
Film review: James Gunn's Superman walks a fine line between triumph and tragedy
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The review was taken down almost as soon as it was posted, but what of it? Are you really going to believe a publication that uses such mortally mixed metaphors? (Nails go in coffins, not graves!)
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Then the Sunday Times of London leaked a piece that called Superman 'a triumph.' But this was part of an interview with writer/director James Gunn, and an interview is not a review. (Case in point: I was very kind to Mike Myers when I interviewed him about his 2008 comedy The Love Guru, but I subsequently recused myself from reviewing this execrable film.)
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So what do we know now that the embargo has lifted, the dust has settled, and we're all free to speak our minds? Only that Superman (the movie), much like Superman (the character), operates at the crossroads of hope and fear. It's not as bad as some reviews would have you fear. But it's not as good as Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy movies would have you hoping for, either.
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On the plus side: excellent casting in even the smallest roles. David Corenswet, an actor mostly known for his TV work, shines on the big screen as the Man of Steel, serving up a cocktail of gravitas, gumption and geniality that makes him a likeable hero, although I question Gunn's need to have him spell it all out so plainly in the film's final act. Show, don't tell!
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But he's just the tip of the casting call. There's also Rachel Brosnahan as the sassy Lois Lane (whose interview with Superman should be required viewing for journalists), Skyler Gisondo as the boyish Jimmy Olsen, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, a name that will ring in the ears of fans of the 1978 Superman, when Luthor's moll was portrayed by the wondrous Valerie Perrine.
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There's lot more as well , which brings us to one of the film's biggest problems. It's too busy, and too full of characters who arrive with little backstory and minimal explanation.
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Gunn has said he didn't want to show baby Superman rocketing to Earth from Krypton, and that's understandable, but the sudden appearance of Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and more — well, it's a lot of characters to keep track of over the film's 129 minutes. (And that's a solid 129 minutes; there are two disappointing post-credit scenes, the second of which will keep you in your seat until the bitter end.)

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National Observer
2 hours ago
- National Observer
MOVIES: The summer's biggest film (probably) and a couple of small heartfelt gems
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And out of season there's The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a very funny family film about a scramble to put on the show and fight prejudice. And new in theaters, we have … The Fantastic Four: First Steps: 3 stars Samia: 4 Oh, Hi: 3 ½ THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS: I didn't read the comic books, but I understand they were groundbreaking when they started back in 1961. The characters argued, didn't just push a truth, justice and the American way ethos and even wrestled with the problems of celebrity. They didn't conceal their identity and had avid fans both inside their stories and among the readers. This is the fourth try at making a movie about them, after three weak efforts, one of which wasn't even officially released. This, finally, is a good one and honours them by going back to a simpler time. There's no politics or social change intruding, although it seems to be set in the 1960s and one cryptic comment may be about climate change. The action never gets overblown and frantic and the film plays comfortably with a retro feel. A quick crowded montage at the start sets up the situation. The four were flown into outer space and came back with their DNA rearranged and bearing alter egos. Reed Richards (by the very busy actor Pedro Pascal) is now also Mister Fantastic. Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) is also Invisible Woman, alongside Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). They argue like a family but also save the world when needed, which has to happen again when Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) arrives to announce that the earth is about to be 'swallowed' by the 'The Devourer', also known as Galactus. The team has to go back to space to look for him, even though Sue Storm is pregnant and gives birth along the way. Galactus demands the baby be given to him (something to do with one part of his plot). He's refused, and the child becomes a lure to get him to come down to earth for a final battle among New York skyscrapers, which he is as tall as. There's not much suspense to speak of, but easy-to-take action and a sunny mood from director Matt Shakman, who the fans will remember for Wanda Vision, the Marvel TV series he made. (In theaters everywhere) 3 out of 5 SAMIA: A repressive society. A woman determined to disobey the rules imposed on her. We've seen that story before, and will again, but here's a particularly good version of it. And it's all true, as far as we know, anyway. It comes from a true-life novel about a real person: Samia Yusuf Omar, who lived in the African nation of Somalia and dreamed of being a champion runner. 'I'll be the fastest runner in the world,' she says in the movie. We see her trying hard, running in the streets of Mogidishu as a small girl, then as a teen and then grown up and played by llham Mohamed Osman. Along with her story, we get a good history lesson about her country. She's warned it's dangerous out there and advised to stay home and 'stop being stupid.' She defies the rules, by running for one thing, by refusing to wear a veil for another. She is confronted by militia soldiers now and then with proclamations that wearing shorts and a tee-shirt is a sin. She kept at it though, secretly training at night, with a brother as coach and her father's encouragement. She got on to the national Olympics team, competed in Beijing and through most of the film is trying to get ready for the London Olympics. But there are setbacks and tragedies. She pays human traffickers to get her to Europe and that's a harrowing trip. She dies. How isn't exactly known, but based on the book by Giuseppe Catozzella we get a possible idea. (People in Vancouver might remember he came to the writer's festival there when he wrote the book). The film doesn't have her complete story, but it does give a very moving view of her willpower and bravery. It's sharply directed by Yasemin Samdereli. She's German, and the film is a co-production along with Belgium and Italy. It's powerful. (In theaters: Toronto now, Ottawa next week, Vancouver and Victoria soon) 4 out of 5 OH, HI: Romantic comedies are a mixed genre, but check this one out. It's not like the usual; it's innovative, takes chances and comes off very funny and smart. I have a few small caveats. They don't harm it though. A couple go off on a romantic weekend to a country house they've rented and things go off pretty fast. They find a set of bondage handcuffs and decide to play kinky, first with her (Molly Gordon) chained to the bed while he (Logan Lerman) comes on to her. Then the reverse. While he's chained, he tactlessly admits he's not looking for a lasting relationship. She's shocked. Feels rejected, leaves him chained up and gives him 12 hours to change his mind. Whenever she's out of the room, he strains to reach the key lying just out of reach. She, meanwhile, has invited a couple of friends (Geraldine Viswanathan, John Reynolds) and plays good host all the while hiding from them what's going on. The story isn't that special, but it is workable. What makes it shine is the dialogue that Gordon has co-written with the director, Sophie Brooks. The couple dole out what they want from each other. They ask each other about their early lives (a little too much because you'd think they'd already explored that since they've been dating for four months). They relish the similarities they turn up and suffer with the misunderstandings. He gets fed up and angry. Says he's been kidnapped and will report it to the police when he gets free. That just makes her resent him more. She accuses him of pursuing her in the first place. 'You made me like you,' she says. What women need in a relationship comes up when she talks with her friend, as do more erudite matters like evolution. A detour into the subject of witchcraft is out of place, but the rest of the film is a smart contemplation of dating and male-female relations today. Both Gordon and Lerman are terrific as the characters they play. (In theaters) 3 ½ out of 5


Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Annual Regina comic book convention goes the way of planet Krypton
REGINA – An annual Saskatchewan comic and pop culture convention has gone the way of Superman's planet Krypton, leaving behind a trail of sad and disappointed fans. The Saskatchewan Entertainment Expo says on social media it's dissolving due to low attendance in recent years, venue issues and other problems. 'It's our sincere hope that if anyone attempts an event of this size in the future, they have the full support of the city and the venue,' the company said this week. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chad Boudreau, owner of the ComicReaders store in Regina, said Wednesday it's a loss for the fandom. He said the convention never fully recovered after the COVID-19 pandemic, and hasn't again been able to attract high-calibre celebrity guests. 'It's a mess and I feel bad for everyone,' he said. 'Maybe not everyone's all that excited to gather anymore.' Hunter Dooley is the owner of Critical Relics, which makes dice, boxes and carvings of creatures. She said she purchased a booth at a cost of $189 for this year's event but doesn't expect a refund. 'We have not really had any communication, which is really unfortunate. We had the one email sent to us back in 2024 (before that year's show was cancelled),' Dooley said. 'A lot of people are feeling pretty upset, pretty aggravated, which is totally understandable. We don't have a lot going for us in the sense of 'nerd' community.' Rob Hoskins, the owner of the Comic Book Guy Pop Culture Shop in Moose Jaw, west of Regina, said the convention helped people come together. 'It's a great venue for the nerds to get out there and rub elbows with other nerds,' he said. In 2023, the convention brought in celebrities from 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,' 'The Walking Dead' and 'Power Rangers,' but there was no event last year. The expo launched in 2019 after its predecessor, Fan Expo, ended its Regina convention in 2018. Fan Expo had brought in celebrities William Shatner of 'Star Trek' and James and Oliver Phelps, known as the Weasley twins on the 'Harry Potter' series. Saskatchewan Entertainment Expo is the latest event in Regina to go belly up. The Regina Folk Festival earlier announced it was shutting down for good. The Regina Fringe Festival said it was cancelling its 2025 event. Other festivals, including the annual midway, dragon boat races and music by Wascana Lake, are still planned this year. In May, the city held the Cathedral Village Arts Festival, one of its largest events. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2025.


Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Toronto Star
Annual Regina comic book convention goes the way of planet Krypton
REGINA - An annual Saskatchewan comic and pop culture convention has gone the way of Superman's planet Krypton, leaving behind a trail of sad and disappointed fans. The Saskatchewan Entertainment Expo says on social media it's dissolving due to low attendance in recent years, venue issues and other problems.