Up in the Sky...

Another interesting conversation I have had lately, is the possibility of the Super Villians (Zod, Non and Ursa) making an appearance in a Bryan Singer Superman sequel. But wait, didn’t they die at the end of Superman II? Well, it all depends on which version of Superman II you watch. Lester’s Superman II has them finding their demise in the frozen depths of the Fortress of Solitude. Yet, Donner’s Superman II has time being rewound and the last thing we see is the Phantom Zone still floating in space with the villains trapped inside. So, could we see this? I want to say yes but I really hope we don’t. The reason I state this is my appreciation of Terrance Stamp’s portrayal of General Zod. But I might forgive a recast just as I have accepted Brandon Routh as Superman taking over the cape of Christopher Reeve.



So, as I mentioned before, I think the new Superman film revival could cause a torrid confusion of where the time line falls. If someone has definitive knowledge that Singer is using Lester’s Superman II, publish this so we can forget about Donner’s cut in future Superman sequels.



Now, my next thought on Superman is: Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut. Although cool, not too mention; it finally puts to rest the rumors of this better cut of Superman II, I found myself not liking it as much as I thought I would. I was expecting this entirely different movie. Yet, the film wasn’t that much different then the Lester cut. Now there is some unique scenes and better dialog in the Donner cut, yet some of the differences seemed a bit forced. And I am aware that there was just a bunch of stuff un-filmed thus creative solutions were used. The reason I criticize this is because I was under the impression that 70% of a Donner cut of the film was done, then 50% was re-shot so Lester could take sole directorial credit. That would leave only a fraction or 20% of the previous Lester cut that would have to be used in the new commercial Donner cut. I know that is stretching it but I felt the Donner cut was more like 50-60% recycled Lester footage. [to clarify when I refer to the Lester cut, I want to state I am aware that Donner was the originator but I am using it on a level of what we have been exposed to over the last 20 years—up until now, Lester’s Superman II was what we know as Superman II and Donner’s cut is the newer cut although it is truly the proto cut.] Is it just me or does the math not add up?

More Superman...

I won’t review Superman: The Movie as it has been well represented in the likes of Siskel and Ebert, Leonard Martin and Joel Siegel. Yet, I do have comments and personal ideas behind the themes and plot movements of both the movie and its sequels and quasi-sequels. And those will be presented over the course of this commentary.

So, I’ve talked about my past with Superman: The Movie and how it impacted my life. Now, where to start on my thoughts? I guess I will just jump right into it. Since the release of Superman Returns, I have had some interesting conversations with friends and fellow movie buffs about the new events in the movie and recollections of the original film with actor Christopher Reeve. Overall, I have also found a dislike for the continuity of the films and the obvious film blunders and story holes. Do I like Superman Returns? Yes, I thought it was a very good film. I’m aware that most Superman fans, those of the comic Superman, will state it was flat and lacked action. Yet, what these fans have overlooked is that this was a rebirth film and it was purposely filmed and produced in the vain of the Donner film of 1978. Thus, this filmed succeeded. Now this isn’t to state the next film won’t have that explosive action and super villains all Superman fans crave.



So what’s my issue with the overall franchise? I just have this fear that the franchise could end the way of Batman and need a reboot only a few years from now in the footsteps of Batman Begins. Yet, perhaps it can be saved. I think the biggest loop hole in this story is the introduction of the son of Superman and how it works into the prior films. Where did Bryan Singer base this possibility on? Is it Richard Lester’s cut of Superman II or Richard Donner’s Superman II?

Bryan Singer made no restraints to state he was making a sequel to the films of the 1980s with the exception of Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest of Peace. I guess we can chalk those movies up to a late night Taco Bell Burrito Supreme hallucination of Lois Lane. Thus, Superman Returns relies on the events of Superman: The Movie and Superman II. With that, we could get a few continuity flaws. Here are the ones that really have given me some headaches.



The first is the Son of Superman idea as mentioned above. This topic has increased my suspension of disbelief more than any other situation in the films. When was Jason conceived? I have had some dubious conversations on how and when this was done. Now we all know that Clark (Superman) and Lois hook up and get their groove on. Yet, there are two different situations when this happens. Let’s look back on Superman II we all remember from the 80s and that is the Richard Lester cut. Clark doesn’t bed Lois until after he makes the decision to give up his powers and live as a normal human being. The second scenario is in Superman II Richard Donner Cut. In this version, Clark and Lois bed before he decides to give up his powers. Thus, he was still Super they get jiggy with it. So, we have two theories here. One: if Clark and Lois conceived a child from the Lester Superman II, would this child have powers? Logic would say no, as Clark was a normal human being here. Yet, we all agree that the Kryptonian DNA would still be present thus giving a possibility of dormant powers awakening. Now, the more logical scenario would be the Donner version. Yet, this is problematic as if anyone as seen that version, the ending has Superman rewinding time and thus the even hasn’t happened. So, I think the real burden of the situation is: which cut of Superman II does Bryan Singer want his movie to follow? [Singer did meet with Donner exclusively before he went into production of Returns, so one could only guess.]

Superman...

One story that has been true to my heart is that of the motion picture franchise of Superman.

As for my past with this, I have distinct memories of seeing Superman: The Movie at the theater when I was only 8. I stayed up late any and every night Superman would air on CBS or any other television network. The birth of the VCR created a new life for my love of this movie. My first copy of Superman was a recorded version from one of those TV movies of the night spots. Then CBS VHS Club allowed me to purchase the movie. I think I did wear it out.

I had the entire dialog memorized, the soundtrack was in my stereo and the merchandise was everywhere from the kitchen to my bedroom. I can remember a Superman glass I had with the poster art. I would stare at it while eating my dinner. I even would wish on that image in hopes I would gain Superman’s powers so I could fly away and fight crime in the name of Truth, Justice and the American way!




One thing I would profess was that the Superman: The Movie I saw as a kid had scenes that I didn’t have in my VHS copies. I directly remember Superman getting hit with bullets, fire and ice before entering Lex Luthor’s lair. My friends always would make fun of me that I was making it up. Then one fateful night right after the WB network debuted, they presented Superman: The Movie in an expanded two-night event. Thus, I recorded this and could once and for all prove to my friends I was right. Sure enough, they had inserted that scene back in—as well, the scenes of a little Lois Lane on the train where Clark would jump as a teenager. I wouldn’t see this cut of the film for another decade until it was re-released back in 2001 with the new theatrical cut of the film and the DVD release.

I will admit that I had little production knowledge of the film while growing up. I wouldn’t learn some of the great behind the scenes stuff until I was an adult and the DVD releases of both 2001 and 2006. In this era of my Superman appreciation I would learn of the reasons behind Richard Lester taking over production of Superman II from Richard Donner. I would also learn that the films were being filmed back to back until production delays and an approaching release date determined they focus on the first film foremost. Once I learned that Richard Donner had shot 70% of Superman II before being torn off it and replaced by Lester, I was disappointed. Yet, I didn’t realize that it was re-shot by over 50% so Lester could take sole directorial credit. So, this immediately got my curiosity up thinking of how Donner’s Superman II was different from Lester’s Superman II.




As 2006 came to a close, we were given the infamous cut of Superman II by Richard Donner. In some respects this was like an Episode I release for Superman fans. I rushed out that night and bought the movie. I went home, threw it in the DVD player, turned up the Home Theater and turned out the lights. I watched it with the intent I would a movie in a movie-plex. I was amazed and disappointed at the same time. Some of those likes and dislikes will be discussed later in my Superman commentary. (which will be presented in ths blog over the next few days).

Superman Week

To start off my Superman week of commentaries and opinions, I thought this little video would break the ice nicely.



This is hilarious!!

To clarify things...

I just want to clarify a post I placed a week or so back. I was stating that the voice actor that gave life to Dana Sterling in Robotech had died in the early 90s and could not reprise her role if the new Robotech was going that direction.

Per Tommy Yune (via Space Station Liberty), Melissa Newman, who voiced Dana, is still alive yet not in the acting or Hollywood community any longer. He stated if they do include Dana in the Shadow Chronicles he would like for Melissa to reprise the role yet they do have an idea for a fallback if she decides not to do it.

This is good news (her being alive) but let's hope she wants to reprise her role. Also, this is I think the biggest voice actor that pretty much lies in mystery on her whereabouts. If anyone has any info on her, most Robotech fans would like to hear it yet we'll respect her privacy.

Let's send the message that we love her as Dana and she must come back to Robotech!

Hobbits to Isengard

So, I was introduced to this by a Star Wars Podcast and I found this thing extremely addictive. I don't know if I can watch the movie again without singing this thing....





The creator is a very talented individual.

Ok. I have posted a few things from YouTube. This week I promise to start some commentary on an interesting note...