Since superhero movies are so popular these days, I thought it would be fun to share my five favorite “superhero” films. Here is my list with a short blurb about each:

Captain America (a.k.a Sully)

With the superpowers of courage and determination, Sully (played by the great Tom Hanks) saves human beings from disaster. Along with a group of other real heroes in Clint Eastwood’s underrated film, he represents a real captain of “American values”.

Black Panther (a.k.a. Cry Freedom)

Though he is only present for the first half of the South African apartheid story Cry Freedom, Steve Biko (played by Denzel Washington) commands the whole movie with his incredible spirit and desire to see freedom for his people. He is an African leader, also immortalized in Peter Gabriel’s powerful song, for our whole culture to see a role model and this is a movie to not forget.

Wonder Woman (a.k.a. Erin Brockovich)

A true Wonder Woman, Julia Roberts brings Erin Brockovich to life on the big screen. She’s a hero for women and men, for humans. Her portrayal and this film have collected dust after years of being replaced by romantic comedy blunders from the actress herself and is probably too old-fashioned for many these days because she doesn’t fly or fight (at least not with her fists), but this is my idea of a female superhero. She’s a woman who takes a stand and saves peoples’ lives.

The Dark Knight (a.k.a. Good Night and Good Luck)

David Strathairn plays a superhero of free speech and liberty in George Clooney’s masterpiece Good Night and Good Luck. A real dark knight fighting against injustice, his Edward R. Murrow fights from a black, smoky room, launching his attack through reason against the “bad guys”. It’s a film and a time period we should always be conscious of, one that is more relevant in so many ways right now than any time in my life. If you didn’t hear him well enough in the video, remember these words: “We must not confuse descent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends on evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine. And remember that we are not descended from fearful men.”

The Avengers (a.k.a. All the President’s Men)

You’re looking at a team of real avengers, a group determined to fight for the truth, against corruption. The team, not just the two central reporters, portrayed in Alan J. Pakula’s brilliant movie All the President’s Men are my superhero ensemble. Together they work against the powers that be to break a story that changes our country.

I encourage you to check out these superhero movies sometime. But I must warn you, they don’t feature as many explosions.

-Travis Mills