Binge-ing and Ranking the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Inspired by the Binge-Mode podcast and the need to watch stuff while I treadmill away the food that I stress-baked and stress-ate during this pandemic, I recently watched nearly all of the MCU movies.  I skipped a few that I had seen recently, and I didn't have access to the Hulk movies.  The hosts of Binge-Mode ranked their faves, and theirs were a bit different than mine.  And, yes, the rankings changed after re-watching and also listening to the podcasts.  So, below, I rank the movies and indicate the best/worst parts of each.  

DC Sucketh Runneth Over

So, Henry Cavill is out as Superman.   John Rogers had a nice series of tweets explaining what Warner Brothers' problem is--they don't like the DC characters/universe, so they can't get into it and make it work.  The fun thing is the wild speculation on the next Superman.  And, of course, there is wagering.  I got an email from a sports book which gave the following odds:

Next Superman Actor	American Odds	Fractional Odds
Michael B. Jordan	+125	5/4
Armie Hammer	+350	7/2
Henry Golding	+1000	10/1
Benjamin Walker	+1600	16/1
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson	+900	9/1
Will Smith	+5000	50/1
Tyler Hoechlin	+900	9/1
Ryan Gosling	+1000	10/1
Nicholas Cage	+3300	33/1
Ben Affleck	+5000	50/1
Mark Wahlberg	+1200	12/1
Idris Elba	+600	6/1

Source: https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/futures-and-props/entertainment

I think the odds on MBJ are way too low.  There is no way that he is almost even odds.  I think most of the names here are jokes, and I would definitely bet the field (that none of the above is the winner).

As a Marvel guy who loves the DC shows on TV, there seems to be a simple solution: get the TV people to make a movie or three.  But that is too damn obvious.

Anyhow, I will continue to make mine Marvel as the only Marvel movies I didn't like very much or at all were Thor 2, the Hulks, Age of Ultron.... and that's about it.  The TV shows are more of a mix.

And as Stan would say, Excelsior!!!

Black Panther: The Most Meaningful Marvel Movie

Mrs. Spew and I went to the first showing of Black Panther last night, and we were not disappointed.  Since most folks have not yet seen it, only go beyond the break if you don't mind being spoiled or were able to see the movie pretty quickly.

X-Men: Not an Apocalypse

My family went to see X-Men: Apocalypse the other night.  We went in with low expectations because we were not fans of the comic books that focused on this villain.* And our expectations were exceeded, mostly because the movie had far more light and fun than the overly dark DC movies despite being about the end of humanity.

*  Days of Future Past was a decent movie, but had a more difficult challenge since the comic book story was so very terrific.  

Spoilers below the break:

An Appropriately Short Discussion of a Tiny Super-Hero

We saw Ant-Man last night, and I have few small thoughts about a surprisingly delightful movie (spoilers beyond the break):

Great Moments in the US Supreme Court

I don't study the US Supreme Court, but so tempted now:

Indeed. 

Guardians References

Heaps of fun stuff buried and not so buried in Guardians of the Galaxy.  Spoilers dwell in the video


H/T to AV club

as always, make mine Marvel.

Flag Speculation

Lots of people are wondering why there is a white flag on top of the Brooklyn bridge:

My guess?  Green Goblin is surrendering to Spider-man due to much guilt over that which transpired on this bridge long ago.

X-cellent

I am glad that I got a chance to see Days of Future Past unspoiled.  If you have not seen it, do not read below until you have as spoilers dwell beyond the break