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.