Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The 10 Best Superhero Movies of All Time Relay

I’ll admit, I was a little nervous when Sati of cinematic corner, passed the Best Superhero Movies of All Time relay on to me. The relay, created by Bubbawheat of Flights, Tights & Movie Nights, is a really fun concept, but one I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do justice. In general, superhero movies aren’t really my thing. But participating in this relay has been an interesting experience, because what I’ve been reminded of is that very good films exist in every genre of film. Before we get into which films I cut and added, let’s go through Bubbawheat’s rules for the relay:

1. The list of movies will be passed to another blogger who will post their list within a week.

2. The blogger will take their list, remove 3 movies – with explanations, and replace with 3 new movies – with explanations.

3. If a movie lasts five rounds without being removed, it becomes locked in; it is permanent and can no longer be removed from the list.

4. If a movie is removed three different times, it is locked out and can no longer be put back onto the list by someone else.

5. Once four movies are locked into place, bloggers will replace 2 movies.

6. Once eight movies are locked into place, bloggers will replace 1 movie.

7. Once all ten movies are locked into place, the relay will be complete.

The Eight Locked In Films
The Avengers

Blade II

The Dark Knight

The Incredibles

Iron Man

The Rocketeer

Spider-Man 2

Unbreakable

The Four Remaining Films
The Crow

Guardians of the Galaxy

Thor

X2

What I’m Taking Out
Thor
Of the four left, Thor is the one that does the least for me. I know Sati just included it, but it’s the one I feel best about cutting.

What I’m Putting In
Batman Begins
Tracing back through this relay, I see that Batman Begins has been added and removed a few times. So while including it (again) may not be the most original option, it’s the film that I feel most deserves to be here. Again, superhero movies aren’t exactly my thing, but Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy has always impressed the hell out of me. I never grow tired of falling into their world.

Who I’m Passing It To
I’m curious to see what thevoid of Surrender to the Void has to contribute to this relay. Have at it!

34 comments:

  1. Blade II is locked in! Yes! Getting tough being able to remove only one. Thor would've been the one I took out, as well. Good job.

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    1. Thanks man. For me, it was either that or The Crow, but I think Thor was the right choice. I'm wondering if my inclusion of Batman Begins means it's locked in now. I was having trouble keeping track!

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  2. I'm behind on updating the main page, currently X2 is 1 away from being film number 9. Glad to see the Crow make it, I'm a big fan of that one and Marvel has enough presence already. Batman Begins is a great choice too, it's nearly as strong as the Dark Knight but gets overlooked because it's part of the same trilogy. It's been a good run and getting close to the end!

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    1. I think it's really cool how your rules give the relay a definitive end, otherwise these things just keep going and going! But really, great job putting this together. And hey, having two Nolan films in the mix certainly isn't a bad thing.

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  3. Thank you. I was wondering if I was going to be selected. Kudos for putting in Batman Begins.

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    1. No problem man. Interested to see what you come up with.

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  4. I'm sad to see Thor go, but Batman Begins is a great movie! Great choice!

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    1. Thanks! I really do love Nolan's Batman flicks. All of them ;)

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  5. Where this is a good list, one of my favorite superhero movies is Watchmen. I just find Rorschach to be so badass and cool. I would think that deserves to be on the list instead of maybe The Incredibles, or Spiderman 2. Those two never really impressed me or kept my attention. The Incredibles is better than Spider Man 2 but still not nearly as good as Watchmen. Anyway great pick with Batman Begins, love that film so much, I can't decide whether I like it or the Dark Knight out of the trilogy more, just to damn good!

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    1. I think Spider-Man 2 had its moments, but I've seen it twice and will likely never have a reason to see it again, you know? Sadly, I wasn't a fan of Watchmen (save its exceptional opening credits), but, again, I'm a really poor judge of criticism when it comes to superhero flicks.

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  6. Interesting list. One film that I really liked (and I just noticed it was mentioned in the comment above me) is Watchmen. I feel like that might be Zack Snyder's one really good movie (I didn't see his Dawn of the Dead, I hated 300, and Man of Steel I felt was just okay). I just love how it's kind of a slow-burn superhero movie, with plenty of style for its substance. And I know a lot of people say you need to have liked the comic to appreciate the film, but I read the comic (my all-time favorite graphic novel) several years after watching the film, and I still loved it, a heck of a lot more than The Avengers (a controversial statement I know, but I myself was underwhelmed to say the least). Another film, that may also be a bit controversial, is Kick-Ass. Maybe it's just because of the teenage boy in me (I, well, am a teenage boy) but I had a really good time watching that. It's like if Tarantino made a superhero movie (which I hope he'll do someday. A horror movie too, but that's another conversation).

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    1. Well, to tag onto your controversial statement, The Avengers did nothing for me. That was the film that made me check out of superhero films. I see the "direction" those films are going now, and while I appreciate that millions of people adore them, they just don't interest me. But hey, we like what we like. And I'm honestly glad I've come to this realization - if nothing else, I'll save a lot of money!

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    2. I agree that Watchmen is a great movie, but I also think that fans of the graphic novel do have a point as to not liking it as much. The movie does tend to overplay the action and underplay the more cerebral aspects of it outside of the opening. And just as an FYI, both Watchmen and Kick-Ass were included in the list at one point during the relay.

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  7. Aw, I'm bummed Thor was taken off, but Batman Begins is definitely a worthy replacement!

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    1. Love Batman Begins! I'm curious to see if it makes it to the end.

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  8. Batman Begins is my favorite of the Dark Knight Trilogy, so I'm so happy you added it back! I certainly would have if it were me.

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  9. Good choice! I knew Thor will go but it's nice to read here in the comment section people will miss it:)

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    1. Thanks! Was really sorry to cut it out so quickly. Tough call.

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  10. Great list and I love the fact that you like Nolan's marvellous The Dark Night Trilogy. For me there's no film that could possibly ever to come close to "The Dark Knight" and I doubt it will as well, but "Batman begins" is also a really inspired choice. I ADORE superhero movies and with the exception of the (otherwise pretty good) "Thor" and "Blade II" (since I haven't seen it), all of the other films could make it to my list.

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    1. Blade II is definitely worth checking out, it was directed by Guillermo del Toro and definitely has his flair to it. If you were a fan of the first Blade or del Toro's other movies, give it a watch sometime.

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    2. Yeah, it's a solid superhero flick. Love how del Toro took it in an entirely new direction.

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    3. Oh yeah, I definitely plan watching it sometime soon. Thanks both of you for the recommendation! I love Del Toro's movies.

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  11. Well I have no qualms with your choice good sir, I probably would have gone for the same film if I was put on the spot (so to speak). I can sympathize with your lack of general interest in the superhero genre as well - I'm indifferent to most of what's being put out in regards to the genre (you are not alone in this Marvel-dominated world we now live in!).

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    1. Thanks man! I try to be open to all films, but I get as much out of superhero films as I do out of romantic comedies. There isn't enough variation to keep me interested.

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  12. OK, lets face it, Thor is a bad film and Batman Begins it's a good one. But 1) nobody puts two films from the same franchise in the same list (note Burton's Batman (1989) and Nolan's Batman are diffrent franchises); 2) The Dark Knight Rises is better than Batman Begins; 3) YOU gave an A- for Burton's Batman (1989) and a B+ for Nolan's Batman Begins (2005) 5) Batman (1989) deserve an A+ (for more proofs check out here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hev5uPYA6sM)

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    1. 1) In the history of lists no one has ever put two films from the same franchise on the same list? Ever? In real life? (note you don't say); 2) I agree but, politics; 3) That's a two and a half year old opinion. Things change; 4) Comes after 3, just FYI; 5) The proofs is in the pudding.

      thank you thank you thank you you're far too kind.

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    2. You right. But you really think Batman Begins is better than Batman? And why?

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    3. I'd rate them equally. For very different reasons, but equally. However, this being a relay, there are many other factors to consider. Such as, how many times has each film already appeared in the relay, and which one is likely to be voted out again (or kept in).

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  13. Love your addition! Batman Begins is one of favorite superhero movies. In fact, it's just behind TDKR for my all-time favorite.

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    1. Thanks man. I love that you and I always went to bat for TDKR. I really enjoyed that movie.

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  14. Sorry I'm late to this but YAY on Batman Begins!!! It's still my fave out of the trilogy, w/ TDK a close second. Thor is good but it's probably more deserving to be in a top 20, not top 10.

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    1. Don't apologize! I'm so happy that you comment, doesn't matter when! Glad you approve of my pick - love Batman Begins.

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