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Edmonton Journal
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Film review: James Gunn's Superman walks a fine line between triumph and tragedy
Sometimes, superheroes fight supervillains. And sometimes they fight an even more insidious force — critics. Last week, the Daily Beast broke a studio embargo and released its review of the new Superman movie five days early, calling it 'the final nail in the grave for the superhero genre.' Article content 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!) Article content 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.) Article content Article content 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. Article content 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! Article content Article content 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. Article content Article content Article content 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. Article content 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.)
Indian Express
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Catherine, Princess of Wales, steps back into the fashion spotlight
The fashion crowd in London is generally known for keeping cool. But Tuesday, the editors and designers at a ceremony for one of the industry's most prestigious local awards became palpably excited when Catherine, Princess of Wales, emerged to present this year's Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design to Patrick McDowell, 29, a Liverpool-born designer. Dressed in an olive Victoria Beckham suit and a white silk pussy-bow blouse, Catherine walked with McDowell among mannequins and models wearing the designer's looks inside 180 the Strand, the central London building where the event took place. It was the second time the princess had presented the award, which was created by the British Fashion Council and the British royal family in 2018 to recognize the role London's fashion industry 'plays in society and diplomacy.' The princess did not give public comments at the ceremony, but McDowell said that their private conversation touched on topics including a shared appreciation for craftsmanship and the designer's efforts to make collections in Britain and offer customers the option to repair or rework old garments. McDowell added that, as Catherine toured the clothes on display, she took interest in a tailored sleeveless jacket called 'the Wales jacket.' 'She said, 'Why would you call it that?' with a big smile,' McDowell said. 'What a moment, to be sharing jokes with our future queen.' Catherine's appearance at the event came as she has been stepping up the pace and profile of her public engagements after her cancer diagnosis and treatment last year. In January, she said her cancer was in remission; about a month later, the Sunday Times of London published an article that suggested that Kensington Palace would no longer be disclosing any details of her outfits to the news media. During the awards ceremony, the princess also met with other young designers who were on hand to showcase their wares, including Conner Ives, an American working in London whose 'Protect the Dolls' T-shirt have spread widely on social media in recent weeks. On Tuesday, Ives was announced as the 2025 winner of the British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund award, which came with a grant and an industry mentorship. In past years, the Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design went to designers including Richard Quinn, S.S. Daley and Priya Ahluwalia. It has been presented in the past by other senior royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and Princess Anne. McDowell, whose namesake brand was introduced in 2018, is known for offering made-to-order evening and occasion wear designed in London using recycled textiles and new sustainable materials like sequins made of cellulose. Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker and Keira Knightley are among the label's notable fans. Winning the Queen Elizabeth II Award was 'a wonderful pat on the back that provides a game-changing stamp of approval,' McDowell said, as well as an 'acknowledgment that working in a circular way is a way forward.' 'I'd love to make a piece for her,' McDowell added, referring to Catherine. 'It would be a dream come true.'
New York Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Catherine, Princess of Wales, Steps Back Into the Fashion Spotlight
The fashion crowd in London is generally known for keeping cool. But on Tuesday, the editors and designers at a ceremony for one of the industry's most prestigious local awards became palpably excited when Catherine, Princess of Wales, emerged to present this year's Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design to Patrick McDowell, 29, a Liverpool-born designer. Dressed in an olive Victoria Beckham suit and a white silk pussy-bow blouse, Catherine walked with Mr. McDowell among mannequins and models wearing the designer's looks inside 180 the Strand, the Central London building where the event took place. It was the second time the princess had presented the award, which was created by the British Fashion Council and the British royal family in 2018 to recognize the role London's fashion industry 'plays in society and diplomacy.' The princess did not give public comments at the ceremony, but Mr. McDowell said that their private conversation touched on topics including a shared appreciation for craftsmanship and the designer's efforts to make collections in Britain and offer customers the option to repair or rework old garments. Mr. McDowell added that, as Catherine toured the clothes on display, she took interest in a tailored sleeveless jacket called 'the Wales jacket.' 'She said, 'Why would you call it that?' with a big smile,' Mr. McDowell said. 'What a moment, to be sharing jokes with our future queen.' Catherine's appearance at the event came as she has been stepping up the pace and profile of her public engagements after her cancer diagnosis and treatment last year. In January, she said her cancer was in remission; about a month later, the Sunday Times of London published an article that suggested that Kensington Palace would no longer be disclosing any details of her outfits to the news media. During the awards ceremony, the princess also met with other young designers who were on hand to showcase their wares, including Conner Ives, an American working in London whose 'Protect the Dolls' T-shirt have spread widely on social media in recent weeks. On Tuesday, Mr. Ives was announced as the 2025 winner of the British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund award, which came with a grant and an industry mentorship. In past years, the Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design went to designers including Richard Quinn, S.S. Daley and Priya Ahluwalia. It has been presented in the past by other senior royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III and Princess Anne. Mr. McDowell, whose namesake brand was introduced in 2018, is known for offering made-to-order evening and occasion wear designed in London using recycled textiles and new sustainable materials like sequins made of cellulose. Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker and Keira Knightley are among the label's notable fans. Winning the Queen Elizabeth II Award was 'a wonderful pat on the back that provides a game-changing stamp of approval,' Mr. McDowell said, as well as an 'acknowledgment that working in a circular way is a way forward.' 'I'd love to make a piece for her,' Mr. McDowell added, referring to Catherine. 'It would be a dream come true.'
