Monthly Archive for June, 2006

Superman Returns

Published
by
antuan goodwin
on 2006 June 29
in film review
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Superman Returns Artwork

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 Mobile 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”

Robocop: The Ultimate Man’s Movie

Published
by
antuan goodwin
on 2006 June 28
in film review
. 1 Comment

Robocop Artwork from 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!

Corky Romano is the WORST MOVIE EVER!

Published
by
antuan goodwin
on 2006 June 19
in film review
. 0 Comments

Corky Romano

1 of 10 Stars

As much as I wanted to quit this movie halfway through, I have a strange inability to leave a film unfinished. So there I was, watching the whole painfully bad, brain-curdling thing.

As much as I want to like Chris Kattan, I find that he’s only really tolerable in small doses (a la SNL sketches). Having to deal with his annoying voice and total lack of subtlety for more than an hour, is a bit more than I can deal with.
Add that to the toliet paper thin excuse for a plot, along with an almost constant barrage of overused (and thusly unfunny) physical humor, and you get a strong contender for the worst movie ever. Worse than, Batman and Robin with the nipples on the batsuit.

This movie was so bad, I almost died watching it. I don’t recommend that anyone else put their life at risk by attempting to watch this film.

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)

Published
by
antuan goodwin
on 2006 June 17
in film review
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Tokyo Drift Poster

7 of 10 stars

I LOVE CARS. I own both of the previous F&F films, the Italian Job remake and the Transporter on the merit of the cars, chases and races alone. I can’t argue against the fact that the storys are thin and full of holes. I just want to see the cars go. I need to see the cars go. I don’t even hear the lame dialoge over the engines.

Tokyo Drift is another film that will end up on my shelf for this same reason. The plot is poorly concieved and even more poorly executed. The characters are flat. But dammit if the cars aren’t slick. But I feel more for the cars than for the drivers. These vehicles are legendary to a car guy like me, without them this would be a 2 star movie, instead of the 7 I’m giving it.

The whole film seems contrived and unoriginal. The mountain drift scene in the end is almost, shot for shot, taken from Initial D (the manga and anime). At then end of the day, though… no one who sees this movie cares. Just give me more VROOM!