Mp4Base

Pokémon: 7 Most Important Quality Of Life Changes In The Main Games

The mainline Pokémon games have largely stuck to the same tried-and-true overall formula. In some cases, however, new games brought simple yet vital changes to improve the experience. Sometimes, certain core gameplay features that fans loved were unceremoniously removed. In other cases, various quality-of-life changes stuck around and streamlined the Pokémon experience.

With several features, they proved to be so convenient that it's safe to assume at this point that most of them will remain in some form or another for every future entry in the series, including the upcoming Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. These adjustments were largely made to the main single-player questline, but others contributed to improving the competitive Pokémon metagame as well.

7 The Physical/Special Split

The stat split of Physical/Special is a strong example of a gameplay mechanic and quality-of-life change that permeated notably in both the single-player and multiplayer aspects of the Pokémon games. The only main stats in the first three generations were Attack, Defense, Speed, and Special. There was no distinction between offensive moves that make physical contact and those that don't.

Generation IV incorporated this and greatly impacted how offensively viable certain Pokémon and their moves were. For instance, Sneasal, which is an Ice/Dark dual-type, got the short end of the stick since most Ice and Dark-type moves for Pokémon were Special. Once the Special Attack (and defense) stat was introduced, it allowed Physical/Special attackers to play to their strengths, as well as introducing a wider variety of attacks to benefit both offensive categories.

6 Cutting Out HMs

A rather infamous mechanic in early generations of the mainline Pokémon games that lasted far longer than they should have was the Hidden Machine (HM) system. These were special moves that are often required to get through the world, i.e. cut down trees, break rocks, move boulders, etc, and needed couldn't be deleted afterward as simply as others. It's understandable where Game Freak was coming from in the inception of this feature, but it often resulted in making players have to sacrifice one of their Pokémon's move slots on an HM that might prove little use outside of overworld traversal — or sacrifice an entire team slot for an "HM mule."

The Alola games did well to get rid of this mechanic and replace it with "Poké Ride" Pokémon the player can call to traverse environmental obstacles. This quality-of-life feature carried over into the following games, just not under the same name. This serves the same function of emphasizing the sense of adventure and exploration while making things much more convenient.

5 Reusable TMs

Technical Machines (TMs) are similar to HMs but aren't required for overworld traversal and can be easily overwritten for any other learned moves. It could be seen as a way of encouraging the player to think about their team composition and move sets, but single-use consumable TMs could be frustrating since the stories of the Pokémon games were never particularly difficult and made competitive battling needlessly limited. Rationing out the best TMs was a letdown in certain cases because many moves could provide great coverage options for different Pokémon in battle.

The Generation V Unova games made TMs have infinite uses upon receiving them, allowing much better variety in move sets for players' different team members. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield essentially reintroduced the old TM model on top of the new one with Technical Records (TRs), giving players even more battling options.

4 Gaining EXP In Wild Battles

Fans had been asking for Experience (EXP) gains when catching wild Pokémon for generations of games, and Generation VI finally delivered. From Kanto to Unova, experience points were gained only in wild encounters, causing the target to faint, like in trainer battles.

In Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, the game introduced a sort of compromise feature in that the trainer's Pokémon would gain a smaller amount of EXP when catching a wild encounter as opposed to the amount when knocking one out. Gaining EXP from catching Pokémon makes sense, and the tradeoff in the exact amount earned in fainting vs. catching represented a reasonable balance.

3 Default Running

The overall state of technology over the years is a factor here, but the first two generations of Pokémon games require more patience to play given the literal pacing of movement in the games. The Running Shoes are another case of a basic quality-of-life change but a vital one in improving the pace of gameplay in the overworld.

Generation III, in Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire specifically, introduced the Running Shoes, gaining improvements over time. Players could eventually run indoors, and Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon made running a default mechanic instead of an ability gained from a separate item. Biking is a great feature, but default running is absolutely a necessity for modern games to thrive going forward, especially if the open-world Pokémon Legends turns into another series.

2 Streamlining EV/IV Training

Effort Value (EV) training is essentially exclusive to the competitive metagame, and for several generations, its accessibility was incredibly obscure. EVs were eventually made more visible, and mechanics were implemented to allow players to have more control over those stats.

Generation VI had the Super Training feature that allowed the trainer's Pokémon to engage in minigames that increase their EVs. Generation VII later had the Poké Pelago that gave players a passive EV training feature and even consumable items with Bottle Caps to increase Individual Values (IVs) in Hyper Training, as those had been even more inconvenient to control in the past.

1 The DexNav

A beloved feature incorporated into the Hoenn remakes on the 3DS, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, was the DexNav for tracking wild Pokémon. That's why it was a shame that this became one of the innovative new features that were quickly thrown aside in the generation that followed.

The DexNav showed players on the device's touchscreen the wild species that were in their immediate area, with previously caught Pokémon having their full sprite filled out and uncaught Pokémon displayed as dark silhouettes. It would even show players what kinds of in what tiles the wild species would show up. It's a shame this feature has gone by the wayside, as it was a convenient, streamlined quality-of-life adjustment to the catching gameplay loop. Many fans still hope to see it return someday.

NEXT: Every Eeveelution In Pokémon, Ranked

source https://screenrant.com/pokemon-main-games-most-important-changes-quality-life/

10 Best Fictional Football Players In Movies & TV Shows

4:13 PM

Movies and television shows centered around American football are typically among the best sports stories ever told. While there's a lot out there for other sports, something about football just lends itself well to telling dramatic tales, along the same lines of how boxing works in these mediums.

At the heart of these movies and shows is usually a player who is known for being talented on the field. They don't get to showcase their skills in every single episode or every minute but you get a gist of who is great and who isn't. Some rank among the best athletes to ever be put on screen.

10 Ricky Jerret (Ballers)

Like a lot of shows that involve football, HBO's Ballers didn't put the stuff on the field at the forefront. The series instead focused on Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne Johnson), a former player who worked as a financial manager for NFL stars. One of them was Ricky Jerret (John David Washington).

For the most part, Jerret's skills in the middle of games weren't seen a ton. However, it was clear that Jerret was one of the top players in the league at the time. Whatever issues he had were off the field but teams were willing to give him extra chances because of how talented he was.

9 Becky "The Icebox" O'Shea (Little Giants)

The only reason that Becky O'Shea (Shawna Waldron) doesn't rank higher is that she only ever played in pee-wee football on the big screen. Had she been part of a television show, she may have been able to progress into higher forms of the sport.

In 1994's Little Giants, Becky is clearly the best player on the field but wasn't chosen by her uncle simply because she's a girl. So, when it came time to play against her uncle's team, "The Icebox" entered the game midway through and turned the tide. She even slammed the vicious Spike with a brutal stop, proving herself as an iconic defensive player.

8 Lucy Draper (Necessary Roughness)

The Texas State Fightin' Armadillos of 1991's Necessary Roughness weren't exactly one of the best football teams to ever be depicted on the screen but they had some standouts. The ragtag squad was exhausted and struggled since they were undermanned and had to play ironman rules where certain players handled multiple positions.

It wasn't until they got a placekicker that the team started to turn things around. Lucy Draper (Kathy Ireland), a member of the school's soccer team, was added as the kicker. She ended up kicking the field goal in harsh conditions that led to their first tie and taste of success.

7 Willie Beamen (Any Given Sunday)

A lot of 1999's Any Given Sunday focused on the drama surrounding the Miami Sharks of the AFFA. Still, there was a fair amount of shine given to the stuff happening within the games, and while there were several players worth mentioning, Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx) was the true star.

The quarterback of the Sharks, Beamen is as talented as they come but he's his own worst enemy evidenced by his attitude problems. He'll blow you away on the field and showboat while doing so, making him incredibly entertaining. By the end of the story, he also grows into more of a team player.

6 Bobby Boucher (The Waterboy)

The biggest knocks against Bobby Boucher (Adam Sandler) as a player are his lack of experience and how he doesn't fully understand the game of football. However, his coach on the Mud Dogs figured out that he didn't really need to know all that much to be a star in 1998's The Waterboy.

All Boucher had to do to be great was visualize and attack. He would picture someone who insulted or upset him in the past when he looked at the opposition and would then tackle them. It made him a stud player who helped take the hapless Mud Dogs all the way to the Bourbon Bowl.

5 Rod Tidwell (Jerry Maguire)

One of the most intriguing things about the premise of 1996's Jerry Maguire was that it put the central focus on a sports agent rather than a player, which was different. While Tom Cruise was the lead actor, the top guy on the field was Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Rod Tidwell.

Tidwell is one of Maguire's top clients and he's a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. At the start, Tidwell doesn't seem worth the money due to consistent underachieving. However, he ultimately proves that he's worth it as he becomes a star who puts his body on the line to lead the Cardinals to the playoffs.

4 Vontae Mack (Draft Day)

Throughout the entirety of 2014's Draft Day, everyone tells Sonny Weaver Jr. (Kevin Costner) that he should take Bo Callahan, a star quarterback, with the top pick in the NFL Draft. There's just something about Bo that doesn't sit right with Sonny, so he goes a different route.

He instead shocks the world by selecting Vontae Mack (Chadwick Boseman), a linebacker from Ohio State University. He wasn't as highly touted as Callahan but a closer look showed that Mack dominated him when they played against each other. Combine that with Mack's intensity and heart on the field and he's clearly a superstar.

3 Paul Crewe (The Longest Yard)

The actual football that takes place in The Longest Yard, whether you're watching the 1974 or the 2005 versions, happens on a prison yard rather than a professional gridiron. That being said, Paul Crewe (Burt Reynolds/Adam Sandler) still remains the best of the bunch.

There's no questioning Crewe's skills as he was one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL but he was cut from the league for point shaving. So, though he's in jail, he's still good at his profession. Crewe delivers in big ways as the leader of the inmates, steps up to prove himself, and takes them to victory.

2 Spencer James (All American)

There's something truly special about Spencer James (Daniel Ezra) on The CW's All American. The teen is a jack of all trades, as though he's most known for his offensive skills (where he plays running back and wide receiver), he has also found success as both a safety and kick returner.

James's arrival at Beverly Hills High is just what the school needs to eventually win a state championship. His return to his home at Crenshaw High is not only enough to put them back in contention but he's so talented that the entire fate of the school is basically on his shoulders. James had huge games on the series, including tying his father's single-game touchdown record.

1 Vince Howard (Friday Night Lights)

Many viewers would agree that the pinnacle of football television was Friday Night Lights. The show featured some tremendous players including Matt Saracen, Jason Street, Smash Williams, Tim Riggins, Luke Cafferty, and more. Picking out the best of the bunch can be difficult.

That person at the top seems like it would be Vince Howard (Michael B. Jordan). He joined the show during season 4 and became the quarterback of the East Dillon Lions. Howard was like a mix of Street's passing ability and Smash's skills as a running back, which is an incredible combination. He led the Lions from being a nothing team to being state champions in just two years.

NEXT: 10 Best Football Players On Friday Night Lights

source https://screenrant.com/best-football-players-from-film-television/

10 Most Powerful Fantastic Four Villains | ScreenRant

4:13 PM

Over the course of their sixty years in comics, the Fantastic Four have faced the greatest villains in the Marvel Universe. What's worse is that many of their greatest foes not only come back again and again but routinely power-up, making each encounter even more challenging than the last.

From Doctor Doom to Kang The Conqueror, the Fantastic Four face threats from across time and space. Their mos powerful villains utilize magic, time travel, and the Power Cosmic, making the success of the Fantastic Four unlikely in most instances. With every new adventure, the challenge becomes harder and harder.

10 Namor

Namor the Sub-Mariner possesses superhuman strength and stamina, making him one of the strongest enemies of the Fantastic Four. He can also fly and swim at tremendous speed and impressive depths.

Though he pales in comparison to some cosmic threats, he did briefly serve as host to the Phoenix Force during the Avengers Vs. X-Men crossover event. With the god-like power of the Phoenix at his disposal, he leads a devastating attack against Wakanda, making him a truly powerful villain.

9 The Impossible Man

The Impossible Man is an alien shapeshifter from the planet Poppup who can take the form of any being or object. He can also mimic the powers and abilities of other beings, making him extremely powerful. The Impossible Man is able to teleport across dimensions, able to jump back and forth between Earth and the Negative Zone or his own native planet.

He isn't as menacing a threat as others, and primarily is a source of mischief and havoc who is always looking for attention.

8 Mephisto

Mephisto is a demonic entity with extraordinary power, particularly in his own dimension. Mephisto's powers in the comics include broad ability over magic and sorcery, shapeshifting, and immortality. He can also acquire souls, making him especially dangerous.

Mephisto has been a thorn in the side of many Marvel characters, but the Fantastic Four especially. In the limited series Mephisto Vs. Fantastic Four, he goes after Franklin Richards, the son of Reed and Sue, whose reality-warping powers threaten Mephisto's own.

7 Annihilus

Annihilus hails from the Negative Zone and is among the strongest and most durable Fantastic Four foes thanks to his insectoid-like armor. He is also able to fly and operate in space, allowing him to move freely back and forth between dimensions in major events like Annihilation.

By far his most powerful asset is the Cosmic Control Rod, a weapon that can manipulate matter and energy. The rod also has the added benefit of supplementing his own living energy, making him virtually immortal.

6 Thanos

Thanos became a major problem for the Fantastic Four right when he did for everyone else in the Marvel Universe. Using the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos snapped half of all life from existence, including the entire Fantastic Four team.

With the enormous cosmic power afforded to him by the gauntlet, Thanos is one of the most powerful villains they have ever faced - though they didn't have the chance to initially. And comic book fans know the Silver Surfer played a key role in defeating Thanos and undoing The Snap in the comics.

5 Kang The Conqueror

Kang The Conqueror has command of very advanced technology from the 30th century, including a suit of battle armor that gives him superhuman strength and stamina. Beyond that, and his incredible intellect, Kang is incredibly powerful in his infinite supply of Kang variants.

Kang's actions in the multiverse have created an endless army of variants for the Fantastic Four, Avengers, and others to confront. Killing one Kang is not really a victory when another emerges from a different timeline, or more powerful variants of Kang like Immortus interfere in history.

4 Galactus

Galactus is a truly powerful villain who can consume entire worlds. He needs to do so to sustain himself and would have destroyed the Earth if not for the intervention of the Silver Surfer, his herald at the time.

Galactus possesses cosmic awareness, the ability to transmute matter and convert energy on truly amazing scales, which he has done to transform beings into his heralds. He does this through the use of the Power Cosmic, which makes him one of the most powerful Marvel cosmic beings.

3 Molecule Man

Owen Reece, the Molecule Man, can manipulate molecules themselves, making him extremely powerful. Early in his confrontations with the Fantastic Four, this manifested in energy beams and force fields. As time went on, he was able to alter reality itself on a truly cosmic scale.

In fact, Owen Reece isn't Owen Reece but a fragment of a being that exists throughout the multiverse in every reality. Every dimension has a fragment of this molecular entity, meaning that Molecule Man has agency throughout infinity.

2 The Beyonder

The Beyonder is a cosmic entity who exists outside of all time and space, and even beyond all dimensions, giving him power out of the reach of even Molecule Man. The Beyonder can alter reality with a thought, and create and destroy universes at will.

He first appeared in the original Secret Wars #1 back in 1985 when he instantly teleported all of Earth's heroes and villains to a planet called Battleworld. The Beyonder later was able to defeat Galactus with virtually no effort.

1 Doctor Doom

In Secret Wars, Doctor Doom briefly stole the power of The Beyonder. In the 2015 comic book event of the same name, Doom steals the power of all the Beyonders from the Beyond Realm and becomes God Emperor Doom.

In this form, he is the most powerful villain the Fantastic Four have ever faced and during his reign, the most powerful being in existence. He ripped out Thanos' skeleton with his bare hands and altered reality to make the Fantastic Four his team and family, displacing his hated rival, Reed Richards as the patriarch of the Fantastic Four.

NEXT: 10 Most Powerful Variants Of Kang The Conqueror From Marvel Comics

source https://screenrant.com/strongest-most-powerful-fantastic-four-villains-marvel-comics/

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: The Scooby Gang’s Magical Mishaps, Ranked

4:13 PM

Throughout the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, there were plenty of instances with the Scooby Gang where their misuse of magic or magical interference was a direct cause of chaos in Sunnydale. Whether it was Xander's botched love spell or Willow's "My Will Be Done" spell creating various problems for other Scoobies, these instances clearly showed just how little control the gang had when using magic to fix their messes.

Still, the Scoobies were fairly lucky as most of these problems never led to any long-term issues. But, of course, that wasn't always the case, and some of these instances did end up leading to serious consequences. Whether intentional or not, some of these magical mishaps caused by the Scooby Gang were definitely worse than others.

9 Dawn Almost Brought Back Joyce

After Joyce's passing, the Summers sisters are left with plenty of grief and Dawn turns to magic to try to bring back her mother. This spell was not only an improper use of magic, but Dawn already knew better than to mess with spellcasting, as she was told that magic always came with consequences that were typically negative. Still, this magical mishap certainly wasn't the worse act committed by the Scoobies.

However, there could have been serious issues. Bringing Joyce could have reopened old wounds for both her and Buffy - especially if Buffy would have had to kill her mother. It would have certainly hit too close to home for the Summers sisters. Thankfully, Dawn ultimately chooses to stop the spell right as a shadowy figure arrives on the property.

8 Taking Down Adam Got Everyone Stuck In A Dream

There were plenty of consequences that came from the spell the Scoobies cast to defeat Adam. These repercussions become apparent in the season 4 finale as each Scooby member ends up stuck in a dream where they are forced to deal with their worse fears.

Thankfully the magical mishap has no long-term ramifications as Buffy manages to confront and defeat the First Slayer who attacked the Scoobies in their sleep. In fact, this problematic incantation ultimately helped each member of the gang address some of their own inner conflicts.

7 Giles's Past With Magic Almost Got Buffy Killed

As a result of Rupert's dabbling in magic as the Ripper, Buffy and the Scoobies are forced to confront Eyghon the Sleepwalker. Though this magical mishap was caused by Giles long before he became a Watcher, its effects still managed to follow him to Sunnydale. Eyghon arrived in town and murdered many of Giles's old friends before coming for him.

The worst consequence of this spell was that it put both Buffy and Jenny Calendar in serious danger. It might not be the worst misuse of magic, but the repercussions were fairly bad as it caused a rift between Giles and Jenny after she was possessed by Eyghon as a result of the incantation.

6 Willow & Anya Released Olaf The Troll God

This magic mishap definitely had its consequences, after Anya and Willow accidentally release Olaf (a Troll God wielding a powerful hammer) into the Sunnydale population to cause destruction. By the time Olaf is finally sent away to another dimension, he managed to smash up the Magic Box, the Bronze, and various areas in Sunnydale.

Though these ramifications weren't long-term, the amount of work that went into repairing the damage is certainly nothing to scoff at in terms of the consequences of magical misuse. Most importantly, it never would have happened if the two Scoobies were paying more attention, and by season 5, both women knew better than to mess around with spellcasting.

5 Willow's My Will Be Done Spell Could Have Been Worse

This supernatural mishap certainly caused plenty of chaos, even though it clearly wasn't the most powerful magical spell Willow had cast in Buffy. The consequences may not have been long-term, but they caused plenty of problems for the Scoobies. As a result, Willow unknowingly made Giles lose his vision, turned Xander into a "demon magnet," and caused Spike and Buffy to get engaged.

Clearly, the most dangerous ramification was that the demon population had begun to come after Xander. Had Willow's spell not been reversed, he could have wound up in a fatal situation. But, at least this spell didn't cause any lasting damage after Willow finally reversed it.

4 Willow Gave Everyone Magical Amnesia

The Tabula Rasa spell that Willow decided to perform in season 6, ultimately led to chaotic results. The spell not only caused the entire Scooby Gang to lose their memories, but it also put them in danger when a gang of vampires went looking for Spike.

Still, the worst ramification was how the spell affected Willow and Tara's relationship. Since Willow performed the incantation after she promised Tara she would take a break from magic, fans were heartbroken to see them break up and the trust between them become destroyed.

3 Xander's Spell Had Everyone Lovestruck

Xander's love spell was definitely one of the most dangerous magical mishaps he caused as this incantation saw several individuals fall in love with him. However, these individuals do turn violent as they try to prevent each other from being with him. It led to some huge consequences as some of the Sunnydale residents that came after Xander were also aggressively coming after Cordelia.

Although the spell was broken right before Xander and Cordelia were seriously hurt, fans couldn't help but be disappointed with Xander's carelessness. Additionally, using magic to force your ex to fall in love with you again is just one of the many choices Xander made that doesn't fly today with Buffy fans.

2 Willow's Spell To Resurrect Buffy

Using magic to bring Buffy back from the dead is definitely the worst magical mishap that was done by Willow. The consequences for this spell were pretty chaotic as well. Not only was Buffy forced to dig her way out of her own grave, but she also was deeply affected after being pulled out of heaven.

The spell came with an unwanted side effect as well, creating an incorporeal demon who briefly possessed members of the Scooby gang right after Buffy's return. This unwanted demonic spirit could have left the Scoobies in mortal danger had they not been able to rid themselves of the dangerous creature.

1 Xander's Wedding Doubts Turned The Town Into A Musical

Xander's spell summoning the demon Sweet and his dancing minions was definitely the worst magical mishap and possibly the worst thing Xander did on Buffy. This spell had some major long-lasting and deadly consequences as Sweet forced the residents of Sunnydale to sing and dance themselves to a dark end.

Though Xander claimed that he only summoned the demon in order to see if he and Anya would have a happy ending, fans were a little disappointed over his ignorance and foolishness. Not only did he know better than to mess with magic, but he caused many of town's people to literally dance themselves to death.

NEXT: The 10 Smartest Villains In Buffy The Vampire Slayer

source https://screenrant.com/buffy-the-vampire-slayer-worst-magical-moments-spell-backfires/

MCU's Captain America Trilogy: Each Main Character's Most Iconic Scene

4:13 PM

So far, there have been three complete trilogies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Iron Man movies basically started it all and the Thor series was a mixed bag that really improved by the end. The most consistent of those trilogies is widely considered to be the ones with Captain America at the center.

His movies not only introduced the world to characters like Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson but they also debuted T'Challa and Peter Parker in the MCU, while featuring the likes of Natasha Romanoff and Nick Fury. Each of these characters managed to get at least one shining moment.

10 Sharon Carter - Standing Up To Rumlow

When Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) first appeared in the MCU, she was Steve Rogers's nurse neighbor and nothing more. She quickly revealed that she was Agent 13 and a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. who was then seen at headquarters when Steve was labeled a fugitive.

You could tell that Sharon disagreed with this mindset but did her job. When Steve returned to save the day near the end of the film, Sharon was the first person to step up and challenge Brock Rumlow (Frank Grillo) and the rest of the Hydra agents. It showcased her loyalty and bravery.

9 Red Skull - Revealing His True Face

Of any set of movies in the MCU, the Captain America franchise has the least notable villains. 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger had the only true baddie in the form of Johann Schmidt/Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) since Bucky Barnes became a hero and the third installment was about good guys fighting each other.

Red Skull did several heinous things throughout the movie but his most iconic moment had to be when he showed what he truly looked like. Standing across from Steve and Bucky, Schmidt reached down and removed his human face to reveal a much more terrifying sight.

8 Various Superheroes - The Airport Fight

It's hard to nail down every main character in these movies because so many were involved in 2016's Captain America: Civil War. T'Challa's (Chadwick Boseman) first appearance as the Black Panther or Spider-Man (Tom Holland) stealing Captain America's shield could be mentioned.

However, that's why bringing up the airport fight is ideal. This battle includes so many past and future Avengers on opposite sides. There were trilogy stars like Bucky, Sam, and Natasha but also old favorites like War Machine (Don Cheadle), Wanda Maxmioff (Elizabeth Olsen), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Each of them got a standout moment during this legendary fight.

7 Nick Fury - "You Need To Keep Both Eyes Open"

He made a small appearance at the end of the first film but Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) got much more screen time in 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier. From his conversation with Steve in the elevator to fighting off Hydra in the streets, he was a star from the start.

While those scenes are indeed great, Fury's most legendary moment came a little bit later on. He returned from his faked death and faced off with Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford). Knowing a retinal scan was required, Fury removed his iconic eyepatch to finally show what was under it as he uttered this line.

6 Tony Stark - Fighting Steve & Bucky

Baron Zemo's (Daniel Brühl) plan to tear apart the Avengers mostly worked but they still came together in the end. The ace up his sleeve was the footage of Bucky killing Howard and Maria Stark, which sent Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) over the edge for good.

Tony went into a rage, fighting Bucky and Steve, who admitted that he knew the truth about Tony's parents. Watching Iron Man fight two other heroes in such a serious manner was harrowing, especially when Bucky's arm got blown off. Tony's line of, "So was I" when Steve said Bucky was his friend is still heartbreaking.

5 Peggy Carter - Saying Goodbye To Steve

One of the first people to truly see Steve Rogers for who he is was Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). The SSR officer was a key part in the experiment that turned Steve into a super soldier and the two formed a romantic relationship of sorts due to Steve's pure heart.

Peggy has had plenty of standout moments throughout the MCU, especially from her own Agent Carter TV series. In the first film, her shining scene came right at the end when she spoke with Steve over communications as he sacrificed himself to save the world. Knowing it was over for him, she still agreed to tearfully plan a date with him.

4 Sam Wilson - Showing Off His Wings For The First Time

Like Nick Fury, the addition of Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) to the story in The Winter Soldier was a welcome one. He became Steve's best friend in the modern age as they bonded over things like their military past. When Steve and Natasha needed help, Sam jumped at the opportunity.

As Steve and Natasha nabbed Jasper Sitwell for information, Natasha kicked him off of a roof and Sam made the last second save, displaying the wings that would turn him into Falcon. It was a great introduction for the hero, showcased his abilities, and set the tone for a partnership that would lead to Sam getting the coveted shield.

3 Natasha Romanoff - Letting Steve & Bucky Go Free

His best male friends might be Bucky and Sam but Steve's best female friend is Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson). The two were the stars of the adventure in the 2014 sequel, continued to strengthen their relationship in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and were at the forefront again in Civil War.

Interestingly, Natasha was on the opposite side of Steve, which was different for the pair. It was during the airport fight that Natasha chose to change sides and agree with Steve. With a chance to stop him and Bucky, she instead shot T'Challa, allowing them to escape and cementing herself as Team Cap to the very end.

2 Bucky Barnes - Saving Steve Rogers

The relationship between Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Steve Rogers is arguably the strongest in the entire MCU, whether as a friendship or as a romance. Bucky was there for Steve before anyone else and his death crushed Steve. So, when Cap found out that Bucky was still alive, albeit as the Winter Soldier, he did everything in his power to get him back.

That included choosing not to fight Bucky and remain with him "until the end of the line." When the two came crashing down into the river together, Steve was seemingly a goner. However, he was rescued by Bucky, showing that he was able to fight through the brainwashing somewhat and save his friend.

1 Steve Rogers - "I Can Do This All Day"

One of the very first scenes involving Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) saw him fight a much larger guy in an alley. Despite taking a beating, he kept getting up and said, "I can do this all day." He repeated the line again when he was beaten up by Red Skull.

Although those are memorable, the final callback to the line (in the trilogy at least) was the highlight. Tony Stark was in the midst of besting both Steve and Bucky. He demanded that Steve stay down, to which Cap got to his feet and let out one more, "I can do this all day," before finishing the fight. It's a line indicative of the kind of person Steve is, as he refuses to quit.

NEXT: 5 Scenes That Prove Captain America Is The MCU's Biggest Himbo (& 5 That Show It's Thor)

source https://screenrant.com/mcu-captain-america-trilogy-characters-best-scenes/

10 Best Horror Movies Featuring Nordic Folklore | ScreenRant

4:13 PM

Horror movies that focus on Nordic folklore specialize in juxtaposing the foibles of the modern world with the ancient one, emphasizing the repercussions of morally ambiguous choices by framing them in a narrative that involves the fables, tall tales, and legends from Scandinavia, Finland, Iceland, and other Nordic countries.

Figures like Vættir, Nøkken, Trolls, Nisse, Huldra, and even Elves that emerge from cold, harsh, beautiful landscapes naturally lend themselves to fairytales, but they are often not the bucolic creatures seen in other cultures. These horror movies use Nordic folklore to innovate terror in a way that intertwines curiosity, history, and tradition.

10 Thale (2012)

When crime scene cleanup duo Elvis and Leo get called in to clean up the scene of a death, they never expect to find Thale, a human-Huldra hybrid with a cow's tail that can only communicate nonverbally. A tape left behind by her former captor outlines all the ways she's been experimented on, and soon military soldiers are trying to capture her.

The pair decide to try to help her by finding a way to integrate her into a cadre of her own fellow Huldra, but the task to help her reach the satyr-like creatures is difficult. Suspenseful, dramatic, and eerie, Thale is an engrossing movie that combines the heartwarming nature of E.T. with something more sinister.

9 Draug (2018)

Set in the 11th century, Draug has been marketed as an "epic Viking horror saga", and as such delivers some innovative thrills to fans of both Vikings and the folklore of their culture of conquerors. It begins with the king sending a hird (or royal rescue party) to find the whereabouts of a missing missionary thought abducted by bandits in Hälsingland.

The warriors find themselves deep in the land of pagan worship, one of the last bastions of people devoted to an ancient belief system. Where they expect to find bandits they find a sinister evil, and like Midsommar, the movie focuses on a disturbing Viking legend -- the draug, taken from the Old Norse word for a ghost with a body, or a member of the undead.

8 Sauna (2008)

A dark Finnish horror movie set in the 16th century at the conclusion of the Russo-Swedish War, Sauna follows two brothers who are given the task of delineating the border between Swedish-ruled Finland and the Tsardom of Russia. When they encounter a mysterious village, they find a sauna in the middle of a swamp and enter it in the hopes of washing away their sins.

With sometimes beautiful, sometimes gruesome cinematography, plenty of atmosphere, and a nonlinear storytelling format, Sauna is both thematically rich and narratively provocative. As bloody as it is cerebral, fans of both types of terror will enjoy this surreal historical recollection.

7 Trollhunter (2010)

When several university students decide to track down an infamous bear poacher, they end up encountering something even more deadly -- trolls. Soon the students are trying to capture footage of the elusive creatures straight out of Nordic folklore, and their quest takes them right into the path of a Jotnar, one of the largest mountain trolls in Old Norse mythology.

For fans of movies like The Blair Witch Project, the found footage style of this mockumentary will make the search for trolls appear all the more authentic. The special effects may not always be clean, but there's heart to this horror movie, and slightly blurry troll shots only add to the perceived realism.

6 Rare Exports (2010)

What viewers might take as a simple holiday movie is anything but. Examining the naughtiest version of the Santa Claus story, it follows a British research crew drilling in the Korvatunturi mountain range that upsets an ancient Saami graveyard. Something lurks in the mountain, and it's not the jolly patron of children's dreams and delights.

Rare Exports offers a sinister investigation of Joulupukki ("Yule Goat") straight out of Finnish folklore, a horned entity who takes a whip to children who misbehave and even places them in a cauldron to boil alive.

5 Clown (2014)

Hoping to make his son's birthday party a success, a loving father puts on an old clown costume to perform. Soon he cannot remove it, with everything from the wig to the nose becoming part of his body. Eventually, he learns the horrible truth about the "Clöyne", an Icelandic legend that lured children to caves with tricks and candy only to devour them. He desperately tries to stop himself from turning into the ancient creature before he eats his children.

Clown is based on Clöyne folklore, a fictional creature in Norse mythology, but its adherence to its fake tradition is commendable and authentic enough to make viewers think it's real. With its nose red and blistering from cold, its pale face due to lack of sunlight, and its single horn evoking a funny hat, it's not far-fetched to believe it inspired modern clowns today.

4 Ragnarok (2013)

Ragnarok (a cataclysmic event signifying the end of the world according to the gods of Norse mythology) provides the backdrop for this suspenseful horror movie set in Finnmark as an archaeologist follows the trail of Vikings in the Northern regions of Norway. His journey takes him to the vast expanse between Norway and Russia, leading to his expedition crew disturbing a slumbering threat.

Combining the thrill of an action-adventure movie with an effective creature feature, Ragnarok is an amalgamation of old and new, providing plenty of harrowing moments as well as Old Norse history.

3 The Ritual (2017)

After the death of their friend, four men decide to process their grief by taking a long hike in the Scandinavian wilderness. Eventually becoming lost in forests steeped in Old Norse legends, they learn of an ancient evil known as the Jötunn, a dangerous creature from Norse mythology that begins stalking their every move.

Blending traditions of Norse legend with slow-burn terror and a beguiling atmosphere, The Ritual is much more than a paint-by-numbers horror movie where victims get picked off one by one.

2 Absentia (2011)

Based on the Norwegian fairytale "The Three Billy Goats Gruff", Absentia begins with Tricia, a young woman trying to move on with her life after the disappearance of her husband seven years before. After her sister comes to stay with her, she begins encountering strange situations and hallucinations surrounding a tunnel that may hold the key to her husband's disappearance.

An updated take on the fairytale provides the intriguing subtext for this supernatural horror movie that provides unexpected and non-formulaic situations involving an ancient, evil entity lurking beneath the veils of reality.

1 Valley Of Shadows (2017)

Pin Parvati Pass, or the "Valley of Shadows" is the backdrop for this Nordic horror movie chronicling a young boy's journey into a mysterious forest in search of answers to a recent tragedy. After finding several sheep slaughtered on his farm and fearing it might signify a werewolf attack, he goes searching for signs of the beast despite his mother's warnings.

The boy's journey gets more perilous as time goes on, and after running out of food and losing his beloved dog Rapp, things begin to get dire. A chance encounter with what he suspects to be the monster is both illuminating and terrifying.

NEXT: 10 Absolutely Terrifying Scandinavian Horror Movies

source https://screenrant.com/best-horror-nordic-scandinavian-folklore-mythology-movies/