tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post2335029433653608840..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: My favorite comic book movieBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55669756358436685222012-06-08T11:36:32.792-07:002012-06-08T11:36:32.792-07:00As far as I'm concerned, the top 5 comic book ...As far as I'm concerned, the top 5 comic book movies are, in no particular order:<br /><br />X2, Spider-Man 2 (thanks in large part to Alfred Molina's sympathetic performance - what can I say, I like nuanced villains), Unbreakable, The Dark Knight, and Batman Begins. <br /><br />The Avengers could probably be in my top 10, but it was mostly hurt, to me, by the boring faceless hordes of aliens and a fight that went on too long (since, apparently, every single member of the team had to have his or her own shot at killing some aliens and beating up Loki). Everything leading up to the finale was great. For those who enjoyed it enough, but weren't crazy about it, I'd strongly suggest watching it a second time. It feels far more cohesive the second time around.Ricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15618525466915387992012-06-04T21:25:46.489-07:002012-06-04T21:25:46.489-07:00I agree Ken, the 'twist' at the end of sup...I agree Ken, the 'twist' at the end of superman was very satisfying and I doubt many saw it coming. It did set the bar for a smart superhero movie although it did have many flaws.<br />I can't recall any other superhero movie that has had such an ingenious twisty ending like S2, except maybe M. Nights' 'Unbreakable'.Jangonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53368103330678360722012-06-03T15:07:34.836-07:002012-06-03T15:07:34.836-07:00I recently rewatched the Superman movies in conjun...I recently rewatched the Superman movies in conjunction with reading a prepublication copy of Larry Tye's book SUPERMAN, which should be out in a couple of weeks (a decent history of Superman in all his manifestations, though it isn't as insightful as, say, Grant Morrison's sections on Superman in SUPERGODS from a year ago).<br /><br />I was shocked at how awful they were. In my memory they had remained great films. Well, the first two anyway. The only way you could rank them as good movies is by factoring in the lack of changes in the movie industry in the past ten years. About the only thing that still impresses me is the soundtrack, which I still think one of the all time greats. But I wouldn't be tempted to put either film in the Top 25 best superhero movies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67064649126167419592012-06-02T15:31:48.669-07:002012-06-02T15:31:48.669-07:00^ Mutt wins.^ Mutt wins.John Trumbullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14491855677872686708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-32159362329898725022012-06-01T22:27:46.676-07:002012-06-01T22:27:46.676-07:00I loved the series finale of MASH, when Hawkeye gr...I loved the series finale of MASH, when Hawkeye grabbed that rifle and shot those three Commies in the head, then he injected Hot Lips with that drug that would make her forget that they had sex.<br /><br />That was so Hawkeye. That was the character I'd loved for years. What a perfect way to end his story.The Mutthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09149977320388415139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-32169293561084858732012-06-01T20:06:20.621-07:002012-06-01T20:06:20.621-07:00The Phantom Zone criminals died because they didn&...The Phantom Zone criminals died because they didn't have any powers and fell into a long crevasse at the North Pole while wearing silk jumpsuits. No one tries to rescue them (cut scenes are a cheat, let's deal with the film as released) and we don't see them/hear about them in the two sequels. <br /><br />I'll still defend the trucker reprisal to my old friend John Trumbull. If Superman is for the American Way, there's little more American than enjoying a jackass getting his just desserts.Matt Tauberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00336379337777188738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76366120584092667622012-06-01T13:35:50.111-07:002012-06-01T13:35:50.111-07:00Hi there. Quibble with Quibble #1: As a New Yorker...Hi there. Quibble with Quibble #1: As a New Yorker, I can say that yes while many people will run and never look back. There are a lot of New Yorkers who will stand and watch (mostly dumbfounded) when all heck breaks loose from the sky and the world is coming to an end. If you doubt me, check news the news footage from a few years back. Notice that in the Avengers, as in real life, most huddled in restaurants and lobbies. Regards, DaveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71454766075944451302012-06-01T13:02:23.468-07:002012-06-01T13:02:23.468-07:00Lex, I was merely responding to your "him AND...Lex, I was merely responding to your "him AND Lois actually walk FROM the Fortress down to the bar the first time." That just is not what is shown in the film. It's not clear HOW it happened, certainly, but by the time we see Clark and Lois getting to the diner, they're driving a car and wearing clothes that we never saw them wear at the Fortress or at the honeymoon hotel. <br /><br />I mean, i can make up a scenario, certainly. As shown, Superman gives up his powers immediately after his Holo-Mom tells him to. So presumably he had some idea of what was coming and flew off and borrowed a snowmobile. He and Lois skidooed to the nearest civilized outpost, bought a car and some clothes, and kept going to the diner.<br /><br />It's not spelled out in the film how they get the car, and it stretches credibility more than a little. But not as badly as an amnesia kiss. ; )Tony Towernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58620704010372584652012-06-01T12:00:11.053-07:002012-06-01T12:00:11.053-07:00Tony Tower said: "Clark and Lois are shown dr...Tony Tower said: "Clark and Lois are shown driving to the diner. It's unclear where the car came from and whether they drove the whole way, but they didn't walk."<br /><br />Are you saying that it's more plausible if maybe they walked to the nearest road, hitchhiked and got picked up by some North Pole resident that just happened to drive by The Fortress Of Solitude?Lex Luthornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70913668554986353992012-06-01T10:16:52.738-07:002012-06-01T10:16:52.738-07:00Hi,
(Born in Argentina, grow up in Italy, I hope m...Hi,<br />(Born in Argentina, grow up in Italy, I hope my English is good enough for the point I want to make).<br />I loved the Avengers, I liked Superman 2 better than 1 (mostly because no hero is better than his villain and Luthor in 1, even if he was great played by Gene Hackman, had a ridiculous plan).<br />But Zod in Superman II was trying to win the fight with the power he got because he was kryptonian. So we had a great moment when Superman beats him by being smarter. His perfect contrary.<br />Instead Loki does no use his power. He uses his intelligence, his planning. He is expecting his adversary to play his same game. So Hulk beats him by using the only thing that he does not expect. His strength. Again, his perfect contrary.<br />So I don’t think Superman 2 is better, it’s the same concept, used in a different way…Danielnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48870976919003009662012-06-01T10:13:24.012-07:002012-06-01T10:13:24.012-07:00Love your review of Avengers, but I have to disagr...Love your review of Avengers, but I have to disagree about Manhattanites being looky-loos. I was there on 9/11. There were a lot of people just standing around going, "Hey, I think that's a giant flaming hole in the World Trade Center. Neat."joeyanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01869087611364238956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-8610130749701816482012-06-01T10:11:10.843-07:002012-06-01T10:11:10.843-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.joeyanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01869087611364238956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-21379880152174498912012-06-01T07:31:12.974-07:002012-06-01T07:31:12.974-07:00Jumping in on the SUPERMAN II comments. . .
Mark ...Jumping in on the SUPERMAN II comments. . .<br /><br />Mark Patterson (hi, Mark) is right - the Phantom Zoners are not "murdered." Falling into fog/snow in the film is more than a little vague, but they didn't die. A cut scene shows arctic police leading them away, and Superman destroying the Fortress since it's location is no longer secret.<br /><br />Clark and Lois are shown driving to the diner. It's unclear where the car came from and whether they drove the whole way, but they didn't walk. Clark does walk back alone, sure, but that's just part of his penance - the Passion Of The Superman, if you will. A bit overwrought, but fair game.<br /><br />Warner Brothers didn't fire Donner from SUPERMAN II. The producers, Ilya and Alex Salkind did. The Donner cut on DVD is far superior to the theatrical version, IMO.<br /><br />Finally, SUPERMAN I and II screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz biography, MY LIFE AS A MANKIEWICZ, is just out and highly recommended. By me, anyway.Tony Towernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30840211126678024092012-06-01T06:10:17.227-07:002012-06-01T06:10:17.227-07:00As a long time geek, I'll say this about The A...As a long time geek, I'll say this about The Avengers; it really captured the uselessness of Hawkeye.Ericnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83695560892525749522012-06-01T03:58:56.816-07:002012-06-01T03:58:56.816-07:00Why does everyone assume that the Kryptonian crimi...Why does everyone assume that the Kryptonian criminals died at the end of Superman II? We know that Superman doesn't kill. It's a funnybook movie...if you don't see a body, they ain't dead.<br /><br />The reason I detested the last bit with the trucker is that Superman is not a bully. Once he had his powers back, he had no business going after anyone.<br /><br />Everyone else seemed to like it, though.Mark Pattersonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77814082981052855852012-06-01T02:02:26.899-07:002012-06-01T02:02:26.899-07:00The story of Superman II is a fascinating one. Don...The story of Superman II is a fascinating one. Donner was filming the first two movies back to back. Unfortunately he was going over budget and was at constant loggerheads with Warner. Eventually, Warner demanded he focus on finishing the first film so they could stop production, see how it did, and decide what to do with the half-finished second. <br /><br />The first film wasn't just a success, it was Warner's biggest movie ever. Donner and the cast felt vindicated but Warner decided to pull Donner from the project, instating Richard Lester to film the remainder of the sequel. <br /><br />The cast was up in arms. Hackman threatened to quit, but there was nothing anyone could do. There was a wry feeling that, if Superman had been a failure, they would have forced Donner to stay.<br /><br />Ironically, it ended up costing Warner more to get Lester to direct the sequel, as he couldn't be credited as director unless he filmed at least 50 percent of the movie, meaning they had to reshoot a ton of the already 70% finished film.<br /><br /><br />Donner's Cut, or what they could piece together, shows an awesome movie, and is worth everyone's time. Especially if you disliked Lester's version!.Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-56064727617204351222012-06-01T01:57:44.711-07:002012-06-01T01:57:44.711-07:00I never got into superhero comics as a kid (I did ...I never got into superhero comics as a kid (I did read all the Archie's Jokebook comics, which taught me every one-liner that has been kicking around since vaudeville), and superhero movies give me a headache (plus an eye-ache if they're in 3D). So I probably won't be seeing "The Avengers." In fact, the weekend it opened, my wife and I went to see "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" instead. That's how square I am. Despite the lack of CGI explosions and the phrase "Let's do this!" in the dialogue, it was actually quite enjoyable.Pat Reederhttp://www.hollywoodhifi.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84329601495726357402012-05-31T23:59:31.397-07:002012-05-31T23:59:31.397-07:00Hi,
Great site! I'm trying to find an email ...Hi, <br /><br />Great site! I'm trying to find an email address to contact you on to ask if you would please consider adding a link to my website. I'd really appreciate if you could email me back.<br /><br />Thanks and have a great day!Madisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628630957957541403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2861792161998742102012-05-31T22:01:09.158-07:002012-05-31T22:01:09.158-07:00Yes, Superman II. Was lucky enough to see it in a ...Yes, Superman II. Was lucky enough to see it in a screening room months before it was released. Many knew I went and hounded me for the story, but I pledged not to tell anyone as I wanted everyone else to have the experience of seeing it for the first time - and be blown away like I was.Pete Grossmanhttp://infauxtainment.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78892581650142231372012-05-31T21:37:23.115-07:002012-05-31T21:37:23.115-07:00I also liked The Avengers, especially because of t...I also liked The Avengers, especially because of the funny lines and scenes. But I agree that Superman is still #1. I even liked the last one, Superman Returns, though it could have been better with a different story line.Mikehttp://insuranceleadsguide.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30379853025230869992012-05-31T21:22:35.494-07:002012-05-31T21:22:35.494-07:00Mrs. Peel, we're needed...Mrs. Peel, we're needed...Phillip Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498595633633248863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-91575075232189585852012-05-31T18:23:48.045-07:002012-05-31T18:23:48.045-07:00Everyone to their own opinion, but Superman II was...Everyone to their own opinion, but Superman II was a travesty to me. <br /><br />I've been a comic collector since the 60s. I was on the road auditing a company in Baton Rouge when II came out. The people I was working with knew by affinity for comic books and suggested we see the movie one night. <br /><br />I rarely talk in movie houses and through most of the movie I sit there in absolute shock as to the mockery that was the script. But when Superman kisses the panicing Lois and makes everything go back to normal, I said in a voice louder than I thought I used "Oh, come on". I got a few giggles and several hand claps. <br /><br />Of the Reeve movies it was the worst IMHO. I even liked IV better. That shows you how bad I thought it was.DwWashburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03057278992504418291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77786289403872823132012-05-31T17:07:07.201-07:002012-05-31T17:07:07.201-07:00Not sure if it's your cup of tea, Ken but the ...Not sure if it's your cup of tea, Ken but the animated "Batman: Year One" that came out recently on DVD is worth a look. A little silly in parts but with Bryan Cranston and Eliza Dushku doing voice work, who can quibble?Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73315935554316615512012-05-31T16:39:36.336-07:002012-05-31T16:39:36.336-07:00I AM still a teenage boy.I AM still a teenage boy.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42555200255874582342012-05-31T16:37:33.557-07:002012-05-31T16:37:33.557-07:00Ken, what reason IS there for you--a smart, clever...Ken, what reason IS there for you--a smart, clever grownup--to GO to comic book movies aimed at teenaged boys?Paul Ducanoreply@blogger.com