Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Monday, July 08, 2013
Thursday, July 04, 2013
Tuesday, July 02, 2013
Monday, July 01, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Man of Steel (2013)
My expectations were incredibly high for a lot of different reasons...
Trailer, director (Zack Snyder) and producer (Christopher Nolan), cast (Henry Canvill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne and Russell Crowe), "time & age" in which it was released with so many different special effects and other resources to be used and abused...
This and much more... but even with all of what was just mentioned (more than enough motivation for me to have gone and watch it), the main reason was obviously the lead character: Superman.
It's someone that I've grown almost alongside with, despite being created around the 30's.
I have followed the "Man of Steel" from a very early age, reading most of his comic books, watching all the cartoons and movies... doing research by reading "history books" or watching documentaries. It was impossible to escape the obvious influences...
To a certain extent, through my parents - who allowed me to consume as much as I could from the "man in the blue suit" - I was even partially educated through his moral and ethic values.
To a certain extent, through my parents - who allowed me to consume as much as I could from the "man in the blue suit" - I was even partially educated through his moral and ethic values.
With all of this, I've always considered myself to be sort of an expert on Kal-El (if there's such a thing), which led me to become dramatically critic of anything that is done around Superman.
So, with all this in mind, what's my take on this Man of Steel?
Disappointing is one of the (many) words that come up to mind.
I didn't hate it... far from it, but there are key components that either were missing or given the "screen time" it should have never seen.
I didn't hate it... far from it, but there are key components that either were missing or given the "screen time" it should have never seen.
From his young days to the death of his "Earth Father" (this is no spoiler... or at least it shouldn't be), the introduction and development (or lack of) of the "Fortress of Solitude", going through his relationship with Lois Lane, and ending with his integration in the Daily Planet (and much more) was poorly constructed, developed... and some of it was heavily distorted.
Despite all of this, there are plenty of good things... Most of the casting was good, liked the villain and visually it's magnificent. There is a lot of "eye candy" to go around, all of it done with finesse and creativity. This is as close as Superman has ever been portrayed... becoming tangible... believable - almost real to our eyes and in our minds.
Despite all of this, there are plenty of good things... Most of the casting was good, liked the villain and visually it's magnificent. There is a lot of "eye candy" to go around, all of it done with finesse and creativity. This is as close as Superman has ever been portrayed... becoming tangible... believable - almost real to our eyes and in our minds.
Nonetheless, the rest felt pretty empty.
Poor scripting... just shallow and superficial almost at every end. What I thought Christopher Nolan was brought in to avoid/make happen... didn't! For me, it's nothing more than a showcase of what money and technology can do.
People complained that Superman Returns (2006) - the previous Superman directed by Bryan Singer and portrayed by newcomer Brandon Routh - was missing action sequences.
So what have production companies have learned from it? That Superman needs to blow up things and have tremendous fighting scenes.
No doubt about it... they have delivered that. Too much in fact!
So if I had to sum up all of this in a couple of lines?
I would say this is not the movie to educate people on who Superman is, where he comes from and what he is all about. This is a modern day adaptation based on current comic book editions, that fail to deliver the real core of the greatest super-hero of all-time. If you are able to set aside from the story and just want your money's worth on entertainment... then Man of Steel is a good bet! Otherwise... it will just disappoint you - especially if you are a true die-hard Superman fan like myself.
You are better off still watching the Richard Donner movie Superman filmed in 1978 (trailer) starring the then unknown Christopher Reeve who portrayed Superman on-screen just as much as off it.
So if I had to sum up all of this in a couple of lines?
I would say this is not the movie to educate people on who Superman is, where he comes from and what he is all about. This is a modern day adaptation based on current comic book editions, that fail to deliver the real core of the greatest super-hero of all-time. If you are able to set aside from the story and just want your money's worth on entertainment... then Man of Steel is a good bet! Otherwise... it will just disappoint you - especially if you are a true die-hard Superman fan like myself.
You are better off still watching the Richard Donner movie Superman filmed in 1978 (trailer) starring the then unknown Christopher Reeve who portrayed Superman on-screen just as much as off it.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Friday, June 07, 2013
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Hungry Kids from Hungary - You're a Shadow (2013)
Great sophmore album by the kids from Australia: Hungry Kids From Hungary.
I would advise you to keep an eye on them...
Friday, May 31, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Don Jon (2013) - Trailer
Joseph Gordon-Levitt in his long-feature directorial debut in a movie which he also wrote and stars.
Looking forward to this one...
Monday, May 27, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
Monday, May 06, 2013
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
The Place Beyond The Pines (2013)
I haven't started to think about a potential list of great movies I've seen in 2013, but without having to delve deep into that subject, I know for a fact The Place Beyond The Pines will certainly feature in my top 10.
All elements known to public made this film appealing... From the director who brought us Blue Valentine in 2010 (a favourite of mine) alongside with a terrific cast lead by two A-Listers who seem to become more mature as times goes by.
Ryan Gosling (in his second collaboration with Cianfrance) and the recently Oscar nominated Bradley Cooper, take the lead in this soon to be cult classic, with an unusual narrative and surprising/fresh storyline. Hints of classic/traditional cinema are all over the place... scene transitions and dissolves, shifts of themes and even a certain acting style that gives a vintage feel to it. It's great film making and Cianfrance has made a huge statement with his sophomore movie, which by the way, he also wrote alongside with Ben Coccio and Darius Marder.
Other things worth mentioning are the cinematography, two surprising performances from young actors Dane DeHaan and Emory Cohen and a fantastic soundtrack as well. It is captivating, intense and mesmerizing, blending perfectly with what's happening on screen... Especially a track called Snow Angel - in my opinion the best in the entire album. Kudos to Mike Patton, Faith No More's front-man who composed most of the tracks!
I urge you to go and watch it at the cinema. Completely worth it!!
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Superman / Man of Steel
Saw this on a website (thanks Luis) and thought it was spot on!
Click on the first video and watch the second mute!
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