Screening Log

This new site feature is a collective effort to summarize our viewing habits. Occasionally, you will find titles here that are coming to a theater near you, in addition to films viewed on television, and even films viewed in piecemeal. The screening log is archived each month; to view past entries select a month in the menu below.


July 2006 activity

Total Log Entries: 71

Total Comments: 23


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Superman Returns / USA / 2006

Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns picks up where the Christopher Reeves films left off, with Superman returning to Earth after five years on Krypton, now in ruins. Upon his arrival, he finds that the world he knew has changed dramatically.

While the film strives for individuality in a field of generic superhero flicks by making the characters more layered, something Singer and his crew of screenwriters are famous for, Superman Returns also contains some very nagging problems. Kate Bosworth’s Lois Lane, who is now a married mother, has just won a Pulitzer; yet she looks twenty-something rather than the 30 or 35 she should be. Lex Luther’s plan for world domination seems creatively evil…until we actually see the scheme unfold. And the new Jimmy Olsen isn’t given much screen time, a drastic departure from the original series.

Singer, though, should be commended for staying loyal to the original Superman films, including a short speech about the safety of air travel and some humorous observations on Clark Kent’s glasses, as well as a small jab at Batman. Rather than hiring a new actor to portray Jor-El, Singer uses old audio of Marlon Brando. And Brandon Routh’s acting fits both the suave confidence exuded by Superman and the awkward inelegance of Clark Kent. Additionally, the theme by John Williams, incredible special effects, and opening credits add an air of nostalgia to a film that accommodates all audiences. If only they’d cut the last half hour…

P.S.: Die-hard Superman fans should look for Jack Larson, who played Jimmy Olsen in Adventures of Superman with George Reeves, as Bo the bowtied bartender.

by Adam Balz | Source: 35MM Print
01 Jul 2006 9:09 PM | Submit Comment


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