I really should do more journals, but I rarely have any interesting stuff to say XP. However, on a whim, I thought I would toss this up.

Now that I have seen all the major comic book movies of the summer, I feel I can do something I don't normally do, and put up a Top 5 list based on my own opinion of the films. So here it comes:

T.K. WOLFMAN'S SUPER-SUMMER TOP 5 COUNTDOWN!!!

Number 5: Hancock. Will Smith stars as "John Hancock," a drunken homeless superhuman who acts as the self-proclaimed protector of Los Angeles, much to the chagrin of the city's populace, as he ends up causing more damage than the criminals he catches would have caused. After he saves a publicist, played by Jason Bateman ("Arrested Development"), he helps Hancock clean up his act and become a hero the people can be proud of. This film was mainly about character development, which I enjoy, but the problem is that's all that it was about. The bad guys were all thugs and crooks that usually get beat down in the first few minutes of the movie and are never seen again. It wasn't bad, but it could have been much much better.

Number 4: Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Ron Perlman stars as a demonic detective working for the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense, the only line of defense against "what goes bump in the night." In this case, an army of mythical machines led by an elven prince with a xenophobic hatred of humanity. Now, I like Hellboy, but mainly for the characters. The stories are kinda weird and difficult to make sense of sometimes. Again, it wasn't bad, but the only thing that really put it above Hancock was voice work by Seth MacFarlane! Rock! XD

Number 3: The Incredible Hulk. Edward Norton plays Dr. Bruce Banner, a researcher plagued by a rage-fueled beast within, the obssessive general that wants him for military use, and a tiring soldier that will do anything to become the very same beast. A major overhaul from the first Hulk film, this movie did damn near everything right. Edward Norton makes a perfect Banner (nerdy dude that can kick your ass and be funny), and Tim Roth does so well as Emil Blonsky and the Abomination, that no one cared about a Russian having a British accent XD. What also made this film so good were the indications of Marvel Comics films expanding into a Marvel "movieverse" that will encompass the Marvel Universe on the big screen, as does the next film on the list...

Number 2: Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark, millionaire playboy industrialist who, after an assassination attempt and abduction in the middle east, develops technology to sustain his damaged heart, escape his captors, and ultimately become the self-made superhero, Iron Man! Another example of perfect casting, as well as casting Oscar winners in a comic book movie! Holy Crap ! Some people complain about the villain in the picture, Obadiah Stane (or Stade, I can never remember), but I think it fits well. In this time of unscrupulous business dealings, I think having your close friend and business partner stab you in the back for having integrity sends a powerful message. This is also another example of great character development and creating an expanded Marvel universe for the big screen.

And the Number 1 Superhero film...and I admit, this one surprised me...

THE DARK KNIGHT! Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger star in the sequel to the (much-needed) reboot of the Batman mythos, introducing a new, less-polished but just as crazed Joker, an "agent of Chaos" that pushes the Caped Crusader to his limits of morality and self-image. Honestly, I was starting to get tired of the Batman films, and I was worried that this one may go the way of Superman Returns (ugh), but clearly, this was not the case. This movie gave Batman the depth and dark imagery he deserves, and creates adversaries (yes, plural) that are genuinely terrifying in their execution. Batman's not my favorite superhero, but The Dark Knight is now my favorite superhero movie.

And now for some bonus info: A little something extra to add to The Dark Knight's #1 status were three of the previews at the beginning of the film. Two were comic book films I already knew were coming but didn't know much about, and the third was completely unexpected, no warning at all.

1. The Spirit: Based on the the comic first created by writer-artist Will Eisner that has now gained major cult status, about a masked detective who is either pretty good or REALLY bad with the ladies, and his pursuit of his arch-enemy, The Octopus;

2. Watchmen: Based on the celebrated Hugo Award winning graphic novel, depicting an alternate 1985 populated by disillusioned masked adventurers in a conspiracy that threatens their lives and the world at large; and

...brace yourself for this...

3. TERMINATOR: SALVATION! That's right, another Terminator movie! Starring Christian Bale! Not Arnold Schwarzenegger! Christian Bale plays John Connor, now officially the leader of the human resistance after Judgment Day, when the war against the machines begins. This is the first time a Terminator film has been made without Arnold's involvement, so that could mean anything. Will it rock? Will it suck? Only time will tell.

That's all I got for now. Hopefully, I can come up with more stuff to talk about in less than a few months. Until then, remember...

"The world will look up and shout 'Save Us'...and I'll whisper 'No'."

Take care! ^_^