Move aside college basketball. This tournament is gonna makes dolphins cry ya’ll.
Since everyone wants to see the bracket first that’s what I’ll give you. We entered the data once and randomly generated the entire tournament. Before we move on you can
And we’ve also created a contest within the tournament! ANYONE can participate by filling out your bracket for the March Movie Madness. Simply sign up for free at Challonge and fill out a bracket with us for a chance to win your own watch from Hello Somebody. Big thanks to Jared Hollier who came up with the idea and offered the prize. Check out his site for more info. Now anyone can play whether you are in the tournament or not!
You can make predictions at any time, but in order to qualify for the pick ‘em prize, brackets need to be filled out by tomorrow at NOON which coincides with end of voting for these first matches of round 1.
When I decided to try to do a bracket challenge with 64 people I knew my mind must have officially reached the consistency of cheese in a blender stuck on grind. But here we are. Thanks for joining us, whether it’s as a contestant or just to vote on who the most EPIC movie protagonist of all-time (or at least of the ones entered here) is.
But enough from me and my glarbled cheese brains. Here’s how this works.
1. Voting runs on a 24 hour cycle from noonish to noonish. The first round begins today, Tuesday, at noon and ends at the same time Wednesday.
2. The first round is broken into 4 days of voting which means the 2nd round of 32 will be set by this Saturday.
3. Promote your movie characters across the internet. Write blog posts. Have fun. The BEST part of this event is meeting other people. We’re using the hashtag #MMM2 on Twitter, so get chatty there. We’ll also have plenty to debate in the comments section of each post.
4. Be gracious in defeat. There can be only 1!
5. Click on the names of contestants to check out their sites. Check out websites both familiar and new, especially new. Introduce each other around. Good luck!
~*~*~*~
Round 1 – Matchup 1
(Office Space)
Peter does what everyone who ever worked in a cubical wants to do but will never pull the trigger. At the end of the day heroes bring happiness to people and save the day from evil-doers like Bill Lumberg. MEMO: Vote for me or TPS reports for all of you!
~Ryan Schaub
(Star Wars)
He is so cool, he makes a waistcoat look studly. He is the only non-jedi to use a light saber and he does it well. His best friend is a wookie, which means he is loyal and trustworthy. AND who doesn’t love a “stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder?”
Round 1 – Matchup 2
(The Patriot)
He keeps his kids, the British and dogs in line. Also able to melt small toys into bullets and ensure revenge gets exacted. Oh, did I mention he’s a natural with a tomahawks/knife combo?
(Dirty Harry)
The only hero who commands people to “Go ahead, make my day.” Knows how to use his trademark .44 magnum to maim or kill. So, he loses a few dozen partners. Don’t want to vote for “Dirty Harry”? Well, “ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?”
Round 1 – Matchup 3
(Indiana Jones)
Indiana Jones is bad to the bone. 3 movies and he has three different ladies. His side kick is called Short Round. How cool is that? He’s so bad he chops a bridge in half while on it, out runs boulders, and takes on the entire Nazi army! Bad to the bone.
(Tombstone)
I’m sure the makers of Tombstone used their artistic licence to the fullest with the retelling of this historic event, but it makes for a great movie! Doc holiday is flawed, but loyal!
Round 1 – Matchup 4
(Harry Potter)
His struggles with acceptance and self-identity are universally relatable, and his final act of sacrifice inspires us all to be as honorable. Who was it that said, “Laying down your life for your friends is the greatest act of love”? Oh yeah- IT WAS JESUS.
(The Maltese Falcon)
Sam Spade was intuitive, strong and looked great in a trenchcoat. Not enough heroes are currently harnessing the intense strength of the trench coat.
Round 1 – Matchup 5
(Mad Max)
The Road Warrior lives by his own rules, fuelling his car with whatever gas he can find and his heart with a burning sense of vengeance and justice!
(A Knight’s Tale)
William Thatcher, a 14th century squire, is destined to be a peasant for life. But can a man really change his stars? William breaks all the rules by posing as a nobleman, and takes the jousting world by storm. Not “noble” by birth, but in character. He will rock you!
Round 1 – Matchup 6
(Die Hard)
Die Hard’s John McClane is the badassest badass in the history of badassery. He shoelessly walks across glass, does barrell rolls for no reason and drives cars into helicopters. Yippee-kie-yay!!!
(Star Wars)
Secure enough to wear an all blue ensemble (including a blue cape), Lando was the Rosa Parks of a galaxy far, far away – refusing to sit in the back of the Millennium Falcon, but instead flying it into the 2nd Death Star.
Round 1 – Matchup 7
(Hancock)
You might argue that all heroes are flawed, but none to the extent of will smith’s “hancock.” An alcoholic with super powers, and not just the illusions of super power that your average drunk has, but immortality, strength, and the ability to fly. And Charlize Theron is his kryptonite.
(Terminator)
Sarah Connor, an ordinary waitress becomes a seriously kick-ass warrior, prepared to give her life to save her son and humanity, from Skynet and its machines. She is a true hero because she chose the hard, lonely (and slightly crazy) road in order to save the world.
Round 1 – Matchup 8
(Mary Poppins)
Intelligent, charming, confident and can produce a mirror and a hatstand from the shallow depths of a spectacular handbag. Great with kids and not afraid to befriend the less desirable of society. What’s not to love?
(District 9)
Wikus represents the ultimate character arc: from nerdy office nebbish to tortured soul to redeemer of alien- and humankind. Plus, he has a sweet ‘stache and a cool accent.
~*~*~*~
We’re off and running! Winners will be announced and brackets updated each day starting tomorrow! Check back for updates.
DON’T FORGET OUR TWITTER HASHTAG #MMM2
Making me choose between Mary Poppins and Wikus was just cruel, Clay. Just cruel.
This is definitely going to be a tough one.
I hope you make the right decision Piper. {cough}spoonfulofsugar{cough}
I know you voted for Wikus *crosses prawn hand*
Crossed “prawned handed, toes, & eyes!!”
For some reason choosing between Hancock and Sarah Connor was the hardest decision I had to make today, another one was choosing between cherry Coke or Pepsi at the store. Can’t wait to see the results!
Love march…. Waited all year for Movie Madness…NCAA eat your heart out, this is where the real game is played….
I voted. I think I’m not a mainstream voter. Just sayin. Go Atticus!
Man. There are some seriously good choices in this bracket. Well done everyone. None of the rest of them drove cars into helicopters, but there were some solid candidates for second place!
I voted! Where’s my sticker? Yay, America! John Kimble 2012!
My entire bracket is filled out already! Don’t be hatin’ on me.
Picked a lot of strong women – as it should be.
Vote early, vote often!
Voted.
Some good choices today, but none like the wickedest/coolest witch in the West. Go Elphaba! Power to the green!
Uh oh. My DH (aka Benchclearing) is up against Elena, my IRL friend. I feel like a tennis ball at Wimbledon.
My DH has been imitating Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver since I met him. (i.e. “Are you talkin’ to me?”) Apparently I was talking to him.
In other news, if Atticus Finch loses to Macauley Freaking Culkin, it’s on. No more nice Canadian woman.
Uh oh again. DH is in full Travis Bickle mode now. He googled Elphaba and Wicked is NOT a movie but a book and a musical. It’s not March Musical Madness, is it? Did we miss the memo?
(Leanne ducks, to avoid Elena’s forehand smash….)
Haha! That’s so funny that they’re against each other. Didn’t realize until just now. Hey, I pushed back on Elena’s “movie” character, but you Canadians don’t always play by the rules. Her argument rests on the fact that Wizard of Oz is iconic and Wicked–which paints the witch as protag–is in production as a film. I so can’t wait for that match.
That’s not true … us Canadians ALWAYS play by the rules … they’re just better rules.
Man oh man, why do I always get stuck with an insanely hard first-round matchup? That being said, Team Wikus FTW this time! Boer maak ‘n plan!
I filled out my bracket. I fully expect to have two watches by the time this is over.
Wow, some tough competition. I hope my guy makes it past the first round this time!
It’s a great matchup Larry, I see I’ve got a battle on my hands straight out of the gate this time! Good luck to you mate, wheel see whose horsepower reins supreme! (did you see what I did there?)
Indy or Doc? McClane or Lando? Just rip out my heart why dontcha?
The McClane/Lando one got me too. Some seriously tough choices!
After the first round, my character could have smooooth sailing for a while. This is a blast Clay!
Lots of tough matchups here. It’s gonna be a great tourney with some fun banter!
If anyone needs help making their decision about Matchup 5, check out this blog post now!
Thanks for putting this together again for us Clay and of course thanks to everyone for participating. I look forward to watching things unfold.
I want to see Mary Poppins take an umbrella to Harold Francis Callahan.
Ha, ha, haaaa! That’s funny! She was my second pick, you know.
I can see Mary Poppins as a kind of ninja warrior. She definitely has it in her!
I’m actually going to vote for Neo in Round 1 so my beloved Mary can take him down.
I’m sure this bloggergoodtimes was not intended for such violence.
I probably shouldn’t comment, especially since I’m being all objective and everything. But Hmphrmphmmrf… There. I muzzled myself.
I don’t want to bring race into this, but if you don’t vote for Lando, you are a terrible racist.
Funny =)
So glad you didn’t go there!
Doc Holiday vs. Indiana Jones? Are you kidding me? #tooclosetocall