Superman Returns (2006): DC Comics. The Man of Steel Enters the 21st Century

Superman Returns. 2006. DC Comics. The Man of Steel Enters the 21st Century

     Superman Returns (2006), released some 28 years after the first Christopher Reeve Superman film, is in many ways just as good, if not better, than the original. The cinematography is stunning, with great shot composition and Crucifixion symbolism and imagery adding unique visual elements. Naturally, technological advances have increased the realism of the special effects, but Superman Returns is great in other areas as well... namely acting. Brandon Routh is an excellent Superman, bringing a bit of humanity to the superhuman role. Kate Beckinsale is a lovely Lois Lane. Even Kevin Spacey, who many doubted could fill Gene Hackman's shoes, is sadistically fun as Lex Luthor. Old Hollywood is present as well... with Eva Marie Saint making a nice appearance as Mrs. Kent, and Marlon Brando (who died two years prior, in 2004) reprising his role as Jor-El, Superman's father, via stock footage.

     When astronomers thought they had discovered the remains of the Planet Krypton, Superman left Earth to go see what was left of his birthplace. He found nothing, was gone five years, and has now returned... 

Superman Returns. 2006

     Just in time, as it turns out, too. Lex Luthor is scheming once again. This time, he wants to use crystals to grow a new continent on Earth. A continent on which, naturally, he will be ruler. When the new land mass is formed, the sea will be displaced, killing billions of people... 

Superman Returns. 2006

Superman Returns. 2006

     Meanwhile, Superman (as Clark Kent) has gotten his old job back at the Daily Planet newspaper. He is still awkwardly in love with Lois Lane... 

Superman Returns. 2006

     And Lois Lane is still in love with Superman... 

Superman Returns. 2006

     Superman still flies around, heroically saving people around the World... 

Superman Returns. 2006

     But, priorities must be had, and Lex Luthor must be stopped...

Superman Returns. 2006

Superman (1978): DC Comics. Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman and Marlon Brando

Superman. 1978. DC Comics. Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman and Marlon Brando

     It was no easy task bringing DC Comics' most prized character to the big screen in the late 1970's. However, after acquiring the rights, changing the writers, director, stars and the production schedule numerous times, Superman (1978) was finally released to fanfare. For the time period (and even now) the special effects were breathtaking, the story was solid, the direction was exact, Gene Hackman became one of the screen's greatest villains, and the film's star... relatively unknown Christopher Reeve, owned the part that would define him for the rest of his life. Some Old Hollywood faces signed on as well... with Marlon Brando as Jor-El, Superman's father, Glenn Ford as Mr. Kent, and 1930's child star Jackie Cooper playing the editor of the Daily Planet. It was the prototype superhero movie, and by default, the template for many superhero films that followed... a true Classic of the genre.

     Having sentenced three criminals to oblivion, Jor-El (Marlon Brando) is unable to convince the council that Krypton is about to be destroyed... 

Superman. 1978: Marlon Brando

     Fearful for the welfare of his son, Kil-El, Jor-El sends him off into space towards the distant planet Earth, where Kil-El will find a suitable environment and his dense-molecular structure will give him super-abilities. He also hopes that his son will use his powers to become a savior for Earth. Three years later, Kil-El crash lands near the rural town of Smallville, where he is found and adopted by the Kents. They name him Clark. The Kents soon discover that Clark is not like the other children... 

Superman. 1978

     Clark realizes it as well, and heads off to discover who he is. A crystal leads him to the Fortress of Solitude, where images of Jor-El inform him of everything he needs to know... 

Superman. 1978

     He is now comfortable with the powers that set him apart. He is now Superman... 

Superman. 1978: Christopher Reeve

     He gets a job at the Daily Planet newspaper, disguising himself as the bumbling Clark Kent... 

Superman. 1978: Christopher Reeve

     But when someone needs rescuing, Superman responds. He also catches the fancy of co-worker Lois Lane (Margot Kidder)... 

Superman. 1978: Christopher Reeve

     But while all this was going on, villain Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) has bought up a bunch of desert land, hoping to destroy California and be the owner of new valuable beachfront property. And he's just getting started... 

Superman. 1978: Gene Hackman

      Superman must save the world...

Superman. 1978: Christopher Reeve

The Godfather (1972): Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Francis Ford Coppola

     Based on Mario Puzo's 1969 novel of the same name, The Godfather (1972) is widely considered to be one of the greatest films ever made. It is certainly, at the very least, one of the most influential. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the pitch-perfect screen play was co-written by Coppola and Mario Puzo. From the now classic opening scene to the equally classic finale, all anchored by an unforgettable musical score, The Godfather is full of timeless moments... including the now legendary line, "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." Coppola's unconventional choices in casting, though protested at the time, proved to be a stroke of genius. Marlon Brando's performance is often cited to be the benchmark, and pinnacle of acting ability. The film also placed newcomer Al Pacino on the map. The supporting cast of Robert Duvall, James Caan, Sterling Hayden, Talia Shire, John Cazale and Diane Keaton deliver admirable, spot-on performances as well. The Godfather won three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay... and Best Actor, which Marlon Brando famously refused to accept. Two sequels followed.

     1945: Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) is the patriarch of the powerful Corleone crime family in New York... 

The Godfather. 1972: Marlon Brando

     His daughter is getting married, and the whole family is present... 

The Godfather. 1972: Marlon Brando and Al Pacino

     including Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) a war hero out on military leave, accompanied by his girlfriend Kay Adams (Diane Keaton). Michael tends to distance himself from the criminal aspects of his family...

The Godfather. 1972: Diane Keaton and Al Pacino

      Don Corleone is gunned down, after his refusal to join the other Mafia crime families in the drug trade, but survives... 

The Godfather. 1972: Marlon Brando

     Michael vows revenge on those responsible... 

The Godfather. 1972: Al Pacino

     After the killings, Michael must flee America for Sicily, where he meets the lovely Appolonia...

The Godfather. 1972

     Meanwhile, Sonny Corleone (James Caan) has taken over the family operation, with the assistance of his trusted adopted brother Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall)... 

The Godfather. 1972

     Sonny doesn't fare well, though, and is murdered...

The Godfather. 1972

      leaving Michael to return to America to take over... 

The Godfather. 1972: Al Pacino

     with the ailing Don staying on as his advisor... 

The Godfather. 1972: Marlon Brando and Al Pacino

     Michael must tie up all the loose ends, to ensure that his family will continue to thrive in their endeavors...

The Godfather. 1972: Marlon Brando and Al Pacino