Tag Archives: villains

Quigley Down Under’s Villain Isn’t Such a Bad Guy

When it comes to villains, Elliott Marston is among my favorites. During my recent rewatch of Quigley Down Under in preparation for my Cinematic Chiasmus article, I noticed that Marston is surprisingly sympathetic. I’m not saying he’s a paragon of … Continue reading

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Why Is Two-Face So Easy to Manipulate?

Last week we dissected the Two-Face Meets the Riddler scene in Batman Forever, and this week we’re going to revisit that scene and add a little twist. Have you ever noticed that this scene mirrors the one in The Dark … Continue reading

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The Subtle Meaning of the Scene Where Two-Face Meets the Riddler

This scene is brilliantly set up so that the visuals complement the dialogue and they work together to demonstrate what is happening in Two-Face’s mind the whole time. Continue reading

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Pleasant Surprises: Law Abiding Citizen

I don’t usually describe films as “stunning,” but that’s the best word I can find for 2009’s Law Abiding Citizen. I am stunned by this film, from its opening scene to its finale it’s constantly surprising me and leaving me … Continue reading

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Forgotten Film Gems: The Villain

Remember that time when director Hal Needham got really drunk and decided to cast Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cowboy in a western comedy? Yes, that really happened. Maybe not the drunk part, but I assume he had to be out … Continue reading

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10 Movies Whose Hero and Villain Never Actually Meet

Some movies are so well-constructed, they don’t even need their hero and villain to be anywhere close to each other to create lots of suspense and conflict. They might talk with each other over the phone, but they never have … Continue reading

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10 Ridiculously Lopsided Hero-Villain Fights

This is the first time I’ve done something like this. I’m participating in the Great Villain Blogathon with dozens of other bloggers. We all staked out some famous villains to talk about in our own unique ways. Since I’m such an … Continue reading

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10 Villains Who Never Get a Comeuppance

Most movies go to great lengths to give villains a satisfying or ironic comeuppance. For example, Superman II had a super-powered Clark Kent pick a fight with a non-super-powered bully for no other reason than petty revenge. However, some movies forget … Continue reading

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Movie Matchups: Thor vs. The Ten Commandments (1956)

I recently saw Marvel’s The Avengers and I am so impressed. I wish every big-budget movie could be that entertaining and just plain fun. In preparation for that movie, I watched both Iron Man films, Captain America: The First Avenger, and … Continue reading

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A Tale of Two Satans: The Joker vs. General Zod

Two of my favorite sequels of all time are The Dark Knight and Superman II. Both of them expand the heroes’ story and deepen the world they inhabit. A lot of the success of these films can be credited directly … Continue reading

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