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Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
Up, up and hooray! Superman is a refreshing joy
With Superman, filmmaker James Gunn brings the focus back to the 'man' as much as the 'super,' says Kervyn Cloete — and yes, there's room for fun too. The result is a strong start for the new DC Universe. While it still has its defenders, the general consensus is that Zack Snyder's DCEU ended with a whimper rather than a bang. But as the old adage goes, the one upside to being at the bottom is that there's nowhere else to go but up. And in the case of Superman, that's up, up and away! Ushering in a brand-new DC Comics cinematic universe faster than a speeding bullet, Superman is DC Studios co-head and writer/director James Gunn's soaring effort to achieve something you would think is simple, but which somehow has been fairly elusive: Make a comic book movie. Many filmmakers – including Gunn himself – have given us amazing cinematic adaptations and interpretations of our beloved comic books, but very rarely do they feel like a comic book in movie form. In Snyder's own work he was a master at capturing splash page visuals, but seldom tapped into the voices of the characters and their worlds. Watching Gunn's Superman, though, feels as close to grabbing a random issue of Action Comics off the rack as this writer has ever experienced. And much like opening that first title page of a comic, a rather succinct on-screen text is all that sets up this entire new universe, introducing us to a Clark Kent (David Corenswet) already three years into his public career as Superman. No exploding Krypton here. This is a world where superpowered metahumans are commonplace and the Man of Steel's rivalry with Metropolis's resident genius billionaire Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) is already fired up. Clark's romantic relationship with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), his 'punk rock' journalist co-worker at the Daily Planet, is also a fair bit along – although, hilariously, not as secretive as they seem to think it is. Into this, Gunn adds a colourful ensemble cast (including the obligatory 'Superman's friend' everyman), that classic comic book trope of Superman getting involved in global politics, zany science-fiction concepts (Pocket universes! Anti-proton rivers!), some wildly dynamic slobberknocker action beats, and an unabashed heaping of golly-shucks corn-fed charm. Most notably, this superhero movie features a hero being heroic. I would be remiss not to mention how important that concept is right now, given the state of our world. I can't think of a better time to be reminded that doing what is right is often not easy, but it is always necessary, even in the face of crippling personal doubts and societal pressures. If you think that sounds preachy, it's because it is. But Superman has been dishing out morality lessons directly to the audience since his inception in the 1940s. Why it works here – and where this Superman differs so much from some previous on-screen incarnations – is humanity. This is not an all-powerful deity swathed in godly raiment speaking down to scraggly mortals from his lofty moral mountaintop. Gunn has remembered that along with the 'super' comes the 'man'. David Corenswet as Superman in 'SUPERMAN,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. All of that would fall apart, though, if not presented sincerely. And luckily, in Corenswet Gunn has found a very likeable and charismatic lead actor who is not only able to play both Clark and Superman effectively, but his innate humanity and all the complex emotions that come with that shine through in every frame. With a suit as well designed as his personality (drawing heavy inspiration from the Superman creative greats like Jerry Siegel, Joe Schuster, John Byrne, Curt Swan, Dan Jurgens, Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely and Gary Frank), he is as effortlessly at home fighting giant monsters as he is having his first big lover's fight with Lois. It certainly helps that Corenswet and Brosnahan's chemistry together is more powerful than a locomotive. Hoult's villainous Luthor also skilfully straddles a fine line between sympathetic and moustache-twirling, with the young actor clearly having a blast as he makes his energetic hatred of Superman almost understandable, if not agreeable. The cast is rounded out by fellow heroes Michael Holt/Mr Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Guy Gardner/Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion) and Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), cub reporter Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), Daily Planet editor-in-chief Perry White (Wendel Pierce), not-so-good-boy Krypto the Super-dog, metahuman Rex Mason/Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), Luthor's girlfriend Eve Tessmacher (Sara Sampaio), Luthorcorp henchwoman and future member of The Authority Angela Spica/The Engineer (María Gabriela de Faría), Ma and Pa Kent (Neva Howell and Pruitt Taylor Vince), and more. That's a lot. And I haven't even mentioned the surprise cameos. With a two-hour runtime, it means that most of the cast outside of the top three billings of Corenswet, Brosnahan and Hoult don't really get a lot of screen real estate to establish themselves fully. The exception here is undoubtedly Mr Terrific, whose constant scene-stealing will quickly erase the disappointing memory of the last time he was adapted on screen (Sorry, Arrowverse fans). (L to R) Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl and Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific in DC Studios' and Warner Bros. Pictures' 'SUPERMAN,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. With all of those things to juggle, though, it does mean that Superman is not a perfect movie. The central plot through-line often feels a bit muddled, and you can see even how even the world's strongest hero starts to buckle slightly under the weight of setting up an entire universe. It also doesn't help that Gunn doesn't know to get out of his own way at times – his now signature needle drops and some mild but still jarring strong language feel out of place. And staying with the music, it's disappointing that composers John Murphy and David Fleming's score is not better, given this franchise's iconic history. Following in the footsteps of John Williams and Hans Zimmer is a herculean task, and the effort here is certainly not without merit, but by choosing to build a main theme around Williams's historic jingle, we end up with a score that just feels like some hastily copied homework. Despite these discordant parts, though, there's one thing that Gunn nails from the film's very first opening moments right to its two post-credit scenes (neither of which is narratively important, I might add), and that's fun! Superman is a refreshing joy to experience. It's playful and imaginative in all the best ways, never showing a scrap of embarrassment for wearing its heart on its blue sleeve as it sets out to inspire goodness in people. Embracing its comic book roots, delightful goofiness and all, with gusto, it's a Superman movie made by somebody who clearly loves Superman. A wild concept, I know, but it doesn't just work – it soars! DM
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Coco-colonialism
Bachi Karkaria's Erratica and its cheeky sign-off character, Alec Smart, have had a growing league of followers since 1994 when the column began in the Metropolis on Saturday. It now appears on the Edit Page of the Times of India, every Thursday. It takes a sly dig at whatever has inflated political/celebrity egos, and got public knickers in a twist that week. It makes you chuckle, think and marvel at the elasticity of the English language. It is a shooting-from-the-lip advice column to the lovelorn and otherwise torn, telling them to stop cribbing and start living -- all in her her branded pithy, witty style. LESS ... MORE London is going nuts over 'nariyal' Oxford Street isn't yet redolent with aromas of simmering aviyal, albeit close enough. Goodbye, Coca-colonialism's. Hello, coco-colonialism. London is being blitzed by coconut milk, water, oil, fresh/desiccated/compacted kernel. From tabloid, tube and bus, I'm bombarded with ads ordering 'Convert to Coconut'. It isn't baptism by fiery kari, but by cool tetrapack. Downing packaged nariyal paani is not a patch on slurping from the real thing, even if easier to wield. It's already caught on among India's sipping classes. Here, the little blue and white cartons are drink du jour not only coz Britain – indeed all exited-from Europe – is in the throes of a throat (and grass)-parching Indian summer. It's a wider conquest. The unrelenting ad's baseline says, 'It's not a cult'. The udder distaste for milk from nature-intended sources led to such substitutes as soya, oat, almond, apple…Coconut conversion, however, goes beyond Veganism & Co. Its messaging cashes in on the greatest, latest massage: 'gut health'. This is the silver bullet; sure-fire seduction; certain path to nirvana, physical, mental, psychological, yea, even social. As always, We knew it first. Remember the ancient eastern wisdom of a healthy morning evacuation? Here, 'potty' is ensured via pot of 'Coconut Yog'. That's yoghurt, not Guruji Iyengar. The ad promises 'ALL YOUR PROBLEMS WILL BE SOLVED. If your problems are exclusively breakfast-based. Or dessert-based. Or curry-dollop-based. Or wanting-a-whole-coconut-in-each-pot-based.' Chicken tikka masala and king-sized samosa, ok, but no self-respecting desi visitor will cure home-food yearning with ersatz Ernakulam. Better to favour real curry, Mercifully this is no longer the pineapple-riddled atrocity once dished up in icky-sticky Bangladeshi dives. As a mark of my own upgrading, the only Bangladeshi I encountered was expertly shaking signature cocktails in a Portobello tapas bar – and called himself 'Jose'. Still, good to know that 'coconut' is now something more desirable than a WOG (Westernised Oriental Gentlemen) who was 'brown outside, white inside'. Even more satisfying is palms metaphorically swaying amidst oaks, more evidence of East and West mixing, and nixing colonial Mr Kipling. *** Alec Smart said: 'Tesla test-drives India.' Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
The Province
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Province
Concert Review: The Weeknd brings After Hours Til Dawn tour to B.C. Place
Toronto-born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, has teased that this could be the final tour as his namesake alter ego The Weeknd performs at BC Place in Vancouver, July 15, 2025. (Arlen Redekop / Postmedi Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The Weeknd is by far the most interesting Canadian global pop star of the past decade. The singer, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, is also confusing. The first of two back-to-back B.C. Place dates on the After Hours Til Dawn tour made this crystal clear. It's unlikely that tonight's gig will change anything. In a marathon 40-tune show, the 35-year-old brought nothing less than an A-game to the arena-spanning set. From its veritable B.C. forest of flames, criss-crossing lasers, giant golden showpiece statue similar to the one seen in Fritz Lang's dystopian science fiction classic Metropolis, the design was all drama and flash. Add in masked, head scarf-wearing red-dressed dancers who mostly struck random poses and a kind of freaky mask with glowing eye orbs for the first few songs and it was a really big show designed to entrance. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The nearly sold out stadium certainly let the singer know that they approved. This crowd was loud. But concerts are about music too and The Weeknd has always run into a bit of a problem with the whole 'filler versus killer' balance in his shows. For every perfect single such as Can't Feel My Face or Wake Me Up, there are also the tedious exercises in post-feminist manosphere romance poetry like Heartless or Timeless. While these plodding tracks did seem to have their fans, no amount of shots of The Weeknd's new Nespresso Samra Origins collaboration brew could stifle the yawns these songs generated. It felt like he was well aware of the moments when the material might need massaging to keep folks engaged and insisted on reminding everyone that the tour was in Vancouver at every imaginable opportunity. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. There may never have been another performer to grace B.C. Place that inserted the name of the city the concert was taking place in so many times. It wasn't necessary at all, even if it did keep the fans roaring approval. Their deafening choruses of boo following his mention of all the American cities the tour had recently been through said a great deal more about where people's minds are at these days. In other words, The Weeknd didn't need to be working so hard on selling his brand. People love the guy and yet here he was coming off like some well-worn Vegas strip hawker. It's somewhat possible that opener Playboi Carti not being able to make the show due to apparent border issues threw something of a wrench into the works. Carti has been joining The Weeknd during his performance on most of the tour which doubtlessly gives him a bit of a rest from carrying the entire load on his own. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. All he needed to do was keep dropping slamming funk-offs like Starboy and Faith into the set with those potent, spot-on vocals and flamepot flashes. His keyboard dropped an 80s-certified synth solo into the latter tune that took it completely next level. A few more moments like that wouldn't have hurt the flow one bit, as it gave the dancers a chance to flex and for The Weeknd to get up close to fans on one of the side runways. As noted, when the dude is hitting it right, he's awesome. The post-apocalyptic backdrop of a collapsed and destroyed cityscape and visuals of the artist trying to punch through a red wall suggested that there is a reincarnation coming from the musician and Tesfaye has repeatedly hinted that he might retire The Weeknd character after this tour finishes. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. If that is indeed the case, it will be interesting to see what Monday brings. Hopefully, he will find inspiration to craft more of the timeless ear worms he has locked into our heads forever and to dial back the repetitive sounding meandering midtempo duds. 5 Highlights in the After Hours Til Dawn set list When The Weeknd is on, he is like a force of pop perfection that nothing can stop. In his After Hours Til Dawn show, there are some spectacular examples of his pristine tune smithing. Here are the five highlights of the show. 1. Wake Me Up: From the poorly reviewed new album Hurry Up Tomorrow, this collab with French dance crew Justice proved itself as a live number. Its slow symphonic build up to a retro electrofunk vamp really got folks dancing in the bleachers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 2. Take My Breath: A slamming upbeat boogie from Dawn FM that has an addictive falsetto chorus hook that would make Earth, Wind & Fire jealous. This may have been the booty-shaker of the night. 3. The Hills: One of the ballads that resonates with genuine testimonial pain that drips with genuine emotion. The crowd belted out the 'I only call you when it's half-past five' lyric like it came from personal experience. Plus, FIRE! 4. Less Than Zero: An upbeat, bouncy tune that does that sounds like it could have been written by Orchestral Manouvers in the Dark in the eighties. Pairs melancholy lyricism with pure pop hooks. 5. Blinding Lights: Well, duh. Arguably the best-known song by someone who has written his share of classics, this driving hit is an absolute banger in concert. It's a timeless toe-tapper that will likely keep sounding as fresh as it does today in another 10 years. sderdeyn@ Read More Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances. 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Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Concert Review: The Weeknd brings After Hours Til Dawn tour to B.C. Place
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. The Weeknd is by far the most interesting Canadian global pop star of the past decade. The singer, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, is also confusing. The first of two back-to-back B.C. Place dates on the After Hours Til Dawn tour made this crystal clear. It's unlikely that tonight's gig will change anything. In a marathon 40 tune show, the 35 year-old brought nothing less than an A-game to the arena-spanning set. From its veritable B.C. forest of flames, criss-crossing lasers, giant golden showpiece statue similar to the one seen in Fritz Lang's dystopian science fiction classic Metropolis, the design was all drama and flash. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Add in masked, head scarf-wearing red-dressed dancers who mostly struck random poses and a kind of freaky mask with glowing eye orbs for the first few songs and it was a really big show designed to entrance. The nearly sold out stadium certainly let the singer know that they approved. This crowd was loud. But concerts are about music too and The Weeknd has always run into a bit of a problem with the whole 'filler versus killer' balance in his shows. For every perfect single such as Can't Feel My Face or Wake Me Up, there are also the tedious exercises in post-feminist manosphere romance poetry like Heartless or Timeless. While these plodding tracks did seem to have their fans, no amount of shots of The Weeknd's new Nespresso Samra Origins collaboration brew could stifle the yawns these songs generated. It felt like he was well aware of the moments when the material might need massaging to keep folks engaged and insisted on reminding everyone that the tour was in Vancouver at every imaginable opportunity. There may never have been another performer to grace B.C. Place that inserted the name of the city the concert was taking place in so many times. It wasn't necessary at all, even if it did keep the fans roaring approval. Their deafening choruses of boo following his mention of all the American cities the tour had recently been through said a great deal more about where people's minds are at these days. In other words, The Weeknd didn't need to be working so hard on selling his brand. People love the guy and yet here he was coming off like some well-worn Vegas strip hawker. It's somewhat possible that opener Playboi Carti not being able to make the show due to apparent border issues threw something of a wrench into the works. Carti has been joining The Weeknd during his performance on most of the tour which doubtlessly gives him a bit of a rest from carrying the entire load on his own. All he needed to do was keep dropping slamming funk-offs like Starboy and Faith into the set with those potent, spot-on vocals and flamepot flashes. His keyboard drop an 80s-certified synth solo into the latter tune that took it completely next level. A few more moments like that wouldn't have hurt the flow one bit, as it gave the dancers a chance to flex and for The Weeknd to get up closer to fans on one of the side runways. As noted, when the dude is hitting it right, he's awesome. The post-apocalyptic backdrop of a collapsed and destroyed cityscape and visuals of the artist trying to punch through a red wall suggested that there is a reincarnation coming from the musician and Tesfaye has repeatedly hinted that he might retire The Weeknd character after this tour finishes. If that is indeed the case, it will be interesting to see what Monday brings. Hopefully, he will find inspiration to craft more of the timeless ear worms he has locked into our heads forever and to dial back the repetitive sounding meandering midtempo duds. When The Weeknd is on, he is like a force of pop perfection that nothing can stop. In his After Hours Til Dawn show, there are some spectacular examples of his pristine tune smithing. Here are the five highlights of the show. 1. Wake Me Up : From the poorly reviewed new album Hurry Up Tomorrow, this collab with French dance crew Justice proved itself as a live number. Its slow symphonic build up to a retro electrofunk vamp really got folks dancing in the bleachers. 2. Take My Breath : A slamming upbeat boogie from Dawn FM that has an addictive falsetto chorus hook that would make Earth, Wind & Fire jealous. This may have been the booty-shaker of the night. 3. The Hills : One of the ballads that resonates with genuine testimonial pain that drips with genuine emotion. The crowd belted out the 'I only call you when it's half-past five' lyric like it came from personal experience. Plus, FIRE! 4. Less Than Zero : An upbeat, bouncy tune that does that sounds like it could have been written by Orchestral Manouvers in the Dark in the eighties. Pairs melancholy lyricism with pure pop hooks. 5. Blinding Lights : Well, duh. Arguably the best-known song by someone who has written his share of classics, this driving hit is an absolute banger in concert. It's a timeless toe-tapper that will likely keep sounding as fresh as it does today in another 10 years. sderdeyn@ Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
The Many Takes on Superman: Gruff, Charming or Menschy?
Kal-El, Man of Steel, Last Son of Krypton: Superman has many names, and also many faces when it comes to live-action takes on the hero. With the release of 'Superman,' David Corenswet joins the society of actors who have played arguably the most famous of all superheroes. But Superman, more so than a lot of his superpowered peers, often serves more as a symbol than a fully drawn character. Below is a rundown of some of the most prominent depictions of Superman in the last few decades and what these actors brought to their embodiments of the Man of Tomorrow. Superman I-IV (1978-87) The Archetype Christopher Reeve set the standard for a live-action Superman, creating a pop culture phenomenon on the big screen. Now the trend for those taking on the role is to find new angles on the hero, to modernize or subvert the character. Much of that can be attributed to Reeve's portrayal, which was that of a quintessential comic book savior. His Superman is confident, upstanding and authoritative, and between his powers and his unimpeachable sense of justice, he's downright unstoppable — as when he reverses the Earth's rotation to go back in time to save a life. Whether he's posed with his arms crossed in judgment of a foe or standing fists on waist and arms akimbo at the end of a battle, there's a machismo power in his bearing. And his disarming smile and self-assured voice, which occasionally offers calm but firm scoldings to wrongdoers, paint him as a hero of the people. These early Superman movies were less about developing the character and more about reinforcing fans' love for the original figure. Lois & Clark:The New Adventures of Superman (1993-97) Rom-Com Superman Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
