Monday, May 26, 2008

My Favorite Comic Book Movies: The List!


In my earlier post that discussed the enjoyment of movies and a bit about Iron Man, Nick and I had a brief conversation in the comments where he told me his top 10 comic related movies. Thank you for that, Nick! It inspired me, and here I am with my list.

1. Iron Man. Maybe it is because the movie is still so fresh in my mind, but I just haven’t seen a comic film to top this yet, mostly based on the awe-inspiring performance of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. This was a solid film that made me long for many sequels.

2. 300. Holy Mother of God, this movie is good. I love the fact that the cast all had to have hard bodies that appeared to be chiseled by the gods they worshipped. I also think that Gerard Butler inhabited his role. I felt the power and the bravery to my bones, and that has made this movie one of my repeat viewings along with Russell Crowe in Gladiator.

3. X-Men: X2. This was the X-Men movie that worked best for me. We know the characters, and now it is all about upping the ante. The scenes with Wolverine amazed me, and I got a big lump in my throat when Jean made her heroic sacrifice.

4. Superman- the original with Christopher Reeve. When it comes to the old school comic book film, this one tops them all. I loved Margot Kidder as Lois and still envision Reeve as THE Clark Kent. His clumsiness, played with a bit of a twinkle in his eye, work as well for me today as it did back then.

5. Batman Begins. Whew. Christian Bale. Great casting- Michael Kane as Alfred and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox. Bad, scary casting: Katie Holmes. One word for you: Batmobile.

6. Sin City. Yep, I am a girl and I loved Sin City. Robert Rodriguez made this movie feel like reading a comic book in the best sense of the word. The casting of Mickey Rourke as Marv was inspired, and every scene he is in is still my favorite part of the film.

7. Batman
by Tim Burton. The movie I expected to hate but ended up loving. Michael Keaton’s quirky Bruce Wayne worked much better then expected, and Kim Basinger’s damsel in distress shtick worked wonders. Then there is Jack…

8. 30 Days of Night. I just saw this movie two nights ago for the first time and it scared the crap out of me. I made my friend go into the other end of the house first to make sure that there weren’t any vampires hiding out. Truly.

9. Spider-Man. The movie that got Marvel into the game. I am still not a fan of Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane, but I loved Tobey McGuire’s interpretation of Peter Parker. Best bit: J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson. Sam Raimi made me love super hero movies again.

10. Hellboy. Ron Perlman did a freaking amazing job on this movie, and the rest of the cast took it on home. Guillermo del Toro put his stamp on fantasy movies and never looked back.

That is my list. What does yours look like? It seems only fitting to wind down the holiday weekend with some fond memories.

15 comments:

Nick said...

Welcome :)

30 Days of Night I completed spaced on.

BIG MIKE said...

300? Really?

Hudson Phillips said...

Great list Heidi... Some interesting choices. I wasn't big on 300 or Hellboy, and maaaaybe it's a bit too premature to look at Iron Man in perspective (it's no doubt a great film) but SORELY missing from the list are two of my favorites: Men In Black & the Rocketeer.

Carl said...

I can forgive a lot of things if the character in spite of the movie is the character from the comic. Lots of peoples's faves don't do that. The MIB movies were barely like the original comics. I loved the Blade movies, but the Tomb of Dracula character morphed into the movie character over the years and so on. My favorite list would go like this:

1. Batman Begins

2. Sin City

3. 300

4. Iron Man

5. The Crow

6. Hellboy

7. Superman II

8. Superman

9. Batman (89)

10. The Phantom

And I know I left out a bunch, simply 'cause I need a top 20 or 30 really...

Eaglewing said...

Solid list there. Makes me really want to get out and see Iron Man if it already is tops on your list. Thats impressive.

After reading your list, I have to modify what I said mine was in a comment. I think I'm forgetting something, but here's mine.

1. Sin City
2. X-Men 1
3. X-Men 2
4. Batman Begins
5. Hellboy
6. 300
7. Mystery Men
8. Punisher (2004)
9. History of Violence
10. Road To Perdition.

Honorable Mentions: Rocketeer, Daredevil, Spiderman 2, Batman '89, and Batman Forever (so sue me, I liked it as a popcorn flick :)

And if the trailers are any indication, I have a feeling The Dark Knight will move into the top 5, and I'm hoping Punisher 2 won't disappoint. It probably will though.

Heidi Meeley said...

Nick, you were my inspiration!

I probably would not have remembered 30 Days of Night other then the fact that I just viewed it. Nice little scary flick!

Heidi Meeley said...

Big Mike, you bet! I enjoyed the beefcake but I also loved how it all looked on the screen. The narration worked for me and I felt that Lena Headley (sp?) was a great female lead.

What didn't you like about it?

Heidi Meeley said...

Hudson, thank you for reminding me about Men In Black and Rocketeer! I totally forgot about those!

As for Iron Man... I do concede that the shiny new car smell of it all does help. I just can't get over how Robert Downey Jr. inhabits the role. It absolutely amazes me to my core. As a big skeptic about his casting, I feel that he proved me wrong.

Thank you so much!

Heidi Meeley said...

Nice list! I can't believe I forgot about The Crow! That movie was amazing! I really debated between Superman I and II, so I was glad that you and Nick had II on your lists.

Nice job and excellent taste!

Heidi Meeley said...

Eaglewing, I feel the same way about Dark Knight. If it swings the way I think it will, it may be on the list a year from now.

I almost put Punisher on my list, as I loved the fact that it was based on the "Welcome Back Frank" storyline. What stopped me was John Travolta chewing the scenery. It kinda scared me!

Nice list, my friend!

Unknown said...

I'm a girl and Sin City is now one of my favorite movies! Great list.

Heidi Meeley said...

Nerdy Bird, thank you! I appreciate the fact that I am not the only lady that liked the movie. Also, thank you for the kind words!

Unknown said...

Ah list mania how I do love thee. *g*

Please keep in mind that numerical position does not indicate preference.

1:)Batman Begins-If there is a flaw in this movie as far as it's faith to the spirit of Batman I've yet to find it.

2:)Batman-Lots of flaws, but the casting of Keaton as Bruce/Bats was so Not one of them.

3:)Superman-I still don't know how they got cameras from earth prime to the DCU but it was quite a feat, well except somehow they misidentified The Prankster as Lex Luthor (sorry but worst costuming job ever)

4:)American Splendor-It's interesting I honestly can't stand autobio comics. But somehow the whole thing works as a movie. And the bits where the fourth wall isn't just broken but obliterated felt really fresh to me.

5:)Ghost World-Again a comic I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole but loved as a movie. And anything that gives Steve Buscemi work is of the good.

6:)MIB-A really fun movie that I hope someday they make a sequel to. What? They already did? No they didn't. They didn't I'm telling you. LALALALALA I can't hear you!

7:)Sin City-Yet another one, I tried to read the comics, didn't make it but it makes a brilliant movie

8:)Unbreakable-It is a comic book movie. It is a love letter to super hero comics. And more importantly if you watch the was everything is framed and how there is very little motion within each scene? It is a freekin comic. A work of genius I feel.

9:)Ghostbusters-Okay I know not based on a comic book, but considering how easily it lent its self to both comic and cartoon adaptation I felt it deserved to be on this list.

10:)Spiderman-You'll believe a man can get bitten by a radioactive spider and not die.

Saranga said...

I'm a sucker for superhero movies so I even have a soft spot for the Daredevil and Elektra ones. I do draw the line at Spiderman 3 though.
My favourites, in no particular order, are:
Christopher Reeve's Superman (the first 3)
X men 2 and 3
Fantastic 4 (both)
Brandon Routh's Superman
Spiderman 2
Daredevil
Iron Man
I think I'm a rarity as a comic fan as I do not like Batman, or his movies. Having said that, the performance of the Scarecrow in Batman Begins was inspired, I'm hoping that I'll like the new Batman movie and I'm hoping the new Hulk movie will also become a favourite. Which will be impressive as I think the Hulk is beyond lame.

Swinebread said...

sorry I haven't visited I like most of you picks

I'll have to think a about a list for me...