This issue better have some plot developing.

#6 BRAVE AND THE BOLD #13 - Batman and Jay Garrick teaming up doesn't light the world on fire for me.

#7 MIGHTY AVENGERS #14 - I don't like these skrull covers anymore. I want the cover of a comic to reflect the story inside.

#8 COUNTDOWN TO MYSTERY #8(OF 8) - This series is the best thing that has come out of countdown but eight issues is to long. This would've worked in six.

#9 STAR TREK ASSIGNMENT EARTH #1 - Give me Trek. Trek is life.

#10 DC SPECIAL SYBORG #1(OF5) - I'd love to see Cyborg on his own kicking ass, Ithink this is my only opportunity.

#11 TANGENT SUPERMAN'S REIGN #3(OF12) - Ooh, tangent Batman.

#12 INDIAN JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL #1 - Time to start preparing for Indy's return. Gonna watch the movies this week also.

MOMENT OF WEAKNESS

This movie has me giddy and the new posters are straight up bad ass! Don't wake the BABY!

Is anyone else humming the Indy theme right now?