OFFICIAL: Best CBM of 2014 thread (so far)

[DA_Champion]

It's hard for me to sympathise with the emotional core of ASM2, as the argument of that movie seems to be that Peter Parker is a sociopath.

Gwen Stacey dies at the end.

1) If that scene had been handled well at least some people would have cried. I don't know of anybody who cried at that scene.
2) Peter Parker then mourns for some time and returns to being Spider Man.

The problem with #2 is that ... he returns to being Spider Man as he was before. It's the second time that Parker's error kill off a Stacey family member, but he goes back to being exactly as he was before. It's presented as some sort of triumph. As pointed out elsewhere, shouldn't the fact he killed a girlfriend that he wasn't supposed to date make him change and doubt himself and become a different spider man?

What's the emotional core of the film if his girlfriend dying causes no change in his identity?

 

[Spider-Fan]

TFA goes over a lot of Cap's history briefly, yes. But, I do think it makes clear he valued Bucky as a dear friend, and really it isn't the fault of TWS that Bucky may or may not have been under developed. That is more a criticism of what came before, not what came now, yet it is being used as a critique of what came now. Hence why I think the complaint is off base.

 

[CyclopsWasRight]

It's hard for me to sympathise with the emotional core of ASM2, as the argument of that movie seems to be that Peter Parker is a sociopath.

Gwen Stacey dies at the end.

1) If that scene had been handled well at least some people would have cried. I don't know of anybody who cried at that scene.
2) Peter Parker then mourns for some time and returns to being Spider Man.

The problem with #2 is that ... he returns to being Spider Man as he was before. It's the second time that Parker's error kill off a Stacey family member, but he goes back to being exactly as he was before. It's presented as some sort of triumph. As pointed out elsewhere, shouldn't the fact he killed a girlfriend that he wasn't supposed to date make him change and doubt himself and become a different spider man?

What's the emotional core of the film if his girlfriend dying causes no change in his identity?

That scene was essentially perfect, Drama emotion supsense it had it all.

as for #2 well thats kinda the theme of Spider-Man no matter how many times he loses people close to him he returns for the sake of the hundreds of others he saves.

 

[Shikamaru]

It's hard for me to sympathise with the emotional core of ASM2, as the argument of that movie seems to be that Peter Parker is a sociopath.

Gwen Stacey dies at the end.

1) If that scene had been handled well at least some people would have cried. I don't know of anybody who cried at that scene.
2) Peter Parker then mourns for some time and returns to being Spider Man.

The problem with #2 is that ... he returns to being Spider Man as he was before. It's the second time that Parker's error kill off a Stacey family member, but he goes back to being exactly as he was before. It's presented as some sort of triumph. As pointed out elsewhere, shouldn't the fact he killed a girlfriend that he wasn't supposed to date make him change and doubt himself and become a different spider man?

What's the emotional core of the film if his girlfriend dying causes no change in his identity?

I know a few who cried for #1. All non-comic book fans. Personally, I didn't cry because I saw it coming. But I did get sad when they were on the bridge and they finally figured out how to live together, because I knew what was coming next. I'd argue that to comic book fans, that was intended to be the emotional scene.

However, I'd argue the most emotional scene in the film is at the end with the kid. I almost broke down in theatres, to the point I was thinking to myself "This is ridiculous, I'm a grown man, shouldn't react like this". It really connected to my childhood and how I became a Spider-Man fan, and encompassed everything the character is about. One of my favorite endings ever, and I can honestly say I haven't felt so much emotion since the ending to TDK. It reminded me of everything I love about Spidey in the same way that ending reminded me of everything I love about Batman, granted TDK is still a better film overall.

As for the message, I don't think that's what the film is saying.

I don't think Peter is at fault for Gwen's death, at least not directly like with Uncle Ben and Captain Stacy. The thing is, Gwen made her own choice and chose to risk her life in order to do the right thing. She's grown with heroic figures throughout her life, particularly with her dad, and believes the way you live your life is more important than how long you live it. Which is a huge theme in the film and contrasts with Norman and Harry, who are more focused on how long they can live as opposed to how they live it. In Norman's case, he based his empire on prolonging his life and using illegal human experiments to do so, when he could have used that power more responsibly (sounds familiar ), but I digress. Point being, Gwen risked her life to be a hero and not just chose to, but believed that's the way to live life to the fullest. Peter tries keeping her out of harm's way multiple times throughout the story, which her father also did in the first film, but eventually has to come to grips with the fact it's what Gwen wants.

Yes, there will be casualties and dark moments throughout Peter's life - throughout anyone's life, really - but what separates heroes is how they pick themselves up and keep going for others. We know that's what Gwen believed. "No matter what happens, I want you to promise me you will be who you are meant to be." In Peter's case, it's Spider-Man, and countless other people will continue to need Spider-Man, including that little kid.

Of course, this doesn't mean Peter is no longer mourning or won't try to be a better Spider-Man, but he must mask that sorrow with joy and laughter and continue to be Spider-Man for others. Essentially that's the ending's message, and it's a huge prevailing theme in the Spider-Man mythos. The idea that a down-on-luck kid can hide his pain with a mask and become something larger-than-life that other people should strive to be.

It's for the same reason why Spider-Man comics have the highest body count of supporting characters, but no one ever notices because his jokeyness and lighthearted optimistic spirit distracts you from it.

 

[Human Torch]

Yeah,they actually went out of their way to point out "it was Gwen's choice" in TASM2.

 

[DA_Champion]

TFA goes over a lot of Cap's history briefly, yes. But, I do think it makes clear he valued Bucky as a dear friend, and really it isn't the fault of TWS that Bucky may or may not have been under developed. That is more a criticism of what came before, not what came now, yet it is being used as a critique of what came now. Hence why I think the complaint is off base.

Well, sequels that naturally fit and build on what came before tend to be best. That's part of what makes a sequel good or bad.

 

[RiXi]

1. The Amazing Spider-Man 2/Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2. Guardians of the Galaxy
3. X-Men: Days of Future Past
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

 

[Shikamaru]

Don't believe I've done my ranking yet.

1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2. The Amazing Spider-Man 2
3. X-Men: Days of Future Past
4. Guardians of the Galaxy

All of them impressed me, so the difference between them isn't much.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

It's hard for me to sympathise with the emotional core of ASM2, as the argument of that movie seems to be that Peter Parker is a sociopath.

Gwen Stacey dies at the end.

1) If that scene had been handled well at least some people would have cried. I don't know of anybody who cried at that scene.
2) Peter Parker then mourns for some time and returns to being Spider Man.

The problem with #2 is that ... he returns to being Spider Man as he was before. It's the second time that Parker's error kill off a Stacey family member, but he goes back to being exactly as he was before. It's presented as some sort of triumph. As pointed out elsewhere, shouldn't the fact he killed a girlfriend that he wasn't supposed to date make him change and doubt himself and become a different spider man?

What's the emotional core of the film if his girlfriend dying causes no change in his identity?

I am almost in tears every time, and yeah, I wouldnt say it was Peters fault that Gwen died at all, they went to great lengths to point out it was Gwens choice to be there, Peter even webbed her to a car to stop her going, yet she still chose to anyway.

You could say if Peter let her just go to England it would have been prevented, but even thats ropey as blaming him for her death.

That scene was essentially perfect, Drama emotion supsense it had it all.

as for #2 well thats kinda the theme of Spider-Man no matter how many times he loses people close to him he returns for the sake of the hundreds of others he saves.

Spot on, Spiderman will just keep on getting back up, I have many problems with that movie, but the last 30 mins played out very well.

 

[SymbioteKal-El]

Peter was responsible for Uncle Bens death in the 1st movie, but he definitely wasn't responsible for Gwens, he actively tried to stop her being able to get there as said above and it was her choice to follow him there, how was Peter to know Harry would turn up after turning himself into a monster and kill her?

Gwen put herself in the firing line and paid the price, even after Peter warning her several times before and during her time there.

 

[BoredGuy]

LOL, How did this thread suddenly become all about the film we all unanimously agree was NOT the best CBM of 2014???

 

[SymbioteKal-El]

Well, someone raised a talking point, people are going to talk about it!

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

^And in fairness, it was one of the most emotional CBM scenes of the year, for me, nothing in TWS matched it for sheet emotional depth, I think that is why I enjoyed TWS the least out of the big 3 for this year.

 

[Erzengel]

I was more moved by the Groot scene in GOTG to be honest.

I also watched the ending of DOFP again, I still think that TWS had the better end battle.

 

[Dr.HugoStrange]

1. TMNT
2. CA-TWS
3. TAS2

That's all I've seen so far

 

[regnak]

^And in fairness, it was one of the most emotional CBM scenes of the year, for me, nothing in TWS matched it for sheet emotional depth, I think that is why I enjoyed TWS the least out of the big 3 for this year.

Yes we know you don't like TWS. We got it the first 17 times you bagged on it. Your precious DOFP is ahead now, you can stop whining anytime now.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

I was more moved by the Groot scene in GOTG to be honest.

I also watched the ending of DOFP again, I still think that TWS had the better end battle.

In terms of action the TWS battle was better, despite probably being the set-piece in the movie I enjoyed the least. I just the 3rd act action didnt really mesh with the more realistic stuff earlier in the movie. Thats a testament to the rest of the action in the movie if anything else.

But in terms of emotion, the DOFP ending wins for me.

Yes we know you don't like TWS. We got it the first 17 times you bagged on it. Your precious DOFP is ahead now, you can stop whining anytime now.

Calm down buttercup, I loved TWS, thats why its in my top 5 of the year in my sig which you can clearly see EVERY time I post. I just enjoyed some other movies more, if thats a problem I dont know what to tell you.

 

[Erzengel]

It just seems you have to constantly remind us. At least you're saying the least and not the worst anymore.

 

[regnak]

In terms of action the TWS battle was better, despite probably being the set-piece in the movie I enjoyed the least. I just the 3rd act action didnt really mesh with the more realistic stuff earlier in the movie. Thats a testament to the rest of the action in the movie if anything else.

But in terms of emotion, the DOFP ending wins for me.



Calm down buttercup, I loved TWS, thats why its in my top 5 of the year in my sig which you can clearly see EVERY time I post. I just enjoyed some other movies more, if thats a problem I dont know what to tell you.

If you really love TWS then accept that other people have it as their favorite with grace. Don't constantly put it down like you are the campaign manager for DOFP. You have posted more anti TWS stuff than I have anti IM3 stuff and I hated IM3.

 

[Crosswind Ghost]

1. X-Men
2. Captain America
3. Guardians
4. Spiderman

In terms of action, winter soldier has the best use of it. Emotionally, DOFP was just so well done. The scene with Patrick and James hits so hard, as well as the ending. In terms of a single performance i think McAvoy had the best out of all the comic films, as far as Drama is concerned. He's the embodiment of good.

 

[DeadPresident]

It's a toss up between TWS and DOFP for me, just finished watching DOFP like 2 hours ago. I think TWS is a slightly more streamlined story and better told though.

With TWS I felt a bit more invested in the characters, DOFP not quite as much but I should probably let it settle and give it better thought afterwards. DOFP deserves the vote just for the QS scene though, he was definitely the funnest aspect of the movie for me and what stands out the most.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

It just seems you have to constantly remind us. At least you're saying the least and not the worst anymore.

I havent mentioned it unless someone else has for the last few pages, if people ask me about it I will speak about it, is that a crime on a discussion board?

If you really love TWS then accept that other people have it as their favorite with grace. Don't constantly put it down like you are the campaign manager for DOFP. You have posted more anti TWS stuff than I have anti IM3 stuff and I hated IM3.

I dont put it down, I say its a great movie, its the 4th best in what I have seen this year in my sig, it just so happens I saw 2 other CBM's that I found better. I dont hear you complaining me constantly praising GOTG, so is this an anti-Fox thing or something?

I have said multiple times that GOTG should have more votes in the poll and I am surprised it isnt competing with the other two more, yet not one complaint about that is there?

 

[Heretic]

So far, my list is...

1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2. Guardians of the Galaxy (I actually enjoy this more...but think TWS is a better movie...my rankings go back and forth on these two)
3. Blue is the Warmest Color

(big drop in enjoyment level from here)

4. X-Men: Days of Future Past
5. The Scribbler
6. 300: Rise of an Empire
7. Amazing Spider-Man 2
8. Jailbait

(Haven't seen Sin City or Turtles yet)

 

[SymbioteKal-El]

So far, my list is...

1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2. Guardians of the Galaxy (I actually enjoy this more...but think TWS is a better movie...my rankings go back and forth on these two)
3. Blue is the Warmest Color

(big drop in enjoyment level from here)

4. X-Men: Days of Future Past
5. The Scribbler
6. 300: Rise of an Empire
7. Amazing Spider-Man 2
8. Jailbait

(Haven't seen Sin City or Turtles yet)

How did you manage to see The Scribbler? I didn't even know it had been released.

 

[Heretic]

How did you manage to see The Scribbler? I didn't even know it had been released.

It's played film festivals and should be available on whatever VOD platform you prefer. I wouldn't be camping outside a movie theater, because it probably won't be showing there.

However, man...they have FAILED this concept. There is NO promotion for this movie and they are just throwing it out there without bothering to tell anyone. They aren't even bothering to post on Facebook. It's an embarrassing failure by the company. How do you spend that much time and money on a movie and then fail to even post on Facebook about it?

I'll add that it isn't a "good" movie. I think the idea is AWESOME. I can't reveal too much without literally revealing too much...but the concept is cool. Unfortunately, I think maybe the script needed a fresh set of eyes (the guy who wrote the comic wrote the script) to maybe make it flow better. The effects look low budget (which they are, I guess), but that has never been an issue for me. Mostly, it's a "this idea could have been SO cool, but kind of wasn't" feeling from me.