Superman Returns Is Looming.

mattblack · Mar 28, 2006

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/27/film.supermanreturns.ap/index.html I hope they dedicate it to Christopher Reeve! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> One Percent of Federal Funding For Space: America CAN Afford it!! LEO is a Prison -- It's time for a JAILBREAK!! </div>

darth_elmo · Mar 29, 2006

I hope they do his legacy justice.

hracctsold · Mar 30, 2006

As I was reading your post, the thought came to me about the demise of both Chris R. and the original series Superman. But then I remembered that the first T.V. Superman's death more involved than just a tragic accident. I have got to watch hitting that reply button more closely especially when I am tired after school work.

darth_elmo · Mar 30, 2006

I've never really looked into in, but the legend is that George Reeves was a suicide. What his reasons were, I can't speculate.

drwayne · Apr 1, 2006

"but the legend is that George Reeves was a suicide" It may in fact be just a legend. There is apparently a non-negligble group of people that feel it was not a suicide. For a long time, the "legendary" explanation was the he was typecast, and couldn't get roles after Superman. I have seen material that suggests that he had just gotten a new part that he was excited about, and that is one reason for finding the suicide explanation - somewhat dubious. Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "1) Give no quarter; 2) Take no prisoners; 3) Sink everything." Admiral Jackie Fisher </div>

thepiper · Apr 2, 2006

I've read that as well. Here's something I found: The evidence (or lack of evidence) against suicide: - No fingerprints were found on the gun. - There were no powder burns on the head wound, which would imply the gun was held several inches from the head at the time it was fired, pretty unusual for a suicide. - His hands were NOT tested for gunpowder residue, so that's no help one way or the other. - The spent shell was found under his body. - The gun was found between his feet. - The police were not called for at least half an hour after the death (although probably so the houseguests could sober up and get their stories straight). - The supposed "slump" was over. His friends agreed he was happier than had been in years, looking forward to his marriage and to another season of the popular TV show. Money wasn't a problem either; he got residuals from the reruns. The (source) of the above is Jim Nolt, described elsewhere as "probably the world's expert on George Reeves". Nolt appeared on the 1995 TV show "Unsolved Mysteries" with Jack Larson dealing with the question of Reeves' death.

serak_the_preparer · Jun 29, 2006

I found the following review just a short time ago. But I haven't yet seen the movie. Any opinions on either the movie or the review below? Familiar "Man of Steel"by Michael Booth (Denver Post) 06/27/2006 . . . We can always find room for Superman. Each generation rediscovers him, like a perfect older brother arriving home from a laudable mission overseas. "Superman Returns" just reminds us that when you get back home again, the bedroom looks smaller, the trophies a little more tarnished. The trick is finding a new story to tell... (see link for entire article)

ordinary_guy · Jul 1, 2006

Okay, found a link in Phil Plait's blog where he reviews the new Superman movie. Phil also references an article written by Larry Niven about some of the more esoteric problems the Man of Steel faces here on earth... <blockquote>In reply to:<hr />Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex By Larry Niven Things of the form (*text*) are footnotes in the original text. He's faster than a speeding bullet. He's more powerful than a locomotive. He's able to leap tall buildings at a single bound. Why can't he get a girl? At the ripe old age of thirty-one (*Superman first appeared in Action Comics, June 1938*), Kal-El (alias Superman, alias Clark Kent) is still unmarried. Almost certainly he is still a virgin. This is a serious matter. The species itself is in danger! An unwed Superman is a mobile Superman. Thus it has been alleged that those who chronicle the Man of Steel's adventures are responsible for his condition. But the cartoonists are not to blame. Nor is Superman handicapped by psychological problems. Granted that the poor oaf is not entirely sane. How could he be? He is an orphan, a refugee, and an alien. His homeland no longer exists in any form, save for gigatons upon gigatons of dangerous, prettily colored rocks. As a child and young adult, Kal-El must have been hard put to find an adequate father-figure. What human could control his antisocial behavior? What human would dare try to punish him? His actual, highly social behavior during this period indicates an inhuman self-restraint. What wonder if Superman drifted gradually into schizophrenia? Torn between his human and kryptonian identities, he chose to be both, keeping his split personalities rigidly separate. A psych</blockquote> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Mere precedent is a dangerous source of authority. -Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) </div>

serak_the_preparer · Jul 2, 2006

Thanks, Ordinary. Read the intro, but chose to heed the 'Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's SPOILERS AHEAD!' warning. Will give it a look after I see the movie (whenever that will be - next week maybe?). I did, however, risk running into spoiler territory by skimming down through the response section below the intro and enjoyed comment 31239 by M. Whose spirit I find very much in keeping with the geek-tech fun of Niven's piece. And thanks for that, for bringing Niven's contribution to Superman lore to the discussion about the movie. On that subject, by the way, great minds think alike...

mattblack · Jul 2, 2006

I saw the film today and liked it very much. It paid homage to the Reeve films but moved the story forward. I thought Brandon Routh was a worthy choice but the script never allowed him to truly show his acting abilities, which I assume are there, beyond his undeniable screen presence. I also liked Kate Bosworth as Lois, despite going into the film afraid that I wouldn't like her. I did and I was glad to see that she and Routh had good onscreen chemistry. Well done, Bryan Singer and team. I hope this director and cast get a chance to do another film by 2008(?) Brainiac, anyone..? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> One Percent of Federal Funding For Space: America CAN Afford it!! LEO is a Prison -- It's time for a JAILBREAK!! </div>

ordinary_guy · Jul 2, 2006

Serak! I didn't get down to the comments on the review but "M" had some world class retconning... And "Great Minds"? Masterful! Great bit, isn't it? I should wade back into "Free Space" from time to time... I'm probably missing a lot of good stuff. Semi-related note: my wife and I often find each other on the same wavelength. When we synch up, we've got a snarky little comment that one of us will start and the other will always finish: "Great minds..." "...Think nothing like ours." <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Mere precedent is a dangerous source of authority. -Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) </div>

vogelbek · Jul 2, 2006

when I went into the theater, I was all excited to see Kevin Spacey as Lex; he was pretty good, I liked how he was both evil and a coward, but I would have made him a little more sinister and less comical. Suspension of disbelief was absolutely required for the film. I was sitting with 2 aerospace engineers in the theater when the scene with the Genisis "space shuttle" and the 777 happened, and we started looking at each other uncomfortably as the scene played out... But halfway through it, I accepted the Comic Book Aerodynamics of the situation and started enjoying the special effects.

kdavis007 · Jul 2, 2006

I saw the movie and I loved it.

serak_the_preparer · Jul 3, 2006

I should wade back into "Free Space" from time to time... Yes, Free Space is best in small, brief doses. Recently took 2 months off from the place myself. On returning, I seemed to find less hate there than usual. But I still find small doses to be best. I'm probably missing a lot of good stuff. You're not missing much. A3K's One Human Family: Nations of Earth thread (currently the 26th thread on Free Space) is probably the first thing of value you'll run into on that forum. With the exception of Rhodan's FIFA World Cup '06 - Germany (part III) item (thread #15 at the moment) if football's your thing. But, after that, you're basically on your own. There are diamonds in the rough scattered here and there - such as Rogers_Buck's homage to sarcasm (which is probably best appreciated when read after Archiebald's rant, to which he is responding), and SpaceKiwi's fond recollection of Fred Trueman. Other than that, you have to run all the way out to what is presently thread #100 (Limbaugh's Viagra bust) before coming across anything entertaining or worthwhile. Everyone's tastes are different, of course, but there's an unacceptably high chaff-to-wheat ratio on that forum. IMHO. Masterful! Great bit, isn't it? Niven's in absolutely top f

CalliArcale · Jul 5, 2006

I saw it yesterday. I actually enjoyed it, although I really had to bite my tongue hard during the bit with the Shuttle Genesis (which felt like a gun being loaded in Act Two, but then forgotten about for the rest of the movie). For those who haven't seen it, I won't blow the whole thing, but I almost groaned, "Not Moonraker again....." <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /> There are definite script problems, but the smart move of hiring Bryan Singer (sadly harming X3) seems to have salvaged it. He manipulates the audience very deftly, so that we accept the more ludicrous elements of the story and don't focus overmuch on its problems (such as the Clark Kent thing becoming even more improbable in light of his unexplained absence for exactly the same period as Superman's unexplained absence). Kevin Spacey is terrific as Lex Luthor, and obviously having the time of his life. James Marsden is much better here than he was in the X-Men movies, where he played Cyclops. And I'm very pleased they kept John William's excellent theme song. Overall, not a patch on the 1978 film, but still an enjoyable summer flick and a good outing for Superman. I mean, bits of it are unbelievable, but this is *Superman*. It's supposed to be like that. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff." -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink" </div>

serak_the_preparer · Dec 15, 2006

How was the movie treating this suspicious 'suicide'? Did anyone here catch Hollywoodland? I don't rent movies anymore; if interested, I just go ahead and buy the DVD. Rottentomatoes gives this movie a mildly positive 69% 'fresh' rating. Am thinking of checking it out.

jmilsom · May 13, 2007

***Warning Spoilers*** I assume most people have seen this now.... I finally saw Superman Returns. After all the hype and profound statements by the odd film critic, I was expecting a lot. I see people here liked it. I found it a great disappointment. Yeah, you've got all the usual out there special effects. Wow. Look at the bullet bounce of his eye. But the story was just dumb. Is this story from the comics? Superman, bangs up Lois, goes on an interstellar jaunt. Leaves his house unguarded so anyone can waltz in and take his power crystals. Lots of morose boring touchy feely stuff. Mad lex creates a continent, superman throws it out into space. Oh the responsibility! But incredibly Kryptonians can impregnate humans - wowee 'superboy' that'll get his mind off his burden. I mean, I usually like movies in this vein - but I was amazingly disappointed. Did anyone else find this movie a let down? Or is it just me? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

kauboi · May 13, 2007

I found it somehow entertaining but it didn't do much for me appart from that. I was expecting more.

docm · May 13, 2007

Next - Superman: The Man of Steel (2009) Word in the industry is this time MUCH more action and that Luthor is back, but Brainiac is the lead villain. Might have a storyline similar to the animated series episode where Brainiac forms a devils alliance with Luthor only to betray him. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

mattblack · May 14, 2007

I only had a couple of issues with it. I thought Kate Bosworth as Lois was beautiful, yes, but bland. While Superman/Kent, Olsen, Luthor, Perry White, Martha Kent etc were much as we remember them, Lois was just a 'dream girl' figure with nothing about her character or performance to remind us of all the previous Lois incarnations. Bosworth has nothing on Phyllis Coates, Noel Neill, Margot Kidder, Teri Hatcher, Erica Durrance or any of the other actresses to play her. Also, although I understand having Luthor in this film's story, I am SO OVER that character!! Except for Smallville's Lex, played by Mike Rosenbaum -- he's pretty cool. If they make a trilogy from Brandon Routh's incarnation, I'd rather they left Luthor out of the second film but had him in the third, then killing him off. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> One Percent of Federal Funding For Space: America CAN Afford it!! LEO is a Prison -- It's time for a JAILBREAK!! </div>

Superman Returns Is Looming.

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