One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.
As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.
Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.
I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”
When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.
See you at the movies!
***Spoilers Ahead!***
117. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) Directed by Marc Webb
The Movie: In a flashback, Richard Parker (Campbell Scott) is desperate to leave his home. His wife, Mary (Embeth Davidtz) and his young son Peter (Max Charles) are rushed away after Richard finds his home office ransacked. Richard leaves Peter in the care of his Aunt May (Sally Field) and his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen). Richard and Mary can’t escape their fate as they die in a plane crash.
Flash forward to a graduating high schooler Peter/Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield), and he is late to said graduation. But he has a reason, he is stopping a heist of an OSCORP truck that is under attack from Aleksei Stysevich (Paul Giamatti). Spidey saves mild mannered and shy Max Dillion (Jamie Fox), who becomes enamored with Spider-Man. Spider-Man stops the theft, and swings into his graduation just in time to get his diploma.
Peter relationship with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) is budding, despite Peter’s promise to Gwen’s dying father George (Denis Leary) not to see her anymore. Peter, is shock as he sees George everywhere and must deal with the guilt of him dying and Peter ignoring his wishes.
Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) is called back home. His father, Norman (Chris Cooper) is dying from a rare genetic order. Norman informs Harry that it is genetic and he too will succumb to the disease. Norman dies, and Harry is now the CEO of OSCORP.
Dillion is celebrating his birthday, no cares and is assigned to help in the research department. Dillion attempts to fix the issue and falls into a vat of genetically engineered electric eels. Dillion dies…or does he. Dillion awakens in the morgue and finds that he is now living electricity, he is Electro.
Peter breaks up with Gwen, and she informs him that she might be moving to England for school. Peter is heartbroken and follows her around town. Later, Peter and Gwen go out for ice cream and Pete’s Spider-Sense alerts him of danger, leaving Gwen behind.
Electro has stumbled to Times Square and cannot control his power. Spider-Man arrives on scene and tries to help Dillion. Dillion rejects Spider-Man’s help and unleashes an attack on Spidey and the citizens of New York. Spidey is able to subdue Electro with water and the help of the NYFD. Electro is taken to Ravencroft and placed under the care of the doctors there.
Peter and Harry reconnect after years of estrangement. Harry confides in Peter that he is dying and he believes that Spider-Man’s blood can save him. Harry asks Peter to find Spider-Man and ask him for help. Spider-Man arrives at Harry’s apartment and refuses to help Harry. Spider-Man says it’s because the side effects could be catastrophic.
Harry soon finds himself in trouble at OSCORP as well. He’s been ousted by the Vice President, Donald Menken (Colm Feore) who “blames” Harry for Dillion’s accident. Harry is out as CEO and he visits Electro, asking for help. Electro agrees and Harry frees him from his prison. Electro gets Harry back into OSCORP and Harry forces Menken to inject him with the venom from the spiders that gave Spider-Man his powers. Harry soon learns that the venom accelerates his disease. Harry crawls to armor that is in the OSCORP vault and it stops the mutation, but not before Harry becomes a goblin-like creature, The Green Goblin is born.
Peter finds his fathers secret lab, where he learns the reason both his parents fled was because he discovered Norman was going to use their research for biogenetic weapons. Peter learns that Gwen has accepted the Oxford scholarship. Peter tells Gwen he loves her and decides to go to England with her. Before Gwen can go to the airport, Electro strikes by causing a city wide blackout.
Peter reluctantly takes Gwen with him to a power station to help him defeat Electro. Gwen and Peter do just that and all appears to end well. However, a cackling laugh can be heard. The Green Goblin arrives and deduces that Peter and Spider-Man are one and the same. Angered by the slight, the Goblin grabs Gwen and takes her to the top of a clock tower.
Spider-Man and Green Goblin fight. Spider-Man subdues the Goblin but he has one last pumpkin bomb up his sleeve. The explosion causes the Goblin to be knocked out and Gwen starts to fall. Peter launches a web to save her and it catches Gwen. But it’s too late. Gwen dies from the jolt of Spider-Man’s web, breaking her neck. Peter, overcome with grief, quits being Spider-Man. Spider-Man is no more.
Some time has passed and Peter is sitting in his room hears about Aleksei Sytsevich has returned, this time with an armored Rhino suit. When a brave kid in a Spider-Man suit steps out to stop The Rhino, he is stopped, by the real Spider-Man. Who takes on The Rhino.
Why I Love The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014): Anyone who knows me, knows I love Spider-Man. I have a soft spot for everything that is Spider-Man. My favorite story, and I am sure a lot of Spider-Man fans as well, is “The Night That Gwen Stacy Died!” And although, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is loosely-goosey with its adaptation, it still hits the right emotional beats.
The action is wonderfully realized. Especially the Times Square fight between Spidey and Electro. The colors absolutely pop off the screen. The slow-down and how Spider-Man uses his Spider-Sense is an highlight as well.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 also has a great score. A mixture between full superhero orchestral power, mixed with the electric stylings of Electro, it hits all the right beats.
Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone have undeniable chemistry and you root for them, and it breaks your heart when Peter fails to save her.
The biggest issue holding the film back is how hard it tries to build a universe when it doesn’t need to. That alone keeps it from swinging to the heights of Spidey’s other adventures. That doesn’t deter me from enjoying the film immensely and having a blast watching it.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 swings with powerful character beats, incredible action and a tear-jerking finale that packs an emotional punch.