adventures in videoland

Critics with attitude

Natural Disaster Marathon

In this episode, we're diving into the world of natural disaster movies, where the earth itself becomes the ultimate villain. We're pitting five blockbuster films against each other: Armageddon, San Andreas, Twister, Dante's Peak, and The Day After Tomorrow. From earthquakes to volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts to tornadoes, and frozen apocalypses, these movies showcase the devastating power of nature. But which one reigns supreme? Grab some popcorn, buckle up, and let's get ready to rumble ... with Mother Nature herself!


NATHAN’S GOLDEN IDOLS

  1. Best Location: TDAT The New York Public Library

  2. Best Character: Armageddon Lev Andropov

  3. Best Kill/Death/Defeat: San Andreas Kylie Minogue's Door to Nowhere

  4. Score or Soundtrack: RUBBER CHICKEN

  5. Best Screenplay: Twister Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin

  6. Best Special Achievement: Twister Enduring Legacy/Fanbase

  7. Best Scene: Armageddon Harry's sacrifice

  8. Defining Moment/Attribute/MVP: Dante's Peak Jaws, but with nature

  9. Best Director: Twister Jan de Bont

  10. Wildcard: Twister Best Duo: Billy and Jo

  11. WTF: San Andreas Daniel Riddick's villain arc

  12. Worst Picture: Armageddon

  13. Best Picture: Twister

Total after deductions:

  • Twister: 7

  • Armageddon: 1

  • San Andreas: 1

  • Dante’s Peak: 1

  • The Day After Tomorrow: 1


KYLE’S GOLDEN IDOLS

  1. Best Location: Armageddon Asteroid

  2. Best Character: TIE Armageddon & Twister Harry Stamper & Bill Harding

  3. Best Kill/Death/Defeat: Armageddon Harry sacrificing himself

  4. Best Score or Soundtrack: Armageddon Trevor Rabin with songs by various artists

  5. Best Screenplay: Twister Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin

  6. Best Special Achievement: Twister The special effects hold up really well

  7. Best Scene: Dante’s Peak & Twister Grandma into the acid lake & Aunt Meg's house

  8. Defining Moment/Attribute/MVP: Armageddon I Don't Want to Miss a Thing

  9. Best Director: Twister Jan de Bont

  10. Wildcard: TDAT Get Me The Fuck Outta Here Award

  11. WTF: San Andreas Why is Paul Giamatti in this?

  12. Worst Picture: San Andreas

  13. Best Picture: Twister

Total after deductions:

  • Twister: 6

  • Armageddon: 5

  • San Andreas: Negative One

  • Dante’s Peak: 1

  • The Day After Tomorrow: 1


SETH’S GOLDEN IDOLS

  1. Best Location: Armageddon Asteroid

  2. Best Character: Twister Dr. Jo Harding

  3. Best Kill/Death/Defeat: Armageddon Harry sacrificing himself

  4. Best Score or Soundtrack: Twister Mark Mancina with songs by various artists

  5. Best Screenplay: TDAT Roland Emmerich and Jeffrey Nachmanoff

  6. Best Special Achievement: Twister Having a ride based off it at Universal Studios

  7. Best Scene: Twister Leaving Wakita/Walk in the Woods

  8. Defining Moment/Attribute/MVP: Twister We got cows!

  9. Best Director: TDAT Roland Emmerich

  10. Wildcard: TDAT Lingering Effects Award

  11. WTF: Dante’s Peak Grandma into the acid lake

  12. Worst Picture: San Andreas

  13. Best Picture: Twister

Total after deductions:

  • Twister: 8

  • Armageddon: 2

  • San Andreas: Negative One

  • Dante’s Peak:

  • The Day After Tomorrow: 3


JESSE’S GOLDEN IDOLS

  1. Best Location: Dante’s Peak Dante’s Peak

  2. Best Character: Twister Bill Harding

  3. Best Kill/Death/Defeat: TDAT Flash Freeze

  4. Best Score or Soundtrack: Armageddon Trevor Rabin with songs by various artists

  5. Best Screenplay: Twister Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin

  6. Best Special Achievement: Twister Having a ride based off it at Universal Studios

  7. Best Scene: Dante’s Peak Driving away from the Pyroclastic cloud

  8. Defining Moment/Attribute/MVP: Dante’s Peak Dante’s Peak being the most scientifically accurate about the disaster

  9. Best Director: TDAT Roland Emmerich

  10. Wildcard: Armageddon Best Explosion Award

  11. WTF: San Andreas Saving the girl who wrecked with the helicopter

  12. Worst Picture: San Andreas

  13. Best Picture: The Day After Tomorrow

Total after deductions:

  • Twister: 3

  • Armageddon: 2

  • San Andreas: Negative One

  • Dante’s Peak: 3

  • The Day After Tomorrow: 6

Golden idol winner: Twister