Friday Top Five: Superhero Movies

Subtitled: I Love Batman!

So I have decided to start a series called Friday Top Five, which is pretty self explanatory. (Nearly) Every Friday, I will present my definitive top five list about whatever topic I want. This week, in honor of Man of Steel, I will count down my Top Five Superhero Movies. So, without further ado:

5. Sky High (Mike Mitchell, 2005)
I know, I know. Sky High is a movie I accidentally saw in theaters and genuinely loved. Sure, it's a Disney movie. But it's also really good, has a great story, a lot of heart, and cameos from the likes of Wonder Woman herself, Lynda Carter. The movie follows Micheal Angarano as Will Stronghold, the son of superheroes Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston. The problem? He doesn't have any powers. So, he struggles to fit in when he starts superhero high school (as if high school isn't hard enough!). However, he does form a bond with a few other misfits (Danielle Panabaker as the girl who can control plant life??) and eventually these misfits have to fight it out with the villains in the epic showdown. Sky High is definitely everything you want in a superhero movie and then some. In fact, just writing about it makes me want to go watch it again!

4. Batman Begins (Christopher Nolan, 2005)
It seems 2005 was quite a year for superheroes. The same year Sky High was released, Nolan re-introduced the world to Bruce Wayne. Before 2005's comeback, Batman had sort of become a joke thanks to that awful Batman and Robin movie. But Nolan brought us back to the beginning and he made Gotham and Bruce Wayne more dangerous and darker. We found out that Bruce (Christian Bale) learned everything he knew from a mysterious figure named Ducard (Liam Neeson) and after disappearing from Gotham for years, he returned to kick ass and take names. Those getting their asses kicked included Cillian Murphey's Scarecrow and, of course, Neeson. Throw in Gary Oldman as Jim Gordon, Michael Caine as Alfred and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, and you've got the beginning of a very special trilogy.

3. Spider-Man 2 (Sam Raimi, 2004)
When talking about sequels, there is one of two ways it can go: 1. It can suck and be awful and be bogged down by way too much - too many villains, too many sidekicks, etc. 2. Or it can rise above the original because you, the story teller, are no longer bogged down with origin stories and introductions. Spider-Man 2 falls into the latter category. The first Spider-Man was great fun, and featured that awesome kiss, but Spider-Man 2 is Raimi's crowning achievement. It features Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) ready to give it all up. He devoted his life to fighting crime and, instead, he's painted as a villain, the girl he loves (Kirsten Dunst) is engaged to someone else and he's just fed up. But then Alfred Molina shows up as a crazy scientist, and when an experiment goes wrong, as experiments often do, he is transformed into an angry villain named Doc Ock. Peter Parker may be the most sympathetic superhero. We all relate to him because before he got bit by a spider (!!), he was a regular dude, just like us.

2. Batman (Tim Burton, 1989)
One of my very first memories is going to see the original Batman in movie theaters. I will not say how old I was, but I remember going to see it with my older brother and his friend. I remember being completely enthralled by what was before me and that was probably the beginning of my life long love affair with movies, and also with Batman. To this day, I still think Michael Keaton is the best overall Bruce Wayne / Batman. George Clooney was good as Wayne and Kilmer was good as Batman. Bale is up there, but his Batman voice is still sort of infuriating. But it's Keaton who does both charming womanizer Wayne and heroic Batman so, so well. This was also my introduction to Jack Nicholson as Joker. He quickly became one of my favorite actors and his Joker is still such a vibrant part of my memory.

1. The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, 2008)
Speaking of Joker... What Nicholson did in the 80s is a completely different animal than what Heath Ledger did with the same character in this film. Ledger was a feral animal, terrifying and unhinged. He was out of control, anarchy in human form, but still somehow likable. I always like to say that every superhero movie is only as good as its villain and that's perhaps why The Dark Knight is the best of the best. This is Nolan's crowning achievment as a film maker and I doubt he will ever surpass it. The Dark Knight is damn near perfect, pushing its hero to the brink, devastating him with a second act murder that we all felt at our core. Joker is a villain like we had never before seen. And guess what? If it wasn't for Heath Ledger and how amazing he was in this role, we would all talk a lot more about Aaron Eckhart's perfect portrayal of Harvey Dent and his descent from role model politician to angry, rageful Two Face. This movie genuinely has it all - great acting, quoteable lines, unforgettable imagery (just try to get that vision of Joker in the nurse's outfit, or sticking his head out the window like a dog), great action sequences and a perfect ending. I will truly be shocked if we get a better superhero movie in my lifetime.

How will Man of Steel rate? Check back Monday and find out!

Top Ten List: Best Actors of the Decade

10. Michael Shannon in Bug (2007) - Shannon's work as a possibly mentally ill ex-soldier is so intense that it just sticks so firmly in my mind. This performance could be outlandish but he makes it real. His performance is fearless and his chemistry with Ashley Judd is out of this world.

09. Emile Hirsch in Into the Wild (2007) - Hirsch is funny, charming and a little cocky in this film as he builds his supertramp character who doesn't think he needs human contact for happiness. Still, it's his moments with other characters that are truly divine. Plus, his final few moments on screen are guaranteed to break your heart.

08. Bill Murray in Lost in Translation (2003) - This is Murray at his best. This is a completely different side to him which is impressive in itself. He captures this role with such precision that you believe it was tailer made just for him. His chemistry with Scarlett Johansson is surprisingly realistic and complex. And he has a good singing voice!

07. Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler (2008) - Everyone says he made a hell of a comeback, but for people who are real Rourke fans, they know he never really went anywhere (see also: Spun). The film is about a wrestler struggling with the fact that his career is just about done. He has burned every bridge in his personal life, his looks are fading, he's damaged himself pysically and emotionally for years and years. Rourke probably didn't have to look far for inspiration and it shows with this knock-out performance.

06. Heath Ledger in Brokeback Mountain (2005) - The Dark Knight was a showier role, sure, but at the end of the day, I truly believe Ledger will be remembered for his role as a cowboy in love in Brokeback Mountain. His performance was so simple and so understated that it just seemed so much more realistic. His Joker may be a hell of a lot more fun but it's so much harder to do a quiet, understated performance like he did in Brokeback Mountain.

05. Tom Wilkinson in In the Bedroom (2001) - The movie excellent but mostly it just reminds me of the astounding talents of Tom Wilkinson. He is so perfect as a grieving father and when he sets out to exact his revenge, he acts with intelligence and compassion.

04. Sean Penn in Mystic River (2003) - Penn never misses a beat as a man dealing with the worst possible thing a parent can face - the death of a child. Penn is left playing a complicated character - a grieving father but also a cold-blooded ex-con. He manages to make his performance so intense, so passionate, so realistic and so damn good.

03. Leonardo DiCaprio in The Departed (2006) - DiCaprio is an actor who keeps getting better. In The Departed, he manages to wear his emotions on his sleeve, playing such a vulnerable, terrified, yet tough character. The crazy paradoxes to his character are impressive and DiCaprio simply nails it. He embodies this modern day tragic hero with such grace and ease.

02. Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood (2007) - Make no mistake, There Will Be Blood is a movie made for Day-Lewis to do whatever the hell he wants. This is HIS show. His performance is such a powerhouse that it puts most other actors to shame. Then there's that final scene when director Paul Thomas Anderson really lets Day-Lewis off his leash, so to speak. Because, let's face it, he was a sweet little kitten up until that point.

01. Sean Penn in Milk (2008) - Sean Penn is known for his moody, intense work (see number 4) so it's refreshing to see him play someone like Harvey Milk, so carefree and emotionally open. He embodies Harvey Milk and literally becomes him. Penn even inhabits and exudes a sweetness (yes, sweetness... yes, Sean Penn). He plays Harvey to perfection and definitely deserved that second Oscar.

Top Ten Best Supporting Actors of the Decade

10. Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds (2009) - The most exciting supporting actor turn of the year comes from Waltz as a member of the Nazi party who is as charming as he is evil. His turn manages to be funny and terrifying all at once. There's a particular scene between him and Melanie Laurent which is the epitome of intense. She knows what he is capable of yet plays along with nicities and the audience waits for him to turn on her. Brilliant portrayal.

09. Mark Wahlberg in The Departed (2006) - Not only does Wahlberg get to deilver all the best lines, he somehow manages to steal every scene he's in, whether its with DiCaprio, Damon, Baldwin or Martin Sheen. His portrait of a by the books Boston cop leaves the audience anticipating his every scene.

08. Paul Newman in Road to Perdition (2002) - Playing an old Irish mob boss, Newman gives one of his best character performances in decades. He was well into his 70s when he made this film and still managed to show up young guns like Jude Law and Tom Hanks. He gives the most subtle, moving performance in the film. He really was a master.

07. William Hurt in A History of Violence (2005) - He's on screen for all of 15 minutes. Maybe less. But his performance is completely effective and powerful. He shows up near the end and manages to make a good film even stronger with his unexpected and pivotal performance which shows what a powerhouse actor he truly is.

06. Jack Nicholson in The Departed (2006) - Maybe I'm just biased because of my love for Jack. Or maybe it's just because Jack can do this kind of bad boy bad ass role in his sleep but Nicholson shines when working with Scorsese. Playing a Boston mafia kingpin, he's clearly reveling in every single, nearly over the top moment of every scene of which he is a part.

05. Clive Owen in Closer (2004) - As Larry, the hotheaded doctor in love with Julia Roberts' Anna, Owen gives her best performance to date. His character is completely and 100% unlikeable, a sleazy, too-clever, manipulater, yet Owen manages to make him almost charming. He's brash and disagreeable, dangerous and alluring. It's impossible not to take your eyes off him.

04. Jackie Earle Haley in Little Children (2006) - Talk about a comeback! Haley made a name for himself as a child actor in Bad News Bears. Then he all but disappeared only to return again in Little Children playing the worst kind of monster of all - a child molester (and who says he isn't the perfect casting choice for Freddy in the Nightmare on Elm Street remake). His performance is unflinching, unforgiving and just plain brutal.

03. Benicio Del Toro in Traffic (2000) - In a ridiculously amazing cast, it seems hard to think that one little known Latino actor could stand out but Benicio Del Toro managed to shine above big name cast mates like Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle and Catherine Zeta Jones. It's no accident that the movie begins and ends with shots of him. He plays a Mexican cop caught in the middle of a corrupt sysetm and his character is subtle and endlessly compelling.

02. Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men (2007) - A few years ago, Bardem was winning every award in existence for his portrayal of a silent and very deadly hit man (with a very bad haircut) in No Country for Old Men. And he deserved every single one of those awards plus, probably, more. His Anton Chigurh is absolutely ruthless. He is enigmatic and menacing and becomes this frightening portrait of evil down to his very bones. A brilliant and chilling performance.

01. Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight (2008) - Every great hero needs an equally great villain. In the original Batman films, there were a few good villains, a few decent villains and quite a few terrible ones. The one thing Batman Begins lacked was a really, really good villain. Well, thanks to Heath Ledger's punk rock, anarchist, no-holds-barred performance as The Joker, The Dark Knight had a GREAT villain. Perhaps the greatest villain in the franchise history. He took the Joker well past the silly, funny Joker Nicholson played and went to a much, much darker place. A place so dark, I don't know how the film got away with a PG-13 rating. Ledger may have left us too soon but his performances, this one especially, will live on forever.

Top Ten List - Best Supporting Actor 2008

10. Joseph Gordon-Levitt in Stop Loss - The first good performance of the year, Gordon-Levitt plays the role of a man dealing with being back from war the way he plays every role - with unbridled passion and talent. To say he's one of the best actors under thirty is an understatement.

09. Aaron Eckhart in The Dark Knight - Eckhart may not give the best performance in the film (more on that later) but he does play the only character with any sort of arc and he plays it extremely well. He starts off as a stand up man full of principle and morality and ends up as a hateful villain.

08. John Malkovich in Burn After Reading - One image from 2008 that I will never forget? John Malkovich coming off a boat dressed in a bath robe holding an axe. His disgraced CIA agent is hilariously on edge. One of the many reasons I celebrate Malkovichmas.

07. Josh Brolin in Milk - Slowly unraveling. He's a coiled ball of nerves. He may not be my favorite of the supporting men of Milk but he is responsible for the single best scene of the movie - a drunken encounter with Harvey at a party. Brolin just keeps getting better.

06. James Franco in Milk - Is anyone sweeter than Franco in Milk? I don't think so. He stands by his man through much of the film and even after they break up, he's still there in spirit. Kudos for saying the line "if I hear about politics one more time tonight I'm going to stab you with a fork" and still managing to sound adorable.

05. Emile Hirsch in Milk - At the beginning, he's a tough talking kid. A queen if there ever was one who just wants to party. Near the middle, he's responsible for one of the most moving scenes as his Cleve Jones describes the unspeakable hatred he saw in Europe. Hirsch is moving and powerful.

04. Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder - What could have easily become an offensive off-putting performance was elevated to something that everyone could laugh at thanks to great writing... and Downey's fantastic performance. He manages to be hysterically funny while still raising poignant thoughts about racism and even method acting.

03. Michael Shannon in Revolutionary Road - I have been a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio's for my entire life / his entire career. There's never been a time when I thought he was out done by any other actor - even when going head to head with Jack Nicholson in The Departed. Still, there is a particular scene in Revolutionary Road where DiCaprio and Shannon get in a rather heated argument. During this scene, I thought to myself, "Man, Shannon is acting circles around Leo!" Shannon is out of control in this movie - a continuous explosion that just shakes everything to its core.

02. Michael Pitt in Funny Games - Imagine a killer being the most polite, kind, cutest boy you ever saw? It's terrifying, right? Pitt plays the young killer of Funny Games so straight and sweet that it makes it the most terrifying thing you've ever seen. All at once, he's frightening, hilarious, kind, chilling and fiercly intelligent.

01. Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight - Is there anything left to say about Ledger's outrageously perfect performance? I don't think there is. He really, really, really is as good as everyone says. Actually, he's probably better. With every viewing, his performance becomes more effective and more entrancing. The most perfect performance of the year. Hands down.

Tomorrow - Best Actress!

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight is a rare kind of movie. It is so overhyped that it's almost impossible to believe that it could live up to your expectations. But guess what? It doesn't disappoint. In fact, The Dark Knight is a huge step forward for comic book / superhero movies. For years, these kinds of movies were seen as brainless summer popcorn flicks. You don't really need to think about them - just sit back and enjoy. It might not be particuarly thought-provoking or intellectual but at least it's a fun way to pass the time - great special effects, so-so acting, so-so story. The Dark Knight is whole different kind of movie. It's definitely not a brainless summer popcorn flick. It's a well-done, classy, smart film - the kind that will stand the test of time and the kind that should definitely be called a masterpiece. The special effects? Great. The storyline? Smart in every way. The acting? Well, it's out of this world (especially by a certain late actor... more on that in a minute). Director Christopher Nolan is back and better than last time. The story picks up a few years after Batman Begins lets off. Batman / Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is still struggling to clean up the streets of Gotham. This time around he may get a little help in the form of White Knight district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) who is the kind of politician who is actually trying to make a difference. He's also dating Bruce's old girl, the love of his life, Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal this time around who is about a hundred times better than Katie Holmes was). The mob (led by Eric Roberts!!!) is uncontrollable but that is the least of Gotham's problems. There's a new villain in town - he's absolutely out of his mind, embracing chaos, anarchy. He says at one point that he makes no plans. He's like a dog chasing a car but he doesn't know what he would do if he actually caught the car. He just acts without thinking anything through - and that terrifies the people of Gotham. His name is the Joker and in the hands of Heath Ledger he becomes the most terrifying, hilarious, downright crazy villain. The late Ledger creates a masterpiece of a performance. I don't see a scenario in which he won't win a posthumous Oscar for his work here. He's amazing and he gives the performance of his much too short life. Then there's that fantastic supporting cast - Michael Caine as the ever faithful Alfred, Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox and Gary Oldman as Lt. Gordon (who really deserves an honorable mention because he's pretty damn good as well). Overall, The Dark Knight is two and a half hours of pure entertainment. There's little to nothing wrong with the movie. Not only does it meet expectations, it surpasses them.

Grade: A

I Am Legend, I'm Not There, Once

I Am Legend - First off, I have to admit my love for Will Smith. When the end of the world is coming, I trust Will Smith and only Will Smith to save the world. Not only is he my favorite heroic actor, with I Am Legend, he proves that he can carry an entire film on his own. This is not something many actors can do. Tom Hanks can do it (Castaway). I'm sure there might be a few (very few) others but Will Smith definitly can. His Robert Neville is someone we want to cheer for. Smith brings his acting A-game to a movie that requires a lot of emotion in order to captivate the audience. That is what I loved most about this movie. Sure, it was thrilling and intense. That's a definite. But it was also emotionally heartbreaking. (Seriously, try not to cry during a particular scene involving Neville and his beloved dog). Smith plays Neville, the seemingly sole survivor of the world, living in New York City, after a virus created by man that was originally created to cure cancer does unspeakable damage instead. Smith, alone in a new world with his dog, mannequins and random deer, dedicates his life to finding a cure for the virus... and talking to said mannequins (the scene with 'Fred' is particularly wonderful... as is the scene with the dark haired beauty at the video store. Ha.). The special effects are great - especially the endless shots of a destroyed New York City, a Times Sqaure populated by lions, streets of deserted cars, bridges blown in half. The movie isn't necessarily scary, but it is intense at some points, especially the first encounter in the darkened warehouse (or whatever). So, the first half of I Am Legend is quite spectacular. It sets a tone, it has great cinematography, it has a great performance from Smith. Then Neville meets a fellow survivor. And it kind of goes downhill from there for me. I really just didn't like the last 20 minutes (especially the very end) at all. I'm sure some people might... but not me. Overall, it's a solid movie with a lot of thrills and, surprisingly, a lot of heart.

Grade: B-

I'm Not There - It's true: Cate Blanchett is EXTRAORDINARY. I'm not one of those 'Cate Blanchett is the best actress whoever lived in the history of the world. OMG Cate' people. But, even if you hate Blanchett (which seems a bit harsh), you can't deny she dominates this great artsy film. This film amazed me. It was a vision in black and white and color, drenched with Bob Dylan music. This movie is like a dream, lots of random scenes and random images that all are somehow cohesive in a way that is impossible to explain. Of course, there's so much publicity around the movie. Cate Blanchett is a female Bob Dylan! Marcus Carl Franklin is a 12 year old African American Bob Dylan! There's also Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Richard Gere and Ben Winshaw. All of these characters, these versions of Dylan's life and music, are like a kaleidoscopic dream where the pieces never quite meet. This movie is almost too brilliant. Will people who don't like Dylan even get it? Will they even care about it? It's possible that they won't. It's possible that this movie is too smart for the average viewer... but that's what I loved most about it - it makes you think. There wasn't a movie this year that was more unique, more stylish, more individulistic than I'm Not There. All of these actors and actresses playing Bob Dylan? Well, guess what. Dylan was exactly the mess of lies, grandeur, childishness, arrogance, rebelliousness and genius that is portrayed by one or all of these actors. Of course, when you have a movie that follows multiple storylines, it's usually the case that some of the stories are more interesting than the others. What would have made this movie more interesting? Well, they could have fleshed out the Richard Gere storyline, for starters. I walked away hating that part of the movie but I think if it was done better, it could have been great. Also, and I hate to say it because I absolutely love him, I could have completely done without Christian Bale. Franklin and Winshaw are stellar (Winshaw doesn't have a storyline, per se, but I love every single word that came out of his pretty mouth). I liked Heath Ledger in this movie. If you would have told me quite a few years ago that Ledger would have this kind of career right now, I would have laughed at you. Never would I have seen this coming after The Order. I thought his career was over. But he's coming one of the most surprisingly strong actors of his generation. He's doing great work lately. He has great chemistry with his artist love played very well by Charlotte Gainsbourg. The instant attraction is great and the eventual downfall is even better. Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams and David Cross show up to add a little support. But, really, this is Cate Blanchett's show. She melts into her eye-rubbing, nose-twitching, lip-conscious character that is only too quick to lash out on whoever is closest. So, best Bob Dylan? From best to worst: Blanchett, Winshaw, Ledger, Franklin, Bale, Gere. Still, even though it's not a perfect film for me, it's still visceral, enlightening, comedic, pensive, wild, tender. It's a film that is complex, like it's subject.

Grade: B+

Once - Let's vote this one: Most Likely to Make You Smile No Matter How Cynical and Full of Despair You Are. Let's also Vote Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova the Best Unconsummated Romance of the Year. This movie was really just honest and beautiful, spectacular and full of great, great, great music! It's a modern musical about a street musician (Hansard) who meets a pretty imigrant (Irglova). They form a friendship that could have been a romance at another time in their lives. They write songs together, they play music together, they rehearse, they record a great demo. It's simple and it's lovely. What more could you possibly want out of a movie? It doesn't disappoint in any way, shape or form. It's filmed beautifully (that scene near the end where they are frolicking at the beach is just the definition of beauty). This is a feel-good movie that is not mushy in any way. It has comedic moments that are realisitc and relatable. This is the way a musical should be - contemporary and not cheesy at all. It's not too sentimental. The movie was great. The music was great. I strongly suggest you check this movie out as soon as possible!

Grade: A

Harsh Times and Candy (DVD)

Harsh Times - The concept of Harsh Times sounds brilliant. Iraq vet Jim Davis returns home with post tramautic stress disorder, applies to the LAPD and in the meantime, gets caught up with local gang life. Davis has no problem sinking into an unsavory lifestyle because, let's face it, he's done worse. As an added bonus, the filmmakers hire two of the best working actors for the leads: Christian Bale and Freddy Rodriguez. Instead, Harsh Times mostly falls flat, despite solid performances by Bale and Rodriguez. Taxi Driver this film is not. Bale's Davis falls dangerously close to stereotype while Eva Longoria offers little more than eye candy. The really sad part is that writer/director David Ayer has traversed this territory before and with much better results (Training Day). Harsh Times is so good in spots and then... it just goes so wrong. It does suffer from worrisome editing and pacing at times. Had the film been whittled down to 90 minutes, it might have fit the "intense" bill that Ayer was aiming for. The dialogue is laughable at best. Someone even utters the words "hella cool" at one point. Now that I'm done complaining, allow me to praise one of my new favorite actors: Freddy Rodriguez who shined with his dark and realistic role. He definitely tried his hardest to keep the plot and climax from falling, managing to do so at times. Creating one of the only truly touching moments in the film, he tried his best to communicate with Bale on the theme of brotherhood and deception. Loved Rodriguez, and loved specific parts of the movie very much. It's just a shame that they couldn't carry the same intensity throughout the whole film.

Grade: C-

Candy - Granted, the drug genre is a bit tired. If I see another painful withdrawal scene, I think I'll scream or something. Still, within this tired genre, a true gem squeaks through every now and again. Candy is a good movie that could have been great but at least gives us a few incredible performances from Heath Ledger and Abbie Cornish. Ledger stars as Dan, a troubled yet likeable juvenile-come-poet who is in love with Cornish's Candy, a part time artist who falls head over heels in love with Dan... and heroin. Ledger's understated performance gives Dan a boyish vulnerability that would otherwise leave him less sympathetic. He has a great ability to use his eyes to communicate his emotions (which was probably what got him an Oscar nomination for Brokeback Mountain). Cornish, too, is brilliant as the often abrasive troubled artist. She's at times an innocent and beautiful angel and other times a wasted bitch. Geoffery Rush is superb as well in a supporting role. What sets it apart from other druggie movies is the love between Dan and Candy. Call it Trainspotting meets Romeo & Juliet. Maybe that will help you get through some of the grittier and depressing scenes. Their story is affectionate, painful, hopeful and hopeless. It's an intense and unpleasant film but it's still very watchable and well done. It's harsh but beautiful. It's not a perfect movie (it drags a bit now and then) but it's still worth watching (as is the career of Abbie Cornish).

Grade: B+