Ok, So I'm A Nerd

With the maturity of computer-aided graphic design (CGI) about ten years ago, Hollywood finally had the cajones to produce comic book movies that needed a respectable amount of special effects. These movies have been a cash cow in LA for the past ten years, so I thought I would do a little research to see which ones were the best. And for being someone who read comic books back in the day, I was a little surprised to find out how many of these caped-heroes actually translated to decent movies.

Best and Worst Marvel Movies:

Best: Iron Man (2008)


It's OK to have a movie that isn't 100% realistic, but to compensate, it needs to boast creativity, entertainment and wit. It looks like all three of those collided with Iron Man, with Jr. playing Tony Stark to a tee (or is it tea?). Can anyone else FEEL the aura of self-importance exuded by Terrance Howard when they watch him on film?








Worst: Fantastic Four: Rise of The Silver Surfer (2007)


I can only comment on the films that I have seen, and after being forced to sit through this one - I happily declare it the winner. And while I was majorly disappointed in the two former Spiderman flicks, nothing compares to the F4 - a movie reeking of product placement and kitchy gags. But even as I watched, kicking and screaming, I wasn't convinced that it was the worst... until the wedding scene when Stan Lee, playing himself, was bounced at the door for not being on the guest list. Suspension of disbelief? Gone.










Best And Worse DC Movies:

2-Way Tie for Best: Superman (1978) and The Dark Knight (2008)


One was the classic film with Christopher Reeves with a jheri curl, the other is the gritty new-age film that blurs the lines between a a silly comic book and a legitimate and artistic film. No real close-seconds here. Pretty much every DC movie is either Superman or Batman. (This list could be dated as soon as Watchmen arrives in theaters in 2009)




Worst: Batman & Robin (1997)


I haven't seen Swamp Thing 2 yet, but I have seen way too many Batman movies that make me wonder whether their target audience is young boys, or boys town. Enough with the nipples on the armor. Enough with the 'holy rusted metal batman!'. Enough with the 'let's put on tights and tickle each other!'.


Not that there's anything wrong with that...