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Post by Prince Hal on Dec 24, 2016 16:16:58 GMT -5
#1 The Adventures of Superman (1952-58)I know I haven’t filled in favorites 6 through 2 yet. I know what’s going in each, but time slipped away from me last week. But I just wanted to be sure that I put in my #1. Despite all kinds of worthy contenders, including many that appeared on many another poster’s list, my top choice was perhaps the easiest to make. Growing up as a comic book lover when I did not only meant hunting for your favorite titles on treks from store to store and town to town, but reconciling yourself to two hard facts: First, basically everyone else thought comics were, by turns, childish, dangerous, nerdy, and a waste of time, intellect and money, and thus, it was tough to come out of the closet, so to speak. Second, there just wasn’t much related to comics -- beyond the comic books themselves – in popular culture, and thus little chance for others to accept comics by seeing them in a different light. This was light years removed from today, when The Guardians of the Galaxy become the stars of a mega-hit movie; when there have been eight Batman movies since 1989; and when the Flash, SHIELD, Daredevil, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, and Green frikkin’ Arrow have had hit TV shows. Hell, from what I hear, Rip Hunter is a featured character on Arrow? There are Earth-Two heroes all over the place? It isn’t just fanboys and cellar-dwelling nerds watching these. Comics are mainstream now. But, back in the not-so-halcyon days, there was The Adventures of Superman. The Ur-hero of comic books was also the Ur-hero of comics in the zeitgeist. He was acceptable. You could watch him every day with your non-comics friends and not have to worry about being laughed at or told that these stories were stupid. George Reeves, in so many ways the best of all Supermen, was cool as a cucumber, unfazed by mobsters in double-breasted suits creepy mole-men, or asteroids headed for the Earth. He was wry, arch, sarcastic, tough, and bemused. He made it clear to Lois and Jimmy that they really could be massive pains in the ass, and he often didn’t need Superman to solve hos problems that much, because his Clark Kent had balls of steel. Superman was a friendly haven, a pioneering series, a comfort food for the mind unlike any other for me when I was a kid, and I still can’t turn it of if it pops up somewhere on TV. I’ll stop rhapsodizing. Suffice it to say that without George Reeves, Jack Larson, Noel Neill, John Hamilton, Phyllis Coates, Whitney Ellsworth, Tommy Carr, and the rest of the Superman cast and crew, we most definitely would be stuck for a lot of our entries this year. But on a larger scale, The Adventures of Superman went a long way toward “normalizing” comics in the eyes of the non-comics crowd. For that and a million late-afternoon thrills, a theme and an intro indelibly printed in our hearts and minds, and especially for the greatness of George Reeves in the role that he owned and that eventually owned him, I will always treasure this show and how much it has meant to me and millions of others. 
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Post by hondobrode on Dec 24, 2016 16:48:13 GMT -5
Pól Rua I've never heard of this but am interested. Good call. Sometimes it's good to sprinkle in some obscure that others probably haven't heard of. Well, my last pick here is surprising to me. There are others that are more gripping, dark, twisted, whatever, but overall, I was stunned at the overall level of excellence here at really enjoyed this.  I didn't realize until the last year or so thinking about my favorite Marvel characters which one was probably my favorite and why, and it's Daredevil. Like Matt, I was raised Catholic. He's got a conscience and tries to do the right thing but screws up here and there and has had a rocky road with the ladies. Yeah, there's some overlap. Netflix and Marvel did a fantastic job here and really it's almost flawless IMO. Amazingly good.  Charlie Cox as Matt / Daredevil is perfect. Perfect. Even more perfect because he strongly resembled my brother Ryan, who totally reminds me of DD / Matt. Vincent D'Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket) is also perfect as the Kingpin. He crushes it. Nuanced and powerful and not someone to underestimate. Much as I like those two, I've gotta say I LOVE Eldon Henson as Foggy. His performance takes Foggy way beyond anything I've felt in the comics. I have a whole new love and respect for the character thanks to this show. Probably my favorite character. Deborah Ann Woll, the blonde, plays Karen Page, but differently than she was portrayed in the comics. Historically she was saccharine sweet innocent and later Miller turned her into a hardcore junkie prostitute. Neither extreme is shown this time, but Karen now is not quite as innocent and a little bit of a flirtation with danger. Rosario Dawson portrays Claire Temple, a new character that gives kind of a reality POV to Matt. She's basically a Night Nurse character without actually being THE Night Nurse cause Marvel has other plans for that character. Great, great show. Haven't seen the second season yet with the Punisher and Elektra, but I'm looking forward to it. BTW, on a lot of the postings here by others, I didn't like if I'm not particularly a big fan, like Batman '66, or, mostly I don't feel I can judge because I haven't seen the source material. Sadly there's a lot of stuff here I haven't seen yet including Winter Soldier, Thor the Dark World, and almost all of Batman : the Animated Series, amongst others. In closing I want to thank Cei-U Kurt Mitchell once again for coordinating this annual event. I'm only sorry I didn't come into years earlier. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all !
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Post by Icctrombone on Dec 24, 2016 17:23:03 GMT -5
#1 Avengers ( 2012)
 This is the film that was able to topple Superman the movie after it having the top spot for over half of my life. The Marvel movie makers really planned and executed every film expertly leading up to this event. This is the first time in history, That I can think of, where a movie features the stars of three movie franchises together in one film at the peak of their popularity. The only other film where they had actors play their famous roles all in one film is Abbot and Costello meet Frankenstein- and I believe that those actors were no longer making their movies. Think about it- Downey, Evans and Hemsworth together in one movie playing the roles that they are currently starring as in one flic. It still boggles the mind. Anyway, the film itself was the dream come true as they ran though all the famous Marvel tropes; Heroes meet each other and fight ( Thor and Iron Man), The more powerful members defer to Captain Americas leadership, Shellhead and Cap clash over ideaology , The Hulk losses control and Battles Thor. Man, This movie was a Marvel zombies dream. The story itself uses every character and doesn’t shortchange any of them in screen time nor in highlighting their personalities. It has probably the best villain we’ve seen in a long time in Loki and an awesome final battle in the streets of NYC. And the best ( my favorite anyway) villain Thanos ,makes his entrance as the brain over it all. From the action packed James Bond type opening to the final self sacrifice from Stark, it never stopped being a rollercoaster of greatness. I’m no kid anymore but I actually went to the movie theatre 3 separate times to see this film. It was that good.
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Post by foxley on Dec 24, 2016 18:52:48 GMT -5
1. Sin City
And my #1 pick is the greatest comic-to-screen adaptation ever: Sin City. And it is so great because for once the put the comic on the screen exactly as written. They didn't feel the need to make Marv a teenager and give him a wacky alien sidekick, or make Dwight a albino black hermaphrodite in a wheelchair in order to add 'diversity', or have Hartigan and Nancy go skipping off into the sunrise so the movie could have a happy ending. And the casting is perfect: Mickey Rourke as Marv, Clive Owen as Dwight, Bruce Willis as Hartigan, Rosario Dawson as Gail,... I could go on. I don't think there is a casting misstep in this film. (Maybe Michael Madsen as Bob if you're feeling particularly ungenerous.) I do like the sequel as well. However, because I love the cast in the original, I found the recastings in the sequel (necessitated by the passing of Michael Clarke Duncan and Brittany Murphy, and Devon Aoki's pregnancy) to be somewhat jarring (especially as the characters of Manute and Shelley have major roles in 'A Dame to Kill For'. I do hope they do 'To Hell and Back' as the third film. Merry Christmas everyone.
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Post by MDG on Dec 24, 2016 23:30:23 GMT -5
Danger: DiabolikTo be honest, this is the only movie from this series that I'd put on my all-time favorite movies list. It just hits all my sweet spots: mid-60s euro, high style, Mario Bava, favorite players (Adolfo Celi, Michel Piccoli), Morricone soundtrack, low-budget... There's a story that Dino DeLaurentiis told Bava that he could only give him a budget of $3 million, and Bava countered "I do it for a million five!" He used his full arsenal of miniatures, forced perspective, lighting effects, etc., to make a movie that looks better than much more expensive films. It combines elements of Bond, Batman, krimi, gialli, with contemporary movies like Blow-Up to tell the story of a master criminal attacking the state. The law coerces the underworld to help them trap Diabolik through his love, Eva.  Hey! The whole things on YouTube!
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Post by wildfire2099 on Dec 25, 2016 0:14:18 GMT -5
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (original cartoon) There's just so much FUN during this series.. whether they're loosely adapting comics or trying to sell toys... I only wish they'd put out a decent DVD release, or get in on some streaming site. I don't think I ever would have got into comics without them.  Then, of course, there's Usagi, who, at the time, I thought was just another new character for an action figure: 
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Post by Icctrombone on Dec 25, 2016 10:42:24 GMT -5
Danger: DiabolikTo be honest, this is the only movie from this series that I'd put on my all-time favorite movies list. It just hits all my sweet spots: mid-60s euro, high style, Mario Bava, favorite players (Adolfo Celi, Michel Piccoli), Morricone soundtrack, low-budget... There's a story that Dino DeLaurentiis told Bava that he could only give him a budget of $3 million, and Bava countered "I do it for a million five!" He used his full arsenal of miniatures, forced perspective, lighting effects, etc., to make a movie that looks better than much more expensive films. It combines elements of Bond, Batman, krimi, gialli, with contemporary movies like Blow-Up to tell the story of a master criminal attacking the state. The law coerces the underworld to help them trap Diabolik through his love, Eva. Hey! The whole things on YouTube! Thanks for posting the Link. I might watch it soon. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2016 11:00:14 GMT -5
For my #1, I'm choosing something right out of left field. Not a lot of people saw it, which is a damned shame, because it deserved a lot better than it got, but hopefully, I can encourage someone to take a look at... 1. The MiddlemanDear sweet zombie jesus, I love this show. The creation of Javier Grillo-Marxuach, this began life as a pitch for a TV series. When no one was willing to pick it up, it became a comic series from Viper Comics, with art by the wonderful Les McClane. The comic series was then picked up by ABC as a TV series, running for 12 episodes, with a 13th episode scripted but never filmed, which was later adapted into a comic. Confused yet? The Middleman is an unapologetically nerdy, gloriously funny, and spectacularly fun series. It details the adventures of the title character (played by Matt Keeslar) whose job is to deal with strange threats against the world. In the first episode, he runs into temp Wendy Watson (Natalie Morales) and after seeing how well she handles a weird tentacular glob monster, decides to recruit her as his assistant and train her to take over for him if he should perish in the line of duty. In twelve wonderful episodes, the heroes deals with zombie fish, vampire puppets, a cursed tuba, a cadre of evil masked wrestlers, a journey to the underworld and an intergalactic boy band, among others. Each episode is crammed to the gills with wonderful Easter Eggs for the discerning nerd, but it's not disruptive to the plot, and you can feel the genuine love and affection coming through. The characters are amazing. Matt Keeslar plays The Middleman with utter deadpan sincerity as someone who's used to the weird world he's found himself in, while Natalie Morales' Wendy Watson is perfect as the viewpoint character trying to balance her new duties as defender of the world with her life as an aspiring artist, and the wellbeing of her friends. Both are ridiculously talented comedic performers who invest their roles with enough genuine gravitas and emotional weight to stop the series from spinning off into deliberate irony. But seriously, if this series is anything, it's FUN! Block Capitals with an exclamation point at the end! It's the sort of show you wish would run forever because the whole time you're watching it, you can't wipe the smile off your face. Just ordered this from Amazon. It's only $24 for anyone else interested. |
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Post by Icctrombone on Dec 25, 2016 11:08:21 GMT -5
Batman TAS was on my shortlist and I actually used to record them on VHS the and rewatch them. I just don't remember any of the stories standing out in my memory. I'm glad it got 12 days love .
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Post by String on Dec 25, 2016 11:25:13 GMT -5
#1 The Flash
The Flash has been one of my favorite heroes ever since I first read of him back in the days of Cary Bates and Carmine Infantino, when Barry was on trial for killing Professor Zoom. It was the Flash that first brought me to back issue bins in comic and book stores as I searched for that issue where he killed Zoom (which I found) and even looked for Zoom's first appearance (which I found as well). On school and neighborhood playgrounds, it wasn't Batman or Spider-Man that I would imitate, it was Flash because I wanted to run fast. So for me, this show so far has been the pinnacle of comic adaption for TV. They have taken many great elements from the Flash mythos from all Ages, Golden, Silver, Bronze, even today's and merged them seamlessly into fun amazing episodes that are building their own unique canon. The casting is fantastic. There are many characters seen and glimpsed from all eras here but it all revolves around Grant Gustin as Barry Allen. I've never heard of him before this but he has been amazing in the role so far. Such a wide acting range, from lovable techno-geek to a young man maturing from tragic scars. We can argue all day about the merits and necessity of Geoff Johns changing Barry's origin to where his mother Nora was murdered but man, does it work so good here. Any scene that features Barry and Nora together are filled with love, sadness and an overwhelming sense of fate. Grant's portrayal is even stronger here in those scenes and so moving. The supporting cast is just as amazing. The West family, father Joe, daughter Iris and yes, even the new Wally are a strong surrogate family for Barry. Jesse Martin, veteran actor, adds emotional weight to Joe West as he adapts to Barry's new role and powers while Candice Patton brings new energy and flair to Iris West. The ongoing love story between Barry and Iris is sweet and fun and frustrating! The STAR Labs gang is excellent. Cisco Ramon is your prototypical nerd who never fails to say or do something geeky that always makes me laugh out loud (probably because I would say or do the same in that situation!) And a special kudos to Tom Cavanagh as Dr. Harrison Wells. Through this run so far, he's portrayed the same character in at least three different versions and yet somehow made each version unique unto themselves. My favorite Mad Scientist ever now. But what this show does so well too is paying homage to what came before. Having John Wesley Shipp aboard is genius. The original Flash from the short-lived 80s TV show as Barry's convicted father is wonderful casting and you can tell Shipp truly envelops the role. Mentoring young Barry in more than one way. And how that role morphed into his current role is just brilliant. If you haven't watched any of the show, I won't spoil it but Shipp becomes the true Elder Statesman of the mythos in a exciting way. Having Amanda Pays (the original Tina McGee) back AS Tina McGee?! Terrific. And Mark Hamill, reprising his original role as Trickster. Amazing. As for rest of the villains, wow. Outside of Batman's Rogues Gallery, Flash has one of the most unique in the DCU, blue-collar crooks with high-tech gear that work and live by their own personal code of honor and thievery. But somehow they've pulled off the Rogues in a great way. Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell (as Capt. Cold and Heat Wave) form the nucleus of the group. Their portrayals veer really close to cheese but it's Fine Cheese. In fact, it reminds me of the villains from the West Batman shows, just over-the-top and having fun while doing it. They pulled off Gorilla Grodd in a scary way. They discussed Earth-1, Earth-2 and the theory behind the DC multiverse...on prime time TV. They even worked in a reference to how Barry dies in Crisis on Infinite Earths! It's wit, it's humor, it's action, it's drama, it's suspense, it's fun, it's a soap opera whose main character just happens to be The Fastest Man Alive.
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Post by Pól Rua on Dec 25, 2016 19:04:36 GMT -5
It's very hard to see Gorilla City on a prime time TV show and not think we're living in some sort of Golden Age.
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Post by Paste Pot Paul on Dec 26, 2016 5:36:57 GMT -5
1. Captain America The Winter Soldier
Laptop busticated so no pitchas
This has been quite the revelation really, 12 days that is not the movie. Very interesting seeing what appeals to others, and then having to think hard about the choices you made. I honestly don't know if I would make the same posts if we restarted next week. The movies and series I left out or forgot. Then there was my choice to try and keep it diverse, not have too many of the same thing, same series, same character.
Well thanks a lot Marvel...not only did u make it hard by starting up your own billion dollar Universe but you had to go and let others do good work on Spider-Man and the X-MEN. ... AND then u had to let Netflix screw me over with those damnably awesome series...
I really have no choice in my top pick. My favorite character in the best storyline they ever gave him with perfect casting. I don't have the words for how this made me feel on release. Relief undoubtedly. ...for a second or two after the trailer ... but sheer awe at how well this came together. Damn it's been a good decade or so to be a geek.
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Post by coke & comics on Dec 26, 2016 14:10:45 GMT -5
Twelfth Day notes
Daredevil was my #6 pick.
My #1 was Batman: The Animated Series. So it's a fair guess that I love Mask of the Phantasm. One of my favorite superhero movies. And not on my list for no particular reason, except that including the TV series got the point across.
I like the Flash. My review basically matches my review of Supergirl and Agent Carter. I like it. It's got charm. But there's just such high production value TV out there, that I struggle. And so I'm still working my way through Season 1. Slowly. Not at Grodd yet. Getting there.
Garfield Christmas Special seems like something I would have seen once, but I can't recall.
Fine, I'll read/watch The Middleman.
Never seen any Asterix films. I have enjoyed what little I have read of the comics. I should read more and watch some films. (I do need things to work in English translation)
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Confessor
CCF Mod Squad
Not Bucky O'Hare!
Posts: 10,197 
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Post by Confessor on Dec 27, 2016 7:07:30 GMT -5
#1: Superman the Movie and Superman II (1978 & 1980)   A few days late with my last entry, due to a busy social calendar (life's tough!). Anyway, what can I say about these films? The reason that I've decided to pick both films as my #1 choice is that they do form a continuous story and they were basically filmed back-to-back. Superman the Movie, in particular, is still, even after all these years, the greatest superhero movie ever made, as far as I'm concerned. Everything about it, from it's script, "slow burn" pacing, direction, special effects and cinematography (by the criminally underrated Geoffrey Unsworth) are utterly fantastic. Both films feature a number of excellent and very memorable set pieces, such as the Krytonian council/Phantom Zone sequence, the Daily Planet helicopter rescue, Supes fixing the San Andreas Fault, and the epic Superman vs. the Phantom Zone criminals battle in New York City. The cast is great, from Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor to Margot Kidder's Lois Lane to Marc McClure's Jimmy Olsen, and Christopher Reeve just is Superman – it's as simple at that! Yep, I've seen these films umpteen times – maybe as many as a hundred times, in the case of Superman the Movie – and they never, ever fail to delight. Superhero films simply don't get any better than these, as far as I'm concerned.
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Post by brutalis on Dec 27, 2016 8:12:43 GMT -5
For the Twelfth day i offer you bump bump bump bump bump bump bump bump Flash Ahaaaaaaaa savior of the universe Gordon! Thwarting Ming and his evil minions with the aid of Zarkov and Dale and Prince 007 and King Vultan and his Hawkmen they all diiiiiiiiiiiiiiive headlong into thrilling fun and exciting adventure. Over the top, colorful to the extreme, spectacular Queen soundtrack that thumps in your head for eons after hearing it. This movie was meant for the big screen and me and my buddies were there to visit Mongo almost every other weekend through 1980.
Superb casting and a visual feast for the eyes taking cues from the newspaper strip and the original serials and even from the recent Saturday morning cartoon this movie helps keep Flash Gordon alive in such a festive visual way reminding us that not all comic book movies of today need to be dark, depressing and heavy on the brain.
Flash Gordon paved the way and style for the Marvel movie universe to follow up on. This is why Flash Gordon is my pick of the season!!!!
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