The Federalist: 2015 Update - Top Ten Superhero Movies of All Time

Saturday, November 21, 2015

2015 Update - Top Ten Superhero Movies of All Time

"See, I'm not a monster, I'm just ahead of the curve."

The 2015 Superhero Season is Over

And 2016 looks to be even better

By Gary;

As the ultimate fanboy it is time for my annual review and reshuffling of my top ten list of superhero movies.

This annual project is not getting any easier. The newer movies have been improving by light years in acting, plots and special effects.

We have come along way from the ancient days of Superman and the Mole Men. The modern superhero fills the screen with incredible drama and special effects that are off the charts.

Since 1951 there have been about 135 Superhero films. Some of them have been steaming piles while others are Shakespearean in their quality.

The superhero has always been with us. The mythical adventures of Hercules are among the most famous tales. The hero feeds some inner need to excel, to risk all to save others. And then there are the supervillains. You cannot have a Superman without a Lex Luthor.

One thing for sure, we are in a new Golden Age of Superhero driven Science Fiction.

2015 - This last year had only three new additions to the list.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron
Ant-Man
Fantastic Four

The Avengers sequel was an enjoyable offering and grossed over $1.4 Billion, but was weaker than the original. Ant-Man was surprisingly entertaining, clever and funny grossing $518 million worldwide. The retread of Fantastic Four was a mixed bag. It was appealing in many ways but lacked a certain "crispness" you might say. It was a box office disappointment doing only $167 million worldwide.

Bottom Line, none of the new movies come close to cracking my updated top ten list.

#1 The Dark Knight (2008)

Heath Ledger. What a loss to the movie industry. Anyone who watched The Dark Knight in theaters was blown away by Ledger's Joker. At one time I thought Jack Nickolson's Joker could never be topped. How wrong I was.

The movie is a close to perfection as a film is able to be from acting to the script to effects. My only complaint is the killing off of Harvey Two Face. Bad move. Two Face would have been the perfect villain for Batman 3.

#2 Watchmen (2009)

I, like most movie goers, was unfamiliar with the original graphic novel. But no more.

Watchmen is the thinking man's Superhero movie. The even longer director's cut proves what a classic film it is. Plots and sub plots, vigilante justice, lesbianism, alternate universes, nuclear war, insanity, rape, does time exist? Does time even matter? With each viewing the movie goes deeper and deeper.

The only way to watch the film is the blu ray director's cut from Zack Snyder.

#3 The Avengers (2012)

Moving up two places to #3.

Favorites of mine since childhood. I waited a long time to see this come to the big screen. Director and writer Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel) showed a big screen talent that should have been put to use years ago. Wonderful film from start to finish. There is a good chance that with repeated viewings the Avengers will rise higher on the top ten list. Worldwide The Avengers broke all records with $1.5 Billion in ticket sales.

#4 Ironman (2008)

Moving down one space.

Robert Downey is a national treasure. He brought Tony Stark to life in a way I never thought possible. Iron Man is a perfect blend of humor, drama and superhero action. Marvel Studios updated the Tony Stark legend to the new modern era. The great Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow are a pleasure to watch on the screen. This is one of rare movies you can watch over and over again.

#5 Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Moving down one space.

Thor 2 builds on the excellent first film. The movie is very much a story about two brothers, a story about brothers competing for the love of their father. So it's small, confined and human at the same time it's this blown-out, intergalactic world. The science fiction element to Thor is there. But there are the big waterfalls, mountains,the Viking influence and Norse mythology.

Chris Hemsworth was born to play Thor. He has that inner power that shins through. Natalie Portman is a class act in every film she appears in. Anthony Hopkins is a wonderful Odin. And what can you really say about Tom Hiddleston? He is Loki. Evil sure, but he knows how to get things done.

Alan Moore on the Superhero

The first superhero movie came out in 1951.

#6 Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Chris Evans takes Captain America far from World War II story lines and into the contemporary NSA / Sci Fi Big Brother police state.

Cap does it all with the stunning Scarlett Johansson at his side and Samuel L. Jackson fighting the good fight.

An unbelievably well done movie. Far, far better than I ever expected.

#7 Batman (1989)

"Batman... Batman... Can somebody tell me what kind of a world we live in, where a man dressed up as a 'bat' gets all of my press? This town needs an enema!" ---The Joker

Those of us who had been subjected to the pure crap of the girly-man Superman films were blown out of our theater seats by Tim Burton's Batman. Jack Nicholson's Joker was a psycho crazy bastard we never knew existed.

This movie took the superhero genre to a place we never dreamed it could be. Suddenly the comic art form had become serious drama.

The public agreed. The movie raked in a staggering $411,000,000 in 1989 dollars.

The Batman sequels that followed dived deeper and deeper into a steaming pile of useless crap. Those movies are now unwatchable. But in 1989 Tim Burton broke the mold for everyone else to follow.

#8 Spider-Man (2002)

The first of the Spider-Man films was an incredible event to see in the theater. Again, near perfection in balancing comedy, drama, action and special effects.

The bean counters in Hollywood also woke up. Spider-Man pulled in $821,000,000. Just shy of one billion dollars.

#9 Hellboy (2004)

In any top ten list when you start getting to the end you get angry. There are so many fine films. How can they be left off? Such is life. But you gotta love Hellboy. Fantastic humor, great action, good plot. Ron Perlman is always a pleasure to watch in any role.

#10 X-2: X-Men United (2003)

In danger of slipping out of the top ten.

The best of the X-Men films. Everything comes together: a perfect cast, script, special effects and action. I do not know of a comic fan who was not glued to his seat in wonder while watching Nightcrawler's attack on the White House.

Also Ran - The Almost Top Ten

--- X-Men: Days of Future Past
--- Superman (1978)
--- Blade
--- Daredevil (Director's cut)
--- Thor
--- Fantastic Four

A
"They had a choice, all of them. They could have followed in the footsteps of good men like my father or President Truman. Decent men who believed in a day's work for a day's pay. Instead they followed the droppings of lechers and communists and didn't realize that the trail led over a precipice until it was too late. Don't tell me they didn't have a choice.
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Now the whole world stands on the brink, staring down into bloody Hell, all those liberals and intellectuals and smooth-talkers... and all of a sudden nobody can think of anything to say."
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Rorschach - (Watchmen)

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Thomas Pinckney, Federalist

Commissioned as captain in the 1st South Carolina Regiment of the Continental Army. After seeing much action, he became an aide-de-camp to General Horatio Gates. He was captured by the British at the disastrous Battle of Camden in 1780. After recovering from his wounds, he was released in a prisoner exchange. In 1781 he fought under Lafayette in Virginia. Appointed by President George Washington to be the U.S. minister to Great Britain served as Envoy Extraordinary to Spain. The Federalist Party made him a candidate in the 1796 presidential election as the intended running-mate of John Adams. Served as Congressman and Governor of South Carolina. Served as a major general in the Army during the War of 1812.

Henry Lee III, Federalist

Major General "Light-Horse Harry" Lee fought at the battles of Paulus Hook, Guilford Court House, Eutaw Springs, Yorktown and the Whiskey Rebellion. Federalist Congressman from Virginia, Governor of Virginia. Father of Robert E. Lee. In 1812 Lee was attacked by a Jeffersonian mob of Democratic-Republicans while defending a Federalist newspaper from attack. Lee and the other Federalists were beaten and tortured by the mob over the next three hours. Lee was left partially blinded after hot wax was poured into his eyes. The men were left for dead. All were severely injured, and one Federalist, General James Lingan, died.

Frederick Frelinghuysen, Federalist

In the War of Independence he served in the New Jersey militia as an artillery captain, seeing action at Trenton and Monmouth. Attained the rank of colonel. Member of the Continental Congress. Served in the New Jersey General Assembly. Member of the New Jersey convention that ratified the United States Constitution in 1787. President George Washington appointed him as brigadier general in the United States Army for the 1790 campaign against the western Indians. Commissioned major general in the New Jersey militia in 1794, during the Whiskey Rebellion. Elected to the United States Senate.

Stephen Van Rensselaer, Federalist

Van Rensselaer served in the New York Assembly and Senate. He served as the Federalist Lt. Governor under John Jay. In 1786, Van Rensselaer was made a major of the militia. As a Major General in the War of 1812 he led an army in an invasion of Canada and fought at the Battle of Queenston Heights. In 1813 Van Rensselaer was the Federalist candidate for Governor of New York earning 48% of the vote. A shift of only 1,800 votes would have made him Governor. In 1822 he was elected to Congress as a Federalist serving until 1829.

WILLIAM PATERSON, Federalist

James Hillhouse, Federalist

Hillhouse served as captain in Governor's Foot Guards in the Revolutionary War. He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, Congressman from Connecticut at-large, 1791–96, and a Federalist Party U. S. Senator from Connecticut, 1796–1810. He was the anti-slavery leader of the Congress in the early days of the Republic. After the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, Hillhouse fought to bar the importation of slaves into the Louisiana Territory. "I consider slavery as a serious evil," he proclaimed, "and wish to check it wherever I have authority." Two of Hillhouse's amendments restricting slavery passed the Congress and were signed into law.

Oliver Ellsworth, Federalist

In 1777 he was chosen as one of Connecticut's representatives in the Continental Congress. Served at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia as a delegate from Connecticut. On June 20, 1787 he proposed the use of the name the United States to identify the nation under the authority of the Constitution. United States Senator from Connecticut. Ellsworth was the principal exponent in the Senate of Alexander Hamilton's economic program. In 1796 Ellsworth was appointed by President George Washington to be Chief Justice of the United States. Served as United States Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of France. Ellsworth was a candidate in the 1796 United States Presidential election, receiving eleven votes in the electoral college.

Robert Goodloe Harper, Federalist

At the age of fifteen, Harper joined a volunteer corps of Cavalry and served in the American Revolutionary Army. Harper was elected as a Federalist Congressman from South Carolina (1795 - 1801). In 1798 at a dinner in Philadelphia honoring John Marshall, a group of U.S. Congressmen were discussing a recent demand made by the government of France. French vessels had been plundering US ships in a piratical manner. French foreign minister Talleyrand said the attacks would be stopped if the US paid him $250,000 and gave France 50,000 pounds sterling and a $100 million loan. As toasts were made, Harper sent his own defiant reply to the French with this toast: “Millions for defense but not one cent for tribute.” Harper served in the War of 1812, attaining the rank of major general. He moved to Maryland and was elected as a Federalist to the US Senate. He was an unsuccessful Federalist candidate for Vice President in the 1816 election. He also received one electoral vote for Vice President in the 1820 election.

Jacob Read, Federalist

Alexander Contee Hanson, Federalist

Member of the Maryland House of Delegates. Editor of the "Federal Republican", a Federalist Party newspaper in Baltimore. Four days after the beginning of the War of 1812 a mob of pro-war Democrat-Republicans destroyed his newspaper office. The paper moved to another building where Hanson was joined by a group of armed allies. When that building was besieged by another mob, Hanson and his group fired, killing two. Hanson and his group surrendered to the militia and were escorted to jail. That evening yet another mob stormed the jail. Hanson was beaten and left for dead. Hanson was elected as a Federalist to Congress in 1812 and 1814. In 1816 he was elected as a Federalist to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate until his death in 1819 at the age of 33.

William Bingham, Federalist

As a merchant he brought full loads of munitions & guns for the war. Served as a diplomat for Congress to France. Bingham marshaled the Second Troop of Philadelphia Light Horse. He served in the Continental Congress, 1st Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, State Senator, and US Senator. Federalists agreed to hold preliminary votings at the Bingham Estate before propositions were brought before Congress publicly, thus creating unanimity among party lines. Alexander Hamilton sought Bingham as his mentor in managing taxes, tariffs, and in constructing a national bank.

Ezekiel Whitman, Federalist

Whitman practiced law in New Gloucester, Maine and in Portland, Maine (both communities a district of Massachusetts until 1820). In 1808 Whitman was elected as a Federalist Congressman from Massachusetts and served one term. In 1816 he was again elected as a Federalist to the US House serving from 1817 to 1821. In 1819 he was a delegate to the convention that prepared the constitution which led to Maine's statehood. In 1820 he was elected as a Federalist Congressman from the new state of Maine serving until 1822. Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Court from 1841 to 1848.

David Cobb, Federalist

Cobb studied medicine in Boston and practiced in Taunton, Massachusetts. He was a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress in 1775; lieutenant colonel of Jackson’s regiment in 1777 and 1778, serving in Rhode Island and New Jersey; was aide-de-camp on the staff of General George Washington; appointed major general of militia in 1786. Fought in the New York and New Jersey Campaign, the Battles of Springfield, Monmouth, Rhode Island and Shay's Rebellion. He served the Federalist Party as Lt. Governor of Massachusetts, President of the State Senate and Congressman.

Josiah Parker, Federalist

In 1775 Parker enlisted in the Continental Army. He was commissioned a major in the 5th Virginia Regiment in 1776 and became its colonel in 1778. His regiment served in Virginia under General Charles Lee and was transferred to George Washington. The regiment thereafter saw action at the Battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and the Siege of Charleston. During Cornwallis's Virginia campaign in 1781, the notorious Colonel Tarleton ransacked his home. He was elected to the First US Congress from Virginia serving for twelve years.

William Stephens Smith, Federalist

Smith married Abigail "Nabby" Adams, the daughter of President John Adams, and so was a brother-in-law of President John Quincy Adams, and an uncle of Charles Francis Adams. Served in the Revolutionary Army as aide-de-camp to General John Sullivan. Fought in the Battle of Long Island, was wounded at Harlem Heights, Battle of White Plains, was promoted to lieutenant colonel at the Battle of Trenton, fought at the Battle of Monmouth and Newport. He was on the staff of General Lafayette, became an adjutant in the Corps of Light Infantry, then transferred to the staff of George Washington. Elected as a Federalist Congressman from New York.

Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Federalist

John Rutledge, Jr., Federalist

Rutledge served as Congressman from South Carolina. A passionate Federalist, he supported Aaron Burr against Jefferson, founding the Charleston Courier (predecessor of the Post and Courier) to support his causes. Joining the South Carolina Militia in 1799, Rutledge served as commander of the Twenty-eighth Regiment in the War of 1812. He subsequently commanded the Seventh Brigade from 1816 until his death. Rutledge's life was fraught with controversy. Catching his wife (mother to his nine children) in a "clandestine visit" with Dr. Horace Senter, Rutledge challenged him to a duel, fatally wounding the doctor.

John Sergeant, Federalist

Member of the Pennsylvania state house of representatives 1808-1810; elected as a Federalist to Congress and served from 1815, to 1823. Sergeant was a strong backer of Henry Clay's American System and the Second Bank of the United States, and even traveled to Europe to negotiate loans to the Bank. He was a strong opponent of slavery who voted against the Missouri Compromise. In 1826 he was an envoy to the Panama Congress. Elected to Congress as an Adams candidate 1827 to 1829. Failing re-election he became legal counsel to the Bank of the United States. Sergeant was the Vice Presidential running mate in Henry Clay's campaign on the National Republican ticket in 1832. Elected as a Whig to Congress serving from 1837 to 1841.

John Laurance, Federalist

Philip Barton Key, Federalist

Key had been a Loyalist in the American Revolution. He served in the Maryland Loyalists Battalion as a captain. Key fought with the British Army from 1777 to 1781, until he was captured by the Spanish in Pensacola, Florida with the rest of his battalion. After the war he served as Mayor of Annapolis & member of the Maryland House of Delegates. Appointed a Federal Judge by John Adams. He was a Counsel to Justice Samuel Chase during Chase's Jefferson ordered impeachment show-trial in 1805. Elected as a Federalist to Congress from Maryland (1807 - 1813). Francis Scott Key was his nephew.