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March Madness: Watching the Detectives - Round 1

post #1 of 29
3/23/07 at 9:18pm
Thread Starter 
Here are the opening brackets. There are two conferences (P.I.s vs. Cops) and Four Divisions. The four divisions are split up along similar lines, and I tried to mix and match who I paired up. There's a logic to some of them, but not all.

The rules:

1. You may request one pairing per person, per day, and I will enforce the 24 hour rule on this one to allow as many people a chance to play as possible.

2. Your request will be fufilled in this thread, and your subsequent pick must be done in this thread. Post your victor in BOLD

3. Per the last round, you MUST provide a reason -- whether it's silly or not -- of at least one sentence as to why you chose who you chose. Failure to do this may disqualify you from this round.

4. Keep all other discussion to the discussion thread which I'll be starting shortly. Have fun!

The BRACKET:

COPS AND GOVERNMENT AGENTS (CON. 1):

LOOSE CANNONS (DIV. 1):

1. Vic Mackey (The Shield)
Vs.
Det. John McClane (Die Hard films)

2. Staff Sgt. Dignam (The Departed)
Vs.
Det. Axel Foley (Beverly Hills Cop)

3. Jimmy McNulty (The Wire)
Vs.
Inspector Geoffrey “Tequila” Yuen (Hard-Boiled)

4. Will Graham (Manhunter)
Vs.
Richard Chance (To Live and Die in L.A.)

5. Det. Sgt. Nick Tellis (Narc)
Vs.
Det. Tony Baretta (Baretta)

6. Lt. Mike Torello (Crime Story)
Vs.
Lt. Vincent Hanna (Heat)

7. Det. Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (The French Connection)
Vs.
Det. Harry Callahan

8. Det. Mick Belker (Hill Street Blues)
Vs.
Joe Pistone (Donnie Brasco)

“REAL POLICE (DIV. 2):”

1. Det. Frank Pembleton (Homicide: Life on The Street)
Vs.
Lester Freamon (The Wire)

2. Det. Lt. Ed Exley (L.A. Confidential)
Vs.
Det. Joe Leland (The Detective)

3. Lt. Columbo (Columbo)
Vs.
Det. Meldrick Lewis (Homicide: Life on the Street

4. Lt. Frank Drebin (Police Squad/Naked Gun)
Vs.
Inspector Gadget (Inspector Gadget)

5. Det. Lenny Briscoe (Law & Order)
Vs.
Det. John Munch (Homicide: Life on the Street)

6. Det. Supt. Jane Tennison (Prime Suspect)
Vs.
Clarice Starling (Silence of the Lambs)

7. Inspector Clousseau (Pink Panther)
Vs.
Detective Lt. William Somerset & Det. David Mills (Seven)

8. Chief Marge Gunderson (Fargo)
Vs.
Det. Kay Howard (Homicide: Life On The Street)


POLICE CONSULTANTS/P.I.s (CON 2.)

JUST INCORPORATED (DIV. 3):

1. Joe Hallenbeck (The Last Boy Scout)
Vs.
David Addison (Moonlighting)

2. Sherlock Holmes
Vs.
Hercule Poirot

3. Sam Spade
Vs.
Jim Rockford (Rockford Files)

4. Jake ‘J.J.’ Gittes (Chinatown)
Vs.
Phillip Marlowe

5. Mitch Hennessey (The Long Kiss Goodnight)
Vs.
Simon & Simon

6. Perry “Gay Perry” Van Shrike (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang)
Vs.
John Shaft (Shaft)

7. Harry Dresden (Dresden Files)
Vs.
Harry D’Amour

8. Angel (Angel)
Vs.
Velma Dinkley (Scooby-Doo)

DEFECTIVE DETECTIVES (DIV. 4):

1. Brendan (Brick)
Vs.
Jeffrey Beaumont (Blue Velvet)

2. Daryl Zero (Zero Effect)
Vs.
Adrian Monk (Monk)

3. Rick Deckard (Blade Runner)
Vs.
Marshal W.T. O’Neil (Outland)

4. William of Baskerville
Vs.
Easy Rawlins (Devil In A Blue Dress)

5. Dr. Eddie “Fitz” Fitzgerald (Cracker)
Vs.
Robert T. Ironside (Ironside)

6. Nick Charles (The Thin Man)
Vs.
The Dude (The Big Lebowski)

7. Rigby Reardon (Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid)
Vs.
Bernard and Vivian Jaffe (I Heart Huckabees)

8. Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher (Fletch)
Vs.
Carl Kolchak (Kolchak: The Night Stalker)
Reply
post #2 of 29
3/23/07 at 9:29pm
Since I own both movies I request to pick the one in this pairing:

4. Will Graham (Manhunter)
Vs.
Richard Chance (To Live and Die in L.A.)

May the best William Petersen role win!
Reply
post #3 of 29
3/23/07 at 10:42pm
requested one of the toughest pairings I've seen in a first round

1. Vic Mackey (The Shield)
Vs.
Det. John McClane (Die Hard films)
Reply
post #4 of 29
3/23/07 at 10:51pm
6. Perry “Gay Perry” Van Shrike (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang)
Vs.
John Shaft (Shaft)

Interesting matchup of contrasting styles. I'll take this one.

..And where is Malone from The Untouchables? Did he get bumped for some reason?
Reply
post #5 of 29
3/23/07 at 11:00pm
Thread Starter 
Those requests are so granted. Also, I knew I couldn't have done this whole thing without making one mistake -- it came out evenly, so that I must have forgotten one other guy too if I left off Malone, which I did. I'll figure that out and get back to you guys shortly.
Reply
post #6 of 29
3/23/07 at 11:10pm
1. Vic Mackey (The Shield)
Vs.
Det. John McClane (Die Hard films)

Both are beloved characters but John McClane hardly does any detective type work in any of the films. Plus his character gets worse as the series goes on. Vic Mackey on the other hand has great instincts, powerful interrogation techniques, the ability to get out of any jam, and gets better with every season.
Reply
post #7 of 29
3/23/07 at 11:17pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, turns out in the original list, we had two detectives listed at slot 26, which is why Jim Malone was accidentally left out. I don't want to redo the entire bracket, so to make up for this, Seven Year Itch, who picked Malone, can pick TWICE in the next 24 hours.
Reply
post #8 of 29
3/23/07 at 11:57pm
3. Sam Spade
Vs.
Jim Rockford (Rockford Files)


Both my suggestions, so only fair I make them duke it out. Tough choice.
Reply
post #9 of 29
3/23/07 at 11:59pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, basically, we're on an honor system here. You guys can pick your pairings without my explicit approval, but I'll be checking the time difference. Thank you, that is all.
Reply
post #10 of 29
3/24/07 at 2:51am
Requesting:

1. Det. Frank Pembleton (Homicide: Life on The Street)
Vs.

Lester Freamon (The Wire)
Reply
post #11 of 29
3/24/07 at 2:59am
Thread Starter 
You don't have to request, just make sure you follow the rules and only doing one pick every 24 hours and that everyone who wants a chance to pick gets one. Honor system.
Reply
post #12 of 29
3/24/07 at 9:58am
Perry “Gay Perry” Van Shrike (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang)
Vs.
John Shaft (Shaft)

Maybe not as different as one may think. Aside from some great detective work, they're both tough, real crowd pleasers on the screen, have some great lines, and trailblazers in their own right. Shaft helped set the bar for future black detectives and I imagine Gay will do the the same for, well, gays. Got to go with the seasoned vet here, though. Tough call.
Reply
post #13 of 29
3/24/07 at 10:05am
6. Nick Charles (The Thin Man)
Vs.
The Dude (The Big Lebowski)

Nick Charles is a better detective. And you have to admire the way he holds his liquor. But, to quote Sam Elliott, " I like your style, Dude."
Reply
post #14 of 29
3/24/07 at 10:09am
I got this.

Lt. Frank Drebin (Police Squad/Naked Gun)
Vs.
Inspector Gadget (Inspector Gadget)
Reply
post #15 of 29
3/24/07 at 12:33pm
3. Sam Spade vs.

Jim Rockford

I suppose this might be controversial. Look, I love the Sam Spade, both in print and the wonderful Humphrey Bogart version. But I think Rockford gets the edge here. Mainly for adaptability. Somehow, I don't see Spade still plugging away when he gets to the point of living in a trailer, barely getting by. In fact, I don't see him able to leave his comfort zone at all. Add in the constant cigarette smoke, and, well, you get it. Spade is a guy that burns bright, burns out quick. Eventually, one of the thirty or forty women he's bogarting is going to give him the sweet kiss of hot lead.

Rockford rules.
Reply
post #16 of 29
3/24/07 at 6:03pm
1. Joe Hallenbeck (The Last Boy Scout)
Vs.
David Addison (Moonlighting)

Bruce Willis vs. Bruce Willis, which is the best Bruce Willis?
Hallenbeck. Not only is he good at connecting the dots ("Why'd Matthews just hand you the case and not say anything?" "He was fucking my wife. I die - he gets the wife"), but he can take a punch and is even better at dishing them out. Addison is funny, but I thought the show got too goofy at times. I like the detectives to be tough. Hallenbeck kicks Addison's ass, but he won't forget to say something cool first.
Reply
post #17 of 29
3/24/07 at 6:41pm
4. Will Graham (Manhunter)

Vs.

Richard Chance (To Live and Die in L.A.)

It took me a bit of time to figure this one out. Both are amazing roles done by William Petersen in great movies by fantastic directors that are well soaked in 80s vibe. However in the view of to consider which one is the better detective. Than that goes to Will Graham.

Graham exhibits his detectives skills throughout Manhunter in terms of examining the evidence at both crime scenes and trying to figure out where the killer is going to strike next. He gives off this impression of an amazing ability to understand the mind of a killer despite him trying to get away from that type of work that nearly cost him his life.

Now Chance is also an amazing character and especially so because of the unique nature of the Secret Service (Presidential Protection one day, Counterfeit squad the next), he's damn good and knows it. But Chance's obsession with trying to catch Masters causes him to go on a journey that will not come out well in the end. As Friedkin had mention in the commentary Chance was a guy who was going to end up dead one of these days either on the job or in some dangerous as hell recreational activity. Will Graham has more respect for human life and the awareness of that fact as he works.

With this in mind, I choose Will Graham.
Reply
post #18 of 29
3/24/07 at 6:45pm
My next decision to be given:

5. Det. Lenny Briscoe (Law & Order)
Vs.
Det. John Munch (Homicide: Life on the Street)
Reply
post #19 of 29
3/24/07 at 10:03pm
1. Det. Frank Pembleton (Homicide: Life on The Street)

Vs.

Lester Freamon (The Wire)


This was a bit hard. I love both characters equally, but the nod goes to Pembleton. Both are great police and do outstanding detective work. But while Freamon sticks mainly to the background, Pembleton is out front sweating perps in the box and turning red names to black.
Reply
post #20 of 29
3/24/07 at 11:45pm
Lt. Frank Drebin (Police Squad/Naked Gun)
Vs.
Inspector Gadget (Inspector Gadget)

Fairly easy call here. Gadget is technologically savvy, has an awesome theme song, and drove a Nissan 280Z.
Reply
post #21 of 29
3/25/07 at 12:02am
7. Inspector Clousseau (Pink Panther)
Vs.
Detective Lt. William Somerset & Det. David Mills (Seven)

While Somerset might have made it on top alone, Mills drags him down. Mills is too head strong, reckless, and turned into a huge pussy at the end of Seven. Plus Somerset had to cheat to come close to catching Doe. Clousseau may stumble onto the killers but he is resilient and a master at hand to hand combat.
Reply
post #22 of 29
3/25/07 at 9:12am
4. Jake ‘J.J.’ Gittes (Chinatown)
Vs.
Phillip Marlowe

Gittes has much to recommend him. He'll do practically anything for his client as long as they're square with him. And, unlike most of these guys who struggle to make a living, he's a success with a large agency and high priced clients. And he's done battle with corruption of the highest order. He knows the corruption around him, but accurately describes himself as the leper with the most fingers.

But he's up against Phillip Marlowe who's the pure archetype. Marlowe's been reinvented in various guises, Brendan, The Dude, and Gay Perry all owe something to him. Brains, a smart mouth, determination, a soft spot for ladies in need of rescuing, and a personal code are what define Marlowe and take him through some of the most complicated cases imaginable. Down these mean streets a man must walk. Phillip Marlowe is the man.
Reply
post #23 of 29
3/25/07 at 4:54pm
5. Det. Lenny Briscoe (Law & Order)
Vs.
Det. John Munch (Homicide: Life on the Street)

Both have a sense of humor blacker that three day old squad room coffee, both have ex-wives, both have experienced personal loss and while Munch has placed his character in numerous television shows and while we never did learn a whole lot about Briscoe (Except when he showed up in Homicide cross overs). My choice in this selection goes to Briscoe.


If we were to look at in terms of who is the better police, I'd have to go with Briscoe, since we never did see Munch consistently work cases and instead provided comedy relief and be an antagonist to whoever his partner was. Munch is a great character but from what was depicted on screen. Not that great of a detective.
Reply
post #24 of 29
3/26/07 at 2:26pm
2. Staff Sgt. Dignam (The Departed)
Vs.
Det. Axel Foley (Beverly Hills Cop)

That's a tough one, since it's two foul-mouthed and funny guys who dished out verbal abuse in at least one good film. I'm going with Foley, not only because Murphy is great in the role and I love Martin Brest's 80s action films, but also because Dignam doesn't do very much detective work. He mostly just insults people. Which is fine, but not enough...
Reply
post #25 of 29
3/26/07 at 4:04pm
8. Chief Marge Gunderson (Fargo)
Vs.
Det. Kay Howard (Homicide: Life On The Street)

She notices the little things. The Asian hitting on her even though he's married reminds her to double check Jerry Lundegaard. She keeps her eyes open while on patrol to find the missing car. Maybe Kay Howard is great but she got overshadowed by the Pembleton and Baylis show.
Reply
post #26 of 29
3/26/07 at 8:24pm
Sherlock Holmes
Vs.
Hercule Poirot

Because I believe we wouldn't even be discussing half of these characters if weren't for Holmes. His influence is undeniable, and by God, he's going to the second round.
Reply
post #27 of 29
3/26/07 at 8:50pm
8. Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher (Fletch)
Vs.
Carl Kolchak (Kolchak: The Night Stalker)

A tough matchup. Both clever, smart mouthed reporters who butt heads with their editors and authorities. The difference is Fletch deals with ordinary criminals while Kolchak has to make the leap of faith and deal with vampires, immortal killers, and the like. For quality of opponents, not to mention being at least one inspiration for The X-Files, Kolchak wins.
Reply
post #28 of 29
3/29/07 at 12:26pm
1. Brendan Frye (Brick)
Vs.
Jeffrey Beaumont (Blue Velvet)

OK, this is almost impossible for me, but I wanted to pick a really tough one. I choose Brendan, mostly because he is such a complete throwback to the old-time hard boiled noir detectives. Now, it's been a while since I've seen BV, and I'm a huge fan of Lynch, so it might be that I go over the film again and decide that this was a stupid choice.
Reply
post #29 of 29
3/29/07 at 3:25pm
Tons of nominators but not alot of voters

8. Angel (Angel)
Vs.
Velma Dinkley (Scooby-Doo)

Wasn't sure Angel should be here because he is Batman and he was out. But now that he's in I can see why. He smokes Velma. All shee had to do was ride into town and lett Scooby Doo stumble into the bad guy having his fake face fall off. Angel had a great team working behind him but was best when doing his own leg work. He was a top notch researcher, fighter, and could track a person by smell.
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