Transformers Announcement Trailer Now Online!
Do I need to say more?
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8 of 10 Stars
Okay. I just got back from the cinema. Having just seen Brian Singer’s vision for the [Man of Steel][sR], I’ll try to record my first impressions of [Superman Returns][sR] here.
I love comics, but I’m not really a Superman fan. This movie’s strongest point, I think, is that it pays tremendous homage to the original [Superman][s1] and [Superman II][s2] rather than trying translate the comic verbatim. From the opening credits, you get the classic Superman Theme Music with trumpets blaring and laser light show typography from the originals. I was excited… I felt like a kid again! Toss in a shot or two of Superman green screened over a helicopter shot of NY and I’m good to go!
**Let me just say that Kevin Spacey’s Lex Luthor is brilliant!** Near the beginning of the film, he’s funny, but appropriately so. As the film progresses, Spacey takes the character to darker places and make Luthor a menacing villain. This film is a true sequel to the earlier films meaning that Spacey’s Luthor is the same man as the Luthor in Superman 1 & 2, but with a darker side. *(note: Gene Hackman played Lex Luthor in the original Superman as kind of buffoonish.)*
Brandon Routh does an awesome job as Supes, too. He’s believably awkward as Clark Kent (like a lighthearted [Willard](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310357/)), yet warm and confident as Superman. Something about him seems a bit alien and not quiet right though. He’s a little too perfect, and it’s a little discomforting, But I think that works well for this Superman by accenting his separation from mortal man.
I don’t want to get all fanboy on ya, but there are a few plot twists that are just kinda weird. You’ll find no spoilers here, but let us just say that there’s a major revelation about the “Last Son of Krypton” during the film that doesn’t happen anywhere in the comics. I understand that all comic book movies happen outside the continuity of the comics, but this just seems like too big of a departure to me. This jarred my SoD and had me thinking too hard about the repercussions of this twist for the rest of the film, rather than just enjoying the movie.
My biggest complaint is about the length of the film. I understand this is a film about character development, but many parts of this film just felt dull and slow. This film clocks in at just over 2.5 hours long… that’s Lord of the Rings kinda long. **Unfortunately, by the end of the film, the excitement that was built in the beginning had died and I found myself looking at my watch and wishing this movie were 30 minutes shorter.**
A few things that I thought were weird and I’m out:
+ It’s kinda creepy that Superman uses his powers to basically stalk Lois near the beginning of the film in a Big Blue Brother way.
+ Superman’s shoes are just weird in a way that I can’t begin to describe.
+ James Marsden will forever be Cyclops to me, regardless of what movie he’s in.
+ There are several almost overt parallels drawn in imagery and in dialog between Superman and **Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ**TM.
[s1]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078346/ “Superman (1978) on IMDB”
[s2]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081573/ “Superman II (1980) on IMDB”
[sR]: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348150/ “Superman Returns on IMDB”
10 of 10 Stars
The other day I caught Robocop on Encore Action! and it was an awesome time. For those who have not had the pleasure of seing this most excellent film, here’s a brief synopsis:
>In the aftermath of economic and moral collapse, the city of Detroit has become a cesspool of crime and anarchy, forcing the underfunded police to fall under the stewardship of corporate juggernaut OCP. In his first day patrolling Old Detroit, Officer Alex Murphy is killed by feared gang leader Clarence Boddicker. OCP scientists are able to use Murphy’s remains to build a cybernetic soldier codenamed Robocop. Dubbed the future of law enforcement, Robocop begins a one-man war on crime. When memories of his former life begin to surface, Robocop becomes obsessed with tracking down Boddicker and claiming revenge, even as his handlers try to rein him in.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: Robocop is the best movie ever filmed. Here’s why:
+ Robocop’s burst-firing hand cannon! When this movie came out, I was 6 years old. When Robocop pulled that thing out, it was like he was holding Megatron! Addtionally, the huge assault cannons the bad guys get at the end that spawn the catch phrase, “I LIKE IT!”
+ “Red” Forman (Kurtwood Smith) from *That 70s Show!* as the principle villain, Boddicker. Everytime I see him, I expect him to call Officer Murphey a dumbass
+ It’s based in the future and the advanced cyborg police officer drives a 1980s Ford Taurus with matte black Krylon paint! I guess automotive technology apexed about 20 years ago and cars have come as far as they’re ever gonna go.
+ For a movie filmed in the late 80s, the effects are pretty special. There are stop-motion animated giant robots, over the top blood splatters and a dude in the coolest suit of armor EVAR!
+ “I’d buy that for a dollar!”
This movie is over the top violent, to the point that it almost gets silly. But for a guy, nothing beats getting a bunch of friends together on a lazy afternoon and watching a dude do the robot while fighting crime!
I love my job, it comes with built in vacations!
I’m going to Chicago this weekend with the office to do some team building and sightseeing. I’m so excited that I’ve used the word “stoked” to describe my glee to a friend. As in, “I’m so stoked about this Chicago trip, dude.”
Unfortunately, being a bit of a camera snob has left me in a weird situation where i don’t have a digital camera (it’s a long story. I promise I’ll explain later). So I’m bringing along my handy-dandy 35mm SLR. This means that I’m gonna have to get my hands on an x-ray proof bag of some sort before Friday, so the various security checkpoint x-ray machines don’t expose my film. An x-ray proof bag means possible holdups with airline security and a ton of inconvenience.
I’m thinking in a situation like this, even a cheap digi-cam is better than holdups at check-in or, worse, ruined film.
New Digg v3 Launched
I know this is almost 3 days old now, but I’ve been using the new digg and it’s awesome. Definitely worth checking out.
