Sir Christopher Lee's Life Was like Something Taken from an Epic Movie

Early this month, legendary actor Sir Christopher Lee passed away at the age of 93.  He is not only one of my favorite actors, but he is also one of the most fascinating people that ever lived.  This essay is my tribute to his incredible life.

To be honest, I was not always a fan.  I was only 12 years old when Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ringand Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones were released.  I wasn’t really impressed by Saruman and Count Dooku the first time I saw those movies that time.  It was only when I got to re-watch those movies when I was older and more knowledgeable about movies and acting that I appreciated Christopher Lee’s strong performance in portraying those villains.

There was a span during the late 90’s and early 2000’s when I had watched plenty of old movies through cable and actually had seen many movies that Christopher Lee starred in – like The Curse of Frankenstein, The Man with the Golden Gun, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Mummy, The Three Musketeers, Gremlins 2, to name some – but I never recognized him as the same actor behind 007 villain Francisco Scaramanga, Fu Manchu, Frankenstein’s Monster, Rochefort, Dr. Midnight, Sir Henry Baskerville* and others.  In fact, back then, I didn’t recognize that Saruman and Count Dooku were portrayed by the same actor.

*I’m a big Sherlock Holmes fan, and I’ve seen plenty of Sherlock Holmes movies, so I’m not sure if I’ve also seen Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace and The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes wherein Lee was able to play the roles of Sherlock Holmes and Mycroft Holmes respectively.   I guess I’ve seen a lot of Sherlock Holmes films that I forgot some of the titles which I’ve seen already.  1959’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, however, is one of my favorite Sherlock Holmes movies (as well as the 1939 version).  Anyway, it’s really interesting that Lee had been able to portray three different Sherlock Holmes characters in live action. 

Lee’s most iconic role is probably that of Dracula.  I’ve seen 1958’s Dracula, and he was terrific in that (and his good friend Peter Cushing was terrific as Van Helsing).  However, the first time I saw him as Dracula was in the hilariously bad Dracula: Prince of Darkness (from 1966) wherein he just hissed all throughout the film.  Hence, my Christopher Lee fandom didn’t start with my first encounter with the character he’s most known for.  It was in The Wicker Man, wherein he played the role of Lord Summerisle, that a Christopher Lee character had made a great impression on me.  Still, I wasn’t able to connect the dots yet.

I can’t remember how and when, but I eventually learned that Christopher Lee was in plenty of movies I’ve seen and played all those memorable characters.  And I was blown away by the realization.  I kicked myself for not recognizing him.  I was like, “This guy is Saruman and Count Dooku!?  Why wasn’t I able to notice that?  What?!  You mean, he’s also that Bond villain?!  And Dracula?!  And that guy that freaked me out in The Wicker Man?!  Whoa [looking at his filmography], I’ve seen many of these movies.  He was in all of these?  Wow!  This Christopher Lee guy is kinda cool.”  And I can’t help but be impressed.

But it was the time that I got to read about Sir Christopher Lee’s bio that I was really blown away and became fascinated with the man.  There’s actually much, much more amazing stuff about him beyond his prolific film career.  Here’s a summary:

• He is a descendant of Emperor Charlemagne of the Holy Roman Empire on his mother side (who happened to be a countess). 
• He is related to General Robert Lee – the famous Confederate general during the American Civil War – on his father side.
• He was a world-class fencer.  He holds the record in performing in most swordfights on screen. 
• He could speak six languages.
• He was allegedly a heluva golfer.  He also played various other sports like rugby, squash, and hockey.    
• Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, is a step-cousin of his.  Lee was Fleming’s first choice to play the role of James Bond. 
• The reason he resonated badassery on screen is that he was an actual badass in real life.
• In 1939, he went to Finland so he can enlist in the Finnish Army to help fight off the Soviet invasion on the country. 
• During World War II, he joined the Royal Air Force and became a commando/intelligence officer for the Long Range Desert Patrol, which would eventually become the SAS (considered by many to be the most badass elite force in the word), where he participated in many dangerous missions against the Nazis, seeing action in North Africa and Sicily.
• In 1943, while still fighting the Nazis, he caught malaria six different times.  After recovering from the sixth occasion, he was able to appease a mutiny-in-the-making in his squadron.
• Later in WW II, he was assigned to an even more elite unit – the Special Operations Executive (SOE), also known as “Churchill’s Secret Army” and “Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.”  SOE’s missions were to conduct espionage, sabotage, and recon behind Axis lines, and aid resistance units of occupied countries.  Up until now, their files are still classified, and whenever Lee was asked during interviews about his time in SOE, he kept his mouth shut.  However, he had been once quoted of saying: “I've seen many men die right in front of me - so many in fact that I've become almost hardened to it. Having seen the worst that human beings can do to each other, the results of torture, mutilation and seeing someone blown to pieces by a bomb, you develop a kind of shell. But you had to. You had to. Otherwise we would never have won.”  After the war, Lee had been decorated by the British, Polish, Yugoslavian, and Czech governments.  So if we read between the lines, we can conclude that Lee was a real life James Bond (no wonder Fleming wanted him for the role) whose missions had significantly contributed to the war effort.
• He retired from military service at around the age of 23 (!) and started his acting career at the age of 25.  Christopher Lee had accomplished more things at his early 20’s than most people in their lifetime.
• He, unsurprisingly, holds the record of most film appearances ever.
• He was a classically trained singer.  His most notable musical performance in film was “Pick Your Poison” in the 1983 movie The Return of Captain Invincible.
• He is, surprisingly, a fan of heavy metal.  He began to make heavy metal albums when he was already 88. 
• Some of his honors are Commander of the Venerable Order of Saint John (1997), Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2001), Knight Bachelor (2009), a BAFTA Academy Fellowship (2011), Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters (by the French government in 2011), and the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement (1994).

There are several other interesting trivia and anecdotes about him (that you need to check out by yourselves; it’s worth it), but I think the point is already sent across: Christopher Lee is literally awesome – on and off screen.

If you have seen Christopher Lee’s performances, you would have observed that he had this compelling screen charisma that improves whatever scene he was in.  He gave it his all in every character he played regardless of the quality of the film, showing genuine love for his craft.  And because of his constant willingness to give a thorough performance no matter what, he had portrayed countless characters that have brought delight to generations of audiences.

But he was indeed more interesting than any character he had played.  He lived a remarkable, full life.  And, probably, the reason that he was able to get the most of his life is that he took on life with the same boldness and enthusiasm and dedication he displayed in portraying his roles.  Moreover – despite his aristocratic pedigree, grim past, and knack for playing villains – Christopher Lee was genuinely approachable, classy, kind, warm, amiable, and down-to-earth in all the public appearances and interviews he was in (at least, those that I’ve seen).

Sir Christopher Lee was a bona fide badass, a well-rounded and charming individual, a real gentleman, and the stuff of legends.  He will be missed.

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How Is My 2015 TV Watching So Far

Just like last year, I decided to once again rank the TV shows that I’ve watched midway through this year.  This list is exclusively on live-action TV series, so don’t expect any animated series to be in it.  The list is arranged from best to least.

The Flash

From being the number eight in my list for last year’s best shows, its inaugural season’s strong second-half propelled it to the top of my favorites (as of now).  Harrison Wells a.k.a. Eobard Thawne a.k.a. Reverse Flash has been one of the most complex, multi-layered, fascinating villains ever in fiction; Gorilla Grodd was miraculously adapted into live action in a manner that didn’t look cheap; it maintained a strong connection with its parent show Arrow, and significantly contributed in expanding the DC TV universe; and, most importantly, I grew to like all of the characters beyond Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen, Tom Cavanagh’s Harrison Wells, and Jesse L. Martin’s Detective West (I used to like only these three).  This show still succumbs to dumb plot holes, but these are easily forgiven for being continually fun and exciting.

Daredevil

In my opinion, it was only with this show that Marvel was able to take their first real step in challenging DC’s TV dominance.  CLICK HERE for more of my thoughts on Daredevil.

Orphan Black

Orphan Black remains to be an extremely intriguing, fascinating, and smart series; and Tatiana Maslany continues to delight in portraying the different LEDA clones.  However, I’m a bit bummed that the CASTOR clones are taking some screentime away from Tatiana Maslany’s characters.  I think I liked it more when the narrative solely revolves around the lives of the LEDA clones – again, Tatiana Maslanay’s incredible display of versatility in bringing to life different characters and giving them distinctive personalities is the greatest thing about this show in the first place.  Ari Mellen isn’t a bad actor, but the CASTOR clones are just like different shades of the same character – there is no opportunity for Allen to play characters that are unique from each other (or he’s incapable of it).  Nonetheless, this is still the same show that I fell in love with last year, and it’s still pretty much near perfection. 

Arrow

 

Its spin-off, The Flash, has surpassed Arrow already, but I’ll always love this show for being the closest thing to a Batman live-action TV series we can have right now.  Arrow boasts great fight scenes, gritty storytelling, and interesting characters – especially the awesome Felicity Smoak.

iZombie

I’m not familiar with the comics this series is based on, but if the writing is anywhere near the quality of this series, then it’s probably terrific.  This new series has this particular charm, wit, and relatability that gives the show a Veronica Mars-like tone, which is no wonder since Rob Thomas, creator of Veronica Mars, developed this show.  The small screen is full of crime procedural/mystery shows already, but I find iZombie’s approach to the genre – along with its own brand of zombie mythology – fresh and fun.  I also appreciate how its scenes start like a comic panel then transitions into the opening shot of the scene.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

 

I love this show, but I have these high expectations that hasn’t been met yet.  I’m not sure if it’s fair, but I really want my expectation to match the actual.  The current S.H.I.E.L.D. comic book series – which was somewhat based on the TV series – has a better premise and tells better stories.  At the very least, I hope the TV series can match the appeal of the comic book series.  But all that said, it was only somewhere in the second season that I finally get to like Skye, and that has to be a big deal considering how I disliked her during the first season.

Constantine

 

It’s saddening that this series is cancelled (its low ratings can’t bring justice to its provided budget).  Matt Ryan killed as John Constantine, and though the story is limited and tame compared to its source material, it was still very great.  I’m going to miss this show.  If only Constantine can make a deal with or con the First into taking Gothaminstead of Constantine.

The Blacklist

Though season 2 has its good share of thrills and intrigue, it isn’t as thrilling and intriguing as the first season.  In its first season, there were a lot of stuff happening every episode, but amidst the fast pace, it felt that the series has a clear direction on where it’s trying to go, narratively speaking.  But there’s a lack of that in the second season.  However, the drop in the quality of its storytelling is minimal, and it has still been a rewarding show to follow.

Castle

This is currently the longest running ongoing TV series that I’m following and enjoying – and it’s still not yet over.  The finale of season 7 actually felt like a nice wrap up of the series already.  That’s why I was surprised that a season 8 is still coming.  So I hope that this new season will really be able to bring something new and awesome to the series.   I would really hate to see this show become terrible and empty.  I would have preferred for it to end in season 7 – ending in a good position – than suffering from a purposeless, cash-grab new season.  So, keeping my fingers crossed.  Please be good, season 8.

Agent Carter

I liked it, but it didn’t make me go crazy for it.  It merely felt like an expanded Marvel One-Shot short.  CLICK HERE for more of my thoughts on Agent Carter.

12 Monkeys

I thought that this series is going to be bad, but I found it surprisingly enjoyable.  CLICK HERE for more of my thoughts on 12 Monkeys.

The Big Bang Theory

In my opinion, the previous seasons (which I marathoned last year) are funnier than the recent season.  Nonetheless, getting through a 20-minute episode of The Big Bang Theory is never a chore but always a fun time.

Pinocchio

In an attempt to duplicate my experience with I Hear Your Voice, I picked up Pinocchio late last year.  Though it has the same writer and lead actor as I Hear Your Voice, Pinocchio isn’t as good.  Still, it’s entertaining enough to make me watch every episode until its finale early this year.

Elementary

This show continues to fall further down my TV list.  It just can’t match the cleverness of its first season (which made it my favorite TV show back in 2013).  Now, it’s just like another generic crime procedural that has characters that only happen to have the same names with the characters from Sherlock Holmes literature.  I’m still going to watch the episodes of its next season, but not as regularly as before.

Supergirl

The pilot leaked.  I didn’t like it.  Still, I’m going to give this show a chance to prove itself by watching a couple of episodes when it officially starts later this year.  CLICK HERE for more of my thoughts on Supergirl.

Sleepy Hollow

In its first season, this show used to be ridiculous but in a good, entertaining way.  But in season 2, the drop of quality was great.  It became this convoluted, boring mess.  It regained footing in its ending episodes, but by then, it was too late, I no longer have a fondness for it.  A season 3 is coming, and there’s always the chance that it can get better and be as great as before again.  That would be nice, if ever.

So 16 shows in the pool so far, but new series can be picked up later this year, and some of the shows I’m following haven’t even run their respective seasons yet this 2015 – Defiance season 3, True Detective season 2 (coming later this month), Doctor Who series 9, and the Sherlock Christmas special (the show I’m looking forward to the most this year).  The rankings are subject to change, of course, depending on how the second half of the year will turn out for these shows.  Nonetheless, this can serve as a glimpse on how my picks for top 10 TV shows of 2015 will eventually look like.

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'Agent Carter' is Good, but Not That Good

For the record, I like Agent Carter.  Its first season has been genuinely entertaining.  The production value of the show was impeccably gorgeous – it successfully rendered the the era it is set in.  And the bickering and chemistry of Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter and James D’Arcy’s Edwin Jarvis resulted into many engrossing and amusing moments.  However, I won’t be declaring that Agent Carter’s 8-episode season has been strong and very exciting.  It’s a good show, but it isn’t really a “must-watch” one.

Agent Peggy Carter is not a boring character at all.  Again, she and Edwin Jarvis make good TV when partnered together.  And as a female character, she’s as strong, independent, and appealing as you would expect from a lead heroine.  Moreover, her struggles for personal validation in a man-dominated world – to shed the typecast of being Captain America’s dame, to be taken seriously by her peers, and to be judged by her own merit – add additional depth to the character.  But it’s not enough to make her significantly rise above other badass, competent, attractive heroines.  For me, she’s only a tad above “generic.”   

The plot of the first season was lackluster.  It didn’t really enrich the MCU’s TV world-building, and the narrative didn’t have a “gripping” factor.  Heck, I probably wouldn’t have tolerated the story if this has not been made by Marvel.  A big part of what kept me following the narrative was because of – again, for its third mention – the great fun in all the scenes Peggy and Jarvis are together.    

Agent Carter didn’t provide much points for Marvel’s campaign of gaining a dominating foothold in the small screen as they do in the big screen.  Marvel is doing a swell job with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and they will always have a huge advantage because their TV universe is shared with their movie universe.  However, DC is still on the leadso far.  DC’s Arrow and The Flash are the benchmarks here.  Those two shows are generously pumping DC mythos into the construction of a DC shared TV universe.  Hence, more and more DC comic book characters are being adapted into the small screen.  It’s a superhero universe after all, and DC is just delivering what is expected from such: superheroes and superhero mythologies.  I understand that Marvel is maybe trying to be “diverse” and “fresh” in its TV programming by producing material like Agent Carter.  But they have to remember that what they have in their hands is a superhero universe, and in a superhero universe, adaptation of superheroes and superhero mythologies – especially the familiar ones – are just much more desired and exciting than spin-off series of a secondary non-superhero character.  No matter how beloved she may be, Peggy Carter is just not an equal to Green Arrow or the Flash. 

It’s true that Marvel does have a couple of upcoming Netflix web TV series featuring Marvel’s street-level superheroes, starting with a Daredevil series in April, and only then could we really tell how much Marvel has caught up (or is lagging behind).  But my main point is simply that, in a superhero market that has Arrowand The Flash in it, an Agent Carter – and something that lacks impact to boot – will definitely pale in comparison and won’t be fully appreciated.      

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Chain of Thoughts: February's 'Spider-Man' Happenings

Last February was a big Spider-Man month.  First, the epic “Spider-Verse” concluded. Second – and most importantly – Marvel and Sony reached a deal to bring Spider-Man to the Marvel Cinematic Universe!   Here are my musings…

Part 1: Spider-Verse

→ “Spider-Verse” wasn’t perfect.  But it had a lot of good things going for it.  I greatly enjoyed the premise and the story, and I’m mostly satisfied with how everything unfolded.  Seeing all of those Spider-Men (and –Women) banding together was awesome.   However, I don’t believe that it made true to its promise to feature “every Spider-Man” ever.  But I have to give props to Dan Slott and his people, for it was obvious that they truly tried.  There were plenty of delightful surprise participants. 

Example: Supaidāman and Leopardon!

→ I also appreciated a lot the inclusion of the cartoon-y, lighter versions of Spider-Man – like Spider-Ham, the Spider-Man from the Hostess snack ads back in the 70’s and 80’s, the Spider-Man from Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (there were many deaths among the ranks of alternate Spider-Men but this one was what disturbed me most), the Spider-Man from the campy 60’s animated series version, the lil' Spider-Man from Bullpen Bits/Mini Marvel (just a cameo though), the Spider-Man from the popular Capcom crossover arcade games, the newspaper strip Spider-Man, and the Spider-Man from the Ultimate Spider-Man TV series.

→ Too bad that Marvel’s Sony deal couldn’t have happened earlier (or the Spider-Verse story couldn’t have happened later) for it prevented the use of the Spider-Man from the awesome Spectacular Spider-Man TV series(which, if I understand it right, is co-owned by Sony).  The writers, however, used a clever approach in referencing the cinematic versions of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.

Along with a mention of the Spider-Man: Turn of the Dark version

→ It seemed that the Spider-Man from the awesome 90’s animated series was not included (if he was, I haven’t caught sight of him).  Even if I’ve always had the skepticism in me of the truthfulness of the claim that all Spider-Men will make an appearance, I was still surprised that that version was not given a part in the story.       

→ I acknowledge that the featured “Spider” characters have been extensive already.  But I was really expecting a Spider-Army of Captain Britain Corps proportions, especially in the climactic battle.  But the mass of the Spider-Army – which I presume were the recruits of Miles Morales’ team (his was the only logical contingent that could have brought all those Spidey cameos in the final battle) – were mere “glimpses” during the chaos.  The ambiguity of the attendance and quantity of the different Spider-Men in the final battle was likely to be Slott’s way of implying that “every Spider-Men ever” were participating in the climactic battle.  It’s kind of disappointing, really.

The best look of the assembled Spider-Army during the final battle was from Spider-Verse #2.       

→ My biggest nitpick with “Spider-Verse”, however, is that my most favorite alternate version of Spider-Man – Spider-Man Noir – was sidelined early in the game.  Bummer. 

→ At the end of “Spider-Verse”, what does Otto’s instruction to his Anna Marie AI mean?  Did Otto Octavius prepare a contingency plan to reclaim Peter Parker’s body?  Will it activate after a hundred days?  Is SpOck or Dr. Octopus set to return?  Will I be compelled to write a series of love-hate blog posts once again?  

Uh-oh.

→ I was hoping that something awesomely creative was intended for Silk.  But being “The Bride” is not enough at all.  I still have the same issues on her as before.  If she would have been a Spider-Woman replacement for Jessica Drew, then that would have been a lot, lot better for the character.  At this point, for me, she just seems to be a gratuitous additional Spider character that made the crowd of present Spider-characters feel more crowded and contributes in the diminishment of the uniqueness of Spider-Man.  Silk, however, is popular enough to receive her own ongoing series.  Hopefully, my opinion for the character might improve during this series’ development.

It was really funny that these two still commit PDI even in the midst of their Spider brethren.

→ The Spider-Woman Gwen Stacy introduced in “Spider-Verse” was also popular enough to receive her own series.  She’s indeed an intriguing character that deserves more exposure so that her character and universe can develop further.   The only bad thing about it?  Spider-Gwen is a stupid, unimaginative title for the series.

→ Spider-Woman rocked in “Spider-Verse”, and she has her costume updated afterwards.  I’m kind of split regarding the change.  I already got used to the original look, but she definitely was in need of a costume upgrade.  Best thing about it was the banter between her and Carol Danvers as they make fun of each other’s past costume choices.

Hahahaha.            

→ In the aftermath of “Spider-Verse”, some of the Spider-Men, led by Spider-UK, decided to continue teaming up, and their adventures are going to be the basis of the Secret Wars’ spin-off series, Spider-Verse, coming later this year.  That’s cool.  I definitely want more team-ups of different Spider-Men from different universes.

Part 2: Spider-Man Joins the MCU
    

→ I got wind of the announcement that Marvel and Sony has agreed to let Spider-Man join the Marvel Cinematic Universe while browsing my Facebook newsfeed on an afternoon, after a tiring work-day.  After reading the headline, I went…

It was a surreal moment for me.  I’ve always wanted for Spidey to be in an Avengers film.  (But, to be honest, I will give this up in a heartbeat for a Spider-Verse movie instead.)

This scene is from the Avengers 2 trailer, and someone edited Spider-Man in.  Cool.

→ I’m very excited for some news on how Spider-Man will be introduced to the MCU.  But I hope that Spidey’s inclusion to Marvel’s Phase 3 plans won’t sacrifice the development schedule and quality of the originally planned Marvel movies. 

→ When announcement that it’s almost definite that the next film version of Spider-Man won’t be white, my elation transformed to horrified distress.  And it’s not a racist thing.  It’s simply an ignorant, bigoted thing for someone to accuse another of racism simply because he prefers Spider-Man to be white.  (Heck, I myself am not even white.)  It’s just that Spider-Man is my most favorite character that has originated from comics, and I just want Spider-Man to be as accurate and genuine as possible when translated into the big screen.  It is imperative that that Spider-Man should be Peter Parker because the qualities that made me love the character is essentially founded in him.   

→ The counter-argument is to point out that Peter Parker already had two different cinematic depictions before.  Well, that may be true.  But this is a different thing.  This is the first time Spider-Man will be teaming up with other Marvel heroes in the big screen, and I badly want it to be Peter Parker having this cinematic honor.  Miles Morales has to wait.

→ Of course, none of those qualities that made Peter Parker integral as Spider-Man is because he is white.  So am I good then with a non-white Peter Parker?  Still, a no.   Peter Parker/Spider-Man is such an important, iconic character that accuracy on the race is still a significant part of his individuality as much as what his sex is.  Making Peter Parker black or Hispanic makes me as uncomfortable and upset as making him a girl instead (like “Petra Parker.” Ugh).  In the same way, I will be extremely upset if Sherlock Holmes is depicted as an American woman instead of a British male (heck, I hate “Joan Watson” of Elementary, even though I find the show entertaining).  Sex and race might not be the most important substances of what makes a character special, but they are still a big part of how the character is consciously defined.  Changing the race or sex when depicting a character – especially if it’s an iconic one like Spider-Man – in another medium could take a lot out of the character.

→ So, please, please, Marvel.  Let Peter Parker be the Spider-Man of the MCU.  And white.         

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The 3rd Bernel Zone Awards for Big Screen & Small Screen

For your reference of my picks for the best TV shows and movies of 2014:

TV Shows - Top 10 TV Shows of 2014

Movies Part 1 - Top 10 Movies of 2014 That I've Seen So Far

Movies Part 2 - Top 20 Movies I've Seen in the Second-Half of the Year 

Movies Part 3 - Top 10 Movies of 2014 That I've Only Got to Watch in January

In accordance to this blog’s tradition (which started in 2013), whenever it’s Oscar season, I do my own informal awarding for random, ever-changing categories.  For this year, I decided to just merge the Bernels for cinema and TV (that’s why I didn’t write a Bernels for TV last January), and I think, this combined approach is going to be the set format from now on.   

Best Movie Hero: John Wick (John Wick)

 

I think John Wick is now my favorite Keanu Reeve’s character (yep, even over Neo).  The character’s not only a very skilled badass, but is also chock-full of personality.  I mightily like how the character was built up, forced into the conflict, and then his real reputation eventually revealed.       

Runners-up: Batman (Lego Movie), Captain America (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Chris “The Legend” Kyle (American Sniper), Joseph Cooper (Interstellar)

Best TV Hero: Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock)

 

Duh.  This guy will probably always win this award whenever it’s a year that has a season of Sherlockon.

Runners-up: The 12th Doctor (Doctor Who), Raymond “Red” Reddington (The Blacklist)

Best Movie Heroine: Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars)

It’s not only because she’s my second favorite female fictional character ever that I gave her this award.  I objectively don’t have any 2014 movie heroine in mind that was able to be more interesting than Veronica Mars.   

Runner-up: Black Widow (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

Best TV Heroine: Felicity Smoak (Arrow)

 

Arrows’ Felicity Smoak is based on a forgotten hacker character in the DC comics.  But I bet that the comics’ Felicity Smoak isn’t as awesome as the one Emily Bett Rickards is portraying in Arrow.  She’s easily the most attractive, the most fun, the most magnetic, and the most interesting female character in Arrow.  Her geeky charm, quick wit, winning personality, strong characterization, and mean hacker skills make her the female character I enjoy watching most in TV right now     

Runners-up:  Cosima Niehaus, Sarah Manning, Alison Hendrix, and Helena (Orphan Black)

Best Movie Villain: The Winter Soldier (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)

 

I was initially wary to give this award to Bucky Barnes a.k.a. the Winter Soldier considering the fact that the character is expected to eventually return being a hero.  Nonetheless, Sebastian Stan’s performance as a brainswashed Hydra assassin was deliciously menacing and engaging. 

Runners-up: Koba (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), Conrad Stonebanks a.k.a. Victor Menz (The Expendables 3), Terence Fletcher (Whiplash)

Best TV Villain: Harrison Wells (The Flash)

 

I adore Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen, but the most fascinating character of The Flash is Dr. Harrison Wells.  It’s kinda unique that the big bad is actually among the good guys.  And the character is wrapped with too much mystery, too much intrigued, as well as natural screen charisma, that Dr. Wells is the most engaging villain I’ve seen in 2014 TV.

Runners-up: Min Joon-gook (I Hear Your Voice), Deathstroke (Arrow), Captain Cold (The Flash)

Best Movie Villainess: Amy Dunne (Gone Girl)

 

I thought Eva Green’s Artemisia in 300: Rise of an Empire already had this award in the bag, that it was unlikely to top the ruthless Persian general.  Then I saw Gone Girl and Rosamund Pike’s psychopathic Amy Dunne made me forget Artemisia’s badassery.  Mrs. Dunne is a distinctive, captivatingly unsettling villainess.  Her cold-hearted, manipulative, and cunning personality is disturbingly chilling.

      

Runners-up: Artemisia (300: Rise of an Empire), Mason (Snowpiercer), Hammer Girl (The Raid 2: Berandal)

Best TV Villainess: Missy (Doctor Who)

 

I’m new to Doctor Who but I’m knowledgeable enough of the mythology to appreciate the twist that The Master had turned into The Mistress. 

Runners-up: Margot Al-Harazi (24: Live Another Day)

Best Movie Couple: Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy (The Amazing Spider-Man 2)

Even critics of the movie would agree with me that one of the good things about it is the adorably corny, “lovey-dovey” chemistry of Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy.     

Runners-up: Dylan Kershaw and Rebecca Porter (In Your Eyes), Logan Echols and Veronica Mars (Veronica Mars)

Best TV Couple: Park Soo-ha and Jang Hye-sung (I Hear Your Voice)

Because their story has kept me absorbed and made me swoon!

Runner-up: Richard Castle and Kate Becket (Castle)

Best Movie Duo: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III and Hiccup

 

Probably the greatest “rider and his mount” tandem in fiction. 

Best TV Duo: Sherlock Holmes & John Watson (Sherlock)

Again, duh.  Few duos can ever match the compelling work that Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman have done with their respective characters in Sherlock.     

Runner-up: Rusty Cohle and Marty Hart (True Detective)

Most Adorable Movie Character: Baymax (Big Hero 6)

I really get the vibes that Baymax – like everything else about Big Hero 6 – has been consciously, painstakingly designed to win everyone’s hearts.  And though it would feel “synthetic” if indeed so, I’m nonetheless fine with what resulted from the intent.  Baymax is awesomely adorable, and if there’s a real-life Baymax, I definitely want one.  “Bah-la-la-la-la.” 

Most Adorable TV Character: Bernadette Rostenkowski-Walowitz (The Big Bang Theory)

Last 2014, I got to marathon The Big Bang Theory, and I discovered that this show is extremely hilarious.  The last time I had fan-level enjoyment from sitcoms was during the days I was watching sitcom reruns of shows like Blackadder Goes Forth, Mork & Mindy, and Happy Days; I also occasionally watched 3^rd Rock from the Sun back in the 2000’s.  But I was never really into modern sitcoms.  So The Big Bang Theory is my first real fandom on a sitcom since Happy Days.      

The show has always been funny, but the early seasons were kinda plagued with negative social behaviors of the male characters.  However, once female characters Amy Farah Fowler and Bernadette Rostenkowski had been introduced into the show, the appalling stereotyping of geek social cluelessness and awkwardness have been smoothed off.  The girls – especially Bernadette – were great additions to the show, and definitely improved it a lot.    

Bernadette could be my most favorite Big Bang Theory character (next to Bernadette, I just equally like the other characters).  Not only is she the most attractive cast member, but her charming personality, small stature, and squeaky voice (especially this) makes her overwhelmingly adorable.

Best Dance in Movie: Baby Groot dance (Guardians of the Galaxy)

No contest. 

Best Dance in TV: Clone Party (Orphan Black)

The awesomeness of Orphan Black is summarized in this epic sequence. 

Best TV Smile: Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock)

The smile of a “high-functioning sociopath.”

Best Movie Smile: Maleficent (Maleficent)

The best three seconds of the movie.

Best Movie Fight Scene: Rama vs. Hammer Girl, Baseball Bat Boy, and the Assassin (The Raid 2: Berandal)

Every fight sequence in The Raid 2: Berandal is incredibly badass.  But the most notable for me is Rama’s gauntlet against a couple of goons, then Hammer Girl and Baseball Bat Boy, and then, finally, a “boss level” duel with The Assassin.

 

Runners-up: The highway fight between Captain America and the Winter Soldier, the elevator fight scene between Cap and those Hydra-S.H.I.E.L.D  troopers, and Cap vs. Batroc the Leaper (Captain America: The Winter Soldier); Shishio vs. Kenshin, Saito, Sanosukue, and Aoshi (Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends); John Wick vs. Russian mobsters (John Wick)

Best TV Fight Scene: Flash vs. Arrow (The Flash)

This terrific fight scene happened in the first episode of The Flash and Arrow crossover.  Considering the limitations and budget of TV programming, I applaud everyone involved in that fight scene for overachieving.  I think I have re-watched the scene at least a dozen times over.   

Runner-up: Agent May vs. Agent May copycat (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)

Best Movie Ensemble of Characters: Guardians of the Galaxy

Seeing Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Groot stand together in the big screen is almost as exciting as seeing the Avengers assemble back in 2012.

Runners-up: The Lego Movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Best TV Ensemble of Characters: Castle

With Psych done, Castle is now the current ongoing TV series that I’ve followed the longest.  Hence, I’ve already grown invested and fond of all of the show’s characters.  So, in terms of volume of TV characters I like, Castlehas the ensemble I enjoy watching the most.

  

Expression of the Year:

   

Twist of the Year: X-Men: The Last Stand is erased from continuity (X-Men: Days of Future Past)

It was not necessarily a mindblowing twist, but the knowledge that the deaths of Jean Grey and Cyclops are negated and that everyone is blissfully together in Xaviers’ School for Gifted Youngsters, really provided a warm-hearted, delightful feeling.

 

Runner-up: The story is being “imagined” by a boy while playing with his father’s Lego collection (The Lego Movie); Skye is the MCU’s Daisy Johnson a.k.a. Quake, and Ward is Hydra (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.); Mary is a spook (Sherlock)

Most Memorable Quote of the Year: Rust Cohle (True Detective)

“This is a world where nothing is solved. Someone once told me, 'Time is a flat circle.' Everything we've ever done or will do, we're gonna do over and over and over again.” 

Speech of the Year: Sherlock’s speech during John and Mary’s wedding (Sherlock)

Sherlock Holmes’ best man speech was hilarious, touching, memorable, and just plain awesome.  An important excerpt:

“If I burden myself with a little helpmate during my adventures, this is not out of sentiment or caprice. It is that he has many fine qualities of his own he has overlooked in his obsession with me. Indeed, any reputation I have for mental acuity and sharpness comes, in truth, from the extraordinary contrast John so selflessly provides. It is a fact, I believe, that brides tend to favor exceptionally plain bridesmaids for their big day...
“There is a certain analogy there, I feel - and contrast is, after all, God's own plan to enhance the beauty of his creation. Or it would be if God were not a ludicrous fantasy, designed to provide a career opportunity for the family idiot.
[awkward pause]
“Point I'm trying to make is that I am the most unpleasant, rude, ignorant, and all-round obnoxious arsehole that anyone could possibly have the misfortune to meet. I am dismissive of the virtuous, unaware of the beautiful, and uncomprehending in the face of the happy, so if I didn't understand I was being asked to be best man, it is because I never expected to be anybody's best friend, and certainly not the best friend of the bravest and kindest and wisest human being I have ever had the good fortune of knowing.” 

Make-Up Job of the Year: Tilda Swinton in Snowpiercer and Grand Budapest Hotel

It was a considerable time after I’ve seen Snowpiercer and Grand Budapest Hotel that I only learned that Tilda Swinton was in them!  I was blown away; I never recognized her at all.  Uncanny.   

Actor That I Got to Like for the First Time in 2014: James Spader

I had encountered James Spader before in films like Stargate and Secretary, but he never struck me as a versatile and captivating actor then.  Only when I started watching The Blacklist did I get to see how great John Spader is.  His performance as Raymond Reddington in The Blacklistis extremely enthralling – his voice is magnetic; his control and delivery of emotion is convincing and defined; he lights up every scene he’s in; and, just like his character, he seems to be always in control. 

Actress That I Got to Like for the First Time in 2014: Tatiana Maslany

Portraying distinctively the different clones in Orphan Black makes her the epitome the versatility.  Can’t help but be mesmerized by her prowess.

Best Movie Posters of 2014: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The most awesomely badass and gorgeously designed posters ever...

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