Superman Returns & Pictures Update

I don't know why all the sudden I feel compelled to write about a movie I saw. But hey, might as well act on it, right?

I saw "Superman Returns" on opening day at the IMAX theater in Reading, MA. It was crowded, and Lori and I didn't get the best seats. However, that didn't stop us from both enjoying, nay--- very much enjoying --- Bryan Singer's new "Superman" film.

I saw "Superman Returns" a second time this past weekend with the family. Again at IMAX, but this time in better seats. This helped a little, and I have to say my opinion of the movie improved somewhat.

So, what is my opinion? To my surprise, I find myself liking this "Superman" better than all the others. Granted, "Returns" owes pretty much its entire foundation -- and more than a few pieces of dialogue and action scenes --- to Donner's films (I and II), but the film knows that and shows that, and does so in a very respectful way without stealing.

After having just watched the original "Superman" tonight...frankly, Singer's film does a lot of things better. This has much to do with improved FX and improvements to filmmaking in general. But more than that, the storytelling is better (and by that I mean the pacing and thrust of plot elements), there are a lot of beautiful shots of Supes flying and falling -- some truly iconic images that were absent in the Donner films-- and the action is a lot more thrilling.



Bah, why compare 'em? All three are good. I'll stop now.

For the record, I would recommend seeing the movie at IMAX for the picture clarity and sound quality, and for a better audience than your average multiplex. The 3-D sequences are not done well, and are distracting. I'd love to see those moments again without the necessity of huge yellow plastic glasses.

Routh (pronouned like "South") shocked me, he was actually the best cast role in the film (might as well be Superman, right?). He looked ridiculous and awkward in all the promo materials I saw. And while I thought the movie would still be good with Singer at the helm, I figured it would be IN SPITE of Routh, not because of him. He never misssed a beat in this flick, except maybe early on with his mom. Really incredible job, on par with Reeve. His Clark acting mimicked Reeve and came off really well. Does anyone else see facial similarities b/w Routh and Jason Schwartzman?



I do.

Kevin Spacey as Luthor was disappointing at first, but I picked up on a few more nuances the second time around. He definitely has his moments -- particularly the "WRONG!" line -- but I think the letdown comes more from the script than his acting. We just don't feel how much he hates Superman until the climax.

Bosworth as Lane is a screwup. We all know it. It's not that she's bad...well, ok she is in a few scenes...she's just missing that spunk, that toughness that Kidder has and we all know Rachel McAdams has. Do you buy Bosborth as a Pulitzer prize winning, tough as nails reporter with a kid? I sure as hell don't. But I liked what the script gave her to do, especially not being the damsel in the distress like she ALWAYS was in the original flicks.

Posey was awesome. Really damn good. Same with Marsden. I liked the way he handled asking Lois about her history with Superman. I suspect Singer cast him knowing he screwed him over screen-time wise in the X films.

Kal Penn, from "Harold and Kumar," was distracting and miscast as mr random Luthor henchman. I mean, really, why him?

I guess when it comes to acting in Superman movies, the roles that can be re-interpreted and change are the supporting ones. Lex Luthor can be a little less like Hackman, and maybe a softer Lois Lane makes sense, and for comic relief you can have a more bumbling Jimmy Olsen. But you don't fuck with Superman. And "Returns" doesn't.

Note to future "Superman" filmmakers: No more goddamn Superman & Lois fly-in-the-night romance scene from this point on. These scenes are way too long as it is. We don't need another. Enough is enough.

{SPOILER ALERT}: I'm not sure yet how I feel about Superman having a son. It seems too soon in a new franchise to unload a plot thread like that for future flicks to deal with. However, I liked certain moments in the film with the boy, and it ties thematically with Supes' desire to be "one of them" and not alone and "father to a son."

I felt really really angry when the thugs were beating up Superman. The movie had me hook-line-and sinker at that point, really making me care for what happened to this new Superman in his new outfit and voice. {SPOILER ENDS}

This is a true Superman film. As good as the original, better in some ways, not in others. But at its core and to this former-Superman-costume-wearer, "Returns" is both a continuation and a new beginning for a terrific cinematic franchise.

"Superman" (1978) -- 3.5/5
"Superman II"(1981) -- 4/5
"Superman Returns" (2006) -- 4/5

And here he looks like Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird."



And oh, here are some recent photos from my life:

Birthday Scavenger Hunt, April 2006:
Lori sent me on one. The treasure: A case of Yuengling, baseball shirt, window fan, misc food/candy, and two tix to Cedar Point. Pic 1) Flying a kite in York, ME as part of hunt. Pic 2) The treasure was in her car (which I had been driving the entire time).

Birthday Trip to Sandusky/Cedar Point, May 2006:

My penis is the size of a lighthouse. Look closer.

Trip to Tampa to see my sister, June 2006:

Pic 1) Near neighborhood clubhouse where my sis lives. Pic 2) Martin and Lisa outside their new house. Pic 3) Lisa and I at St Pete's Beach.

Father's Day, June 2006:
My dad and his bottle of Borollo wine at my house in Portsmouth.


Josh's vist, June 2006:
Josh and his parents stopped in Portsmouth for a couple days on their way to Vermont. We went out for dinner at the Portsmouth Gaslight Co. It was a nice time.


July 4th, 2006:
Also known as my parent's anniversary. My sister came up for a week and we hung out and did silly family things like play cards and watch movies. We celebrated the anniversary by opening up the Borrollo wine I got my dad for Father's Day. Pic 1) Me and Lisa in New Castle, NH, near Portsmouth. Pic 2) Crushing a lighthouse (not to be confused with peeing with my lighthouse picture from earlier on). Pic 3) Me in the painter. Pic 4) Sunset in New Castle. Pic 5) My dad pouring the Borrollo. Check out my shirt.