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Aquaman (2018)
Aquaman (2018)
2018 | Action, Sci-Fi
Special effects (1 more)
Jason Momoa
Best Superhero Film to Date
I have to say that before I watched Aquaman, my favorite superhero was Superman. The classic Christopher Reeve persona of Superman to be precise. But when I took my dad to see Aquaman for his birthday, that all changed. It's a fun loving film, great for any fans of action, superheroes and Jason Momoa. The special effects were spectacular. This movie has snuck up to be in my top 20 movies of all time.
  
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J.A. Bayona recommended Superman (1978) in Movies (curated)

 
Superman (1978)
Superman (1978)
1978 | Action, Drama

"It’s the first movie I saw when I was a kid, and it’s also my first memory of my life. It’s the first thing I remember. I was three years old — I know that because it was 1978. The first thing I remember in my life is the shot of Christopher Reeve wearing the Superman clothes and flying. That image provoked such an impact on me that from that moment on, I wanted to be Superman. And then as I grew up, I wanted to be the guy who made Superman possible. So I found out that there were these guys called actors and I wanted to be one. I was obsessed with movies when I was a kid. That movie created such an impact on me, and when I watch it again nowadays, I still believe it’s a masterpiece. It established the superhero genre on a level that, I think nowadays there’s not any movie that has it better than that for me, in the genre. The reality of the special effects, the chemistry between Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder is still there. The way Richard Donner recreates Smallville… It’s an endless film to me. It’s an amazing film, especially nowadays."

Source
  
Somewhere in Time (1980)
Somewhere in Time (1980)
1980 | Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
Casting chemistry (3 more)
Beautiful love story
Gorgeous scenery
Beautiful writing
Nothing (0 more)
This is by far one of my favorite films of all time. A stunning and heart warming time travel love story. Where a man falls in love with a woman that can only be found in another time. Played by Christopher Reeve(Superman) and Jane Seymour, the main characters love story is not to be missed. I've actually visited the place where this movie was filmed. It took my breath away, I felt like I was part of the film when I was there. My grandmother introduced me to this movie, and I will definetely be introducing this to my future grandchildren
  
SB
Superman: Birthright
Mark Waid | 2005
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's funny, but while - like, I'm sure, most people out there - I may know (of) the origin of the Man of Steel, I've never actually seeing it written down anywhere.

Thinking about it, I think that knowledge comes from the Christopher Reeve Superman films, and the more recent TV series Smallville.

That TV series was still running when this graphic novel series was released.

This goes back to Superman's earliest days in Metropolis, with a brief flash-back to his high school Smallville days, to present a new take on the origin of the character - Jimmy Olsen? Check. Ma and Pa Kent? Check. Perry White? Check. Lois Lane? Check. Lex Luthor? Also check!

As such, I found this an interesting take on the character, with some dynamic action sequences and some stand-out visuals (Clark Kent soaring over a herd of stampeding Zebra's, for instance).
  
Man of Steel (2013)
Man of Steel (2013)
2013 | Action, Sci-Fi
"KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!"

Oh, wait, wrong version of that character!

This is Zack Snyders reboot of the Superman story; basically an origin story for The Man of Steel and setting out is stall pretty early with the absolutely bonkers scene where Russell Crowe's Jor-El rides a dragon as the planet Krypton (a very different take on said planet than in the Christopher Reeve films) begins to die.

It also ends with the massive destruction in Metropolis - to be fair, a consequence of which is shown in the following DC film Batman Vs Superman - and with a shocking scene where this version of Superman commits an action it is almost impossible to imagine his Silver Age counterpoint to do.

Michael Shannon's Zod comes across as less campy than Terence Stamps, while - in this version, at least - the reason Lois Lane is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist *is* actually shown.
  
Superman II (1981)
Superman II (1981)
1981 | Action, Sci-Fi
KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!
Straight sequel (as in, referencing the events of the first and building on it) to the 1978 Christopher Reeve original, and there's a reason why this, for many, is held up as one of the best Superhero sequels (and Reeves as one of the best actors to portray Clarke Kent/Superman).

This is the one with (Terence Stamps version of) Zod and his fellow Krypotonian criminals - exiled to the Phantom Zone during the start of the first movie - released from captivity by an explosion in space and landing on earth to rule, just as Lois (finally) uncovers Clarke's real identity and travels with him to his Fortress of Solitude (the ramifications of which are felt in 206's Superman Returns) where he makes the decision to give up his powers and live as a mortal.

Things being what they are, this is a decision he comes to regret and has to travel back - alone - to regain his powers in order to defeat Zod and co, leading to a climactic battle in Metropolis and - later - back at that fortress of solititude.

You do have to wonder, though, how come Superman has powers here never seen or heard of again ...
  
Life After Flash (2017)
Life After Flash (2017)
2017 | Documentary
Flash! Ah Ah!
To say the film Flash Gordon shaped me as a child would be a gross understatement. I worship the film as a screen classic and as one of my favorite films of all time. Ok, I know it's not Citizen Kane; however, it is the Citizen Kane of campy 80s rock operas.

As much as I would love to have an 8 hour conversation with someone about the merits of Flash Gordon, I should be talking about the 2017 film Life After Flash which I don't think I had any choice but to enjoy.

The film itself is kind of divided into to parts. The first half talking to all the surviving principles about how they were cast, the production itself, their interactions with epic producer Dino De Laurentiis and the film's legacy in their eyes. The second half was devoted to star Sam J. Jones himself and his personal journey before, during and after the film was completed and released in 1980.

He talked about how his ego got in the way of production so much so that his voice isn't even used in the film and was dubbed by another actor. He also expounded on his life since talking about dark times when the work dried up and how he even thought of suicide.

Thankfully after many years, Seth MacFarlane and asked him to cameo his most famous role in "Ted" and how that has reignited his film and public appearance career. (As a side note, since I am just a huge Flash Gordon fan, the Sam Jones scenes in Ted are about the funniest scenes ever in a motion picture for me).

Others mention the effects of typecasting in Hollywood. Even director Richard Donner mentions the fate Christopher Reeve has after Superman.

I should watch more documentaries as I always learn things I didn't know before and this great film was no exception.

  
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
1935 | Classics, Horror, Sci-Fi
She's alive!
I am trying to remember the last film I saw where the title character doesn't appear until the last 10 minutes? I don't think I can. In Superman, you don't see Christopher Reeve for the first hour, in Aliens you don't see any full grown Aliens until an hour in. Can you think of any others?

The 2nd Frankenstein film is certainly a continuation as it starts right when the last film ends. The monster is presumed dead, during the windmill fire. He is eventually found, chained and hauled off to prison. He escapes and then wanders the countryside encountering a friendly bling man. Unknowing the hideous nature of his new friend, he invites the monster in to eat, drink and smoke. The monster begins to actually act civilized for a bit even spurting out his first words and smiling. This is short-lived as he is again located and flees.

Meanwhile, Dr. Frankenstein is still recovering himself when he meets Doctor Pretorius, an even more wacky scientist bent on creating his own abomination. Frankenstein has had a change of mind and heart about his monster and wants it to be destroyed. Pretorius kidnaps Frankenstein's new wife and blackmails him into helping with the new project.

Eventual success brings us the Bride of Frankenstein!



Karloff continues his stellar performance as the monster, this time giving him humanity, humor and benevolence in addition to the usual rage. You see his loneliness and wanting to belong with no one who gazes upon him ever giving him a chance to have a personality.

The look of the film also has a starring role including the vast depth of the Frankenstein home which seems to go on forever and again showcased in glorious black and white. The majesty of the outdoor landscapes are also beautiful and really assist the audience in merging with its storytelling beautifully.

I did find is strange they introduced the bride so late in the film. She doesn't really have much to do other than get introduced to her new groom and make a few grunting noises. I am assuming she will play a bigger role in Son of Frankenstein which is up next!