What's the Best Film?: The Avengers Trilogy

Yes, this is shameless.  Even so, I like the challenge of picking between three things that I like.

It's been almost a Year to the day since the last one (for the last Avengers Film), so let's see how they match up...

The Avengers vs. The Avengers: Age of Ultron vs. The Avengers: Infinity War

Three Films that I really, really like.  This will be tough.

The Lead(s)

Here's a tricky one.  Most of the same people are overlapping here.  Can I judge on them how they did in each Film then?

The group dynamic is built up strongly in the first Film, expanded and challenged in the second Film and drawn back together in the third Film.

It's tough, but I'm going with...
Winner: Age of Ultron

The Villain

Arguably the most competitive category.

Do I go with the evil Wizard, the robot who wants to remake the World or the Titan that wants to destroy half of the Universe?

For being built up so well and delivering, I pick...
Winner: Infinity War

Supporting Cast

The original Film has Coulson and Fury, plus a dash of Skarsgard and Pepper.  The Sequel has very few to speak of, unless you count Vision.  The final choice has, wait for it, The Guardians of the Galaxy AND Black Panther.

Winner: Infinity War

The Story

In the first Film, the Team is formed to stop Loki and the imminent invasion of Earth.  In the second Film, they must unite again to stop an evil that two of them created.  In the latest one, they must stop a mad Titan for collecting the Infinity Stones and killing half of all life!

As I said, I love all 3 Film, but I have to go with...
Winner: The Avengers

The Big Action Scene

In one corner, the most iconic MCU Scene to date.  In the 2nd corner, a massive battle against countless Ultron Drones that has real stakes.  In the last corner, the double-header of one Team fighting Thanos on Titan *and* another Team defending Wakanda from the Black Order.

Why is life so challenging?!?  I guess I'm going with...
Winner: Infinity War

The final Winner- Infinity War takes 3 Categories, narrowly-avoiding a tie.

There are no losers here though.  To show there's no ill will, here's this...

I want to play that game.  Oh and no Endgame SPOILERS or everyone dies.

What's the Best Film?: MCU's Trinity of First Films

It is that time.  No, not the time for me to Review the new Avengers Film (sadly- for me).  No, it is time for the return of 'What's the Best Film?'

In honor of, well, duh, let's look at how the MCU got started.  It is their Trinity in an epic showdown!

Iron Man vs. Thor vs. Captain America: The First Avenger

They are all great, so this should be a tough one.  People still debate this today, so why not me too?

The Lead

In the left corner, we have Robert Downey Jr reviving his Career and becoming the MCU's cornerstone.  In the center, we have Chris Hemsworth breaking away from Australian Dancing Shows to be a Lead.  In the right corner, we have Chris Evans becoming famous for all the right reasons.

While my gut says Evans, I have to be realistic and go with...
Winner: Iron Man

The Villain

It is the battle of greedy human vs. God vs. super Nazi.  What a battle!

I feel like it *should* be Red Skull, but, again, I have to be realistic...
Winner: Thor

The Supporting Cast

Iron Man has Pepper Potts and also the Director.  Thor has a Skarsgard that isn't hot (unless you're into DILFs), Natalie Portman and a Broke Girl.  Captain America has his BFF Bucky and Agent Carter, a Character Marvel is wishy-washy with using consistently.

For having two Characters that actually appear in non-Sequels too, the winner is...
Winner: Captain America

The Story

The first Film tells the tale of Tony building his armor and becoming a hero.  The second has Thor learning some humility and becoming a real hero.  The third has Cap getting his powers and becoming a hero.

All of have lead to 2 Sequels (three if you count Spider-Man: Homecoming), so it's up in the air.  I'll pick...
Winner: Captain America

The Big Action Scene

It all comes down to what some people think of Comic Book Films only featuring- naturally.

We have the first MCU Supervillain Battle, which is good.  We have Thor fighting the Destroyer, which is good.  We have Cap assailing the Hydra Base and fighting Red Skull on the Plane, which is good.

This is a tough one.  I reluctantly yield to...
Winner: Iron Man 

So it is a tie! Captain America and Iron Man both lock it up! Sorry, Thor.
If it makes you feel better, your Threequel was better than Iron Man's (but not Cap's).

With such a tight race, there is no real loser...except for the poor Captain America Film that has to be compared to Marvel's now...

Did my inherent Cap bias tilt things in the Film's favor?  Maybe, but I can live with that.

What's the Best Film?: Star Trek Sequels

I haven't done this in a while.  Might as well start it again, since I love lazy pandering for hits!

Since  I don't feel like cheating, there aren't enough 1sts that count for me.  Plus, I'd rather talk about these other Films anyways...

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan vs. Star Trek: First Contact vs. Star Trek Into Darkness

It is a battle of a Classic, a well-respected Film and...this one that some people like.

The Lead

In one corner, we have William Shatner as Kirk- nuff said.  In another corner, we have Patrick Stewart as Picard- nuff said.  Rounding out the bout, we have Chris Pine as James Dean as Kirk.

This is really a 2-way fight for me, so I'm going with...
Winner: Star Trek II

The Villain

So here we have Khan, the Villain who got his name in the Title.  Next we have the Borg Queen, a neat, one-off Villain that builds on Stories from the Series.  Lastly, we have Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan('s hipster Cousin).

No offense to either loser, but is there really any doubt?
The Winner: Star Trek II

 The Supporting Cast

A tougher one than the previous two.

We have the classic Star Trek Cast here, albeit older.  Next there's the almost-as-classic Trek Cast in top form.  Finally, we have the new Trek Cast, many of whom I actually like.  Just for one Character Arc, I'm going with...
The Winner: Star Trek: First Contact

 The Story

Star Trek II has Khan return for revenge, while Kirk faces aging- that's basically it.  First Contact has a Time Travel tale where the Borg must be stopped.  Into Darkness has a complicated narrative that is basically just one guy trying to start Space WWIII for no good reason.

Nothing against the Classic, but in this department...
The Winner: Star Trek- First Contact

The Big Action Scene

It all comes down to this- the thing that most people don't see Trek Films for!  Naturally...

One has the most famous Starship battle outside of the beginning of Episode III.  One has a battle of overcoming the odds against a silly-looking ship.  One has the Enterprise fighting...a much, much bigger ship that it can't win- plus space-diving.

You have to know what wins this one, right?
The Winner: Star Trek II

So with a final score of 3-2-0, the clear winner is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.  To be fair, it is arguably THE Film that all Trek Films are measured against.  That's probably why they copied it so blatantly for Into Darkness.

So do I hate Star Trek Into Darkness?  No.  It just can't measure up for me against these ones.

One more cheer for the winner...

Flashy!

What's the Best Film?!?: Forgotten DC Properties

After covering some Marvel Films that get no love (or much in the way of follow-up), it is only fair to give DC the same treatment.

While many hits are connected to Warner Bros and DC, there are some misfires (be them creative or financial).  As much as I want to talk about stuff like Supergirl again, I have other fish to fry here.  This is the battle...

Steel vs. Constantine vs. Jonah Hex

This is a battle of Technology vs Magic vs some weird mix of both.  Let's see who comes out alive (but still without a Sequel)...

 The Lead

In one corner, Shaquille O'Neal playing a Scientist- right.  In another corner, the confusingly-biracial Keanu Reeves playing a Detective/Spiritualist.  In the final corner, Josh Brolin as an undead Soldier/Cowboy.

It is clear who is NOT winning this round, but the actual winner is tougher.  I'm going with...
The Winner: Jonah Hex

 The Villain

Is it redemption time for Steel?  No, because they have Judd Nelson as their Villain.  Tilda Swinton is up to bat for Constantine, while they always quirky John Malkovich (of Being fame) is with Jonah Hex.

Who will emerge victorious?  I'm gonna go with...
The Winner: Constantine

The Supporting Cast

Steel may actually have a chance this time, since they have a wheelchair-bound Hispanic Scientist.  Up against her is Shia LaBeouf and Rachel Weisz for Constantine and Megan Fox and Will Arnett (who'd reunite for the Ninja Turtles Film!) for Jonah Hex.

By virtue of not having any Transformers Cast Members, I pick...
The Winner: Steel

The Story

With a tie so far, let's see what happens!

In Steel, Shaq is a Scientist who must use his inventions for good to save his neighborhood.  In Constantine, Keanu must teach a twin about the dark world to save both of their souls.  In Jonah Hex, Josh is brought back with dark magic & must simultaneously get revenge and save the President.

While I love a Neveldine/Taylor Script, I have to go with...
The Winner: Constantine 

The Big Action Scene

Steel features some so-so action and a silly weapon he designed in a battle.  Constantine uses a holy shotgun of sorts to shoot Demons in his big Scene.  Jonah Hex features a crossbow that fires dynamite, but mostly just mindless explosions in the dark for its climax.

This one is a surprisingly-easy pick for me...
The Winner: Constantine

Well, it is 3-1-1, so your winner is Constantine!  It got a TV Series and a back-door way into the Berlanti TV Universe...10 years later, so I guess it really did win out.  Let's see what it made out of the competition...

If there is any doubt to the validity of my Voting here, consider this- you can't rent Steel on Netflix!!!

 Seriously, I just checked.  To put that into perspective, you can still rent Raped by an Angel AND Raped by an Angel 2: The Uniform Fan on Netflix.

Ouch.

What's the Best Film?!?: Forgotten Marvel Properties

Who wants to see such greats as Captain America, Iron Man, Vision and...Falcon fight?  That's nothing compared to this match-up!

Who will win in this battle- Howard the Duck vs Ghost Rider vs Man-Thing?!?

The Drama here is so palpable that I had to say the word 'palpable.'  Let's see how this plays out...

The Lead

This is certainly going to be the weirdest match-up, right?

In one corner, we have Howard the Duck, a lecherous loser.  In another corner, we have an ash-covered Nic Cage screaming and burning.  In the final corner, a plant Monster with a vengeance.  Speaking of vengeance, this one is an easy choice...
The Winner: Ghost Rider- Spirit of Vengeance

The Villain

Another strange match-up.  Let's get to it...
Howard features an evil Alien creature from beyond that isn't quite Lovecraftian.  Ghost Rider features Satan and...a D-List Spider-Man Villain- weird.  Man-Thing features...well, Man-Thing.  Yeah, he's the Villain in his own Film...sort of.  Since both options feature Special Effects in place of people and Ciaran Hinds is great, I'm going with...
The Winner: Ghost Rider- Spirit of Vengeance

The Supporting Players

This is going to be a tricky one.  So Howard features a young Lea Thompson- points for them.  Ghost Rider features Idris Elba- points for them too.  Man-Thing features...these two guys- less points for them.  I'm going with...
The Winner: Howard the Duck

The Story

In Howard, the titular Hero gets zapped to our Dimension and must find his way back.  In Ghost Rider, our titular Hero gets put on a quest to save the World and find his redemption.  In Man-Thing, the titular Hero must battle bad guys polluting his land/body.  Tough call...
The Winner: Man-Thing

The Big Action Scene

One last weird match-up...
In Howard, the big bad finally reveals himself (as seen a few pics back) and must be stopped in the Observatory.  In Ghost Rider, our Hero fights some henchman on the road and shows off some chain skills.  In Man-Thing, our Hero/Villain kills some guys in the Swamp.  Considering that only one of these was shot by Neveldine/Taylor, I'm going with...
The Winner: Ghost Rider- Spirit of Vengeance

With a final total of 3 to 1 to 1, the clear winner here is Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.  Much like Punisher: War Zone, this one went of the crazy and came out ahead.  Is it great?  Probably not.  Is it so bat-shit insane that people like me have to love it, hell yes!

Take a bow, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance- you're the champion...of three Marvel Films that aren't talked about...even though you were only made a few years ago.

What's the Best Film?!?: Batman (The 1sts)

Since Batman v Superman continues to make money in spite of my mixed Review, I might as well play fair and talk about the other side of the equation.

This is a match-up forty-years (give or take a few months) in the making!  This is...

Batman (1966) vs. Batman (1989) vs Batman Begins

This is going to be a contentious debate...even if it is just between myself!

The Lead

The biggest one right out of the gate!  Adam West represents the pure, family-friendly Batman for his time.  

Michael Keaton represents the dark, tortured Batman for his time.  

Christian Bale represents the complex, driven Batman for his time.  

There's no bad choice here, right?

Well, unless so jaded that I can't enjoy the 1966 Batman.  I'm not.  My heart says one thing, but my gut says another.  I can't decide!

WinnerS: Batman (1966)/Batman Begins

The Villain(s)

This is a tricky one, for sure.  The 1966 Batman Film has FOUR Villains in it, predating the 'villain overkill' trope by a good 25 years.  

The 1988 Batman features Jack Nicholson as The Joker as Jack Nicholson.  

Batman Begins features Liam Neeson in his pre-Taken glory as Ra's Al Ghul (eventually).

Does quantity beat quality?  For me, yes.

The Winner: Batman (1966)

The Supporting Players

Alfred Alfred Alfred!  The connective thread here is the Dark Knight's Butler.  He's joined by Robin in the 1966 Film, something only it has.  Well, some Sequels have him...but I'll get to them later.  

Tim Burton's Batman features Vicki Vale...and her screaming.  

Nolan's Film only has the Butler, but he's the guy from The Hand, so...

The Winner: Batman Begins

The Story

From a case of being similar to one of being very, very different.  

The 1966 Film features a tale of 4 Villains trying to hold the U.N. General Council hostage by turning them into dust.  

The 1989 Film features the rise of the Joker and his curious plan to poison everyone to...well, poison them.  

The 2005 Film features the rise of Batman and the League of Assassins' plan to poison everyone in Gotham to destroy it.

While I want to give it to camp, I have to go with the obvious choice...

The Winner: Batman Begins

The Big Action Scene

While it may be academic at this point, let's play fair.

The 1966 Film features a big battle between Batman & Robin and the Villains (plus Henchman) on their Submarine.  Fun stuff.  

The Climax of the 1989 Film features Batman fighting (and killing!) Joker's henchman in a Clock Tower.  

In the 2005 Film, Batman fights Ra's Al Ghul and some Ninjas on a speeding Monorail through the City.

There's no loser here, but the winner for me is...

The Winner: Batman Begins

All in all, a pretty solid sweep for Batman Begins!!!  I'm a little surprised by that...even if I wrote it.  Take nothing away from Tim Burton's Film- it just didn't wow me as much as a whole.  I will note that I own 4 Live Action Batman Films- the 1966 one and Nolan's Trilogy.  I might be biased...

If you like it better, that's fine.  You're wrong, but that's fine.

What's the Best Film?: The Superman Films (1sts)

Since Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice continues to rake in the cash (in spite of us Critics), it is only fitting to match up the Man of Steel's 3 'Origin' Films.  You'll get your turn soon enough, Batman.

The Format hasn't changed yet, so let's do it the same way.  The big one first...

The Lead

All 3 men play Kal El/Clark Kent/Superman.  One of them does play him older and wiser though.

Reeves embodies Superman's core values strongly in the Donner Film, while Brandon Routh does his best to be a good copycat.  Mind you, he's copying someone good, so it is only *so* big of a complaint.  Henry Cavill plays a conflicted and more brooding Superman...who's also kind of dull.

While the first 2 benefit from a big Villain, the latter needs it!  He's not bad...but he's just not that interesting, Drama Beard be damned!

The Winner: Superman- The Movie

The Villain

Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor is dynamic, but still a product of his time.  Kevin Spacey's Version, in contrast, feels more universal, despicable and downright mean.  Man of Steel has no Lex Luthor- gotta wait until 2016 for that-, but its General Zod is big, bad and crazy.

No offense to Hackman- he's great-, but his Luthor is just overall outmatched here.  It comes to down big and violent with Michael Shannon or calculated and evil.  It could go either way, but I'm choosing this way...
Winner: Superman Returns

The Supporting Cast

All 3 Films have a few key Supporting Cast Members, but let me make this simpler- an all Lois 3-Way Dance!

Don't Rule 34 me just yet.  Margot Kidder's Lois is strong, outstanding and maybe a tad eccentric.  Kate Bosworth's Lois is...alright, but she's not up to par.  Amy Adams' Lois is a strong contender here and I may grow on her more over the years.  As of this writing, I'm going with...
Winner: Superman- The Movie

The Story 

Superman: The Movie is about Kal-El coming to Earth, adjusting to his new life and stopping Lex Luthor's land-grab via missile.  Superman Returns is about his, well, return and attempt to stop Luthor's land-grab via Fortress of Solitude crystal.  Man of Steel is about Kal El's arrival on Earth and attempt to stop Zod's land-grab via Kryptonian technology.

I see a pattern here.  It is a tough one, but I give the narrow nod to...
Winner: Man of Steel

The Big Action Scene

A very important Round.  Let's see how it does...

Superman: The Movie doesn't have a big battle (that's Superman II), but it does have the big moment with Superman trying to stop the missiles, doing the time warp and saving the day.  Superman Returns has a similar issue, although its big moment does involve a Kryptonite shank and Superman lifting a giant island into space!  Man of Steel has a big, bombastic Climax involving a fight, buildings being destroyed and that infamous Zod moment.

The last one has the most Action, but how will it be remembered years from now?  For sheer longevity and memorability, I give a slight nod to...
Winner: Superman- The Movie

In the End, it breaks down like this- 3 for Superman: The Movie, 1 for Superman Returns and 1 for Man of Steel.  I thought it might be closer.

You're still the best, Donner's Film!  You may disagree...but that's why I write here and not you.

All joking aside, I stand by my picks.  Let's see if the Batman match-up will cause just as much drama...

What's the Best Film?: The 'Punisher' Films

When there are so many Versions of one Film, how do you decide?  Well, good news- I'm here!

For absolutely no ulterior motive, let's begin this Series of Film-to-Film Comparisons with The Punisher...

To start, here are the 3 Films to compare...

Like 1-to-1 Film Match Ups in the Past, let's break this down into Categories.  Let me start with the big one...

The Lead

So, naturally, all of the people play 'Frank Castle.'  Duh.

Dolph Lundgren plays him like, well, Dolph Lundgren- only with less sleep.  Thomas Jane plays him as an emotionally-scarred loner.  Ray Stevenson plays him as a bleak killer that struggles to keep focused on his deadly work.

No offense, Dolph, but it is down to Thomas and Ray.  While both have their merits, I'm going with...
Winner: Punisher- War Zone

The Supporting Cast

A tricky one, since the whole Story of each Film make for very different groups.

In the '89 Film, we get an old Cop (Louis Gossett Jr.) tracking down our Hero.  In the '04 Film, we get a mixed-bag of Characters staying in the same building as our Lead.  In the '08 Film, we get Microchip- Frank's friend and helper- and the Family threatened by the villain.

No matter how people feel about the Film, this Cast is most memorable...
Winner: The Punisher (2004)

The Villain

An interesting match-up as they are all so different.

In the 1988 Version, he is an evil Yakuza Boss.  In the 2004 Version, he's a vengeful Mobster.  In the 2008 Version, he's a vengeful Mobster with a messed-up face and brother.

While one has a more complex Villain and another is just so different, I'm going with...
Winner: Punisher- War Zone

The Big Action Scene

I suppose it would be appropriate to simply match the Climax of each Film against each other, one Film has a stand-out moment earlier.

In the '89 Film, Castle and a Mobster (long story) fight Ninjas and Yakuza to rescue the latter's son.  In the '04 Film, Castle is attacked at home by the infamous Russian (Kevin Nash!) in a great scene.  In the '08 Film, the best Scene is arguably from the Intro where Castle sneak attacks some Mobsters at home in grand fashion.  A similar bit actually happens in the Dolph Version, but this is better.

Tough call.  I'm going with...
Winner: The Punisher (2004)

The Story

Yeah, I used the same graphic twice- sue me!

The 1989 Film features a zombie-like Castle pursued by a man from his past and forced to team up with those he hates to stop someone worse.  The 2004 Version features Castle's origin and a complex revenge scheme against the villain.  The 2008 Film is about a veteran Castle having a crisis of faith and learning to balance life and work.

There's no real loser here, but the one that worked best for me was...
Winner: Punisher- War Zone

So there you have it!  With a score of 3-2, the winner is Punisher: War Zone!

Don't take it too badly, Dolph Version- you just aren't as good as the others.  You do have Ninjas, so you get a sentimental point.

So before you lose yourself in Daredevil's 2nd Netflix Season, don't forget about The Punisher's real origins.  I'd do one of these for Daredevil, but...I can't exactly compare Daredevil to The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, can I?

Get on that, Bob!