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| Comic Book Heroes in Cinema & TV; What's your favorite? | |
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| Topic Started: Jun 29 2006, 02:29 PM (4,406 Views) | |
| Ro-Dan | Jun 29 2006, 02:29 PM Post #1 |
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This is a review I posted at It Came From Planet X for Superman Returns: I remember being a little kid going to see Superman II and getting chills everytime I'd hear the "Krypton Theme" play. Then the doomed planet would explode and those magical credits would start to swoosh by as the famous Superman theme starts to build...bumdabum...bumdabumdabum...then that huge "S" shield would flash as the greatest superhero theme of all would blast out in unforgiving bombast. Then something amazing happened all those decades later. On the night of June 28th, 2006 the clock turned back and I was that giddy child all over again. I believed a man could fly...all over again! Never did I think anyone could compare to the great Christopher Reeve, but Brandon Routh--much like the Man of Steel, himself--has done the impossible: He made me believe! After years of sitting through would-be Supermen such as Dean Cain and Tom Welling I've once again found my Man of Tomorrow. Thank you, Mr Routh. Thank you for making me feel like a child again and reminding me why I love Superman so much. On to the movie... How amazing was this? Kevin Spacey was fantastic as Lex Luthor. He had some great lines and he really had me hating him when he had the upper hand on Superman. Kate Bosworth, despite much trepidation, really turned out to be a great Lois Lane. She was still a head-strong go-getter but without the anger and rudeness of Teri Hatcher. She didn't seem too young to me at all. And it was an absolute thrill to see and hear Marlon Brando in a new film! Once again, I believed. There were some very dramatic scenes and Superman showcased his entire array of powers in this film: flight, strength, invulnerability, heat vision, and arctic breath. The shuttle sequence was amazing as was the gatling gun scene. But most of all, above all the visual effects this movie had heart. You cared for Superman, Lois, & Jason. Toward the end the pacing started to feel a little off and it did seem a little anti-climactic but that's just one gripe in an overwhelmingly classy and quality product. Bryan Singer's love for the original Superman: The Movie really shows in all the little nods and homages to that film. I loved how a lot of the lines from the original were echoed in Superman Returns. Thank goodness Singer decided to continue was was done before and build on it as opposed to reinventing the wheel again. But not only was that film honored so too was The Adventures of Superman tv show starring George Reeves. Noel Neill (Lois Lane) and Jack Larsen (Jimmy Olson) both had cameos. Another classy move by Singer. This movie was more than a simple summer action-adventure film: It was a love story. It was poetry, an ode. The Supermania doesn't end with this film. Coming next...the Richard Donner cut of Superman II! So, did you guys/gals see it? If so, what did you think? |
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| packmule | Jun 29 2006, 06:50 PM Post #2 |
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I usually wait, Dan, until a few weeks after a blockbuster movie like this has hit theaters, to go see it. I just cannot stand to watch a movie in a packed theater-a crowded theater I can deal with, but one that is packed. I will go to see it eventually, probably in about two weeks. Mr Green question: assuming this film is a hit, financially that is, are there plans in the works for a sequel? I have always wanted to see Supes Vs Darkseid or Supes Vs Doomsday on the big screen. Another villain that I think could work in a Superman movie: Brainiac. thumbs up |
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| Ro-Dan | Jun 29 2006, 09:35 PM Post #3 |
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I'd love to see Braniac FINALLY get his due. He should've made the jump to live-action a long time ago. If they don't use him for the next film it'll be a travesty. |
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| packmule | Jun 30 2006, 08:24 PM Post #4 |
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Correct me if I'm wrong Dan but wasn't Brainiac in charge of the villains in Challenge Of The Superfriends? I remember there were some really cool villians from this show: Black Manta, Sinestro, The Scarecrow, Solomon Grundy(a Packmule favorite), Giganta, The Cheetah, and Brainiac IMO Supe's greatest archenemies remain Lex Luthor, Brainiac, and Darkseid --Honorable mention: Doomsday and Bizarro thumbs up |
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| Ro-Dan | Jul 1 2006, 11:08 AM Post #5 |
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Luthor was the leader of the Legion of Doom in the Challenge of the Superfriends show. I do agree with you about who the best Superman villains are. I also like Mxyzptlk, Cyborg-Superman, Mongul, and the new version of Toyman, but no one can touch Luthor, Braniac, Darkseid, Bizarro...and General Zod! I'm just hoping that Bryan Singer knows enough about the comics to use Braniac or Bizarro for the next film instead of simply re-hashing Lex Luthor. I know Spacey is signed for a three-picture deal and that's cool. However, they do need to give Superman someone to punch for film two! |
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| packmule | Jul 24 2006, 06:35 PM Post #6 |
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Indeed, Luthor should not be the primary villain for the Supes sequel. That said I can understand why Kevin Spacey would sign a three pic deal here-probably more $ in it for him than doing a K-Pax sequel or Midnight In The Garden Of Evil 2 
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| Ro-Dan | Jul 25 2006, 10:48 AM Post #7 |
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It appears Bryan Singer, despite the fact that 1 full hour of footage was edited out, will not be releasing an extended edition of Superman Returns on DVD. This is a damn shame. He has also explicitly stated that we will not be seeing the extended "return to Krypton" sequence during the San Diego ComicCon. A petition has been started to get this extended cut released. Please, click this LINK and sign the petition. If Hollywood is willing to do EE cuts of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong then I feel Superman Returns is worthy of it too. |
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| packmule | Jul 25 2006, 06:39 PM Post #8 |
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I have signed the petition Dan. I agree with you that, given extended editions for already very long films like the LOTR movies and King Kong, the least they could do is afford Supes the same treatment. Any specific reason given for the announcement that there would not be an extended edition DVD of the latest Superman film? |
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| Ro-Dan | Jul 25 2006, 08:18 PM Post #9 |
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I don't know really. Maybe they don't want to affect theatrical ticket sales? Thanks for signing, Lee. Bryan Singer spent 10 million dollars on that Krypton sequence that was cut from the film. He's crazy if he doesn't release it. |
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| packmule | Jul 25 2006, 09:10 PM Post #10 |
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Good God, that's some kind of expensive film on the cutting room floor. I'm surprised the studio hasn't asked him to use it...and what better way than in an EE? thumbs up |
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| packmule | Apr 15 2007, 01:05 AM Post #11 |
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The only thing in life that has ever come close to rivalling my love for Godzilla and Ultraman is comic book heroes. I use to collect comics as a kid, and then later when I was in my early thirties. I have given most of them away(to an old acquaintance who is an avid collector). Though I like both DC and Marvel Comics I have alwys had more favorites in the Marvel universe of heroes. My favorites, over the years, include the Fantastic Four, in particular Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, Wolverine, Spiderman, and my absolute personal favorite, Iron Man. As recent as thirty three years ago these heroes(and heroines) were confined, mostly, to books and magazines. That all changed with Wonder Woman, played by gorgeous Lynda Carter, the series running for three seasons from 1976-1979. In 1978 another comic book character was introduced to TV viewers: The Incredible Hulk, his human alter ego played by Bill Bixby, the green berserker leviathan played by huge bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno. Both of these television series were surprisingly successful. In 1978 Superman was released theatrically, starring the late Christopher Reeve in the title role, followed by three more films featuring the Man Of Steel, and of course last year's great Superman Returns. Other comic book characters that have made it to the big screen include: Blade, Daredevil, Spiderman, The Fantastic Four, Barbwire, Ghost Rider, X-Men, Constantine, and The Hulk. This year's highly anticipated Spiderman 3(on 5/4), followed by Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer in July, are sure to be hits at the box office. Talk about your favorite comic book heroes here-in print, on television, on the big screen, or any of the above. All replies welcome. Thread starter: next year Iron Man, directed by Jon Favreau, hits the big screen. The casting for this film is, so far, impressive. Robert Downey, Jr. plays billionaire Anthony Stark, who ultimately builds a series of powerful suits of armor. Terrence Howard plays Jim Rhodes, Stark's war buddy and confidant, and Jeff Bridges plays Obadiah Stane, one of Stark's principal business rivals. Gwyneth Paltrow has also signed on to star in this 2008 film. Click the link to see an image of what Stark's protype Mark I armor looks like: Mark I armor The first two "Spiderman" films have grossed, worldwide, over 1.6 billion dollars, and from market research there's every indication that the 3rd installment will also generate tremendous receipts at box offices worldwide. Tobey Maguire, who plays Peter Parker/Spiderman in these films, is undecided about starring in a fourth Spiderman movie. Click the link to see his early comments about this: Tobey Maguire hanging up his webshooters? I'll tell you this: if it was me in this role, and I had to choose between starring in flicks like The Cider House Rules or in movies where I got to jack up the likes of The Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, The Sandman, not to mention duking it out with Venom, I'd play Spidey in a heartbeat, for as long as they'd have me.
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| Ro-Dan | Apr 15 2007, 09:23 AM Post #12 |
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I could see Maguire playing Spider-Man again if the script is right and if Sam Raimi stays on board to direct. Anyway, the Iron Man "Mark 1" armor looks fantastic. That film is shaping up to be a very promising, and faithful, adaptation of the comic book. Speaking of Iron Man, Lee, have you seen the animated film The Invincible Iron Man on DVD yet? My friend Kevin let me borrow his copy. Not a bad film actually. The CG animated effects for Iron Man were pretty cool. You being an IM fan may want to check it out. It's rated PG-13 so it's geared for more grown up viewers. I love superheroes a lot. I have since I was a child. My absolute favorite is SUPERMAN. I've been a fan ever since I first saw the great Christopher Reeve play the Man of Steel in the Superman films. My love of the character spilled over into cartoons like Challenge of the Superfriends and later on into the comic books of the 80's and 90's. The Superman animated series was pretty good and I'm looking forward to the SUPERMAN/DOOMSDAY DVD to be released later this year. I also enjoyed Superman Returns. I didn't think anyone else could portray the Man of Steel in live action (Dean Cain was pathetic) but newcomer Brandon Routh proved me wrong. He made me believe a man could fly all over again. I can't wait for the sequel, which promises to be much more action-packed than its predecessor. BATMAN is another favorite of mine. I enjoyed the Adam West TV series as a kid but it wasn't until Tim Burton's Batman (1989) when I became a fan. When that movie was released I was obsessed. I wore a different Batman t-shirt to school every day in the months leading up to its June 23rd release and I started to heavily collect the comic books. Batman Begins, starring Christian Bale (THE best Batman of all, in my view) was a spectacular film. I've no doubt its sequel, The Dark Knight, will be just as incredible. SPIDER-MAN is another awesome hero. I have a ton of Amazing Spider-Man back issues. The 1967 cartoon series was cool in a 60's "hip" way and it served as my introduction to the character. However, nothing can compare to Sam Raimi's awesome Spider-Man films starring a perfectly-cast Tobey Maguire as the titular character. Spider-Man 3 (featuring Venom!) promises to be the best of the trilogy. I'm getting a little long-winded here for one post but I'll be back on later to discuss my other favorites: The Flash, Green Lantern, and more! |
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| packmule | Apr 15 2007, 09:41 AM Post #13 |
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I could see Tobey Maguire playing Spiderman again as soon as they offer him mega bucks to do it. It's all good. We like that around here. Besides, I'm pretty much long winded around here regarding almost everything. I'm personally looking forward to Punisher 2-it doesn't appear that production has started on this one yet but I thought Tom Jane did a good job portraying Frank Castle. Have you seen The Punisher Dan? eyebrow |
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| Ro-Dan | Apr 18 2007, 03:15 PM Post #14 |
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I've seen The Punisher but wasn't too impressed. I liked Thomas Jane but not much else. I felt the film was too jokey with Rebecca Romijn and her apartment buddies. How about the news of Edward Norton playing Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk? I couldn't be more thrilled. He's, in my opinion, one of the finest modern actors alive and perfect for the part of Dr Banner. |
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| packmule | Apr 18 2007, 06:27 PM Post #15 |
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Like you I believe Edward Norton is a great choice to play Banner. I was sold on Edward Norton, as an actor, after watching him in the film American History X, and I also liked his performance as the King of Jerusalem in the film Kingdom Of Heaven, a part that required him to wear an eerie-looking mask. Despite his wearing of the mask his performance of the King, who had leprosy(hence the need for the mask, to cover his disfigured face), was very good. I look forward to seeing The Incredible Hulk. nod |
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