40. The Incredible Hulk (Louis Leterrier, 2008)
The Hulk has been adapted for the big screen several times. Its fair to say that Mark Ruffalos portrayal in The Avengers is simply perfection, but before him there was Edward Norton who was also fantastic choice in the role. Much of this version sees Dr Brice Banner on the run from the authorities/Hulk Busters, while trying to find himself a cure for his condition. Tim Roth stars as Emil Blonsky, a bad ass service man obsessed with taking Hulk down. So obsessed in fact that he even allows himself to undergo the same process that turned Banner into the not-so jolly green giant, only this time it goes hideously wrong and turns him into The Abomonation, a creature every bit as dangerous as Banners alter ego. Personally I feel this is a great adaptation of the character and the fact that Hulk is on screen for more than 5 minutes is a real bonus. Until the Avengers movie I wouldnt have considered anyone else to play the Hulk role, but this was surpassed and left in the dust when Ruffalo unleashed his own interpretation. A difficult shoot and the alleged bad attitude of its star made this a hard comic to adapt but I think the end result speaks for itself. Formulaic in places but enough HULK SMASH to keep fans happy.
39. Blade 2 (Guillermo del Toro, 2002)
AKA Bloodhunt. Guillermo del Toro is a master story teller and would be my first choice to direct any adaptation of something I wrote - he could even turn this feature into a magical fantasy film! In this sequel to the massively successful Blade movie, the Day Walking Vampire must form an uneasy alliance with the Vampire Council - his usual enemies - to go to war with one half of the 1980s pop group Bros. Blade 2 has everything you could wish for in a horror action epic. Kick ass fight sequences, hilarious one liners and some stunning visuals all straight from the genius mind of the director. Wesley Snipes is perfectly cast again as Blade, while Kris Kristofferson, Ron Pearlman and Danny Cat John Jules all provide a superior supporting lineup. Quite how Blade Trinity was so bad after two such great films is beyond me.
38. Batman (Tim Burton, 1989)
Tim Burtons successful attempt to translate Batman into a Hollywood blockbuster has regularly been described using words like dark, moody and gothic but for me it will always be remembered for the Bat Dance - a camp, rubbish musical track by Prince. Michael Keaton is brilliant as Bruce Wayne/Batman with Jack Nicholson in the role of a lifetime is The Joker. However, can any of you actually imagine Keatons Batman enduring the same intense training that Christian Bales version underwent before becoming the Dark Knight? I didnt think so. Batman has been done far better since this 1989 adaptation, but lets be frank for a period in the 1990s it was also done much, much worse. If you like your Batman without the growl and with much less nipple on show then this is the Batman for you.
37. The Addams Family (Barry Sonnenfeld, 1991)
Many people forget that The Addams Family was originally a comic strip by cartoonist Charles Addams. Inexplicably unavailable on DVD in the UK, The Addams Family is a hilarious look into the lives of one of Americas weirdest families. In this adaptation the family are reunited with the long lost Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd in his finest role since Back to the Future) who has been missing for aquarter of a century. Although the family patriarch Gomez accepts his brother with open arms, the two bizarre children - Wednesday and Pugsley - are a little more suspicious and set out to expose Fester as a fraud. In a bizarre twist, when Festers lie is exposed it is revealed that he is actually Fester and simply had amnesia. Glad that was cleared up for us. The Addams Family is a perfect match of outstanding cast and fantastic writing. The band of unusual characters make this a laugh a minute, and despite its poor reception on release, has helped it gain cult status. MC Hammer also sang the soundtrack which was a stroke of absolute genius. An equally brilliant sequel followed before the untimely death of Raul Julia brought the franchise to a halt.
36. A History of Violence (David Cronenberg, 2005)
Mega violent adaptation of the paradox Press/DC Comics graphic novel starring Viggo Mortensen and directed by David Cronenberg. Hugely successful at Cannes, and rumored for Oscar greatness at one time, this is the tale of a mild-mannered man who is pushed too far and finds his perfect life shaken to the core as his past seeps into his present. Interestingly enough, A History of Violence was officially the last film to ever be released on VHS. Not your typical comic book adaptation, this is a dark thought provoking drama that brings into question the real meaning of the word hero.