Great take! Saw it a couple hours ago -- and sort of feel Gunn really did send out a pretty good pro-immigration message that the Bulwark would appreciate:
American immigration is something truly unique because it molds a potentially better person: respectful of freedom, individuality, and (well and this is peak Weekly Standard -- using the might that comes from that for good). (How far have we come!)
Felt someone either of a certain age or old soul who liked Superman '78 and it's sequel would be sort of wish for a "cleaner" story (spoilers):
-the massive fault line going through miles of Metropolis that somehow is weirdly causes no casualties?
-the implications of a billionaire who can have a pocket universe (and jail!) but is hoping for some poor country's land for even more $$
-the weird "dimensional imp" that Superman sort of looks out his apartment knowing someone from the justice (league) will handle
Ok, yes it's a comic book movie, but it sort of felt like the best comic book movies stick to characters more than some level of unexplainable spectacle. Nolan and even the new Batman did that. Gunn did that on Guardians too -- relationships/characters mattered a bit more.
The usual people who never have much fun -- ultra-conservative trolls are upset (when are they not!) though and that being said his level of difficulty in pulling off art of this sort in a political environment we have is so very tough. He did it though. He pulled it off.
Yeah, I got into this in the spoiler-labeled part of my review, but the immigration message, such as it is, is pretty firmly in the "immigration WITH assimilation is great." Which is kind of a weirdly center-right message at this point.
"Find a critic or two you vibe with and take their advice if you’re on the fence about seeing a thing."
And:
"The point of criticism is less to help you decide what to watch than to help you think about what you just watched."
Excellent advice. On the first point, I've found that Berardinelli (Reelviews) almost always aligns with my own take. So far, Mr. Bunch seems pretty aligned, as well. (I've spent over a decade with Reelviews, thus the "so far".)
The 2nd point is fair, too, but requires care. I find if I load up on critical analysis *before* I see the film, I end up analyzing the movie instead of experiencing it.
Yeah, this is why Across the Movie Aisle always has some spoiler talk: we just assume that you've watched the movie before you listen because we want to have a conversation about it, you know?
This Nana is taking 4 teenagers to see it tomorrow night so we shall see. The good part is hanging with the grands. The other good part is I just finished the series Resident Alien and loved Alan Tudyk who is some kind of robot Superman in this movie.
It might be because I was so young when it came out, but I've never really got the hate for Lost World. It has some funky moments sure, but on the whole it's a good popcorn flick that felt like a pretty natural outgrowth from the original film
What would a woke dog be like? Think about that one.
I don't remember if it is only in comic form or if its also an animated movie or short . . . but there is a Superman series in which, instead of Jor-El's (that's his Krypton name, right?) pod hurtling into Kansas, it lands in the 1980s Soviet Union. Same basic premise--he grows up into a "super man" . . . but he's now at the disposal, more or less, of the Soviets.
Now that would be a "left wing" Superman! The series might have been called "Red Son."
(And, yes, the concept of "left wing" / "right wing" is kind of meaningless in totalitarian settings, I get that. However I do love that in both Russia & Europe, a "liberal" means not the AOC crowd but basically the original Bulwark types! My peeps)
I'm probably going to get dumped on, but I like Superman Returns, as it felt like an inline refresh of the original pair of movies. I also didn't mind the self-serious Sup's either. They're all silly, really. The only Superman movie that wouldn't would probably look more like Miracle Man (though, The Boys is a move in the right direction. For nerds, Miracle Man #15 is the issue I'm referring to, though the whole of Alan Moore's run is right on.). So, I'm all for a little bit silly. I look forward to see this one!
As for critics: I'm prone to read reviews and use them as a foil to frame my thinking, rather than determine my thinking: Meaning, I judge my temperature relative to what others say. That might sound weak kneed, but i don't see it that way. If I don't like a movie, there's no amount of critical love that will make me like it; but I might learn something about my feelings by listening to theirs. Same too the other way. Ultimately, I'm looking to learn more about my own own opinions, by reflecting on the opinions of others.
Eric Deggans was comme ci, comme ça about Superman as well. And I had to look up all the actors named in your review. The thing is, I need some gen-u-ine reality-suspending entertainment -- especially the kind that pisses off the Ben Shapiro's of the social mediaverse.
When I decide whether or not to make a new recipe, I look over the list of ingredients to see if there's anything unusual or something that I don't have on hand, and I decide if I think everything would work well together. I do the same with movies. Do I like most of the cast members; does the plot sound interesting (or funny or whatever); is the trailer any good? I'm on the autism spectrum so I don't like loud movies (i.e., action movies) in the theatre; I wait until they're on streaming so I can turn the volume down. I like to read what critics think, but I don't ever decide based on their opinion. Nor do I let friends or family decide for me. When in doubt, I wait for it to be on streaming because my decision to stop watching won't cost me anything extra (I don't buy or rent movies on streaming).
As a cinephile, I must tell you I stopped reading halfway through your piece. Your piece gets a one thumb up from me. And I will be seeing Superman. My critics LOVED it.
Great take! Saw it a couple hours ago -- and sort of feel Gunn really did send out a pretty good pro-immigration message that the Bulwark would appreciate:
American immigration is something truly unique because it molds a potentially better person: respectful of freedom, individuality, and (well and this is peak Weekly Standard -- using the might that comes from that for good). (How far have we come!)
Felt someone either of a certain age or old soul who liked Superman '78 and it's sequel would be sort of wish for a "cleaner" story (spoilers):
-the massive fault line going through miles of Metropolis that somehow is weirdly causes no casualties?
-the implications of a billionaire who can have a pocket universe (and jail!) but is hoping for some poor country's land for even more $$
-the weird "dimensional imp" that Superman sort of looks out his apartment knowing someone from the justice (league) will handle
Ok, yes it's a comic book movie, but it sort of felt like the best comic book movies stick to characters more than some level of unexplainable spectacle. Nolan and even the new Batman did that. Gunn did that on Guardians too -- relationships/characters mattered a bit more.
The usual people who never have much fun -- ultra-conservative trolls are upset (when are they not!) though and that being said his level of difficulty in pulling off art of this sort in a political environment we have is so very tough. He did it though. He pulled it off.
Yeah, I got into this in the spoiler-labeled part of my review, but the immigration message, such as it is, is pretty firmly in the "immigration WITH assimilation is great." Which is kind of a weirdly center-right message at this point.
"Find a critic or two you vibe with and take their advice if you’re on the fence about seeing a thing."
And:
"The point of criticism is less to help you decide what to watch than to help you think about what you just watched."
Excellent advice. On the first point, I've found that Berardinelli (Reelviews) almost always aligns with my own take. So far, Mr. Bunch seems pretty aligned, as well. (I've spent over a decade with Reelviews, thus the "so far".)
The 2nd point is fair, too, but requires care. I find if I load up on critical analysis *before* I see the film, I end up analyzing the movie instead of experiencing it.
Yeah, this is why Across the Movie Aisle always has some spoiler talk: we just assume that you've watched the movie before you listen because we want to have a conversation about it, you know?
This Nana is taking 4 teenagers to see it tomorrow night so we shall see. The good part is hanging with the grands. The other good part is I just finished the series Resident Alien and loved Alan Tudyk who is some kind of robot Superman in this movie.
Sorry, Sounds like one too many iterations for me. Looks like a money grab using a historical favorite. I even got bored reading the review.
It might be because I was so young when it came out, but I've never really got the hate for Lost World. It has some funky moments sure, but on the whole it's a good popcorn flick that felt like a pretty natural outgrowth from the original film
There's a Superdog in the movie?
Not sure what to make of that.
What would a woke dog be like? Think about that one.
I don't remember if it is only in comic form or if its also an animated movie or short . . . but there is a Superman series in which, instead of Jor-El's (that's his Krypton name, right?) pod hurtling into Kansas, it lands in the 1980s Soviet Union. Same basic premise--he grows up into a "super man" . . . but he's now at the disposal, more or less, of the Soviets.
Now that would be a "left wing" Superman! The series might have been called "Red Son."
(And, yes, the concept of "left wing" / "right wing" is kind of meaningless in totalitarian settings, I get that. However I do love that in both Russia & Europe, a "liberal" means not the AOC crowd but basically the original Bulwark types! My peeps)
I'm probably going to get dumped on, but I like Superman Returns, as it felt like an inline refresh of the original pair of movies. I also didn't mind the self-serious Sup's either. They're all silly, really. The only Superman movie that wouldn't would probably look more like Miracle Man (though, The Boys is a move in the right direction. For nerds, Miracle Man #15 is the issue I'm referring to, though the whole of Alan Moore's run is right on.). So, I'm all for a little bit silly. I look forward to see this one!
As for critics: I'm prone to read reviews and use them as a foil to frame my thinking, rather than determine my thinking: Meaning, I judge my temperature relative to what others say. That might sound weak kneed, but i don't see it that way. If I don't like a movie, there's no amount of critical love that will make me like it; but I might learn something about my feelings by listening to theirs. Same too the other way. Ultimately, I'm looking to learn more about my own own opinions, by reflecting on the opinions of others.
Eric Deggans was comme ci, comme ça about Superman as well. And I had to look up all the actors named in your review. The thing is, I need some gen-u-ine reality-suspending entertainment -- especially the kind that pisses off the Ben Shapiro's of the social mediaverse.
When I decide whether or not to make a new recipe, I look over the list of ingredients to see if there's anything unusual or something that I don't have on hand, and I decide if I think everything would work well together. I do the same with movies. Do I like most of the cast members; does the plot sound interesting (or funny or whatever); is the trailer any good? I'm on the autism spectrum so I don't like loud movies (i.e., action movies) in the theatre; I wait until they're on streaming so I can turn the volume down. I like to read what critics think, but I don't ever decide based on their opinion. Nor do I let friends or family decide for me. When in doubt, I wait for it to be on streaming because my decision to stop watching won't cost me anything extra (I don't buy or rent movies on streaming).
Often if you watch the trailer you've seen pretty much the whole movie.
Why would I need anyone to advise me? C’mon….
As a cinephile, I must tell you I stopped reading halfway through your piece. Your piece gets a one thumb up from me. And I will be seeing Superman. My critics LOVED it.
That many?