Made me wonder what fables/stories they used to teach their kids morals. Then it dawned on me; the Bible, and likely only the Old Testament. Yikes! Even as a kid I rejected those stories; what kind of god would do that, was my most common reaction. No wonder we're where we're at.
Yeah, as a comic book guy, it's gratifying to see a modern film that reasserts these qualities that I've read in Superman stories for a while now. I think, along with a sizeable chunk of people who *do* read comics, it was en vogue for some time to think of Superman as uncool because he was too powerful and therefore uninteresting as a character, as if his was a story of wish fulfillment and having zero adversity in the face of so much power. Of course, most apparently didn't read Superman before coming to those conclusions, so I'm very hopeful that Gunn's film at least inspires folks to rethink that take (and heaven forbid, actually read some Superman!); that amidst the never-ending parade of superhero films, that maybe Superman is the one we need right now. (As an aside, if I were to recommend one and only one Superman story for anyone and everyone to read, it would be Grant Morrison's "All-Star Superman." It's probably the best display of the qualities that make him a benevolent sun god from a far away land who just wants to make sure we're all okay while he's here on Earth--not unlike a certain religious figure that a lot of people say they're really into, but I dunno', seems like they haven't actually read the book about him.)
This sounds good. I liked Benjamin Whittes- matter of law. In this new world the maggots are creating cruelty as the point and it has to be reinforced. Everyone must be complicit and deviations like caring will be met with force. Richard G who writes here on Substack, yesterday described a conversation he had with a trump follower who thought that Tyranny was a person. We were mulling what a comic book character named 'Tyranny" would look like. It seems this Superman movie answers that question. Thank you Brian. With this hot weather a superhero movie in a cold theater could be a good idea. I am going to hoist both of my Peace Signs today. we need it
I'm taking my grandchildren to see the movie, since I was a die hard fan of all the Superman comics, including Lois Lane comics, Justice League of America, etc. In fact, my little girlfriends and I formed a Lois Lane club after the neighborhood boys refused to let us join their Superman club! (we destroyed their clubhouse when our clubs warred over which hero was better) The offshoot DC comics like Superman's Bizarro World and his dealings with MIster Mxyzptlk were imaginative and fun for this former 8-year-old. It's important to note that Superman was never alone in promoting "the American Way," Sinatra did too with the short film "The House I Live in" See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovwHkb1wEfU
I can't wait to see the film, particularly knowing MAGA hates it.
Most early (late 1930s-early 1940s) super heroes were explicitly or implicitly anti-fascists (when not fighting organized crime). Maybe more movies based on the original stories would also drive MAGA crazy. It's worth a try.
PS. I would cast Lex Luthor with someone who could look and behave exactly as Steven Miller does but exceeding in that role could effectively end one's career as no one would be able to shake off memory of that image.
True. But Anthony Hopkins was well established as "Anthony Hopkins" by then.
I was thinking more along the lines of poor George Reeves, who played the original TV Superman, was branded as "Superman," and could never afterward get a serious chance to play someone else and ended up committing suicide.
Similar, less tragic thing happened to the actor who played the Lone Ranger. No matter what role after, his voice gave him away as the Lone Ranger and wrecked the audience belief in the role he was playing. [Did not kill himself, however.]
Made me wonder what fables/stories they used to teach their kids morals. Then it dawned on me; the Bible, and likely only the Old Testament. Yikes! Even as a kid I rejected those stories; what kind of god would do that, was my most common reaction. No wonder we're where we're at.
Yeah, as a comic book guy, it's gratifying to see a modern film that reasserts these qualities that I've read in Superman stories for a while now. I think, along with a sizeable chunk of people who *do* read comics, it was en vogue for some time to think of Superman as uncool because he was too powerful and therefore uninteresting as a character, as if his was a story of wish fulfillment and having zero adversity in the face of so much power. Of course, most apparently didn't read Superman before coming to those conclusions, so I'm very hopeful that Gunn's film at least inspires folks to rethink that take (and heaven forbid, actually read some Superman!); that amidst the never-ending parade of superhero films, that maybe Superman is the one we need right now. (As an aside, if I were to recommend one and only one Superman story for anyone and everyone to read, it would be Grant Morrison's "All-Star Superman." It's probably the best display of the qualities that make him a benevolent sun god from a far away land who just wants to make sure we're all okay while he's here on Earth--not unlike a certain religious figure that a lot of people say they're really into, but I dunno', seems like they haven't actually read the book about him.)
This sounds good. I liked Benjamin Whittes- matter of law. In this new world the maggots are creating cruelty as the point and it has to be reinforced. Everyone must be complicit and deviations like caring will be met with force. Richard G who writes here on Substack, yesterday described a conversation he had with a trump follower who thought that Tyranny was a person. We were mulling what a comic book character named 'Tyranny" would look like. It seems this Superman movie answers that question. Thank you Brian. With this hot weather a superhero movie in a cold theater could be a good idea. I am going to hoist both of my Peace Signs today. we need it
If Jesse Watters didn't have cue cards - would he make it to the boys room on his own?
I'm taking my grandchildren to see the movie, since I was a die hard fan of all the Superman comics, including Lois Lane comics, Justice League of America, etc. In fact, my little girlfriends and I formed a Lois Lane club after the neighborhood boys refused to let us join their Superman club! (we destroyed their clubhouse when our clubs warred over which hero was better) The offshoot DC comics like Superman's Bizarro World and his dealings with MIster Mxyzptlk were imaginative and fun for this former 8-year-old. It's important to note that Superman was never alone in promoting "the American Way," Sinatra did too with the short film "The House I Live in" See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovwHkb1wEfU
I can't wait to see the film, particularly knowing MAGA hates it.
Most early (late 1930s-early 1940s) super heroes were explicitly or implicitly anti-fascists (when not fighting organized crime). Maybe more movies based on the original stories would also drive MAGA crazy. It's worth a try.
PS. I would cast Lex Luthor with someone who could look and behave exactly as Steven Miller does but exceeding in that role could effectively end one's career as no one would be able to shake off memory of that image.
Playing Hannibal Lecter didn’t hurt Anthony Hopkins’ career…
True. But Anthony Hopkins was well established as "Anthony Hopkins" by then.
I was thinking more along the lines of poor George Reeves, who played the original TV Superman, was branded as "Superman," and could never afterward get a serious chance to play someone else and ended up committing suicide.
Similar, less tragic thing happened to the actor who played the Lone Ranger. No matter what role after, his voice gave him away as the Lone Ranger and wrecked the audience belief in the role he was playing. [Did not kill himself, however.]