TV/Movies Megathread

[Neil]

I think with Gaiman it hits harder because he seemed one of the "good guys", progressive, trying to platform women and marginalized groups and willing to learn. But especially Sandman feels problematic now as some of it feels like self-insert or "write what you know" too much - like the story about an author keeping the muse Calliope as a sex slave for his "inspiration".

He was a Gen X superstar writer.  They're a pretty sex-obsessed breed, and their way of living doesn't really blend with a younger generation's concern for 'power dynamics' and the like.

"They're"?  Are you a millennial?

No, but I'm not a superstar writer. 

[crazy canuck]

 

[celedhring]

Seen the new Supes movie. I found it entertaining but when it tries to be more emotional/epic, it doesn't quite land. But all the James Gunn comedy in it works a charm. It just doesn't have anything memorable outside of that (and Gunn comedy works better when it can be more unrestrained).

That said, I also thought it was a breadth of fresh air after all the pompous dreariness of the snyderian flicks. Best I can say about the film is that it's quite earnest.

[Sophie Scholl]

I absolutely adored the new Superman movie. It was *such* a welcome change from Snyder's universe and even the Marvel films and shows. As Greg Rucka, one of my favorite comic writers, put it:

From the first minute they had it right, and I sat in a theatre with five friends and another fifty-odd strangers and we all took it in with wide eyes and open arms and we left happy and uplifted, entertained and, dare I say it, hopeful. We shared the communal experience of being told a story, being moved by it, cheering, getting choked up, and at the end, applauding.

Superman should be hopeful. Superman should be aspirational. Superman should be someone we want to emulate, not because of what he can do but because of who he is. The most damning flaw of the last several cinematic portrayals have been their focus on power, and in such they've embraced the worst of the "adolescent power fantasy" tropes superhero comics are so rife with. Snyder's ideology, in particular, meant the concept of selflessness was anathema to him; it permeates that era of DC filmmaking to such an extent the stain can never be washed away from those movies. The films were, in my opinion, anti-heroic. They celebrated selfishness and property damage, and ultimately, that might makes right. Of course they did. If you're a Randian libertarian, the very idea of selflessness, of charity, of kindness for the sake of being kind is antithetical to your worldview.

God knows, we needed two hours and nine minutes of good for the heart and soul this past week.

Seeing a lot of folks of all ages and genders with Superman shirts, seeing happy faces after the movie from the audience, and actually having clapping in a film for the first time I recall since Revenge of the Sith on opening night (biased crowd for sure!) was really nice. It made me feel a little better about humanity and the future, as corny as it sounds. 

[Darth Wagtaros]

Ill check it out. I was a fan of Guy Gardner's ultra-Reaganite 80's Green Lantern back in the day.

After Snyder damn near anything would be a welcome change.  Out of all the heroes that could be brought to screen the one you really don't need to be seen wandering around in an existential funk is Superman.

[celedhring]

Ill check it out. I was a fan of Guy Gardner's ultra-Reaganite 80's Green Lantern back in the day.

After Snyder damn near anything would be a welcome change.  Out of all the heroes that could be brought to screen the one you really don't need to be seen wandering around in an existential funk is Superman.

Green Lantern isn't that much in it, mind, but Filion has a great time with it. Of all the supporting superheroes, Mr Terrific is the one with the largest part - and he's awesome.

Writing endearing assholes is one thing James Gunn is great at.

[Sophie Scholl]

Master and Commander is getting a 4k Ultra HD release:
https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/bill-hunt/my-two-cents/item/3172-060225-1800

[Syt]

Poke Face S2E5. That's more like it. More grounded than some of the previous episodes (except, well ... uhm ... ).

Also, love me a "washed up talent in the minors" baseball story. And some extra Carol Kane after Strange New World's season opening.

[celedhring]

Master and Commander is getting a 4k Ultra HD release:
https://thedigitalbits.com/columns/bill-hunt/my-two-cents/item/3172-060225-1800

I probably need to get this.

I guess they won't 4k the extras - the making of materials in the original DVD release were extremely good, Peter Weir is such a methodical and articulate filmmaker.

[Syt]

Poker Face S3E6. What a hoot. Best of the season so far for me. Children are the worst (or at least one very psycho demon child is, at least). And it features Joseph Gerbils (the class pet gerbil).

And it has esteemed character actress Margo Martindale.

[The Minsky Moment]

I absolutely adored the new Superman movie. It was *such* a welcome change from Snyder's universe and even the Marvel films and shows. As Greg Rucka, one of my favorite comic writers, put it:

From the first minute they had it right, and I sat in a theatre with five friends and another fifty-odd strangers and we all took it in with wide eyes and open arms and we left happy and uplifted, entertained and, dare I say it, hopeful. We shared the communal experience of being told a story, being moved by it, cheering, getting choked up, and at the end, applauding.

Superman should be hopeful. Superman should be aspirational. Superman should be someone we want to emulate, not because of what he can do but because of who he is. The most damning flaw of the last several cinematic portrayals have been their focus on power, and in such they've embraced the worst of the "adolescent power fantasy" tropes superhero comics are so rife with. Snyder's ideology, in particular, meant the concept of selflessness was anathema to him; it permeates that era of DC filmmaking to such an extent the stain can never be washed away from those movies. The films were, in my opinion, anti-heroic. They celebrated selfishness and property damage, and ultimately, that might makes right. Of course they did. If you're a Randian libertarian, the very idea of selflessness, of charity, of kindness for the sake of being kind is antithetical to your worldview.

God knows, we needed two hours and nine minutes of good for the heart and soul this past week.

. . .

No comment on the movie, which I haven't seen.

I take issue with Rucka's critique of Snyder though, I think it's almost 180 degrees backwards.  Snyder's DC pictures don't celebrate "selfishness and property damage." on the contrary they go out of their way to bring home the consequences of the collateral damage caused by superhuman mayhem, regardless of intentions.  Far from embracing "power fantasies," a core theme that runs through those films is the unintended consequences of the use of power, and the dangers of excessive power even when accompanied by noble motives. It's probably true that there Snyder fans out there who misread the movies and just revel in the mayhem, but that's not really on him.  That dynamic has been going on at least since the Wild Bunch, maybe earlier.

To be clear, I'm personally not a fan of Synder or the Snyder DC movies. I grew up with the Reeve Supermans and I strongly suspect I'll prefer this new one. But there are plenty of legit criticisms to be made of the Snyder DC era without resorting to relentlessly beating a Snyder strawman.

[Sheilbh]

Yeah I am not a Snyder fan and can't think of the last film of his I actually watched.

But I think there is a huge disconnect between the style and the substance of his film in the way you're describing. In that I can fully see the aesthetic and style being seen as embracing "power fantasies" but the actual film being about the opposite. I find the style tiresome and overblown and portentous in a way I can't ever really get behind.

I think it's interesting because as you say there are lots of fans who love the style/aesthetics and interpret that as the film's "content" - and critics who do the same. And I think there's a question of to what extent is style the content - or, are they right after all?

[celedhring]

Snyder is fascinated with figures of power - gods among men if you like - and how people respond to them. Which is certainly something different than "power fantasies". His DC films are made so the powerful figure is always an other that we watch. We're Batman, not Superman. I think Watchmen and Dr Manhattan is the blueprint for all his work, really.

That said, I don't think he's a director that's fully in control of his themes. Meaning, he just throws a lot of stuff at the screen than sounds and looks "deep" without really articulating a coherent theme. But, unlike a large portion of his fanbase, he's certainly not a cynic.

[Bauer]

Snyder was perfectly suited to 300 and watchmen IMO.  I also liked man of steel.  But in his other stuff his style didn't feel right.