Shudder Day: 'Tales From the Crypt'- 'Dig That Cat...He's Real Gone'

 A look back at the final 3rd of the Show's actual Premiere.

When it debuted, the Show had 3 Segments run back-to-back-to-back.  I covered the first one, but I'm skipping the 2nd one (since it is Christmas themed).

As such, let's take a different look at death in...

Like the first one, we get a Cryptkeeper Intro and then an Intro from the Lead Character.

I'm curious to see when this drops off and why.

In any event, this guy- Joe Pantoliano- is bragging about how he can't die and stay dead...from inside of a coffin.

In a flashback, he shows us that he was a hard on his luck guy who met with a Scientist.

The guy did an experiment on him that involved transplanting an organ from a cat that is somehow the thing that 'gives it nine lives.'

Now he's got it.

After the Doctor shoots him (one life down) to prove that it would work, he comes up with a get rich plan.

The Doctor pitches an Act where the guy dies and comes back to life.
Robert Wuhl is just crazy enough to try it.

Yes, this is from later, but I take the Caps I can get it.

And so the man- Ulric- begins a series of limited engagement Shows where, he, well, dies.

After the crowd nearly leaves the first time, things are escalated with very gimmicks such as hanging or an Archery Gallery.

He eventually betrays the Doctor, since he's greedy.
Another life down.

The cumulative effects are starting to pile up (something later used in Happy Death Day) and he's even betrayed by the beautiful Carny Woman when he gets rich.

He sets up one last trick in which he'll get 100% of the profits.

It is only then that he (sort of, but not really) miscounted- since the Cat lost one of its lives- and he'll die for real.

This actually doesn't track, but, regardless, The End!

A fun, flashy Tale of irony and greed.

For starters, this one was Directed by Richard Donner, who is one of the 47 Producers on this Show.  As such, it looks great and is dynamically Filmed.

With the Sideshow Theme, they often make you feel like you're really in the Audience.

It also helps that we have some strong Leads like Pantoliano (hot off of The Goonies) and Wuhl (hot off of Batman).  They make this one really stand out.

The build up with the character is nice as he's not a great guy first and you can see things really go to his head.  When he gets his comeuppance at first, you're sad...but he also deserved it.

A pretty simple Moral on display here.  Given that this is based on a '50s Comic, that tracks.

Now can I do an 'Alas Poor Urich' joke if the other guy is also a Skeleton?

A fun example of the style and charm of the Show.  With good Actors and a great Director, you can't go wrong.

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...