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Top 10 Superhero Flicks

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Another week, another top 10!

With “Man of Steel” released recently, I figured now would be as good a time as any to deliver my 10, all-time favourite superhero films. I didn’t want to jump the gun just in case “Man of Steel” managed to crack the list and then have to go back and edit it, that’s why I waited. No doubt a lot of you will not agree with my choices, so let me explain a little before hand. I am a huge fanboy and while that does have its perks, it certainly comes with its own set of disadvantages. Such as being unable to admit a film is subpar due to my misplaced sense of invincibility and obsession. So please, while gazing at this top 10, be gentle :) .

I’m getting real close to completing this segment’s header image so please bare with me at least for this week. Inevitably, “Captain America” did not make the list but I felt a powerful need to include him in this post whichever way I could.

Also, guys please follow The Cinema Monster on facebook and twitter. There are links to both on the right side of the page. It would mean a lot to me. I know its a hassle, but I just created them and if no one follows, they bare no purpose. I followed everyone on the blogroll already, so just simply go to your followers and follow me back…please :) .

One last thing before we get started. Next Friday I will be unable to post a top 10. Would anyone like to contribute a top 10 of their own to the segment? I’ve been wanting to have a guest rank a top 10 for some time now, so I guess there is no time like the present. I’d like to start off with just one guest top 10 a month, at least until its popularity grows. So, if you would like to be the first to post a top 10, please e mail me with your idea for the top 10 and your website so I can quickly select one and we can prepare for next week. The email is [email protected]

Enough witty banter and self-publicity, let’s start the top 10.

 

10: “X-2″

Why?: Easily the best in the trilogy. “X-2″ sees the mutants band together to defeat a common foe, and while this may be a comic book cliche, I love when it happens. Also, Wolverine vs Lady Deathstrike is enough on its own.

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9: “Thor”

Why?: I am a huge Thor fan and I feel that he is the best Avenger. I was a little weary of his own full-length feature series, but the original proved me wrong and its sequel “Thor: The Dark World” looks fantastic. And…c’mon…Chris Hemsworth.

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8: “Iron Man”

Why?: Seeing Tony Stark fight his way out of capture, build a formidable, almost indestructible suit, and destroy Jeff Bridges is enough. Let alone the fact that this film without question has the most heart and believability.

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7: “Spider Man 2″

Why?: I’ll admit I am not a huge fan of Raimi’s “Spider Man” trilogy. I did enjoy the first film, but the third and final entry was a complete bust. However, the second film is outstanding.

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6: “Man of Steel”

Why?: Remember when I said I’m a fanboy and essentially go into the cinema with blinders on, well, yeah, that’s why. But seriously, this film was amazing, I don’t understand why it’s taking so much heat. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but it was still epic and utterly captivating.

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5: “Batman Begins”

Why?: Odds are, if you’re not a fan of Christopher Nolan’s introduction to his reboot of the Batman franchise, I don’t much care for you as a person. Just kidding…sort of. Between Cillian Murphy’s Scarecrow and the fact that my last name is Falcone, I couldn’t resist.

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4: “The Avengers”

Why?: Directed and written by the masterful Joss Whedon. “The Avengers” is everything you’d expect it to be, and so much more.

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3: “X-Men: First Class”

Why?: Honestly, this flick blew my mind. The origin stories of essentially every single mutant, it’s clever, witty dialogue, and insatiable heart. “X-Men: First Class” is a no brainer for me. “I prefer…Magneto.”

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2: “The Dark Knight”

Why:? Many argue that it is the greatest superhero movie of all-time. While it’s hard to argue, I must insist there is one better. Nonetheless, with Heath Ledger’s Joker portrayal, the bat-pod, and everything in between, “The Dark Knight” is down-right perfect.

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1: “The Dark Knight Rises”

Why?: Christopher Nolan’s immaculate ending to his epic “Dark Knight” trilogy. Many thought he could never top “The Dark Knight,” but I, like many others, feel he did the job.

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Honourable Mentions: “Captain America,” “Spider Man,” “Iron Man 2,” “X-Men,” “Unbreakable,” “Watchmen,” “Kick Ass.”

 

If you feel that I’ve overlooked a flick or that a film made the list that shouldn’t have, feel free to comment below. Also, if you are interested in contributing a top 10, please let me know. Have a great weekend!

Evil Dead (2013)

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Relying on the nostalgia and gore a bit to eagerly for those not familiar with the original trilogy. But Evil Dead is a worthy re-imagining filled with enough blood and guts to ruin the stomach lining of die hard fans and new comers alike. It may tamper with the story and replace the comedy element with an emotional struggle, but it still serves as a monument to the genre masters of old. Evil Dead should be enough to appease the modern horror enthusiasts seeking a tasteless thrill (which I mean positively). The intelligent and psychological aspect of the film is never really present, which should be expected when dealing with this cult classic. If you go into Evil Dead expecting to be blown away with unfathomable depth and hidden messages, you’re sure to be disappointed. The most respectable trait in this rebirthing is its awareness of its limitations and how it plays within them. Evil Dead is what it is and what it is coincides with the original. A terrific horror movie that should soon be a timeless halloween flick that is sure to leave you queasy and demented.

This new chapter added into the Evil Dead franchise is directed and co-written by Fede Alvarez. Who, with the help of Diablo Cody, seems to draw inspiration from both of Sam Raimi’s original Evil Dead pictures. It stars Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, and Elizabeth Blackmore.

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David (Fernandez), Olivia (Lucas), Eric (Pucci), Natalie (Blackmore), and Mia (Levy) head to a remote cabin in the forest from their youth. The group has brought Mia here to end her drug addiction. When Mia begins to succumb to withdrawal, she complains of an unbearable smell. Later, they stumble upon a cellar filled with dead rodents hanging on string and the book of the dead. When a passage is read from its pages, it releases a demon who dwells in the woods. As it possesses each member, the group must make life or death decisions in order to stay alive.

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As soon as the traditional or petty cliche (however you chose to look at it) group of five arrive at the cabin, the memories flow back. For those familiar with the original like me, you’ll become overwhelmed. I began to reminisce of those frightening nights from my youth. When the tiny, rundown cabin with an even smaller tool shed to the right, stocked with countless tools of malice and mischief filled the screen, I felt innocent again. I’m probably playing this, yearning angle a tad to earnestly. But, at it cores it is technically a remake and it definitely intended to pull on the heart strings. As for the ones caught up in the hype, Evil Dead shouldn’t disappoint. If you watched the trailer before hand, you knew what you were getting yourself into.

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As with any film dependant on gory scares and characters stupidity, there are sure to be faults. In the beginning, the acting isn’t as strong as it needed to be, with the exception of Jane Levy. But surprisingly, as the movie goes on, the performances improve. Levy is definitely the strongest. She gives a performance that should be worthy enough to break her through. I predict we will be seeing more of her from now on. The musical score is ambient at times and down right alarming when it needs to be. Featuring some sort of siren, screeching, and ascending bass lines, the soundtrack is equally terrifying. Try not to dwell on the little inconsistencies and the right choices that should have been made instead of the idiotic ones. Evil Dead is the cliche. It didn’t know when it conjured up its structure that it would be the blueprint for all future films of the genre.

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In the end, if you’re not a fan of Raimi’s trilogy or you didn’t get swept up in the marketing commotion, you didn’t see Evil Dead this weekend. Odds are, you’re probably repulsed by excessive brutality and buckets of fake blood with pulpy, mashed organs floating about, strewn along the walls, so you wouldn’t enjoy it anyway. Even if you went in blind, the title should have been enough of an indicator. If all that wasn’t enough to discourage you and you witnessed Evil Dead this weekend with your closed minded brain and innocent eyes. All I can say is, welcome to our fucked up world. Yes, we enjoy this and yes, I’ll probably watch it again with a huge smile on my face.

Evil Dead: 7 out of 10.

Also don’t forget to check out this weeks top 10 and post on the discussion board, they can be found in there respective section.

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