Latest news with #Kryptonite
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Heroic NYC pups go up, up and away in adorable look-alike contest for Krypto from ‘Superman'
Every New Yorker's Kryptonite is a really cute dog. Dozens of heroic hounds soared to Hudson Yards Friday to compete in a Krypto the Superdog look-alike contest — but only one pooch took home the red cape fit for the sidekick of 'Superman.' Sofia, a 7-year-old Brooklyn canine who could have been Krypto's stunt double, easily took home the win and a $1,000 prize, but her owner said the victory didn't just come down to the pooch's good looks — she also embodies the superdog's protective spirit. Advertisement 4 Sofia won the Krypto look-alike contest after impressing judges with her facial expressions. Matthew McDermott 'She's always looking out for the other dogs, she's never starting fights, she likes to make everyone feel included,' said Meredith Amspoker, who found out about the contest hosted by Pumpkin Pet Insurance through a friend. Amspoker often gets stopped in the street while walking Sofia, but since 'Superman' came out, it's happening a lot more frequently. Advertisement 'Even while I was on my way here, someone said, 'That looks like the dog from 'Superman,'' the supedog mom said. Sofia was stoic, cape flapping in the wind, as smaller dogs came to sniff her rear end. She stole the judge's hearts when she managed to lift one ear at a time and tilt her head, shooting them an adorable glance. 4 There's been a surge in dog adoptions since Krypto dazzled audiences in the new 'Superman' flick. ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection 4 Pooches donned capes and collars to compete for the title in the look-alike contest. Matthew McDermott Advertisement 'I think she's got a lot of personality in her ears, and she's got that little face. She's a superdog,' Amspoker said. Not all of the 50 competing canines resembled Superman's loyal sidekick, but their doting owners weren't deterred from showing off their buddies' superhero qualities. Some pooches were even awarded for it — including little Jeffrey, who was named runner-up for the least Krypto look-alike. 4 Ed Medina and Jeffrey. Matthew McDermott Advertisement His owner, Ed Medina, 72, said the small, spotted dog is still a hero in his eyes for one simple reason. 'Jeffrey keeps me happy,' said Medina, who wore a jersey with his pup's face plastered on the back, before feeding Jeffrey four treats in a row. Mallorie Sievert, a 23-year-old actress, dragged three of her friends from across Manhattan to watch the cute contest. 'Krypto is so ugly, and I love ugly dogs, and so I was like, 'I have to come and see all the crusty white dogs show up and show out,' she explained. While at college, Sievert started an Instagram account, taking pictures of dogs across campus. She's delighted that the competition included dogs that don't look like Krypto, so she was certain the plaza would be full of pooches. 'I love New York City, because where else is there going to be an event where you see 50 dogs in capes!'
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
Finding power in the 'Man', not the 'Super'
Has any superhero movie felt as much like a comic book as 2025's Superman? Filmmaker James Gunn ensures the new DC Universe launches with a film that demonstrates sincere love for the character's past, and an eye on our real-life present. There are multiple hot takes that the character of Superman just doesn't appeal to modern audiences. According to these critics, an unbreakable, overpowered goody two-shoes isn't interesting. Director Zack Snyder leaned into the isolating nature of being a god among men with Man of Steel, starring Henry Cavill, but honestly, hiding in fear and shame over being a perfect, ultra-powerful being isn't the most relatable emotional hook. However, with the new Superman (2025), previously known as Superman: Legacy, filmmaker James Gunn finds an angle that works: that Superman isn't perfect despite all his capabilities and desire to do good – and that you can explore this concept without wallowing in teeth-gritted angst. Gunn's film opens, shockingly, with Superman (David Corenswet), AKA Kal-EL, AKA Clark Kent, beaten and bleeding. Again, the hero is not perfect and indestructible, despite being three years into his hero career, and despite his Achilles heel, Kryptonite, being absent from the picture. As an alien, Superman can be healed through concentrated exposure to the rays of Earth's yellow sun, but that's a painful process. Still, he goes through it to get his job done: defending the city of Metropolis (including its squirrels) from the threat of the moment. Superman tries and tries again, but in Gunn's film, this is someone who can't control an unruly superpowered dog; who struggles to communicate with his girlfriend; who loses his temper when he's forced to defend his good-intentioned actions; and who must still endure awkward, shouted calls from his tech-unsavvy parents about a visit to a burrito bar. We've all been there in some way or another. A vein of enjoyable recognisability runs through Superman, which we can hope is the tone setter for the new onscreen DC Universe, under the stewardship of Gunn, along with DC Studios co-head Peter Safran. Because it can be argued that Superman (2025) feels like it is ripped straight from a comic. If you read the stories in the 1970s and 80s, you'll find loads to love here, whether it's citizens' blasé reactions to epic monster and metahuman battles around them, trips into visually striking, trippy pocket dimensions, or the first-time big-screen appearance of characters from yesteryear, like element-powered Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan). On that note, if you're completely unfamiliar with Superman and the broader DC universe, you may have to consult a Wiki after watching the film. Although not inaccessible for newcomers, Superman does feel like it was made more for fans – such as with a joking nod to the irresistibility of ginger photographer Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo). The film skips exposition and character backstories in general, dropping viewers into a movie where it's simply outlined that metahumans have existed for centuries, but Superman is an extraterrestrial newcomer, and the most powerful being of all. Then again, the lack of momentum-slowing introductions means that the film can maintain its breakneck pace throughout, and immediately feel like it's taking place in a fully functioning, pre-populated world. There were legitimate concerns that the 129-minute Superman would be overstuffed with characters, but Gunn, who also helmed Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and The Suicide Squad, has a strong grasp of his ensemble, even managing to find space for quiet, touching moments between Superman and his adoptive parents Ma and Pa Kent (Neva Howell and Pruitt Taylor Vince). It's easier to identify underutilised figures who seem simply present, like Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl and Mikaela Hoover's columnist Cat Grant, than to pick one standout character. Contenders for the latter include the already mentioned Metamorpho, Nathan Fillion as infamously cocky Green Lantern Guy Gardner, and Edi Gathegi as brilliant but emotionally icy and irritable inventor Mister Terrific. This isn't even mentioning the scene-stealing Krypto, although the dog CGI is one of the weaker aspects of Superman, along with a couple of rubber-looking airborne fight sequences used to market the film. As for the trio of characters and performances that are the foundation of any Superman film, Gunn has struck gold with the warm and emotive Corenswet as Superman, who enjoys laser-eyed chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan's reporter Lois Lane. Lois also enjoys a more credible, less-glamorous journalistic treatment this time, living in a cramped apartment and rocking a funky, rule-breaking style to match her savvy attitude. It's notable that the new film skips Superman's will-he-won't-he identity reveal to Lois, although the secrecy now lies in the couple hiding their relationship from the world. It's Nicholas Hoult who arguably brings something new to the table as Superman's arch-nemesis Lex Luthor. Previous film depictions of the genius industrialist have tended to see-saw between over-the-top egotistical and shouty maniacal. Hoult's Luthor is far more restrained, and therefore sinister. There are no attempts to soften his nature as an awful, abusive and prejudiced human being, but he is nevertheless aware of his flaws, and has a point that Superman's presence distracts from human achievement (largely his own). One final thing to note about the new Superman film is that, as much as it looks back, paying tribute to the often cheesy comics of yesteryear, it also has something to say about the present, largely by digging down to the character's Golden Age roots. These roots are replanted in a recognisable modern context where nations shrug as other countries initiate violent invasions of their neighbours, social media bots inflame public opinion against the 'other' with bizarre catchphrases, and any critical voices can just vanish (evidently from this plane of being) as the result of black-clad, masked forces. On top of it all, our hero finds himself opposing a reckless tech bro in cahoots with a junk food-loving despot who needs his ego stroked constantly. While the likes of comic creator Frank Miller have positioned Superman as a 'big blue boy scout' towing the authority line, the character's origins lie in fighting injustice, stepping up to defend the powerless, whether it be against slumlords, domestic abusers or corrupt officials. Batman deals with criminals, whereas Superman routinely puts bullies big and small in their place. It doesn't seem like a coincidence that Corenswet's costume is closer to those worn in the character's earliest on-screen days, complete with visible seams and a kind of chunkiness. The point is that if stepping up to do good and showing kindness is political, then yes, Superman is political. He always has been, despite what a certain peevish segment of the internet insists. His actions inspire others around him, which the film's mix of mortals and superheroes helps to convey, following Supes's lead during the film's climax. And it hopefully adds a punch that pierces straight through the project, across decades of colourful comic book shenanigans, to the human audience watching today. DM Superman is in cinemas from 11 July. This includes 3D and IMAX.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dave Portnoy Vows Not to See New 'Superman' Movie For One Reason
Overwhelmingly, despite some dip in its Rotten Tomatoes score, the new Superman movie is a hit. The James Gunn-directed movie has both strong reviews and a decent box office return. That said, not everyone is happy. On X, Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy has declared that he will not even bother seeing Superman in the theaters. "Announcement: I will not be watching Superman," Portnoy wrote in a tweet. He also added, "Thank you Mike." This references the podcaster Mike Francesa, who trashed the new Superman in a lengthy rant, which Portnoy retweeted. The primary complaint? Well, Francesa doesn't like the robots, doesn't like the presence of all the other superheroes, but most of all, doesn't like seeing Superman. "It's two hours of him getting the crap beat out of him," Francesa says. "He's getting beat up by everybody?" Is this accurate? Well, it depends on how you look at it. David Corenswet's Superman does start the movie after losing a fight, and when he's exposed to Kryptonite in Lex's "Pocket Universe," obviously, he's pretty underpowered there, too. Overall, Francesa does touch on a few things that some other, more lukewarm reviews have pointed out: that the movie is overstuffed and that the pacing is wonky at times. Does that mean Portnoy should boycott the movie and not make up his own mind? Well, it's his decision, but with a movie with this much going on, it's probably best to decide for Portnoy Vows Not to See New 'Superman' Movie For One Reason first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 16, 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Cinema go-ers couldn't see new Superman movie after collapse of ceiling tiles
Around 100 people couldn't get in to see the film at East Kilbride's Odeon, but the response of staff was praised. East Kilbride cinema go-ers felt like they'd been hit by a lump of Kryptonite when they tried to see the new Superman film on Friday night. Fans of the DC superhero turned up at the Odeon cinema for the 7.30pm screening, only to find there were huge queues waiting outside screen one. The large queue, of around 100 people, were told that ceiling tiles had collapsed before the film was due to begin. Odeon staff were unable to reach other tiles which had been left dangling, and told the frustrated Man of Steel devotees that one tile was attached to a fire alarm. Many of the crowd tried to book in for the 10.30pm screening, which was also due to be shown on screen one, but this was moved to another hall, starting 15 minutes later. One fan said: 'I've been a huge fan of Superman since I first saw the Christopher Reeve film, and was so excited to see what David Corenswet would be like in the role. 'So it was hugely disappointing that I wasn't able to see him, but of course, safety comes first. 'The cinema staff were fantastic, and went around offering free popcorn as a consolation, with ticket refunds or swaps for a later screening, for those who still wanted to go. 'It was still quite busy later on, but I certainly hadn't been planning to still be watching Superman on the big screen after 1am!' A spokesperson for Odeon said: 'We were unable to go ahead with a screening on Friday due to an issue with our ceiling. The safety of colleagues and guests is our main priority so we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused but thank our colleagues who were on-hand to assist guests, providing free popcorn and ticket swaps for later dates.' And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
Courier-Mail
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Curse hanging over Superman franchise as new film soars at box office
Don't miss out on the headlines from Movies. Followed categories will be added to My News. Forget Lex Luthor. Red Son. Or even Kryptonite. If urban myth is to be believed, the curse hanging over the Superman franchise poses more of a threat to those who play the Man of Steel than any plot line James Gunn could conjure up for the latest spin on the hero. The Guardians Of The Galaxy director has been charged with breathing new life into the DC Comics hero, casting David Corenswet as the Kryptonian, Rachel Brosnahan as his Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult in the role of Lex Luthor. The new Superman film stars David Corenswet (right) as the Man of Steel, Rachel Brosnahan as his Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult (left) as Lex Luthor. Picture: MayaGunn's reboot comes after a series of box office disappointments with Henry Cavill's stint in the suit. Although Cavill's name is now in the mix to play James Bond, he expressed his disappointment about Gunn's recasting on Instagram in 2022, saying the news wasn't the easiest. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'But the changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that,' he wrote. Talk of a curse began way before Cavill was sent packing. Or even Zack Snyder's troubled Justice League film in 2017, and Bryan Singer's snooze-worthy Superman Returns a decade before that. It all started with TV Superman George Reeves' mysterious death in 1959. Found shot dead – ruled suicide but speculated to be murder – Reeves' disillusionment with superhero fame and subsequent alcoholism was detailed in the 2006 film Hollywoodland starring Ben Affleck. Corenswet in a scene from the new Superman film, which raked in a whopping $US210 million worldwide on its opening weekend. Picture: Warner Bros Pictures via AP Henry Cavill was the last to play Superman on screen. Picture: Warner Bros Affleck, who had played Daredevil before shooting Hollywoodland, told he understood Reeves' frustrations with the superhero genre. 'I knew how ridiculous you feel in a red suit,' Affleck laughed. 'You feel – even if these movies work – very, very silly.' Likewise, Affleck understood the downsides of fame. 'The modern form of typecasting, you don't get typecast as a certain character you get typecast as yourself, and with George they couldn't see past the Superman character,' Affleck explained. 'Nowadays the danger is that people don't see past what they read in the tabloids, and that can be as damaging if not more so than the other type of typecasting. I certainly can tell you from experience it's bad. It's bad psychologically, bad for your career.' Superman director James Gunn with Corenswet, Brosnahan and attend at CinemaCon 2025 in April in Las Vegas. Picture: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for CinemaCon Of course, Reeves wasn't the only actor whose career never really took flight after playing Superman. Dean Cain (who starred alongside Teri Hatcher in '90s TV series Lois & Clark), Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and Tom Welling (who played a teenage Clark Kent in long-running TV show Smallville) also struggled after hanging up their capes. Perhaps the saddest example of the so-called curse came from the 1978 classic Superman, when its star Christopher Reeve was left paralysed from the neck down in 1995 after a horseriding accident. He died in 2004, aged 52. George Reeves, who played Superman in the 1950s TV series with Noel Neill as Lois Lane, died under mysterious circumstances in 1959. Adding to that tragedy, Reeve's co-star Margot Kidder (who played the feisty Lois Lane) took her own life in 2018 after a long struggle with bipolar disorder, and Gene Hackman (Lex Luthor) was found dead in his home alongside his wife and dog in February this year. Lee John Quigley, who played Kal-El (aka baby Superman) in the same film, died when he was just 14. Before her death, Kidder shrugged off talk of a curse, telling The Telegraph in 2002: 'The idea cracks me up. What about the luck of Superman? 'When my car crashed this August, if I hadn't hit a telegraph pole after rolling three times, I would have dropped down a 50- to 60-foot ravine. Why don't people focus on that?' Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help. Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or Headspace: 1800 650 890 or 13YARN: Speak to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter on 13 92 76 or visit Are you anxious? Take the Beyond Blue quiz to see how you're tracking and whether you could benefit from support So, should the stars of James Gunn's reboot be quaking in their super suits? Josh Hartnett certainly thinks so. But not necessarily because of any curse. The Black Hawk Down star told The Guardian last year that he turned down the role of Superman twice because he didn't want to be swallowed up by the fame that came with playing a superhero. 'And you saw what happened to some people back then. They got obliterated by it. I didn't want that for myself,' he said. Likewise, in the documentary I Am Paul Walker, The Fast And The Furious actor's longtime pal and stunt double Oakley Lehman revealed Walker was in line to play Superman before he died. According to Walker's manager Matt Luber, he took one look at himself in the suit and thought: 'I've got an S on, I got a cape, boots, tights … this is not me. I'm getting the f*** out of here.' Brandon Routh played the superhero in the 2006 offering Superman Returns. Tom Welling shared in the TV series Smallville, which followed Clark Kent's high school adventures. Certainly, anyone who takes on the mantle of Superman has big boots to fill. And Corenswet will have his work cut out for him living up to some of his predecessor's work. As will Superman's writer and director Gunn, who fans expect to save their hero from the super scrapheap. Gunn seems confident he's found the right blend of cheesy nostalgia and tongue-in-cheek humour to make Superman soar once more. Speaking on the DC Studios Official Podcast, Gunn said his latest foray into the superhero genre wouldn't rely as heavily on catchy tunes and wisecracking characters as Guardians Of The Galaxy or Suicide Squad. Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher starred on the series Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder in 1978 film. 'Anything I do is going to be different, but it isn't about that, it's not relying on that, it's not relying on the songs, it's about this pure good, beautiful guy, who is trying to get by in a world that isn't those things and just happens to have superpowers, right?' he said. Celebrate the film's cinematic release on July 10 with a trip down Superman memory lane on Tubi. Adventures Of Superman: The Lost Episode: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Reeves in a lost episode of the classic series that never made it to TV. Airplane vs Volcano: Ex-Superman Dean Cain is among the everyday heroes trying to stay alive when the plane they're on flies into a ring of erupting volcanoes. The Great Escape II: The Untold Story: In his bid to be taken seriously as an actor post-Superman, Reeve plays a former prisoner of war who leads a manhunt to bring his captors to justice. Now streaming on Tubi Originally published as Curse hanging over Superman franchise as new film soars at box office
