General Movie Discussion - **please mark spoilers**

[Still Servant]

I'm not a huge fan X-Men. I'm still not sure I've seen the original films in their entirety.

That being said, I really enjoyed X-Men: First Class. It didn't hurt that it had Jennifer Lawrence and Michael Fassbender in it.

[alkanto]

For me X Men: First Class is probably my favorite X-Men movie. Might be tied with X-2....but it's close

[DoctorDodge]

Oh, First Class is easily my favourite. McAvoy, Fassbender and Lawrence in one film with a 60s look that was more nostalgic than cheesy, overall it appealed to me quite a bit more than the original X-Men trilogy did.

[pathoftheturtle]

It was pretty good. I have to admit there were a number of things about the originals that didn't sit right with me as a one time X-Men comics fanatic. But it was groundbreaking stuff at that time for the whole politics of adaptation. You know, they told us that changing "Bruce Banner" to "David Banner" was just how it should be done when I was young. So that's one reason for my differing perspective.

[mystima]

I liked X-men: First Class but it had a lot of timeline issues for me.

[Stebbins]

Batmans:

1. Batman Begins
2. The Dark Knight
3. The Dark Knight Rises
4. Batman Returns
5. Batman
6. Batman Forever
7. Batman & Robin

[Merlin1958]

What the hell, I'll take a stab at it since I am an avid Comic book movie fan. Here goes!!!

1. The Dark Knight
2. The Avengers
3. Iron Man
4. Watchmen (I know a lot of folks didn't like it, but I did!)
5. X-Men
6. X-Men United
7. Spider Man 2
8. The Dark Knight Rises
9. Hellboy II
10. 300 (It was a "GN" originally, right?)

Bring it on, folks!! I can take it!! Honorable mention to "Heavy Metal" for the era it was done in and the subject matter.

[Stebbins]

Merlin, I liked Watchmen too, so you are not alone. However, I would argue endlessly that Batman Begins is the best of Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. And if we are including 300 in that discussion, that it should take the cake aka be at the top. After I saw it in theaters my bottom lip was numb and swollen from biting it the whole time. It's a visual masterpiece and far superior to the others listed.

[Merlin1958]

Merlin, I liked Watchmen too, so you are not alone. However, I would argue endlessly that Batman Begins is the best of Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. And if we are including 300 in that discussion, that it should take the cake aka be at the top. After I saw it in theaters my bottom lip was numb and swollen from biting it the whole time. It's a visual masterpiece and far superior to the others listed.

Sorry, but not DKR!! IMHO

[Stebbins]

To each his own my cyber-friend

[alkanto]

I'm thinking I need to make a new list of comic book movies in general. My list wouldn't change drastically, but there are a few I would switch out, for sure.

Also, I picked up Skyfall yesterday. I'm really excited to watch this one again.

[Merlin1958]

To each his own my cyber-friend

I guess what it really comes down to is my preference. BB was a great film and would probably be No. 11 on my list. I do think "300" was a little better film, and note I am the only one so far as I know to include it on my list. I just happen to be a little bit of a "Batman" geek. I recall when they decked out downtown NYC for a couple of the "other" Batman flicks and they were all the rage at the time though, I find Nolan's version to be the far a superior take on the subject. I may even go so far as to say that Nolan's "Batman" may be "the" best comic book adaptation to date!!! "The Avengers" and "Watchmen" coming in with the Silver and the Bronze ("Iron Man" with honorable mention along with "Xmen - United"), but that's just one man's opinion.

[mystima]

Speaking of comic book movies. The next X-Men franchise movie will be out next year. It is called X-Men: Days Of Future Past. I am looking forward to this one. It is said to have the past and present incarnations of the X-men. Here is the cast

[pathoftheturtle]

Are they going to have a new Phoenix?

[Mattrick]

Apparently yes they are. I am okay with that, Singer iw just acting like X3 never happened which is my sentiments exactly

[pathoftheturtle]

If X3 never happened, does that really mean yes, they'll have a new Phoenix, or wouldn't it mean no, they'll still have the first one?

[Mattrick]

Technically it is the first, as Singer built towards that in X2.

[DoctorDodge]

Is anyone else finding themselves more and more eager to see Man of Steel the more time goes on? At first, I wasn't so interested, more than likely because most of my comic book movie hype was reserved for The Dark Knight Rises, Avengers and Dredd last year. Plus, "origin of Superman" stories are a dime a dozen, and I was skeptical that it looked a little too Dark Knight-ish: too dark, grey and just a bit gritty. Considering Superman works best as a symbol of hope and is a considerably lighter character than Batman, I'm not too sure that kind of approach can work. (Also, it's only produced by Christopher Nolan, not directed, which really lowers expectations compared to the Dark Knight movies.)

But the more time goes on, the more open I am to the idea of a new take on Superman. The origin of Superman has been done a number of times, (most notably in tv series Smallville, which I've been re-watching in an attempt to see just how good the entire story was, possibly before Man of Steel comes out,) but that's because it's such an interesting one: whereas some origin stories are about how someone becoming a hero, a vigilante, maybe even in a conisiderably more interesting case, a villain (the biggest reason I watched Smallville for so long was, tbh, Michael Rosenbaum's slow descent as Lex Luthor), the typical story of Superman's origins is how someone goes from dealing with being different in crucial ways and struggling with that to eventually becoming someone not only openly powerful in numerous and incredible ways, but also a public image seen by everyone, a figure of hope and an icon: in short, a god. The more I think of it that way, the more I find myself looking forward to any new take on that, especially one that's even produced by Christopher Nolan. (And hey: Zack Snyder didn't do too bad a job with Watchmen, especially the full uncut version.)

[pathoftheturtle]

You know, the story of Jor-El is more resonant than ever. "If you don't listen to me, our planet will be destroyed and our race extinct." Wouldn't it be ironic if baby Superman were sent all the way to Earth, raised here and risen to fame, only to see his new home devastated by global warming?

[fernandito]

Nope, I'm right there with you. I've never been a Superman fan - the only Superman story I own is Red Son, which is amazing admittedly - my enthusiasm was by the wayside.

However with recent reports/early reviews pouring that not only is it a good Superman story, but a really good movie, my hype meter is grudally climbing.

Snyder has always been great visual director... if Nolan can reign him in a bit and keep him from going off the rails, I think we could be in for something special.

[pathoftheturtle]

Here's a pretty tough question for you all: Which was worse, Superman Returns or Superman IV: The Quest for Peace?

[fernandito]

Superman IV, without question. Two words : Nuclear Man.

SR was mediocre, but IV was GAN AWFUL.

[OchrisO]

Part of me wants to say Superman Returns simply because superbaby didn't kick his way out of Lois Lane's womb.

[pathoftheturtle]

Exactly. It was a bit beyond mediocre when you think about it. If you're going to at all seriously critique SR, you must at some point at least mention the inexplicable stalking scenes.
It's also kind of incomprehensible how Superman in this film first cannot tolerate a tiny sliver of kryptonite... but when he's upset enough, he can lift an entire island made of it!
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace is cheesy and melodramatic as hell, but the plot at least is clear. And as terrible and stupid as the Nuclear Man character was, I still don't think that's the very worst part. Two words: Jon Cryer!

[Merlin1958]

Is anyone else finding themselves more and more eager to see Man of Steel the more time goes on? At first, I wasn't so interested, more than likely because most of my comic book movie hype was reserved for The Dark Knight Rises, Avengers and Dredd last year. Plus, "origin of Superman" stories are a dime a dozen, and I was skeptical that it looked a little too Dark Knight-ish: too dark, grey and just a bit gritty. Considering Superman works best as a symbol of hope and is a considerably lighter character than Batman, I'm not too sure that kind of approach can work. (Also, it's only produced by Christopher Nolan, not directed, which really lowers expectations compared to the Dark Knight movies.)

But the more time goes on, the more open I am to the idea of a new take on Superman. The origin of Superman has been done a number of times, (most notably in tv series Smallville, which I've been re-watching in an attempt to see just how good the entire story was, possibly before Man of Steel comes out,) but that's because it's such an interesting one: whereas some origin stories are about how someone becoming a hero, a vigilante, maybe even in a conisiderably more interesting case, a villain (the biggest reason I watched Smallville for so long was, tbh, Michael Rosenbaum's slow descent as Lex Luthor), the typical story of Superman's origins is how someone goes from dealing with being different in crucial ways and struggling with that to eventually becoming someone not only openly powerful in numerous and incredible ways, but also a public image seen by everyone, a figure of hope and an icon: in short, a god. The more I think of it that way, the more I find myself looking forward to any new take on that, especially one that's even produced by Christopher Nolan. (And hey: Zack Snyder didn't do too bad a job with Watchmen, especially the full uncut version.)

Actually, I have recently read a few articles extolling the virtues of this film which, has created new excitement in the release for me. Call me "Cautiously Optomistic".

Spoiler:

DD? I need a "Secretary of Bolloxing", bad!!! http://www.thedarktower.org/palaver/...Occupy-TDT.Org