Will a Marvel movie win an Oscar?
Two Marvel movies are nominated.
The Academy Awards are this Sunday but here are our Superhero Movie Awards.
The 2014 Superhero Movie Season began with the Marvel universe changing Captain America movie that shattered S.H.I.E.L.D. and the status quo then Spidey came out swinging against an army of super villains then X-Men from past and present united to reshape the franchise and finally a motley crew from outer space conquered the planet!
Here are our picks in some geeky categories you won’t see Sunday:
Best Newcomer: Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer. The WWE veteran proved he was more than muscle with a stellar performance of the heartbroken, revenge-driven alien who takes everything literally and created some hilarious and haunting interactions and moments in Guardians of the Galaxy.
Best Special Effect: Quicksilver’s Pentagon escape. Wolverine recruits the mutant speedster to break Magneto out of prison. With impossible odds, Quicksilver outmaneuvers a squad of soldiers and wave of bullets.
Best Feel-Good Moment: “We Are Groot” Nuff said.
Best Oh —- Moment: Hydra infiltrated and corrupted S.H.I.E.L.D! S.H.I.E.L.D. is destroyed in Captain America: The Winter Soldier!
Best Scene Stealer: Evan Peters as Quicksilver was quick as lightning with his speedy and sharp wit. Cheers to Bryan Singer and company for taking a different path with the speedster. The usually arrogant, ill-tempered and moody Pietro was transformed into a smart-ass teen looking for criminal thrills and enjoying the chance to show off his mutant gift in X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Best Post-Credit Scene: X-Men: Days of Future Past chilling epic scene reveals “En Sabah Nur” as the crowds chanted in a scene from ancient Egypt. Apocalypse, the first mutant and the X-Men’s most relentless and vicious enemy from comics, will rise in 2016.
Best Villain: Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Landing the living legend was a major coup and not just a cameo. Redford’s gravitas and legacy brought a sense of power and authority to Pierce. The man who was a hero of 70’s era political thrillers was a perfect choice to bring that sense to this modern super hero epic.
Best Supporting Actress: Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The M-V-P of the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to prove she’s the best utility player in the Avengers lineup. Natasha and Steve Rogers were a powerhouse duo on the run and she transformed from a dark ally with secrets to a trusted friend.
Best Supporting Actor: Bradley Cooper as Rocket in Guardians of the Galaxy. Yes it was just a voice but I loved and believed in a talking raccoon!
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique was more than just a “stone cold b—-” as Wolverine called her in X-Men: Days of Future Past. Raven is woman fueled by the hate and fear of her who will do anything to right the wrongs against her fellow mutants.
Best Actor: Chris Evans embodied the man out of time, who saw his best friend transformed into an instrument of evil and a hero who lived to see everything he fought for…corrupted. Steve Rogers is the heart and soul of the Marvel Cinematic Universe who never gives up on his friends, his faith in humanity and in just doing what’s right, fair and justice. No compromises. Evans makes you believe.
Best Leading Man: Chris Pratt was a force of humorous and heartfelt energy in Guardians of the Galaxy. Together with director James Gunn, Pratt created a new kind of leading man of action and comedy. From the moment Peter Quill put on his headphones and jammed out to the oldies to when he bravely took on the overpowered Ronan and accepted his mother’s hand – Pratt made every moment flawless and unforgettable.
Best Director: James Gunn for Guardians of the Galaxy. This was the closest call. Joe and Anthony Russo will receive their praise below but I have to go with Gunn on this one.
Marvel’s biggest risk is now box-office history. An eclectic mix of actors (some never seen) playing a roster of almost unknown characters. Gunn’s epic was bold, action-packed and packed with the most humor ever in a sci-fi blockbuster.
Chris Pratt was the misfit scoundrel raised in space by thieves and on old school tunes. Star-Lord’s heist of an orb led to his eventual bonding with fellow galactic “losers” Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Groot. Gunn made this story feel epic and intimate. Among the space chases, fights and alien artifacts was a moving story of outlaw outsiders bonding into a friendship force that saved a planet and won our hearts.
Best Film: Captain America: The Winter Soldier The biggest surprise of this sequel is what Marvel was willing to risk and it paid off beautifully. From hiring two brothers best known for comedy to literally blowing up S.H.I.E.L.D. and everything we thought we knew about the Marvel Universe, this film was a thrilling, dramatic and game-changing. Chris Evans was perfect as the man out of time who refused to compromise. Scarlett Johansson and Anthony Mackie were incredible allies in Cap’s quest to uncover a conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. Sebastian Stan was the best Marvel movie villain since Loki in a chilling performance as the best friend turned brainwashed cyborg killing machine.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a thrilling mix of action, humor, intrigue and heart. This was the most emotional Marvel movie and a definite game-changer in many ways.
The 87th Academy Awards are this Sunday on ABC. Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” are both nominated in the category for Best Visual Effects. “Guardians of the Galaxy” is also nominated for Best Makeup & Hairstyling.
By Editor