Review: "Superman" (1978)

If someone said their favorite comic book movie was Superman (1978), I wouldn't argue with them. It is possibly the most influential comic book movie there has ever been, bringing the chief of superheros to the big screen. Flash Gordon in 1936 had just a fraction of the affect that Superman did in 1978.

The problem with being first is the unknown response from critics and fans alike. With the success came multiple movie deals with Christopher Reeves at the helm, but they soon destroyed the franchise which they made successful with each sequel becoming more and more silly.

The original Superman had much that was taken from the original comic material, but in the movie adaptation it seemed the director couldn't tell where comic books started and the funny pages ended. The movie was filled to the brim with unrealistic, or unbelievably dumb moments. Some moments were "just" cheesy, while others were outrageously terrible. The Gene Hackman performance was probably fine for what was asked of him, but it was the asking that was flawed. This version of Lex Luthor was from the funny pages, while Christopher Reeves' Superman was from the comic books. To break it down even further for those who may or may not add 1+1 and getting 2 for the answer, it looks like this: Superman vs. Samity Sam.

The Reeves performance was as stellar as I remembered it years and years ago. Reeves will always be the best Superman + Clark Kent combo we will ever see, now it is all about finding second best. Another feature that didn't fail with time was the score. The score did have its problems but I still think it reigns supreme as the best overall fantasy score ever. The problems with the score throughout the movie is that the same exact piece is used too often. For every step Superman takes, the score is queued. The opening sequence is only beat out by Star Wars.

I grew up in the age of Batman, but I think the champion of superheroes goes undeniably to Superman.

No actor outside of Gene Hackman and Christopher Reeves should be commended any more than a high-five. The entire city of Manhattan feels staged, and all of it flawed. The action in the film along with its CGI is aged, and sometimes even unenjoyable. There are just too many scenes that run through my mind as examples, but if you see the movie, they will each become more obvious than 'Avatar's terrible storytelling. The movie feels like a ride at Universal Studios, the strings and backdrops are just as obvious. The story needed a rewrite, as a fraction of what was written was any good. If anyone should recieve credit for the success it would have to be John Williams with his score and Christopher Reeves and his performance.

I purchased the movie on Blu-Ray and the quality difference between this and DVD aren't good enough for me to advertise or encourage someone to purchase. For some reason in purchasing the Blu-Ray, I was secretly hoping the movie was going to rid of all the cheese I knew that was in the film, it didn't. The movie is still made up of 50% Reeves and 50% nostalgia.

"Superman"
6.5 / 10

We are tired of so much in Hollywood...

Transformers shot itself in the foot, came back a couple years later and drowned, and is planning a recesitation next year to possibly strap themselves to a 100 foot metal rod in a lightning storm. Not sure how you can take what has been killed again and again then try and expect anything above decent from it.

Terminator 1, 2, 3, then a prequel... its too bad this storyline continued past the second film. Now with the franchise under new ownership, is considering a reboot. I think this should have been treated like Microsoft stock, and just hide it under a bed for at least 10 years before you bring it back into discussion. Currently nobody cares about the stupidity brought to the big screen the last couple times around, and could possibly have tainted it permanently.

Star Wars. I am sad to say it, because the franchise brought me what no other franchise has ever brought me before, but I am tired of all the new productions. I have been done with new Star Wars productions since Episode 1, although I had hoped for redemption in the second and third episodes. Star Wars is moving on to produce animated things, CG things, and it is all seeming more like a toy marketing move than a care about the franchise itself. If we do indeed see a new trilogy from Lucas, as rumored, I would feel like wasting all my money on fireworks, while puking my way to get them, and not stop puking until they deliver. If they don't deliver, it may tarnish the franchise I love that much more, and who knows, they might add another Jar Jar, and possibly enter him into the classics 4, 5, and 6.

Planet of the freaking Apes. I really have never met a single person who confesses a passion for this ... franchise? Lets just call it garbage. I have never met a single person who confesses a passion for this garbage. Now we are going to be fed a new one, not a reboot, but an addition to what exists, genius idea right? *snore*

'Ocean's 27', staring all of Angelina Jolie's adopted children, releases in 2025.

Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm St., and Halloween. . . . . . . .

Godzilla XXXXIV ... the reboot (2013).

Remakes, redoes, reboots... Poseidon, yea that was obvious, but 'The Departed?' I had no idea that was a remake, how did that slip by me? It was based off of a Hong Kong thriller 'Infernal Affairs'. It is said the Scorsese version is scripted almost identically to the original and Scorsese is quoted saying that his was original and not a remake. That really comforts me since I didn't think it was that great in the first place, it is lucky Apocalypto got robbed. I Am Legend... etc.. remake lists go one endlessly and are increasing their frequency with every year.

Good news involving 2 of the 3 greatest fantasy franchises is that there is no news on an addition to the Matrix franchise and that the Hobbit has the same creative team with a new director as the Lord of the Rings trilogy did... although still no green light on filming.

Review: Wolfgang Petersen's "Das Boot" (1981)

I have experienced back to back one of a kind war films. Last was 'Gallipoli', set in WWI, and now 'Das Boot', set in WWII. 'Das Boot' is a story about a German U-boat (submarine) crew facing the British armadas in the Atlantic.

I have very limited film watching experience about stories focusing on the Nazi side, one film I didn't mind was 'Downfall', a story about Hitler. The stories about Hitler are normally monster movies, but that one made an attempt at a non-biased way of story telling. This film did the same.

The film focuses on about 4 characters throughout the movie, revealing their passions and struggles. The lives of each crew member is turned upside down a dozen times in this story, and each time, is devastating even for the viewer as we experience the same hardships with them. When watching this film you should feel an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia, sea sickness, starvation, and so much more. The director, Wolfgang Petersen truly has good instinct and insight on how to make you feel compassion even for the wrong side of a war. I panicked in every difficult situation, full of fear, and could not take my eyes off the screen. Easily the greatest submarine movie ever made.

Wolfgang Petersen is one of the most interesting directors I can think of, I am baffled at his work history. He is responsible for directing 'The Never Ending Story', 'Outbreak', 'Air Force One', 'Bicentenial Man', 'The Perfect Storm', 'Troy', and 'Poseidon'... Absolutely baffling at the inconsistency of the films he directed. This film is extremely consistent and delivers everything it wants. There are so few flaws, each scene is spectacular, each moment so real, each situation so breath-taking. Petersen's film history is almost as if he has made a terrible film after every short attempt at making something not even half as good as his very first film, this one. Just amazing, and sad to think that a director who appeared to be so talented could come up short in the rest of his career. If you haven't seen this film, you need to. The movie delivers everything you didn't know you wanted.

"Das Boot"

9 / 10

Big man on campus says 'No'...

Michael Douglas denied a request to sign a petition to support Roman Polanski, who is under house arrest in connection to a 33-year-old sex scandal. He is being accused of sexually abusing a 16 year old, and previously pleaded guilty in 1978 for having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13 year old girl. After that plea, he fled and has been a fugitive ever since. If he had not been a renown director, man in Hollywood, man with outreaching arms of support, he would have been illustratively hung for the accusations. I am happy to hear Michael Douglas saying 'no'. He also said it would be "unfair" to sign a petition for "somebody who did break the law." Sounds like a "good" man to me. Michael Douglas is a man with his head on his shoulders, aware of justice, without partiality. Good going M. Douglas, good going.

Roger Ebert's Memoir...

Roger Ebert is writing a memoir, and focuses highly on his medical conditions, which includes loss of speech, cancers, and multiple surgeries. He will also tell about his career and personal life, which includes a personal relationship with Gene Siskel his former fellow critic who died in 1999. The memoir is to release in 2011.

Review: Peter Weir's "Gallipoli" (1981)

I recently watched Peter Weir's 'Gallipoli' starring Mel Gibson, and I thought I might be in for a slow and dull ride, I was wrong. Peter Weir is the one who shines in this piece, without a doubt. He took what would probably be a really lame story in the hands of the average director and turned this into something memorable. The styles that were present in the film were absolutely amazing, some scenes were just jaw dropping. While I rave about all of his style used in the film, there was a single large flaw. The flaw would and should be visible to almost anyone's, ears? Yes, ears. There are 2 sections of the film which plays an 80's style tune which really does date the film, where if that had not happened, would have possibly been a nearly perfect film for what he sought out to do. The rest of the film however, has a great score to it and combined with the imagery, its stellar.

I never knew or seemed to care about life in the outback, especially life in the outback during the early 1900's. Peter Weir however, changed that, even though we spend a significant amount of time away from the outback. We see what Australian personalities look like all throughout the film, in times of fun and times of war, and it is interesting. The film doesn't force anything, but accomplishes in making you believe this was a true story by true Australians, making me think Australia was truly depicted correctly.

My film viewing history is very short of World War I films, and it is something I am not excited about, but from what I have seen, very different than an American style and American filled war film which sings of American pride throughout most war films, this film was a genuine and powerful World War I film. This should easily be held as one of the better Australian films ever made, as I have only even heard of a handful. The film also introduced what will become a great American actor in Mel Gibson.

The film is nearly abscent of cliche story telling, its just executed so good. Peter Weir has given us 'Truman Show', which I thought was a good film, but nothing more. He also gave us 'The Mosquito Coast' which starred Harrison Ford in one of his best roles, in my opinion this character portrayal contends with my most cherished of roles in Han Solo in the Star Wars saga. 'The Mosquito Coast' however is definitely a film up for interpretation and is probably a film either loved or hated, depending on your style preference. If you see Gallipoli and liked it, you should see 'The Mosquito Coast' to fulfill a Peter Weir void that may be in your film viewing history.

The imagery will at times astound you, the acting is as as good as many of the greats, and shouldn't fail in delivering you a great 2 hours.

"Gallipoli"

8 /10

Malfire's Top Ten Comic Films...

1. The Dark Knight
2. Superman
3. Iron Man
4. Batman
5. The Iron Giant
6. Iron Man 2
7. Unbreakable
8. The Incredible Hulk
9. Spider-Man 2
10. Batman Begins

Review: Jon Favreau's "Iron Man 2" (2010)

"I'm not saying that from the ashes [end] of captivity [bondage] never has a greater phoenix [rebirth] metaphor been personified in human history." -Tony Stark

'Iron Man 2' is absolutely one of the most fun movies ever created. There may be contention for this movie to hold the record for most bullets shot, most lasers short, and most things flying in the air all at the same time. This movie will blow you away.

As I calm myself and begin to break down my thoughts about the film, I will say that it is rare to have seen a film 3 times within 40 hours of its official release. On top of that it is even more rare to watch a film 3 times without beginning to seriously critique a movie and give my review. I have been on cloud 9 as this week approached. I have experienced many emotions, including fear, fear of a lack of sleep due to the demands I have set for myself in seeing it at midnight on opening night, then driving to school at 3:30 A.M. to sleep in the parking lot. Secondly, excitement, excitement for the demands I made for this film before the first one came out. Well, lets just say it gave us what Jon Favreau wanted to give us.

Tony Downey Jr, Robert Stark Sr... Robert Downey Jr. rather, gave us additional character development, in which I feel that Tony Stark is indeed real. He is a man wealthy, making weapons, and has made himself into a rock star. The first film was that rock star story, where in the second it feels more like a man in denial. I predict the third installment will be his revelation.

We have been given solid villains. Each with their own satisfied personalities, along with some new additions on the "good side". I think the character James Rhodes, or War Machine, is exactly spot on. He is a dull, plain, boring, systematic thinker, like he is written in the comics. He is exactly what we want to see as a military man meets super hero. Black Widow on the other hand may be a small flaw. Scarlett Johansson's casting choice was perfect but Jon Favreau has taken her sex appeal for granted. Scarlett Johansson's character is written as to be a femme fatale attempting to seduce Tony Stark, but that is where the lines are drawn in the comics.

Another inconsistency would be Professor Vanko's role in the film. Vanko in the film is made into a bad guy, never revealing the truth or telling a true version from the comics. Vanko kills himself to save Iron Man, and Vanko's son Whiplash attempts to kill Iron Man because he assumed it was Iron Man who killed his father. The movie doesn't go that route, and I am not looking to spoil too much, the story which is told, although different, still works for its own.

Not too sure about what the main story line is in the movie, it is a bit sporadic, and so sporadic it looks intentional. The entire movie runs on the same pace with the same momentum. There are fight scenes in the film which may feel a bit short, but they are all within the same pace. Just giving a small spoiler, regarding the length of fighting of the main villain, it is short. The comics though, paint a similar point of view. Most eras of comics of Iron Man, make Iron Man his own villain even while fighting another. He is always battling himself as he battles the world. There is actually an interesting Christian contrast within his character. Christians believe they fight sin in their own lives, while avoiding and battling the sins of the world. When Iron Man is successful in his own battle, the world proves less a foe.

The overall story of the movie is about a billionaire coming to reality with his new toy and weapon, while others begin to covet and idolize it. His alter ego creates more trouble for him, in his fending off the world from greedily taking what is his. Even during all this they have time to focus Tony Stark dwelling on the shadow of his father. With witty dialogue, superb special effects, great cinematography and acting, all makes for an extremely fun ride.

The story, because it is focusing itself on so much, I find myself thinking about what the main plot is every 15 minutes. Jon Favreau may have tricked me, maybe not, but he gave me just the right fireworks to convince me it was money very well spent.

There were so many shots in the film that were so original, so creative, it just makes me more interested in what lies with Jon Favreau's future as a filmmaker. There is a difference between a director who can deliver "The Dark Knight" and one who can deliver "Iron Man 2", but you will enjoy both rides and Robert Downey Jr. will continue to astound.

Regarding the end, the after credits footage, I will simply say, I thought it would make a bigger crater. (Just some thought for those who haven't seen it yet...)

"Iron Man 2"
7.5 / 10

Greg Meyer, the man with a plan...

Where and what is going to happen to all the DVD rental businesses? Netflix and Redbox are all that will remain. That would have proved true if one man didn't come from the sky wearing a red cape. Greg Meyers, who was previously ignored by Blockbuster, just invested in a significant share of Blockbuster stock when at an all-time low. His goal: to save the chain.

Greg in 2005 advised Blockbuster to invest in rental kiosks which would remain outside of each business just like the Redbox currently operates which would save money on keeping the store hours limited to peak times while maintaining available rentals at all times. The company denied the idea and changed nothing. The lack of change ended up the downfall of the stock and made the stock low enough to purchase for Greg, which now is submitting to his desires. He has implemented a 28 day exclusive rental window, and plans to implement the kiosk in the future.

Too bad Hollywood video gave up a couple years ago, and has instead decided to allow their company to cave in on itself. Each store, one by one is turning into a "budget" store which sells the entire store inventory until it is completely sold out, then closes. The stores with better business stay open longer and sells the company's film inventory.

All in all, it looks like we will be able to make a last minute, Friday night decision to rent a movie from a library larger than the 20 movie library with limited stock from Redbox, or having to wait a few days for Netflix. As we will find Netflix more enjoyable and cost less, we still have options thanks to Greg Meyers, at least for now.

Blockbuster may be sneaking back into contention, but with what honor? We have seen images of advertising by Blockbuster which wages war against Netflix and Redbox by promoting the availability of the movie "The Blind Side" as it is appearing on their advertisement to be only available to Blockbuster. That is just dirty... I think it would be dumb to start a war with the upcoming and potential long running powerhouse that is, Netflix. Unlike Blockbuster, Netflix carries films from all over the world, from cult films, foreign films, to the latest films. If you want to find a rare film to rent, your best chance is Netflix. Who is actually limiting who? If I want a specific film which isn't a new release, I am surely not bound to find it at Blockbuster. Even if they carry it, it isn't likely to be in stock.

Time will tell what Greg Meyers brings to the table, but it wouldn't be a wise business decision to start war so early. When a boxer gets knocked down, he should gather himself up again before throwing another punch, but who am I to tell Blockbuster what to do...

Remaking Arnold's Classics

The reason Arnold's movies were successful was because Arnold was in them, not because of the stories. If you take a new face and match it up to the same story, it will fail horribly. It is a miracle Hollywood, or I should specify the more evil side of Hollywood, Fox, would decide to do something like this.

Watch, just watch, The Rock or John Cena will play the part. Oh boy! Can't wait for Hollywood to remake Star Wars starring the Jonas Brothers. Because a film has a big name, doesn't mean you should defile it. A big name can bring in more money than they could dream of if done right (as seen with "The Dark Knight"). Just do it right... With "Commando", we would need a star at least close to the caliber of Arnold before making it, otherwise it CANNOT be good. I know that most of the rights to Arnold's previous films have been snagged up and are either awaiting production or writing... just terrible. Does that picture posted remind you of anyone in Hollywood? It reminds me of no one.

Arnold as the header to the blog at least for a little while today just makes me laugh... where is all the news?